CONTAINER TRANSPORT DEVICE AND CONTAINER TREATMENT PLANT

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a container transport device for transporting containers in a container processing plant. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a container processing plant with at least one container transport device for transporting containers between at least two container processing machines of the container processing plant.

[0002] Container processing machines in which containers are treated individually are known to those skilled in the art in a wide variety of designs. These container processing machines can be, for example, labeling machines, filling machines, cappers, packers, or shrink tunnels, as are commonly used in the beverage industry. Such container processing machines preferably have a capacity of more than 10,000 containers per hour, particularly preferably a capacity of 50,000 containers per hour.

[0003] For the purposes of the invention, "container" means any container, in particular bottles, cans, cups, etc., made of metal, glass and / or plastic, preferably PET (polyethylene terephthalate).

[0004] For the purposes of the present invention, the term "container" also includes packages composed of multiple containers, each containing at least two containers, but each transported as a single unit. Examples of such packages include six-packs, bottles arranged on trays, or cans.

[0005] In the beverage industry, containers are transported for treatment by means of a container transport system through a container treatment plant, which may comprise several such container treatment machines. The containers are brought upright in a single row to the respective filling station of the filling machine for insertion into a container treatment machine or a container treatment station, such as a filling machine.

[0006] For the precise, correctly spaced introduction of the containers into the container handling machine, conveyor screws are known. The containers are fed into these conveyors one after the other, and the containers are brought to the correct spacing and into the correct position relative to the container handling machine. Various container handling machines are part of a complete container handling system. Such complete systems cover, for example, all the processing steps required to transform empty and dirty containers, such as glass bottles, into clean, filled, sealed, and labeled containers, such as reusable glass bottles, which then once again represent a saleable product.

[0007] It is usual for the individual container treatment machines of the container treatment plant to follow one another in the correct order so that the containers pass through the container treatment plant according to a predetermined flow production and flow rate.

[0008] The problem, particularly in the beverage industry, is that containers discharged from a container handling machine in a single-track stream must be converted into a multi-track (container) stream for transport to the subsequent container handling machine and / or for temporary buffering. For this purpose, a variety of special devices have been developed in the field of container transport, such as separating, merging, separating, etc.

[0009] For example, a container transport system (DE 35 05 253 C2) is known that serves to transform a first, narrower container stream into a second, wider container stream. It consists of a first transport section designed as a feed conveyor, a transfer or forming section, and a second transport section serving as a discharge conveyor. The forming section is formed by a plurality of adjacently arranged plate conveyors, whose individual speeds gradually slow down compared to the first transport section, thus forming the second container stream from the first container stream.

[0010] Also known is a transport device for separating a first single-track container stream, i.e., for transforming the single-track container stream into a second, wider container stream (US 1 719 897 A, DE 43 43 477 C1), wherein individual containers are guided into a channel forming a transforming section, which can be continuously pivoted back and forth, thus distributing the containers emerging from the channel at the end. A certain disadvantage of this known transport device is that the channel serving as the transforming section requires a relatively large overall length for the transport device.

[0011] Furthermore, WO2019 / 179768 A1 ,which discloses a container transport device with the features of the preamble of claim 1, a production system for series production, in particular of motor vehicles, with a container storage area for storing containers containing components intended for production, with a plurality of production shelves arranged remotely from the container storage area, from which components can be removed from containers by workers.Furthermore, the production system has transport means for transporting containers from the container storage area to the production shelves, wherein the transport means have at least one driverless transport vehicle on which a transport shelf is arranged and designed such that containers from the transport shelf can be or are automatically delivered to production shelves in a conveying direction (discharge direction), wherein a handling device is arranged on the AGV, which has a base body and a handling unit arranged on the base body, which is designed for removing containers from the transport shelf in a conveying direction and delivering containers to at least one production shelf.The handling unit is linearly adjustable relative to the base body along a first linear adjustment axis in the conveying direction, linearly adjustable along a second linear adjustment axis transverse to the conveying direction, height adjustable along a third adjustment axis and is connected to the base body so as to be rotatable about a substantially vertical fourth adjustment axis.

[0012] Furthermore, EP 2 581 328 A1 discloses a storage and retrieval machine for storage compartments with open shelves, comprising a load-handling device and at least one substantially horizontally telescopic goods transport gripper with at least one goods support for gripping underneath a product. The goods transport gripper has a single telescopic gripper mandrel with a goods support for gripping underneath the product in an only unstable position and at least one telescopic flank and / or a telescopic hold-down device for setting a stable transport position for the gripped product. In a picking warehouse equipped with the storage and retrieval machine and having storage compartments with centrally open shelves, the telescopic gripper mandrel has a goods support with a width transverse to the telescoping direction, which supports the product on the goods support in only one tilt-unstable position, and the shelf opening is only slightly wider than the width.

[0013] It is also known to provide controllable flaps that deflect containers, for example to transform a single-track container flow into a wider container flow. The disadvantage here is that the control and movement of these flaps, and thus the lateral displacement of the respective container, must be carried out in such a way that the respective flap is already moved out of the path of movement of a subsequent container, which immediately follows a container deflected by the flap, before this subsequent container reaches the corresponding flap. This requires rapid control and movement processes for the flaps and generally also leads to high lateral acceleration of the containers during deflection, with a severe impairment of the stability of the containers on the corresponding transport route.

[0014] Often, the containers that have been converted or divided into a multi-lane container stream for transport and buffering must then be reunited into a single-lane container stream for subsequent container treatment at the container treatment machine following in the transport direction using the container transport system.

[0015] Such container transport systems are therefore complex and expensive. Furthermore, such container transport systems are rigid and inflexible, making adaptations to changing production processes, such as the use of a different or additional container handling machine, impossible or only possible with increased effort. This is where the present invention comes in, aiming to provide a remedy and overall improvement.

[0016] Based on this, it is the object of the invention to provide a container transport device for transporting containers in a container treatment plant, which can be adapted as flexibly as possible to changing production processes.

[0017] This object is achieved by a container transport device for transporting containers in a container treatment plant according to the features of independent patent claim 1. The subclaims relate to particularly advantageous developments of the invention.

[0018] The container handling device comprises at least one chassis for supporting the container transport device on a track. A frame is arranged on the chassis, on which several shelves are provided, each of which is independently height-adjustable.

[0019] The at least one tray has a transport surface with a plurality of transport elements arranged essentially parallel to one another for the intermediate storage and conveying of containers in rows. Furthermore, each of the transport elements is preferably designed to be independently driven in two different conveying directions in a controlled and / or regulated manner.

[0020] According to an advantageous embodiment variant, it is provided that the chassis comprises at least two motor-driven wheels for autonomously moving the container transport device along a predeterminable movement path.

[0021] According to a further advantageous embodiment, it is provided that a navigation device is provided for determining a position of the container transport device.

[0022] According to yet another advantageous embodiment, the navigation device comprises at least one magnetic sensor for determining the relative position of the container transport device with respect to magnets embedded in a floor plane.

[0023] According to yet another advantageous embodiment, the chassis is provided with a sensor for collision protection.

[0024] According to yet another advantageous embodiment, an input device is provided for the direct input and / or wireless reception of movement paths.

[0025] According to the invention, several shelves are provided on the frame, each of which is individually and independently height-adjustable from the other shelves.

[0026] According to yet another advantageous embodiment, it is provided that the respective tray with its transport surface is designed to be preferably continuously movable to the relative height of a transport plane of the container treatment machine.

[0027] According to yet another advantageous embodiment, each tray has its own independent motor drive, preferably a servo or stepper motor, for adjusting the height of the respective tray. Particularly preferably, the respective motor drive provided for adjusting the height of the respective tray also serves to drive the multiple transport elements of the corresponding tray. For this purpose, a mechanical gearshift can be provided, for example, which can establish an operative connection between the motor drive and the height adjustment mechanism or with at least one transport element of the corresponding tray.

[0028] According to yet another advantageous embodiment, it is provided that the plurality of transport elements of a corresponding tray are designed to be driven independently of one another in a controlled and / or regulated manner at different conveying speeds.

[0029] According to yet another advantageous embodiment, it is provided that the plurality of shelves are designed identically to one another.

[0030] According to yet another advantageous embodiment, it is provided that the transport elements are designed to be slightly wider along their longitudinal extent than the greatest width or the greatest diameter of the containers transported by means of the transport elements.

[0031] According to yet another advantageous embodiment, it is provided that the transport elements are designed along their longitudinal extent to be more than twice as wide as the greatest width or the greatest diameter of two containers standing in contact with one another.

[0032] The expression "essentially" or "approximately" means, in the sense of the invention, deviations from the exact value by + / - 10%, preferably by + / - 5% and / or deviations in the form of changes that are insignificant for the function.

[0033] Further developments, advantages and possible applications of the invention will also become apparent from the following description of embodiments and from the figures.

[0034] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments and the figures. They show: Fig. 1 shows an exemplary and roughly schematic plan view of an embodiment of a container treatment plant according to the invention, Figs. 2 to 5 show an exemplary and roughly schematic side view of different loading states of an embodiment of a container transport device according to the invention, and Fig. 6 shows an exemplary navigation system for a container transport device according to the invention.

[0035] The Fig. 1 The container treatment plant, generally designated 100, comprises at least two spatially spaced and on a floor level BE upright container treatment machines 101, 101', each designed to treat containers 2.

[0036] In particular, the container treatment machines 101, 101' are designed to treat the containers 2 individually at designated container treatment stations. The container treatment machines 101, 101' may be a labeling machine and / or a filling machine and / or a closing machine and / or a packing machine and / or a shrink tunnel, as are used particularly in the beverage industry.

[0037] In the Figure 1In the embodiment shown, the container treatment system 100 comprises, for example, two container treatment machines 101, 101'. However, embodiments of the invention with three, four, five, six, or more container treatment machines 101, 101' of the container treatment system 100 are also possible. The container treatment machines 101, 101' can also be the same or different container treatment machines 101, 101'. Thus, if, for example, two container treatment machines 101, 101' are provided, they can be a filling machine and a labeling machine, or alternatively, two labeling machines.

[0038] In particular, the container treatment machines 101, 101' preferably have an output of more than 10,000 containers 2 per hour, particularly preferably an output of 50,000 containers 2 per hour.

[0039] According to the invention, the containers 2 are transported or conveyed within the container treatment plant 100 with a container transport device 1 for transporting containers 2 between the container treatment machines 101, 101'.

[0040] In more detail, the container transport device 1 is designed to transport the containers 2 at least between a container outlet 102 of a first container treatment machine 101 and a container inlet 102' of a second container treatment machine 101'.

[0041] The container treatment machines 101, 101' can have, at least in the area of ​​their respective container inlet and / or container outlet 102, 102', lateral guide rails 103, 103' for forming guide lanes 104, 104' for the single-row guidance of the containers 2. Figure 1For the first container treatment machine 101, only its container inlet 102 is indicated, and for the second container treatment machine 101', only its container inlet 102' is indicated, but both container treatment machines 101, 101' each have both a container inlet and a container outlet 102, 102'.

[0042] The container handling machines 101, 101' have at least one, preferably two, docking units 105, 105' at their container inlet and / or their container outlet 102, 102' for docking the container transport device 1 in the manner explained in more detail below. Furthermore, the docking units 105, 105' are designed for conveying the containers 2, in particular for transporting the containers 2 in an upright position on a transport plane TE.

[0043] Particularly preferably, the container treatment machines 101, 101' have a buffer surface 106, 106' at their container inlet and / or their container outlet 102, 102' for at least temporarily buffering the containers 2.

[0044] The container transport device 1 is designed to transport the containers 2 within the container treatment plant 100 and for this purpose comprises at least one chassis 3 for supporting the container transport device 1 on a track FB which coincides with the ground plane BE.

[0045] In the illustrated embodiment, the chassis 3 comprises four wheels 4a, 4b, 4c, and 4d. The wheels 4a, 4b are designed as drive wheels, while the wheels 4c and 4d can be designed as non-driven trailing rollers. The wheels 4a, 4b designed as drive wheels can enable differential speed steering of the container transport device 1 by operating at different speeds.

[0046] Alternatively, the wheels 4a, 4b designed as drive wheels can be steered about a vertical axis by means of a steering drive (not shown in detail) in order to achieve steering of the container transport device 1. In particular, the wheels designed as drive wheels 4a, 4b are arranged on the chassis 3 so that they can each rotate 360° about the vertical axis.

[0047] A battery 5 serves to supply energy to the container transport device 1. Alternatively, the energy can also be supplied by a double-layer capacitor. This solution is characterized by very short charging cycles, for example, 3 seconds. A buffer battery is also used in this solution, since the container transport device 1 must still reach the next charging station of the container treatment system 100 even when the capacitor is empty, or the control system must remain active. A control unit 6 controls the wheels 4a, 4b designed as drive rollers, so that the container transport device 1 can now transport, i.e., convey, the containers 2 within the container treatment system 100.

[0048] In order to enable autonomous navigation of the container transport device 1 within the space formed by the container treatment plant 1, as shown in Fig. 6shown, in an exemplary embodiment in the floor level BE of the working area of ​​the container treatment plant 100, i.e. in the working floor, a magnetic grid of individual permanent magnets 108 is laid for the container transport device 1, which in Fig. 6 For the sake of clarity, not all are labeled. The permanent magnets 108 are part or component of the base plane BE of the container treatment system 100.

[0049] Using a magnetic sensor 8, the container transport device 1 can detect the permanent magnets 108 of the floor level BE. When the container transport device 1 is started up, a position referencing process takes place. Individual x and y coordinates are assigned to each permanent magnet 108 in the floor level BE of the container treatment system 100. During the initial referencing process, the container transport device 1 is informed of its current coordinate position.

[0050] A planned route can be determined based on the number and position of the permanent magnets 108 of the floor level BE detected by the magnetic sensor 8 during the movement of the container transport device 1. Furthermore, a permanent target / actual comparison can be performed to compensate for influences such as slippage on the wheels 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, and the movement path can be corrected accordingly. This enables an exact determination of the position of the container transport device 1 within the space of the container treatment system 100, in this case the floor level BE.

[0051] In order to additionally ensure collision protection for the container transport device 1, a sensor 9 can be provided, which is located, for example, at the front of the container transport device 1 and can detect objects in the planned path of movement, i.e. the travel path of the container transport device 1, in particular by means of radar, laser, ultrasound, infrared or the like, so that the sensor can interrupt the journey in the event of danger or initiate an evasive maneuver.

[0052] The planned travel paths or movement paths can be transmitted wirelessly to the control unit 6 of the container transport device 1. This enables the integration of the container transport device 1 into a process control system, which can transmit work tasks and the associated travel paths individually for each container transport device 1. This achieves a high degree of customization for each container handling device 1.

[0053] If necessary, the container transport device 1 can also have a manual input device that enables a worker to configure an individual container handling device 1 for special tasks quickly and easily, independently of the process control system.

[0054] A frame 10 designed as a support structure is arranged on the chassis 3 of the container transport device 1, which extends vertically or approximately vertically to the floor plane BE in its longitudinal direction. In particular, the frame 10 can be formed from four tubular support elements 10.1, which can be designed as hollow profiles. In particular, the support elements 10.1 are designed as a tubular profile bar with a concentric, rectangular, oval, or other closed cross-section, the walls of which are made of steel, in particular stainless steel, or another material, for example, aluminum.

[0055] Several shelves 11, preferably more than five shelves, are arranged on the frame 10 of the container transport device 1, each height-adjustable. According to the invention, the several shelves 11 are designed to be independently height-adjustable, so that each shelf 11 can have an individual relative height to the floor level BE as well as to the adjacent shelf 11, i.e., the one above and / or below it.

[0056] The multiple trays 11 each form a transport surface TF for the containers 2 on their respective upper sides. The respective transport surfaces TF of adjacent trays 11 are each designed to be parallel to one another and height-adjustable parallel to the floor plane BE. An acute-angled alignment of a tray 11 to the floor plane BE is also conceivable. However, this must then be adjusted in such a way that the containers 2 placed on the transport surface TF of the tray 11 do not tend to tip over—thus ensuring that the containers 2 remain stable.

[0057] For this purpose, each shelf 11 can have its own independent motor drive 12, in particular an electric motor, particularly advantageously a servo or stepper motor drive. It is also possible for the multiple shelves 11 to have a common motor drive 12 for height adjustment. The respective motor drive 11 is powered by the battery 5 and controlled and / or regulated by the control unit 6.

[0058] In particular, the container transport device 1 is designed to move the respective tray 11 with its transport surface TF to the relative height of the transport plane TE of a docking unit 105, 105', so that a smooth, i.e. stepless and planar, transfer surface is established between the transport surface TE of the corresponding tray 11 and the transport plane TE of the corresponding docking unit 105, 105'.

[0059] Furthermore, the at least one tray 11 on the transport surface TF has a plurality of transport elements 13 arranged essentially parallel to one another for the intermediate storage and conveying of the containers 2 in series. Each of the transport elements 13 of this at least one tray 11 is designed to be driven independently of one another in two different conveying directions in a controlled and / or regulated manner.

[0060] It can also be provided that the transport elements 13 are designed to be driven independently of one another at different conveying speeds in a controlled and / or regulated manner. Particularly advantageously, the conveying speeds of the individual transport elements 13 are designed to be independent and continuously adjustable relative to one another.

[0061] The transport elements 13 can be controlled via the control unit 6.

[0062] For this purpose, each transport element 13 of a corresponding tray 11 can have an independent motor drive, in particular an electric motor, particularly advantageously a servo or stepper motor drive.

[0063] It is also possible for the plurality of transport elements 13 of a corresponding tray 11 to have a common motor drive 12, in particular an electric motor, particularly advantageously a servo or stepper motor drive.

[0064] It is particularly advantageous that this common motor drive 12 of this at least one tray 11 is also designed to adjust the height of this tray 11. In other words, it is provided that a common motor drive 12 is used for each tray 11 both for the height adjustment of this tray 11 and for driving all transport elements 13 of this tray 11. The common motor drive 11 is powered by the battery 5 and controlled and / or regulated by the control unit 6.

[0065] The transport elements 13 of the at least one tray 11 are designed as endlessly circulating transport elements, in particular as conveyor belts and / or conveyor chains.

[0066] Preferably, a tray 11 has at least 5, particularly advantageously 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more transport elements 13 arranged in rows relative to one another, which are aligned parallel or substantially parallel to one another along their respective longitudinal extent.

[0067] Particularly advantageously, the plurality of trays 11 of a container transport device 1 are constructed identically to one another and, in particular, have the same number of transport elements 13 among one another.

[0068] It can be provided that the transport elements 13 are designed slightly wider along their longitudinal extent than the greatest width or the greatest diameter of the containers 2 conveyed by the transport elements 13. In particular, the transport elements 13 are designed between 5 mm and 25 mm wider than the greatest width or the greatest diameter of the containers 2, particularly advantageously between 5 mm and 15 mm. This ensures that the containers 2 of one row, conveyed upright on the transport elements 13, do not collide with the outer surface of the containers 2 of an adjacent row of the adjacent transport element 13.

[0069] Particularly advantageously, it can also be provided that the transport elements 13 are designed along their longitudinal extent to be more than twice as wide as the respective largest width or the largest diameter of two containers 2 that are in contact with one another. In particular, the transport elements 13 are designed to be between 5 mm and 25 mm wider than the respective largest width or the largest diameter of two containers 2 that are in contact with one another, particularly advantageously between 5 mm and 15 mm. This allows two containers 2 to be loaded onto or unloaded from a transport element 13 at the same time, which leads to particularly fast loading and unloading.

[0070] To load an empty container transport device 1, it is connected via the docking unit 105 to the Figure 1 The container treatment machine provided with the reference number 101 and delivering container 2 is preferably moved and docked autonomously.

[0071] The first tray 11 with its transport surface TF is moved to the relative height of the transport plane TE of the docking unit 105, so that a shock-free transfer surface is established between the transport surface TE of this first tray 11 and the transport plane TE of the corresponding docking unit 105.

[0072] For example, a tray 11 is loaded with containers 2 per transport element 13 of this tray 11, i.e., in a row. By specifically controlling a transport element 13, as many containers 2 are taken over by the delivering container handling machine 101 until the corresponding transport element 13 is preferably completely filled with containers 2. Subsequently, the connection to another, still empty transport element 13 of the same tray 11 is established in an analogous manner by means of the docking unit 105. By specifically controlling the now connected transport element 13, this transport element 13 is also preferably completely filled with containers 2. This process is repeated until all transport elements 13 of a tray 11, i.e., until the entire tray 11, are filled with containers 2.

[0073] Subsequently, the tray 11, which is then completely loaded with container 2, can be moved into a parking position PP, and another, still empty tray 11 is docked in the manner explained using the docking unit 105. Subsequently, all transport elements 13 of this additional tray 11 are filled with container 2 before this next tray 11 also moves into the parking position PP.

[0074] The respective parking position PP of a corresponding tray 11 can be provided above and / or below the transport level TE. When the corresponding trays 11 are parked in the respective parking position PP, they are raised and / or lowered below or above one another in such a way that the relative distance between two adjacent trays 11 is the height of the containers 2 to be buffered plus a small safety distance. The safety distance can advantageously be between 5 mm and 15 mm. This achieves optimal packing density.

[0075] If only the space above the transport level TE is used as a parking position PP for full trays 11, the still empty trays 11 are located below the transport level TE until they are filled. Full trays 11 are moved above the transport level TE after being filled with containers 2.

[0076] If both the space above and the space below the transport level TE is used as a parking position PP for trays 11 completely filled with container 2, the still empty trays 11 are treated as a stack and moved together synchronously, at least in part. For example, the topmost tray 11 is loaded first and then moved upwards to a parking position PP, etc. The stack of trays 11 therefore moves upwards one after the other after a tray 11 has been filled with containers 2, into a parking position PP above the transport level TE. While the bottommost tray 11 of the stack is detached from the stack and moved to the transport level TE so that this bottommost tray 11 can then be loaded. This tray 11 then moves to the lowest possible parking position PP below the transport level TE.This process is repeated until all trays 11 of a container transport device 1 are preferably completely filled with containers 2.

[0077] The unloading process of a container treatment device 1 takes place in an analogous reverse order.

[0078] It can also be provided that loaded, but also empty trays 11 are located on both the delivering and the receiving container treatment machines 101, 101'.

[0079] Likewise, a container treatment system 100 can have several, for example, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or more, container transport devices 1 configured in this way. These container transport devices 1 can also be located in an intermediate position between the container outlet 102 of the first container treatment machine 101 and the container inlet 102' of the second container treatment machine 101', i.e., virtually "on the way." Likewise, another container transport device 1 can be located in a waiting position between the container outlet 102 of the first container treatment machine 101 and the container inlet 102' of the second container treatment machine 101'.

[0080] The invention has been described above using exemplary embodiments. It is understood that numerous changes or modifications are possible, provided that they do not depart from the scope of the invention as defined by the patent claims. List of reference symbols

[0081] 100Container treatment system 101, 101'Container treatment machine 102Container outlet 102'Container inlet 103, 103'Guide railing 104, 104'Guide lanes 105, 105'Docking unit 106, 106'Buffer area 108Permanent magnets 1Container transport device 2Container 3Chassis 4a, 4b, 4c, 4dWheels 5Battery 6Control unit 8Magnetic sensor 9Sensor 10Frame 10.1Holding means 11Shelf 12Motor drive 13Transport element BEGround level TFTransport area FBRoadway PPParking position

Claims

1. Container transport device for transporting containers (2) in a container handling system (100), comprising a chassis (3) for supporting the container transport device (1) on a track (FB), wherein a frame (10) is arranged at the chassis (3), provided on which is at least one tray (11) for transporting the containers (2) in a height-adjustable manner, wherein the at least one tray (11) comprises a transport surface (TF) with a plurality of transport elements (13) arranged essentially parallel to one another for the intermediate storage and conveying of containers (2) in rows, and wherein each of the transport elements (13), independently of the other transport elements (13), is configured such as to be capable of being controlled and / or regulated by means of a drive, preferably being capable of being driven in two different conveying directions, characterised in that a plurality of trays (11) are provided at the frame (10),which are configured such as to be height-adjustable independently of one another.

2. Container transport device according to claim 1, characterised in that the chassis (3) comprises at least two motor-driven wheels (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d) for the autonomous movement of the container transport device (1) along a predetermined movement track.

3. Container transport device according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that a navigation device is provided for determining a position of the container transport device (1).

4. Container transport device according to claim 3, characterised in that the navigation device comprises at least one magnet sensor (8) for determining the relative position of the container transport device (1) in relation to magnets (108) let into a base plane (BE).

5. Container transport device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the chassis (3) comprises a sensor (9) for protection against collision.

6. Container transport device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that an input device is provided for the direct inputting and / or wireless reception of movement paths.

7. Container transport device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the respective tray (11) with its transport surface (TF) is configured such as to be moved, preferably steplessly, up to the relative height of a transport plane (TE) of the container handling machine (101, 101').

8. Container transport device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that each tray (11) comprises an independent motor drive, preferably a servomotor or stepping motor, which is configured for the height adjustment of the respective tray (11), as well as for the drive of the plurality of transport elements (13) of the corresponding tray (11).

9. Container transport device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the plurality of transport elements (13) of a corresponding tray (11) are configured such as to be capable of being controlled and / or regulated independently of one another, with different conveying speeds.

10. Container transport device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised by a plurality of identically configured trays (11).

11. Container transport device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the transport elements (13) are configured along their longitudinal extension as slightly wider than the greatest width or the greatest diameter of the containers (2) being conveyed by means of the transport elements (13).

12. Container transport device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the transport elements (13) are configured along their longitudinal extension as more than double as wide as the respective greatest width or the greatest diameter respectively of two containers (2) standing in contact next to one another.

13. Container handling system (100), with at least one container transport device (1) for transporting containers (2) between at least two container handling machines (101,101') of the container handling system (100), wherein the at least one container transport device (1) comprises at least movable chassis (3), which can be moved between a container outlet (102) of a first container handing machine (101) and a container inlet (102') of a second container handling machine, for supporting the at least one container transport device (1) on a track (FB), wherein arranged at the chassis (3) is a frame (10), provided at which is at least one tray (11) for transporting the containers (2) in a height-adjustable manner, wherein the at least one tray (11) comprises a transport surface (TF) with a plurality of transport elements (13) arranged essentially parallel to one another, for the intermediate storage and conveying of containers (2) in rows, and wherein each of the transport elements (13) are configured such as to be capable of being controlled and / or regulated by means of a drive, independently of the other transport elements (13), preferably in two different conveying directions, wherein a plurality of trays (11) are provided at the frame (10) which are configured such as to be height-adjustable independently of one another.

14. Container handling system (100) according to claim 13, characterised in that the container handling machines (101, 101') comprise at their container inlets and / or at their container outlets (102, 102') at least one docking unit (105, 105') for docking the container transport device (1).

15. Container handling system (100) according to claim 13 or 14, characterised in that the container handling machines (101, 101') comprise at their respective container inlets and / or their container outlets (102, 102') a buffer surface (106, 106') for the at least temporary buffering of the containers (2).