TRANSPORT MODULE FOR ARTICLES TO BE PACKAGED AND METHOD FOR PREPARING A TRANSPORT MODULE FOR A MOVEMENT OF ARTICLES

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a transport module for articles to be packaged.

[0002] If several items are to be combined into a bundle using packaging material, these items are first guided through a transport module in several adjacent parallel rows. The transport module then transfers the items intended for a particular bundle to a wrapping module, which can apply a blank of thermoplastic packaging material to several items intended for a particular bundle. The multiple items can then be moved with their applied blank through a shrink tunnel, where the blank of thermoplastic packaging material is shrunk onto the respective items. The items, together with the shrunk-on thermoplastic packaging material, form a respective bundle.Transport modules which initially guide articles in several parallel rows, after which the articles already guided in parallel rows are placed in a cardboard box or drive onto a flat packaging blank formed by cardboard, are already known from the state of the art.

[0003] If, at a certain point in time, bundles are to be created that contain a first type or a first number of items, and at a later point in time, further bundles are to be created that contain a second type or a second number of items that differ from the first type or first number, it may be necessary for individual aisle plates to be removed from the transport module, for additional aisle plates to be introduced into the transport module, and / or for the distance between individual aisle plates to be changed. It may also be the case that a wedge is connected to the aisle plates in the transport direction, via which wedges articles intended for different bundles are guided apart at an angle to their direction of movement.Both lane plates and such wedges therefore form format parts which are used in practice in order to be able to guide and align the respective articles intended for a container in a defined manner.

[0004] Such a device for creating bundles is known, for example, from DE 10 2017 203 600 A1. In this document, articles are moved in several parallel rows via conveyors or a conveyor belt. The rows are spatially separated from each other on the conveyor belt by lane plates. Guide elements arranged in a wedge shape can be connected to the lane plates and move adjacent article streams apart.

[0005] EP 3 375 737 A1 discloses a transport section and a method for setting and / or adjusting at least one transport track within a transport section. The transport section comprises a transfer plate with a transport surface on which articles or article assemblies can be slidably moved. Furthermore, a wedge-shaped guide element is provided, which separates previously parallel article streams. DE 10 2018 108221 A1 discloses a transport module according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0006] If, when switching to different articles or different containers to be produced, individual format parts, such as lane plates or wedges, have to be removed from the transport section or inserted into the transport section, this is usually done manually with devices known from the state of the art and can therefore be cumbersome and time-consuming.

[0007] A primary object of the invention is to provide a transport module that can be converted easily, quickly and easily.

[0008] The above object is achieved by a transport module according to claim 1. Embodiments are described by the dependent claims.

[0009] The invention relates to a transport module for articles to be packaged, such as beverage containers or the like. The beverage containers can be formed by beverage bottles or PET bottles and / or beverage cans or similar items.

[0010] The transport module comprises a horizontal conveyor section along which articles can be moved. To move the articles, the horizontal conveyor section can comprise a horizontal conveyor device. The horizontal conveyor device can have at least one circulating, driven conveyor belt on which articles moved along the horizontal conveyor section rest. It is also possible for articles to be moved along the horizontal conveyor section, at least in sections, using dynamic pressure, and / or for a plurality of conveyor elements to engage the rear of the articles and then move or push the articles along the horizontal conveyor section.

[0011] In various embodiments, articles may initially be moved along the horizontal conveyor, which comprises at least one circulating conveyor belt. At least one transfer plate (described below) may be connected to the horizontal conveyor or the at least one circulating conveyor belt, with articles being moved in a sliding manner in the region of the at least one transfer plate, possibly with the rear end resting against several circulating push bars.

[0012] It is also conceivable that the horizontal conveying section comprises at least one circulatingly driven conveyor belt, which circulatingly driven conveyor belt is prepared for moving articles in several parallel rows over format parts designed as lane plates, which format parts designed as lane plates can be arranged in the region of the at least one circulatingly driven conveyor belt designed as a component of the horizontal conveying section.

[0013] As already mentioned above, the horizontal conveyor section can comprise at least one transfer plate, along which at least one transfer plate articles can be slidably moved and which at least one transfer plate adjoins the at least one circulatingly driven conveyor belt or which at least one transfer plate directly follows the at least one circulatingly driven conveyor belt in a direction of movement intended for articles.

[0014] A wedge-shaped guide element can be positioned in the area of the transfer plate, allowing articles to slide along the transfer plate, guided by the wedge-shaped guide element positioned in the area of the transfer plate. The sliding movement of articles in the area of the transfer plate can also be achieved via push bars, which engage with the articles on the back and are guided all the way around.

[0015] The transport module also comprises a plurality of format parts which can be arranged in the area of the horizontal conveyor section so that articles are guided over the respective format parts arranged in the area of the horizontal conveyor section during their movement along the horizontal conveyor section.

[0016] According to the invention, at least one format part of the plurality of format parts is designed as a wedge-shaped guide element. Additionally or alternatively, at least one format part of the plurality of format parts can be designed as a lane plate, via which at least one format part designed as a lane plate forms a plurality of lanes intended for guiding articles, provided that the at least one format part designed as a lane plate is arranged in the region of the horizontal conveying section.

[0017] At least one handling device is also provided, which can be configured for the independent arrangement of format parts in the area of the horizontal conveyor section. Alternatively or additionally, the at least one handling device can be configured for the independent removal of format parts that are already arranged in the area of the horizontal conveyor section.

[0018] According to the invention, the at least one handling device is designed as a structurally integrated component of the transport module. Thus, the at least one handling device can be assigned exclusively to the transport module. The transport module can provide a mechanical connection via which the at least one handling device is integrated into the transport module as a structural component of the transport module.

[0019] The mechanical connection can prevent the at least one handling device from being removed from the transport module without tools. The transport module can have supporting and / or load-bearing elements to which the at least one handling device is mechanically connected. In various embodiments, the at least one handling device can be designed as an industrial robot or a multi-axis robot.

[0020] It is also conceivable that the at least one handling device is designed as a delta kinematic robot.

[0021] It is conceivable that the at least one handling device is mechanically fastened to a machine frame of the transport module and / or that the at least one handling device forms a machine frame of the transport module.

[0022] The at least one handling device can optionally be designed for removing push bars from the transport module and / or for installing push bars in the transport module, which push bars, as already mentioned above, can come into contact with articles on the back and move the articles, possibly sliding over the transfer plate or a conveyor belt, while being in contact with the back.

[0023] The transport module can comprise a frame structure providing the periphery of the transport module, wherein the at least one handling device is mechanically connected to the frame structure providing the periphery of the transport module and / or wherein the at least one handling device forms a frame structure providing the periphery of the transport module at least in regions.

[0024] It may be that the at least one handling device is suspended from the frame structure providing the periphery of the transport module.

[0025] The at least one handling device can also be designed as a gantry system and / or integrated into a gantry system formed as a component of the transport module. In this case, the at least one handling device designed as a gantry system can be mechanically connected to a machine frame of the transport module.

[0026] Alternatively or additionally, the gantry system, into which the at least one handling device is integrated, may be mechanically connected to a machine frame of the transport module. Such embodiments have a simple structure and are cost-effective to manufacture.

[0027] Practice has also shown that handling format parts in such designs is accompanied by high reliability and a low probability of errors or problems when changing the transport module.

[0028] It is conceivable that the at least one handling device comprises a linear guide, via which at least one linear guide the at least one handling device can carry out an adjusting movement oriented in the vertical direction.

[0029] For example, the at least one linear guide can comprise a rotationally driven pinion and a rack, which mesh with each other, so that the rack can execute a vertically oriented adjustment movement via a rotating drive of the pinion. A gripping head of the at least one handling device can be connected to the rack in such a way that the gripping head executes a respective vertically oriented adjustment movement together with the rack.

[0030] In addition, at least one format part of the plurality of format parts can be designed as a lane plate, via which at least one format part designed as a lane plate is arranged in the region of the horizontal conveying section and several lanes provided for guiding articles are formed.

[0031] The at least one handling device can have at least one clamping and / or gripping element for receiving the at least one format part designed as a lane sheet.

[0032] Furthermore, the transport module can comprise at least one storage device which is positioned or arranged in a working area of the at least one handling device and which can releasably receive the at least one format part designed as a lane plate via a plug-in and / or clamping connection.

[0033] The at least one storage unit can comprise a first storage block and a second storage block, wherein the first storage block and the second storage block each have a plurality of bores. In this case, a respective format part designed as a slotted sheet can be accommodated via the storage unit by inserting it into a first opening of the first storage block and by additionally inserting it into a further opening of the second storage block.

[0034] Alternatively, the use of only one storage block is conceivable, which can accommodate a format part designed as a lane plate. For example, this single storage block can be somewhat larger and / or preferably have at least two holes or slots for a format part designed as a lane plate.

[0035] In such embodiments and also in various other embodiments, the storage device can be designed as a structurally integrated component of the transport module or can be mechanically connected to a machine frame of the transport module.

[0036] In particular, the storage unit (in particular one or two blocks) may be arranged, at least in part, at a height (distance from the floor) that lies between an upper machine frame of the transport module and a transport surface (conveyor belt, transfer plate) of the articles or containers. In particular, it may be arranged to the side of the transport surface in the transport direction of the articles.

[0037] It is also possible for the storage to be arranged away from the transport module, with a driverless transport system removing format parts as required from the storage arranged away from the transport module and transferring them to the at least one handling device for insertion into the horizontal conveyor section.

[0038] Alternatively or additionally, the driverless transport system may receive format parts removed from the horizontal conveyor section by the at least one handling device and transfer them to the storage located away from the transport module.

[0039] Such a driverless transport system can have driven rollers that can roll across a floor.

[0040] The at least one format part designed as a lane plate can also form a first region and a second region, which first region and second region are offset from one another in the longitudinal direction of the at least one format part designed as a lane plate. The first region can have a lower flexural rigidity than the second region.

[0041] Furthermore, it can be provided that the at least one handling device has at least two clamping and / or gripping elements and at least one stabilizing element, wherein the at least two clamping and / or gripping elements and the at least one stabilizing element are configured to jointly receive a respective format part designed as a lane sheet. The stabilizing element may be present only optionally.

[0042] The at least two clamping and / or gripping elements can be designed for the positive and / or non-positive reception of the respective at least one format part designed as a lane plate over the second region and the at least one stabilizing element can be designed for the positive and / or non-positive reception or guidance of the respective at least one format part designed as a lane plate over the first region.

[0043] The stabilizing element can be U-shaped and, if necessary, positively engage the first region for receiving the respective at least one format part designed as a lane plate. The at least two clamping and / or gripping elements can each comprise two gripping fingers, which, arranged on opposite sides of the respective second region, can execute a feed movement for receiving the respective at least one format part designed as a lane plate, so that the respective gripping fingers hold the respective at least one format part designed as a lane plate in a clamping or force-loaded manner over the second region.

[0044] The at least one handling device can carry a gripping head, which gripping head forms the at least two clamping and / or gripping elements as well as the stabilizing element. The gripping head can be removably or detachably attached to the at least one handling device.

[0045] In the transport module, at least one format part of the plurality of format parts can be designed as a wedge-shaped guide element for articles.

[0046] According to the invention, the at least one handling device has at least one tool for receiving the at least one format part designed as a wedge-shaped guide element.

[0047] It may be that the at least one tool, which is provided for receiving the at least one format part designed as a wedge-shaped guide element, or the gripping head, which forms the at least two clamping and / or gripping elements as well as the stabilizing element, can be arranged selectively on the at least one handling device.

[0048] In particular, embodiments have proven successful in which the at least one handling device can independently or automatically exchange or change between the at least one tool, which is provided for receiving the at least one format part designed as a wedge-shaped guide element, and the gripping head, which forms the at least two clamping and / or gripping elements as well as the stabilizing element.

[0049] Additionally or alternatively, it can be provided that a gripping head (or the clamping and / or gripping elements arranged thereon), which is designed to receive the at least one format part designed as a lane plate, is designed in addition to the reception of the tool, which is provided to receive the at least one format part designed as a wedge-shaped guide element.

[0050] In other words, the clamping and / or gripping elements arranged on the gripping head may be able to accept not only format parts designed as a slotted sheet, but also tools for picking up or receiving other parts - in this specific case, the wedge-shaped guide elements.

[0051] In other words: the gripping head can easily replace the gap plates, but requires an additional tool for the wedges in order to pick them up and / or place or insert them into the appropriate storage location.

[0052] A further storage unit can also be provided for the tool, which is arranged in the access area of the handling device - alternatively, one or both of the storage units for the format parts designed as a lane plate and / or the storage unit for the wedges can be provided as a storage unit for the tool.

[0053] According to the invention, it is provided that the at least one tool has at least one projection and / or at least one prong or is formed by at least one projection and / or at least one prong.

[0054] According to the invention, the at least one format part designed as a wedge-shaped guide element for articles has at least one opening into which the at least one projection and / or the at least one prong can engage in a form-fitting manner to receive the at least one format part designed as a wedge-shaped guide element. The at least one projection and / or the at least one prong can have a horizontal orientation.

[0055] In a further embodiment, the clamping and / or gripping elements can receive both the at least one format part designed as a lane plate and the at least one format part designed as a wedge-shaped guide element and transport them into one or more storage units.

[0056] According to the invention, the transport module comprises a storage system that provides multiple storage locations for several format parts, each configured as a wedge-shaped guide element. The multiple storage locations are height-adjustable.

[0057] Each of the multiple storage locations can have at least one mandrel and / or pin onto which the respective format part designed as a wedge-shaped guide element can be attached. The respective at least one mandrel and / or pin can engage a respective corresponding recess of the respective format part designed as a wedge-shaped guide element.

[0058] Furthermore, according to the invention, the storage is arranged in such a way that the plurality of storage locations enter a working area of the at least one handling device via a respective first height adjustment and leave the working area of the at least one handling device via a further height adjustment in the opposite direction.

[0059] At least one warehouse with multiple storage spaces can also operate according to the paternoster principle.

[0060] The invention also relates to a packaging line according to claim 9. The packaging line also comprises a packaging module.

[0061] It is provided that the packaging module is designed to apply packaging material to respective articles moved via the transport module and that the packaging module follows the transport module in a conveying and / or movement direction of the packaging path intended for the articles.

[0062] A method for preparing a transport module for the movement of articles is also described. Features that have already been mentioned previously for various embodiments of the transport module can also be provided for the subsequent method and will not be mentioned repeatedly. Likewise, features described below for various embodiments of the method can be provided for the previously described transport module.

[0063] The transport module, which is prepared for movement of articles in the method, comprises a horizontal conveyor section along which articles can be moved.

[0064] Furthermore, the transport module, which is prepared for a movement of articles in the method, comprises a plurality of format parts, which can be arranged in the region of the horizontal conveyor section, so that articles are guided over the respective format parts arranged in the region of the horizontal conveyor section during their movement along the horizontal conveyor section.

[0065] As part of a method step, the transport module is adapted to an upcoming defined movement of articles, for which purpose at least one format part is arranged in the area of the horizontal conveyor section and / or for which purpose at least one format part already arranged in the area of the horizontal conveyor section is removed from the area of the horizontal conveyor section.

[0066] It is provided that the arrangement of the at least one format part in the region of the horizontal conveying section and / or the removal of the at least one format part from the region of the horizontal conveying section is carried out independently via at least one handling device, which at least one handling device is structurally integrated into the transport module.

[0067] It may be that the arrangement of the at least one format part in the region of the horizontal conveying section and / or the removal of the at least one format part from the region of the horizontal conveying section is carried out independently via at least one handling device, which at least one handling device is a portal system or which at least one handling device is guided by a portal system for this purpose.

[0068] It is also conceivable that the at least one handling device for arranging the at least one format part in the region of the horizontal conveying section and / or for removing the at least one format part from the region of the horizontal conveying section carries out an adjusting movement oriented in the vertical direction via a linear guide.

[0069] Furthermore, the at least one format part, which is arranged in the region of the horizontal conveying section and / or removed from the region of the horizontal conveying section in order to adapt the transport module to an impending movement of articles, can comprise at least one lane plate or be formed by at least one lane plate.

[0070] In the method, it may be that the at least one lane sheet is removed from a storage device via the at least one handling device and arranged in the region of the horizontal conveyor section via the at least one handling device.

[0071] Alternatively or additionally, the at least one lane sheet may be removed from the area of the horizontal conveying section by means of the at least one handling device and subsequently transferred to the storage unit, for which purpose the at least one lane sheet removed or removed from the area of the horizontal conveying section is preferably inserted into the storage unit.

[0072] In various embodiments, the at least one lane plate may form a first region and a second region, which first region and second region are offset from one another in the longitudinal direction of the at least one lane plate. The first region may have a lower flexural rigidity than the second region.

[0073] In the method, it can be the case that the at least one handling device for removing the at least one lane sheet from the storage and / or for transferring the at least one lane sheet into the storage engages the second area in a form-fitting and / or force-fitting manner via at least two clamping and / or gripping elements and comes into contact with the first area in a form-fitting and / or force-fitting manner via at least one stabilizing element.

[0074] It may be that the at least one format part, which is arranged in the region of the horizontal conveyor section and / or removed from the region of the horizontal conveyor section in order to adapt the transport module to an upcoming defined movement of articles, comprises at least one wedge-shaped guide element.

[0075] In the method, it may then be that the at least one wedge-shaped guide element is removed from a warehouse via the at least one handling device and arranged in the region of the horizontal conveyor section via the at least one handling device.

[0076] Alternatively or additionally, the at least one wedge-shaped guide element may be removed from the area of the horizontal conveyor section via the at least one handling device and subsequently transferred to the warehouse.

[0077] It is also conceivable for the warehouse to provide multiple storage locations for multiple format parts, each configured as a wedge-shaped guide element. In this case, a respective storage location with a respective received format part configured as a wedge-shaped guide element may be moved toward the at least one handling device. The at least one handling device then removes the respective format part, which is configured as a wedge-shaped guide element and moved toward the at least one handling device, from the respective storage location and places it in the region of the horizontal conveyor section.

[0078] Alternatively or additionally, a respective empty storage space may be moved in the direction of the at least one handling device, whereupon the at least one handling device introduces a respective wedge-shaped guide element removed from the region of the horizontal conveying section into the empty storage space moved in the direction of the at least one handling device.

[0079] It is also possible for the warehouse to operate according to the paternoster principle for moving a respective storage location together with a respective picked-up format part in the direction of the at least one handling device and / or for moving an empty storage location in the direction of the at least one handling device.

[0080] In the following, exemplary embodiments will explain the invention and its advantages in more detail with reference to the accompanying figures. The relative sizes of the individual elements in the figures do not always correspond to the actual sizes, as some shapes are simplified and others are enlarged relative to other elements for better illustration. Fig. 1 shows a schematic and perspective view of a first embodiment of a transport module according to the invention. Fig. 2 shows a further schematic and perspective view of the transport module according to Fig. 1 Fig. 3 shows a schematic perspective view of a storage device as it can be provided as a component in various embodiments of a transport module according to the invention. Fig. 4shows in schematic and perspective view individual details of the storage from the embodiment of the storage and / or the transport module according to Fig. 3 . Fig. 5 shows part of a handling device as can be provided in various embodiments of a transport module according to the invention. Figures 6 to 9 show in various schematic representations further details of the handling device according to the embodiment of Fig.5 . Figures 10 and 11 each show a schematic and perspective view of an embodiment of a bearing for receiving format parts, which are formed by wedge-shaped guide elements.

[0081] As a rule, identical reference numerals are used for identical or equivalently functioning elements of the invention. Furthermore, for the sake of clarity, in some cases only those reference numerals are shown in the individual figures that are necessary or useful for describing the respective figure. The illustrated embodiments merely represent examples of how the invention can be implemented and do not constitute an exhaustive limitation.

[0082] The Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of a first embodiment of a transport module 1 according to the invention. The transport module 1 comprises a horizontal conveyor section 3, which in the present case comprises a horizontal conveyor device 5 and a transfer plate 15 adjoining the horizontal conveyor device 5 in a transport direction TR (cf. also Fig. 2 ) has.

[0083] The horizontal conveyor device 5 can be formed by a circulating conveyor belt or by several conveyor belts arranged side by side, each circulating. By means of the transport module 1, articles or, for example, beverage containers, which are not shown in the figures, are moved along the transport direction TR.

[0084] Before packaging material is applied to the beverage containers (not shown in the figures of the patent application), it is first necessary to create groups of the beverage containers. For this purpose, the beverage containers are first guided in a random manner and then moved in several parallel rows using the transport module 1.

[0085] The schematic view of the Fig. 1 shows that in the area of the horizontal conveyor section 3 several format parts 6 are arranged, which are Fig. 1are lane plates 7. Between immediately adjacent format parts 6 or between immediately adjacent lane plates 7, beverage containers are each moved as a single-row beverage container stream.

[0086] The transport module 1 is normally followed by a packaging module (not shown in the attached figures), in which, in particular, a suitable packaging material is applied to the articles or beverage containers after they have previously been moved in parallel rows.

[0087] The format parts 6 or lane plates 7 are arranged in terms of number and relative spacing such that, after transport in parallel rows, a pack can be produced from several beverage containers that has a specific type of beverage container, a specific number of beverage containers and a specific orientation of the beverage containers to one another.

[0088] In practice, different containers exist, which can, for example, contain four beverage containers, six beverage containers, or even more than six beverage containers. Containers can also contain multiple beverage containers, each designed as a beverage bottle. Containers are also known that contain multiple beverage containers, each designed as a beverage can.

[0089] If first containers are to be produced via a packaging line and, at a later point in time, second containers that differ from the first containers, it is necessary to remove individual format parts 6 or lane plates 7 from the area of the horizontal conveyor section 3 or to arrange further format parts 6 or lane plates 7 in the area of the horizontal conveyor section 3. Different beverage containers can also have different diameters.

[0090] To prevent such different beverage containers from becoming jammed between the aisle plates 7 when the transport module 1 is repositioned or from accidentally tipping over due to excessive spacing between directly adjacent aisle plates 7, the respective relative spacing of directly adjacent aisle plates 7 must be additionally adjusted when the transport module 1 is repositioned. In practice, for modules known from the prior art, all aisle plates 7 are first removed from the transport module 1 by a user.

[0091] Since the lane plates 7 are each arranged on an associated support which is located below or above a conveying plane of the horizontal conveying section 3, in a first step a connection between the respective support and the respective lane plate 7 is removed and the respective lane plate 7 is then removed from the transport module 1.

[0092] Only when all the lane plates 7 have been removed from the transport module 1, the relative spacing of the carriers to one another is adjusted, whereupon the lane plates 7 are then again fixed to their respective assigned carrier with the defined relative spacing.

[0093] For the manual removal of the aisle plates 7 and the subsequent repositioning in the area of the horizontal conveyor section 3, at least one person or operator is required to remove the aisle plates 7 from the area of the horizontal conveyor section 3 and reconnect them to the supports. Such a changeover is also time-consuming, which is why transport modules 1 are desirable that can be converted in a simplified and time-optimized manner.

[0094] The transport module 1 according to the embodiment as shown in the Figures 1 and 2is shown by way of example, comprises a handling device 10 for the purpose of conversion, which is designed as a portal system 12.

[0095] The handling device 10 or the portal system 12 is designed as a structurally integrated component of the transport module 1 and is thus structurally firmly connected to the transport module 1 or structurally firmly linked to the transport module 1. As is particularly explained in the following Fig. 2 As can be clearly seen, the portal system 12 is mechanically firmly connected to a machine frame 19 of the transport module 1.

[0096] A working area of the handling device 10 or a working area of the portal system 12 is exclusively assigned to the transport module 1, so that the handling device 10 or the portal system 12 cannot take over manipulation tasks for other modules which are arranged upstream or downstream of the transport module 1 in a transport direction TR of the beverage containers.

[0097] If the transport module 1 is to be converted accordingly, the lane sheets 7 are removed from the area of the horizontal conveyor section 3 via the handling device 10 or via the portal system 12 and, if necessary, arranged in the area of the horizontal conveyor section 3.

[0098] The Fig. 1 shows that the handling device 10 comprises a gripping head 11 with a first clamping and / or gripping element 12, a second clamping and / or gripping element 14 and a stabilizing element 16.

[0099] The handling device 10 or the portal system 12 can move its gripping head 11 together with the first clamping and / or gripping element 12, the second clamping and / or gripping element 14 and the stabilizing element 16 in three different spatial directions.

[0100] Taking into account the additional Fig. 3From the detailed design of the alley plates 7, it becomes clear that each of the alley plates 7 has a first region 70 and a second region 72, wherein the first region 70 and the second region 72 adjoin one another and are offset from one another in the longitudinal direction of the alley plate 7. The first region 70 is distinguished from the second region 72 in that the first region 70 has a lower flexural rigidity than the second region 72. The first region 70 is thus elastic or resilient and can be adapted to a certain extent to a desired course of the respective alley to be formed.

[0101] If a respective lane sheet 7 is to be arranged in the area of the horizontal conveyor section 3 or is to be removed from the area of the horizontal conveyor section 3, the handling device 10 or the portal system 12 moves the gripping head 11 in the direction of the respective lane sheet 7. The respective lane sheet 7 is then gripped in the second area 72 via the first clamping and / or gripping element 12 and via the second clamping and / or gripping element 14.

[0102] In order to prevent the first region 70 of the respective grasped lane sheet 7, which has a reduced flexural rigidity compared to the second region 72, from being unintentionally elastically deformed or unintentionally springing during its movement, the stabilizing element 16 positively engages the respective first region 70 of the respective grasped lane sheet 7.

[0103] For this purpose, the stabilizing element 16 is U-shaped. Since the respective lane sheet 7 is already firmly gripped by the first clamping and / or gripping element 12 and the second clamping and / or gripping element 14, the respective first region 70 of the respective lane sheet 7 does not need to be held in a clamped manner, so that a positive fixation of the respective first region 70 via the stabilizing element 16 may be sufficient to safely transport the respective lane sheet 7 via the handling device 10 or via the gantry system 12.

[0104] As the schematic representation of the Fig. 1 Furthermore, the transport module 1 comprises a storage 20, which is arranged laterally of the horizontal conveyor device 5 or laterally of the transfer plate 15. A detailed design of the embodiment of a storage 20, as it is shown as a component of the transport module 1 in the Figures 1 and 2trained, can Figures 3 and 4 be taken.

[0105] The memory 20 is formed from a first memory block 21 and a second memory block 23, which in the embodiment according to Figures 1 and 2 are attached to a machine frame 19 of the transport module 1 or are carried by a machine frame 19. The handling device 10, designed as a gantry system 12, is also firmly connected to this machine frame 19, as already mentioned above.

[0106] However, it is also conceivable that a corresponding storage 20 is installed next to the horizontal conveyor device 5 without such a storage 20 being directly connected to a supporting and / or frame structure.

[0107] Driverless transport systems can also be provided which transport the respective lane sheets 7 removed from the area of the horizontal conveyor section 3 into a storage arranged remotely from the transport module 1 or remove them from a storage arranged remotely from the transport module 1 and make them available to the handling device 10 for introduction into the horizontal conveyor section 3.

[0108] In order to be able to remove lane sheets 7 from the storage 20 as required and to be able to introduce lane sheets 7 into the storage 20, a working area of the handling device 10 designed as a portal system 12 extends over the storage 20.

[0109] The perspective detail views of the Fig. 4also show that the first storage block 21 and the second storage block 22 of the storage 20 each form or can have a plurality of bores 24 and 24', respectively. A respective format part 6 formed as a lane plate 7 is inserted into the storage 20 via a respective bore 24 of the first storage block 21 and a respective bore 24' of the second storage block 22 and can then remain in the storage 20 until the respective format part 6 formed as a lane plate 7 is needed to form a lane in the region of the horizontal conveyor section 3.

[0110] The Fig. 2 shows a further view of the transport module 1 of the embodiment according to Fig. 1 , where the transport direction TR points in a direction out of the drawing plane (diagonally to the bottom left).

[0111] In this Fig. 2 The transfer plate 15 is now clearly visible, with the transfer plate 15 in Fig. 2A format part 6, designed as a wedge-shaped guide element 8, has been arranged. With the aid of the wedge-shaped guide element 8, articles or beverage containers can be moved apart before packaging material is applied. The respective articles or beverage containers are moved in a sliding manner along the transfer plate 15.

[0112] The wedge-shaped guide element 8 can also be placed on the transfer plate 15 by means of the handling device 10 or by means of the portal system 12, which handling device 10 or which portal system 12 in Fig. 2 is not shown in full for reasons of clarity.

[0113] As particularly in the Figures 10 and 11As can be clearly seen in each case, a respective wedge-shaped guide element 8 has two first openings 81 and, in addition, two second openings 82. Via the first openings 81, the handling device 10 designed as a portal system 12 can engage in a form-fitting manner in a respective wedge-shaped guide element 8 and then move the respective wedge-shaped guide element 8 into a bearing 30, which bearing 30 in Fig. 2 is shown and in the Figures 10 and 11 is shown again in detail. The handling device 10 can also engage a respective wedge-shaped guide element 8 via the two first openings 81 in a form-fitting manner and subsequently remove the respective wedge-shaped guide element 8 from the bearing 30 and arrange it in the region of the horizontal conveyor section 3.

[0114] In order to insert into the first openings 81 of the wedge-shaped guide element 8, the handling device 10 designed as a gantry system 12 can accommodate a tool, which may have a fork, a plurality of prongs, and / or a plurality of projections that correspond to the first openings 81. If a wedge-shaped guide element 8 is to be picked up, the handling device 10 designed as a gantry system 12 can first deposit the gripping head 11, which has the first clamping and / or gripping element 12, the second clamping and / or gripping element 14, and the stabilizing element 16, and subsequently pick up the tool for insertion into the first openings 81.

[0115] Such an exchange of the gripping head 11 intended for picking up lane sheets 7 with a tool designed to receive wedge-shaped guide elements 8 can be carried out independently or fully automatically via the handling device 10 designed as a portal system 12.

[0116] As already discussed, it can alternatively be provided that the gripper head 11 itself remains permanently on the handling device 10 and itself receives the tool for receiving wedge-shaped guide elements 8.

[0117] The gripping head 11 and / or the tool that is not required at any given time can be temporarily stored in a magazine, which is not shown in the figures of the present patent application and can optionally be integrated into the transport module 1.

[0118] Details of the handling device 10, which is designed as a portal system 12, are given in the Figures 5 to 9 can be found.

[0119] The Fig. 5 shows in particular that the handling device 10 designed as a portal system 12 has a linear guide 40 on which the gripping head 11 according to Fig. 1 and / or a tool for holding wedge-shaped format parts 8 can be attached.

[0120] The Fig. 6 also shows a connecting section 42 on which the linear guide 40 is arranged.

[0121] The top view of the Fig. 7 It can also be seen that the handling device 10, designed as a portal system 12, for moving the linear guide 40 and the gripping head 11 and / or tool attached thereto has a plurality of deflection rollers or deflection gear wheels 43, 43b and 83a / b for a belt 43a, in particular a toothed belt, attached thereto in a circumferential manner.

[0122] The belt 43a can be driven by two drives or motors (not shown), each of which drives one of the deflection pulleys or deflection gears 83a / b. The belt can be attached by its ends to the carriage 85c (see also connecting section 42), on which the linear guide 40 is also arranged and which can be moved along a second linear guide 84c.

[0123] The linear guide 84c can in turn be arranged on two carriages 85a and 85b, each of which is arranged to be displaceable along a third 84a and a fourth linear guide 84b. The deflection rollers or deflection gears 43b for the belt 43a can be rotatably arranged on the carriages 85a / b.

[0124] Depending on the direction of rotation of the two drives and whether only one or both drives are active at the same time, the linear guide 40 or its carriage is moved along two perpendicular axes x1 / y1 or diagonally thereto in a horizontal plane.

[0125] In particular, the two drives can be controlled synchronously by an appropriate control system.

[0126] The Figures 8 and 9 each show the linear guide 40 in detail, via which the gripping head 11 or the tool attached to the linear guide 40 can be moved in the vertical direction.

[0127] As in Fig. 9As can be seen, the linear guide 40 comprises a rack 44 and a pinion 45, which meshes with the rack 44. A rotating movement of the pinion 45 moves the rack 44 and the gripping head 11 arranged on the linear guide 40 or the tool arranged on the linear guide 40 in the vertical direction.

[0128] The Figures 10 and 11 each show a schematic view of an embodiment of a storage 30 for receiving format parts 6, which are formed by wedge-shaped guide elements 8. The storage 30 has a plurality of storage locations 31 and 31' offset from one another in the vertical direction, wherein a format part 6 formed as a wedge-shaped guide element 8 can be received by each storage location 31 or 31'.

[0129] A respective storage location 31 or 31' is formed by two pins 34 or 34', respectively, which have an at least approximately horizontal orientation and onto which a respective wedge-shaped guide element 8 can be plugged via its respective second openings 81.

[0130] As already explained above, a respective handling device 10 can engage positively into a respective wedge-shaped guide element 8 via the respective first openings 81 and then remove the respective wedge-shaped guide element 8 from the bearing 30.

[0131] The bearing 30 comprises a first part 35 and a second part 37. All pins 34 and 34' or all storage locations 31 and 31 are formed via the second part 37 of the bearing 30 or are fastened to the second part 37 of the bearing 30. The first part 35 can be designed as a stationary component of the transport module 1, whereas the second part 37 is movable in the vertical direction relative to the first part 35. This will be apparent from a summary of the Figures 10 and 11 clearly.

[0132] If the handling device 10 designed as a portal system 12 wants to remove a wedge-shaped guide element 8 from the bearing 30 and / or if the handling device 10 designed as a portal system 12 wants to introduce a wedge-shaped guide element 8 into the handling device 10 designed as a portal system 12, the second part 37 can be moved from the position according to Fig. 11 be moved relative to the first part and into the position Fig. 10 As a result, the respective storage locations 31 and 31' are moved in the direction of the handling device 10, so that the handling device 10 only has to travel a short distance in order to be able to insert a respective wedge-shaped guide element 8 into the storage 30 or to be able to remove a respective wedge-shaped guide element 8 from the storage 30.

[0133] In alternative embodiments, a movement of the storage locations 31 and 31' can be effected by a respective bearing 30 operating according to the paternoster principle.

[0134] Although the figures are generally referred to as "schematic" representations and views, this by no means implies that the figures and their descriptions are of secondary importance with regard to the disclosure of the invention. A person skilled in the art will be perfectly capable of deriving sufficient information from the schematic and abstractly drawn representations to facilitate their understanding of the invention, without their understanding being in any way impaired by the drawn proportions, which may not be precisely to scale.The figures thus enable the skilled reader to derive a better understanding of the inventive concept formulated in a more general and / or abstract manner in the claims and in the general part of the description on the basis of the more concretely explained implementations of the method according to the invention and the more concretely explained mode of operation of the transport module according to the invention.

[0135] The invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment. However, it is conceivable for a person skilled in the art that modifications or variations of the invention can be made without departing from the scope of the following claims. List of reference symbols

[0136] 1 Transport module 3 Horizontal conveyor section 5 Horizontal conveyor device 6 Format part 7 Aisle plate 12 First clamping and / or gripping element 14 Second clamping and / or gripping element 15 Transfer plate 16 Stabilizing element 19 Machine frame 20 Storage 21 First storage block 22 Second storage block 24 Bore (first storage block) 24' Bore (second storage block) 30 Bearing 31 Storage location 31' Storage location 31" Storage location 34 Pin 34' Pin 35 First part 37 Second part 40 Linear guide 42 Connecting section 43 Roller 44 Rack 45 Pinion 81 First opening 82 Second opening 83 Drive wheels TR Transport direction

Claims

1. A transport module (1) for articles to be packaged, such as beverage containers or the like, the transport module (1) comprising - a horizontal conveyor section (3), along which horizontal conveyor section (3) articles are movable, and - a plurality of format parts (6), which can be arranged in the area of the horizontal conveyor section (3) such that articles are guided over the particular format parts (6) arranged in the area of the horizontal conveyor section (3) during their movement along the horizontal conveyor section (3), and the transport module (1) also comprising - at least one handling device (10), which a) is designed for the independent arrangement of format parts (6) in the area of the horizontal conveyor section (3), and / or which has at least one handling device (10) b) is designed for the independent removal of format parts (6), which format parts (6) are already arranged in the area of the horizontal conveyor section (3), wherein in the case of the transport module (1), the at least one handling device (10) is designed as a structurally integrated component of the transport module (1), characterised in that - at least one format part (6) of the plurality of format parts (6) is designed as a wedge-shaped guide element (8) for articles, and in which the at least one handling device (10) has at least one tool in order to receive the at least one format part (6) designed as a wedge-shaped guide element (8), wherein the transport module (1) - comprises at least one bearing (30), which provides a plurality of storage locations (31, 31') for a plurality of format parts (6) each designed as a wedge-shaped guide element (8), wherein the plurality of storage locations (31, 31') are each height-adjustable, and wherein - the bearing (30) is arranged such that the plurality of storage locations (31, 31') enter into a working range of the at least one handling device (10) via a particular first height adjustment and leave the working range of the at least one handling device (10) in the opposite direction via a further height adjustment, and wherein the at least one tool - has at least one projection and / or at least one pin or is formed by at least one projection and / or at least one pin, and wherein - the at least one format part (6) designed as a wedge-shaped guide element (8) for articles has at least one opening (81), into which at least one opening (81) the at least one projection and / or the at least one pin is insertable in a form-fitting manner in order to receive the at least one format part (6) designed as a wedge-shaped guide element (8).

2. The transport module according to claim 1, comprising a frame structure providing the periphery of the transport module (1), wherein the at least one handling device (10) is mechanically connected to the frame structure providing the periphery of the transport module (1), and / or in which transport module (1) the at least one handling device (10) at least in some areas forms a frame structure providing the periphery of the transport module (1).

3. The transport module according to claim 1 or claim 2, in which the handling device (10) is designed as a gantry system (12) and / or is integrated into a gantry system (12) designed as a component of the transport module (1).

4. The transport module according to one of the claims 1 to 3, in which the at least one handling device (1) comprises a linear guide (40), via which at least one linear guide (40) the at least one handling device (10) can perform an adjusting movement oriented in vertical direction.

5. The transport module according to one of the claims 1 to 4, in which at least one format part (6) of the plurality of format parts (6) is designed as a lane guide (7), via which at least one format part (6) designed as lane guide (7), a plurality of lanes arranged in the area of the horizontal conveyor section (3) and provided in order to guide articles are formed, and wherein the at least one handling device (10) has at least one clamping element and / or gripping element (12, 14) in order to receive the at least one format part (6) designed as lane guide (7).

6. The transport module according to claim 5, comprising at least one storage (20), which is positioned in a working range of the at least one handling device (10), and which can detachably receive the at least one format part (6) designed as lane guide (7) via a plug-in connection and / or clamping connection.

7. The transport module according to claim 5 or claim 6, in which - the at least one format part (6) designed as lane guide (7) forms a first area (70) and a second area (72), which first area (70) and which second area (72) are offset relative to one another in the longitudinal direction of the at least one format part (6) designed as lane guide (7), wherein the first area (70) has a lower bending stiffness in relation to the second area (72), and in which transport module (1) it is provided that - the at least one handling device (10) has at least two clamping elements and / or gripping elements (12, 14) and at least one stabilising element (16), wherein the at least two clamping elements and / or gripping elements (12, 14) and the at least one stabilising element (16) are prepared to jointly receive a particular format part (6) designed as lane guide (7), and wherein - the at least two clamping elements and / or gripping elements (12, 14) are designed to receive the at least one format part (6), which is designed as a lane guide (7), in a form-locking and / or force-locking manner via the second area (72), and wherein the at least one stabilising element (16) is designed to receive the particular at least one format part (6), which is designed as a lane guide (7), in a form-locking and / or force-locking manner via the first area (70).

8. The transport module according to one of the claims 1 to 7, in which the at least one bearing (30) with the plurality of storage locations (31, 31') operates according to the paternoster principle.

9. A packaging line, comprising a transport module (1) according to one of the claims 1 to 8 and a packaging module (1), which packaging module (1) is designed for the application of packaging material onto particular articles that are being moved via the transport module (1), wherein the packaging module follows the transport module (1) in a conveying and / or movement direction of the packaging line provided for the articles.