Device and method for forming groups of individual products

Abstract

The invention relates to a device and a method for forming groups of individual products (3), more particularly hygiene products, such as diapers, pantyliners, sanitary pads, incontinence products, wet wipes, toilet paper, rolls of paper towel or the like, wherein: individual products (3) fed one behind the other in a product stream can be lined up next to one another in the cassette (4); a transport system (2), which has a transport surface (21), a plurality of transport elements (20) and a control unit (22), is provided; the control unit (22) is designed to control actuators on the transport surface (21) and / or on the transport elements (20) such that the transport elements (20) can be simultaneously moved relative to the transport surface (21) independently of one another with velocity control and / or position control; and the cassette (4) is disposed on a first transport element (20) or can be coupled, for movement, to a first transport element (20).

Description

[0001] Device and method for forming groups from individual products

[0002] FIELD OF APPLICATION AND STATE OF THE ART

[0003] The invention relates to a device and a method for forming groups of individual products. In particular, the invention relates to a device and a method for forming groups of hygiene products, such as diapers, panty liners, sanitary pads, incontinence products, wet wipes, toilet paper, kitchen rolls, or the like.

[0004] Products to be packaged are usually taken from a stock or from a manufacturing facility as individual products and combined into a packaging unit comprising a packaging material and several individual products at least partially enclosed by the packaging material. The individual products, a unit comprising several individual products, and / or the packaging unit are appropriately treated in one or more process steps. For example, the individual products are turned, folded, inspected, combined in stacks or groups with several stacks, units comprising several individual products are fed to a packaging material, the packaging material is sealed, labeled, printed, and packaging units are dispensed.

[0005] Various devices are known for forming groups. For example, EP1663823 B1 discloses a stacking device for forming stacks from individual products delivered one after the other. This device comprises a plurality of compartments moving along a closed path, into each of which a single product is inserted, with a stack of products then being pushed out from several adjacent compartments. EP1670706 B1 discloses a transfer device that receives individually delivered products in pockets and feeds them to a stacking device with compartments.

[0006] During feeding, the products are given a speed component in the direction of movement of the compartments, while they are slowed down to a standstill in their previous direction.

[0007] TASK AND SOLUTION

[0008] It is an object of the invention to provide a device and a method for forming groups from individual products, in particular for forming groups from hygiene products such as diapers, panty liners, sanitary pads, incontinence products, wet wipes, toilet paper, kitchen rolls, or the like, which exhibit high flexibility. This object is achieved by the device having the features of claim 1 and the method having the features of claim 7. Further advantageous embodiments emerge from the subclaims.

[0009] According to a first aspect, a device for forming groups of individual products, in particular for forming groups of hygiene products such as diapers, panty liners, sanitary towels, incontinence products, wet wipes, toilet paper, kitchen rolls or the like, is provided, comprising a cassette, wherein individual products fed one after the other in a product stream by a feed device can be lined up next to one another in the cassette, wherein the device comprises a transport system with a transport surface, a plurality of transport bodies and a control device, wherein the control device is configured to control actuators on the transport surface and / or on the transport bodies such that the transport bodies can be moved independently of one another simultaneously in a controlled manner relative to the transport surface, and wherein the cassette is arranged on a first transport body or can be coupled to a first transport body for movement.

[0010] According to a second aspect, a method is provided for forming groups of individual products, in particular for forming groups of hygiene products, such as diapers, panty liners, sanitary towels, incontinence products, wet wipes, toilet paper, kitchen rolls or the like, wherein individual products fed one after the other in a product stream are lined up next to one another in a cassette, wherein the cassette is moved during and / or after transfer of the individual products by means of a first transport body movable relative to a transport surface, and wherein the first transport body and the transport surface are parts of a transport system comprising the transport surface and a plurality of transport bodies movable independently of one another at the same time in a speed- and / or position-controlled manner relative to the transport surface.

[0011] The terms "a," "an," etc., are used in the context of this application merely as specific terms and not as enumerators. In particular, in one embodiment, more than one cassette is provided and / or a cassette can be coupled to more than one transport body for movement.

[0012] The terms "first" and "second" serve merely to distinguish them and do not indicate a sequence. Likewise, the use of the term "first transport body" does not necessarily require the presence of additional transport bodies. A transport system comprising a transport surface and transport bodies that can be moved relative to it in a speed- and / or position-controlled manner is also referred to as a planar transport system. The transport surface is designed as a stator. The transport bodies are movable at least in one plane parallel to the transport surface with three degrees of freedom to change their position and orientation. In advantageous embodiments, the transport system is designed such that movement of the transport bodies relative to the transport surface is possible with six degrees of freedom. This ensures a particularly high level of flexibility.In certain embodiments of the transport system, the transport bodies move relative to the transport surface in a contactless or suspended manner. A corresponding transport system is known, for example, from DE102018209401 A1, which is hereby incorporated by reference. However, the application is not limited to the use of a transport system known from DE102018209401 A1.

[0013] In one embodiment, the transport surface is arranged in a horizontal plane. However, embodiments are also conceivable in which a vertically arranged transport surface is provided alternatively or additionally.

[0014] In one embodiment, the cassette has compartments, each of which can accommodate individual products. In one embodiment, the cassette is mounted on a transport body. Alternatively or additionally, in a further embodiment, a separate mobile cassette with or without compartments for individual products is provided, wherein the cassette can be moved by means of one or more transport bodies. In one embodiment, the device has both transport bodies with attached cassettes and several separate cassettes that can be moved by means of transport bodies.

[0015] In one embodiment, the cassette is moved transversely, in particular perpendicularly, to the direction of the product flow, synchronized with the feed speed of the individual products for receiving the individual products, so that the individual products can be lined up next to one another in the cassette. For hygiene products with flat sides, such as diapers, panty liners, sanitary pads, incontinence products, and wet wipes, advantageous embodiments involve lining up the flat sides of the hygiene products so that they are adjacent to one another or at least substantially parallel.

[0016] In one embodiment, individual products with flat sides are fed into a product stream with their flat sides parallel to a horizontal surface and picked up by means of a suitably oriented cassette. The cassette is moved perpendicular to the horizontal surface for picking up and lining up the individual products, and the individual products are stacked one above the other in the cassette. After picking up, the cassette is pivoted about a horizontal axis in one embodiment and subsequently moved parallel to the horizontal surface. The transport surface for the first transport body moving the cassette is arranged perpendicular to the horizontal surface in one embodiment.

[0017] In other embodiments, individual products with flat sides are fed into a product stream with their flat sides parallel to a horizontal surface and turned before being lined up so that their flat sides are arranged substantially perpendicular to the horizontal surface. The turned individual products are received by means of a suitably oriented cassette, wherein the cassette is moved parallel to the horizontal surface for receiving and lining up the individual products and the individual products are stacked next to one another in the cassette. After the product has been received, the cassette can, depending on the embodiment, be moved in any direction to a subsequent station parallel to the horizontal surface. The horizontal surface serves as the transport surface for the transport bodies of the transport system.

[0018] The use of a transport system with several transport bodies that can be moved independently of one another, simultaneously, with speed and / or position control relative to the transport surface, for moving the cassettes, allows for a complete decoupling of the receipt of individual products at the cassette from the discharge of a group of individual products from the cassette. In one embodiment, the cassette is stationary for the discharge of a group of lined-up individual products from the cassette. In other embodiments, the cassette is moved synchronously with a belt conveyor in a transport direction for discharge, with the group being pushed out transversely to the transport direction.

[0019] In one embodiment, the movement of the cassette can be individually adjusted to the position of the product to be picked up to compensate for tolerances during the transfer of each individual product. For this purpose, in one embodiment, the position of each individual product in the product stream is detected by a sensor device, and the transport body of the cassette is controlled accordingly by the control device.

[0020] In one embodiment, the cassette is moved to receive the individual products in such a way that the individual products can be decelerated at least substantially smoothly and / or jolt-free, preferably to a standstill, in a feed direction of the product stream. At the same time, the cassette is moved transversely to the feed direction, with the movement occurring in such a way that the individual products are accelerated smoothly and / or jolt-free in the direction of movement of the cassette transversely to the feed direction of the product stream.

[0021] Alternatively or additionally, in one embodiment, a transfer device is provided which is designed to receive individual products delivered one after the other in their own longitudinal direction from the feed device and to transfer them to the cassette. The transfer device is designed in a configuration corresponding to the transfer device known from EP1670706 B1, to which reference is hereby made in its entirety. The transfer device comprises a plurality of pockets moved along a closed path, in which individually delivered products are received, wherein the path is selected such that during the feeding, the products

[0022] Velocity component in the direction of movement of the cassette, while they are decelerated to a standstill in their previous direction.

[0023] In one embodiment, the transfer device is arranged stationary. In another embodiment, the transfer device is arranged on the first transport body with the cassette. In yet other embodiments, a second transport body is provided, on which the transfer device is arranged, wherein the transfer device can be individually positioned relative to a feed device for the individual products and / or to the cassette for tolerance compensation.

[0024] In one embodiment, it is provided that the first transport body and / or the second transport body are moved relative to the transport surface when the individual products are taken over from the feed device and / or when the individual products are transferred to the cassette.

[0025] In one embodiment of the device, two or more cassettes are provided for receiving individual products at two or more receiving positions, wherein the cassettes are each arranged on a first transport body or can be coupled to a first transport body for movement, and wherein the control device is configured to position a cassette for receiving the individual products at each of the receiving positions.

[0026] Accordingly, in one embodiment of the method, it is provided that individual products conveyed to two or more takeover positions are taken over by means of a feed device, wherein a cassette is positioned at each of the takeover positions, and wherein the cassettes are each moved during and / or after a takeover of the individual products by means of a first transport body movable relative to a transport surface.

[0027] In one embodiment, the individual products are conveyed to the two or more receiving positions by means of a feed device comprising a switch. In one embodiment, the individual products are conveyed to the receiving position by means of the feed device. In other embodiments, turning devices and / or transfer devices are provided between the feed device and the receiving position.

[0028] Depending on the design, transfer takes place alternately at the different transfer positions or after a defined number of individual products has been reached. One design provides that a first cassette is initially filled, and once a desired number of individual products has been reached in the first cassette, products are moved to a second cassette. While the individual products are being fed to the second cassette, one design provides that the first cassette is removed. One design provides that the group of individual products in the first cassette is pushed out of the cassette as a stack and transferred to a subsequent transport system.In one embodiment, the emptied first cassette is then repositioned appropriately so that, once a desired number of individual products has been reached in the second cassette, products can be fed back to the first cassette by the feed device. In another embodiment, additional cassettes are provided so that, after the first cassette has been removed, a third cassette is positioned to receive individual products from the feed device.

[0029] The groups formed in the two or more cassettes can be treated the same or differently in a subsequent process sequence, depending on the application.

[0030] In one embodiment, a receiving area of ​​the cassette is delimited by walls, with at least one wall being movably mounted to vary a cassette size. In one embodiment, the control device is configured to drive a third transport body to move, by means of which the movable wall can be adjusted.

[0031] Alternatively or additionally, one embodiment provides that a group of

[0032] Individual products are arranged between two transport bodies, and the group is compressed by means of a counter-rotating movement of the transport bodies. The group can be arranged on one transport body or on another support.

[0033] In one embodiment, the control device is further configured to move the cassette such that individual products can be picked up from the cassette at two or more levels. In one embodiment, a transport system with two transport surfaces arranged perpendicular to one another is provided. In one embodiment, the cassette is initially adjusted parallel to a horizontally arranged transport surface for picking up a first group. After picking up the first group, the cassette is moved parallel to a vertically arranged transport surface and thus positioned for picking up a second group at a second level.

[0034] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] Further advantages and aspects of the invention emerge from the claims and from the description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, which are explained below with reference to the figures. In the figures:

[0036] Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment of a device for forming groups of individual products

[0037] Fig. 2 shows a second embodiment of a device for forming groups of individual products

[0038] Fig. 3 a process step for aligning products;

[0039] Fig. 4 shows a process step for compacting a stack of products;

[0040] Fig. 5 shows a third embodiment of a device for forming groups of

[0041] individual products.

[0042] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0043] Fig. 1 shows a schematic plan view of a first embodiment of a device 1 for forming groups of individual products 3. The device 1 comprises a transport system 2 with a transport surface 21, with a plurality of transport bodies 20 (wherein only one transport body 20 is shown in Fig. 1) and with a control device 22. The transport system 2 is designed such that the transport bodies 20 can be moved relative to the transport surface 21 with at least three degrees of freedom in a plane parallel to the transport surface 21, preferably with six degrees of freedom. The control device 22 is set up for this purpose to control actuators (not shown) on the transport surface 21 and / or on the transport bodies 20, so that the transport bodies 20 can be moved independently of one another simultaneously in a speed- and / or position-controlled manner relative to the transport surface 21.

[0044] The device 1 comprises a feed device (not shown), for example a belt conveyor, by means of which a product stream of individual products 3 arranged one behind the other is conveyed in a feed direction shown by an arrow.

[0045] The device 1 further comprises a cassette 4, wherein individual products 3 fed one after the other in the product stream by the feed device can be lined up next to one another in the cassette 4. The illustrated cassette 4 comprises a plurality of compartments 40, wherein each compartment 40 can accommodate an individual product 3. The group of individual products 3 lined up in the cassette 4 is also referred to as a stack 30.

[0046] In the illustrated embodiment, the cassette 4 is arranged on a transport body 20 and is movable with the transport body 20.

[0047] The individual products 3 are fed in a product stream in a first orientation in a feed direction indicated schematically by an arrow, wherein the individual products 3 have flat sides, and the flat sides are arranged parallel to a horizontal base surface in the product stream. In the illustrated embodiment, a stationary turning device 5 is also provided, by means of which the orientation of the individual products 3 is changed so that the flat sides are aligned vertically.

[0048] The cassette 4 is movable relative to the turning device 5 in a direction I indicated by an arrow by means of the transport body 20 in order to position a compartment 40 for receiving an individual product 3 opposite the turning device 5. In an alternative embodiment, a turning device 5 is omitted.

[0049] As schematically indicated by a double arrow in Fig. 2, in the illustrated embodiment, the cassette 4 is also movable relative to the turning device 5 in the feed direction of the individual products 3 by means of the transport body 20 during the transfer of the individual products 3. The movement of the cassette 4 occurs in such a way that the individual products are decelerated smoothly and / or jolt-free in the feed direction of the product stream, preferably to a standstill. At the same time, the individual products acquire a movement component in direction I of the cassette 4 during the transfer.

[0050] In one embodiment, weighing occurs when individual products 3 are received. In particular, in one embodiment, the weight of an individual product received by the transport body 20 is determined from a positioning force for controlling the transport surface 21 for the transport body 20. By weighing the individual products 3 during their reception, irregularities can be detected early. In one embodiment, an associated transport body 20 is subjected to a manual or automated inspection when an irregularity occurs.

[0051] Fig. 2 shows a schematic plan view of a device 1 for forming groups, wherein a plurality of transfer positions 11, 12 are provided, to which individual products not shown in Fig. 2 are each conveyed by means of a suitable feeding device and optionally a turning device or the like.

[0052] The device 1 according to Fig. 2 comprises a plurality of cassettes 4, each of which can be positioned in a receiving position 11, 12 for receiving the individual products. The cassettes 4 can be moved independently of one another, simultaneously in a speed- and / or position-controlled manner relative to the transport surface 21 of the transport system 2, by means of transport bodies (not shown in Fig. 2) of a transport system 2.

[0053] In the embodiment according to Fig. 2, it is provided that a cassette 4 with a stack 30 is moved from a first receiving position 11 to a first transfer position 13. The movement takes place, for example, along a linear, one-dimensional path without changing the orientation of the cassette 4. At the transfer position 13, a stack 30 lined up in the cassette 4 can be pushed out. Alternatively, the stack 30 in the cassette 4 can be transported further to a subsequent process by means of the transport body not shown in Fig. 2. Simultaneously with the movement of the cassette 4 with the stack 30 from the first receiving position 11 to the first transfer position 13, an empty cassette is positioned at the receiving position 11. Alternatively, the transported cassette 4 is positioned again at the transfer position 13 after the stack 30 has been pushed out. Furthermore, in the embodiment according to Fig.2, it is provided that a further cassette 4 with a stack 30 is moved from a second take-over position 12 to a second transfer position 14, the cassette 4 being offset by 90° during the movement in the second transfer position 14. In the illustrated embodiment, the cassette 4 is optionally additionally offset by 180° at the second transfer position 14 before the stack 30 is pushed out - as schematically shown by an arrow. The stack 3 can then be transported away by means of a further transport body or by means of another transport system, for example by means of a belt conveyor 6. In the illustrated embodiment, it is provided that the cassette 4 with the stack 30 is moved synchronously with the belt conveyor 6 in the conveying direction II of the belt conveyor 6 for the stack to be transferred.

[0054] In one embodiment, the individual products are conveyed alternately to the two transfer positions 11, 12 by means of a feeding device which is only schematically indicated in Fig. 2.

[0055] In one embodiment, it is provided that initially a first cassette 4 is filled at the first transfer position 11 and, once a desired number of individual products has been reached in the first cassette 4, products are guided to a second cassette 4 at the second transfer position 12. While the individual products are being fed to the second cassette 4, the first cassette 4 is transported away to the first transfer position 13. As schematically shown by an arrow, at the first transfer position 13, a group of individual products lined up in the first cassette 4 is pushed out of the cassette 4 as a stack 30. At the same time, a further cassette 4 is positioned at the first transfer position 11.

[0056] When the products in the cassette 4 are taken over, the cassette 4 is moved in one embodiment in the feed direction of the product flow of the individual products in order to compensate for a manufacturing-related offset between the individual products 3 in the product flow, individually for each individual product 3.

[0057] In another embodiment, there is no movement of the transport bodies 20 in the feed direction of the individual products 3 in order to compensate for an offset between the individual products 3 in the product stream due to manufacturing technology. If alignment of the individual products 3 is necessary, this can be done in a subsequent process step as schematically shown in Fig. 3. Fig. 3 schematically shows an alignment of a stack 30 of individual products 3 lined up in a cassette 4. The individual products 3 are initially arranged in a random manner in the cassette 4. The cassette 4 is arranged on a transport body 20 and is moved back and forth by means of the transport body 20 relative to the transport surface 21, as schematically shown by an arrow, so that the individual products 3 are aligned with their downward-facing ends on a base of the cassette 4.Depending on the design, the movement takes place perpendicular to the transport surface 21 and / or with another directional component.

[0058] Fig. 4 schematically shows the compaction or compression of a stack 30 of individual products 3 arranged in a cassette 4. The cassette 4 is arranged on the transport body 20. The cassette 4 has two adjustable walls 42 arranged at opposite ends. To compact the stack 30, the two walls 42 are moved toward each other. In an alternative embodiment, one adjustable wall and one stationary wall are provided.

[0059] Two rams 7 are provided for moving the walls 42. In one embodiment, the rams 7 are provided in a stationary position at a station, wherein the transport body 20 with the stack 30 of individual products 3 is moved between the rams 7 for compaction. In the illustrated embodiment, the rams 7 are each provided on a transport body 20, wherein the transport bodies 20 are moved toward each other to compact the stack 30.

[0060] In the illustrated embodiment, the transport bodies 20 with the stamps 7 are arranged suspended above the transport surface 21 and are adjustable relative to the transport surface 21. In an alternative embodiment, a second transport surface is provided, which is arranged perpendicular to the illustrated transport surface 21, wherein the transport bodies 20 with the stamps 7 are adjustable relative to the second transport surface. In yet another embodiment, the stamps 7 are attached to a transport body 20 by means of superstructures, so that a distance between the transport bodies 20 of the stamps 7 and the transport surface 21 can be reduced while maintaining the same height of the stamps 7.

[0061] Fig. 5 shows schematically in a side view a further embodiment of a device 1 for forming groups of individual products 3 comprising a transport system 2 with a transport surface 21, with several transport bodies 20 and with a control device 22. In contrast to the embodiment according to Fig. 1, the transport surface 21 of the transport system 2 is arranged vertically, wherein the transport bodies 20 are movable with at least three degrees of freedom in a plane parallel to the transport surface 21, preferably with six degrees of freedom.

[0062] The device comprises a plurality of cassettes 4, which in the illustrated embodiment are each attached to a transport body 20 for movement with the transport body 20. The illustrated cassettes 4 each have compartments 40 for an individual product.

[0063] As schematically shown in Fig. 5 bottom left, individual products 3 are fed in a product stream in a feed direction indicated by an arrow and taken over in a correspondingly positioned cassette 4, in particular in a compartment 40 of the cassette 4. The cassette 4 is moved in a first direction I transversely, in particular perpendicular to the feed direction of the individual products 3, synchronized with the feed speed of the individual products 3, so that a compartment 40 is suitably positioned to receive an individual product 3. After a desired number of individual products 3 have been received in the cassette 4, the cassette 4 is transported away. In the illustrated embodiment, the cassette 4 is pivoted for this purpose about an axis perpendicular to the transport surface 21, as schematically indicated by an arrow, and then transported away in a second direction II perpendicular to the first direction I.

[0064] As explained above, the transport bodies 4 are movable relative to the transport surface 21 in one embodiment with six degrees of freedom. For the discharge of a stack 30 received in the cassette 4, in one embodiment, as schematically illustrated by an arrow in Fig. 5, the cassette is pivoted about a horizontal axis arranged parallel to the transport surface 21.

[0065] The embodiments shown are merely examples and numerous modifications are conceivable for the use of a planar transport system 2 in a device and / or a method for forming groups of individual products.

Claims

Claims: Device for forming groups of individual products (3), in particular for forming groups of hygiene products such as diapers, panty liners, sanitary napkins, incontinence products, wet wipes, toilet paper, kitchen rolls or the like, comprising a cassette (4), wherein individual products (3) fed one after the other in a product stream can be arranged side by side in the cassette (4), characterized in that the device (1) comprises a transport system (2) with a transport surface (21), several transport bodies (2) and a control device (22), wherein the control device (22) is configured to control actuators on the transport surface (21) and / or on the transport bodies (20), so that the transport bodies (20) can be moved independently of one another simultaneously with speed and / or position control relative to the transport surface (21),and wherein the cassette (4) is arranged on a first transport body (20) or can be coupled to a first transport body (20) for movement. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the control device (22) is configured to move the cassette (4) relative to the transport surface (21) when individual products (3) are received, such that the individual products (3) can be decelerated smoothly and / or without jerking in a feed direction of the product stream. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a transfer device is provided which is configured to receive individual products (3) delivered one after the other in their own longitudinal direction from the feed device and transfer them to the cassette (4), wherein in particular the transfer device is provided on a second transport body, and wherein in particular the control device (22) is configuredto move the first transport body (20) and / or the second transport body (20) relative to the transport surface during the transfer of individual products from the feeder and / or the transfer of individual products to the cassette. Device according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that two or more cassettes (4) are provided for the transfer of individual products (3) at two or more transfer positions (11, 12), wherein the cassettes (4) are each arranged on a first transport body (20) or can be coupled to a first transport body (20) for movement, wherein the control device, (22) is configured to position a cassette (4) at each of the receiving positions (11, 12) for receiving the individual products. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that a receiving area of ​​the cassette is limited by walls (42), wherein at least one wall (42) is movably mounted to vary the cassette size, wherein in particular the control device (22) is configured to drive a third transport body (20) to a movement by means of which the movable wall (22) is adjustable. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the control device (22) is configured to move the cassette (4) such that individual products (3) can be received at the cassette (4) in two or more planes.Method for forming groups from individual products (3), in particular for forming groups from hygiene products such as diapers, panty liners, sanitary napkins, incontinence products, wet wipes, toilet paper, kitchen rolls or the like, wherein individual products (3) fed one after the other in a product stream are arranged side by side in a cassette (4), characterized in that the cassette (4) is moved during and / or after the individual products (3) have been taken over by means of a first transport body (20) movable relative to a transport surface (21), wherein the first transport body (20) and the transport surface (21) are parts of a transport system (2) comprising the transport surface (21) and several transport bodies (20) movable independently of one another with speed and / or position control relative to the transport surface (21).A method according to claim 7, characterized in that the cassette (4) is moved relative to the transport surface (21) during the transfer of individual products (3) such that the individual products (3) are decelerated smoothly and / or without jerking in a feed direction of the product stream. A method according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that individual products (3) delivered one after the other in their own longitudinal direction are transferred by means of a transfer device and handed over to the cassette (4), wherein in particular the transfer device is provided on a second transport body of the transport system (2), wherein further in particular the first transport body and / or the second transport body during the transfer of the Individual products (3) are moved from the feeding device and / or a transfer of the individual products to the cassette (4) relative to the transport surface (21). A method according to claim 7, 8, or 9, characterized in that individual products (3) conveyed to two or more transfer positions (11, 12) are transferred, wherein a cassette is positioned at each of the transfer positions (11, 12), and wherein the cassettes (4) are moved during and / or after the transfer of the individual products (3) by means of a first transport body (20) movable relative to the transport surface (21). A method according to any one of claims 7 to 10, characterized in that two or more transport bodies (20) of the transport system (2) are adjusted relative to each other such that a group of individual products is compressed.Method according to one of claims 7 to 11, characterized in that the cassette (4) is moved during the transfer of the individual products (3) such that the individual products (3) are transferred in two or more horizontal planes.

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