TRANSPORT SYSTEM FOR AN INDUSTRIAL CONFECTIONERY MACHINE

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a transport system for molds of an industrial confectionery machine, which comprises several production stations and molds for the production of at least one confectionery item. A mold can be transported to the respective production stations of the confectionery machine for successive production steps. The transport system comprises a transport rail and a drive device with which a transport movement can be generated for the respective mold in order to transport the mold along the transport rail to the production stations.

[0002] In the technical field of industrial confectionery machines, it is known to provide several production stations through which molds are passed, for example a casting station, a vibrating station for distributing confectionery mass in a cavity of the mold and / or for removing air bubbles from the confectionery mass, a forming station for trays, a cooling station, a turning station for preparing confectionery articles for demolding, a mold cleaning station, a magazine station, etc.

[0003] A transport system without a transport rail has already been proposed in the technical field of industrial confectionery machinery. This system uses industrial robots with articulated arms and gripping elements, or alternatively, a system with self-propelled transport carts that can move along track elements. However, this latter system has the disadvantage that the track must be reconfigured for any changes in the production process. The gripping element of the industrial robot is intended to grasp individual molds and lift, place, and retrieve them from surrounding production stations, as shown in EP 3 111 768 A1.

[0004] A traditional transport system for an industrial confectionery machine involves guiding molds in a row along parallel guide rails. Such a system is described, for example, in German patent DE 725 504. This rail-bound transport system uses molds, referred to as support plates, which are equipped with pins on both sides. A conveyor chain is located on either side of the row of molds. Pins on the conveyor chain act as drivers for the molds, interacting with the mold pins to facilitate transport along the guide rails.

[0005] From EP 3 031 334 A1, a transport carriage for a mold transport system, a module for a transport system, in particular for molds in the production of confectionery, a transport system, a production line for confectionery, the use of transport carriages for transporting molds in a production line for confectionery, and a method for transporting molds in a production line for confectionery are known. The transport carriage according to the invention for transporting molds in a transport system, preferably a spatially fixed one, with a receptacle for or containing at least one mold, is equipped with its own drive. In particular, the transport carriage is movable along a track element by virtue of its drive.

[0006] EP 2 108 263 A1 proposes a conveying system for molding machines for confectionery products, particularly chocolate, in which molds are moved stepwise along a guide and support structure by means of a motorized conveying device comprising at least one longitudinal bar carrying a series of sliding elements spaced apart like the molds. The longitudinal bar or bars rotate between a first position in which the sliding elements are inactive and a second position in which the sliding elements engage the molds from behind, and they move linearly in an alternating rectilinear motion between a retracted position and an advanced position, synchronized with the rotation of the sliding elements. The principle of transporting molds by means of a conveyor chain along guide rails has persisted to this day and is still used in new industrial machines for confectionery production.For a long time, however, a better alternative has been sought for hygiene reasons, because conveyor chains require lubricants that are preferably avoided in food production. Furthermore, conveyor chains become contaminated with confectionery mass, and it is then impossible to clean them completely.

[0007] Furthermore, the principle of the conveyor chain implies that the size / length of a mold, measured in the direction of transport, must always be matched to the spacing of the conveyor chain.

[0008] Furthermore, there are limitations on the expansion of individual production stations in the direction of transport because the dimensions of the production station must also be coordinated with the chain pitch of the conveyor chain. Particular disadvantages arise when an industrial confectionery machine is designed as a continuous loop system. The individual production stations require different amounts of time for their respective production steps. In principle, the slowest production station determines the overall productivity of the confectionery machine. With a conveyor chain transport system, unused transport sections inevitably occur between individual production stations, sections where no production step takes place. These unused transport sections are typically equipped with a mold at every possible position, even though no production step occurs between widely separated production stations.Gaps in the line of molds should be avoided because otherwise a subsequent production station would have to wait too long for the next mold.

[0009] In conveyor chain transport systems, attempts are therefore made to align the production steps of many different production stations. This aims to coordinate work phases within the production stations as well as transport phases between them. However, individual production stations are often operated with unfavorable parameters, for example, the production step in question being carried out faster or slower than actually necessary.

[0010] The invention is based on the objective of further developing a rail-bound transport system in such a way that individual production stations can be used more effectively and free transport routes, on which no production step would take place, can be reduced.

[0011] According to the invention, the problem is solved with a transport system according to claim 1.This includes the fact that the drive device has at least two rail-guided slide elements, wherein the slide elements can be coupled to the same transport rail at a distance from each other, wherein at least one of the two slide elements can be driven individually along the transport rail to generate a main movement, wherein the two slide elements are combined with a receiving device with which at least one mold can be received, wherein a control device is provided for controlling the main movement for the slide element together with the receiving device of the mold in the transport direction to the respective production stations, and wherein, in addition, an auxiliary movement can be transmitted to the receiving device by means of the control device, in that the two slide elements can be moved relative to each other away from or towards each other in order to move the mold appropriately for the respective production step.

[0012] The following directional information assumes a coordinate system in which the transport rail is aligned in the X direction / axis / coordinate. The Y-axis lies horizontally and at a right angle to the transport rail. The Z-axis is arranged at right angles to both the X-axis and the Y-axis.

[0013] The proposed transport system is not limited to the transport of molds or articles in the confectionery sector, but is generally suitable for the transport of molds for pourable masses, such as masses containing pharmaceuticals or nutritional supplements, etc. The molds can have any design suitable for pouring confectionery masses or masses containing pharmaceuticals or nutritional supplements.

[0014] The auxiliary movement is essentially a process movement that must be performed for the production step at the respective production station. In its simplest form, the process movement can occur in the direction of the transport rail and be superimposed on the main movement. An example of this is when the receiving device is to be moved back and forth along the transport rail to generate a process movement that is a vibrating motion. A vibrating motion can be used to mix confectionery mass. z.B. The mixture should be evenly distributed. A vibrating motion is also useful for releasing air bubbles. Another example is a strip casting process, where the mold / holding device is moved along the transport rail within a casting station during the casting process to produce a confectionery item using the strip casting method. The mold is thus moved along the casting station under a casting nozzle, while confectionery mass is metered out of the nozzle, resulting in a strip-shaped item.

[0015] The proposed measure eliminates the need for a rigid conveyor chain that passes through multiple production stations. This new transport system, through this measure, eliminates the size dependency between the mold and the chain pitch of a conveyor chain. Likewise, the size dependency between individual production stations relative to this chain pitch is also eliminated.

[0016] The carriage element can be moved independently along the transport rail. Successive carriage elements are fundamentally independent of each other in their acceleration and speed. However, the movement of two or more carriage elements can also be synchronized if required.

[0017] The new transport system for industrial confectionery machines significantly reduces unused transport sections where no production steps take place. It is no longer necessary to keep a transport section continuously occupied with a series of molds to transport molds to the next production station without interruption. The carriage elements can individually accelerate each mold and move it to the next production station at sufficient speed.

[0018] The new transport system thus allows for increased efficiency of a confectionery machine. Each individual production station can be better adapted to capacity requirements. Production capacity is no longer affected by the production capacity of a neighboring production station. The dimensions of the production station are independent of chain spacing.

[0019] It is particularly useful if the slide element is provided with an additional motion device that can contribute to the execution of the auxiliary movement of the mold, and if the motion device is arranged between the slide element and the receiving device for the mold. Preferably, the auxiliary movement then has at least one motion component in a different direction than the main movement running in the direction of the transport rail.

[0020] The auxiliary movement can be a composite movement. It can have several motion components. One motion component can be in the direction of the transport rail. Furthermore, one or more motion components can be in a different direction to achieve the desired process movement at each production station. The motion device for the auxiliary movement of the mold is advantageously designed to allow the holding device to be raised and lowered, and / or, relative to the main movement, to move laterally left or right, and / or to rotate or swivel. The auxiliary movement can therefore be a composite / superimposed movement consisting of several motion components.

[0021] The process movement can advantageously be designed to counteract sloshing of confectionery mass during the transport of a mold, and in particular to prevent confectionery mass from spilling out of the mold. This is preferably achieved by adjusting the tilt of the receiving device during an acceleration phase and subsequent movement.

[0022] In a shell forming station that uses a punch to shape flowable confectionery mass within a mold, a process movement is required so that the punch can displace the confectionery mass inside the mold. To perform this extrusion process, the punch is preferably stationary within the production station. Relative to the stationary punch, the mold then preferably performs the necessary process movement. Essentially, this process movement is a lifting motion (Z-axis). Such a forming station requires a certain amount of time for each punching operation, during which the mold remains in the forming station and the process movement can be executed. During the punching operation, the flowable melt must be able to cool and solidify sufficiently to retain its shape after the punch is subsequently removed from the mold.Because the confectionery mass is shaped while the mold is stationary, the duration of the mold's standstill must be adjusted to the required dwell time for the punch to solidify the confectionery mass. The time between the arrival of one mold and the arrival of the next is generally referred to as the cycle time—the time required to complete the operation. To achieve high production output, short cycle times and a high cycle frequency are generally desirable. However, the cycle time must not be so short that the punch's dwell time is too short to allow the melt to cool and solidify sufficiently.

[0023] To allow sufficient time for stamping at such a forming station, it is known to accelerate the transport of a mold to the forming station. This allows more time for the mold to complete the forming process smoothly and for the melt to solidify sufficiently to ensure its shape remains stable when the stamp and mold separate. Previously, an additional device had to be integrated into the transport system to accelerate the introduction of one or more molds into the forming station, thus providing them with more time for the stamping process.With the proposed measure, the rail-guided slide element can be coupled to the transport rail and driven independently and individually along the transport rail, providing a time advantage that can be used in the forming station to carry out the process of extrusion of the melt at a suitable speed and for a sufficient duration to allow the melt to cool.

[0024] With the transport system according to the invention, a precise punch depth can be set within a forming station operating with a cooled punch, in order to obtain a good and uniform formation of the shell edge. Alternatively, the punch depth can also be limited by a stop that restricts the relative movement of the punch into the cavity of a mold.

[0025] An alternative forming station for confectionery shells is a so-called centrifugal forming station, which operates without a die. For this centrifugal process, the cavities of a mold are filled with confectionery mixture in a casting station to form an open shell. Before centrifugation, the mixture is also passed through a vibrating station. First, the mold is rotated 180°, and then the centrifugal station sets the mold in motion, which consists of vertical, horizontal, and circular movements. During this process, excess confectionery mixture flows out of the cavities into a collection container located below the centrifugal station. Already solidified confectionery mixture adheres to the inner walls of the cavities, forming a confectionery shell that is as uniform as possible. After centrifugation, the mold is rotated 180° around its longitudinal axis back to its original position.The transport system according to the invention is suitable for the production of trays from confectionery mass both by means of a forming station that works with a cooled stamp, and for the production of confectionery trays by means of a centrifugal station.

[0026] Furthermore, the transport system can work effectively in conjunction with a wiping station or equally effectively with a licking roller.

[0027] A licking roller can be used, for example, after the production step that forms confectionery mass into a bowl. If the confectionery bowl is to be formed using a stamping process, a certain excess of confectionery mass is metered into the mold for the forming process. This ensures that excess confectionery mass always oozes out at the edge of the mold at the end of the forming process. The bowl's edge then contains too much confectionery mass, so the excess can be removed with a licking roller, thus simultaneously creating a defined bowl edge.

[0028] A leveling station is used, for example, after a pouring station that applies a topping to a filling. In this case, the topping should completely cover the filling and adhere to the edge of the confectionery tray. To create a topping, an excess of confectionery is typically poured. A leveling blade is then used to spread the confectionery over the top of the mold, smoothing it to form the topping. The excess confectionery is then pushed away from the top of the mold and removed.

[0029] The proposed transport system allows the mold to be lifted both towards a licking roller for the purpose of licking off the edge of the shell and against a scraper knife for removing lid material and producing a smooth lid surface.

[0030] A vibrating station is used to distribute confectionery mass in a mold and / or to remove air bubbles from the mass. It can be designed as a horizontal vibrating station. The auxiliary or process movement is then a vibrating motion that can occur parallel to the transport movement (X-axis) or sideways to the transport movement in the same plane (Y-axis). Alternatively, the vibrating motion can occur in a direction perpendicular to the transport plane of the mold (vertical) (Z-axis). A horizontal / vertical mixing motion is also possible, with components in the direction of the X- and / or Y- and Z-axes. In a turning station, a mold can be moved around an axis, for example, rotated around a transverse axis. This is required, for example, for a demolding station that finally removes finished confectionery products from the mold.Similarly, a mold intended for a centrifugal casting station must be rotated 180° at the beginning and end of a shell-forming centrifugal process to drain excess confectionery melt. Furthermore, there are confectionery products manufactured in so-called double molds, consisting of two mold parts. In the production of such double-molded products, a closing station is provided, which places the two mold parts (double mold) against each other to create a closed cavity. For this purpose, at least one of the two mold parts must be rotated. In the case of a two-part mold, each mold part can be held by a receiving device and moved by a slide element, with the additional movement device positioning the respective mold part so that it forms a cavity with the complementary mold part.

[0031] In a cleaning station, an empty mold can be cleaned. Preferably, the empty mold is first turned upside down in the turning station so that its empty cavities are open at the bottom. Cleaning is then conveniently carried out from below using a cleaning roller and / or a cleaning knife. Impact hammers can also be used for cleaning, preferably to loosen any remaining confectionery mass adhering to the upside-down mold and allow it to fall out.

[0032] To generate the auxiliary movement, a separate means of motion can be provided on the slide element, which includes a drive specially designed for this purpose, with which the auxiliary movement of the receiving device can be generated.

[0033] Advantageously, the motion device for generating the auxiliary movement of the mold comprises at least one articulated chain made of rods, which is designed telescopically or as a parallelogram guide, or as an articulated chain made of crossed rods in the manner of scissor levers of a scissor lift table. This allows, in particular, an auxiliary movement to be implemented as a lifting movement (Z-axis). The articulated chain can also be arranged for a movement laterally to the transport direction (Y-axis).

[0034] Alternatively, at least one of the two slide elements can be coupled to the motion device for generating the auxiliary motion. In this case, the auxiliary motion is driven by means of a slide element.

[0035] In simple terms, the articulated chain of the motion device can have a rod with a fixed joint and a movable push rod, wherein the movable push rod can either be moved by means of a separate drive means or the push rod can be moved by means of one of two slide elements.

[0036] As an alternative to a articulated chain, a spindle drive, a system with inclined planes or a linear guide can be used.

[0037] The transport rail can be modularly constructed from straight and curved rail modules.

[0038] Furthermore, it is considered very helpful if the transport track is extended into a transport track network that includes curves and / or switches and / or crossings. Using a switch and an adjacent transport track, a carriage element can be guided from a main track to a secondary track or from there back to the main track. This allows for the provision of an overtaking section for molds or the formation of a transport track loop to, for example, transport a mold back to a previously visited production station for a second production step, where a first production step has already taken place.

[0039] A major advantage of the proposed transport system is that, unlike a confectionery machine with a conventional conveyor chain transport system, it is no longer necessary to have multiple production stations of the same type. For example, with the new transport system, a single casting station can be used, and the same mold can be transported to this station multiple times for different production steps.

[0040] A casting station can be used, for example, for the production of a hollow body with filling for various production steps, because a casting mold can be transported again in this transport rail network to the casting station to which it had previously been transported for an earlier production step.

[0041] For a hollow confectionery product with a filling, the confectionery mass can first be dosed into the mold used to form the shell. Once the shell is filled during production, a lid must be poured onto the filling. This lid should seal tightly to the shell's rim and preferably be made from the same confectionery mass as the shell. With the proposed transport system, the same casting station can be used for a second production step in the manufacture of a confectionery product, specifically for casting the lid. Unlike a confectionery machine with a conveyor chain, a separate casting station is not required for lid casting. Thanks to the new transport system, the confectionery machine can be significantly more compact, allowing for more efficient use of each individual production station.

[0042] A turning station can also be used multiple times, making a second turning station unnecessary. The new transport system allows a mold to be transported to the same turning station several times for different production steps. For example, a mold must be turned over when a confectionery item is finished and needs to be removed from the mold. For this purpose, the mold is turned upside down so that the confectionery item can fall out of the mold downwards. Subsequently, the mold must be turned back over, which can be done using the proposed transport system by transporting the mold again to the same turning station where it was previously turned upside down.

[0043] For other production stations that must be maintained in multiple numbers in a conventional confectionery machine operated with a conveyor chain transport system, the same applies: with the new transport system, a mold can be transported multiple times to a single production station to carry out different production steps. Thus, the proposed transport system allows for a reduction in the overall number of production stations and enables more efficient use of each individual production station.

[0044] To ensure the transport rail network is efficient, it is designed so that the production stations of the confectionery machine are arranged in a practical manner. Various layouts for the transport rail network are proposed for this purpose. These can include a ring layout, a row layout, a bus layout, a star layout, or hybrid layouts such as a bus-ring layout, a star-ring layout, a star-bus layout, a ring-parallel layout, or a row-parallel layout.

[0045] An electric motor can be provided for the individual drive of the carriage element along the transport rail, whereby the electric motor can be arranged on the carriage element. Alternatively, a linear motor can be designed with the carriage element as the rotor and the transport rail as the stator, as well as with a means arranged on the carriage element with which a rotor magnetic field can be generated and with a means provided on the transport rail with which a stator magnetic field can be generated.

[0046] It is also beneficial if the control device includes at least one processing unit (processor), that the processing unit is equipped to execute control software and to process information, and that at least one data storage device is assigned to the processing unit.

[0047] It is also useful if the processing unit can process the data of all sled elements located in the transport system, and if the sled element data includes at least the position data of the sled elements relative to the transport rail and / or speed data of the sled elements relative to the transport rail and / or data relating to which receiving device a sled element is assigned.

[0048] Another benefit is seen in the fact that data relating to the mold can be processed in the processing unit, which relates to information on whether a mold has gone through or skipped a process step and / or to process-relevant data, such as the temperature of a mold or a period of time that the mold has spent in a production step.

[0049] The transport system can be further improved by providing an input unit that allows the control software to be programmed with the sequence in which a mold is to be transported to individual production stations, and by storing this sequence as a process plan in the data storage.

[0050] Furthermore, it is useful if at least one set of parameters relating to a production step that the mold has to go through can be stored in the process plan for each mold.

[0051] Advantageously, the transport rail is virtually represented in the control software and process-relevant trigger points are provided along the transport rail, whereby the real transport movement of a slide element is moved along as a virtual slide position point in the control software, and a process can be activated by software control when a slide position point reaches a trigger point.

[0052] The receiving device, which is designed to be coupled to at least one slide element, is also considered an original invention.

[0053] Preferably, the receiving device for the mold has a frame. Alternatively, the receiving device can be designed as a frameless support, in which case it preferably has suitable positioning aids that counteract lateral slippage or sliding of the mold off the support. If the receiving device has a frame, this can, for example, be rectangular or trapezoidal and suitable for holding a mold. Advantageously, each receiving device is designed so that the top of the mold is completely unobstructed.

[0054] In a preferred embodiment, the frame is largely free of the ground, with bearing surfaces only at its corners or edges. At least two bearing surfaces are provided for receiving the mold. These bearing surfaces are preferably made of plastic and are screwed, glued, or clamped to the frame. The frame and bearing surfaces can also be formed as a single unit. To reduce weight, the frame can be made of plastic.

[0055] The support surface can be flat and / or have raised sections. With a flat support surface, the mold rests with its side edges against the respective corners of the frame. The frame then grips the mold in such a way that it is held in a fixed position. Alternatively, the support surface can have raised sections that provide additional support for the mold and prevent it from shifting longitudinally or laterally. In this case, the mold engages with these raised sections. If the mold has cross braces, the raised sections can rest between two cross braces or against the side edges of the mold. Alternatively, the support surface can have a magnet that interacts with a magnet on the mold, holding it in position within the frame.Furthermore, the support surface can be arranged to be movable relative to the frame, in particular it can be designed to be moved up and down in relation to the direction of transport.

[0056] In a preferred embodiment, the frame is not closed (open) around its circumference. Preferably, the frame is open at its longitudinal edges, with the longitudinal edges of the frame preferably encompassing 1 / 3 of the longitudinal edge of the mold. Particularly preferably, the longitudinal edges of the frame encompass less than 1 / 3 of the longitudinal edges of the mold.

[0057] The frame can be designed to accommodate molds of varying sizes, with adjustable length and / or width. For this purpose, the frame's side edges can be slidably mounted on a frame rail and locked into multiple positions. For example, one side edge of the frame might have notches on its underside that engage with a rack located on the opposite side of the frame rail. Alternatively, the frame rail may have stop elements, such as plastic blocks, that secure the frame edges in a specific position. Another option is to tension at least two sections of a frame's side edge with a spring, allowing a mold to be inserted into the frame when the side edges are extended and the mold to be clamped between the side edges and / or the support surface and the mold when the side edges are compressed.The invention is described below using several figures, which show: . Fig. 1 a schematic of a transport system according to the invention, integrated into an industrial confectionery machine comprising several production stations, Fig. 2 a schematic of an alternative transport system with an additional motion device for an auxiliary movement, Fig. 3 a further embodiment of a transport system according to the invention, Fig. 4 a further development of the transport system according to Fig. 3 Fig. 5 a section of a transport system with transport rail and slide element as well as receiving device including mold, Fig. 6 a section of a transport system, Fig. 7a / 7 a section of a transport system with transport rail and with a receiving device which is supported by two slide elements, Fig. 8 an application of the transport system according to Fig. 7a , Fig. 9 a further development of the transport system based on the design according to Fig. 7a , Fig. 10 another application of the transport system according to Fig. 7a Fig. 11 an alternative of a transport system with two slide elements per receiving device, Fig. 12 another alternative of a transport system with two slide elements per receiving device, Fig. 13a / 13 an alternative of a transport system with three slide elements per receiving device, Fig. 14a / 14 an alternative transport system with a pivoting receiving device mounted on a slide element, Fig. 15a / 15 a transport system with an additional motion device for a lifting movement, Fig. 16 a transport system with an additional motion device, also for a lifting movement, Fig. 17 a transport system with an additional motion device for rotating a mold, Fig. 18 an application of a transport system with motion devices for rotating two mold halves relative to each other, Fig. 19 a section of a transport system with a transport rail, slide element and additional motion device for an auxiliary movement, Fig.20-25 Exemplary cross-sections of the transport rail and cross-sections of the carriage element and their arrangement in space, Fig. 26 a section with two parallel transport rails and horizontally movable rail sections, Fig. 27 a section with two parallel transport rails and vertically movable rail sections, Fig. 28 two transport rails and a carriage element with a double-T-shaped cross-section, Fig. 29 two transport rails and a carriage element with an m-shaped cross-section, Fig. 30 a transport system with a modular transport rail, composed of rail sections prepared to form the primary part of a linear motor, Fig. 31 a transport rail network in a row layout, Fig. 32 a transport rail network in a ring layout, Fig. 33 a transport rail network in a bus layout, Fig. 34 a transport rail network in a star layout, Fig. 35 a transport rail network in a bus-ring layout, Fig. 36 a transport rail network in Star-ring layout, Fig.37 a transport rail network in star-bus layout, Fig. 38 a transport rail network in ring-parallel layout, Fig. 39 a transport rail network in row-parallel layout, Fig. 40a-c a section of a transport rail with a receiving device supported by two slide elements and comprising an additional movement device for an auxiliary movement in the Y direction, Fig. 41 a schematic representation of the control device, Fig. 42 an embodiment for a frameless receiving device, Fig. 42a a section of the receiving device according to . Fig. 42a with an example of a positioning aid, Fig. 42 leg section of the receiving device according to Fig. 42a with an alternative positioning aid.

[0058] Fig. 1 Figure 1 schematically shows a first embodiment of a transport system 1 according to the invention. For better understanding, the transport system 1 is shown together with parts of an industrial confectionery machine 2 into which it is integrated. The confectionery machine 2 comprises several production stations, here a first casting station 3, a shell forming station 4, a second casting station 5, a cooling station 6, and a demolding station 7. In the present example, such production stations are provided that are suitable for the production of a hollow confectionery article with a filling.

[0059] The proposed transport system 1 comprises a transport rail 8 and a drive unit 9 with a number of rail-guided slide elements 10. The slide element 10 runs on the transport rail 8. A receiving device 11 is provided on the slide element 10, with which at least one mold 12 can be received. A transport movement can be generated with the rail-guided slide element 10 to move the mold 12 along the transport rail 8 to one of the production stations (3, 4, 5, 6, 7). The carriage element 10 can be moved individually along the transport rail 8 and can be driven separately for this purpose by means of the drive unit 9.

[0060] Furthermore, a control device 13 is provided by means of which a main movement for the slide element 10 can be controlled along the transport rail 8. The main movement is carried out by the slide element 10 together with the receiving device 11 in order to ultimately move the mold 12 to be transported on it. The main movement takes place in the transport direction to the respective production stations (3, 4, 5, 6, 7). Furthermore, the transport system 1 provides for the ability to transmit an auxiliary movement to the receiving device 11 via the control unit 13, in order to move the mold 12 appropriately for specific production steps. The auxiliary movement can be a simple movement or a complex movement composed of different movement components. In its simplest form, the auxiliary movement can take place in the direction of the transport rail and be superimposed on the main movement, as shown below with reference to the Figuren 5 and 6 An example will be provided.

[0061] The auxiliary movement is useful because for certain production steps it is necessary to be able to move the casting mold 12 relative to the production station in a specific way.

[0062] Transport system 1 includes the aforementioned transport rail 8, which according to Fig. 1 The system is extended to a transport rail network 14. In the present example, the carriage element has 10 rollers (not shown) that stand on an upward-facing running surface of the transport rail 8 and roll along it. The transport rail 8 has a very high load-bearing capacity. It is suitable for heavy loads, for example, a large mold containing many confectionery items at once and which is comparatively heavy.

[0063] The transport rail network 14 has according to Fig. 1 A bus layout with a ring-shaped main rail 15, which has two long, straight rail sections 16 and 17. The straight rail sections of the main rail are connected by two 180° curves 18 and 19, thus forming the ring. Lateral branch rails are provided on both straight rail sections of the main rail. Branch rails are present that lead to one of the production stations and back to the main rail, namely a branch rail 20 through the first casting station 3, a branch rail 21 through the shell forming station 4, a branch rail 22 through the second casting machine 5, and a branch rail 23 through the demolding station 7. The branch rails 20, 21, and 23 run in a loop that begins and ends at the main rail. The mold 12 can traverse these branch rails 20, 21, and 23 in one direction. In between, the mold stops at the respective production station to carry out the production step planned there.Branch rail 22, which leads to the second casting machine, functions differently. Branch rail 22 is not a loop; instead, it ends like a dead end within the production station. A casting mold can be moved forward along branch rail 22 into the production station and must later be moved backward out once the production step is complete. The transport rail can run in a loop through a production station or as a dead end. Both concepts can be used as needed. The dead-end concept is somewhat more space-efficient. The production station can be narrower, and a shorter rail length is required compared to a branch rail running in a loop.

[0064] Fig. 1 This diagram illustrates some production stations of a confectionery machine. These are production stations that could be used to manufacture filled hollow figures. However, the diagram is highly simplified and omits other production stations that a confectionery machine for manufacturing filled hollow figures typically has. The diagram clearly shows that the mold 12 can be fed to the necessary production steps in the correct sequence, yet with some flexibility. For example, a mold can remain in the cooling station for a shorter or longer period of time and later be returned to the transport system.

[0065] In the illustrated embodiment, branch rails 25 and 26 are provided in the area of ​​the cooling station 6, leading away from the straight rail section 17 of the annular main rail 15 towards the cooling station 6. In addition, a secondary rail 27 runs parallel to the rail section 17 of the main rail in front of the cooling station. The secondary rail 27 itself has two secondary rail branches 28 and 29 leading from the straight rail section 17 of the main rail. The secondary rail and its secondary rail branches form a loop that begins and ends at the main rail. The other two branch rails 25 and 26 run as a transverse connection between the rail section 17 of the main rail and the secondary rail 27.

[0066] The cross-connections and the secondary rail branch 29 are located in front of cooling station 6. The cooling station has a device (not shown) which is designed to remove casting molds from the slide element or from the receiving device and transfer them to the cooling station.

[0067] At least the branch rails running as a cross connection can serve as a buffer zone to temporarily park a casting mold 12. This allows other sled elements with casting molds to freely pass the main rail or the secondary rail.

[0068] As demonstrated by Fig. 1 As can be seen, the transport system 1 serves to transport molds 12 through the confectionery machine 2 to the respective production stations (3, 4, 5, 6, 7), which can perform the corresponding production step. The sequence in which a mold 12 is transported to the production stations is particularly variable due to the proposed transport rail network 14. The transport rail network 14 is also expandable and extendable. It can benefit from different network layouts. Examples of network layouts are described below ( Figs. 31-39 ), as well as examples of how different layouts of the transport rail network can be combined.

[0069] In principle, a casting mold 12 can be moved forwards or backwards in either direction along the transport rail (8, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29). At a fork in the transport rail, it can either remain on the main rail 15 or be transported to a branch or secondary rail.

[0070] In addition to variable routing within a transport rail network 14, another important aspect of the transport system is that the auxiliary movement mentioned above can be transferred to the mold 12. As described above, the simplest form of auxiliary movement takes place in the direction of the transport rail 8. This can, for example, be a back-and-forth vibration in the direction of the transport rail. For this purpose, the carriage element with the receiving device, which carries the mold, is moved back and forth along the transport rail at the appropriate frequency to generate a vibration with the desired frequency and amplitude. In conventional confectionery machines with chain drives, a separate vibration station is required for this vibration. The vibration distributes confectionery mass into a mold, which has previously been metered in by a pouring machine.Furthermore, vibration can bring unwanted air bubbles to the surface if any are trapped in the confectionery mixture. Any air that may be trapped in the confectionery mixture can then be removed by vibration. Thanks to the transport system according to the invention, a separate vibration station can now be eliminated.

[0071] Another application of an auxiliary movement is the formation of a group of several sled elements 10, or several casting molds 12, as illustrated below. Fig. 6 This will be explained later. There are production steps in the manufacture of confectionery products for which more time should ideally be allocated than is available in the typical cycle time of a confectionery machine. To facilitate this, there are production stations into which several molds can be fed at an accelerated rate, thereby achieving a time saving. For conventional confectionery machines, a dedicated station is known from DE 10 2005 018 416 A1, which serves solely to group molds 12 in order to realize the aforementioned time saving. All molds in a group that are to undergo the same production step simultaneously have slightly more time available to carry out their respective processes due to this time saving. Subsequent transport of the grouped molds out of the production station dissolves the grouping again.This can also be accelerated, which allows for further time savings in the production step.

[0072] The production of a confectionery item in the form of a filled hollow shell involves creating the shell from an initial confectionery mixture, then cooling the shell, followed by the insertion of a filling. Finally, a lid must be molded that seals against the shell's rim and tightly encloses the filling. For this purpose, the same confectionery mixture is often used for the lid as for the shell.

[0073] Unlike a conventional confectionery machine with a conveyor chain, the proposed transport system 1 allows a mold 12 to be transported to the same production station multiple times during the manufacture of a confectionery item. This enables different production steps to be carried out on the emerging confectionery item at different stages of production. In a conventional confectionery machine with a conveyor chain, production stations are arranged in a row. Multiple molding stations are typically provided, even though, for example, the same confectionery mixture must be poured for a lid as was previously used for the shell. In a conventional confectionery machine, a single molding machine is insufficient, even when the same confectionery mixture is required for different production steps of a single confectionery item.

[0074] The transport system 1 according to the invention enables, in accordance with Fig. 1 to provide a first casting station 3, with which a first confectionery mass is initially poured into the casting mold 12 in order to produce a bowl, whereby the same first casting station 3 can later be used again to carry out a second production step, for which the same first confectionery mass is used.

[0075] First, the mold 12 is transported from the first casting station 3 along the transport rail 8 to the shell forming station 4, where the shell is produced. In this example, the shell forming station 4 is configured as a stamping station. It has a stamp (not shown) which can be immersed in the mold 12 filled with confectionery mass to displace the mass. This displacement distributes the confectionery mass between the outer surface of the stamp and the inner surface of the mold. The resulting cavity forms a shell-shaped volume, thus forming a shell from the confectionery mass.

[0076] The formed tray is then transported from the tray forming station 4 along the transport rail (21, 18, 22) to the second casting machine 5, or first transported to the cooling station and only after sufficient solidification to the second casting machine. The second casting machine 5 doses a second confectionery mixture into the tray as the filling for the confectionery product.

[0077] After each production step, the mold 12 can be transported into cooling station 6 to cool and solidify. Once the desired degree of solidification has been reached, the mold 12 can be removed from cooling station 6 and transported along the conveyor rail 8 to the next production station to perform the next required production step. If solidification in the cooling station is not required after a production step, the mold can be transported along the main rail past the cooling station to another production station.

[0078] Once the tray has been filled, the aforementioned lid mixture is poured onto the filling. For this purpose, the mold 12 is transported back to the first pouring station 3, which then pours the same first confectionery mixture, as previously used for the tray, onto the filling as a lid mixture. This is intended to completely seal the opening of the tray.

[0079] If it is advantageous to preheat the rim of the bowl to ensure a good bond between the rim and the lid, a suitable production station can be provided for this purpose, which can melt the rim of the bowl (not shown).

[0080] Trigger points are provided along the transport rail 8. Control software in the control unit 13 can virtually map the transport rail network and define process-relevant trigger points along the transport rail. A trigger point is a specific location on the transport rail, for example, trigger point X1 at the entrance to the forming station 7. Furthermore, the position of the slide element must be detectable, for example, as described below. Fig. 30 explained. If a slide element, during its movement along the transport rail, reaches the trigger point X1 at the entrance of the forming station 7, the control device 13 can trigger a suitable process movement, which is required in the corresponding production station for the mold being moved into it.

[0081] A trigger point can also be provided at the exit of a production station, such as trigger point X2 at the exit of the demolding station 7. Here, the exit of a mold is detected. Further downstream, another trigger point X3 can be provided, to which information is assigned about whether there is space for another mold in the following section of the transport rail 8.

[0082] In principle, trigger points can be provided at any location within the transport rail network. These trigger points, controlled by the system, can initiate or stop processes, or programmatically influence the further transport or standstill of the mold. The function triggered by a specific trigger point can depend on the direction from which a carriage element approaches. The transport system can be designed so that a mold can be moved into or out of a production station from two directions. Trigger points at the entrance and exit can be configured to perform both functions, depending on the direction from which the mold arrives: either triggering the required process or detecting the subsequent exit of the mold.

[0083] The actual transport movement of a carriage element can be tracked in the control software as a virtual carriage position point, since it can be detected precisely, as mentioned above. This allows software-controlled processes or transport tasks to be activated wherever a carriage position point reaches a trigger point.

[0084] Further development of transport system 1 is provided for according to Fig. 2 Provide that the slide element 10 is equipped with an additional motion device B, which can contribute to the execution of a complex auxiliary movement of the mold 12, in particular, a vertical movement component can be generated. The motion device B is arranged between the slide element 10 and the receiving device 11 for the mold 12. In the present example, the additional motion device B interacts with two slide elements at a time. The vertical movement is implemented by a relative movement of the two slide elements away from or towards each other, in order to raise or lower the receiving device. The motion device B in Fig. 2 corresponds to the one shown below based on Fig. 11 is explained in detail.

[0085] The additional motion device B is very useful, for example, to generate an auxiliary movement in the vertical direction in the casting machine 3, where "vertical" generally refers to the direction of gravity (Z-axis). This allows the mold 12 to be raised towards a casting nozzle of the casting station 3 and lowered again in a controlled manner during the casting process.

[0086] Furthermore, the additional motion device B is used in the tray forming station 4. The tray forming station 4 provided here operates by means of a punch that is immersed in molten confectionery mass to create the shape of the tray. The punching process is essentially an extrusion process that distributes the confectionery mass in the cavity between the mold and the punch, thus giving the tray the desired shape. The punch is stationary. The relative movement between the punch and the mold required for the extrusion process is achieved solely by a vertical upward movement of the mold towards the punch. According to the invention, the process movement for the extrusion process can be generated solely by the additional motion device B.

[0087] In the second watering station 5 according to Fig. 2 The mold can also be raised and lowered in a controlled manner to dispense a filling compound, if desired.

[0088] In the demolding station 7, the mold 12 is turned upside down, i.e., the top of the mold is turned downwards so that the finished confectionery items can fall out. The ones in the Figuren 1-4 The demolding station shown has a separate device for turning the mold 180° (not shown).

[0089] Details of some exemplary embodiments of motion devices that can generate a vertical motion component for raising / lowering molds are shown below. Figuren 7a-13b and 15a-16 explained.

[0090] An alternative embodiment of a transport system according to the invention is described in Fig. 3 depicted. It has a transport rail network 14 which is identical to that transport rail network 14 according to Fig. 2 , but refrains - as does Fig. 1 - on an additional motion device that could generate a vertical motion component.

[0091] The transport rail 8 and the sled element 10 are according to Fig. 3 The carriage element is designed so that it can be coupled to a side surface of the transport rail and moved along it. The carriage element can be held laterally either by a retaining strip or roller, similar to a sliding door fitting, or alternatively by magnetic force.

[0092] The slide element 10 according to Fig. 3 It is symmetrically designed, meaning it has a left and a right side. Its left coupling side can be connected to a transport rail on the left, or conversely, its right coupling side can be connected to a transport rail on the right. The transport rails are composed of straight and curved sections. Junctions can be formed within the transport rail network, allowing a carriage element to either move straight ahead or branch off.

[0093] The slide element, which can be coupled on both sides, can be switched from coupling with its left side to a transport rail provided to the left of the slide element to coupling with a transport rail arranged on the right.

[0094] Another embodiment of the transport system of Fig. 4 based on that of Fig. 3 , insofar as it has an identical transport rail network 14 and is composed of the same pieces of transport rails. Again, a sled element can be coupled laterally / on both sides (left / right) to the transport rail and moved along it. In contrast to Fig. 3 In the exemplary embodiment of the Fig. 4 An additional motion device B is provided, with which, in particular, a vertical motion component can be generated. The additional motion device B fulfills the same functions as the one in Fig. 2 .

[0095] Fig. 5 The figure schematically shows an auxiliary movement that the slide element 10, together with the receiving device 11, can generate by moving back and forth along the transport rail 8, namely a vibration. The frequency and amplitude of the vibration movement can be defined and adjusted for the slide element 10 by means of the control device 13 and the drive device 9.

[0096] Furthermore, in Fig. 5 a drive unit 9 with an electric motor T1 is provided.

[0097] Fig. 6 Figure 1 shows another application for an auxiliary movement that runs in the direction of the transport rail 8. Here, a group of four sled elements 10a, 10b, 10c, and 10d is formed, each grouped at a distance b from the others. The transported molds 12 can then be fed to a production step simultaneously as a group. If the transfer of the sled elements into the group is accelerated, i.e., with a faster movement than the transport speed before group formation, then time can be saved that can benefit the production step being carried out simultaneously. This type of group formation replaces a device specifically known for this purpose, as disclosed in DE 10 2005 018 416 A1.

[0098] An additional movement device B for the receiving device 11, on which a casting mold 12 can be transported, is shown in the Figuren 7a und 7b As shown, two slide elements 30 and 31 are provided on a transport rail 8. A hinged rod 32 is rotatably mounted at one end of slide element 30. The other end of the hinged rod 32 is rotatably connected to the receiving device. Similarly, a hinged rod 33 is provided, which is rotatably connected to slide element 31 and the receiving device in the same manner. The entire assembly forms a transport unit, which is moved as a whole within the transport rail network. Starting from Fig. 7a A reduction in the distance between the slide elements 30 and 31 causes a vertical movement of the receiving device; it is raised, at most to the level that is in Fig. 7b This is indicated. Likewise, the reception facility can be started from Fig. 7a by increasing the distance between the sled elements 30 and 31 to a lower level. In order to move the transport unit along a curve, i.e. h. To enable movement along a curved transport rail, rotary axes A1 and A2 are provided.

[0099] Fig. 8 conveys how to use the exemplary embodiment according to Fig. 7a / 7b a vibration movement in the vertical direction can be caused by moving the two sled elements 30 and 31 back and forth with the desired frequency and amplitude.

[0100] Fig. 9 The exemplary embodiment is shown according to Fig. 8 Furthermore, a spring element F1 and F2, for example a rubber spring element, is provided at each point where the joint rods are rotatably connected to the receiving device. The rubber spring elements can dampen vibrations. They improve the service life of the bearings and protect the slide element from having to absorb strong shocks.

[0101] Fig. 10 represents another application of the embodiment according to Fig. 7a / 7b The figure shows two rotating rollers, so-called scraper rollers R1 and R2, which serve to lift and remove contaminants from the surface of a mold 12, particularly contaminants in the form of confectionery mass. The additional movement device B allows the mold 12 to be raised precisely in the direction of the scraper rollers R1 / R2. In operation, the scraper rollers rest on the mold under their own weight. A particular application of the scraper rollers is to precisely form the rim of a previously molded confectionery tray. In this case, the scraper roller and the confectionery tray are moved towards each other until a defined gap remains.

[0102] Another embodiment shows Fig. 11 In this embodiment, an additional movement device B comprises two slide elements 30 and 31, which interact with the receiving device 11 for the mold 12. In this way, the mold is supported, and a vertical auxiliary movement of the receiving device 11 can be generated. In this embodiment, however, two articulated rods 34 and 35 are arranged as a pair. Both articulated rods are assigned to a slide element 30 and rotatably mounted on it. The axes of rotation of the two articulated rods are at the same level. At the other end, each articulated rod 34 and 35 is rotatably connected to the receiving device 11, and here too, the axes of rotation of the articulated rods are at the same level. Overall, the slide element, together with the two articulated rods and the receiving device, forms a parallelogram. The parallelogram design ensures that the receiving device always remains horizontal during lifting and lowering.The second slide element 31 and the receiving device interact in the same way with a second pair of articulated rods consisting of the articulated rods 36 and 37, which are arranged in a mirror image to the first pair of articulated rods and also hold the receiving device horizontally. A vertical axis of rotation A1 or A2 is provided on each slide element to enable it to follow a curve of a transport rail.

[0103] The embodiment of the Fig. 12 is based on Fig. 11 and differs only in that one slide element 30 has a pair of hinge rods comprising the two hinge rods 34 and 35, while the second slide element 31 does without a parallelogram and is connected to the receiving device 11 only via a single hinge rod 35. The horizontal alignment of the receiving device is thus achieved here solely by a parallelogram that rests on the slide element 30.

[0104] Another embodiment with an additional movement device for the receiving device 11 is shown in the Figuren 13a und 13b This embodiment uses three slide elements 30, 31, and 38 to support and move the receiving device 11. A joint rod 34, 36, and 39 are rotatably mounted on each of the slide elements. However, the receiving device 11 has only two axes of rotation. The first axis of rotation is connected only to the joint rod 34, which connects to the slide element 30. The second axis of rotation is connected to the two joint rods 36 and 39, of which joint rod 36 is rotatably mounted on the slide element 31 and joint rod 39 is rotatably mounted on the slide element 38. Each slide element has a vertical axis of rotation A1, A2, and A3, respectively, to allow it to follow the curve of a transport rail, as well as vertical axes of rotation A4 and A5 on the receiving device.

[0105] With the order according to the Figuren 13a / 13b The recording device 11 can be tilted. According to Fig. 13a The receiving device 11 is aligned parallel to the transport rail 8 (horizontally). Starting from Fig. 13a shows Fig. 13b An increase in the distance between the slide elements 36 and 38 results in an inclination of the receiving device 11. An inclination of the receiving device is advantageous for the new transport system because a mold 12 can be individually accelerated to high speeds and decelerated / braked just as rapidly. Higher speeds are achievable than those known from conventional confectionery machines with conveyor chains. In a mold 12 containing molten confectionery mass, the confectionery mass can slosh back and forth during acceleration and deceleration, and there is a risk that confectionery mass could spill over the edge of the mold 12. It is therefore advantageous to counteract this, not by closing the mold, but by allowing the mold to be inclined about a horizontal axis that is arranged perpendicular (transversely) to the transport rail 8.

[0106] The Figuren 14a und 14b Figure 1 shows an alternative embodiment with a tiltable receiving device 11, which can also be inclined about a horizontal axis 40 perpendicular to the transport rail 8. This embodiment, however, only includes one slide element 30. When the receiving device 11 is accelerated or decelerated, the inclination is effected, for example, by an inertial mass being mounted below the axis 40. During acceleration in the direction of the transport rail, this mass tends to remain in its resting state, thus generating a tilting motion. An opposite tilting motion occurs when the receiving device is decelerated. Preferably, a damping element is also provided to counteract any oscillation.

[0107] An inclination about another horizontal axis can also be advantageous, namely if this axis is arranged parallel to the transport rail 8 (not shown). This can counteract the spillage of confectionery mass when centrifugal forces act, for example, when the mold 12 moves along a curve. This can also be achieved using an inertial mass below the horizontal axis, according to the same principle as above.

[0108] The Figuren 15a und 15b Figure 1 shows a further embodiment with an additional motion device B, with which the receiving device 11 for the mold can be moved vertically up and down. A spindle 41 with a threaded drive is used. The spindle is arranged vertically on a slide element 42, which sits on a transport rail 8. At the upper end of the spindle, according to Figure 1, a Fig. 15a The receiving device 11 for the casting mold 12 is arranged. A threaded nut 43 is provided for the drive thread of the spindle 41. The threaded nut 43 is associated with the slide element 42 and is rotatably mounted relative to it. When the threaded nut 43 is rotated clockwise or counterclockwise, the spindle moves up or down. To rotate the threaded nut 43, it is provided with an external toothing 44 which engages with a rack 45. Fig. 15b Figure 1 shows a top view of the threaded nut element 43 with the external teeth 44 and the rack 45. The rack 45 is rigidly connected at one end to a second slide element 46, which is movable along the transport rail. By moving the second slide element 46 relative to the first slide element 42 along the transport rail 8, the spindle, and thus the holding device 11, can be moved up or down. For this purpose, two linear guides (not shown) are provided parallel to the spindle to prevent the holding device from rotating.

[0109] Fig. 16 This represents an embodiment with an additional motion device B, which in turn operates with two slide elements coupled to a transport rail 8. A first slide element 47 carries a receiving device 11, which is arranged on two vertically arranged guide rails S1 and S2, along which it can slide up and down. The drive for the up and down movement is realized by means of two scissor-like articulated rods. One articulated rod 48 is rotatably connected at one end to the receiving device 11, and the second articulated rod 49 is rotatably connected at one end to the slide element 47. The two other ends of the articulated rods 48 and 49 are joined and connected to the second slide element 50 in a common axis of rotation.By moving the two slide elements 47 and 50 towards each other, the receiving device 11 is raised, and by moving the two slide elements away from each other, the receiving device is lowered.

[0110] Fig. 17 This represents an embodiment with an additional motion device B, which is intended to rotate the mold 12. Again, two slide elements 51 and 52 are provided. The receiving device 11 is mounted on the first slide element 51 such that it can rotate about a rotational axis R, the rotational axis being horizontal and perpendicular to the transport rail 8. A gear element Z is provided in the rotational axis, which interacts with a rack 53. The rack is rigidly connected at one end to a second slide element 52 and can be moved by this element along the transport rail 8 to drive the gear element Z and rotate the rotational axis forwards or backwards. One application example is the demolding station, in which a mold is rotated by 180° to allow finished confectionery products to fall out of the mold.

[0111] The same principle for rotating a casting mold is applied according to Fig. 18 This is used to assemble a mold consisting of two mold parts 12a and 12b. For this purpose, each mold part is rotated 90° in opposite directions and the two upper surfaces are joined together. Hollow chocolate figures are preferably produced in such split molds.

[0112] Fig. 19 Figure 1 shows an embodiment with a transport rail 8 and a U-shaped slide element 55. An adapter 56 is shown on the slide element. An additional movement device B is provided on the adapter. The movement device is designed as a pivot joint 57. The pivot joint is suitable as a receiving device for a casting mold. As shown in Figure 1 Fig. 19 As indicated, the rotary joint is rotatable about its own vertical axis of rotation 58 (Z-axis). It has a bore 59 radial to its own axis of rotation 58. A shaft can be inserted into the bore 59 and secured in the bore. The mold can be attached laterally to the shaft. Attached to the shaft in this way, the mold can rotate about the axis of rotation 58 of the rotary joint. The mold can also rotate about the axis of the bore 59. The rotary joint 57 can have stops to limit the rotation about the axis of rotation 58 or about the axis of the bore 59. The drive can be, as shown in Fig. 17 via a second slide element to which a rack is attached and with a gear provided on the axis of rotation, which interacts with the rack.

[0113] Alternatively, a pneumatic or electric drive can be provided in a stationary production station, which can be temporarily connected to the respective rotary axis 58 or 59 via a coupling device, in order to generate the required auxiliary movement.

[0114] The Figuren 20 bis 25 They represent various cross-sections and spatial arrangements of a transport rail with a rectangular cross-section, as well as the cross-section of the sled element.

[0115] In the Figuren 20 bis 23 The cross-section of the rectangular transport rail 8 is arranged vertically. Fig. 20 Figure 60 shows a slide element 60 with a ring-shaped closed cross-section. The transport rail 8 is completely enclosed by the slide element 60. Figuren 21 und 22 Show sled elements with a U-shaped cross-section. The sled element 61 in Fig. 21 is arranged with a downwardly open cross-section on the transport rail 8 and the slide element 62 in Fig. 22 It has a laterally open cross-section, with which it is arranged on the transport rail 8. Fig. 23 Figure 1 shows two transport rails 8a and 8b side by side, and a slide element 63 which has a double-T-shaped cross-section open on both sides. One of the two transport rails 8a and 8b, respectively, fits into each of the open cross-sections of the double-T-shaped slide element 63.

[0116] The Figuren 24 und 25 Each figure shows a transport rail 8 with a cross-section inclined at an angle α to the perpendicular. Fig. 24 The identical U-shaped sled element 61 is located on the transport rail 8, as in Fig. 21 arranged. In Fig. 25 is the identical U-shaped slide element 62 according to Fig. 22 Arranging the transport rail 8 at an angle α to the vertical can be useful if there is insufficient space for an upright arrangement. This inclination reduces the required height for the transport rail 8.

[0117] In Fig. 26 Two sections of transport rail 8a and 8b are shown, arranged side by side at a distance. Transport rail 8a has a gap in which a rail extension 64 is provided. Similarly, transport rail 8b has a gap which is closed by a rail extension 65. The transport rails can be traversed via the rail extensions. Furthermore, the rail extensions 64 and 65 are laterally displaceable. The rail extension 64 can be moved into the gap of the other transport rail 8b, at which point the rail extension 65 there retracts. Conversely, the same applies: the rail extension 65 can be moved into the gap of transport rail 8a, and the rail extension 64 there retracts. In this way, a switch is formed.When a sled element 62 approaches transport rail 8a and reaches the intermediate rail section 64, it can be moved laterally together with the sled element 62 until it reaches the gap in transport rail 8b. In this way, the sled element 62 can switch onto transport rail 8b. The arrangement thus acts as a switch.

[0118] Fig. 27 represents the same principle as a switch, as Fig. 26 , however, the transport rails 8a and 8b are arranged one above the other and not side by side. Otherwise, the functionality is as described in Fig. 26 . Both transport rails have gaps in which rail intermediate pieces 64 and 65 are located, respectively, which can be moved up and down, each into the gap of the other transport rail.

[0119] The Figuren 28 und 29 Two embodiments of sled elements are shown, each of which can switch from a transport rail 8a to a transport rail 8b. Fig. 28 One end of transport rail 8a and one end of transport rail 8b are shown. The ends of both transport rails overlap over a certain area. The in Fig. 28 The slide element 63 shown is double-T shaped and corresponds to the one in Fig. 23 . If it moves on transport rail 8a in the direction of the overlap area and passes through it, then it continues to move behind the overlap on transport rail 8b.

[0120] The slide element 66 in Fig. 29 It has a cross-section with two openings facing the same direction (downwards). When it moves along transport rail 8a towards the overlap area and passes through it, it continues to move behind the overlap on the other transport rail 8b.

[0121] Fig. 30 Figure 8 shows a modular transport rail 8. Several rail sections, such as rail section 8c, are arranged in a row. The dashed areas, such as section 67 of rail section 8c, are equipped with several coil elements G1, G2, G3, etc. These coil elements are positioned along the rail section and together form a so-called long stator. The long stator forms the primary part of a linear motor. The primary part, with the coil elements G1, G2, G3, interacts with several permanent magnets D1, D2, D3, etc., which are arranged on the carriage element 61 as the secondary part of the linear motor. Furthermore, a position sensor S is provided on each rail section. The position sensor continuously detects the precise location of the magnetic fields of the permanent magnets on the carriage element.

[0122] The following are layout examples for transport rail networks that can be used to effectively arrange and utilize the production stations of a confectionery machine.

[0123] For example, in a row layout according to Fig. 31 The transport track 8 runs linearly and has a beginning and an end. The production stations, such as P1, P2, P3, etc., are arranged in a row along the transport track.

[0124] In a ring layout according to Fig. 32 A transport rail 8 is provided around the perimeter and production stations, such as P1, P2, P3, etc., are arranged successively along the transport rail.

[0125] In a bus layout, as in Fig. 33 , a main rail 68 is provided and production stations, such as P1, P2 and P3 etc. are arranged laterally to the main rail 68; for this purpose branches 69, 70, 71 are provided from the main rail to the respective production station so that a casting mold can branch off to the production station or pass through it.

[0126] A star layout according to Fig. 34 It has a central production station P4 and radially arranged transport rails 72-77 leading to further production stations P1, P2, P3, etc.

[0127] There are hybrid forms of the above-mentioned layouts, such as the one in Fig. 35 The bus ring layout shown has a central bus layout with a main rail 68, from which at least one ring-shaped secondary rail 78 branches off. At least one production station P1 is provided along the secondary rail 78.

[0128] The mixed form star-ring layout according to Fig. 36 has a central production station P4 and several ring-shaped transport rails 79, 80, 81 and 82 around the central production station, which lead to at least one further production station P1.

[0129] The hybrid form of a star-bus layout, as in Fig. 37 As shown, there is a central production station P4 and several bus-shaped main transport rails 83-86 around the central production station. Lateral branches, such as branch 87, lead from the main transport rail 83 to at least one production station P1.

[0130] The hybrid form of a ring-parallel layout, as in Fig. 38 , an endlessly rotating annular transport rail 8, wherein at least a part of the transport rail 8 is provided with at least one secondary rail 88 which runs parallel to the transport rail 8. Production stations P1, P2 and P3 are arranged in series.

[0131] The hybrid form of a row-parallel layout exhibits, according to Fig. 39 A transport rail 8 with production stations P1 in a row, the row having a beginning and an end. At least one part of the row-shaped transport rail has at least one secondary rail 88 running parallel to the transport rail and having production stations P2, P3, etc.

[0132] The Figuren 40a - 40c Figure 1 shows a further embodiment of a transport system 1 in which a receiving device 11 interacts with an additional motion device B for an auxiliary movement. In this example, a reciprocating auxiliary movement is generated in the Y direction, i.e., horizontally and transversely to the transport rail 8, preferably at 90° to the transport rail.

[0133] For this purpose, the receiving device 11 is connected to and supported by two slide elements 89 and 90. The additional motion device is designed such that the desired auxiliary movement in the Y-direction can be generated by moving the two slide elements towards or away from each other. To enable this, each slide element is assigned a linear guide 91 or 92. A linear guide 91 is assigned to the first slide element 89, aligned in the Y-direction. It ensures the precise guidance of the receiving device transversely to the transport rail. The linear guide 92 assigned to the second slide element 90 is arranged at an angle of, for example, 30° to the transport rail. This allows movement of the second slide element 90 in the transport direction to serve as a drive and simultaneously changes the direction of movement so that the receiving device 11 moves in the desired Y-direction.

[0134] For this purpose, the linear guide 91 comprises a guide rail 91a and a bearing 91b, and the linear guide 92 is provided with a guide rail 92a and a bearing 92b.

[0135] In the present example, the guide rails 91a / 92a are connected to the receiving device 11, the bearing 91b is connected to the slide element 89, and the bearing 92b is connected to the slide element 90.

[0136] Fig. 40a Figure 1 shows a neutral position in which the receiving device 11 is symmetrically aligned with the transport rail 8. The second slide element 90 is positioned such that the bearing 92b is centered on the guide rail 92a. From this neutral position, the receiving device 11 can be moved laterally to both sides in the Y-direction.

[0137] In Fig. 40b The recording device 11 is moved from the neutral position by its maximum distance to one side and in Fig. 40c to move its maximum path to the opposite side. With this additional motion device B for the Y-direction, complex products can be manufactured, such as pretzels or filled pretzels, or decorations can be created and so-called "makeup" tasks can be performed, such as external decorations on a confectionery item using a contrasting confectionery mass. For example, a chocolate Easter bunny can be given white chocolate eyes, or a chocolate Santa Claus can be given a white chocolate beard.

[0138] Based on Fig. 41 is the one in the Figuren 1 bis 4 The planned control unit 13 is explained. It comprises a processing unit V1 (processor). Control software, designed for processing information, can be executed using processing unit V1. A data storage device M1 is assigned to processing unit V1. The processing unit can process the data of all slide elements located in the transport system. At a minimum, it processes the data of certain slide elements of the transport system. This slide element data includes at least the position data of a slide element relative to the transport rail and / or speed data of the slide elements relative to the transport rail and / or data relating to which receiving device a slide element is assigned. Furthermore, data relating to the mold can be processed in the processing unit.The data relates to information on whether a mold has gone through or skipped a process step and / or to process-relevant data, such as the temperature of a mold or the time period that the mold spent in a production step, etc.

[0139] Furthermore, an input unit E1 is provided, by means of which it is possible to input into the control software the sequence in which a casting mold is to be transported to individual production stations, and this sequence can be stored as a process plan in the data storage.

[0140] An example embodiment of a frameless receiving device is shown Fig. 42 as a perspective view. A support rail 8 and a mold 12 are visible. Individual cavities K1, K2, K3, etc., can be seen on the underside of the mold. Confectionery mass can be poured into these cavities from the top. The cavities for the confectionery items have round bottoms, and the side walls are visibly sloped to facilitate the demolding of the finished confectionery items. The mold is supported by two slide elements 31 and 32, which are movable along the support rail. An adapter part 93 is provided on slide element 31, to which a support strip 94 is attached. Similarly, slide element 32 has an adapter part 95, and a support strip 96 is also attached to this adapter part. The adapter part 93 is rotatable relative to slide element 31 about an axis A1. Likewise, the adapter part 95 is rotatably mounted relative to slide element 32 about an axis A2.

[0141] In the present embodiment, four positioning aids are provided symmetrically, specifically one positioning aid at each of the two ends of a support rail. Fig. 42 The positioning aid 97 of the support rail 94 and the positioning aid 98 of the support rail 96 can be seen.

[0142] Each positioning aid is constructed in two parts, i.e., it has a lower positioning element Pu and an upper positioning element Po, which can interact with each other. In the exemplary embodiment of the Fig. 42a The lower positioning element Pu, arranged on the support rail 94, is a holding magnet 97a, which is attached to the support rail 94 by a setscrew S1. Correspondingly, the upper positioning element Po is arranged on an adapter part 99 on the underside of the mold 12 and is also designed as a holding magnet 97b. To maintain the correct distance between the positioning aids 97 and 98, the distance between the slide elements 31 and 32 must be correct relative to each other. For this purpose, the position of each of the slide elements relative to the transport rail 8 can be measured, and the distance between the slide elements 31 and 32 can be controlled with sufficient accuracy. Although the positioning aids are provided on two support rails, each of which is attached to a slide element that moves independently along the transport rail, the function of the positioning aids is ensured by the precise controllability of the slide elements 31 and 32 relative to each other.Positioning aids can, of course, also be provided in a transport system where only one slide element carries the holding device for a mold. The need to precisely control the distance between two slide elements relative to each other is then eliminated.

[0143] To enable the placement of an upper positioning element P o on the mold 12, an adapter part 99 is provided. This adapter part is adapted to a cross member 12c of the mold 12 and fastened with a screw connection 100. Alternatively, an adhesive bond or a welded connection can be provided to connect the adapter part 99 to the mold 12. The adapter part 99 can also be integrally formed with the mold. The holding magnet 97b is attached to the adapter part 99 by means of a stud bolt S2.

[0144] Fig. 42b Figure 1 shows an alternative positioning aid 97 without holding magnets. Again, an adapter part 99 is attached to a cross member 12c of the mold 12 at the bottom. In contrast to the previous embodiment, the upper positioning element Po is designed as a conical bore 99a in the adapter part 99. The lower positioning element Pu is designed as a corresponding conical pin 101 and is attached to the support rail 94. The bore 99a and the conical pin 101 can be centered relative to each other.

[0145] When a mold 12 is placed on this frameless mounting device, the positioning aids align the mold with sufficient accuracy. Furthermore, the positioning aids counteract any lateral displacement of the mold. Relative to the support surface on which the mold rests, it is secured against displacement by the positioning aids. Bezugszeichenliste

[0146] 1 Transport system 2 Confectionery machine 3 Pouring station 4 Tray forming station 5 Pouring station 6 Cooling station 7 Demolding station 8 Transport rail 8a Transport rail 8b Transport rail 8c Rail section 9 Drive unit 10 Carriage element 10a Carriage element 10b Carriage element 10c Carriage element 10d Carriage element 11 Pickup device 12 Mold 12a Mold part 12b Mold part 12c Crossbar 13 Control unit 14 Transport rail network 15 Main rail 16 Rail section 17 Rail section 18 180° curve 19 180° curve 20 Branch rail 21 Branch rail 22 Branch rail 23 Branch rail 24 Branch rail 25 Branch rail 26 Branch rail 27 Sub-rail 28 Side rail branch 29 Side rail branch 30 Rail element 31 Rail element 32 Joint rod 33 Joint rod 34 Joint rod 35 Joint rod 36 Joint rod 37 Joint rod 38 Slide element 39 Joint rod 40 Horizontal axis 41 Spindle 42 First slide element 43 Nut thread element 44 External toothing 45 Rack 46 Second slide element 47 First slide element48 First joint die 49 Second joint rod 50 Second slide element 51 First slide element 52 Second slide element 53 Rack 54 Second slide element 55 Slide element 56 Adapter 57 Swivel joint 58 Pivot axis 59 Bore 60 Slide element 61 Slide element 62 Slide element 63 Slide element 64 Rail intermediate piece 65 Rail intermediate piece 66 Slide element 67 Area (coil) 68 Main rail 69 Branch 70 Branch 71 Branch 72 Transport rail 73 Transport rail 74 Transport rail 75 Transport rail 76 Transport rail 77 Transport rail 78 Sub-rail 79 Transport rail 80 Transport rail 81 Transport rail 82 Transport rail 83 Main transport rail 84 Main transport rail 85 Main transport rail 86 Main transport rail 87 Branch 88 Sub-rail 89 Slide element 90 Slide element 91 Linear guide 91a Guide rail 91b Bearing 92 Linear guide 92a Guide rail 92b Bearing 93 Adapter part 94 Support rail 95 Adapter part 96 Support rail 97 Positioning aid 97a Holding magnet 97b Holding magnet98 Positioning aid 99 Adapter part 99 Tapered bore 100 Screw connection 101 Taper pin A1 Rotary axis A2 Rotary axis A3 Rotary axis B Motion device C1 Control unit D1 Permanent magnet D2 Permanent magnet D3 Permanent magnet F1 Spring element E1 Input unit F2 Spring element G1 Coil element G2 Coil element G3 Coil element K1 Cavity K2 Cavity K3 Cavity M1 Data storage P1 Production station P2 Production station P3 Production station P u Lower positioning element P o Upper positioning element P4 Central production station R Rotary axis R1 Smear roller R2 Smear roller S Position sensor S1 Stud bolt S2 Stud bolt T1 Electric motor V1 Processing unit X1 Trigger point X2 Trigger point X3 Trigger point Z Gear element α angle

Claims

1. A transport system (1) for molds (12) of an industrial confectionery machine (2) which comprises a plurality of production stations (P1, P2, P3, P4, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7) and molds (12) for producing at least one confectionery article, wherein a mold (12) can be transported to the respective production stations (P1, P2, P3, P4, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7) with the confectionery machine (2) for successive production steps, including a transport rail (8, 8a, 8b, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 79, 80, 81, 82) and a drive device (9, T1, 67, D1, D2, D3, G1, G2, G3) with which a transport movement for the respective mold (12) can be produced to transport the mold (12) along one transport rail (8, 8a, 8b, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 79, 80, 81, 82) to the production stations (P1, P2, P3, P4, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7), characterised in that the drive device (9, T1, 67, D1, D2, D3, G1, G2, G3) has at least two rail-guided carriage elements (10, 38, 42, 46, 47, 50, 51, 54, 55, 60, 61, 62, 63, 66), wherein the carriage elements can be coupled to the same transport rail at a distance from one another, wherein at least one of the two carriage elements is individually drivable along the transport rail, in order to generate a main movement, wherein the two carriage elements (10, 38, 42, 46, 47, 50, 51, 54, 55, 60, 61, 62, 63, 66) are combined with a receiving device (11) with which at least one mold (12) can be received, wherein a control device (13) is provided for controlling the main movement for the carriage element (10, 38, 42, 46, 47, 50, 51, 54, 55, 60, 61, 62, 63, 66) together with the receiving device (11) of the mold (12) in the transport direction toward the respective production stations (P1, P2, P3, P4, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7), and wherein by means of the control device (13) an auxiliary movement can be additionally transmitted into the receiving device (11) in that the two carriage elements are movable relative to one another or away from each other, in order to suitably move the mold (12) for the respective production step.

2. A transport system as set forth in claim 1 characterised in that the carriage element (10, 30, 31, 38, 42, 46, 47, 50, 51, 54, 55, 60, 61, 62, 63, 66) is provided with an additional movement device (B) which can contribute to implementation of the auxiliary movement of the mold (12) and that the movement device (B) is arranged between the carriage element and the receiving device (11) for the mold.

3. A transport system as set forth in claim 2 characterised in that at least one of the two carriage elements (10, 38, 42, 46, 47, 50, 51, 54, 55, 60, 61, 62, 63, 66) is coupled to the movement device (B) for producing the auxiliary movement.

4. A transport system as set forth in one of claims 1 through 3 characterised in that the transport rail (8) is enlarged to give a transport rail network (14) which has curves (18, 19) and / or switch devices and / or crossings.

5. A transport system as set forth in claim 4 characterised in that the transport rail network (14) has a ring layout or a series layout, a bus layout, a star layout, or hybrid forms like a bus-ring layout, a star-ring layout, a star-bus layout, a ring-parallel layout or a series-parallel layout.

6. A transport system as set forth in one of claims 1 through 5 characterised in that there is provided an electric motor (T1) for the individual drive of the carriage element (10, 38, 42, 46, 47, 50, 51, 54, 55, 60, 61, 62, 63, 66) along the transport rail, the electric motor is arranged at the carriage element or is in the form of a linear motor with the carriage element as the motor and the transport rail as the stator, with a means (D1, D2, D3) which is arranged on the carriage element and with which a rotor magnetic field can be generated, and a means (67, G1, G2, G3) which is provided on the transport rail and with which a stator magnetic field can be generated.

7. A transport system as set forth in one of claims 1 through 6 characterised in that the control device (13) includes at least one processing unit (V1) and that the processing unt (V1) is adapted to execute control software and to process items of information, and that at least one data memory (M1) is associated with the processing unit.

8. A transport system as set forth in claim 7 characterised in that the data of all carriage elements (10, 38, 42, 46, 47, 50, 51, 54, 55, 60, 61, 62, 63, 66) disposed in the transport system can be processed in the processing unit (V1) and that the rail element data include at least the position data of the carriage elements relative to the transport rail (8, 8a, 8b, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 79, 80, 81, 82) and / or speed data of the carriage elements relative to the transport rail and / or data which relate to which receiving device (11) has a carriage element associated therewith.

9. A transport system as set forth in claim 7 or claim 8 characterised in that data concerning the mold (12) can be processed in the processing unit (V1), which data relate to information as to whether a mold has passed through or left out a process step and / or to process-relevant data like the temperature of a mold or a period of time that the mold spent in a production step.

10. A transport system as set forth in one of claims 7 through 9 characterised in that there is provided an input unit (E1), by means of which it is possible to input into the control software, in what sequence a mold (12) is to be transported to individual production stations (P1, P2, P3, P4, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7) and said sequence can be filed as a process plan in the data memory (M1).

11. A transport system as set forth in claim 10 characterised in that at least one parameter set relating to a production step which the mold has passed through can be stored in the process plan for each mold (12).

12. A transport system as set forth in one of claims 7 through 11 characterised in that the transport rail (8, 8a, 8b, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 79, 80, 81, 82) is virtually imaged in the control software and process-relevant trigger points (X1, X2, X3) are provided along the transport rail, the real transport movement of a carriage element (10, 38, 42, 46, 47, 50, 51, 54, 55, 60, 61, 62, 63, 66) is also moved as a virtual carriage position point in the control software and that a process can be activated under software control when a carriage position point reaches a trigger point (X1, X2, X3).