TRANSPORT DEVICE WITH TRANSPORT RACK AND COUNTER-RAACK

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a transport device for a transported item comprising a transport rake with at least one tine and a counter rake with at least one tine, wherein the counter rake is adjustable in the transport direction relative to the transport rake in order to clamp a transported item between the at least one tine of the transport rake and the at least one tine of the counter rake.

[0002] Such a transport device of the generic type is known from EP 3 072 834 A1. Reference is also made to EP 2 743 192 A1, CN 201 702 778U, DE 199 36 255 A1, DE 10 2015 224874 A1, JP H03 270828A, and CN 106 743 545 A, which also teach such transport devices. CN 106 743 545 A discloses a transport device according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0003] The present application relates, with regard to the design of some embodiments, to features disclosed in the description, claims and figures of the German application with the file number DE 10 2018 211 839.6.

[0004] During filling processes or the production of corresponding products, a large number of small containers often have to be moved precisely, for example, under the filling needles of a filling station. Particularly in the production of pharmaceutical products, vials, syringes, small bottles, and the like are generally filled in clean rooms and in a sterilized state. Filling stations and other processing stations, such as closing stations, generally process, fill, or close one or a small number of containers, for example, ten. Overall, however, a corresponding device must process several thousand such small containers per hour for economic efficiency.

[0005] Accordingly, it is necessary to move the small containers in groups or individually within the cleanroom as efficiently as possible, with particular emphasis on minimizing friction. Because any friction causes material abrasion, which can degrade the cleanroom quality.

[0006] EP 3 072 834 A1 proposes a transport device with transport rakes and counter rakes, whereby with a corresponding relative movement of the transport rake and counter rake, containers are clamped between the respective tines and are slightly lifted, whereupon a simultaneous movement of the transport rake and counter rake can move the containers further in the desired direction.

[0007] The transport rake and counter rake are driven or moved by permanently installed drive arrangements, with the transport rake or counter rake each being attached to a driven eccentric disc of the respective drive by means of a lever.

[0008] One of the disadvantages of this is that the range of motion and the type of movement for the transport rake and counter rake are clearly defined by the size and shape of the eccentric discs. Thus, in any given situation, the only option is to perform an arc-shaped movement with the transport rake or counter rake in one direction or the other. In particular, it is not possible to move containers along a transport direction while maintaining the same position perpendicular to the transport direction. Furthermore, the containers must be set down and picked up several times to move them from one side of the transport rake to the other.

[0009] In addition, when using a corresponding transport rake and counter rake, all objects in the area of ​​the transport rake and counter rake must always be moved simultaneously, so that a fixed machine cycle must be maintained.

[0010] Furthermore, a complex mechanism is required to ensure the correct relative movement of the transport rakes and counter rakes, especially if the limited range of motion of the eccentric discs is not to be transferred directly to the transport rakes and counter rakes. This complex mechanism must also be installed in the cleanroom. If a malfunction occurs, the cleanroom must be opened accordingly and then sterilized again. This requires that production as a whole be halted for an extended period.

[0011] The object of the present invention is therefore to overcome or minimize the disadvantages of the known transport system.

[0012] This object is achieved by a transport device according to claim 1 and a system according to claim 8, as well as a method according to claim 11.

[0013] The transport device according to the invention is characterized in that at least one of the transport rake and the counter rake is connected to a movable transport element suitable for a purely linear movement in or against the transport direction, wherein a drive system is provided with which the transport element can be moved in a purely linear manner in or against the transport direction.

[0014] This allows for greater freedom of movement, as this freedom of movement is now aligned with the freedom of movement provided by the drive system. Furthermore, a complicated drive mechanism is avoided or at least located at a certain distance from the rake and counter-rake. This reduces the frequency of maintenance and simplifies maintenance.

[0015] According to the invention, the transport device according to the invention is characterized in that at least one of the transport rake and the counter rake is connected to two transport elements suitable for a purely linear movement in or against the transport direction and movable relative to one another, wherein a drive system is provided with which the transport elements can be moved in a purely linear manner in or against the transport direction.

[0016] Both transport rakes and counter rakes are connected to at least one corresponding transport element and are preferably also not connected to any other drive device other than corresponding transport elements.

[0017] This allows the transport rakes and counter rakes to move at least linearly along the transport direction, provided the transport elements are movable along the transport direction by means of the drive system. This allows containers, in particular, to be transported along the transport direction without having to be constantly set down and re-gripped.

[0018] Preferably, a corresponding rake is connected to at least two transport elements, which are movable relative to one another. In addition to better support of the transport rake and thus a greater possible length of the rake, a suitable connection of transport elements and rakes can be used to realize movement sequences that do not involve, or not only involve, a linear displacement along the transport direction by means of the relative movement of the transport elements of a transport rake.

[0019] Depending on the connection structure, this can cause the rake and / or the tines to be moved transversely to the transport direction, or even tilt or rotate the transport rake. Other functional elements on the rake could also be activated in this way. For example, each transport element is preferably attached to the transport element and rake by means of two articulated rods. The relative distance between the two transport elements of the rake then simply determines how far the rake is from the transport elements and thus the position of the transport rake and the tines transversely to the transport direction.

[0020] This allows the rake, and then, of course, the counter-rake in a similar manner, to be moved back and forth across the transport direction, allowing corresponding containers to be accessed from a larger area and, in particular, allowing containers not currently being transported to be placed somewhat further away from the transport elements. This allows other containers to be transported past these containers along the transport direction.

[0021] According to the invention, both transport rakes and counter rakes are connected to at least two of the transport elements, preferably each to different transport elements.

[0022] According to the invention, the transport elements of the transport rake and counter rake are movable in the transport direction along offset, parallel paths. This means that the transport elements of the transport rake and counter rake do not mutually restrict each other's range of motion.

[0023] Such mobility on offset sections can be achieved in particular by ensuring that the transport elements are not only linearly movable, but also move over an entire surface that is parallel to the transport direction or orthogonally to the transport direction. This can be achieved, for example, by designing the transport elements with rotatable rollers according to the corresponding features in application DE 10 2018 211 839.6. This allows the transport elements of the transport rake and counter rake to move apart upwards and downwards and then be moved past each other.

[0024] In a preferred embodiment, the transport rake and counter rake are connected to one another in such a way that relative movement to one another is possible. This can be achieved, for example, by one of the two having a slot extending along the transport direction, in which a projection or similar element of the other is movably mounted. However, other designs are also conceivable, for example an interlocking rail and counter rail on the transport rake and counter rake and / or rollers / cylinders or similar on one rake and a running surface on the other rake. This can be advantageous because it increases the freedom of movement and thus the use of the transport rake and counter rake. At the same time, the transport rake and counter rake can support one another or stabilize each other in position.

[0025] However, in another preferred variant, the transport rake and counter rake are not connected to each other. This can be achieved, for example, by arranging them slightly above each other, with the tines positioned at just the right height so that they can move past each other while simultaneously clamping a container between them.

[0026] The variant with non-connected transport rakes and counter rakes is particularly advantageous in combination with transport elements of transport rakes and counter rakes running on different routes. This allows the transport rakes and counter rakes to move completely past each other, allowing the number of clamped transport goods to be freely selected (since, depending on their relative position, a corresponding number of tines of the transport rake can interact with tines of the counter rake). Transport rakes and counter rakes can also interact with other, equivalently constructed counter rakes and transport rakes.

[0027] In the variant with unconnected transport rakes and counter rakes, the tines can also be arranged so that they are each at the same height. In the variant with transport elements that move not only linearly but also two-dimensionally, the transport rakes and counter rakes can still be separated from each other and moved past each other by moving the transport elements orthogonally to the transport direction.

[0028] Preferably, transport rakes and / or counter rakes comprise a support rod extending parallel to the transport direction, from which the tines preferably extend orthogonally to the transport direction.

[0029] This is a relatively simple design without complicated mechanics. It is particularly advantageous when combined with the connection of the transport elements to the transport rake or counter rake via hinged rods. This is because it is a simple construction that simultaneously allows precise positioning of the transport rake or counter rake across the transport direction by means of the relative displacement of several transport elements of the transport rake or counter rake.

[0030] Preferably, particularly in the variant with articulated rods between transport elements and transport rakes or counter rakes, the transport elements are designed to be movable relative to one another in such a way that the distance between the tines and / or support rods and the transport elements can be changed. Preferably, particularly in the variant with articulated rods between transport elements and transport rakes or counter rakes, the transport elements are designed to be synchronously movable with one another in such a way that the tines and / or support rods can be moved along the transport direction and against the transport direction, in particular in such a way that the distance between the tines and / or support rods and the transport elements remains constant.

[0031] Preferably, both of the aforementioned aspects are combined so that objects at different distances from the transport elements can be clamped by the pawls and / or moved along the transport direction. This is preferably designed such that the prongs, by positioning them close to the transport elements, can be guided past objects positioned correspondingly further away, then the distance between the prongs and the transport elements can be increased to clamp the objects, and subsequently the clamped objects can be moved at this distance in and / or against the transport direction and / or the objects can be moved towards the transport elements in order to be movable in or against the transport direction at a smaller distance than the distance before clamping by the prongs, in particular to be moved past objects not clamped by the prongs.

[0032] Embodiments of these preferred variants can be found in particular in the attached figures and the associated description. However, these preferred variants are not limited to the embodiments shown in the figures.

[0033] Preferably, the tines have an elongated support rod section arranged orthogonally to the support rod, and a receiving area in which the tines taper in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction and orthogonal to the support rod section. As a result, when the tines of the transport rake and counter rake interact, a tapered receptacle is formed in which the transported material can be easily held.

[0034] By selecting the appropriate shape of this taper, the transport material to be picked up is also slightly lifted by the movement of the transport rake and counter rake relative to each other.

[0035] This ensures, using simple means, that when the goods are moved along the transport direction, there is no dragging on a surface on which the goods are placed.

[0036] According to the invention, the drive system comprises a corresponding drive element to which the transport element is not connected and to which or by which the transport element is coupled or driven only by means of contactless distance forces. The range of motion of the drive element then determines that of the transport element. Furthermore, the drive mechanism can be arranged at a certain distance from the transport element, thus facilitating maintenance.

[0037] According to the invention, the drive system comprises a linear drive. In various embodiments, a surface, rail, and / or the like on or along which the transport elements move can also have different orientations relative to the transport direction, with the surface, rail, and / or the like preferably extending parallel to the transport direction.

[0038] The surface, rail, and / or similar element on or along which the transport elements move can, in particular, also be parallel or orthogonal to a surface on which objects to be transported are placed. However, other orientations are also conceivable, since the connection of the transport element and the transport rack or counter-rack, in particular the articulated rods, can be connected at an appropriate angle that compensates for an angle between the surface, rail, and / or similar element of the transport elements and a surface on which the objects to be transported are placed and / or are to be placed.

[0039] A system according to the invention comprises a transport device according to one of the preceding claims and a clean room, wherein transport rakes, counter rakes and transport elements are arranged within the clean room.

[0040] In such a system, it is preferably provided that the drive element(s) of the transport device are arranged outside the clean room.

[0041] This means that the entire drive mechanism for moving the drive element is designed to be located outside the cleanroom, thus ensuring easy maintenance and, at the same time, ensuring that the drive system of the drive element cannot cause any deterioration in the cleanroom quality.

[0042] Particularly preferably, in such a system with clean room and drive element outside the clean room and transport rake, counter rake and transport element inside the clean room, the transport element and drive element can be designed according to any of the forms shown in the application DE 10 2018 211 839.6.

[0043] Particularly preferably, a system according to the invention comprises several transport devices of one or more of the variants described above.

[0044] A method according to the invention for operating a transport device according to the invention or for operating a system according to the invention relates to such transport devices and / or systems according to the invention in which at least either the transport rake or the counter rake is connected to two movable transport elements suitable for a purely linear movement in or against the transport direction. The method according to the invention serves to move at least one object and / or a transported item that is on a transport surface, wherein the transport surface is preferably orthogonal to the transport direction and spaced from an area to which the transport elements are movable. The method according to the invention is characterized in thatthat for the transport of a transported item, between the start of the transported item and the release of the transported item, both synchronous movements of the two transport elements of transport rakes and / or counter rakes as well as relative movements to each other take place and / or that in at least one step carried out between the start and the end of the method, a synchronous movement of the transport elements of transport rakes and / or counter rakes takes place in and / or against the transport direction and in at least one step carried out between the start and the end of the method, a relative movement of the transport elements of transport rakes and / or counter rakes to each other takes place.

[0045] In other words, a method according to the invention is characterized in that both synchronous and relative movements of the transport elements to one another are used in the method.

[0046] The process according to the invention preferably comprises one, several or all of the steps, preferably in alphabetical order: a) synchronous and / or parallel movement of the two transport elements of the transport rake and / or counter rake until the tines are adjacent to the transported material and / or in an area between the transported material and the transport rake and / or counter rake and / or transport elements; b) relative movement of the two transport elements of the transport rake and / or counter rake to one another until the tines are at a distance from the transport elements that corresponds to the distance between the transported material and the transport elements; c) relative movement of the two transport elements of the transport rake and / or counter rake to one another until the tines clamp the transported material;d) relative movement of the two transport elements of transport rakes and / or counter rakes to one another until the distance between the transported goods and / or the tines and the transport elements reaches a desired value, preferably a value such that the tines cannot collide with other transported goods on the transport surface; e) synchronous and / or parallel movement of the two transport elements of transport rakes and / or counter rakes until the tines are adjacent to a storage area or an area of ​​the transport surface on which the transported goods are to be placed, or to a transfer and / or work station at or in which the transported goods are to be transferred and / or processed and / or placed, or to a transfer area in which the transported goods are to be transferred and / or processed and / or placed;f) relative movement of the two transport elements of transport rakes and / or counter rakes to each other until the transported material is adjacent to and / or above the storage area, the area of ​​the transport area, the transfer and / or work station and / or the transfer area; g) relative movement of the two transport elements of transport rakes and / or counter rakes to each other until the transported material is released; and h) relative movement of the two transport elements of transport rakes and / or counter rakes to each other until the tines are close enough to the transport elements to avoid a collision with the transported material and / or other elements;, ; wherein preferably after step h) step a) is carried out again with respect to a further transport item, wherein the steps are preferably applied to several transport items simultaneously in order to move several transport items simultaneously.

[0047] A synchronous and / or parallel movement of two transport elements is understood to mean that both transport elements move in such a way that their distance from each other remains the same. A relative movement and / or a relative movement of two transport elements is understood to mean that both transport elements move in such a way that their distance from each other changes, at least temporarily.

[0048] A preferred embodiment of the invention is explained with reference to the following figures. All movement processes explained in this context can be part of the method according to the invention, either individually or preferably in combination. Figure 1 shows a schematic top view of a transport rake with connected transport elements for a transport device according to the invention. Figure 2 shows a schematic top view of the associated counter rake with transport elements. Figures 3a to 3c show a schematic top view of a transport device according to the invention during the process of gripping / clamping a container. Figure 4 shows a schematic top view of a transport device according to the invention with another variant of the drive system.

[0049] A transport device according to the invention comprises a transport rake 20a and a counter rake 20b. Figure 1 The transport rake 20a shown is designed for transport in a direction along or parallel to the elongated support rod 24a of the transport rake 20a.

[0050] From this, the tines 22a extend transversely to the transport direction. The tines 22a have an elongated support rod section 27a in which a receiving area 28a is formed. This receiving area 28a is preferably perpendicular to the image plane in Figure 1 tapered in one direction. This creates an inclined surface through which the receiving area 28a can push a corresponding object slightly upwards when it acts on it.

[0051] In the exemplary embodiment of the invention, the counter rake 20b, with a support rod 24b extending parallel to the transport direction, tines 22b with an elongated support rod section 27b, and a receiving area 28b therein, is constructed essentially identically to the transport rake 20a, except for the different orientation of the receiving area 28b. However, a different construction is also possible, as long as corresponding tines of the counter rake can interact with the tines of the transport rake to clamp an object or transported goods.

[0052] According to the invention, both the transport rake 20a and the counter rake 20b are each connected to two transport elements 10 that are linearly movable in the transport direction. The transport elements 10 comprise a magnetic device 12 and rollers 14. The transport elements 10 preferably travel on a flat surface or wall with the rollers 14, with drive elements arranged on the other side of the wall, which also have magnetic devices. The drive elements are coupled via their magnetic devices to the magnetic devices 12 of the transport elements 10, and thus a movement of the drive elements leads to a movement of the transport elements 10.

[0053] The transport elements 10 are pivotally connected to the pivot rods 18, which in turn are pivotally connected to the connecting piece 16. These connecting pieces 16 are in turn connected to the respective support rods 24a and 24b, respectively, extending parallel to the transport direction. The connecting pieces 16 connected to the transport rake 20a are attached to the upper side of the support rods 24a, while the connecting pieces 16 connected to the counter rake 20b are attached to the underside of the corresponding support rod 24b.

[0054] As a result, there is nothing below the support rod 24a on the transport rake 20a, and nothing above the support rod 24b on the counter rake 20b. This allows the support rods 24a and 24b to be arranged one above the other with a small gap between them, so that the tines 22a and 22b are almost at the same height. Alternatively, a vertical offset can be provided in the tines 22a and 22b and / or in the area of ​​the elongated support rod sections 27a and 27b, so that the receiving areas 28a and 28b are completely at the same height.

[0055] An arrangement with support rods 24a, 24b positioned close to one another is shown in Figure 3a, in which the support rod 24b of the counter rake 20a is largely concealed in plan view by the support rod 24a of the transport rake 20a. The transport elements 10 of the transport rake 20a and the counter rake 20b are arranged alternately in such a way that the transport rake 20a and the counter rake 20b cannot be easily separated by movements of the transport elements 10, at least when the transport elements 10 move along the same path and not along offset parallel paths. Preferably, the tines 22a and 22b are also designed, e.g., with offset pieces, so that they are at the same height.

[0056] In the exemplary embodiment, the transport elements 10 travel on the wall 60, which is, for example, an outer wall of a clean room, so that the transport rake 20a and counter rake 20b are located inside a clean room, while the drive elements 50, which also belong to the exemplary embodiment of the transport device according to the invention, travel or move outside the wall 60 and thus outside the clean room.

[0057] The drive elements 50 have a motor 52 that drives the rollers or wheels 54. Due to the coupling of the drive elements 50 to the magnetic devices 12 of the transport elements 10 by means of the magnetic devices 56, the movements of the drive elements 50 are transmitted to the transport elements 10.

[0058] The drive elements 50 also have a control system (not shown) and batteries, accumulators, or similar energy storage devices. These programmable and / or remote-controlled controls allow the drive elements 50, which are normally independently movable, to be moved in a coordinated manner to effect the desired movements of the transport elements 10 and thus of the transport rake 20a and counter rake 20b.

[0059] The magnetic devices 12 and 56 can be designed in particular in the form of Hallbach arrays, as is set out, for example, in the application DE 10 2018 211 839.6.

[0060] In Figure 3a the drive elements 50 are positioned so that the tines 22a and 22b of the transport rake 20a and the counter rake 20b are far apart from each other and so that the support rods 24a and 24b are relatively close to the transport elements 10. As can be seen, in the state of Figure 3aBy means of simultaneous movement of the drive elements 50, the transport device as a whole can be displaced to the left or right without a prong 22a or 22b colliding with the object 50. The object or transported item 70 is, for example, a container, wherein the outer circle represents the bottom surface, while the inner circle represents the opening located further up and approximately at the height of the prongs 22a, 22b or slightly above.

[0061] To clamp the transported goods 70, the two left-hand drive elements 50 are now essentially left in their position, while the two right-hand drive elements 50 are slightly moved relative to Figures 3a and 3b be moved to the right.

[0062] Since the distance between the two transport elements 10 of the transport rake 20a and the counter rake 20b changes, the angular position of the articulated rods 18 that connect the transport element 10 to the connecting piece 16 changes.

[0063] As a result, the support rods 24a and 24b of the transport rake 20a and counter rake 20b, respectively, extending parallel to the transport direction, are moved away from the transport elements 10, whereby the tines 22a and 22b slide laterally past the transported goods 70. The tines 22a, 22b do not necessarily have to be as in Figure 3a shown, previously offset to the transported goods 70, but by appropriate coordination of the movement of the left and right transport elements 10, the tines 22a, 22b, relative to the Figures 3a and 3b , can also be moved directly vertically downwards.

[0064] To clamp the transported material 70, the left and right transport elements 10 of the transport rake 20a and the counter rake 20b are now moved towards each other. Since the distance between the two transport elements 10 of the transport rake 20a and the counter rake 20b remains constant, the support rods 24a and 24b extending parallel to the transport direction remain at the same distance from the transport elements 10. This simply shifts the tines 22a, 22b, and the distance between them decreases in accordance with the reduction in the distance between the transport elements 10 of the transport rake 20a and the counter rake 20b. As shown in Figure 3c As shown, this results in the clamping of the transported goods 70.

[0065] If the receiving areas 28a, 28b are designed in terms of shape, for example by being formed as recesses with a corresponding taper and matching the shape of the transported item 70, the transported item 70 is simultaneously slightly lifted when the transported item 70 is clamped. This allows the transported item 70 to be moved without dragging on the surface on which it previously stood.

[0066] In particular, it would be appropriate to refer to the situation in Fig. 3c possible by relative movement of left and right transport elements 10 of transport rake 20a and counter rake 20b to each other approximately inverse to the movement of Fig. 3a to Fig. 3b to move the support rods 24a and 24b closer to the transport elements 10 again as the transported goods 70 are further clamped.

[0067] This would allow the now clamped transport item 70 to be transported past other transport items that are at a similar distance from the transport elements as the transport item 70 in Fig. 3a This allows for flexible timing and flexible supply of transported goods 70 to different processing stations along the transport direction.

[0068] This is possible, for example, if there is a bulge on the transported item 70 just below the opening and the receiving areas 28a, 28b engage with their maximum protruding area just below the bulge. The clamping effect then causes the transported item 70 to be displaced slightly upward along the upwardly tapered area of ​​the receiving areas 28a, 28b.

[0069] As in the Figures 3a to 3cAs shown, the transport system according to the invention allows the operation of transport rakes 20a and counter rakes 20b and the clamping of transported goods 70 by suitable parallel and relative movements of the drive elements 50, which in principle can each be controlled separately, on the outside of a clean room.

[0070] Any complicated drive device or drive mechanism, or even complicated mechanics within the cleanroom, is also avoided, as the only mechanics within the cleanroom are the rollers 14 and their axles or similar, as well as the articulated rods 18 and their connection to the transport elements 10 or the connecting pieces 60. Any connecting elements between the transport rack 20a and counter rack 20b, such as rollers and a running surface, are also eliminated. These elements are each relatively low-maintenance and durable.

[0071] In contrast, the relatively maintenance-intensive motors of the drive elements 50 are easily accessible; in particular, a defective drive element 50 can also be removed directly by overcoming the magnetic attraction forces between the magnetic devices 12 and 56 and replaced with a similar drive element 50.

[0072] This allows maintenance, replacement, and repair to be performed even during operation while a large batch of objects is being filled in the cleanroom. The transport rake and counter rake only need to be stopped for the time required to replace a drive element 50 and electronically integrate the new drive element 50 into the coordinated control system. This can take less than a minute. An automatic device for exchanging the corresponding drive elements can also be provided outside the cleanroom.

[0073] However, a transport device according to the invention does not necessarily have to be operated with the drive elements 50 shown. In principle, any type of drive element or drive system is conceivable that enables corresponding independent control of the transport elements 10 to generate the various movement sequences; in particular, all drive methods and drive elements disclosed in the application DE 10 2018 211 839.6 are conceivable for this purpose.

[0074] An example of a different drive system is in Figure 4 shown, in which the drive system is a linear drive or comprises such a drive, wherein the transport elements 10 run on a rail 58 which includes a corresponding magnetic drive 59.

Claims

1. A transport device for an item (70) to be transported, the device comprising: - a transport rake (20a) having at least one tine (22a); and - a counter rake (20b) having at least one tine (22b), the counter rake (20b) being adjustable relative to the transport rake (20a) in a transport direction in order to clamp an item to be transported between the at least one tine (22a) of the transport rake (20a) and the at least one tine (22b) of the counter rake (20b), wherein at least either the transport rake (20a) or the counter rake (20b) is connected to a movable transport element (10) that is suitable for a purely linear movement in or against the transport direction, a drive system being provided by means of which the transport element (10) can be moved in a purely linear manner in or against the transport direction, wherein both the transport rake (20a) and the counter rake (20b) are connected with at least to of the transport elements (10), wherein transport elements (10) of the transport rake (20a) and the counter rake (20b) are movable in the transport direction (10) on paths that extend so as to be offset in parallel, wherein the drive system comprises a linear drive (59), characterized in that at least either the transport rake or the counter rake is connected to two transport elements that are suitable for a purely linear movement in and / or against the transport direction and are movable relative to one another, a drive system being provided by means of which the transport elements can be moved in a purely linear manner in and / or against the transport direction, and that the drive system comprises a drive element (50), with which the transport element (10) is not connected and with and by which the transport element (10) can be connected and driven, respectively, only via touch-less distance forces.

2. The transport device for an item (70) to be transported according to claim 1, characterized in that the transport rake (20a) and the counter rake (20b) are connected to at least two transport elements (10), said transport elements being movable relative to one another.

3. The transport device for an item (70) to be transported according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transport element (10) and the transport rake (20a) or the counter rake (20b), respectively, are interconnected via at least one, preferably two articulated rods, which is / are rotatably fastened in an articulated manner both to the transport element and to the transport rake or the counter rake, respectively, with an axis of rotation perpendicular to the transport direction and preferably perpendicular to a plane, on which the item to be transported can be placed by means of the transport device.

4. The transport device for an item (70) to be transported according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transport rake (20a) and the counter rake (20b) are interconnected with the possibility of a relative movement.

5. The transport device for an item (70) to be transported according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the transport rake (20a) and the counter rake (20b) are not interconnected, wherein the transport rake and the counter rake are movable independently from one another in the transport direction, if applicable.

6. The transport device for an item (70) to be transported according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transport rake (20a) and / or the counter rake (20b) comprises a support rod that extends in parallel with the transport direction, from which support rod preferably the tines (22a, 22b) extend orthogonally to the transport direction.

7. The transport device for an item (70) to be transported according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tines (22a, 22b) have an elongate support rod portion (27a, 27b) and a receiving region (28a, 28b) in which the tines taper in a direction orthogonal to an elongate direction of extension.

8. A system, comprising a transport device according to any of the preceding claims and a clean room, wherein the transport rake (20a),the counter rake (20b) and the transport element (10) are arranged inside the clean room.

9. The system according to claim 8, wherein the drive element (50) of the transport device is arranged outside the clean room.

10. A system, preferably according to claim 8 or 9, comprising a plurality of transport devices according to any of the preceding claims 1 to 9.

11. A method for operating a transport device according to any of claims 1 to 7 or for operating a system according to any of claims 8 to 10, wherein at least either the transport rake (20a) or the counter rake (20b) is connected to two movable transport elements (10) that are suitable for a purely linear movement in or against the transport direction for moving at least one object and / or an item (70) to be transported that is on a transport surface, wherein the transport surface preferably is orthogonal to the transport direction spaced apart from a region, to which the transport elements are movable, characterized in that for transporting the item (70) to be transported, between approaching the item to be transported and releasing the item to be transported, the two transport elements of the transport rake and / or of the counter rake move both synchronously and relative to one another and / or in at least one step, the transport elements of the transport rake and / or of the counter rake move synchronously in and / or against the transport direction and in at least one step the transport elements of the transport rake and / or of the counter rake move relative to one another.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that the method comprises one, several or all of the following steps, preferably in alphabetical order: a) moving the two transport elements of the transport rake and / or of the counter rake synchronously or in parallel until the tines are adjacent to the item (70) to be transported and / or in a region between the item (70) to be transported and the transport rake and / or the counter rake and / or the transport elements; b) moving the two transport elements of the transport rake and / or of the counter rake relative to one another until the tines are at a distance from the transport elements which corresponds to the distance between the item (70) to be transported and the transport elements; c) moving the two transport elements of the transport rake and / or of the counter rake relative to one another until the tines clamp the item (70) to be transported; d) moving the two transport elements of the transport rake and / or of the counter rake relative to one another until the distance from the item (70) to be transported and / or the tines to the transport elements reaches a desired value, preferably a value such that the tines cannot collide with further items (70) to be transported placed on the transport surface; e) moving the two transport elements of the transport rake and / or of the counter rake synchronously and / or in parallel until the tines are adjacent to a placement surface or a region of the transport surface on which the item to be transported is to be placed, or to a transfer station and / or work station at or in which the item (70) to be transported is to be transferred and / or processed and / or placed, or to a transfer region in which the item (70) to be transported is to be transferred and / or processed and / or placed; f) moving the two transport elements of the transport rake and / or of the counter rake relative to one another until the item (70) to be transported is adjacent to and / or above the placement surface, the region of the transport surface, the transfer station and / or work station and / or the transfer region; g) moving the two transport elements of the transport rake and / or of the counter rake relative to one another until the item (70) to be transported is released; and h) moving the two transport elements of the transport rake and / or of the counter rake relative to one another until the tines are close enough to the transport elements to avoid a collision with the item (70) to be transported and / or other elements, wherein preferably after step h), step a) is repeated with respect to a further item to be transported, wherein preferably the steps are applied simultaneously to a plurality of items (70) to be transported in order to move a plurality of items to be transported simultaneously, wherein preferably the method comprises one, several and / or all of said steps.