Pick-up and packaging device for grouping, transferring and packaging cans, tubes or cartridges

Description

[0001] During the manufacture of packaging containers, particularly cans, tubes, or cartridges, typically with an elongated shape, preferably with a round or rounded cross-section, it is generally necessary at the end of the production process, unless the production process immediately transitions to the filling process, to remove the manufactured products, in particular tubes, cartridges, or cans, from a production machine, especially from a production line, and store them. For this purpose, the products are usually transferred into boxes, cartons, or other containers, which may have a plastic lining, for example in the form of a film, for protection.

[0002] It is already known to remove products or packaging containers from the production line in such a way that several rows of products are simultaneously transferred into a receiving device and then the corresponding arrangement of several rows of products is transferred at once to a corresponding storage position and / or into a corresponding receiving or packaging container. For examples of this procedure, see WO 2017 / 137 283 A1 or WO 2005 / 019 035 A1.

[0003] Furthermore, US 3,694,993 discloses a device and method for automatically packaging containers, in particular bottles, in corresponding crates with downward-facing openings. The bottles are conveyed with their bottoms over a grid of suction cups and lowered onto them, with one suction cup provided for each bottle. Once the bottles are brought into contact with the suction cups and secured by negative pressure, the device with the bottles is rotated so that the bottles point downward. The packaging is then moved upward from below, so that the bottles penetrate it and are released from the suction cups by a pressure surge.

[0004] In the aforementioned prior art, approaches are already known in which the products are placed on mandrels or pins when being transferred from the production or manufacturing line, in particular a delivering conveyor device, to the receiving device, which then ensure both the precise positioning of the products on or in the receiving device and at the same time can exert a holding effect on the products through friction and / or corresponding clamping forces in order to ensure that the products can be transported safely when the receiving device is moved and / or pivoted to transfer the products into the transfer position to the receiving container or packaging container.

[0005] Particularly in the case of products or packaging containers which have an aluminium casing, the known procedures, in particular the use of pins for plugging or holding the products on or via an inner surface after transfer into the receiving device, have the problem that contact between the pins and the inner surfaces of the product casings leads to damage and / or unwanted distribution or spreading of a sealing compound which is arranged in the region of an open end of the product, preferably used for filling the product. The sealing compound can, for example, consist of or comprise rubber. The spreading of the sealing compound within the product and on or in the handling systems, such as generic receiving and packaging devices, leads to contamination of the systems and a lack of sealing of the products after the open end has been closed.Accordingly, the impairments caused by pushing or plugging the products onto pins on the side of the holding device are disadvantageous and undesirable.

[0006] Against this background, the object of the present invention is to propose a receiving device, a packaging device and a method for grouping or transferring elongated products designed as cans, tubes or cartridges closed on one side, which overcome the disadvantages of the prior art and in particular enable rapid and safe removal from a delivering conveyor device and transfer into a receiving container or packaging unit. In particular, the object of the present invention is to enable the transfer of the elongated products without an inner surface of the products open on one side and closed on one side being damaged, adversely affected or mechanically contacted.

[0007] The problem is solved by a receiving device having the features of claim 1. The problem is also solved by a packaging device having the features of claim 12. With regard to a method for grouping and transferring elongated products designed as cans, tubes, or cartridges that are closed on one side, the above-mentioned problem is solved by a method having the features of claim 13.

[0008] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the following description, the description of the figures, the figures and the dependent claims.

[0009] To avoid repetition, features described and claimed in the following as being process-related shall also be deemed to be correspondingly disclosed and claimable in the device-related manner, and vice versa.

[0010] The receiving device according to the invention for grouping and transferring elongated products designed as cans, tubes or cartridges closed on one side, with a grouping unit for receiving several rows of products, in particular from a conveyor device delivering the products and a multi-axis drive device for adjusting and / or rotating the grouping unit in several spatial directions, in which the grouping unit has a base element with a contact surface against which products, preferably with an open end, come to rest during grouping and transfer, is characterized according to the invention in that a pressure chamber is arranged and formed on a side of the base element facing away from the contact surface, which pressure chamber can be subjected to a differential pressure to the ambient air pressure via a fluid connection, wherein the base element has a plurality of, in particular adapted to the products to be transferred,has openings extending from the pressure chamber to the contact surface and through which a pressure difference to the ambient air pressure can be exerted on an internal volume of the products lying on the contact surface.

[0011] The basic idea of ​​the present invention is therefore based on the finding that the products, in particular during the transfer, can be subjected to a negative pressure and thus sucked onto and held on the contact surface of the base element, wherein the negative pressure or the resulting holding force is large enough to compensate for the acceleration(s) during the transfer and / or the weight of the products themselves, without any deformation, in particular a plastic deformation of the products, in particular of the jackets of the products, occurring due to the pressure difference between the internal volume of the products and the ambient air pressure.

[0012] According to a first advantageous embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that the base element comprises a replaceable perforated plate and / or a replaceable perforated mat. The replaceable perforated plate can particularly advantageously provide sufficient stability for the base element. The ability to replace the perforated plate enables the base element and thus the receiving device to be adapted to different products delivered by a conveyor device delivering the products. The perforated mat serves to support the seal between the open end, in particular an open edge of the products closed on one side, and the contact surface. The perforated mat is preferably made of a soft or at least elastically deformable material. The perforated mat is particularly preferably made of a closed-pore material in order to prevent the inflow of unwanted air into the pressure chamber.The interchangeability of the perforated mat also means that it can be adapted to the respective products, particularly in accordance with the perforated sheet.

[0013] In a further, particularly preferred embodiment, guide pins can be arranged between the openings. These preferably rest against an outer surface of the products. The guide pins can be firmly connected to the perforated sheet and / or the perforated mat and can be exchanged or replaced together with the perforated sheet and / or mat if a different product or type of product is to be grouped.

[0014] Alternatively, the perforated sheet and / or perforated mat can also be provided with recesses for the releasable attachment of guide pins, preferably between the openings. These guide pins differ from the generic pins described above in that they can be used to support the outer surface of the products in order to ensure a more stable position of the products on or in the grouping unit and, accordingly, in the receiving device. The releasable attachment of the guide pins to the perforated sheet and / or perforated mat ensures that the guide pins are only used with the grouping unit when the products to be transferred require this. The guide pins can be releasably connected to the perforated sheet and / or perforated mat, for example, via threaded connections.An advantageous variant also includes a perforated sheet and / or a perforated mat with guide pins detachably attached to it.

[0015] In a further, particularly preferred embodiment of the receiving device, support elements can be arranged in the pressure chamber, which support the base element, in particular the perforated sheet and / or the perforated mat, preferably distributed over the surface of the base element. This can particularly advantageously prevent deflection of the perforated mat or the perforated sheet, the curvature of which would impede or prevent a tight contact of the open ends, in particular the edges, of the products to be transferred against the contact surface.

[0016] According to a further preferred embodiment of the receiving device, it can be provided that a replaceable and / or adaptable frame protruding or projecting from the contact surface is arranged on the base element.

[0017] The frame can provide various advantages. On the one hand, the frame can exert a direct or indirect support effect on the products or rows of products, absorbing and / or dissipating the effects of acceleration(s), such as corresponding transverse forces when moving or pivoting the grouping unit. The frame can also ensure that the products do not fall off or are stripped off the grouping unit if or as long as there is no pressure difference to the ambient pressure, especially negative pressure.

[0018] Furthermore, the frame, particularly with a correspondingly interchangeable and / or adaptable design, enables the number of products per row and the number of rows of products stacked on top of each other to be flexibly adapted to the respective container or receiving container, thus enabling not only the grouping and transfer of different products, but also the grouping or transfer of the products into different receiving containers. In other words, this means that with the help of the frame, the products can be arranged in such a way that no product protrudes beyond the outline or cross-section of the receiving or packaging container and does not fit into the receiving or packaging container during transfer.

[0019] In an advantageous further development, the frame can comprise a base profile having a profile adapted to the products, preferably enclosing the products in sections. The base element ensures that a first row of products can be safely and reliably transferred to the grouping unit. The base element is advantageously designed as a substantially horizontally extending lower end of the frame. In other words, this means that the base profile is arranged horizontally in the lower region or at the lower end of the base element, with the profiling of the base profile being adapted to the respective products to be transferred and grouped.Accordingly, it can preferably be provided that, when loading or filling the grouping unit with products, the conveyor system delivering the products initially transfers a row of products, which then come into contact with the base profile in sections with an outer surface or are supported on it. This ensures a particularly advantageous high positioning accuracy of the first row of products, which then also exerts a correspondingly advantageous indirect supporting effect on the products arranged in adjacent rows during the subsequent transfer of further rows.

[0020] In a further, particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that a cover plate is provided which rests partially on the contact surface and covers part of the openings and preferably enables the extension of the openings to be adapted to the shape of the frame.

[0021] On the one hand, this enables the use of universal perforated mats and / or perforated sheets, whereby the perforated mats or perforated sheets are adapted to the respective products. The adaptation to the receiving container or packaging container takes place through the interaction of the frame and the advantageous cover plate. The basic functionality of the grouping unit and the base element is not necessarily dependent on the provision of the cover plate. However, an appropriate cover plate can particularly advantageously achieve energy savings by avoiding open openings and the associated ingress of unwanted air.

[0022] In a further, particularly preferred embodiment of the receiving device, it can be provided that a, in particular horizontally, movable, aperture is arranged on a side of the base element facing away from the contact surface, the movement of which can open or close rows of openings. The advantageous aperture makes it possible for only those openings to release a fluid connection between the pressure chamber on one side of the base element and the contact surface on the other side of the base element for which corresponding products have already come into contact with the contact surface or for which a contact is currently to be created on the contact surface, by transferring the products accordingly from a delivering conveyor device into the receiving device, in particular into the grouping unit.The aperture can preferably cooperate advantageously with the cover plate described above, in that the cover plate only limits the basically releasable openings in the perforated sheet and / or the perforated mat and their fluid-conducting connection with the pressure chamber and the corresponding row-by-row limitation or release of the openings in the height direction of the base element is achieved by the said aperture.

[0023] Furthermore, it can advantageously be provided that the receiving device comprises pressure generating means that are fluidly connected to the fluid connection and are configured to generate, maintain, and change a pressure differential with respect to the ambient air pressure. It should be noted at this point that the pressure differential with respect to the ambient air pressure does not necessarily always have to be a negative pressure differential. During the row-by-row transfer and reception of the products into the grouping unit and onto the system surface, a negative pressure differential is advantageous to ensure that the products are held without mechanical contact on the inner surface of the products.When removing the products from the grouping unit and / or the receiving device, namely when emptying the products into a receiving container or packaging container, it can be particularly advantageous if the pressure generating means are also able to create, maintain and change a positive pressure difference to the ambient air pressure in order to support the emptying of the grouping unit or the transfer of the products into a receiving container, for example in addition to a corresponding weight force of the products.

[0024] According to a further particularly advantageous variant of the receiving device, it can also be provided that it comprises a pressure control system which is at least designed to detect the pressure in the pressure chamber and to control the pressure generating means as a function of at least one predetermined target pressure and the detected pressure in the pressure chamber. This enables various advantages. On the one hand, as already indicated above, the differential pressure can also be particularly advantageously adapted to the products to be transferred and to the grouping and transfer process as a whole. For example, at the beginning of the process, namely when individual rows of products are transferred into the grouping unit, the pressure difference, in particular the negative pressure, can be adapted to the properties of the products.Also, depending on whether a cover plate and / or a baffle is used, the creation of a pressure difference, in particular a negative pressure, can be regulated or controlled at different times. For example, the pressure difference, in particular the negative pressure, can only be created or generated once all rows of products to be transferred have been transferred from the incoming conveyor device to the grouping unit or the receiving device. However, if the openings are released row by row, for example via the baffle described above, the pressure control system can be designed and configured in such a way that the most constant pressure possible, in particular a negative pressure, is applied to the openings during the entire loading process or the transfer of rows of products to the grouping unit.Furthermore, for example, if all openings are permanently connected to the pressure chamber by fluid communication, it can be provided that the pressure difference, in particular the negative pressure, is intentionally increased as long as only a few rows of products are placed in the grouping unit. This compensates for the pressure drop that is generated or arises in the form of leakage air due to unoccupied or occupied openings. This ensures that the effective pressure at the occupied or occupied openings reaches a desired level and that the products are safely held.

[0025] Furthermore, the pressure control system can be configured to eliminate the negative pressure difference at a later point in the grouping and transfer process, namely when transferring the products into a packaging container or receiving container, and, if necessary, to establish a positive pressure difference relative to the ambient pressure. The pressure control system can be equipped with appropriate throttles, valves, sensors, and the like for this purpose.

[0026] The above-mentioned invention also leads to a packaging device for grouping, transferring and packaging elongated products designed as cans, tubes or cartridges closed on one side, comprising a supplying conveyor device for the products for conveying the products, preferably without gaps, along a conveying path in a conveying direction, transfer means for transferring, in particular for simultaneously transferring, a series of products from the conveying device into a receiving device, wherein according to the invention the receiving device is designed according to one of the previously described embodiments.

[0027] Advantageously, the receiving device can be designed such that it is moved synchronously with the conveying device in the conveying direction during the transfer or during the transfer of the row of products.

[0028] The above-mentioned task is also solved by a method for grouping and transferring elongated products designed as cans, tubes or cartridges closed on one side, comprising the following process steps: Delivery, in particular continuous delivery, of the products using a conveyor device. Repeated transfer of a, in particular uninterrupted, row of products from the conveyor device into a grouping unit of a receiving device, preferably via transfer means, wherein the receiving device is moved relative to the conveyor device with a multi-axis drive device for adjusting and / or rotating the grouping unit in several spatial directions such that several rows of products are transferred one above the other into the grouping unit in a predetermined arrangement, wherein the transfer of the products takes place such that an open end of the products comes to rest on a contact surface or in the immediate vicinity of a contact surface of a base element of the grouping unit, wherein according to the invention the multi-axis drive device pivots the grouping unit with the products received thereon, in particular in order to transfer the products into a container,preferably a carton or a box, wherein at least during part of the pivoting of the products, a pressure difference to the ambient air pressure is generated via a side of the base element facing away from the contact surface, wherein a differential pressure to the ambient air pressure acts on an internal volume of the products lying against the contact surface via a plurality of openings in the base element, which openings are in particular adapted to the products to be transferred and extend from the pressure chamber to the contact surface.

[0029] As already described with regard to the receiving device, it can be achieved that at least during the pivoting, if necessary also before the pivoting and during part of the pivoting, a negative pressure or a negative pressure difference improves the stability of the products lying on the contact surface, if necessary even overcompensates the weight of the products, wherein at the same time the negative pressure is designed in such a way that impairment or damage, for example in the form of plastic deformation, of the products is prevented.

[0030] Thus, with the method according to the invention, it is particularly advantageous to dispense with the provision of pins for holding or fastening the products via a contact and / or a clamping effect on or on the inner surface of the products, without negatively influencing the stability of the products in the grouping unit and / or the receiving device, in particular during acceleration.

[0031] According to an advantageous embodiment, it can be provided that during a first part of the pivoting a negative pressure difference prevails in the pressure chamber and acts on the internal volume of the products lying on the contact surface.

[0032] In In a further particularly advantageous embodiment, it can be provided that after the completion of the pivoting of the receiving device together with the products in the pressure chamber and in the internal volume of the products lying on the contact surface, a positive pressure difference is generated.

[0033] Particularly preferably, it can further be provided that during the transfer, the receiving device and / or the grouping unit is moved synchronously with the conveying device in the conveying direction via the multi-axis drive device.

[0034] Particularly preferably, the method can provide that when transferring the products or rows of products into the grouping unit of the receiving device, products are first transferred into the lowest row of the grouping unit, which preferably come to rest on a corresponding base profile of a frame of the grouping unit or the receiving device, so that the outer surface of the products is supported at least in sections by the base profile.

[0035] In In a further advantageous embodiment of the method, the multi-axis drive device can move, in particular pivot, the grouping unit with the products accommodated therein in such a way that the products are accelerated toward the contact surface by their weight. This can particularly advantageously ensure that the products rest against the contact surface when the pressure difference is acting or activated, and the products are held or secured by the pressure difference, in particular the negative pressure.

[0036] The present invention will be described below with reference to purely schematic figures showing exemplary embodiments.

[0037] Showing: Fig. 1a: a front view of a receiving device according to the invention and parts of a packaging device according to the invention; Fig. 1b: a front view of a receiving device according to the invention and parts of a packaging device according to the invention; Fig. 2: a section through a grouping unit according to the invention of a receiving device according to the invention; Fig. 3: a top view of a basic element of a grouping unit; Fig. 4: a sectional view through a grouping unit of the receiving device according to the invention; Fig. 5: a sectional view through an alternative embodiment of a grouping unit of a receiving device according to the invention.

[0038] In the following and in the drawings, identical elements or elements with the same function are provided with identical reference symbols.

[0039] The Fig. 1a shows parts of a packaging device 1 including a receiving device 40. The products 3, preferably aluminum tubes with one open and one closed end, are delivered from a production facility on a conveyor device 101, preferably delivered without gaps. For this purpose, the conveyor device 101 can be designed to be circumferential and profiled and to have a plurality of transport pockets 102 or transport recesses. The conveyor device 101 is driven by a drive 103.

[0040] The packaging device 1 also comprises transfer means 107, with which the products 3 can be removed from the conveyor device 101 and transferred into the receiving device 40. The transfer means 107 comprise, in the example of Fig. 1 a thrust plate 106, which is connected to a linear motor 105 via a linkage 104. The receiving device 40 comprises a grouping unit 20 and a multi-axis drive device 39. The multi-axis drive device 39 enables the adjustment of the grouping unit 20 linearly and rotationally in the spatial directions I - VII.

[0041] In the Fig. 1a A situation is shown in which several rows 33 of products 3 have already been transferred from the conveyor device 101 into the receiving device 40, in particular into the grouping unit 20. The products 3 come to rest in the grouping unit 20 in such a way that an open end 34 comes to rest on a contact surface 201 of a base element 200 of the grouping unit 20.

[0042] The receiving area of ​​the grouping unit 20, in particular of the base element 200, in which products can be received, is limited by a frame 230, of which in the example the Fig. 1 only a lower base profile 202, preferably with a profiling adapted to the outer surface of the products 3, and an upper profile 216 are shown.

[0043] When the frame 230 is filled or completely occupied by corresponding receptacles of several rows 33 of products 3, the rotation of the grouping unit 20 takes place, as shown by the rotation arrows V and / or VI, in order to transfer the products 3 into a container 31, preferably with a bag-like plastic lining 32, as shown by way of example in the Fig. 1b shown.

[0044] To be in the state of Fig. 1b In order to hold the products 3 securely in the grouping unit 20 without contacting the inner surface of the products 3, a pressure chamber 203 is formed on the surface of the base element 200 of the grouping unit 20 facing away from the contact surface 201, which pressure chamber 203 is arranged with respect to the Fig. 2 is described in more detail.

[0045] The rotation arrow VI in the Fig. 1a und 1b is of particular importance in an advantageous embodiment. After the products 3 have been transferred row by row onto or into the grouping unit 20, their end position in the Fig. 1b shown - a rotation starting from the position of the Fig. 1a in the direction of the arrow VI which rotates the grouping unit counterclockwise, preferably by at least 30°. This allows the weight of the products 3 to be used to ensure that all products rest securely against the contact surface 201, so that the pressure difference, in particular the negative pressure, can hold the products before pivoting clockwise (in direction V) occurs.

[0046] The Fig. 2 shows a section through a grouping unit 20. For reasons of clarity, the example shows the Fig. 2 Only one product 3 is arranged in and on the grouping unit 20. An open end 34 of the product 3 rests against a contact surface 201 of the base element 200 of the grouping unit 20. The area in which products 3 can be or are to be received is again formed by the frame 230, of which in the sectional view of the Fig. 2 Profiles 215 and 216 are visible. Profiles 215 and 216, as well as base profile 202, can be releasably connected to base element 200 using appropriate fasteners, allowing the correspondingly framed area of ​​base element 200 to be modified.

[0047] The base element 200 comprises a perforated plate 212 and a perforated mat 210. The perforated plate 212 and the perforated mat 210 both have openings 211, which are adapted to the shape, in particular the cross-section, of the products 3. This creates openings 211, which connect the contact surface 201, against which the products 3 come to rest, with an opposite side of the base element 200 of the grouping unit 20. The pressure chamber 203 is arranged on the side of the base element 200 facing away from the contact surface. The pressure chamber 203 has a cavity 225, which is formed by a base plate 218 and, in the illustration of the Fig. 2 wall elements not shown. Furthermore, the arrangement of supports 220 can be provided in the cavity 225 distributed over the surface of the pressure chamber 203, of which only one support 220 is shown in the illustration of the Fig. 2 is reproduced.

[0048] About one in the Fig. 2 A fluid connection (not shown) can be used to generate, maintain, and change a pressure difference in the pressure chamber 203 compared to the ambient air pressure. A corresponding pressure difference can thus also be generated in the transition area between the openings 211 and the contact surface 201 via the openings 211. If an opening or an open end 34 of a product 3 comes into contact with the contact surface 201 or is located in the immediate vicinity, the pressure difference can also affect the internal volume of the products 3. In order to achieve a particularly good and tight connection between the products 3 and the base element 200 of the grouping unit 20, the perforated mat 210 can be soft or elastic and particularly preferably made of closed-pore material in order to minimize or prevent leakage of air through the openings 211.

[0049] In the Fig. 2 A cover plate 214 is also provided on the contact surface 201, with which the area or surface of the openings 211 in the preferably replaceable perforated plate 212 and perforated mat 210 can be limited, preferably to the area limited by the frame 230.

[0050] In the Fig. 3 The grouping unit 20 is shown viewed perpendicular to the contact surface 201 of the base element 200. Part of the surface of the base element 200 is covered by the cover plate 214, as already shown in Fig. 2 The frame 230 is again arranged on the inner edge of the cover plate 214 and is formed by the side profiles 215, the upper profile 216 and the base profile 202. In the illustration of the Fig. 3 It is also possible to see how the profiling of the base profile 202 is adapted to the outer shape or outer contours of the products 3. It is evident that the perforated sheet 212 (in Fig. 3 not visible) and the perforated mat 210, the openings 211 are adapted in their arrangement and / or shape / cross-section to the shape, in particular the cross-section, of the products 3. Accordingly, it is particularly advantageous to design the perforated plate 212 and the perforated mat 210 so that they can be exchanged in the base element 200 of the grouping unit 20. The perforated plate 212 and / or the perforated mat 210 can, for example, be detachably screwed to the base element 200.

[0051] In the embodiment of the Fig. 3 It is also shown that guide pins 229 are arranged between the products 3, which, like the frame 230, can be designed to protrude above the contact surface 201 and can advantageously assist the support and guidance of the products 3 without there being any contact or contact with an internal volume or an internal surface of the products 3.

[0052] The guide pins 229 can preferably be designed to be interchangeable or detachable from the perforated mat 210 and / or the perforated plate 212, for example via appropriate screw connections. Alternatively, a permanent connection can also be provided.

[0053] On average, Fig. 4 In addition to the pressure chamber 203, the associated fluid connection 227 is also shown, which is in fluid communication with pressure generating means and / or a pressure control system in order to support the grouping and transfer of the products 3, for example based on predetermined pressure profiles. For example, a negative pressure (negative pressure difference) or an overpressure (positive pressure difference) can be created, maintained, and changed via the fluid connection 227.

[0054] The design of the Fig. 5 shows a variant in which a particularly horizontally movable aperture 240 is arranged on the surface of the base element 200 facing away from the contact surface 201, in particular the perforated mat 210 and the perforated plate 212 in the cavity 225 of the pressure chamber 203, by the movement 241 of which apertures 211 can be opened or closed in rows. This can be achieved by a corresponding linear motor 242 and ensures that only rows 33 of apertures 211 are open that are covered or overlapped by products 3 or against which products 3 are currently coming into contact or are intended to come into contact.

[0055] The Fig. 6 shows two different patterns of arrangements of products 3. On the left side, an arrangement is shown in which a different number of products 3, namely alternating N, N-1, and N products 3, are arranged in different rows 33. The right-hand illustration shows an arrangement in which N products 3 are placed one above the other in each row 33. The device according to the invention and the method according to the invention are configured to implement both types of arrangements by appropriately controlling the transfer means 107 and the multi-axis drive device 33. Bezugszeichen

[0056] 1 packaging device 3 products 20Grouping unit 31Container 32Plastic lining 33Row 34Open end 39Multi-axis drive device 40Pick-up device 101Conveyor system 102Transport pockets 103Drive 104Linkage 105Linear motor 106Thrust plate 107Transfer means 200Base element 201Contact surface 202Base profile 203Pressure chamber 210Perforated mat 212Perforated plate 211Perforations 214Cover plate 215Side profile 216Upper profile 218Bottom plate 220Support 225Cavity 227Fluid connection 229Guide pin 230Frame 240Aperture 241Movement 242Linear motor VRotation arrows VIrotation arrows

Claims

1. A receiving device (40) for grouping and transferring oblong products (3) realized as cans, tubes or cartridges, which are closed on one side, said receiving device (40) having a grouping unit (20) for receiving several rows (33) of products (3), in particular from a conveying device (101) delivering the products (3), and having a multi-axis drive device (39) for displacing and / or rotating the grouping unit (20) in several spatial directions, the grouping unit (20) having a base element (200) having an abutment surface (201) against which the products (3) abut, preferably with an open end (34), during the grouping and transfer, characterized in that a pressure chamber (203) is disposed and realized on a side of the base element (200) facing away from the abutment surface (201), a differential pressure with respect to the ambient air pressure being applicable to said pressure chamber (203) via a fluid port (227), the base element (200) having a plurality of openings (211) which are, in particular, adjusted to the products (3) to be transferred and which extend to the abutment surface (201) and via which a differential pressure with respect to the ambient air pressure is capable of being exerted on an internal volume of the products (3) abutting against the abutment surface (201).

2. The receiving device according to claim 1, characterized in that the base element (200) comprises an exchangeable perforated sheet (212) and / or an exchangeable perforated mat (210).

3. The receiving device according to claim 2, characterized in that guiding pins (229) are disposed between the openings (211).

4. The receiving device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an exchangeable and / or adjustable frame (230) protruding or projecting from the abutment surface (201) is disposed on the base element (200).

5. The receiving device according to claim 4, characterized by a base profile (202) of the frame (230) having a profiling adjusted to the products (3) and enclosing, in particular, a lower row (33) of products (3) sectionally.

6. The receiving device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by a covering plate (214) resting on the abutment surface (201) for adjusting the surface of the openings (211), in particular to the shape of the frame (230).

7. The receiving device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a faceplate (240), which is movable, in particular horizontally, is disposed on a side of the base element (200) facing away from the abutment surface (201), openings (211) being able to be opened or closed row by row through the movement of said faceplate (240).

8. The receiving device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by pressure generating elements which are connected in a fluid-conducting manner to the fluid port (227) and are configured to generate, to maintain and to change a differential pressure with respect to the ambient air pressure.

9. The receiving device according to claim 8, characterized by a pressure regulation system which is at least configured to detect the pressure in the pressure chamber (203) and to control the pressure generating elements as a function of at least one predetermined target pressure and the detected pressure.

10. A packaging device (1) for grouping, transferring and packaging oblong products (3) realized as cans, tubes or cartridges, which are closed on one side, said packaging device (1) comprising a delivering conveying device for the products (3) for conveying the products (3), in particular without interruption, along a conveying path (S) in a conveying direction (F) and transfer elements for transferring a row (33) of products (3) from the conveying device (101) into the receiving device (40), characterized in that the receiving device (40) is designed according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. A method for grouping and transferring oblong products (3) realized as cans, tubes or cartridges, which are closed on one side, said method having the method steps of: - delivering the products (3), in particular without interruption, with a conveying device (101) - repeatedly transferring groups of products from the conveying device (101) in a grouping unit (20) of a receiving device (40), preferably via transfer elements (10), the receiving device (40) being moved by means of a multi-axis drive device (39) for displacing and / or rotating the grouping unit (20) in several spatial directions in such a manner relative to the conveying device (101) that several rows (33) of products (3) are transferred into the grouping unit (20) one above the other in a predetermined arrangement, the transfer of the products (3) being carried out in such a manner that an open end (34) of the products (3) comes to rest on the abutment surface (201) of a base element (200) of the grouping unit (20) or in close proximity thereto, characterized in that the multi-axis drive device (39) pivots the grouping unit (20) having the products (3) received therein, in particular in order to transfer the products (3) into a container (31), preferably a carton or a box, at least during a part of the pivoting, a differential pressure with respect to the ambient air pressure being generated via a pressure chamber (203) disposed on a side of the base element (200) facing away from the abutment surface (201), a differential pressure with respect to the ambient air pressure acting on an internal volume of the products (3) abutting against the abutment surface (201) via a plurality of openings (211) in the base element (200), said openings (211) being, in particular, adjusted to the products (3) to be transferred and extending from the pressure chamber (203) to the abutment surface (201).

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that a negative differential pressure is generated during the transfer of the products (3).

13. The method according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the multi-axis drive device (39) moves, in particular pivots, the grouping unit (20) having the products (3) received therein in such a manner that the products (3) are accelerated toward the abutment surface by their weight.