CONVEYOR DEVICE FOR A PACKAGING MACHINE, TRANSPORT DEVICE FOR TRANSPORTING PRODUCTS AND PACKAGING MACHINE

Description

[0001] The present invention relates generally to packaging systems and in particular to transport and conveying devices, in particular for transporting products in packaging lines of a packaging system.

[0002] Packaging lines of the type considered here usually have various packaging units or packaging machines which, for example, further process already filled packages (herein also generally referred to as "products") by, for example, combining the filled packages / products into units or, for example, providing them with straws, labels or the like.

[0003] Since the individual packaging machines within a packaging line are usually arranged sequentially one after the other, it is necessary to feed and remove the products to be processed to and from the individual packaging machines using suitable transport devices.

[0004] Especially for pressure-sensitive products, special precautions must be taken during product transport, particularly within the packaging line.

[0005] To transport such products, it is generally known to use conveyor devices that have at least one conveyor chain running in one direction of travel. The conveyor chain typically comprises a plurality of chain links that are articulated together via transversely extending chain pins.

[0006] Furthermore, it is known that so-called "support caps" are attached to the chain links, forming a substantially continuous support surface. The support caps often have a substantially U-shaped cross-section and can be hinged to a chain pin.

[0007] For example, to transport folding boxes or other packaging into which a product is to be inserted within a packaging machine, conveyor chains that rotate in a single plane and support the packaging are generally used. Since the design of a large number of support frames is structurally complex, attempts have been made to place the packaging directly onto the conveyor chain, which, for this purpose, has a large number of supporting caps covering it to form a continuous support surface.

[0008] For example, it is known from DE 3 321 018 C2 to articulate a support cap to each of the chain pins that articulately connect the individual chain links of the conveyor chain. This support cap has a convex section pointing in the conveying direction at its front end and a complementary concave section at its opposite rear end, so that the conveyor chain, with the attached support caps, can follow a deflection on the sprockets. The conveyor chain is guided by lateral guide walls along which the support caps run, as well as by a lower running surface on which the support caps rest loosely and over which they slide.

[0009] However, the design of the guide walls and the running surface is very complex. Furthermore, the support caps are not prevented from lifting off the running surface, which can lead to unsteady running of the conveyor chain and uneven and uneven transport of the packaging arranged on the support surface of the conveyor chain. This is further exacerbated by the fact that the support caps, each of which is assigned to a chain pin, can be subject to relative movement due to the play in the chain.

[0010] Furthermore, from the publications WO 2014 / 196862 A1 and WO 2016 / 080826 A1 (both from Polyketting Holding BV) circulating conveyor chains for forming a storage table are known.

[0011] In particular, the conveying devices described above and known from the prior art are not suitable for a particularly "gentle" transport of products, especially pressure-sensitive products.

[0012] Document EP 2 112 097 A1 relates to a generic device and a method for transferring grouped bundle layers by means of a continuously driven conveyor into the loading station of a transport device. The loading station comprises a pivoting bracket provided for securing the bundle layers on the side facing the conveyor.

[0013] The document EP 0 369 955 A1 relates to a conveyor device in the form of a conveyor chain with chain links connected to one another in an articulated manner.

[0014] The document WO 2008 / 067684 A1 also relates to a conveyor device in the form of a circulating conveyor chain, which has a plurality of chain links which are connected to one another in an articulated manner by means of transverse chain pins around a chain link axis.

[0015] The document DE 35 15 754 A1 relates to a clamping conveyor for the transport of containers with two transport chains spaced apart from one another and rotating in the same direction in guides, which have carrier elements.

[0016] The document US 6,695,135 B1 relates to modules of a conveyor belt made of a plastic material.

[0017] The document EP 1 477 434 A1 also relates to a modular conveyor chain with a large number of chain links made of plastic material.

[0018] The document EP 0 175 483 A1 relates to a conveyor chain with insertable conveyor elements.

[0019] Publication WO 2015 / 042624 A1 relates to a conveyor belt for conveying small parts, in particular bottle caps. To enable the conveyance of small parts even over inclines without damaging them, the conveyor belt comprises a belt body, wherein the belt body has a cross-sectional area that is at least partially angular perpendicular to its longitudinal axis.

[0020] The publication FR 2 108 942 A1 concerns another conveyor chain.

[0021] The present invention is based on the object of specifying a conveying device in or for a packaging machine with at least one conveyor chain rotating in a chain running direction, wherein the conveying device can also be used to transport pressure-sensitive products safely.

[0022] The present invention relates to a conveying device according to independent claim 1, wherein advantageous developments of the conveying device according to the invention are specified in dependent claims 2 to 9.

[0023] The invention further relates to a storage table for a packaging system with such a conveying device as specified in claim 10.

[0024] Finally, the invention further relates to a transport device according to claim 11, wherein advantageous developments of the transport device are specified in the dependent claims 12 and 13.

[0025] Accordingly, the invention relates in particular to a conveying device in or for a packaging machine, wherein the conveying device has at least one conveyor chain rotating in a chain running direction, which has a plurality of chain links which are articulated to one another via transversely extending chain pins around a chain link axis in each case.

[0026] In order to ensure a particularly "gentle" transport of products, the invention provides in particular for slat elements to be placed on the chain links, in particular in an interchangeable manner, which have slats formed from an elastic material, in particular spring-elastic material, such as rubber material, which are aligned obliquely to the chain running direction.

[0027] Alternatively, it is conceivable that slat elements are placed on the chain links, in particular in an interchangeable manner, which have a base resting on the chain links and slats which are connected to the base via an elastic region, and in particular a spring-elastic region, wherein the slats are aligned obliquely to the chain running direction.

[0028] By providing corresponding slats made of a particularly resilient material, or by providing slats that are particularly resiliently mounted and oriented obliquely to the chain travel direction, it is advantageously achieved that upon entering the conveyor chain, the products are not immediately subjected to the full edge pressure of the chain links or the individual slats, thus causing them to accelerate abruptly. Due to the oblique orientation of the slats to the chain travel direction, the slats instead contact the product with their edges in a continuous pattern, which ultimately enables a "smoother" change in speed (acceleration).

[0029] Likewise, in the event of delays, the products are also slowed down more “gently”.

[0030] Accordingly, the conveying device according to the invention enables particularly gentle transport of pressure-sensitive products or packaging in a packaging line.

[0031] According to preferred embodiments of the conveying device according to the invention, the slats are oriented counter to the chain travel direction and are inclined relative to the chain travel direction, in particular by approximately 100 degrees to 140 degrees, and preferably in particular by approximately 110 degrees to 130 degrees. In practical use, these angle ranges for the (oblique) alignment of the slats have proven particularly effective with regard to a time-delayed application of the edge pressure of the individual slats to the products.

[0032] Of course, the invention is not limited to these angular ranges.

[0033] The advantageous effect of gentle product transport achievable with the conveyor device according to the invention can be further optimized by placing the slats on the chain links at an angle such that the slats are aligned obliquely to the chain link axis and obliquely to the chain travel direction. This arrangement allows for a further delay when products enter the conveyor chain until the products are subjected to the full edge pressure of the individual slats.

[0034] With regard to the oblique placement of the slat elements on the chain links, it has proven particularly effective if the slat elements are placed obliquely on the chain links in such a way that an angle of in particular about 1 degree to about 5 degrees and preferably an angle of in particular about 1.5 degrees to about 4 degrees is spanned between the slats and the chain link axis.

[0035] These angle specifications are also not to be regarded as limiting and depend in particular on the rotational speed of the conveyor chain and the products to be transported with the conveyor chain.

[0036] According to the invention, the chain links are aligned vertically, wherein the slat elements are placed obliquely on the chain links in such a way that the slats are aligned obliquely to the chain link axis, in such a way that a lower region of each slat - seen in the direction of chain travel - leads its upper region.

[0037] In other words, from the perspective of an individual slat, the lower section of this slat comes into contact with the product being transported before the upper section of the corresponding slat. This has advantages with regard to the stability of the products being transported by the conveyor system, since, due to gravity, the lower section of each product reacts less sensitively to the application of a transport force than the corresponding upper section of the product.

[0038] According to implementations of the conveyor device according to the invention, it is provided that - viewed in the longitudinal direction of the slat elements - the slats are shorter than the chain width, in such a way that the lateral edge regions of the articulated chain links - viewed perpendicular to the chain running direction - form two opposite, edge-side conveyor chain regions, which serve as a guide in particular for realizing a deflection of the circulating conveyor chain over the inner radius.

[0039] With this design, the guidance and deflection of the conveyor chain is not affected despite the provision of the slat elements.

[0040] Preferably, the chain links of the conveyor chain each have a base body, in particular made of plastic, which has a toothing on two opposite edge regions, which are designed and constructed offset from one another in such a way that a complementary toothing of an adjacent chain link can be accommodated in an articulated manner.

[0041] This is a particularly easy-to-implement yet effective chain link design. In particular, the individual chain links can be manufactured cost-effectively, for example, using an injection molding process. Of course, other chain link designs are also possible.

[0042] With regard to the lamella elements, it is advisable for the lamella elements to be formed as a single-piece body, preferably made of a rubber material. In particular, the lamella elements or the body of the lamella elements can be formed during an injection molding process.

[0043] According to implementations of the present invention, the body of the slat element has a substantially U-shaped configuration in cross-section, namely with a base region over which the slat element rests on the chain link, and with two at least substantially parallel leg regions which form the slats of the slat element and run obliquely to the base region.

[0044] Of course, other designs of the slat elements are also conceivable.

[0045] Preferably, the slat element is connected to the chain link via a positive and / or non-positive connection, particularly one that is detachable and / or replaceable. For this purpose, it is advisable to use a corresponding screw and / or snap-in and / or clip connection.

[0046] Of course, it is also conceivable to connect the slat element to the chain link by means of a material bond, for example, by adhesive bonding. However, this would no longer allow the slat element to be replaced, or would be correspondingly more complex.

[0047] As already indicated, the solution according to the invention is characterized in particular by the fact that the slat elements, and in particular the slats of the slat elements, are designed and / or mounted on the corresponding chain links in such a way that products are subjected to the edge pressure of the individual slats in a time-delayed manner upon entering the conveyor chain. In this way, the desired "gentle" transport of the products is achieved.

[0048] Particularly preferably, the alignment of the slats relative to the chain running direction and / or relative to the chain link axis is preferably variably adjustable—at least over a predetermined or definable range—in order to optimally adapt the conveyor chain to the respective application. In particular, the optimal inclination of the slats relative to the chain running direction and / or relative to the chain link axis depends on the transport speed of the conveyor device and, if applicable, the design of the products to be transported.

[0049] The invention further relates to a transport device for transporting products, in particular pressure-sensitive products, in a transport direction. The transport device comprises a first conveying device of the aforementioned type according to the invention and a second conveying device of the aforementioned type according to the invention.

[0050] In particular, the transport device according to the invention provides that the conveyor chain of the first conveyor device and the conveyor chain of the second conveyor device are each arranged at least substantially vertically and run at least substantially parallel in a transport region of the transport device.

[0051] Although the provision of the slatted elements already enables particularly gentle transport of the products in the transport area of ​​the transport device, it is preferred that - viewed in the transport direction of the transport device - an inlet area is formed upstream of the transport area, in which the conveyor chain of the first conveyor device and the conveyor chain of the second conveyor device run obliquely to the transport direction in the direction of the transport area and thus form a preferably conically tapered inlet funnel. By providing such an inlet funnel, the inlet, i.e. the transfer of the products to be transported to the transport area of ​​the transport device, can be implemented in a particularly product-friendly manner.

[0052] Alternatively or additionally, it is conceivable that—as seen in the transport direction of the transport device—an outlet area is formed downstream of the transport area, in which the conveyor chain of the first conveyor device and the conveyor chain of the second conveyor device each extend outward at an angle to the transport direction, thus forming a preferably conically widening outlet funnel. By providing such an outlet funnel, a particularly gentle transfer of the products from the transport area of ​​the transport device to, for example, a packaging machine arranged downstream can be achieved.

[0053] The above-mentioned advantages achieved with the conveying device according to the invention are particularly evident when the conveying device is used in storage tables.

[0054] Accordingly, the patent application further relates to a storage table for a packaging system, wherein the storage table has at least one infeed, at least one outfeed, and at least one storage line that can be loaded with packaging and is arranged between the at least one infeed and the at least one outfeed. For transporting the respective packaging, a transport device is assigned to the at least one storage line, wherein the transport device has a first conveyor device of the type described above, according to the invention, and a second conveyor device of the type described above, according to the invention.

[0055] The conveyor chain of the first conveyor device and the conveyor chain of the second conveyor device are each arranged at least substantially vertically and run at least substantially parallel to one another at least in one region of the at least one storage line.

[0056] In this case, it is provided in particular that at least in the region of the at least one storage line, the slats of the conveyor chain of the first conveyor device and the slats of the conveyor chain of the second conveyor device are each aligned obliquely to the chain running direction in such a way that a lower region of each slat - seen in the chain running direction - leads its upper region.

[0057] This arrangement allows the slats to achieve a self-reinforcing clamping effect. The special angled position of the slats results in the clamping force exerted on the products by the slats of the two conveyor chains being amplified depending on the force acting in the direction of chain travel and relative to the slats and the products. In this way, the slats counteract an increasing product backlog, while the increasing backlog reinforces the upright position of the slats.

[0058] The storage table according to the invention is in particular a storage table in which packages are or can be temporarily stored without pressure, ie with a predetermined or definable (small) distance between each other.

[0059] Finally, the invention also relates to a packaging machine with at least one and preferably at least two packaging systems and a transport device of the aforementioned type according to the invention, wherein the transport device serves to supply and / or remove products to and / or from the at least one packaging system.

[0060] The invention is described in more detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments and the accompanying drawings.

[0061] They show: FIG. 1 schematically and in an isometric view an exemplary embodiment of the transport device according to the invention with two parallel conveyor chains for transporting beverage containers; FIG. 2 schematically and in an isometric view a portion of a conveyor chain of an exemplary embodiment of the transport device according to the invention; FIG. 3 schematically and in a side view the portion of the conveyor chain according to FIG. 2 ; FIG. 4 schematically and in plan view the area of ​​the conveyor chain according to FIG. 2 ; FIG. 5 schematically and in a front view the area of ​​the conveyor chain according to FIG. 2 ; FIG. 6 schematically and in an isometric view an exemplary embodiment of a chain link with a slat element for a conveyor device according to the present invention; FIG. 7 A schematically and in an isometric view the interaction of a chain link with a slat element of a conveyor chain with a product; FIG. 7 B schematically and in a front view the product with the chain link and slat element according to FIG. 7A ; and FIG. 8 schematically and in a plan view a further exemplary embodiment of the transport device according to the invention.

[0062] In FIG. 1 An exemplary embodiment of the transport device 12 according to the invention is shown schematically and in an isometric view. The transport device 12 serves to transport products 16 (here: beverage packaging) in a transport direction. For this purpose, two conveyor chains 1 are used, which are arranged at least partially in parallel, between which a transport area 13 (see FIG. 8 ) of the transport device 12.

[0063] The transport device 12 according to FIG. 1 The conveyor chains 1 used are described below with reference to the illustrations in FIG. 2 bis FIG. 7 described in more detail. These are, in particular, conveyor chains 1, which ensure particularly gentle product transport.

[0064] As can be seen, for example, from the isometric view of a section of the conveyor chain 1 according to FIG. 2 can be removed, the conveyor chain 1 has a plurality of chain links 3 which are articulated to one another via transversely extending chain pins 2 around a chain link axis 4. On the other hand, slat elements 6 are mounted on the chain links 3, in particular in an interchangeable manner.

[0065] As shown in the exploded view FIG. 6 As can be seen, in the embodiment shown in the drawings, exactly one slat element 6 is used for each chain link 3. The slat element 6 is preferably mounted interchangeably on the chain link 3, for example with the aid of a screw connection 18 and a pressure plate 18. This ensures that a relative alignment of the slat element to the chain link 3 (at least over a certain range) is variably adjustable.

[0066] In detail, each chain link 3 has a base body, which is made in particular of plastic and has a toothing 9 on two opposite edge regions, which are offset from one another and designed to each receive a complementary toothing 9 of an adjacent chain link 3 in an articulated manner.

[0067] In the embodiments shown in the drawings, the lamella element 6 is designed as a one-piece body, preferably made of rubber material, which in cross section (cf. for example FIG. 3 ) has a substantially U-shape with a base region 11, over which the slat element 6 rests on the chain link 3, and with two at least substantially parallel leg regions 10, which form the slats 7 of the slat element and in particular run obliquely to the base region 11.

[0068] In detail, the slat elements 6 are placed on the individual chain links 3 in such a way that the respective slats 7 of the slat elements 6 are aligned obliquely to the chain running direction 5, as can be seen, for example, in the side view in FIG. 3 can be removed.

[0069] In particular, the slats 7 are aligned opposite to the chain running direction 5 and are inclined with respect to the chain running direction 5 preferably by an angle α of 100 degrees to 140 degrees and in particular by an angle α of preferably 110 degrees to 130 degrees. The corresponding angle of inclination (angle α) is shown in FIG. 3 indicated.

[0070] Furthermore, in the embodiment shown in the drawings, it is provided that the slat elements 6 are placed obliquely on the chain links 3 in such a way that the slats 7 are aligned obliquely to the chain link axis 4 and obliquely to the chain running direction 5, ie not at right angles to the chain running direction 5. This is evident from the view (top view) in FIG. 4 .

[0071] In detail, the slat elements 6 are preferably placed obliquely on the chain links 3 in such a way that an angle β of in particular approximately 1 degree to approximately 5 degrees and preferably of in particular approximately 1.5 degrees to approximately 4 degrees is spanned between the slats 7 and the chain link axis 4. The corresponding angle β is in FIG. 4 indicated.

[0072] As the principle diagrams in FIG. 7A und FIG. 7B can be removed, the chain links 3 are particularly vertically aligned during use of the conveyor device. The slat elements 6 are placed obliquely on the chain links 3 such that the corresponding slats 7 of the slat elements 6 are aligned obliquely to the chain link axis 4, namely such that a lower area of ​​each slat 7 - viewed in the chain running direction 5 - leads its upper area. This is particularly evident from the front view in FIG. 7B .

[0073] The top view in FIG. 4 , according to the isometric view FIG. 2 and the isometric view in FIG. 1 It can be seen in particular that - viewed in the longitudinal direction of the slat elements 6 - the slats 7 are shorter than the chain width, in such a way that the lateral edge regions 8 of the articulated chain links 3 - viewed perpendicular to the chain running direction 5 - form two opposite, edge-side conveyor chain regions, which serve in particular as a guide for realizing a deflection of the circulating conveyor chain 1 over the inner radius.

[0074] The slat elements 6 and in particular the slats 7 of the slat elements 6 are designed and / or mounted on the chain links 3 in such a way that products 16 are subjected to the edge pressure of the individual slats 7 in a time-delayed manner upon entering the conveyor chain 1. By deliberately ensuring that the products 16 are not immediately subjected to the entire edge pressure of the individual slats 7 upon entering the conveyor chain 1, a sudden acceleration of the products 16 is effectively prevented. Rather, the slats 7 rest against the product 16 with their edges in a continuous manner, which enables a significantly smoother change in speed (acceleration). Likewise, the products 16 are also braked more gently during deceleration.

[0075] In FIG. 8 A further embodiment of the transport device 12 according to the invention is shown schematically and in a plan view.

[0076] This embodiment comprises a first conveyor device of the type according to the invention and a second conveyor device of the type according to the invention, wherein the conveyor chain 1 of the first conveyor device and the conveyor chain 1 of the second conveyor device are each arranged at least substantially vertically and run at least substantially parallel in a transport region 13 of the transport device 12.

[0077] In contrast to the transport device 12 according to FIG. 1 The transport device 12 is characterized according to FIG. 8 characterized in that - seen in the transport direction 19 of the transport device 12 - an inlet region 14 is formed downstream of the transport area 13, in which the conveyor chain 1 of the first conveyor device and the conveyor chain 1 of the second conveyor device run obliquely to the transport direction 19 in the direction of the transport area 13 and form a preferably conically tapered inlet funnel.

[0078] In addition, the transport device 12 according to FIG. 8 It is provided that - viewed in the transport direction 19 of the transport device 12 - an outlet region 15 is formed downstream of the transport area 13, in which the conveyor chain 1 of the first conveyor device and the conveyor chain 1 of the second conveyor device extend outward at an angle to the transport direction 19, thus forming a preferably conically widening outlet funnel. In this way, the products 16 can be guided at a certain inlet angle at the inlet area 14 and the products 16 can be guided at a corresponding outlet angle at the outlet area 15.

[0079] By providing such an inlet and outlet area (14, 15), the products 16 are picked up even more gently by the transport device 12 in the area where the products 16 to be transported are caught or taken over.

[0080] The invention is not limited to the embodiments shown in the drawings, but results from a combination of all features disclosed herein. Bezugszeichenliste

[0081] 1 Conveyor chain 2 Chain pin 3 Chain link 4 Chain link axis 5 Chain running direction 6 Slat element 7 Slat 8 Edge conveyor chain area 9 Toothing 10 Leg area of ​​the slat element body 11 Base area of ​​the slat element body 12 Transport device 13 Transport area 14 Inlet area 15 Outlet area 16 Product 17 Screw connection 18 Plate 19 Transport direction

Claims

1. A conveying apparatus for a packaging machine having at least one conveyor chain (1) which circulates in a chain running direction (5) and comprises a large number of chain links (3) that are connected to one another in an articulated manner around a respective chain link axis (4) via transversely extending chain pins (2), wherein: lamellar elements (6) comprising lamellae (7) made of an elastic material, in particular a spring-elastic material, which are oriented obliquely with respect to the chain running direction (5) are placed on the chain links (3), in particular interchangeably; or wherein lamellar elements (6) comprising a base (11) that rests on the chain links (3) and lamellae (7) that are connected to the base (11) via an elastic region and in particular a spring-elastic region are placed on the chain links (3), in particular interchangeably, wherein the lamellae (7) are oriented obliquely with respect to the chain running direction (5), characterized in that the chain links (3) are oriented vertically, and wherein the lamellar elements (6) are placed obliquely on the chain links (3) such that the lamellae (7) are oriented obliquely with respect to the chain link axis (4), specifically such that, when viewed in chain running direction (5), a lower region of each lamella (7) precedes its upper region.

2. The conveying apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein the lamellae (7) are oriented counter to the chain running direction (5) and are inclined with respect to the chain running direction (5), in particular by an angle α of 100 degrees to 140 degrees and preferably in particular by an angle α of 110 degrees to 130 degrees.

3. The conveying apparatus according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the lamellar elements (6) are placed obliquely on the chain links (3) such that the lamellae (7) are oriented obliquely with respect to the chain link axis (4) and obliquely with respect to the chain running direction (5), wherein the lamellar elements (6) are placed obliquely on the chain links (3) such that preferably an angle β of in particular approximately 1 degree to approximately 5 degrees and even more preferably an angle β of in particular approximately 1.5 degrees to approximately 4 degrees is defined between the lamellae (7) and the chain link axis (4).

4. The conveying apparatus according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein, when viewed in longitudinal direction of the lamellar elements (6), the lamellae (7) are configured to be shorter than the chain width such that, when viewed perpendicular to the chain running direction (5), the lateral edge regions of the chain links (3) connected to one another in an articulated manner form two opposite, edge-side conveyor chain regions (8) that serve as a guide, in particular for implementing a deflection of the circulating conveyor chain (1) over the inner radius.

5. The conveying apparatus according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, wherein the chain links (3) each comprise a base body, in particular made of plastic, having a respective toothing (9) on two opposite edge regions, wherein said toothings are offset relative to one another and configured to respectively accommodate a complementary toothing (9) of an adjacent chain link (3) in an articulated manner.

6. The conveying apparatus according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, wherein the lamellar element (6) is configured as a preferably one-piece body, which is preferably made of a rubber material and is substantially U-shaped in cross-section with a base region (11), via which the lamellar element (6) rests on the corresponding chain link (3), and with two at least substantially parallel leg regions (10) which form the lamellae (7) and extend obliquely with respect to the base region (11).

7. The conveying apparatus according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, wherein the lamellar element (6) is connected to the chain link (3), preferably in a detachable and / or interchangeable manner, via a form- and / or force-locking connection, in particular with the aid of a screw, latching, and / or clip connection (17).

8. The conveying apparatus according to any one of Claims 1 to 7, wherein the lamellar elements (6), and in particular the lamellae (7) of the lamellar elements (6), are configured and / or placed on the chain links (3) such that products (16) are subjected to the edge pressure of the individual lamellae (7) in a time-delayed manner when they enter the conveyor chain (1).

9. The conveying apparatus according to any one of Claims 1 to 8, wherein the orientation of the lamellae (7) relative to the chain running direction (5) and / or relative to the chain link axis (4) is preferably variably adjustable at least over a previously defined or definable range.

10. A buffer table for a packaging installation, wherein the buffer table comprises the following: - at least one infeed; - at least one outfeed; and - at least one buffer line which can be loaded with packs (16) and is disposed between the at least one infeed section and the at least one outfeed section, wherein a transport apparatus is assigned to the at least one buffer line for transporting the respective packs (16), wherein the transport apparatus comprises the following: - a first conveying apparatus according to any one of Claims 1 to 9; and - a second conveying apparatus according to any one of Claims 1 to 9, wherein the conveyor chain (1) of the first conveying apparatus and the conveyor chain (1) of the second conveying apparatus are each disposed at least substantially vertically and extend at least substantially parallel to one another at least in one region of the at least one buffer line wherein, at least in the region of the at least one buffer line, the lamellae (7) of the conveyor chain (1) of the first conveying apparatus and the lamellae (7) of the conveyor chain (1) of the second conveying apparatus are each oriented obliquely with respect to the chain running direction (5), specifically such that, when viewed in chain running direction (5), a lower region of each lamella (7) precedes its upper region, in particular such that a clamping force exerted onto the products (16) by the lamellae (7) of the two conveyor chains (1) is preferably increased as a function of a force effect which acts in chain running direction (5) and in a relative manner between the lamellae (7) and the products (16).

11. A transport apparatus (12) for transporting products (16), in particular pressure-sensitive products (16), such as soft packaging, in a transport direction (19), wherein the transport apparatus (12) comprises the following: - a first conveying apparatus according to any one of Claims 1 to 9; and - a second conveying apparatus according to any one of Claims 1 to 9, wherein the conveyor chain (1) of the first conveying apparatus and the conveyor chain (1) of the second conveying apparatus are each disposed at least substantially vertically and extend at least substantially parallel to one another in a transport region (13) of the transport apparatus (12).

12. The transport apparatus (12) according to Claim 11, wherein, when viewed in transport direction (19) of the transport apparatus (12), an infeed area (14) is configured upstream of the transport region (13), in which infeed area the conveyor chain (1) of the first conveying apparatus and the conveyor chain (1) of the second conveying apparatus extend obliquely with respect to the transport direction (19) in the direction of the transport region (13) and form a preferably conically tapering infeed funnel; and / or wherein, when viewed in transport direction (19) of the transport apparatus (12), an outfeed area (15) is configured downstream of the transport region (13), in which outfeed area the conveyor chain (1) of the first conveying apparatus and the conveyor chain (1) of the second conveying apparatus extend outward obliquely with respect to the transport direction (19) and form a preferably conically widening outfeed funnel.

13. A packaging machine comprising at least one and preferably at least two packaging installations and a buffer table according to Claim 10 for temporarily storing products as needed and / or comprising a transport apparatus (12) according to Claim 11 or 12 for delivering and / or removing products (16) to and / or from the at least one packaging installation.