Device and method for transporting and, if necessary, packaging small items with at least two rotary heads with intersecting pitch circles

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a device and a method for transporting and optionally packaging small-sized articles, in particular confectionery, such as hard or soft caramels, chocolate pieces or the like, with at least two rotary heads which are rotatable about parallel axes of rotation in order to transport the articles in the product flow at least in sections along the pitch circles of both rotary heads and to transfer them from a first to a second of the rotary heads.

[0002] Such a device and such a method are known from EP 3 187 424 A1.

[0003] In the known device, the first and second rotary heads interact according to the principle of rolling circles. The article transfer from the first to the second rotary head must occur with pinpoint accuracy on the imaginary connecting line between the rotation axes of both rotary heads, where the article is located within the effective range of both rotary heads. To ensure the transfer of the articles in the correct orientation from the first to the second rotary head, the second rotary head in particular has a complex design.

[0004] Further related prior art is known from EP 0 659 683 A1, which discloses the preamble of claims 1 and 9, as well as DE 22 54 659 A1 and DE 10 2014 103671 B3.

[0005] The present invention is based on the object of making the known device and the known method simpler and more compact.

[0006] The object stated at the outset is achieved by the device according to claim 1. This device for transporting and optionally packaging small-sized articles, in particular confectionery such as hard or soft caramels, chocolate pieces or the like, comprises at least two rotary heads which are rotatable about parallel axes of rotation in order to transport the articles in the product flow at least in sections along the pitch circles of both rotary heads and to transfer them from a first to a second of the rotary heads, wherein the pitch circles of the rotary heads intersect when projected onto a projection plane oriented perpendicular to their axes of rotation and the first rotary head is designed to pivot each article individually from the receiving position to the dispensing position about a pivot axis oriented parallel to the axis of rotation against the direction of rotation of the first rotary head.In conventional devices with two rotary heads that interact according to the principle of circles rolling against each other, the partial circles only touch each other on the.

[0007] Connecting line between the two rotation axes. In this transfer position, the article must be transferred between the two rotation heads with pinpoint accuracy, as the article is only located there within the effective range of both rotation heads. In the device according to the invention, which comprises two rotation heads with intersecting partial circles, the potential transfer area of ​​the article between the two rotation heads is significantly larger and extends over the intersection area of ​​the two partial circles. In this intersection area of ​​the two partial circles, the article is within the effective range of both rotation heads and can therefore be transferred from the first to the second rotation head in a desired orientation. This results in versatile options for article transfer with a comparatively simple and compact design of the device.

[0008] Advantageous further developments of the invention are the subject matter of the subclaims.

[0009] It can be advantageous if the pitch circles of the rotary heads are located in the same plane. This facilitates the handling of the items in both rotary heads and the transfer of the items from the first to the second rotary head, as the items do not have to be moved perpendicular to the pitch circle plane.

[0010] It may be useful if the first rotary head has at least one of the following features: The first rotary head is arranged upstream of the second rotary head in the transport direction of the product flow. The pitch circle of the first rotary head runs through the center of the article in its pick-up position. This facilitates the pick-up of the article in the first rotary head. The first rotary head is designed to pick up each article, preferably by clamping it along an article axis aligned parallel to the rotation axis ("across the width"), wherein the axis of a packaging tube surrounding the article is preferably aligned tangentially to the pitch circle of the first rotary head. In this orientation, the article can be picked up particularly easily.The first rotary head is designed to reduce the distance of each article from the rotational axis of the first rotary head between the pick-up position and the dispensing position, wherein the center point of the article in its pick-up position preferably lies on the pitch circle of the first rotary head and the center point of the article in its dispensing position lies within the pitch circle of the first rotary head. This embodiment enables a particularly compact arrangement of the first and second rotary heads. The first rotary head is designed to dispense each article by releasing the clamp via an article axis that lies in a plane oriented perpendicular to the rotational axis, preferably in the pitch circle plane, wherein the axis of a packaging tube surrounding the article is preferably oriented parallel to the rotational axis.With this design, the delivery of the article in the intended orientation to the second rotary head is particularly simple, since the ends of the packaging tube that protrude over the article are easily accessible in this orientation and can be easily gripped by a pair of holding jaws on the second rotary head. The first rotary head is designed to transport each article from the pick-up position to the delivery position in the same plane, preferably the pitch circle plane of the first rotary head. This facilitates the handling of the article in the first rotary head because the article does not have to be moved transversely to this plane. The first rotary head is designed to rotate each article from the pick-up position to the delivery position around its axis of rotation at a lower angular velocity than the angular velocity of the first rotary head.With this embodiment, the device can be made particularly compact. In addition, by reducing the angular velocity of the article compared to the angular velocity of the rotary head, a longer period of time can be achieved for transferring the article to the second rotary head. The first rotary head is designed to pivot each article individually around the pivot axis aligned parallel to the rotation axis by 30 to 60°, 40° to 50° or 45° counter to the direction of rotation of the first rotary head, and preferably to rotate it by 90°, for example, around an axis of rotation pivotable about the pivot axis, which lies in a plane aligned perpendicular to the pivot axis, preferably in the pitch circle plane of the first rotary head. The rotary movement about the rotation axis particularly preferably begins before the pivot movement about the pivot axis, or both movements overlap in time.These designs enable a particularly advantageous alignment of the article before transfer to the second rotary head. The first rotary head comprises a plurality of holding devices for holding at least one article in the product stream, each holding device preferably having a base and a pair of holding jaws, the base preferably being pivotable about the pivot axis and the pair of holding jaws being attached to the base so as to be rotatable about the rotation axis, the holding jaws of a pair of holding jaws preferably being arranged diametrically opposite one another with respect to the rotation axis and being openable and closable symmetrically to a plane of symmetry enclosing the rotation axis. With such holding devices, the rotating and pivoting movements of the article can be carried out particularly advantageously. Of course, each holding device can also be configured to hold multiple articles, for example in multiple parallel product streams.The holding jaw pairs are usually actuated by cam controls containing control cams that are scanned by cam followers rotating with the rotating head and, in turn, ensure the opening and closing movement of the holding jaw pairs. The first rotating head is designed to align each of the holding devices before picking up or after dispensing an article such that the base in the picking position is aligned substantially tangentially to a circle around the rotation axis. This makes picking up an article in the picking position particularly easy. The first rotating head is designed to transfer each article individually to a holding device of the second rotating head.

[0011] In an advantageous embodiment, the first rotary head is designed as a removal head.

[0012] Preferably, a packaging tube is first produced using the flow-pack system, and the articles are separated and picked up individually by a feed system, which can be designed in various ways and can consist of, for example, a separation in a separation plate, a belt feed, a chain feed, or a strand feed. For example, tube formation takes place via a forming shaft with subsequent sealing of the longitudinal seam, whereby heat sealing, cold sealing, or even ultrasonic sealing are possible.

[0013] However, articles can also be removed first by the removal head from a separating plate, after which a piece of packaging material is assigned to the article either in the removal head or in a subsequent rotary head.

[0014] The removal head downstream of a separating device preferably grasps the packaging tube including the article(s) surrounded by it, possibly with a plurality of articles spaced apart within the packaging tube. The packaging tube is severed between the grasped article and the next following article to prepare for individual packaging of an article.

[0015] Preferably, the removal head grasps the article wrapped in the packaging tube, for example, by gripping the article across its width. Immediately after gripping by the pairs of holding jaws of the removal head, the preceding knife cut is made to sever the packaging tube between the grasped article and the next article upstream. Preferably, the packaging tube should have a slight web tension during the cut.

[0016] It may prove useful if the second rotary head has at least one of the following features: The second rotary head is arranged downstream of the first rotary head in the transport direction of the product flow. The pitch circle of the second rotary head runs through the center of the article in the dispensing position. This facilitates the dispensing of the article to a downstream device. The second rotary head is designed to pick up each article by clamping it over an article axis aligned parallel to the rotation axis, which preferably lies within the pitch circle of the second rotary head, or by clamping a packaging tube surrounding the article, the tube axis of which is aligned parallel to the rotation axis. This design simplifies the picking up of the article by the first rotary head.The clamping of the packaging tube can be achieved by its height, width, or by tilting it at an angle. In addition to transporting the article in this way, the air is also forced out of the protruding ends of the packaging tube. The packaging tube can be compressed and sealed by the clamp to package the article airtight. The second rotating head is designed to release each article by releasing the clamp along an article axis that is aligned parallel to the rotation axis, or by releasing the clamp on a packaging tube surrounding the article, the tube axis of which is aligned parallel to the rotation axis. This allows the article to be easily transferred to a downstream facility in the intended orientation.The second rotary head is designed to transport each article from the pick-up position to the delivery position in the same plane, preferably the pitch-circle plane of the second rotary head. This facilitates handling of the article in the second rotary head because the article does not have to be moved transversely to this plane. The second rotary head is designed to rotate each article from the pick-up position to the delivery position around its rotational axis at a greater angular velocity than the angular velocity of the rotary head. With this design, the transport speeds of the two rotary heads can be particularly well coordinated.In particular, by increasing the angular velocity of the article compared to the angular velocity of the second rotary head, a lag in the movement speed of the article compared to the peripheral speed of the first rotary head that has occurred in the first rotary head can be made up again, so that the article can be transferred to a downstream device in the intended orientation. The second rotary head is designed to increase the distance of each article from the rotation axis between the pick-up position and the delivery position, wherein the center point of the article in its pick-up position preferably lies within the pitch circle of the second rotary head and the center point of the article in its delivery position lies on the pitch circle of the second rotary head. This design facilitates the transfer of the article to a downstream device.The second rotary head is designed to rotate or pivot each article individually about at least one axis, preferably about a pivot axis aligned parallel to the rotation axis, for example by 30 to 60°, 40° to 50° or 45° in the direction of rotation of the second rotary head. This design is particularly easy to implement. The second rotary head comprises a plurality of holding devices for holding at least one article in the product flow, wherein each holding device preferably has a pair of holding jaws, wherein the pair of holding jaws is preferably pivotable about the pivot axis, wherein the pair of holding jaws is particularly preferably openable and closable symmetrically to a plane of symmetry including the pivot axis, wherein the plane of symmetry very particularly preferably includes the direction of movement of the article during transport into the receiving position.With such a holding device, the article can be picked up and held during transport particularly easily. The second rotary head is designed to align each of the holding devices such that the plane of symmetry in the pick-up position is inclined, for example, by 30 to 60°, 40 to 50°, or 45° opposite the direction of rotation of the second rotary head to a radial plane passing through the axis of rotation and / or the plane of symmetry in the dispensing position is aligned radially to the axis of rotation of the second rotary head. Preferably, the plane of symmetry comprises the article axis, about which the article is clamped by the second rotary head.When the article is picked up by the second rotary head, the pair of holding jaws of the second rotary head preferably closes, preferably displacing air from the packaging tube and flattening and sealing the tube ends, while the pair of holding jaws of the first rotary head opens to transfer the article to the second rotary head. This allows for particularly simple product transfer in the intended orientation of the article.

[0017] Preferably, the second rotary head is designed as a gripper head.

[0018] When the article is transferred to the gripper head, its holding elements (preferably a pair of holding jaws) grasp the packaging tube to the right and left of the article without gripping the article itself. This means that only the packaging material is gripped, not the article.

[0019] The clamping of the packaging tube can be achieved via the height, width or an inclined position of the packaging tube, whereby in addition to the transport of the product in this way, the air is simultaneously pressed out of the protruding tube ends of the packaging tube.

[0020] Preferably, the tube ends of the packaging tube on both sides of the product are cold-sealed or, preferably, heat-sealed to form fins by sealing heads on both sides of the gripper head, preferably coaxially with the latter. The corresponding sealing heads are preferably arranged on the same axis of rotation as the gripper head, although offsets or relocations of the sealing heads' axes of rotation are also conceivable.

[0021] The large effective rotation angle of the sealing stations, which rotate with the gripper head over a rotation angle of 180° to 250°, enables a long sealing time, which in turn ensures the corresponding tightness of the package. This makes it possible to achieve an airtight package with an "insect-proof" seal class in the range of 100 µm maximum capillary size.

[0022] After the protruding tube ends have been transversely sealed in the area of ​​the gripper head to form fins, the package is preferably transferred to a packing head, wherein the product is gripped preferably over the height with the aid of holding elements, in particular pairs of holding jaws of the packing head, and the sealed fins of the packaging tube are twisted in a double twist wrap by rotating heads arranged on both sides of the packing head and rotating synchronously with it, and this finished package is delivered to a dispensing head or another dispensing device.

[0023] During the heat sealing of the protruding ends of the packaging tube by means of corresponding heat sealing jaws on both sides of the gripper head, the holding elements (holding jaw pairs) of the gripper head, which grip the packaging tube protruding from the article, are usually also heated. However, since these holding elements do not grip the article in the area of ​​the article itself but only at the packaging tube, heat transfer to the article is avoided, which is particularly advantageous for heat-sensitive articles.

[0024] It may be useful for the device to have a third rotary head that can rotate about an axis parallel to the rotational axes of the first and second rotary heads, in order to pick up the articles discharged by the second rotary head in the product stream and complete their packaging. This design makes it possible to implement a multi-head packaging machine.

[0025] It may prove useful if the product flow of the articles, when projected onto the projection plane, passes through the intersection points and / or intersection areas of the reference circles of both rotary heads. This design proves to be particularly compact.

[0026] It can be helpful if each item is positioned partially or entirely between the intersection points and / or within the intersection area of ​​the reference circles of both rotary heads during transfer from the first to the second rotary head (when projected onto a projection plane perpendicular to their rotation axes). This design enables safe handling of the products, especially during transfer from the first to the second rotary head.

[0027] It may be useful for each article to be positioned upstream of a connecting line between the rotation axes of the first and second rotation heads during transfer from the first to the second rotation head in the transport direction of the product stream (when projected onto a projection plane oriented perpendicular to their rotation axes). In contrast to rotation heads whose pitch circles are arranged tangentially to each other according to the principle of circles rolling past each other, the article transfer preferably does not take place on the connecting line between the two rotation axes, where the pitch circles are tangent, but rather in front of or upstream of it in the product stream. This allows the article to remain in the effective range of both rotation heads for longer, and a longer period is available for the article to be transferred from the first to the second rotation head.

[0028] The object mentioned at the outset is also achieved by a method according to claim 9, or a method for transporting and optionally packaging small-sized articles, in particular confectionery, such as hard or soft caramels, chocolate pieces or the like, preferably with the device according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the articles are transported in the product flow by at least two rotary heads rotatable about parallel axes of rotation, at least in sections, along the pitch circles of both rotary heads and are transferred from a first to a second of the rotary heads, wherein the pitch circles of the rotary heads intersect when projected onto a projection plane oriented perpendicular to their axes of rotation, wherein each article is pivoted individually from the receiving position to the dispensing position about a pivot axis oriented parallel to the axis of rotation, counter to the direction of rotation of the first rotary head.The advantages mentioned at the outset in connection with the device according to the invention also arise analogously in connection with the method according to the invention.

[0029] It may be useful for each article to be picked up directly in the first rotary head and / or the second rotary head, preferably by clamping the article, preferably via an article axis aligned parallel to the rotation axis; or for each article to be picked up indirectly in the first rotary head and / or the second rotary head, preferably exclusively by clamping a packaging material surrounding the article, preferably at the ends of the packaging material formed into a packaging tube that protrude beyond the article, particularly preferably without exerting pressure on the article. This makes it possible to provide a particularly compact packaging method.

[0030] It can be useful if each semi-finished product is held in the first rotary head by clamping the article arranged in the packaging ("across the width"). This design eliminates the need for separate holding devices for the article and the packaging.

[0031] It may prove practical if each semi-finished product is held in the second rotating head exclusively by the ends of the packaging material formed into a packaging tube that protrude beyond the article, preferably by clamping the packaging material, preferably without exerting pressure on the article. This allows the article to be picked up particularly easily in the intended orientation and transported gently. Furthermore, if the packaging tube ends are sealed simultaneously in the second rotating head, there is a low risk of the article being accidentally heated.

[0032] Further preferred embodiments result from combinations of the features disclosed in the description, the claims and the drawings. Terms and definitions Partial circle

[0033] The pitch circle of the first (transferring) rotary head extends with a constant diameter around the rotation axis of the first rotary head and preferably runs through the center of the picked article in the picking position.

[0034] The pitch circle of the second (receiving) rotary head extends with a constant diameter around the rotation axis of the second rotary head and preferably runs through the center of the picked-up article in the dispensing position.

[0035] When the articles are transported in the product stream, at least in sections, along the pitch circles of both rotary heads, the articles do not necessarily move on the respective pitch circles, but may move inside or outside of them. Product flow

[0036] The term "product stream" refers to a multitude of items that are transported one after the other along a line through the device. Instead of a single product stream, several parallel product streams can also be transported through the device. Short Description of the characters

[0037] They show: Fig. 1 a schematic diagram of the device according to the invention at a first point in time of the method according to the invention, wherein the rotary heads and articles are shown in the relevant details and unimportant details are omitted. Fig. 2 a schematic diagram similar to Fig. 1at a second point in time of the method according to the invention. Fig. 3 a schematic diagram similar to Fig. 1 , with detail IV drawn in. Fig. 4 the enlarged detail IV from Figure 3 . Detailed description of the preferred embodiments

[0038] The preferred embodiment of the invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0039] The Fig. 1 The schematically illustrated device 1 according to the invention is designed for transporting and packaging small-sized articles A, in particular confectionery, such as hard or soft caramels, chocolate pieces, or the like. All components of this device are configured for handling corresponding articles A. Preferably, the inner contours of the holding devices 20, 30 and holding jaws 21, 31 of the rotating heads 2, 3 are adapted to the outer contours of the article A.

[0040] In the present case, article A is approximately spherical and has a flattened bottom on one side. However, the article can also be completely or partially spherical, cuboid, cubic, cylindrical, or the like. The shape of article A is not limited. Article A can be transported individually or in conjunction with a packaging material P in the device 1.

[0041] The Figure 1The schematically illustrated device 1 comprises three rotary heads 2, 3, 4 which are rotatable about parallel axes of rotation 2a, 3a, 4a in order to transport each article A in the preferably continuous product flow in sections along the partial circles T2, T3, T4 of these three rotary heads 2, 3, 4 and to transfer it from a first rotary head 2 to a second rotary head 3 and from the second rotary head 3 to a third rotary head 4. According to the invention, the partial circles T2, T3 of the first and second rotary heads 2, 3 intersect when projected onto a projection plane oriented perpendicular to their axes of rotation 2a, 3a.Since the pitch circles T2, T3, T4 of all rotary heads 2, 3, 4 lie in the same plane, the pitch circles T2, T3 of the first two rotary heads 2, 3 intersect directly, while the pitch circles T3, T4 of the second and third rotary heads 3, 4 are circumferentially tangent to each other on a connecting line between their rotation axes 3a, 4a.

[0042] In all views, the first and third rotary heads 2, 4 rotate counterclockwise, while the second rotary head 3 rotates clockwise. The rotation directions of the rotary heads 2, 3, and 4 are indicated by arrows. First rotary head 2

[0043] The first rotary head 2 is arranged upstream of the second rotary head 3 with respect to the product flow. The pitch circle T2 of the first rotary head 2 passes through the center of the article A in its pick-up position (6 o'clock position).

[0044] The first rotary head 2 comprises a total of eight holding devices 20, which are distributed substantially evenly around the circumference of the first rotary head 2. Each holding device 20 has a base 21 and a pair of holding jaws 22. The base 21 is reversibly pivotable by approximately 45° counter to the direction of rotation of the rotary head 2 about a pivot axis 2b, which is arranged parallel to the rotation axis 2a at a distance of approximately half the radius of the pitch circle T2. The pair of holding jaws 22 are rotatably attached to the base 21 about a rotation axis 2c lying in the pitch circle plane of the first rotary head 2 and pivotable about the pivot axis 2b. The holding jaws of a pair of holding jaws 22 are arranged diametrically opposite each other with respect to the rotation axis 2c and can be opened and closed symmetrically to a plane of symmetry enclosing the rotation axis 2c.

[0045] Each of these holding devices 20 is configured to hold an article A in a receiving position by clamping it "across the width" or along an article axis aligned parallel to the rotation axis 2a. In the present case, the article A is surrounded by a packaging tube P. When the article A is picked up in the first rotation head 2, the axis of the packaging tube P is aligned tangentially to the pitch circle T2 of the first rotation head 2.

[0046] In the present case, the pick-up position in which article A is picked up is in the lowest position ("6 o'clock position") of the first rotary head 2. As shown, each article is arranged in a packaging tube P which surrounds article A circumferentially and whose tube axis is aligned tangentially to the pitch circle T2 of the first rotary head 2.

[0047] In the first rotary head 2, each article A is transported individually from the delivery position ("6 o'clock position") (counterclockwise) to the delivery position ("2 o'clock position") in the pitch circle plane of the first rotary head 2 and is rotated with the base 21 and the pair of holding jaws 22 by approximately 45° against the direction of rotation of the first rotary head 2 about the pivot axis 2b aligned parallel to the rotation axis 2a, and by approximately 90° about the rotation axis 2c lying in the pitch circle plane of the first rotary head 2 and pivoted about the pivot axis 2b.

[0048] In the pick-up position ("6 o'clock position"), the center of article A lies on the pitch circle T2 of the first rotary head 2. The base 21 is aligned essentially tangentially to an imaginary circle around the rotation axis 2a, and the rotation axis 2b is perpendicular to the base 21 and almost radially to the rotation axis 2a. By pivoting the article A around the pivot axis 2b, the distance of each article A from the rotation axis 2a between the pick-up position ("6 o'clock position") and the delivery position ("2 o'clock position") is reduced, so that the center of article A in its delivery position lies within the pitch circle T2 of the first rotary head 2. This means that in the pick-up position ("6 o'clock position"), the radius of the center of article A around the rotation axis 2a (Rpick-up) corresponds to the radius of the pitch circle T2 (RT2) of the first rotary head 2 (Rpick-up = RT2).In the dispensing position ("2 o'clock position"), however, the radius of the center of article A around the rotation axis 2a (Rpickup) is smaller than the radius of the pitch circle T2 of the first rotation head 2 (Rdispensing < RT2; Rdispensing ∼ 0.9 * RT2). By rotating article A around the rotation axis 2b, in particular, the sides of article A not held by the holding jaws 21 and thus exposed, as well as the axis of the packaging tube P, are aligned parallel to the rotation axis 2a in order to simplify the transfer of article A to the second rotation head 3 and to position article A accordingly for subsequent processing. The pivoting and rotating movements of article A around the pivot axis 2b and the rotation axis 2c, respectively, are preferably carried out simultaneously. This prevents the packaging tubes P of successive articles A from touching each other.

[0049] In the delivery position ("2 o'clock position"), each article A is delivered by releasing the clamp via the article axis located in the pitch circle plane and transferred individually to a holding device 30 of the second rotary head 3.

[0050] After the articles A have been delivered, the holding devices 20 of the first rotary head 2 are repositioned in such a way that a new article A can be picked up in the pick-up position. To this end, the underside of the base 21 is aligned perpendicular to a radial line to the rotational axis 2a of the first rotary head 2 or tangentially to an imaginary circle around the rotational axis 2a of the first rotary head 2, so that the rotational axis 2c is aligned substantially radially to the rotational axis of the first rotary head 2. In addition, the pair of holding jaws 22 is rotated about the rotational axis 2c and positioned such that another article A can be picked up in the pick-up position ("6 o'clock position") by clamping the article A "across its width" or across an article axis aligned parallel to the rotational axis 2a of the first rotary head 2. Second rotary head 3

[0051] The second rotary head 3 is arranged downstream of the first rotary head 3 with respect to the product flow and is designed to pick up each article A exclusively by clamping the packaging tube P surrounding the article A, the tube axis of which is aligned parallel to the rotation axis 3a, to transport each article A from the pick-up position ("7 o'clock position") to the delivery position ("4 o'clock position") in the pitch circle plane of the second rotary head 3, and to deliver each article A to a third rotary head 4 by releasing the clamp of the packaging tube P surrounding the article A, with the tube axis aligned parallel to the rotation axis 3a, in the delivery position ("4 o'clock position"). In the pick-up position ("7 o'clock position"), the article A is held exclusively by the ends of the packaging tube P protruding beyond the article A.When article A is picked up in the second rotary head 3, the ends of the packaging tube protruding beyond article A are flattened and preferably sealed by displacing air. In the pick-up position ("7 o'clock position"), article A is positioned at the intersection of the pitch circles T2, T3 of the first and second rotary heads 2, 3.

[0052] The second rotary head 3 comprises a total of eight holding devices 30 arranged regularly around the circumference, each for holding an article A in the product stream. Each holding device 30 comprises a pair of holding jaws 31 that can be pivoted about a pivot axis 3b aligned parallel to the rotation axis 3a and can be opened and closed symmetrically to a plane of symmetry 3c enclosing the pivot axis 3b. The direction of movement of the article A transported by the first rotary head 2 into the receiving position ("7 o'clock position") of the second rotary head 3 lies exactly in the plane of symmetry 3c of the pair of holding jaws 31 of the second rotary head 3. The ends of the packaging tube P that protrude beyond the article A can therefore be easily clamped by the pair of holding jaws 31 of the holding device 30 of the second rotary head 3.

[0053] By pivoting each article A held in the holding jaw pair 31 about the pivot axis 3b by approximately 45° in the rotation direction of the second rotary head 3, the distance of each article A from the rotation axis 3a between the pick-up position and the delivery position is increased. While the center of article A in its pick-up position lies within the pitch circle T3 of the second rotary head 3, the center of article A in its delivery position T3 lies on the pitch circle T3 of the second rotary head 3.

[0054] After the article A has been delivered in the delivery position ("4 o'clock position") of the second rotary head 3 to the third rotary head 4, the holding devices 30 are again prepared to receive another article A, for which purpose each holding jaw pair 31 is pivoted about the pivot axis 3b by approximately 45° against the direction of rotation of the second rotary head 3 in order to align the plane of symmetry 3c of the holding jaw pair 31 with the direction of movement of the incoming article A to be picked up. Third rotating head 4

[0055] The third rotary head 4 comprises a total of eight holding devices, which are distributed substantially evenly around the circumference of the third rotary head 3, and is rotatable about a rotation axis 4a parallel to the rotation axes 2a, 3a of the first and second rotary heads 2, 3 in order to receive the articles A delivered by the second rotary head 3 in the product stream and to complete their packaging. In particular, the ends of the packaging tube P surrounding the article A, which have been flattened and sealed in the second rotary head 3, can be further processed and formed in the third rotary head 4, for example, in a double twist wrap.

[0056] It is expressly pointed out that the present invention is not limited to the continuous packaging principle, but can equally be applied to discontinuous or partially discontinuous and partially continuous devices for transporting or packaging articles. List of reference symbols

[0057] 1Device 2First rotation head 2aRotation axis of the first rotation head 2bPivot axis 2cRotation axis 3Second rotation head 3aRotation axis of the second rotation head 3bPivot axis 3cSymmetry plane 4Third rotation head 20Holding device (first rotation head) 21Base (first rotation head) 22Pair of holding jaws (first rotation head) 30Holding device (second rotation head) 31Pair of holding jaws (second rotation head) AArticle EProjection plane PPackaging material (tube) T2Partial circle of the first rotation head T3Partial circle of the second rotation head T4Partial circle of the third rotation head

Claims

1. Device (1) for transporting and optionally packaging small-sized articles (A), in particular confectionery items, such as hard or soft caramels, chocolate pieces or the like, the device (1) comprising at least two rotary heads (2, 3) that are rotatable about parallel axes of rotation (2a, 3a) in order to transport the articles (A) in the product stream at least in sections along the pitch circles (T2, T3) of the two rotary heads (2, 3) and to transfer them from a first to a second of the rotary heads (2, 3), the pitch circles (T2, T3) of the rotary heads (2, 3) intersecting when projected onto a projection plane (E) perpendicular to their axes of rotation ( 2a, 3a), characterized in that the first rotational head (2) is designed to pivot each article (A) individually from the receiving position to the delivery position about a pivot axis (2b) parallel to the rotational axis (2a) against the direction of rotation of the first rotational head (2).

2. Device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the pitch circles (T2, T3) of the rotary heads (2, 3) lie in the same plane.

3. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first rotation head (2) is designed to turn each article (A) individually about an axis of rotation (2c) that is pivotable about the pivot axis (2b) and lies in a plane perpendicular to the pivot axis (2b), preferably in the pitch circle plane of the first rotational head (2), for example through 90°, wherein the rotational movement about the axis of rotation (2c) beginning particularly preferably in time before the pivoting movement about the pivot axis (2b), or the two movements overlapping in time.

4. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second rotation head (3) is designed to rotate or pivot each article (A) individually about at least one axis (3a), preferably about a pivoting axis (3b) aligned parallel to the axis of rotation (3a), for example by 30 to 60°, 40° to 50° or 45° in the direction of rotation of the second rotation head (3).

5. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the apparatus (1) has a third rotary head (4) which can be rotated about an axis of rotation (4a) parallel to the axes of rotation (2a, 3a) of the first and second rotary heads (2, 3) in order to pick up the articles (A) delivered by the second rotary head (3) in the product stream and to finish packaging them.

6. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the product stream of articles (A), when projected onto the projection plane (E), runs through the points of intersection and / or the area of intersection of the pitch circles (T2, T3) of the two rotary heads (2, 3).

7. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each article (A), upon transfer from the first to the second rotary head (2, 3), is arranged in sections or completely between the points of intersection and / or within the area of intersection of the pitch circles (T2, T3) of the two rotary heads (2, 3).

8. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each article (A), when transferred from the first to the second rotary head (2, 3), is arranged in the transport direction of the product stream upstream of a connecting line between the axes of rotation (2a, 3a) of the first and second rotary heads (2, 3).

9. Method for transporting and optionally packaging small-piece articles (A), in particular confectionery items, such as hard or soft caramels, chocolate pieces or the like, preferably using the apparatus (1) according to one of the preceding claims, the articles (A) being transported by at least two rotary heads (2, 3) rotatable about parallel axes of rotation (2a, 3a) in the product stream, at least in sections, along the pitch circles (T2, T3) of the two rotation heads (2, 3) and are transferred from a first to a second of the rotation heads (2, 3), the pitch circles (T2, T3) of the rotation heads (2, 3) intersecting on a projection plane aligned perpendicularly to their axes of rotation (2a, 3a), characterized in that each article (A) is pivoted individually from the receiving position to the delivery position about a pivot axis (2b) aligned parallel to the axis of rotation (2a) against the direction of rotation of the first rotary head (2).

10. Method according to claim 9, characterized in that each article (A) is directly received in the first rotary head (2) and / or in the second rotary head (3), preferably by clamping the article (A), preferably about an article axis aligned parallel to the axis of rotation; or in that each article (A) is indirectly received in the first rotary head ( 2) and / or in the second rotation head (3), preferably solely by clamping a packaging means (P) surrounding the article (A), preferably at the ends of the packaging means (P) formed into a packaging means tube that project beyond the article (A), particularly preferably without exerting pressure on the article (A).