LOADING SYSTEM

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to a loading system for, preferably plate-shaped, objects, comprising a conveyor frame with at least one conveying plane for the plate-shaped objects formed by one or more conveying means.

[0002] Furthermore, the invention relates to the use of the loading system according to the invention for loading a hardening furnace with glass plates.

[0003] Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for loading a conveyor frame with plate-shaped objects. STATE OF THE ART

[0004] To make glass stronger, more heat-resistant, and to break in a way that significantly reduces injury, glass is tempered. Tempered glass, often referred to as safety glass or thermally strengthened glass (ESG), is used for entry doors, shower enclosures, wood-burning stove and fireplace doors, and anywhere strong, safe glass is needed. Tempering glass is similar to tempering steel. First, the glass is cut into sheets of the desired shape. Then, the cut edges are beaded, ground, or polished, and the glass is cleaned of dirt. Finally, the glass sheets are heated in a special furnace to temperatures exceeding 600°C and then rapidly cooled. This causes the outer surface of the glass sheet to contract faster than the center, giving the glass its strength.

[0005] Different loading systems are used for furnace hardening. One of these loading systems typically comprises a conveyor frame (which in practice is also referred to as a loading table, infeed table, bed or hardening bed). The glass sheets are loaded onto this conveyor frame. The conveyor frame is equipped with conveyors (e.g. transport rollers or rollers) and a raising and lowering frame with pot rollers. Once the frame is raised, glass sheets can be manually placed onto the pot rollers and deposited or positioned across the width of the conveyor frame on the infeed side. The frame is then lowered beneath the transport rollers, and the placed glass sheets now rest on the transport rollers.The placed glass plates are then manually transported towards the hardening furnace, i.e. in the longitudinal direction of the conveyor frame, until there is enough space on the conveyor frame to place more glass plates. Once the usable area of ​​the conveyor frame has been filled with individual glass plates through manual loading, all of the glass plates arranged on the conveyor frame, i.e. the entire bed load, are transported into the hardening furnace by manual release. The loading of the conveyor frame with the plates is largely done manually. In larger systems, however, a robot is also used, which is usually positioned in front of the conveyor frame or on one of the long sides of the conveyor frame or on an additional loading table in front of it.

[0006] For example, such a feeding device for a horizontal continuous furnace for heating glass panes is known from DE 33 41 207 C1.

[0007] Regardless of whether loading is done manually or by robot, usually only one glass panel at a time is loaded onto the table, or one glass panel at a time, across the width of the conveyor frame. Once they are in place, the panels are transported further. Loading stops as soon as the first panel reaches the end of the conveyor frame facing the furnace. At this point, the conveyor frame is normally loaded lengthwise with panels arranged one behind the other.

[0008] Typically, loading is done with only sheets of essentially the same or similar dimensions, but of a single glass thickness, as this is required for subsequent glass tempering. Especially when a robot is used for loading, it is important to ensure that the individual sheets differ little in weight from one another, as the robot's programming can only work within a specific weight range.

[0009] However, if the panels are not of similar size, so that a single panel extends across nearly the entire width of the conveyor frame, a portion of the conveyor frame remains free, which can be significant in some cases. In this case, the conveyor frame is not being used to its full capacity.

[0010] Optimal utilization of the conveyor rack and thus of the tempering furnace is essential for cost-effective glass tempering. Furthermore, more efficient loading of the conveyor rack also means a significant reduction in tempering costs per m² of tempered glass. Poor loading of the conveyor rack and thus also of the tempering furnace makes any glass tempering plant highly inefficient and results in significant energy waste, considering that a medium-sized tempering plant has a connected load of approximately 1500-1700 kW.

[0011] If panels of different sizes cannot be accommodated simultaneously in a single load, the variability and flexibility of the furnace system is significantly limited.

[0012] While the number of panels that can be loaded onto the conveyor frame simultaneously can be increased, for example, by placing several panels side by side on the conveyor frame using multiple robots, this increases the complexity of the system and makes access to the conveyor frame difficult or even impossible. The use of robots to load the conveyor frame also has the further disadvantage of using suction devices that can attach to the sensitive surface of the panels and thus damage them.

[0013] Due to the widely varying weights of the panels, several robots with different lifting capacities are sometimes required, and in larger hardening systems, robots must be deployed on both sides of the conveyor frame or bed loading. This significantly increases space requirements and investment costs and significantly reduces the efficiency of the loading system. Therefore, automatic loading systems, i.e., hardening bed loading with robots, are rarely used, and when they are, it is usually only for smaller panel sizes and thinner panel thicknesses.

[0014] Furthermore, for example, from US 2014 / 0291125 A1 a roller conveyor and a general transport device for glass plates are known, wherein both lifting units and conveyor means for transporting the glass plates are provided.

[0015] From WO 2013 / 150787 A1, for example, a device and a method for producing liquid crystal displays of flat screens are known, wherein the device serves to transfer the pattern formed on a photomask in a lithography process for producing the liquid crystal display components exactly onto a glass substrate by means of an energy beam. OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0016] The invention therefore aims to eliminate the above-mentioned disadvantages.

[0017] In particular, a loading system for, preferably plate-shaped, objects is to be provided which allows fully automatic loading of a curing bed, whereby plate-shaped objects of different sizes can be arranged in any order.

[0018] A further object of the invention is to provide a loading system with a lifting unit, by means of which a hardening bed can be loaded with, preferably plate-shaped, objects of different sizes and in any order.

[0019] A further object of the invention is to provide a method for loading a conveyor frame with, preferably plate-shaped, objects, in which plate-shaped objects of different sizes and independently of one another can be applied to the conveyor frame. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] One object of the invention is achieved by a loading system for, preferably plate-shaped, objects, in particular for glass plates, comprising a conveyor frame with at least one conveying level for the plate-shaped objects formed by a plurality of conveying means, in that the loading system comprises lifting units, which lifting units are arranged below the at least one conveying plane, wherein the lifting units each have a support surface for the plate-shaped objects formed by at least one support element, which support surface is movable between a position below the at least one conveying plane and a position above the at least one conveying plane, wherein in the loading system according to the invention a control and / or regulating device is provided which is designed to control and / or regulate the conveying means individually and / or in groups, wherein the conveying means controlled and / or regulated individually and / or as a group by the control and / or regulating device are each driven by means of a separate drive means, and wherein the loading system is designed to convey a first plate-shaped object by means of the conveying means to a first conveying position on the conveyor frame and to lift it off the conveyor frame at the first conveying position by means of the lifting units in order to bring further plate-shaped objects by means of the same conveying means on the conveyor frame into a respective conveying position, without moving the first plate-shaped object.

[0021] Plate-shaped objects located on at least one conveying plane can be spaced apart from the conveying plane by means of the lifting units - in other words, lifted off the conveying means forming the conveying plane. For this purpose, the lifting units each comprise at least one support element, which is brought into contact with the respective plate-shaped object from below - i.e. from below the conveying plane assigned to the respective lifting units - and is then lifted further so that the respective support element is brought into contact with an outer surface of the plate-shaped object and the plate-shaped object is subsequently lifted off the conveying plane by means of the support element. The plate-shaped object can therefore rest either on the conveying plane formed by the respective conveying means or on a support plane arranged above this conveying plane, which support plane is formed by one or more support surfaces.

[0022] The objects handled by the loading system according to the invention have at least one approximately flat outer surface, with which the objects are supported on the conveying plane or the support plane. The shape of the respective objects in other areas different from said outer surface, for example on an outer side opposite the outer surface, is fundamentally irrelevant. In particular, objects that are not plate-shaped can also be handled by the loading system according to the invention. This is also an advantage over the prior art, since in connection with known loading systems, only those objects can be processed whose outer surface accessible from the outside or above is flat; otherwise, the suction devices used by the workers or robot arms to position the objects on the conveyor frame cannot be used reliably.

[0023] The loading system according to the invention thus makes it possible to convey a first plate-shaped object by means of the conveying means, and then, after the first plate-shaped object has reached a specific position on the conveyor frame, to lift this first plate-shaped object from the conveying means by means of the lifting units in order to position further plate-shaped objects on the conveyor frame using the same conveying means, without moving the first plate-shaped object. The conveyor frame can also comprise at least one section with conventional - i.e. not according to the invention - conveying means and / or lifting units. The conveying levels of different conveying means of the conveyor frame can also be arranged on different levels; for example, a conveying level formed by conveyor rollers or pulleys can be located above a conveying level formed by belt conveyors.

[0024] In a preferred embodiment of the loading system according to the invention, the conveying means comprise belt conveyors, conveyor rollers or conveyor rollers.

[0025] This allows the loading system to be adapted to different requirements and, in particular, to different types of plate-shaped objects. It is also possible to convey the plate-shaped objects in different directions, for example, by using conveyors that include both belt conveyors and conveyor rollers and / or rollers arranged between the individual belt conveyors. These rollers and / or rollers can be raised or lowered in opposite directions to form the respective conveyor plane. The axes of the conveyor rollers or rollers can run parallel to the belt conveyors.

[0026] In a further preferred embodiment of the loading system according to the invention, a control and / or regulating device is provided which is designed to control and / or regulate the lifting devices individually and / or in groups.

[0027] This allows individual plate-shaped objects positioned on the conveyor frame to be selectively lifted from the conveyor level or lowered back onto it. It is also possible to lift plate-shaped objects of any size arranged on the conveyor frame from the conveyor and re-engage them with the conveyor.

[0028] In the loading system according to the invention, a control and / or regulating device is provided which is designed to control and / or regulate the conveying means individually and / or in groups.

[0029] This makes it possible, for example, to operate only a subset of the conveyor frame's conveying means at a given time. For example, only those conveyors required to transport a first plate-shaped object to its predetermined position on the conveyor frame can be operated; other conveyors, on which other plate-shaped objects are already positioned, can be left at rest or remain in their current position. Alternatively, further plate-shaped objects can be moved asynchronously with the first plate-shaped object to their predetermined position on the conveyor frame.

[0030] In the loading system according to the invention, the conveying means controlled and / or regulated individually and / or as a group by the control and / or regulating device are each driven or drivable by means of a separate drive means, such as a motor.

[0031] As a result, the loading system according to the invention can be operated in a particularly energy-efficient manner, since only those drive means have to be actuated which are assigned to the respective conveying means controlled and / or regulated by the control and / or regulating device.

[0032] In another preferred embodiment of the loading system according to the invention, the lifting units are attached, preferably detachably, to the conveying means.

[0033] This allows the lifting units of a conveyor frame according to the invention to be replaced particularly easily and quickly. Furthermore, it is possible to retrofit existing conveyor frames with lifting units according to the invention. Particularly preferably, the lifting units are connected to the conveyor means in a clickable manner, or the lifting units lock onto the conveyor means. Alternatively, the lifting units can also be arranged or attached to other components of the conveyor frame, for example, to a frame of the conveyor frame on which the conveyor means are mounted.

[0034] In another preferred embodiment of the loading system according to the invention, the lifting units have means for releasably fastening to a conveyor.

[0035] Thus, the lifting units can be offered as modular wear parts and can be retrofitted in a particularly simple manner, which leads to significant cost savings with regard to the maintenance of the loading system according to the invention, particularly considering the comparatively high stress on the lifting units compared to that on the conveyors.

[0036] In a further preferred embodiment of the loading system according to the invention, the means for releasable fastening are at least one locking lug and / or one locking groove.

[0037] By locking the lifting unit to the conveyor, a reliable attachment of the lifting unit to the conveyor can be ensured; at the same time, the connection can be easily released again by disengaging the locking lug and / or the locking groove of the lifting units from the corresponding sections of the conveyor.

[0038] In another preferred embodiment of the loading system according to the invention, the conveying means or means have a support structure, preferably of profile-like design, and the lifting units are fastened to the support structure, preferably detachably.

[0039] Thus, the conveying means according to the invention comprises at least one actual conveying means, for example a belt, a roller or a roll, and on the other hand the support structure in which this conveying means is guided or held. Furthermore, the conveying means can also comprise further elements, such as deflection rollers, via which a conveyor belt is deflected in the region of the end sections of the support structure. The lifting units of the loading system are preferably connected to the respective conveying means via the support structure. This enables the lifting units to be arranged in the region of the conveying plane formed by the conveying means, so that the support elements of the lifting units can be easily brought into contact with the plate-shaped objects mounted on the conveying plane and the support surface formed by the support elements can subsequently be raised above the conveying plane.In order to guide belts of a belt conveyor reliably and precisely, the support structures of the conveyors are preferably designed as a profile, i.e., profile-like, made of aluminum, for example. The lifting units can be attached to sections of this profile, preferably detachably, for example, via a click or snap connection.

[0040] For this purpose, in a preferred embodiment of the loading system according to the invention, the support structure has means for, preferably detachably, fastening the lifting units.

[0041] These means for fastening the lifting units, preferably detachably, can be provided, in particular, on externally accessible side parts of the support structure; this further simplifies the connection of the lifting unit to the conveying means.

[0042] In a further preferred embodiment of the loading system according to the invention, the means for releasable fastening are a locking lug and / or a locking groove.

[0043] The locking lug and / or the locking groove of the support structure can each interact with a corresponding section of the lifting unit to enable the lifting unit to be attached to the support structure.

[0044] In another preferred embodiment of the loading system according to the invention, the at least one, preferably each, lifting unit comprises a guide frame on or in which the at least one support element is held movably, preferably linearly displaceably.

[0045] This makes it possible to design the lifting unit as a compact module with a simple structure. The support element, which is mounted so that it can be moved along or within the guide frame, allows the support surface to be moved particularly easily from a position below the respective conveying level to a position above the respective conveying level. In particular, the movable support element only needs to be actuated, for example pneumatically, hydraulically, or electromechanically, for the lifting process, i.e. for moving the support surface to the position above the conveying level. To return the support element to the position below the conveying level, the dead weight of the flat object resting on the support surface is sufficient due to the movable mounting on or in the guide frame of the lifting unit.

[0046] In a further preferred embodiment of the loading system according to the invention, the guide frame has at least two fastening legs, via which the lifting unit is fastened to a conveyor, preferably to its support structure.

[0047] In particular, the means for releasably fastening the lifting unit to the conveyor can be arranged on the fastening legs of the guide frame or formed by sections of the fastening legs. For example, the fastening legs can have locking lugs that engage with corresponding locking grooves provided on the support structure in order to fasten the lifting unit to the conveyor by means of a click or snap connection.

[0048] In a further preferred embodiment of the loading system according to the invention, the distance between the at least two fastening legs can be adjusted by means of at least one fixing element, preferably held in the guide frame.

[0049] By adjusting the distance between the fastening legs, a contact force can also be specified, under which the fastening legs are pressed against the conveyor, in particular against its support structure. This makes it possible to fix the lifting unit, which is clicked onto the conveyor or locked to the conveyor, in its position on the conveyor and to secure it against slipping and / or accidental release of the connection. The fixing element can preferably be a screw or adjusting screw mounted in each of the two opposing fastening legs.

[0050] In another preferred embodiment of the loading system according to the invention, at least one slide element or sliding element which effects the mobility of the at least one support element is arranged on or in the guide frame, wherein the at least one support element is arranged in a section of the slide element facing the conveying plane.

[0051] The support element can thus be moved along the guide frame by means of the slide element in order to move the support surface of the support element from the position below the conveying plane to the position above the conveying plane. The support element is arranged in a section of the slide element or is formed by such a section, which section faces the conveying plane when the support element is located below the conveying plane. In particular, the slide element can be guided between two sections of the guide frame; alternatively, the guide frame can also be arranged between two slide elements, wherein the two slide elements are each displaceable along the guide frame. One or more support elements can be arranged or formed on each slide element, although no section of the respective slide element or of the guide frame should protrude beyond the support elements.

[0052] In another preferred embodiment of the loading system according to the invention, the slide element is held on or in the guide frame in a movable, preferably linearly displaceable manner.

[0053] Thus, the position of the support element(s) can be changed by moving the slide element. In particular, several support elements can be moved synchronously from their position below the conveying plane to the position above it by actuating a single slide element.

[0054] In a further preferred embodiment of the loading system according to the invention, a drive for moving the at least one support element or slider element is arranged on the guide frame and is operatively connected to the at least one support element, preferably to the at least one slider element.

[0055] The drive, which can be directly or indirectly connected to the guide frame, serves to operate the support element(s). Because each lifting unit has its own drive, the lifting unit can be designed as a standalone module that can be easily replaced or retrofitted. A particularly advantageous feature is that a malfunction of one drive has no effect on the functionality of other lifting units in the loading system. The loading system according to the invention is therefore more reliable than prior art loading systems; moreover, a defective lifting unit can be replaced without having to stop the operation of the other lifting units or the loading system.The drive can be a pneumatically, hydraulically, or electromechanically actuated piston-cylinder unit, with a plunger connected to the piston or formed integrally with the piston being operatively connected to the support elements in order to drive them when the piston-cylinder unit is actuated. Preferably, the plunger is guided through a recess in the guide frame, for example, a recess in a base plate of the guide frame, and the plunger engages the slide element directly or indirectly, so that the support elements can be raised and / or lowered by moving the slide element. In versions of the lifting unit with multiple slide elements, the plunger can be connected to both slide elements in order to move them synchronously with one another.

[0056] In another preferred embodiment of the loading system according to the invention, a lifting unit comprises at least two support elements spaced apart from one another, wherein a conveying means is arranged running between the at least two support elements.

[0057] This allows the respective lifting unit to be loaded evenly on both sides of the conveyor element, resulting in a favorable distribution of the weight forces acting on the lifting unit. Furthermore, by increasing the contact points with the plate-shaped object to be lifted, a more stable and secure support of the plate-shaped object in the support plane formed by the support surfaces is possible, while reducing the stress on the plate-shaped object.

[0058] In another preferred embodiment of the loading system according to the invention, the conveying means running between the at least two support elements is fastened to the conveyor frame.

[0059] This enables stable mounting of the conveyor on the conveyor frame. Preferably, the conveyor is supported on the conveyor frame at two opposite end sections; Furthermore, support points, for example in the form of cross braces of the conveyor frame, can also be provided between the two end sections to ensure even more stable mounting of the conveyor.

[0060] In a further preferred embodiment of the loading system according to the invention, a delivery table is provided which is designed to move the plate-shaped objects linearly in at least two directions extending at right angles to one another by means of delivery conveyor means and to rotate them by means of delivery rotation means, wherein the delivery conveyor means are designed to transfer the plate-shaped objects to at least one conveyor means of the conveyor frame.

[0061] Using this delivery table, plate-shaped objects can be transferred to the conveyor frame in any position and orientation. This allows any predefined networking of the conveyor frame, i.e., any predefined arrangement of a specific number of plate-shaped objects on the conveyor frame, to be realized.

[0062] The loading system according to the invention can be used not only for loading a hardening furnace, but also for loading other processing stations in any production line. Of course, a loading system arranged downstream of the respective processing station in the production direction can also be used for unloading and further transport of the preferably plate-shaped objects.

[0063] In a further embodiment of the loading system according to the invention, the lifting unit may comprise: a guide frame which has at least two fastening legs for, preferably detachable, fastening to a support structure of a conveyor, at least one slide element which is held on or in the guide frame in a movable, preferably linearly displaceable manner, at least one support element for a plate-shaped object, in particular a glass plate, which support element is arranged on the slide element, and a drive arranged on the guide frame which is operatively connected to the at least one slide element in order to move it on or in the guide frame, preferably to displace it linearly.

[0064] Within the scope of the invention, the lifting unit can fundamentally be connected to any conveyor frame. In particular, the lifting unit can be attached, for example, to a conveyor of the conveyor frame, in particular to the support structure of the respective conveyor, using the fastening legs of the guide frame. At the same time, the guide frame of the lifting unit also serves to guide the at least one slide element, wherein the slide element is slidably mounted in or on the guide frame and has at least one support element for contacting the preferably plate-shaped object.

[0065] For example, embodiments of the lifting unit are conceivable in which a slide element is provided, each slide element comprising one or more, preferably two, opposing support elements. One slide element can rest against the guide frame and thus be movably mounted on the guide frame, or it can be arranged between two frame elements of the guide frame, so that the slide element is displaceable within the guide frame.Furthermore, embodiments with two slide elements are also conceivable, each having a support element and resting against the guide frame on both sides, so that both slide elements are movably mounted on the guide frame; alternatively, the two slide elements can also rest against a central frame element of the guide frame and each be surrounded by an outer frame element of the guide frame, so that the two slide elements are each movably held in their own guide section of the guide frame. The support element of one slide element does not necessarily have to be opposite the support element of the other slide element; preferably, the support elements are arranged offset. This allows objects to be stored more securely on the support elements.

[0066] In order to lift the support elements or to move the support surface spanned by the support elements from a position below the conveying plane to a position above the conveying plane, so that an object located above the lifting unit is lifted from the conveying plane, the lifting unit comprises a drive coupled to the respective slide element. In embodiments with multiple slide elements, the drive of the lifting unit can be coupled to all slide elements; alternatively, several separate drives can be provided, each coupled to one of the slide elements.

[0067] Because the drive is connected to the guide frame, the lifting unit represents a standalone unit that can be retrofitted to existing conveyor frames and the like. Furthermore, defective lifting units can be easily replaced, as only the defective lifting unit needs to be replaced. Other, properly functioning lifting units can continue to operate without interruption during this process.

[0068] Particularly advantageously, the guide frame comprises at least two opposing fastening legs. Sections of the fastening legs can be connected to the drive either directly or via a base plate fastened to the guide frame, while other sections of the fastening legs have means for fastening the lifting unit to a conveyor of a conveyor frame or to a conveyor frame. These fastening means can be arranged on mutually facing outer surfaces of the opposing fastening legs and can preferably be designed as locking grooves and / or locking lugs. Preferably, the fastening legs can each have a vertical section for fastening the lifting unit to the conveyor frame, as well as a horizontal section for connecting the drive to the guide frame. The base plate can be formed by the horizontal sections of the opposing fastening legs.

[0069] In embodiments in which the slide element is guided on the guide frame, the slide element rests against the two opposing fastening legs. In embodiments in which the slide element is slidably held in the guide frame, the guide frame can comprise more than two fastening legs, each of which lies opposite one another in pairs. In particular, the slide element can be arranged between two pairs of two opposing fastening legs, so that the slide element rests against one pair of fastening legs on each side.

[0070] Particularly preferably, two opposing fastening legs are connected to each other via the drive. Alternatively or additionally, the two fastening legs can be connected to each other by means of a fixing element, such as an adjusting screw, in order to be able to adjust the distance between at least those sections of the fastening legs which have the means for fastening the lifting unit to the conveyor frame.

[0071] An object of the present invention is achieved by a method for loading a conveyor frame provided by a loading system according to the invention with, preferably plate-shaped, objects, in particular with glass plates, which method comprises the following steps: Placing / conveying a first plate-shaped object onto a conveying plane formed by a plurality of conveying means arranged on the conveying frame; conveying the first plate-shaped object by one or more of the conveying means into a first conveying position; lifting the first plate-shaped object from the conveying plane at its first conveying position by lifting units arranged on one or more of the conveying means; placing / conveying a second plate-shaped object onto the conveying plane; conveying the second plate-shaped object by one or more of the same conveying means into a second conveying position, wherein the lifted position of the first plate-shaped object at its first conveying position is not changed by actuation of the one or more conveying means; lowering the first plate-shaped object onto the conveying plane at its first conveying position.

[0072] The method according to the invention has the great advantage that conveyor means on which one of the preferably plate-shaped objects with which the conveyor frame is to be loaded is already arranged or rests can continue to be used to position other objects on the conveyor frame without thereby changing the position of other objects that are already in their predetermined position on the conveyor frame. This is achieved according to the invention by lifting those objects whose current position on the conveyor frame is no longer to be changed so that they are no longer in engagement with the respective conveyor means.

[0073] Specifically, the method according to the invention initially provides for a first, preferably plate-shaped, object to be placed or conveyed onto a conveyor level formed by a plurality of conveyor means arranged on the conveyor frame. In this case, a plurality of conveyor levels can certainly be formed on a conveyor frame, namely by conveyor means arranged at different levels.

[0074] As soon as the first object is located on the conveyor(s) and thus positioned at the conveying level assigned to the respective conveyor(s), actuating the conveyor(s) causes the first object to be conveyed by the conveyor. As soon as the object has been conveyed to the first conveying position, the object has reached its predetermined position on the conveyor frame, and the conveyor(s) used to convey the object to its first conveying position are deactivated.

[0075] If the second, preferably plate-shaped, object were also to be conveyed with the same conveying means to its predetermined position on the conveyor frame, for example a second conveying position, on which the first object also rests, the first object would inevitably also be conveyed further and thus moved out of the first conveying position.

[0076] According to the invention, however, it is now provided that the first object, which is in the first conveying position, is lifted off the conveying means. This releases the engagement between the conveying means, on the one hand, and the first object, on the other, so that actuation of the conveying means can no longer change the current position of the first object, which is now no longer supported on the conveying plane but on the support plane formed by the support elements of the lifting unit(s). Preferably, the support elements of the lifting units of the conveyor frame act from below - i.e., from the side of the conveying means - on the outer surface of the first object resting on the conveying plane. In particular, further objects, such as the second, preferably plate-shaped, object, can be conveyed by means of the conveying means into the respectively predetermined positions.

[0077] According to the invention, the conveying of the second plate-shaped object by one or more of the conveying means into a second conveying position takes place after the second plate-shaped object has been placed / conveyed onto the conveying plane and before the first plate-shaped object has been lowered onto the conveying plane.

[0078] This allows the second object to be moved into the second conveying position by means of the conveying means without affecting the position of the first object. This is no longer only possible in cases where the second object and the first object are to be moved into their predetermined, for example, adjacent, positions on the conveyor frame by means of different conveying means, for example, adjacent conveyor belts, but also when the objects are to be moved into their predetermined, for example, consecutive, positions on the conveyor frame by means of the same conveying means.

[0079] If all objects are in their predetermined position on the conveyor frame, they can be conveyed together to a downstream processing station, such as a hardening furnace.

[0080] For this purpose, according to a preferred embodiment of the method, the first and the second plate-shaped object can be conveyed further together by one or more of the conveying means after the first plate-shaped object has been lowered onto the conveying plane.

[0081] Thus, the arrangement of the preferably plate-shaped objects on the conveyor frame can be transferred to the downstream processing station without changing the relative positions of the individual objects to one another.

[0082] In an analogous manner, several objects can be brought one after the other into their predetermined position on the conveyor frame by means of the conveyor means, in that all objects that are already arranged in their predetermined position on the conveyor frame are lifted by means of the lifting units, while those conveyor means that form the conveying levels on which these objects are located are used to convey further objects.

[0083] In particular, the method according to the invention may comprise the following further steps: Lifting the first and / or second plate-shaped object from the conveying plane by lifting units arranged on one or more of the conveying means; placing / conveying a third plate-shaped object (4c) onto the conveying plane; lowering the first and second plate-shaped objects onto the conveying plane.

[0084] In this case, the conveying of the third plate-shaped object by one or more of the conveying means into a third conveying position can preferably take place after the third plate-shaped object has been placed / conveyed onto the conveying plane and before the first and second plate-shaped objects have been lowered onto the conveying plane.

[0085] Particularly preferably, the first, the second and the third plate-shaped object can be conveyed further together by one or more of the conveying means after the first and the second plate-shaped object have been lowered onto the conveying plane.

[0086] The plate-shaped objects are preferably glass plates.

[0087] Once all objects have been positioned on the conveyor frame, they can be conveyed together without changing the relative position of the individual objects. To do this, all objects are lowered back to the conveyor level using the lifting units and then conveyed further by actuating the conveyors.

[0088] Particularly preferably, the first and / or the second and / or the third plate-shaped object is conveyed into a hardening furnace by means of one or more of the conveying means. SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE CHARACTERS

[0089] The invention is explained in more detail below with the aid of examples and drawings which are only exemplary and illustrate the inventive concept but in no way restrict or exhaustively represent it, where: Fig. 1 Conveying means of a conveyor frame with lifting units according to the invention Fig. 2 a detailed view of the Fig. 1Fig. 3 an embodiment of the loading system according to the invention comprising a conveyor frame and a delivery table Fig. 4 an embodiment of a lifting unit attached to a conveyor Fig. 5 the lifting unit from Fig. 4 in perspective view Fig. 6 the lifting unit from Fig. 4 and 5 in a top view Fig. 7 an embodiment of a lifting unit attached to a conveyor in a perspective view Fig. 8 a sectional view of the Fig. 7 Fig. 9 a schematic representation of a conveyor frame with three conveying positions Fig. 10 a schematic representation of the method according to the invention Fig. 11 a schematic representation of a production line WAYS OF IMPLEMENTING THE INVENTION

[0090] Fig. 1 shows conveyor 2 of a conveyor frame 1 (in Fig. 1 not shown, see Fig. 3), wherein the conveying means 2 comprise a group of six belt conveyors. Each belt conveyor comprises a belt 33, which is mounted in a support structure 10 ( Fig. 2 ) of the conveyor 2 and over two deflection elements 34 arranged in end sections of the support structure 10 ( Fig. 7 ). The guide of the belt 33 is also made of the Figures 4 , 7 and 8 clearly visible.

[0091] According to the invention, lifting units 5 are attached to the conveyor means 2; Fig. 1 Several of these lifting units 5 are attached to each support structure 10. Furthermore, the conveyors 2 comprise support elements 32, by means of which the conveyors 2 are mounted and secured on the conveyor frame 1. In the illustrated embodiment, the conveyors 2 can be driven jointly as a group of belt conveyors by means of a common drive means in the form of a motor 30.

[0092] Plate-shaped objects 4 in the form of a first object 4a, designed as a glass pane, and a second object 4b, also designed as a glass pane, rest on the conveyor means 2 or on the lifting units 5. The functioning of the invention can be explained with reference to Fig. 2 , which provides a detailed view of Fig. 1 shows, clearly explain: Objects 4 that rest on the conveying means 2 - that is, are located in a conveying plane 3 spanned by the conveying means 2 - are moved or conveyed according to the movement of the conveying means 2 as soon as the conveying means 2 are actuated. In order to convey several objects 4 by means of the same conveying means 2 into successive positions, for example into a first conveying position 22 and into a second conveying position 23 located in front of the first conveying position 22 as viewed in the conveying direction 38 (see Fig. 1), the objects 4 would already have to be placed on the conveying means 2 in a corresponding relative position to one another. If this is not the case, i.e. the first object 4a is initially conveyed to the first conveying position 22 and the second object 4b is only to be conveyed to the second conveying position 23 at a later point in time - for example, after further objects have been positioned on the conveyor frame 1 - this would inevitably have the consequence that the position of the first object 4a would also be changed due to the movement of the conveying means 2. In particular, a relative position of the two objects 4a and 4b to one another could no longer be changed simply by actuating the conveying means 2.

[0093] In order to avoid these disadvantages, which must not occur in particular when the conveyor frame 1 is to be loaded automatically with a predetermined configuration of objects 4, it is provided according to the invention that an object 4 which is located in a predetermined position is lifted or lifted off the conveyor level 3 when a further object 4 is to be or is to be conveyed to its predetermined position by means of the same conveyor 2. As can be seen from Fig. 2 As can be seen, the first object 4a, which is already in the first conveying position 22 predetermined for it according to the given configuration, is no longer on the conveying plane 3, but has been lifted from the conveying plane 3 by means of the lifting units 5. The first object 4a is therefore located in a support plane 31, which support plane 31 is formed by support surfaces 7 of support elements 6 ( Fig. 4) of the respective lifting units 5 and which support level 31 is located above the conveying level 3 when viewed in the vertical direction.

[0094] Thus, the first object 4a is no longer engaged with the conveyor 2, which can then be easily operated to convey the second object 4b without changing the position of the first object 4a on the conveyor frame 1 (in the horizontal direction). The movement of the conveyor 2 therefore no longer results in the movement of the first object 4a.

[0095] As soon as the second object 4b is in its predetermined second conveying position 23 and the conveying means 2 is no longer actuated, i.e. is switched off, the first object 4a can be lowered again. This is done according to the invention in that the support elements 6 of the respective lifting units 5 are lowered counter to the height direction until the support surfaces 7 are located below the conveying plane 3. In this sense, the support elements 6 of the lifting units 5 - with reference to their support surfaces 7 - are moved from a position below the conveying plane 3 (which position the support surfaces of the two left lifting units 5 in Fig. 2 take) into a position above the conveyor level 3 (which position the support surfaces of the two right lifting units 5 in Fig. 2It turns out to be particularly advantageous that the objects 4 are not contacted on their often highly sensitive upper outer surface - as in the prior art - but on their less vulnerable lower outer surface, with which the objects 4 also rest on the conveying means 2 for the purpose of conveying on the conveyor frame 1.

[0096] In order to arrange the objects 4 of a certain number of objects 4 on the conveyor frame 1 according to a certain configuration, which configuration determines the exact positioning and orientation of each object 4 on the conveyor frame 1, the objects 4 must first be transferred to an inlet 35 of the conveyor frame 1, which inlet 35 can be formed by a front end region of the conveyor frame 1. For this purpose, a Fig. 3A delivery table 18 shown may be provided, which delivery table 18 is arranged upstream of the conveyor frame 1 in the conveying direction 38 of the conveying means 2. Embodiments of such a delivery table 18 are already known from WO 2018 / 019818 A1 (published on February 1, 2018) or from AT 15710 U1 (published on April 15, 2018); the disclosures of these publications are incorporated by reference in this regard, and their content is hereby incorporated into this application.

[0097] The delivery table 18 comprises delivery conveyor means 19 for conveying objects 4, as well as delivery rotation means 20 for rotating the objects 4 located on the delivery table 18. The delivery conveyor means 19 can be arranged parallel to the conveyor means 2 of the conveyor frame 1 in order to also be able to convey the objects 4 located on the delivery table 18 in the conveying direction 38. The delivery conveyor means 19 and / or the delivery rotation means 20 can be arranged in or on the delivery table 18 so as to be movable transversely to the conveying direction 38. As a result, objects 4 can be transferred to the inlet 35 of the conveyor frame 1 by means of the delivery table 18 in any desired orientation and at any desired position.In particular, it becomes possible to specifically place objects 4 on a specific conveying level 3 of the conveyor frame 1; for example, it becomes possible to place an object 4 exclusively on the conveying level 3 spanned by a first group 2a of conveying means 2, so that to convey the object 4 on the conveyor frame 1, only this group 2a of conveying means 2 needs to be actuated, while all other conveying means 2 of the conveyor frame 1, such as those of a second group 2b and a third group 2c of conveying means 2, remain switched off or can be operated asynchronously to convey other objects 4. The conveying levels 3 assigned to the individual groups 2a, 2b, 2c of conveying means 2 can be located on a common level or on different levels. Each of the groups 2a, 2b, 2c is assigned its own motor 30 in order to be able to drive the respective conveying means 2 separately from one another.

[0098] Essential to the invention is in any case the at least one lifting unit 5, which mediates the lifting of individual objects 4 from the respective conveying level 3. In the embodiments according to Figures 1, 2 and 3 several lifting units 5 are arranged on the conveyor means 2; these lifting units 5 and their attachment to the conveyor means 2 are described below with reference to the Figures 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 and 8 explained in more detail. However, it should be noted that, in principle, a wide variety of embodiments of the at least one lifting unit are conceivable; for example, only a single lifting unit could be provided, which is equipped with several support elements that can be controlled separately and are distributed over the conveyor frame 1 in order to individually lift the objects 4 arranged on the conveyor frame 1 from the respective conveyor level 3.

[0099] Figs. 5 and 6show the lifting unit 5, which will now be explained in more detail, as a separate module, while Fig. 4 , 7 and 8 the lifting unit 5 branches off in a state connected to the conveyor 2.

[0100] The lifting unit 5 comprises a guide frame 12, in or on which a slide element 16 is mounted so as to be displaceable in the vertical direction. Furthermore, the lifting unit 5 comprises a drive 17, which drive 17 is operatively connected to the slide element 16 and which drive 17 is connected (directly or indirectly) to the guide frame 12.

[0101] In the illustrated embodiment, the guide frame 12 of the lifting unit 5 comprises, on each side of the slide element 16, a first fastening leg 13 and a second fastening leg 14, which are arranged opposite one another in pairs. A fixing element 15, which in the illustrated embodiment is designed as an adjusting screw, can be used to adjust at least a maximum distance between the first fastening leg 13 and the second fastening leg 14, so that the first fastening leg 13 and the second fastening leg 14 are pressed against the support structure 10 or fixed thereto. On the mutually facing outer surfaces of the first fastening leg 13 and the second fastening leg 14, inwardly projecting locking lugs 9 are provided for connecting the lifting unit 5 to the conveyor 2 or its support structure 10. This ensures quick and precise assembly of the lifting unit 5.

[0102] The slide element 16 is, as can be seen in particular from Fig. 5 As can be seen, it is approximately U-shaped, with two vertical sections of the slide element 16 being connected to one another at one end by means of a horizontal section 36. At the other end of each of the two vertical sections there is a substantially horizontally extending support section 37, in each of which a support element 6 is arranged. Via the horizontal section 36, the slide element 16 is connected to the drive 17, the structure of which is based in particular on Fig. 8 is evident.

[0103] Accordingly, the drive 17 comprises a piston-cylinder unit 25, which is fastened, for example, to a base plate 29 of the guide frame 12. In particular, the first fastening legs 13 and the second fastening legs 14 of the guide frame 12 can be screwed to this base plate 29 ( Fig. 5 , 8 ).

[0104] In order to displace the slide element 16 in the vertical direction so that the support surfaces 7 of the support elements 6 can be moved from a position below the conveying plane 3 to a position above the conveying plane 3, a piston 26 movably held in a cylinder 27 is connected to the slide element 16 via a tappet 28. For example, the slide element 16 can be screwed to the tappet 28 via a recess in the horizontal section 36. The piston-cylinder unit 25 can be actuated hydraulically, pneumatically, or electromechanically to displace the slide element 16 in the vertical direction; lowering the slide element 16 against the vertical direction can be achieved, for example, by utilizing the dead weight of the object 4 resting on the support elements 6.

[0105] In order to attach the lifting unit 5 to the respective conveyor 2 in a reliable manner, the lifting unit 5 can, as shown in the Fig. 4 , 7 and 8As can be seen, the lifting unit 5 can be connected to the support structure 10 by means of the guide frame 12 using a click or snap connection. For this purpose, the lifting unit 5 is attached to the support structure 10 such that the locking lugs 9 arranged on the first fastening leg 13 and the second fastening leg 14 each engage in a corresponding locking groove 11 of the support structure 10. Additionally or alternatively, locking lugs of the support structures 10 can engage in locking grooves of the guide frame 12. To secure the lifting unit 5 against detachment from the support structure 10, the distance between the first fastening leg 13 and the second fastening leg 14 can be reduced by means of the fixing element 15, so that both a positive and a non-positive connection is formed between the guide frame 12 and the support structure 10. This connection between the guide frame 12 and the support structure 10 serves to enable any defective drives 17 to be quickly replaced if necessary.

[0106] As from Fig. 7 As can be clearly seen, the locking groove 11 of the support structure 10 serves not only to fasten the lifting units 5, but also to fasten the deflection elements 37 which close off the end of the support structure 10. Accordingly, the support structure 10 can be approximately X-shaped, with recesses running along the support structure 10 on vertical side surfaces of the support structure 10 forming the locking grooves 11, and recesses running along the support structure 10 on horizontal side surfaces of the support structure 10 serving to guide the belt 33.

[0107] Based on Figs. 9 and 10 The method according to the invention for loading a conveyor frame 1 with a first object 4a, a second object 4b and a third object 4c will now be explained: Fig. 9shows a conveyor frame 1 on which, according to a predetermined configuration, three preferably plate-shaped objects 4 are to be arranged, namely a first object 4a, which is to assume a first conveying position 22, a second object 4b, which is to assume a second conveying position 23, and a third object 4c, which is to assume a third conveying position 24. The conveyor frame 1 comprises a total of 6 conveyor means 2, each designed as a belt conveyor and separately controllable and drivable in groups of two conveyor means 2, namely in the form of a first group 2a, a second group 2b, and a third group 2c. Of course, the number of conveyor means 2 per group and the number of groups per conveyor frame can be varied as desired in other embodiments. The conveyor frame 1 also comprises lifting units 5, which are attached to the conveyor means 2, but in Figs. 9 and 10 are not shown.

[0108] According to the invention, the first object 4a is now first conveyed in the conveying direction 38 to the first conveying position 22. This is done using all conveying means 2, i.e. those of the first group 2a, the second group 2b, and the third group 2c.

[0109] If the first object 4a is in the first conveying position 22 ( Fig. 10), the second object 4b can be conveyed to the second conveying position 23. Due to the dimensions of the second object 4b, the conveying means 2 of the first group 2a and those of the second group 2b are required for this purpose; the conveying means 2 of the third group 2c do not have to be operated to convey the second object 4b. In order to convey the second object 4b to the second conveying position 23, which is located in front of the first conveying position 22 in the conveying direction, the invention provides that the first object 4a (by means of the lifting units 5, not shown) is lifted from the conveying plane 3 defined by the conveying means 2 ( Fig. 1) is lifted off. As soon as the first object 4a is no longer located in the conveying plane 3 but in the support plane 31 spanned by the support surfaces 7 and located above the conveying plane 3, the conveying means 2 of all groups 2a, 2b, 2c can be actuated without the position of the first object 4a changing. Thus, the second object 4b can be moved to the inlet 35 of the conveyor frame 2 ( Fig. 3) and then conveyed to the second conveying position 23 by means of the conveying means 2 of the first group 2a and the second group 2b. Only when the second object 4b is located at the second conveying position 23 can the first object 4a be lowered back onto the conveying level 3. In methods in which at least one further object 4 is to be conveyed by means of the conveying means 2 of the first group 2a and the second group 2b into a conveying position which, viewed in the conveying direction 38, lies in front of the second conveying position 23, the first object 4a and the second object 4b must be lifted from the conveying level 3 by means of the lifting units 5.

[0110] Subsequently or simultaneously, but in any case independently of the second object 4b, the third object 4c can be conveyed to the third conveying position 24 predetermined for it according to the predefined configuration. For this purpose, the third object 4c is placed or conveyed onto the conveying plane 3 in the region of the inlet 35, in order to then be conveyed to the third conveying position 24 by means of the conveying means 2 of the third group 2c. For this purpose, it is again necessary and provided according to the invention to lift the first object 4a from the conveying plane 3. Only when the third object 4c is in the third conveying position 24 can the first object 4a be lowered from the support plane 31 back onto the conveying plane 3. The second object 4b does not necessarily have to be lifted from the conveying plane 3 while the third object 4c is being conveyed.

[0111] In order to now convey a further object by means of the conveying means 2 of the third group 2c into a further conveying position located in front of the third conveying position 24 in the conveying direction 38, both the first object 4a and the second object 4b would have to be lifted off the conveying plane 3 so that the actuation of the conveying means 2 of the third group 2c no longer changes the positions of the first object 4a and the second object 4b.

[0112] In principle, each object conveyed first, which has reached its predetermined conveying position on the conveyor frame, can either initially remain on the conveying level 3 and only then be lifted into the support level 31 by means of the lifting units 5 when a subsequently conveyed object is to be conveyed into a conveying position by means of the same conveying means 2 that were also actuated to convey the first conveyed object, which conveying position, viewed in the conveying direction, lies in front of the conveying position of the first conveyed object; only when the subsequently conveyed object has reached its conveying position can the first conveyed object be lowered back onto the conveying level.Alternatively and preferably, it is also possible to lift each object into the support level by means of the lifting units as soon as this object has reached its conveying position; in this case, the objects are only lowered onto the conveying level when all objects are arranged on the conveyor frame according to the specified configuration and are to be transported further together, i.e. without changing their relative positions to one another, for example into the hardening furnace.

[0113] Fig. 11shows a production line with a total of four processing stations. A feed table 18 is arranged upstream of a first conveyor frame 1 according to the invention, followed by a hardening furnace 21, into which the objects 4 (not shown) arranged on the first conveyor frame 1 according to a specific configuration are conveyed together. After hardening, they are conveyed together from the hardening furnace 21 to a second conveyor frame 1 according to the invention arranged downstream of the hardening furnace 21. There, the objects 4 can be prepared for subsequent processing steps, or the objects 4 arranged on the second conveyor frame 1 according to the invention are fully automatically separated or unloaded in reverse order to the loading of the first conveyor frame 1, and are then fed in individual object sequence to an automatic unloading, stacking, or compartment trolley system.Between the hardening furnace 21 and the second conveyor frame 1, a (in . Fig. 11 not shown) cooling section, on which cooling section the objects 4 transported into the hardening furnace 21 (bed loading, as in Figs. 9 and 10 shown) before being transported to the second conveyor frame 1.

[0114] In order to be able to control or regulate the conveying means 2 and the lifting units 5 of the conveyor frames 1 individually and / or in groups according to the specified configuration, control or regulating devices 8 are provided, which can be integrated into the conveyor frames 1 or connected to them. LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

[0115] 1 Conveyor frame 2 Conveying means 2a First group 2b Second group 2c Third group 3 Conveying level 4 (Plate-shaped) object 4a First (Plate-shaped) object 4b Second (Plate-shaped) object 4c Third (Plate-shaped) object 5 Lifting unit 6 Support element 7 Support surface 8 Control and / or regulating device 9 Locking lug 10 Support structure 11 Locking groove 12 Guide frame 13 First fastening leg 14 Second fastening leg 15 Fixing element 16 Slide element 17 Drive 18 Feed table 19 Feed conveyor 20 Feed rotating device 21 Hardening furnace 22 First conveying position 23 Second conveying position 24 Third conveying position 25 Piston-cylinder unit 26 Piston 27 Cylinder 28 Ram 29Base plate 30Motor 31Support plane 32Support element 33Belt 34Deflection element 35Inlet 36Horizontal section 37Support section 38Conveying direction

Claims

1. Loading system for plate-shaped objects (4), in particular for glass plates, comprising a conveyor frame (1) with at least one conveyor plane (3), formed by a plurality of conveying means (2), for the plate-shaped objects (4), wherein - the loading system has lifting units (5), - which lifting units (5) are arranged underneath the at least one conveyor plane (3), wherein - the lifting units (5) each have a bearing surface (7), formed by at least one bearing element (6), for the plate-shaped objects (4), which bearing surface (7) can be moved between a position underneath the at least one conveyor plane (3) and a position above the at least one conveyor plane (3), characterized in that a control and / or regulating device (8) is provided, which is equipped to control and / or to regulate the conveying means (2) individually or merged into groups (2a, 2b, 2c), wherein the conveying means (2), controlled and or regulated individually and / or as groups (2a, 2b, 2c) by the control and / or regulating device (8), are respectively driven by means of a separate drive means, and wherein the loading system is additionally equipped to convey a first plate-shaped object (4a) to a first conveying position (22) on the conveyor frame (1) by means of the conveying means (2) and to lift it away from the conveying means (2) at the first conveying position (22) by means of the lifting units (5), in order to bring additional plate-shaped objects (4b, 4c) onto the conveyor frame (1) and into a respective conveying position (23, 24) by means of the same conveying means (2), without thereby moving the first plate-shaped object (4a).

2. Loading system according to claim 1, characterized in that the conveying means (2) comprise belt conveyors, conveyor rollers, or conveyor drums.

3. Loading system according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that a control and / or regulating device (8) is provided, which is equipped to control and / or to regulate the lifting units (5) individually and / or merged into groups.

4. Loading system according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the lifting units (5) are fixed, preferably detachably, to the conveying means (2).

5. Loading system according to claim 4, characterized in that the lifting units (5) have means for detachable fixing to a conveying means (2), wherein the means for detachable fixing to a conveying means (2) is or are preferably a latching lug (9) and / or a latching groove (11).

6. Loading system according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the conveying means (2) has or have a preferably profile-like support structure (10), and the lifting units (5) are fixed, preferably detachably, to the support structure (10).

7. Loading system according to claim 6, characterized in that the support structure (10) has means for the detachable fixing of the lifting units (5), wherein the means for the detachable fixing of the lifting units (5) is or are preferably a latching lug (9) and / or a latching groove (11).

8. Loading system according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that a lifting unit (5) comprises a guide frame (12), on or in which the at least one bearing element (6) is mounted to be movable, preferably linearly displaceable.

9. Loading system according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the guide frame (12) has at least two fixing legs (13, 14), via which the fixing of the lifting unit (5) to the conveying means (2), preferably to its support structure (10), is carried out.

10. Loading system according to claim 9, characterized in that the distance between the at least two fixing legs (13, 14) is adjustable by means of a fixing element (15) preferably mounted in the guide frame (12).

11. Loading system according to one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that at least one pusher element (16) is arranged on or in the guide frame (12) for effecting the movability of the at least one bearing element (6), wherein the at least one bearing element (6) is arranged in a section of the pusher element (16) facing the conveyor plane (3), wherein the pusher element (16) is preferably moveably mounted on or in the guide frame (12).

12. Loading system according to one of claims 8 to 11, characterized in that a drive (17) for moving the at least one bearing element (6) or pusher element (16) is arranged on the guide frame (12) in operative connection with the at least one bearing element (6), preferably with the at least one pusher element (16).

13. Loading system according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that a lifting unit (5) comprises at least two bearing elements (6) spaced apart from one another, and a conveying means (2) is arranged to extend between the at least two bearing elements (6), wherein the conveying means (2) extending between the at least two bearing elements (6) is preferably fixed on the conveyor frame (1).

14. Loading system according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that an infeed table (18) is provided, which is designed to move the plate-shaped objects (4) in the at least one conveying plane (3) in at least two directions running linearly perpendicular to one another by means of infeed conveying means (19), and to rotate them by means of infeed rotation means (20), wherein the infeed conveying means (19) are designed to transfer the plate-shaped objects (4) onto at least one conveying means (2) of the conveyor frame (1).

15. Loading system according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the lifting unit (5) comprises: - a guide frame (12) which has at least two fixing legs (13, 14), for, preferably detachable, fixing to a support structure (10) of a conveying means (2); - at least one pusher element (16), which is moveably mounted, preferably linearly displaceable, on or in the guide frame (12); - at least one bearing element (6) for a plate-shaped object, in particular a glass plate, which bearing element (6) is arranged on the pusher element (16); and - a drive (17), arranged on the guide frame (12), which is in operative connection with the at least one pusher element (16), in order to move, preferably to linearly displace, the same on or in the guide frame (12).

16. Use of a loading system according to one of claims 1 to 14 for loading and / or unloading a tempering furnace (21) with plate-shaped objects (4), in particular glass plates.

17. Method for loading a conveyor frame (1), provided by a loading system according to one of claims 1 to 14, with plate-shaped objects (4), in particular with glass plates, comprising the following steps: - Placing / Conveying a first plate-shaped object (4a) onto a conveying plane (3) formed by a plurality of conveying means (2) arranged on the conveyor frame (1); - Conveying the first plate-shaped object (4a) into a first conveying position (22) by one or more of the conveying means (2); - Lifting the first plate-shaped object (4a) at its first conveying position (22) from the conveying plane (3) by lifting units (5) arranged on one or more of the conveying means (2); - Placing / Conveying a second plate-shaped object (4b) onto the conveying plane (3); - Conveying the second plate-shaped object (4b) into a second conveying position (23) by one or more of the same conveying means (2), wherein the lifted position of the first plate-shaped object (4a) at its first conveying position (22) is not changed by actuating the one or more conveying means (2); - Lowering the first plate-shaped object (4a) onto the conveying plane (3) at its first conveying position (22).

18. Method according to claim 17, characterized by the following additional method steps: - Lifting the first and / or the second plate-shaped object(s) from the conveying plane (3) by lifting units (5) arranged on one or more of the conveying means (2); - Placing / Conveying a third plate-shaped object (4c) onto the conveying plane (3); - Lowering the first and the second plate-shaped objects onto the conveying plane (3); - If applicable, conveying the third plate-shaped object (4c) into a third conveying position (24) by one or more of the conveying means (2) after placing / conveying the third plate-shaped object (4c) onto the conveying plane (3) and before lowering the first and the second plate-shaped objects (4a, 4b) onto the conveying plane (3).

19. Method according to one of claims 17 or 18, characterized in that the first and the second plate-shaped objects (4a, 4b) are, after lowering the first plate-shaped object (4a), or if applicable, the first, the second, and the third plate-shaped objects (4a, 4b, 4c) are, after lowering the first and the second plate-shaped objects (4a, 4b), collectively further conveyed onto the conveyor plane (3) by one or more of the conveying means (2).

20. Method according to one of claims 17 to 19, characterized in that the first and / or the second and / or if applicable, the third plate-shaped object(s) (4a, 4b, 4c) is / are conveyed into a tempering furnace (21) by means of one or more of the conveying means (2).