Transport bag, support hook, transport device, and overhead conveyor system

Abstract

The present invention relates to a transport bag for an overhead conveyor system, said transport bag comprising: a suspension device for suspending the transport bag from a support hook; a front wall; and a rear wall. The rear wall can be coupled to and detached from the front wall by means of a coupling mechanism in a lower region of the rear wall. The front wall comprises a flexible planar material. The rear wall comprises two wall elements which are connected to one another in an articulated manner and shaped such that together they form a filling opening of the transport bag, which filling opening extends in part over the two wall elements.

Description

[0001] TRANSPORT BAG, CARRYING HOOK, TRANSPORT DEVICE AND HANGING CONVEYOR RS YS TEM

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present invention relates to a transport bag for an overhead conveyor system, wherein the transport bag comprises a suspension device for suspending the transport bag from a support hook, a front wall, and a rear wall. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a support hook for supporting such a transport bag, a transport device for an overhead conveyor system, and such an overhead conveyor system.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] From the state of the art, overhead conveyor systems with transport pockets are basically known, whereby these transport pockets are normally moved directly or via a special carrying hook on rails or conveyor devices.

[0006] A special feature of every transport bag is how it is filled with or emptied of goods. Various solutions are known for this. For example, a transport bag is known from EP 2 792 620 A1. The transport bag has a rigid supporting wall connected to a supporting element and a flexible goods holding wall which, together with the supporting wall, forms a carrying bag that is closed at the bottom and on two opposite sides. The length of the web-shaped holding wall can be variably adapted to the transport of different goods. The length of the web-shaped holding wall required for transporting the goods can be taken from a holding wall reservoir and an unused section of the holding wall remains in the holding wall reservoir. This transport bag can be filled with goods at the open sides.In a further variant of the transport bag known from EP 2 792 620 A1, the supporting wall and the goods-holding wall are pivotally connected to each other for opening and closing the transport bag. When opened, the supporting wall of the transport bag, which rests on a conveyor table, is loaded with goods. The goods-holding wall is then pivoted over the supporting wall while rolling from the holding wall reservoir to secure the goods and close the transport bag.

[0007] EP 2 130 968 A1 discloses another transport bag having a rigid carrying wall which is connected in its upper region to the upper region of a flexible base side wall via a pivoting bracket. The carrying wall and base side wall each have coupling means in their lower regions for releasably connecting them to one another. The carrying wall has actuating means in its upper region for opening and closing the coupling. By lifting the pivoting bracket in a loading station, the flexible base side wall is moved away from the carrying wall, creating a gap between the two walls which can be used to fill the transport bag with goods.

[0008] Also known from EP 3 521 214 A1 is a transport bag with a supporting wall which has a front wall and a rear wall and which can be switched between a closed state and an open state. To switch between the closed state and the open state, the front wall and the rear wall are connected to one another or detached from one another in their lower area. In the upper area, the front wall and rear wall are connected to one another via a one-piece loading frame, via which goods can be placed into the transport bag. However, when the transport bag is in the hanging position, the loading frame also hangs vertically downwards and its filling opening is covered by the front wall, which makes loading more difficult.

[0009] To overcome this disadvantage, DE 10 2019 205 980 A1 proposes a transport bag which provides a rotation limit on the loading frame so that the loading frame no longer extends in a vertical plane when the transport bag is in the hanging position and the front wall is spaced from the rear wall of the transport bag.

[0010] The disadvantage of this solution, however, is that the transport bag is less space-efficient when empty. Furthermore, when filling from the top, a one-piece loading frame limits the dimensions of the goods that can be placed in the transport bag and requires precise alignment of the transport bag relative to a loading station.

[0011] A further disadvantage of the prior art solutions for filling through the side gap is that, for automated filling of the transport bag, precautions must be taken to prevent the goods from falling out during filling. It must be ensured, for example, that the goods do not slide out of the bag on the other side of the gap, opposite the filling side. Even when placing goods on a horizontal support wall of an initially completely open transport bag, it is necessary to prevent the goods from sliding down before the bag is closed.

[0012] PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Against this background, it is an object of the present invention to provide a transport container for a suspended conveyor system and a carrying hook for carrying the transport container, which enable easy filling in differently designed loading stations both from above and from one side as well as easy emptying.

[0014] This object is achieved by a transport bag according to claim 1, a carrying hook for carrying a transport bag according to claim 9, a transport device for an overhead conveyor system according to claim 14 and overhead conveyor systems according to claim 16 and claim 19. Advantageous embodiments of the invention emerge from the subclaims.

[0015] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a transport bag for an overhead conveyor system is provided, which has a suspension device for suspending the transport bag from a support hook, a front wall and a rear wall, wherein the rear wall can be coupled to and detached from the front wall by a coupling mechanism in a lower region of the rear wall. The front wall comprises a flexible, flat material. The rear wall comprises two wall elements which are hinged to one another and shaped such that together they form a filling opening of the transport bag extending partially over the two wall elements.

[0016] Because the filling opening extends over the two articulated wall elements, the filling opening covers a large area of ​​the rear wall of the transport bag, which can be used for loading. This makes it easier to put large goods, particularly bulky items such as boxes, into the transport bag. It also prevents the goods from becoming jammed in the filling opening during loading. A further advantage of the articulated connection of the wall elements is that the wall elements can be tilted against each other. This means, for example, that the part of the filling opening that is on one wall element can be oriented in a different direction than the other part of the filling opening that is on the other wall element. For example, one wall element can be oriented upwards and the other to the side, i.e.The filling opening then has a top-opening part and a side-opening part. This allows loading from above and also loading from a lower position from the side in a loading position. Which side, relative to a conveying direction, the side-opening part faces in the loading position depends on the orientation of the transport bag. By rotating the transport bag around a vertical axis, it is possible to have the side-opening part point backwards, forwards, right, left, or in any desired direction.

[0017] In the loading position, i.e. the position in which one wall element of the rear wall is aligned horizontally while the other wall element of the rear wall is aligned vertically, the bag can preferably also be unloaded. If the coupling mechanism is actuated in this position and the front wall is thereby detached from the rear wall in the lower area, the two walls swing apart. The resulting opening, through which goods can now fall out of the transport bag, is therefore larger than in the case in which both wall elements of the rear wall are aligned vertically. In the latter case, a situation can arise in which the front and rear walls are detached from each other but still hang vertically downwards at a close distance from each other. Small and / or light objects in particular could become wedged between the front and rear walls.However, if the transport bag is opened in the loading position, even small and / or light objects can be reliably removed from the transport bag. Preferably, the two wall elements of the rear wall are dimensionally stable along an outer edge of the rear wall and can be tilted relative to each other about a hinge axis.

[0018] The rigidity of the outer edge of the wall elements makes it possible to transmit a force via the outer edge. For example, a force can be applied to each of the two wall elements in order to tilt them relative to one another about their joint axis. It is conceivable, for example, that a force acting on one of the wall elements can be used to move the other wall element, for example, from a vertical to a horizontal position. The rigid outer edge can also absorb a force that is required to actuate the coupling mechanism. Furthermore, with a rigid outer edge, goods that are held in the transport bag are better protected from impacts and damage than in a flexible transport bag.

[0019] Preferably, two wall elements are an upper wall element and a lower wall element. The upper wall element has a first C-shaped frame and a frame part provided centrally on the first C-shaped frame. On such a frame part, the transport bag can be easily gripped by a gripping device in an overhead conveyor system in order to bring it into the loading position. Furthermore, the frame part is preferably attached to the first C-shaped frame so as to be rotatable about a second joint axis running essentially parallel to the joint axis. With such a transport bag, it is not necessary for the overhead conveyor system to have rotatable components in order to bring the transport bag into the loading position after the frame part has been gripped by the gripping device.

[0020] Preferably, one of the two wall elements of the transport bag comprises a flat, in particular dimensionally stable, material. A flat wall element allows the transport bag to be designed to be torsionally rigid, which is particularly easy to achieve using a dimensionally stable material. This prevents the transport bag from creasing. This means that the transport bag can be moved very compactly in the overhead conveyor system and stored, in particular when empty. A dimensionally stable, flat rear wall also enables the coupling mechanism to be easily attached. Such a rear wall offers even better protection for the transported goods against damage. The flat rear wall can be designed in such a way that it also serves as a sliding surface. The transport bag can therefore be moved over the rear wall by sliding it along a slide, or the rear wall can itself be moved during loading or unloading.Unloading can be used as a chute for sliding goods into the transport bag or for goods contained therein to be taken out.

[0021] Preferably, the suspension device of the transport bag is immovably connected to the rear wall and is designed in particular as a U-shaped hook.

[0022] Because the suspension device is immovably connected to the rear wall, a rotational and / or tilting movement of the suspension device can, for example, be transferred directly to the carrying bag. A U-shaped hook is a particularly simple and cost-effective means of implementing such a suspension device.

[0023] The coupling mechanism preferably has at least one receiving space, preferably two receiving spaces, and a locking pawl, preferably two locking pawls, on the rear wall. The receiving space is designed to receive a closure element of the front wall such that it is held in the receiving space by the locking pawl. The coupling mechanism comprises a release mechanism, by which the locking pawl can be released to release the closure element.

[0024] The term "pawl" refers to a device that is actuated solely by the movement of the closure element into the receiving space and permits the receiving, but which cannot be easily opened again, in particular not without the application of force to the release mechanism. In an embodiment with two pawls, the release mechanism can be designed such that it releases only one of the pawls or, alternatively, both pawls.

[0025] With this design of the coupling mechanism, the front wall can be easily connected to the rear wall and released. In an embodiment with two locking pawls, in which the release mechanism only releases one of the two locking pawls, it is possible for the transport bag to initially only open on the side on which the locking pawl was released and for the closure element of the front wall to slide out of the first receiving space. Transported goods then begin to slide out of the transport bag through the opening which widens first on this side. As soon as the front and rear walls are released on this side, the closure element can be released, for example by sliding sideways out of the second receiving space, without the second locking pawl having to be released.It is therefore possible to open the transport bag in such a way that the goods fall out less abruptly than if the transport bag were opened on both sides at the same time.

[0026] In one embodiment of the transport bag with a locking pawl, the release mechanism preferably comprises a slider, in particular a rod guided along the rear wall, whereby the locking pawl can be moved to release the closure element. By using a slider for actuating the release mechanism of the coupling mechanism, it is possible to effect release away from the lower region of the transport bag, where the coupling mechanism is arranged. For example, the slider can be guided along the rear wall, in particular along the outer edge, from the lower region to an upper region of the transport bag, where a free end of the slider is then open for actuating the release mechanism.

[0027] As an alternative to the slider of the release mechanism, or in combination therewith, an actuating lever can be provided on the pawl as a release mechanism. The actuating lever preferably extends to one side of the transport bag, i.e. a free end of the actuating lever points to a right or left side of the transport bag when viewed from the front (or rear) with a view of the front wall (or rear wall). The pawl and the actuating lever are preferably designed as a single piece. Such an actuating lever can be actuated by an external actuating device of an overhead conveyor system, for example a roller which moves over the actuating lever when the transport bag is conveyed through the overhead conveyor system. This releases the pawl and releases the closure element.

[0028] In one embodiment of the transport bag with a receiving space, this is preferably designed for receiving and releasing the closure element of the front wall from the front.

[0029] "From the front" in this context means from a side that faces the front wall. In other words, this means that the closure element can move backwards into the receiving space relative to the receiving space. For example, the receiving space can be stationary and the closure element can move backwards into the receiving space against the conveying direction in order to connect the front wall to the rear wall. It is also conceivable that the closure element is stationary and the receiving space moves forwards in the conveying direction towards the closure element. Another possibility, however, is that neither the closure element nor the receiving space are stationary, but both move towards one another relative to one another.

[0030] By designing the receiving space for picking up and releasing from the front, the front and rear walls in the lower area can be easily coupled and released while the overhead conveyor system is in operation. This eliminates the need to perform a vertical movement with the front or rear walls, or both, to move the closure element into the receiving space.

[0031] In an embodiment of the pocket with a receiving space, it is preferred that this space is limited by the locking pawl and an edge of the rear wall opposite the locking pawl.

[0032] Because the receiving space is limited by the locking pawl and an edge of the rear wall opposite the locking pawl, a secure fit of the locking element in the receiving space can be ensured with simple means, which prevents the front wall from becoming accidentally detached from the rear wall.

[0033] According to a further aspect of the present invention, a support hook for supporting a transport bag of an overhead conveyor system is provided, which has a U-shaped hook as a suspension device. The support hook comprises an immovable storage element with a support surface for suspending and supporting the suspension device. The support surface is delimited by a curved contour which enables an upright rotation of the suspension device from a basic orientation about a vertical axis running through the support surface by a quarter circle and at the same time causes a continuous movement of the suspension device along the vertical axis, so that the suspension device is urged into the basic orientation by gravity.

[0034] In this context, "quarter circle" means a rotation of approximately 90° around the vertical axis. However, the rotation may vary slightly, preferably not more than 10°, and may be smaller or larger.

[0035] The sophisticated design of the contour of the support surface makes it possible to ensure two defined orientations of a transport bag using one and the same carrying hook. The bag is hooked into the carrying hook with a U-shaped hook as a suspension device. The contour is shaped in such a way that the U-shaped hook is hooked into a stable basic position in the support surface, in which it remains due to gravity and from which it cannot be moved without further external force. The contour is also shaped in such a way that rotation of the hook due to further force simultaneously causes a movement against gravity into a second position, which can be defined by the contour, for example by a stop, and which only remains in place under the continuous application of force. Without this force, the hook tends to rotate back into its basic position.In order to be able to move the hook and therefore the transport bag suspended from it between the two positions, only the application of another force in one direction or its removal is required in addition to gravity. In particular, no reversal of force is required to cause a reverse rotation. This makes it particularly easy to rotate a transport bag conveyed by means of the carrying hook in an overhead conveyor system as required, for example in order to align it for filling from a loading station located to the right or left of the conveying direction. By omitting any moving bearing parts in the carrying hook, it is also particularly low-maintenance, less prone to failure and easy to manufacture.

[0036] Preferably, the carrying hook for carrying the transport bag is designed according to the aspect of the invention described above.

[0037] Preferably, the bearing element of the support hook enables the suspension device to swing about all axes lying in a horizontal plane.

[0038] Because the bearing element allows the suspension device to swing around all axes in a horizontal plane, i.e. there is no rigid attachment, it can be guaranteed that the transport bag can always assume a vertical position due to the force of gravity. This avoids a torque that could otherwise occur on the support hook due to deflection of the transport bag, which protects the support hook from overload and damage. At the same time, acceleration forces that act on the transport bag, for example when the overhead conveyor system starts or stops, can be converted into a vibration of the transport bag around the bearing element, and the corresponding torques do not have to be absorbed by the bearing element, as would otherwise be necessary for rigid storage.

[0039] Preferably, the contour limits the rotation of the suspension device around the vertical axis to a quarter circle. This prevents the suspension device from being over-rotated by more than approximately 90°. Thus, the orientation of a transport bag carried by the carrying hook can be easily and reliably changed between the basic orientation and an orientation rotated by a quarter circle.

[0040] Preferably, at least two opposite sides of the support hook have outer contours with projections and corresponding recesses, which enable a nested arrangement of adjacent support hooks.

[0041] The targeted, compensating arrangement of the recesses and projections allows the space occupied by several support hooks arranged one behind the other in the overhead conveyor system to be reduced. This is particularly advantageous when the support hooks are stored in the overhead conveyor system without a transport bag. Furthermore, the compensating arrangement of the recesses and projections offers the advantage that a package of nested support hooks is inherently very stable and thus more reliable and easier to move.

[0042] According to a further aspect of the present invention, a transport device for an overhead conveyor system is provided, wherein the transport device comprises a transport bag according to the aspect described above and a carrying hook.

[0043] The carrying hook allows the transport bag to be integrated into the overhead conveyor system.

[0044] Preferably, the support hook is designed according to the aspect described above.

[0045] In such a preferred embodiment of the transport device, the filling opening of the transport bag can be rotated particularly easily in order to feed it, for example, with goods from a loading station arranged to the side of the overhead conveyor system.

[0046] According to a further aspect of the present invention, an overhead conveyor system is provided which comprises a plurality of the transport devices described above and a rail for conveying the transport devices, wherein the transport devices hang on the rail with the support hook during conveyance. The overhead conveyor system has a loading station at which the rail is interrupted between a rail end and a rail start. The transport devices can each be conveyed by support arms in the loading station from the rail end to the rail start, and a loading device for loading the transport pocket is arranged between the rail end and the rail start.

[0047] Because the rail is interrupted in the loading station but the transport pockets can be conveyed by support arms instead of the rail, it is possible to move the transport pockets through the loading station and fill them while the overhead conveyor system is in operation, i.e. without interrupting the conveying movement. Omitting the rail on which the transport devices are suspended, which runs above the transport pockets, in the area of ​​the loading station means that goods can fall into the transport pockets from above without being hindered by the rail. The loading device, e.g. in the form of a ramp, can be aligned centrally to the transport pockets for this purpose. The overhead conveyor system in question is therefore particularly well suited to automatic loading.

[0048] However, the use of the transport bags according to the invention also makes it possible to place them in the loading station in the loading position described above, creating a gap between the front and rear walls. As is known from the prior art, the transport bag can then be additionally loaded with goods through the side gap in the transport bag, preferably manually, e.g., by an employee located on one side of the loading station.

[0049] Preferably, the support arms each have a gripping device for gripping the support hook and / or the suspension device and / or the rear wall.

[0050] A gripping device enables the transport bags to be transferred safely from the rail to the loading station and vice versa. A gripping device can, for example, be used to grip the carrying hook and / or the suspension device and / or the back of the transport bag while it is still on the rails. A gripping device can also be used, for example, to prevent the transport bag from moving freely relative to the carrying hook due to its suspension device. A transport bag gripped with such a gripping device can be rotated or tilted more easily.

[0051] Preferably, each of the support arms has a pivoting mechanism by means of which one of the wall elements of the rear wall of the respective transport bag can be pivoted in order to bring the transport bag into a loading position.

[0052] This makes it possible for the transport device carried by a support arm to be switched between a transport position in which both wall elements assume a vertical position, and a loading position in which one wall element assumes a horizontal position and the other wall element assumes a vertical position. In such a loading position, the filling opening is therefore oriented upwards and to one side of the transport containers, which enables filling from above and the side and simplifies filling overall. The pivoting mechanism preferably comprises a joint to which the gripping device is fastened and which in particular allows the gripping device to be tilted about an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the support arm. More preferably, the transport container can be actively moved into the loading position by means of the pivoting mechanism, in particular by means of a drive. The drive can be electric and / or mechanical.

[0053] Preferably, the overhead conveyor system, which comprises support arms with a pivoting mechanism, further comprises at least one guide rail in order to bring the transport bag into a loading position, wherein the at least one guide rail is arranged such that when the transport devices are conveyed, only one of the two wall elements slides along the guide rail.

[0054] Such a guide rail can support all or part of the weight of the transport bag, thus relieving the load on the support arm. Because only one of the two wall elements slides along the guide rail, the guide rail tilts the two wall elements relative to each other using gravity.

[0055] According to a further aspect of the present invention, an overhead conveyor system is provided which comprises a plurality of the transport devices described above, which have a support hook according to the aspect described above, and a rail for conveying the transport devices, wherein the transport devices hang on the rail with the support hook during conveyance. The overhead conveyor system has a loading station for loading one of the transport devices at a time. The loading station has a device for rotating the transport pocket about the vertical axis by a quarter circle and for pivoting the articulated wall elements relative to one another in order to adjust the filling opening for lateral loading in the loading station. In an overhead conveyor system of this type, the loading station can be arranged to the side of the rail. This can be done e.g.be advantageous if an arrangement above the rail which carries the transport devices is not possible, e.g. due to lack of space. By enabling side loading of the transport pocket, loading can take place from a lower position than when loading exclusively from above. The loading station can therefore be arranged lower, which makes the overhead conveyor system more space-saving. The overhead conveyor system, in which the transport pockets are rotated about the vertical axis for loading, can, however, be combined upstream or downstream in the conveying direction with the overhead conveyor system described above.

[0056] Preferably, the rail is continuous through the loading station.

[0057] This avoids having to transfer the transport devices in the area of ​​the loading station to another conveyor element, e.g. to support arms that take over the conveying.

[0058] Preferably, the loading device of the overhead conveyor systems according to the aspects described above comprises a ramp, a conveyor belt or a slide.

[0059] This makes it possible to fill the transport bags using simple means, in the case of a ramp or slide in particular only by utilising gravity. The packaging of the goods with which a particular item located in the loading station is to be loaded can take place at a location other than the loading station. The goods can be moved by the ramp, conveyor belt or slide from the location where they are packaged to the loading station. Further advantages and developments of the invention emerge from the following description of the figures and the entirety of the claims. The features listed individually in the patent claims can be combined with one another in any technologically expedient way and can be supplemented by explanatory facts from the description, whereby further embodiments of the invention are shown.

[0060] SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0061] Fig. 1 shows a perspective rear view of an empty transport device in a closed transport position.

[0062] Fig. 2 shows a perspective front view of another embodiment of a transport device in the open state.

[0063] Fig. 3 shows a perspective rear view of the transport device from Fig. 1 in a loading position.

[0064] Fig. 4 shows a perspective bottom view of the transport device from Fig. 3 in the open state.

[0065] Fig. 5 shows an enlarged view of the coupling mechanism of the transport device from Fig. 4.

[0066] Fig. 6a shows the closures of the transport device from Fig. 3 in a semi-transparent isometric view.

[0067] Fig . 6b shows a closure with a slider for releasing the pawl in an enlarged perspective view .

[0068] Fig. 6c shows the closure from Fig. 6b with a cover in place. Fig. 6d shows a closure with an actuating lever provided on the pawl for releasing the pawl in an enlarged perspective view.

[0069] Fig. 6e shows the closure from Fig. 6d with a cover attached, which has a recess through which the operating lever protrudes outwards.

[0070] Fig. 7 shows another variant of a coupling mechanism in which the pawls can be moved downwards for release.

[0071] Fig. 8 shows a coupling mechanism in which the pawls can be moved upwards for release.

[0072] Fig. 9 shows a perspective view of a carrying hook for carrying a carrying bag.

[0073] Fig. 10 shows the carrying hook from Fig. 9 with the carrying bag attached in the cutout.

[0074] Fig. 11 shows a plurality of support hooks arranged in a nested manner.

[0075] Fig. 12 shows an overhead conveyor system in which the transport devices are conveyed by support arms through a loading station.

[0076] Fig. 13 shows the gripping process by means of a gripping device provided for the support arms of the overhead conveyor system shown in Fig. 12.

[0077] Fig. 14a shows a frame construction of a transport bag, in which the first C-shaped frame has a rotatably mounted frame part. Fig. 14b shows the frame construction from Fig. 14a in a loading position of the transport bag.

[0078] Fig. 15 shows an overhead conveyor system in which the transport devices are rotated for filling by means of a loading device from the side.

[0079] Fig. 16 shows how the rotating process of the transport device is carried out by means of a stop for the overhead conveyor system from Fig. 15.

[0080] WAYS OF IMPLEMENTING THE INVENTION

[0081] Fig. 1 shows a perspective rear view of an empty transport device 1 according to the present invention. The transport device 1 is in a closed transport position. The transport device 1 comprises a transport bag 10 and a carrying hook 40 that carries the transport bag 10. The transport bag 10 has a U-shaped hook as a suspension device 11, with which it hangs from the carrying hook 40.

[0082] The transport bag 10 also has a front wall 12 and a rear wall 13, which are connected to one another in the upper and lower regions. The rear wall 13 has a coupling mechanism 14, which will be discussed in more detail below. The rear wall 13 is formed from two wall elements 15, 16. The upper wall element 15 essentially only has a first C-shaped frame 17 as part of the outer edge 22 of the rear wall. The middle piece of the first C-shaped frame 17 forms the upper edge of the transport bag 10. A trapezoidal frame part 18 in the middle of the first C-shaped frame 17 serves to fasten the suspension device 11. The first C-shaped frame 17 spans the upper part of the filling opening 19 of the transport bag 10. The lower wall element 16 has a second C-shaped frame 20 which, together with the first C-shaped frame 17, forms the outer edge 22 of the rear wall 13.The two free ends of the first C-shaped frame 17 are coupled to the free ends of the second C-shaped frame 20 by joints 21. The joints 21 serve to tilt the lower wall element 16 relative to the upper wall element 15 via a common joint axis G. The lower wall element 16 is guided within the upper wall element 15. In the transport position, the wall elements 15, 16 hang almost vertically downwards.

[0083] The lower wall element 16 further comprises a support wall 23 for supporting the transported goods, which extends between the second C-shaped frame 20. However, the support wall 23 only covers part of the area spanned by the second C-shaped frame 20. An upper surface of the lower wall element 16 remains free, and this free surface, together with the surface spanned by the first C-shaped frame 17, forms the filling opening 19 of the transport bag 10.

[0084] In the lower area of ​​the lower wall element 16 there is a closure 28 on each side as part of the coupling mechanism 14, which is described in more detail below.

[0085] In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, the two wall elements 15, 16 are made of a dimensionally stable plastic. However, embodiments are also conceivable in which the wall elements 15, 16 comprise metal. It is also conceivable for the wall elements 15, 16 to comprise flexible materials. For example, the supporting wall 23 can be made of a material that is preferably flat, although a net-like material is less preferred but not excluded. Fig. 2 shows a perspective front view of a further embodiment of a transport device 1 in the open state, which is also in a transport position. Identical and corresponding elements of the transport device 1 from Fig. 2 and those from one of the other figures are identified by the same reference numerals where appropriate.In this embodiment, the front wall 12 is made of a flexible material and essentially covers the entire rear wall 13 of the transport bag 10. In the described embodiment, the front wall 12 and rear wall 13 are connected to one another at their upper sides so that they can be pivoted relative to one another. For this purpose, the front wall 12 has a horizontal pin 24 on its upper side which extends through a first seam 25 of the front wall 12. The horizontal pin 24 is mounted at both its ends in the first C-shaped frame 17 of the rear wall 13. On the underside, the front wall 12 has a second seam 26 through which the closure element 27 extends. In the described embodiment, the closure element 27 is also a pin.

[0086] 2, the closure element 27 is not received in the closures 28, so that the front wall 12 and the rear wall 13 are separated from one another in the lower area. Irrespective of this, it is clearly visible that when the transport bag 10 is empty, the front wall 12 and the rear wall 13 lie close to one another. This does allow the empty transport device 1 to be stored or transported in a hanging state to save space. However, loading the transport bag 10 through the filling opening 19 is only possible to a limited extent in this state, because goods introduced through the filling opening 19 would first have to push the front wall 12 away from the rear wall 13. To load the transport bag 10, the wall elements 15, 16 are tilted towards one another, as explained below. Fig. 3 shows a perspective rear view of the transport device 1 from Fig .1 in a loading position in which the transport bag 10 is ready to receive goods. The upper wall element 15 is tilted relative to the lower wall element 16 by approximately 90° about the hinge axis G, so that it lies horizontally. The tilting causes a filling volume to form in the transport bag 10. The upper part of the filling opening now shows.

[0087] 19 upwards, while the lower part continues to be oriented to the side, so that goods can easily be introduced through the filling opening 19 both from above, as indicated by arrow A, and from the side, as indicated by arrow B. Furthermore, in the loading position, a side opening 36 is created between the front wall 12 and the rear wall 13, which side opening can also be used for loading from the left and / or right side with respect to the rear wall 13.

[0088] On the right side of the rear wall 13, a slider 33 runs vertically along the outer edge 22 as part of a release mechanism, which slider 33 is arranged in the position described in Fig. 3.

[0089] Aus führungsform a partially in the second C-shaped frame

[0090] 20 guided rod, for releasing the closure element 27 (not shown in Fig. 3) from the closure 28. The slide 33 has a free end in the region of the joint 21. In the loading position, the free end of the slide 33 is particularly easily accessible, for example to be actively actuated by an actuator. However, it is also conceivable for the transport device 1 to move under a roller in the loading position, which travels over the free end of the slide 33 and thus actuates it. The force applied to the free end of the slide 33 is transferred by the slide 33 to its other end to move a pawl 29 (not shown in Fig. 3), which with reference to Fig.

[0091] 5 is described in more detail. Embodiments of the present invention are also conceivable in which the release mechanism for releasing the pawl 29 does not have a slide 33, but is, for example, an electromechanical actuator that is controlled by a control signal.

[0092] Fig. 4 shows a perspective bottom view of the transport device 1 from Fig. 3 in the open state. The closure element 27 is released from the closures 28 on both sides. To unload the transport bag 10, it is preferably in the tilted position shown in Fig. 4. As a result, the released front wall 12 swings away from the rear wall 13, and transported goods fall downward out of the transport bag 10 through the resulting opening.

[0093] Fig. 5 shows an enlarged view of a closure 28 of the coupling mechanism 14 of the transport device 1 from Fig. 4. The closure 28 has a funnel-shaped opening

[0094] 30, which tapers towards the rear wall 13. The funnel-shaped opening 30 simplifies the insertion of the closure element 27 into the closure 28. In the embodiment described in Fig. 5, the locking pawl 29 is designed in the form of a spring-loaded latch, which, starting from the underside of the funnel-shaped opening 30, rises like a ramp towards the support wall 23, but does not reach all the way to the support wall 23. Between an edge of the rear wall 34 and a rear end of the locking pawl 29, a receiving space

[0095] 31, in which the closure element 27 (not shown in Fig. 5) finds space. To close the transport bag 10, the closure element 27 is guided backwards into the funnel-shaped opening 30. In doing so, it slides over the pawl 29, i.e. the spring-loaded latch, which is thereby pressed downwards and releases the receiving space 31 to the front. As soon as the closure element 27 has passed the spring-loaded latch, the latter is pushed upwards again by the spring force and the receiving space 31 is automatically closed. The closure element 27 is thus locked between the pawl 29 and the edge of the rear wall 34 and secured against loosening. By means of the slide 33 (not shown in Fig. 5), the spring-loaded latch can be pressed downwards, as a result of which the closure element 27 is released from the receiving space and can be moved out.

[0096] The mode of operation of the closure 28 is once again shown in Fig. 6a, which shows the closures 28 of the transport device 1 from Fig. 3 in an enlarged, semi-transparent, isometric view from behind. The locking pawl 29 is mounted on a spring 35. By pressing the slide 33 on the locking pawl 29, the latter can be moved downwards against the spring force of the spring 35, whereby the closure element 27 is unlocked. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 6a, the slide only acts on the left-hand locking pawl 29. However, other embodiments are also conceivable in which the slide 33 can unlock the other locking pawl 29 via a linkage or a second slide is provided for the other locking pawl.

[0097] Fig. 6b shows a closure 28 with a slide 33 for releasing the pawl 29 in an enlarged perspective view. An end section of the slide 33 is designed such that it comes to rest on a part of the pawl 29 when the slide 33 is actuated. In the example shown, the pawl 29 is mounted so as to swing around a pawl axis 32 and is capable of being reset by means of a spring (not shown). If the slide 33 is now moved further, the pawl 29 swings around the pawl axis 32 against the return direction or return force of the spring and dives downwards so that the closure element 27 can leave the closure 28 unhindered.

[0098] Fig. 6c shows the closure 28 from Fig. 6b with a cover 38 attached, which protects the internal mechanism of the closure 28 from damage. Fig. 6d shows another closure 28 in an enlarged perspective view, in which an actuating lever 37 for releasing the pawl 29 is provided on the locking pawl 29. In the example shown, the pawl 29 and the actuating lever 37 are designed as a single piece, although this is generally not absolutely necessary. The actuating lever 37 projects to one side of the transport bag 10 when the latter is viewed from the front wall 12 (or rear wall). It therefore represents the part of the closure 28 that projects the furthest laterally. The actuating lever 37 is used to be actuated by an actuating device (not shown) when the transport bag 10 is conveyed in an overhead conveyor system.Preferably, the actuating device is a roller that moves over the actuating lever 37. In the same way as with the closure 28 shown in Fig. 6b and Fig. 6c, the pawl 29 is pivoted about the pawl axis 32 to release the closure element 27.

[0099] Fig. 6e shows the closure of Fig. 6d with a cover 38 fitted thereon, which has a recess 39 through which the actuating lever 37 projects outward. The recess 39 is shaped such that the actuating lever 37 can move freely therein at least far enough for the locking pawl 29 to pivot sufficiently to release the closure element 27.

[0100] Fig. 7 shows a detail of a further variant of a coupling mechanism 14 of a further transport bag 10. In the drawing, the front wall 12 of the transport bag is only indicated. The closing process of the transport bag 10 by receiving the closure element 27 along the funnel-shaped openings 30 into the receiving spaces 31 from the front is indicated by arrows in Fig. 7. Fig. 8 shows a coupling mechanism 14 of a further transport bag 10, in which the locking pawls 29 can be moved upwards to release the closure elements 27. With such an embodiment of the transport bag 10, it is possible to make it more compact towards the bottom because it is not necessary to provide space on the underside of the transport bag 10 for the locking pawls 29 to insert.

[0101] Fig. 9 shows a perspective view of a carrying hook 40 for carrying a transport bag 10. In an upper region, the carrying hook 40 has a hook so that it can be integrated into an overhead conveyor system. Below this, the carrying hook 40 has a pair of rollers 50 with which it can slide over a rail (see, for example, rail 101 in Fig. 12 and Fig. 15) of the overhead conveyor system. In its lower region, the carrying hook 40 has a storage element 41 into which the suspension device 11 in the form of a U-shaped hook of a transport bag 10 can be hooked. The carrying hook 40 extends substantially along a vertical axis V. The storage element 41 has an opening 49 through which the U-shaped hook is inserted. Furthermore, the bearing element 41 has a support surface 42 with a curved contour through which the vertical axis runs.The curved contour is shaped such that the support surface 42 forms a horizontal hollow transverse to the vertical axis V, in which the U-shaped hook of the transport bag 10 comes to rest in a basic orientation. Furthermore, the curved contour is shaped such that the U-shaped hook can be rotated about the vertical axis V and in doing so moves upwards out of the hollow in the direction of the vertical axis, sliding along the support surface 42. The support surface 42 is designed such that the U-shaped hook has assumed its highest position after a quarter circle rotation. A rotation of more than 90 ° is prevented by the two webs 45. The curved contour of the support surface 42 has two bevelled or rounded flanks 46, of which only one can be seen in front of the right-hand web 45 in the perspective view shown in Fig. 9.The other beveled flank 46 is arranged on the side of the bearing element 41 facing away from the view, behind the left web 45. The beveled flanks 46 cause the U-shaped hook, without any permanently holding force, to slide down from its highest position in a quarter-circle rotation in the other direction, driven solely by gravity, in order to assume its basic orientation in the recess.

[0102] Fig. 10 shows a detail of the support hook 40 from Fig. 9 with the transport bag 10 suspended in the basic position. As described above, the suspension device 11 in the form of a U-shaped hook sits in the recess of the support surface 42. The described shape of the bearing element 41 not only enables the rotation of the suspension device 11 about the vertical axis V, but also swinging about axes lying in the horizontal plane spanned by the x and y directions shown in Fig. 10.

[0103] Fig. 11 shows a plurality of support hooks 40 arranged in a nested manner. Each support hook 40 has a projection 47 and a recess 48 on its opposite webs 45, which engage with the corresponding projections 47 and recesses 48 of the adjacent hook.

[0104] Fig. 12 shows an overhead conveyor system 100 in which the transport devices 1 are conveyed by support arms 105 through a loading station 104. The conveying direction of the support arms 105 in the loading station 104 is indicated by the arrow F. The rail 101, on which the transport devices 1 are conveyed in a suspended manner, is interrupted in the region of the loading station 104 between a rail end 102 and a rail start 103. In this region, a racetrack-shaped carousel 106 is arranged on which the support arms 105 rotate. The direction of rotation of the carousel 106 is indicated by the arrows K. In order to convey the transport devices 1 through the loading station 104, they are picked up at the rail end 102 by the support arms 105 by means of the gripping device 108, as will be described in more detail below. The support arms 105 then run together with the transport devices 1 carried by them along a straight line of the carousel 106.

[0105] In the area of ​​the interrupted rail 101 there is a pair of horizontally running guide rails 117 which are arranged below the support arms 105 and centrally to the conveyed transport pockets 10. The transport pockets 10 are brought into the loading position by means of the guide rails 117, as described below. The distance between the two guide rails 117 is selected such that it corresponds approximately to the width of the upper wall element 15 of the transport pockets 10, but is greater than the width of the lower wall element 16 of the transport pockets 10. Therefore, when a transport pocket 10 carried by a support arm 105 enters the loading station, the upper wall element 15 of the transport pocket 10 strikes the guide rails 117, while the lower wall element 16 can move between the two guide rails 117 without being hindered.

[0106] The support arms 105 have a pivoting mechanism 116. In the embodiment shown, the pivoting mechanism 116 is merely a joint on which the gripping device 108 is rotatably mounted. However, embodiments are readily conceivable in which the entire support arm 105 is rotatably mounted about its longitudinal axis. The pivoting mechanism 116 enables the upper wall element 15 gripped by the gripping device 108 to be rotated into a horizontal position. For this purpose, as the conveyor continues, the transport bag 10 is pulled over the guide rails 117 by the support arm 105, with the upper wall element 15 rotating into the horizontal position and resting on the guide rails 117. The guide rails 117 thus serve to smoothly transport the transport bag 10 through the loading station 104 and bear the majority of the weight of the transport bag 10.The lower wall element 16, which runs within the upper wall element 15 and can be tilted relative to it, hangs vertically downwards within the guide rails 117. The transport pocket 10, which is thus brought into the loading position, is pulled by the support arm 105 as the conveyor continues under a loading device 107. Since there is no rail 101 in the area of ​​the loading station 104, the transport pockets 10, which are in the loading position and open at the top, can be loaded from above by the loading device 107, which in the embodiment shown is a conveyor belt. The conveying speeds of the carousel 106 and the conveyor belt are preferably coordinated with one another. Embodiments are also conceivable in which loading takes place via a ramp or slide, provided that their feed timing is coordinated with the frequency of the passing transport devices 1. It is also conceivable that the loading is carried out by a robot.

[0107] Furthermore, embodiments are also conceivable in which the pivoting mechanism 116 has an active drive with which the transport pockets 10 can be rotated into a loading position. In such an embodiment, the guide rails 117 can be omitted.

[0108] Since the guide rails 117 end before the start 103 of the rail, the transport pockets 10 swing back under the influence of gravity into a conveying position in which the two wall elements 15, 16 are aligned essentially vertically as soon as the upper wall element 15 has left the guide rails 117. In addition, the support hook 40 is realigned so that it can be inserted into the rail 101. At the end of the straight section of the carousel 106, the transport devices 1 are placed by the support arms 105 onto the start 103 of the rail, released from the gripping device 108 and from there continue through the overhead conveyor system 100. The support arms 105 return on the back straight section of the carousel to the end 102 of the rail to once again pick up incoming transport devices 1.

[0109] In order to remove the transport devices 1 from the rail 101 and insert them into it, each support arm 105 has a gripping device 108. This gripping device 108 without the associated support arm 105 is shown in Fig. 13 for various stages of the gripping process. To illustrate the gripping process, only a section of the rear wall 13 of the transport bag 10 is shown without the front wall 12 attached to it. The gripping device 108 essentially has a flat body which has an articulated receptacle 115 on its rear side for rotatable coupling to the joint of the pivoting mechanism 116 of the support arms 105 from Fig. 12. Furthermore, the flat body has a lip 109 on its underside. Between the lip 109 and the body, a groove 111 is formed, the width of which is adapted to the width of the first C-shaped frame 17 in the region of the trapezoidal frame part 18.In addition, the body has a gripping hook 110 in the middle on its front side. This is designed such that it can reach through an opening in the suspension device 11, with which the transport bag 10 hangs in the support hook 40. Furthermore, the gripping hook is shaped such that it forms a seat for the storage element 41 of the support hook and the suspension device 11 of the transport bag 10. The gripping device 108 is brought closer to the rear wall 13 such that the groove 111 is located below the trapezoidal frame part 18 of the rear wall 13. At the same time, the gripping hook 110 is pushed into the free opening of the U-shaped suspension device 11 so that it lies below the storage element 41. The gripping device 108 is then moved vertically upwards relative to the transport pocket 10.For this purpose, for example, the gripping device 108 can be actively moved towards the transport bag 10 and / or the transport bag 10 can be actively moved towards the gripping device 108. However, embodiments are also conceivable in which the transport bag 10 falls equally into the gripping device 108 solely by utilizing gravity. As a result, the trapezoidal frame part 18 comes to rest in the groove 111. The storage element 41 and the suspension device 11 thereby engage the gripping hook 110. The described gripping device 108 immobilizes the transport bag 10 during the gripping process, i.e., rotation of the suspension device 11 relative to the storage element 41 is prevented. This prevents a movement, rotation and / or pivoting of the support arm 105 from resulting in an uncontrolled movement of the transport device 1. The gripping device 108 is released from the transport bag 10 in the reverse order.With the described gripping device 108, it is possible to grip the transport device 1 from the rear or the front. The latter, however, requires that the front wall 12 has a recess in its upper region, as shown, for example, in Fig. 1, through which the gripping device 108 can grip the rear wall 13.

[0110] As described above, in the overhead conveyor system 100 of Fig. 12, the support arms 105 either have a pivoting mechanism 116 and the associated gripping devices 108 have a joint receptacle 115 for rotatable coupling to the joint of the pivoting mechanism 116, or are themselves rotatably mounted in order to be able to rotate the upper wall element 15, which is essentially formed from the first C-shaped frame 17 and the trapezoidal frame part 18 formed thereon in a rotationally fixed manner, into a horizontal position. However, a solution is also conceivable in which the trapezoidal frame part 18 is rotatably connected to the first C-shaped frame 17. Transport bags 10 having such a frame construction can be brought into the loading position without the loading station 104 having to have the aforementioned features that ensure the rotation of the upper wall element 15.The rotatability of the upper wall element 15, even though it has been gripped by a gripping device, is then enabled by means of the transport bag 10 itself. This is advantageous if the transport device 1 according to the invention is also to be used in existing overhead conveyor systems and loading stations located therein that do not have any of the components shown in Fig. 12, such as the pivoting mechanism 116 or rotatably mounted support arms 105, because the costs for converting the existing overhead conveyor systems are then reduced.

[0111] A transport device 1 with such a frame construction is shown in Fig. 14a. Unlike in the transport devices 1 shown so far, the trapezoidal frame part 18 and the first C-shaped frame 17 are not formed as one piece, i.e., not rotationally fixed, but the trapezoidal frame part 18 is connected to the first C-shaped frame part 17 via a second joint axis R. The second joint axis R runs substantially parallel to the joint axis G of the transport bag 10. If a gripping device, such as the gripping device 108 shown in Fig. 13, engages in the rotatably mounted trapezoidal frame part 18 in order to remove the transport device 1 (as shown, for example, in Fig. 12) from a rail 101, the rotation of the upper wall element 15 required to open the transport bag 10 can be achieved by the first C-shaped frame rotating relative to the trapezoidal frame part 18.

[0112] The relative rotation of the first C-shaped frame 17 with respect to the trapezoidal frame part 18 in the loading position of the transport device 1 is shown in Fig. 14b. The frame part 18 is in the previously shown

[0113] Although the various embodiments of the transport container 10 have been described as "trapezoidal", it can be used in any

[0114] However, this embodiment can also have any other shape suitable for being gripped by a gripping device, in particular a rectangular or triangular shape. It is also possible to provide the frame part 18 substantially flush with the first C-shaped frame 17 and not to differ in shape from it.

[0115] Fig. 15 shows an overhead conveyor system 100 in which the loading station 104 is designed for filling from the side. The conveying direction is again indicated by an arrow F. In this embodiment, the overhead conveyor system 100 has a continuous rail 101. When entering the loading station, each transport device 1 is rotated laterally by 90° by means of a stop (not shown). This turning process is explained in more detail below with reference to Fig. 16. After the turning process, the filling opening 19 of the transport pocket 10 points towards the laterally arranged loading device 107, which in the embodiment shown is a ramp. When the transport pocket 10 has reached the level of the ramp, the overhead conveyor system is stopped so that the transport pocket 10 comes to a standstill in front of the ramp.Then, by means of a pivoting device 113 arranged on the side opposite the ramp, the rear wall 13 of the transport bag 10 is tilted so that the transport bag 10 opens. For this purpose, the pivoting device 113 has two pivoting arms 114 which are arranged at a distance approximately corresponding to the width of the upper wall element 15, but which is wide enough so that the front wall 12 of the transport bag 10 can be grasped. As indicated by the arrow M, the pivoting device 113 moves in the direction of the loading device 107 into the loading station 104 and the pivoting arms 114 move under the upper wall element 15. This is thereby raised and the transport bag 10 is brought into the loading position. In this loading position, goods can slide from the loading device 107 into the opened transport bag 10.Subsequently, the overhead conveyor system 100 is restarted, and the transport device 1 is conveyed out of the loading station 104. As soon as the transport bag has been conveyed past the stop, it rotates back into its basic orientation under the influence of gravity.

[0116] In the illustrated embodiment, the pivoting arms 114 are inclined at an angle to the horizontal. As a result, the upper wall element 15 of the transport container 10 is not completely horizontal in the loading position, but rather oriented in an inclined position. However, due to the size of the filling opening 19, it is not absolutely necessary to move the upper wall element 15 into the horizontal position.

[0117] In the embodiment shown in Fig. 15, the lower wall element 16 of the rear wall 13 hangs substantially downwards in a vertical position. However,

[0118] Embodiments are conceivable in which the lower wall element 16 is inclined at an angle in the loading position of the transport bag 10. This can be achieved, for example, by an additional stop against which the lower wall element 16 is pressed when the pivoting device 113 is retracted. An advantage of an inclined lower wall element 16 of the rear wall 13 is that sensitive goods can slide down along the rear wall 13 into the transport bag 10 during filling without being damaged.

[0119] Fig. 16 shows various stages of the turning process by means of a stop 112 which is provided for an overhead conveyor system 100 from Fig. 15. For the sake of illustration, only the stop 112 and the transport device 1 are shown in section. The stop 112 is arranged to one side of the conveying direction. When the transport device 1 moves past the stop 112, the outer edge 22 strikes against it, whereby a torque is generated about the vertical axis V of the transport device 1. The stop 112 is positioned relative to the rail 101 such that it can cause a rotation of 90°. The overhead conveyor system 100 from Fig. 15 preferably has a plurality of such stops in order to be able to maintain the rotated position of the transport device over a longer conveying distance. The stop 112 can also be designed as a continuous stop rail which runs next to the rail 101 in the region of the loading station.Preferably, such a stop rail can have a beveled profile in the inlet area of ​​the loading station, with its distance from the transport devices 1 decreasing in the conveying direction. As a result, the transport devices 1 are not rotated abruptly, but gradually, about the vertical axis V.

[0120] LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

[0121] I Transport device

[0122] 10 carrying bag

[0123] II Suspension device

[0124] 12 front wall

[0125] 13 Rear wall

[0126] 14 Coupling mechanism

[0127] 15 upper wall element

[0128] 16 lower wall element

[0129] 17 first C-shaped frame

[0130] 18 trapezoidal frame part

[0131] 19 Filling opening

[0132] 20 second C-shaped frame

[0133] 21 joint

[0134] 22 Outer edge

[0135] 23 Retaining wall

[0136] 24 horizontal pin first seam second seam closure element

[0137] closure

[0138] Pawl funnel-shaped opening receiving space

[0139] Pawl axis slider

[0140] Edge of the back wall

[0141] Feather

[0142] Side opening operating lever cover

[0143] recess

[0144] Support hook

[0145] Storage element

[0146] On flat surface

[0147] web bevelled flank projection

[0148] recess

[0149] Opening

[0150] Roll

[0151] Hangs order system rail

[0152] End of rail Start of rail Loading station

[0153] Support arms

[0154] carousel

[0155] Loading device

[0156] gripping device

[0157] lip

[0158] Grab hook

[0159] Nut

[0160] Stop 113 swivel device

[0161] 114 Ver swivel arms

[0162] 115 Joint mount

[0163] 116 Swivel mechanism

[0164] 117 Guide rail

[0165] Joint axis

[0166] R second joint axis

[0167] V vertical axis

Claims

GODFATHER'S SAYINGS 1. Transport bag (10) for a suspended conveyor system (100) comprising a suspension device (11) for suspending the transport bag (10) on a support hook (40), a front wall (12) and a rear wall (13), wherein the rear wall (13) can be coupled and detached to the front wall (12) by means of a coupling mechanism (14) in a lower area of ​​the rear wall (13), wherein the front wall (12) comprises a flexible, planar material and wherein the rear wall (13) comprises two wall elements (15, 16) which are articulated together and shaped in such a way that they together form a filling opening (19) of the transport bag (10) which extends partially over the two wall elements (15, 16).

2. Transport bag (10) according to claim 1, wherein the two wall elements (15, 16) of the rear wall (13) are rigid along an outer edge (22) of the rear wall (13) and can be tilted relative to each other about a hinge axis (G), wherein preferably the two wall elements (15, 16) are an upper wall element (15) and a lower wall element (16), and the upper wall element (15) has a first c-shaped frame (17) and a frame part (18) provided centrally on the first c-shaped frame (17), wherein further preferably the frame part (18) is rotatably attached to the first c-shaped frame (17) about a second hinge axis (R) extending substantially parallel to the hinge axis (G).

3. Transport bag (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein one of the two wall elements (15, 16) comprises a planar, in particular rigid, material.

4. Transport bag (10) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the suspension device (11) is immovably connected to the The rear wall (13) is connected and is designed in particular as a U-shaped hook.

5. Transport bag (10) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the coupling mechanism (14) on the rear wall (13) has at least one receiving space (31), preferably two receiving spaces (31), and a locking pawl (29), preferably two locking pawls (29), wherein the receiving space (31) is configured to receive a locking element (27) of the front wall (12) such that it is held in the receiving space (31) by the locking pawl (29), wherein the coupling mechanism (14) comprises a release mechanism by which the locking pawl (29) can be released to release the locking element.

6. Transport bag (10) according to claim 5, wherein the release mechanism comprises a slider (33), in particular a rod guided along the rear wall (13), and / or an actuating lever (37) provided on the locking pawl (29), in particular extending to one side of the transport bag (10), whereby the locking pawl (29) is movable to release the locking element (27).

7. Transport bag (10) according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the receiving space (31) is designed for receiving and releasing the locking element (27) of the front wall (12) from the front.

8. Transport bag (10) according to one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the receiving space (31) is limited by the locking latch (29) and an edge of the back wall (34) opposite the locking latch (29).

9. Carrying hook (40) for carrying a transport bag (10) of an overhead conveyor system (100) which has a u-shaped hook as a suspension device (11), wherein the support hook (40) comprises a fixed bearing element (41) with a bearing surface (42) for hanging and supporting the suspension device (11), wherein the bearing surface (42) is bounded by a curved contour which enables an upright rotation of the suspension device (11) from a basic orientation about a vertical axis (V) passing through the bearing surface (42) by a quarter circle and at the same time causes a continuous movement of the suspension device (11) along the vertical axis (V) so that the suspension device (11) is forced into the basic orientation by gravity.

10. Carrying hook (40) according to claim 9, wherein the transport bag (10) has the features of at least one of claims 1 to 8.

11. Support hook (40) according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the bearing element (41) enables the suspension device (11) to oscillate about all axes lying in a horizontal plane.

12. Support hook (40) according to one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the contour limits the rotation of the suspension device (11) about the vertical axis (V) to a quarter circle.

13. Support hook (40) according to one of claims 9 to 12, wherein at least two opposite sides of the support hook (40) have outer contours with projections (47) and corresponding recesses (48) which enable a nested arrangement of adjacent support hooks (40).

14. Transport device (1) for a suspended conveyor system (100) , wherein the transport device (1) comprises a transport bag (10) according to one of claims 1 to 8 and a carrying hook (40).

15. Transport device (1) according to claim 14, wherein the carrying hook (40) is designed according to one of claims 9 to 13.

16. Overhead conveyor system (100) comprising several transport devices (1) according to claim 14 or 15 and a rail (101) for conveying the transport devices (1), wherein the transport devices (1) are suspended from the rail (101) by the support hook (40) during conveying, wherein the overhead conveyor system (100) has a loading station (104) at which the rail (101) is interrupted between a rail end (102) and a rail beginning (103), wherein the transport devices (1) can each be conveyed from the rail end (102) to the rail beginning (103) by means of support arms (105) in the loading station (104), and wherein a loading device (107) for loading the transport bag (10) is arranged between the rail end (102) and the rail beginning (103).

17. Overhead conveyor system (100) according to claim 16, wherein the support arms (105) each have a gripping device (108) for gripping the support hook (40) and / or the suspension device (11) and / or the back wall (13).

18. Overhead conveyor system (100) according to claim 16 or 17, wherein each of the support arms (105) has a pivoting mechanism (116) by which one of the wall elements (15, 16) of the rear wall (13) of the respective transport bag (10) can be pivoted to bring the transport bag (10) into a loading position.

19. Overhead conveyor system (100) according to one of claims 16 to 18, further comprising at least one guide rail (117) for bringing the transport bag (10) into a loading position, wherein the at least one guide rail (117) is such that is arranged so that when conveying the transport devices (1) one of the two wall elements (15, 16) slides along the guide rail (17).

20. Overhead conveyor system (100) comprising several transport devices (1) according to claim 15 and a rail (101) for conveying the transport devices, wherein the transport devices (1) hang from the rail (101) by means of the support hook (40) during conveying, wherein the overhead conveyor system (100) has a loading station (104) for loading one of the transport devices (1) at a time, wherein the loading station has a device for rotating the transport bag (10) about the vertical axis (V) by a quarter circle and for pivoting the articulated wall elements (15, 16) relative to each other in order to adjust the filling opening (19) for lateral loading in the loading station (104) via a loading device (107) which is arranged laterally to the rail (101).

21. Overhead conveyor system (100) according to claim 20, wherein the rail (101) is formed continuously through the loading station.

22. Overhead conveyor system (100) according to one of claims 16 to 21, wherein the loading device (107) comprises a ramp, a conveyor belt or a slide.

Images