Packaging machine, and method for transporting and packaging articles

Abstract

The invention relates to a packaging machine (1). The packaging machine (1) comprises a first transport portion (TR1) for articles (2), which first transport portion comprises a plurality of first push rods (16) which are guided in a circulating fashion in such a way that they accompany articles (2) as they move along the first transport portion (TR1), providing support from the rear. The packaging machine (1) also comprises a second transport portion (TR2) for articles (2), which second transport portion does not have push rods and follows the first transport portion (TR1) and comprises at least one first industrial robot (24), that is located in the region of the second transport portion (TR2), for manipulating articles (2). The packaging machine (1) also comprises a third transport portion (TR3) for articles (2), which third transport portion follows the second transport portion (TR2) and comprises at least one second industrial robot (34) for applying packages (37) to articles (2), the third transport portion (TR3) comprising a plurality of second push rods (36) which are guided in a circulating fashion in such a way that they accompany articles (2), providing support from the rear, when the at least one second industrial robot (34) applies a package (37) to the articles (2).

Description

[0001] Packaging machine and method for transporting and packaging articles

[0002] The present invention relates to a packaging machine and a method for transporting and packaging articles.

[0003] In continuous horizontal conveying, the items are conveyed in one uninterrupted row or in several parallel uninterrupted rows to successive handling stations. If the items are to be processed in groups at a specific point in time, for example, to assemble a container group, the desired number of items must be separated from the uninterrupted and usually unbroken flow of items. In practice, dividers are often used for this purpose, which briefly accelerate leading items and separate them from the following items, forming an item group.

[0004] In practice, it is also often the case that the respective article group is then contacted by a push rod and guided along a transport route via the respective push rod. As long as at least one article is accompanied by the respective push rod, its respective position corresponds very precisely to an expected target position. The very precise correspondence between the expected target position of articles and the actual position is necessary in practice for articles to be able to grasp and manipulate them safely using an industrial robot.If the respective at least one article is to be manipulated, it may nevertheless be the case that the respective push rod hinders such manipulation, since the respective at least one article may not be accessible to an industrial robot due to its rear attachment to a push rod, or the push rod prevents a defined movement of the respective at least one article after it has been detected.

[0005] One object of the invention can therefore be seen in providing a method for packaging articles with which articles can be handled safely and with high flexibility. The above object is achieved by the subject matter comprising the features in the independent claims. Further advantageous embodiments are described in the subclaims.

[0006] The invention relates to a packaging machine. The packaging machine comprises a first transport section for articles, which comprises a plurality of first push rods which are guided in a circumferential manner such that they accompany articles as they move along the first transport section, bearing against each other from behind. The first transport section can thus comprise two mutually parallel endless traction means, on which the plurality of first push rods are arranged and via which two mutually parallel endless traction means the plurality of first push rods are guided in a circumferential manner. The two mutually parallel endless traction means can in particular be formed by two mutually parallel link chains or by two mutually parallel belts.

[0007] The first transport section of the packaging machine can comprise at least one first horizontal conveyor, on which the articles rest during their movement along the first transport section. A speed at which the plurality of first push rods are guided in a circumferential manner and a speed at which the articles are moved via the at least one first horizontal conveyor can be identical or substantially identical in various embodiments. Thus, in such embodiments, the plurality of first push rods can bear against articles on their rear sides without the plurality of first push rods displacing articles on the at least one first horizontal conveyor.

[0008] It is also conceivable for the first transport section to comprise a plate on which articles rest during their movement along the first transport section. In this case, the plurality of first push rods may push articles along the first transport section, with the articles being moved in a sliding manner on the plate of the first transport section.

[0009] Furthermore, articles can be conveyed continuously along at least one row, wherein the plurality of first push rods are guided in a circumferential manner in such a way that they accelerate at least one article arranged at the front in the at least one row relative to subsequent articles in the at least one row and in doing so separate it from the subsequent articles in the at least one row. In such embodiments, the plurality of first push rods can be used to form a respective article group from a plurality of articles, which is subsequently manipulated in the push-rod-free second transport section via the at least one first industrial robot or to which respective article group a respective packaging is applied in the third transport section via the at least one second industrial robot.

[0010] The packaging machine may also comprise a plurality of conveyor belts that are arranged upstream of the first transport section or are configured as a component of the first transport section. At least one of the plurality of conveyor belts can be operated intermittently in order to transfer at least one front-loaded article to a subsequent conveyor belt in a cyclical manner through the intermittent operation, thereby separating the respective at least one front-loaded article from subsequent articles.

[0011] Furthermore, the packaging machine may comprise a mechanism and / or a workstation, wherein the mechanism and / or the workstation is arranged upstream of the first transport section along a direction of movement of the articles, and which mechanism and / or workstation is designed to produce article groups from a plurality of articles that have been conveyed continuously along at least one row. In such embodiments, the first push rods may thus be guided circumferentially in such a way that they make rear contact with article groups already formed via the workstation and / or the mechanism.

[0012] The packaging machine further comprises a push rod-free second transport section for articles, which follows the first transport section and comprises at least one first industrial robot for manipulating articles located in the region of the second transport section. The at least one first industrial robot can be designed in various embodiments to manipulate individual articles located in the region of the second transport section. Alternatively or additionally, the at least one first industrial robot can be designed to manipulate groups of articles located in the region of the second transport section. A third transport section for articles, which follows the second transport section and comprises at least one second industrial robot for applying packaging to articles, is also a component of the packaging machine.The third transport section comprises a plurality of second push rods, which are guided in a circumferential manner such that they accompany articles with rear contact when the at least one second industrial robot applies a respective packaging to the respective articles. The at least one second industrial robot may be designed to apply a respective packaging to a respective article group. In such embodiments, the plurality of second push rods may be guided in a circumferential manner such that they accompany the article groups with rear contact when the at least one second industrial robot applies a respective packaging to the respective article group.

[0013] The third transport section can therefore also comprise two endless traction means running parallel to one another or two further endless traction means running parallel to one another, on which the plurality of second push rods are arranged and via which two endless traction means running parallel to one another or via which two further endless traction means running parallel to one another the plurality of second push rods are guided in a circumferential manner. The two endless traction means running parallel to one another or the two further endless traction means running parallel to one another can in particular be formed by two link chains running parallel to one another or by two further link chains running parallel to one another. Alternatively, the two endless traction means running parallel to one another or the two further endless traction means running parallel to one another can be formed by two belts running parallel to one another orbe formed by two further belts running parallel to each other.

[0014] Because the second transport section is designed without push rods, it is possible to manipulate the respective articles or groups of articles in the area of ​​the second transport section with a high degree of flexibility. The respective articles or groups of articles reach the second transport section thanks to the prior accompanying them using the first push rods at a respective position that corresponds very precisely to an expected target position. This allows manipulation to be carried out with a high degree of reliability and a low risk of errors. Because the articles are subsequently accompanied again by second push rods in the area of ​​the third transport section, the respective packaging is also applied with a very low susceptibility to errors, since in the third transport section the respective position of articles corresponds to an expected target position because the articles are accompanied by second push rods during the application of the packaging.

[0015] In various embodiments, the at least one second industrial robot can be designed to apply such packaging to articles, each of which comprises a plurality of openings, wherein a respective article can be inserted into a respective opening, such that a respective article is held in a form-fitting manner in the respective opening of the respective packaging blank. Such packaging is also referred to in practice as a top clip. In various embodiments, such packaging can have a plurality of retaining tongues arranged in the region of a respective opening and hold a respective article in a form-fitting manner to the respective packaging when a respective article is inserted into the respective opening.

[0016] Embodiments in which the second transport section comprises a horizontal conveyor for transporting articles have proven successful. The horizontal conveyor can comprise a revolving conveyor belt or a revolving conveyor chain, on which articles rest during their movement along the second transport section.

[0017] It is also possible for the speed at which the plurality of second push rods are guided in a rotating manner to be increased compared to the speed at which the plurality of first push rods are guided in a rotating manner. In particular, the speed at which the plurality of second push rods are guided in a rotating manner can be increased by at least 5% to a maximum of 30% compared to the speed at which the plurality of first push rods are guided in a rotating manner. Thus, the articles can be moved in the region of the third transport section at a speed that is increased compared to the speed at which the articles are moved in the region of the first transport section.

[0018] It is also conceivable that the at least one first industrial robot is designed to rotate articles or groups of articles about a vertically oriented axis.

[0019] Alternatively or additionally, the at least one first industrial robot may be configured and equipped in such a way that it can move articles obliquely or perpendicularly to their direction of movement formed in the region of the second transport section.

[0020] Alternatively or additionally, the at least one first industrial robot may be configured to apply a band to a plurality of articles or groups of articles. A band may be a strapping, particularly comprising a cellulose-containing material, by which a plurality of articles are held together when the respective band is applied to the plurality of articles. Such a band may rest against the lateral surfaces of a plurality of articles, which are held together by the band.

[0021] In various embodiments, the at least one first industrial robot can comprise at least two clamping jaws that can perform a feed movement in order to thereby grip a plurality of articles for a respective manipulation.

[0022] Furthermore, it can be the case that the at least one first industrial robot is designed as at least one first delta kinematic robot and / or that the at least one second industrial robot is designed as at least one second delta kinematic robot. It can also be the case that the at least one first industrial robot is designed as at least one gantry system and / or that the at least one second industrial robot is designed as at least one gantry system. In practice, embodiments are also conceivable in which the at least one first industrial robot is designed as at least one articulated arm robot and / or in which the at least one second industrial robot is designed as at least one articulated arm robot.

[0023] The packaging machine may comprise a plurality of first industrial robots for manipulating articles in the push-rod-less second transport section. A control device may be provided that is connected to the plurality of first industrial robots and assigns different articles to different first industrial robots for manipulation. The plurality of first industrial robots can thus manipulate articles in a coordinated manner. With such embodiments, throughput can be increased. The plurality of first industrial robots can, in particular, be formed by a plurality of first delta kinematic robots.

[0024] It is also conceivable for the packaging machine in the third transport section to comprise a plurality of second industrial robots for applying packaging to articles. A control device can be provided that is connected to the plurality of second industrial robots and assigns different articles or different article groups to different second industrial robots for applying packaging. The plurality of second industrial robots can thus apply packaging to articles or article groups in a coordinated manner. Throughput can also be increased in such embodiments. The plurality of second industrial robots can also be designed, in particular, as a plurality of second delta kinematic robots.

[0025] The invention also relates to a use of a packaging machine according to an embodiment of the preceding description for articles which are beverage containers and in particular beverage bottles or beverage cans.

[0026] Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for transporting and packaging articles. In the method, articles are first moved along a first transport section, wherein a plurality of circumferentially guided first push rods accompany articles under rear contact during their movement along the first transport section.

[0027] The articles then move from the first transport section to a second transport section without push rods, within which the articles are manipulated by at least one first industrial robot. Following this, the articles move from the second transport section to a third transport section, in which at least one second industrial robot applies packaging to the articles. During the packaging application process, the articles are guided by several second, circumferentially guided push rods, with the back resting against the articles.

[0028] Within the scope of the process and also with the packaging machine described above, the articles may be beverage containers and in particular beverage bottles and / or beverage cans.

[0029] In the method, articles can be conveyed continuously along at least one row, wherein the plurality of first push rods each accelerate at least one article arranged at the front in the at least one row relative to subsequent articles in the at least one row and in doing so separates it from the subsequent articles in the at least one row. A mechanism and / or a work station can also be provided which accelerates at least one article arranged at the front in the at least one row relative to subsequent articles in the at least one row and in doing so separates it from the subsequent articles in the at least one row and feeds the respective at least one then separated article to the first transport section, whereupon the respective at least one separated article is subsequently contacted from the rear by a first push rod.

[0030] It may be that a mechanism and / or a work station is provided which accelerates a plurality of articles arranged at the front of the at least one row relative to subsequent articles of the at least one row and in doing so separates them from the subsequent articles of the at least one row as an article group and then feeds the respective article group to the first transport section, whereupon the respective article group is subsequently contacted from the rear by a first push rod.

[0031] The respective article group can move from the first transport section to the push-rod-less second transport section and be manipulated as an article group within the second push-rod-less transport section by the at least one manipulator. In addition, in various embodiments, the articles can move from the second transport section to the third transport section as a manipulated article group, in which the at least one second industrial robot applies a respective packaging to a transferred article group, and the respective article group is accompanied by a respective second, circumferentially guided push rod while the respective packaging is applied, resting against the rear.

[0032] It is also possible that the articles or groups of articles in the second transport section are transported via a horizontal conveyor device which moves the articles or groups of articles at a transport speed that differs by a maximum of 10% from a speed at which articles or groups of articles are moved along the first transport section.

[0033] It is further conceivable for the plurality of second push rods to be guided in rotation at a speed that is greater than the speed at which the plurality of first push rods are guided in rotation. In particular, the plurality of second push rods can be guided in rotation at a speed that is greater than the speed at which the plurality of first push rods are guided in rotation by at least 5% to a maximum of 30%.

[0034] It is also possible for the at least one first industrial robot to rotate articles or groups of articles around a vertically oriented axis during the manipulation process. Alternatively or additionally, the at least one first industrial robot may displace articles or groups of articles at an angle or perpendicular to their direction of movement formed in the region of the second transport section during the manipulation process.

[0035] It may be that the at least one first industrial robot applies a respective banderol to several articles or a respective group of articles as part of a respective manipulation.

[0036] In the following, exemplary embodiments will explain the invention and its advantages in more detail with reference to the accompanying figures. The relative sizes of the individual elements in the figures do not always correspond to the actual sizes, as some shapes are simplified and others are enlarged relative to other elements for better illustration.

[0037] At this point, it should be emphasized that features previously mentioned in relation to embodiments of the packaging machine according to the invention equally relate to or can be partial aspects of the method according to the invention. Therefore, if an embodiment of the packaging machine according to the invention is mentioned at any point in the description or in the claim definitions, this applies equally to the embodiments of the method according to the invention.

[0038] The same applies in reverse, so that all aspects and embodiments explained in connection with embodiments of the method according to the invention equally relate to or can be partial aspects of the packaging machine according to the invention. Therefore, if certain aspects or effects are mentioned at a point in the description or in the claim definitions for the method, this applies equally to the packaging machine according to the invention. It is also possible that various embodiments of the method according to the invention are carried out or implemented using an embodiment of the packaging machine according to the invention.The following explanations summarize some aspects of the invention, which has already been explained in various embodiments, and specify some aspects. However, they should not be viewed as contradicting the explanations already made, but rather as a summary and / or, in cases of doubt, as more specific embodiments and / or modifications. Thus, as already mentioned several times above, the packaging machine according to the invention can be used to package articles that may, for example, be formed by beverage containers. Within and by means of the packaging machine, the articles or beverage containers are transported along a defined direction of movement.

[0039] The packaging machine typically includes an infeed, through which the incoming articles are transported seamlessly, or at least almost seamlessly. Thus, in the defined direction of movement, consecutive articles follow one another directly, forming surface contact with each other. The infeed includes, in particular, a horizontal conveyor device, which can be, for example, a circulating driven conveyor belt.

[0040] Optionally, the infeed or the horizontal conveyor system of the infeed can transport articles along the direction of movement in two parallel rows. In practice, however, it may also be the case that the infeed transports exactly one such row in the direction of movement, or that more than two such rows are transported, for example, exactly three such rows or exactly four such rows, which are then essentially oriented parallel to each other.

[0041] In order to manipulate articles using the first industrial robot (described below) and to apply packaging to articles using the second industrial robot (described below), it is necessary to first create article groups from several articles. Each article group comprises a defined number of articles that are to be packaged together into a respective container.

[0042] For example, an article group may comprise exactly six articles or exactly six beverage containers, which are to be combined into a six-pack using packaging. It may also be the case that an article group comprises exactly four articles or exactly four beverage containers, which are to be combined into a four-pack using packaging. To form such an article group, the horizontal conveyor system of the infeed comprises several conveyor belts, one of which is preferably operated intermittently.

[0043] One intermittently operated conveyor belt passes all articles intended for a particular article group to a downstream conveyor belt in a single cycle. It then temporarily stops until a defined gap is formed between the articles already passed on to the downstream conveyor belt and the subsequent articles in the row. Following this, articles intended for another article group are passed on to the downstream conveyor belt, forming another article group.

[0044] Alternatively or in addition to this, the infeed may comprise several pusher elements or other mechanisms with which the front articles of the row are briefly accelerated in order to separate these articles from subsequent articles of the row as an article group.

[0045] From the infeed, the articles move as a group to a first transport section of the packaging machine. In this first transport section, the packaging machine can comprise several first push rods, which can be arranged, for example, on two endless traction devices and can be driven in rotation via the endless traction devices. The endless traction devices are preferably moved in rotation at a constant rotational speed and feed rate.

[0046] Behind the endless traction device, there may be another endless traction device, to which the push rods are additionally arranged. The endless traction devices are usually each guided over several deflection pulleys. This ensures that a respective first push rod engages with articles of a respective article group from the rear and thus accompanies the respective article group while the respective article group is moved along the first transport section. In this case, the respective article group may be pushed along the first transport section via a respective first push rod.

[0047] In the packaging machine described here as an example, however, the articles of a respective article group rest on a horizontal conveyor configured as part of the first transport section, the transport speed of which essentially corresponds to the speed at which the first push rods are driven in rotation. Thus, each article group is accompanied by a respective first push rod during its movement along the first transport section, without the respective article group being accelerated in the direction of movement by the respective first push rod.

[0048] By placing the first push rod on the rear of the article groups, it can be ensured that each article group reaches the second transport section, which immediately follows the first transport section, in a position that very precisely matches the expected target position. Therefore, no additional sensors are required to check the actual position of each article group before manipulation by the first industrial robot and to control the first industrial robot accordingly. Because the first push rods precisely specify the positions of article groups, corresponding sensors are no longer required, allowing the packaging machine to be implemented with a simplified design and reduced equipment.

[0049] The first industrial robot of the second transport section can, for example, be designed as a so-called delta kinematic robot. Furthermore, the first industrial robot is connected to an associated control device. While only one first industrial robot is mentioned here, it is also possible for the second transport section to have several such first industrial robots, each of which may be designed as a delta kinematic robot and connected to the control device, which controls the several first industrial robots in a coordinated manner.

[0050] The control device actuates the first industrial robot so that it receives groups of articles and, if necessary, moves them at an angle to the direction of movement if this is necessary or advantageous for applying packaging to a respective article group, as described below. Furthermore, the first industrial robot or the first delta kinematic robot is capable of applying a respective band to articles of a respective article group. In the area of ​​the second transport section, the article groups are moved without push rods. Thus, the articles are accessible to the first industrial robot along their entire vertical extent, without a push rod being able to prevent or disrupt the application of a band.

[0051] The respective band is applied to the respective article group by the first industrial robot, which wraps the respective band around the respective article group from above. The band is already closed, so the bands are preferably prefabricated. The opening cross-section of each band is designed such that the band is stretched through the articles of a respective article group when the band is applied to the respective article group.

[0052] Often, simply holding items together via a banderol is not sufficient to securely hold the items in a given group together. After the banderol has been applied to a particular group of items, the group of items, along with the applied banderol, moves to a third transport section of the packaging machine.

[0053] In this third transport section, the packaging machine preferably comprises a second industrial robot, which in this case can be designed in particular as a second delta kinematic robot. The second industrial robot or the second delta kinematic robot is also connected to the control device.

[0054] In practice, the packaging machine in the area of ​​the third transport section can comprise several second industrial robots or several second delta kinematic robots which are connected to the control device.

[0055] The second industrial robot applies a respective packaging to each article group, which holds the articles of a respective article group together in addition to the existing fixation via the banderol.

[0056] In this case, the packaging is preferably a so-called top clip. Such a top clip comprises a respective opening for each article, into which the respective article or beverage container is inserted. In the area of ​​each respective opening, the packaging or top clip in particular forms a plurality of retaining tabs. After the respective article or beverage container has been inserted into the respective opening of the packaging, the respective article or beverage container is held in a form-fitting manner to the packaging via the retaining tabs formed in the area of ​​the respective opening. The packaging is then arranged above the banderol, which holds the articles of a respective article group together in addition to the packaging.As the article groups move along the third transport section, a second push rod typically engages the respective article group from behind and accompanies the respective article group while the second industrial robot applies the respective packaging to the respective article group. This ensures that the position of the respective article group corresponds very precisely to an expected target position, allowing the respective packaging to be applied securely and precisely to the respective article group.

[0057] The second push rods are also preferably arranged on two endless traction means that are oriented parallel to each other and guide the second push rods in a circumferential direction. The endless traction means on which the second push rods are arranged can be deflected, for example, via deflection pulleys.

[0058] In the area of ​​the third transport section, the article groups may also rest on a horizontal conveyor whose transport speed essentially corresponds to the speed of the second push rods. Alternatively, a plate may be located in the area of ​​the third transport section on which the article groups rest and along which the article groups can be slid over the second push rods.

[0059] The article groups leave the third transport section together with the banderol applied by the first industrial robot and together with the packaging applied by the second industrial robot and are then moved further towards a subsequent work station, such as a palletising station.

[0060] A practical sequence of process steps is explained below. In a first step, article groups, each of which may comprise several articles formed by beverage containers, can be moved along a first transport section. Several circumferentially guided first push rods accompany the article groups, supporting them from behind, as they move along the first transport section. From the first transport section, the article groups then move to a second transport section without push rods.

[0061] In a subsequent second or further step, bands are applied to the article groups within the second push-rod-less transport section using a first industrial robot. The article groups then move on to a third transport section with the applied bands.

[0062] In a further step, or a third step, a second industrial robot assigned to the third transport section applies packaging to the article groups. During the packaging application, the article groups are supported by second push rods at the rear and are guided by the second push rods during their movement along the third transport section, keeping their rear support.

[0063] The packaging is preferably one that has a corresponding opening for each item, into which the respective item is inserted via the second industrial robot. The items can be locked within the openings.

[0064] Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of an embodiment of a packaging machine according to the invention.

[0065] Fig. 2 shows a flow chart of steps as they can be provided individually or in accordance with the combination shown in Fig. 2 in various embodiments of a method according to the invention.

[0066] Identical reference numerals are used for identical or equivalently functioning elements of the invention. Furthermore, for the sake of clarity, only those reference numerals are shown in the individual figures that are necessary for the description of the respective figure. The illustrated embodiments merely represent examples of how the invention can be configured and do not constitute an exhaustive limitation.

[0067] Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of an embodiment of a packaging machine 1 according to the invention. Articles 2, which are shown only schematically in Fig. 1 and which, in this case, are beverage containers 4, are packaged by means of the packaging machine 1. The articles 2 or the beverage containers 4 are transported along the direction of movement BR via the packaging machine 1.

[0068] The packaging machine 1 comprises an infeed ZL. As shown in Fig. 1, articles 2 are transported continuously in the area of ​​the infeed ZL. Thus, in the direction of movement BR, directly consecutive articles 2 are adjacent to one another or form surface contact with one another. The infeed ZL comprises a horizontal conveyor device 7, which can be, for example, a circulating driven conveyor belt. In the present case, only a single row 3 can be seen, within which articles 2 or beverage containers 4 are transported continuously.

[0069] In the direction of the image plane, behind this row 3 there is another row of articles 2, so that the infeed ZL or the horizontal conveyor device 7 of the infeed ZL transports articles 2 along the direction of movement BR in two rows oriented parallel to one another. In practice, however, it may also be the case that exactly one such row 3 is transported in the direction of movement BR via the infeed ZL, or even more than two such rows 3, for example, exactly three such rows 3 or exactly four such rows 3, which are then essentially oriented parallel to one another.

[0070] In order to be able to manipulate article 2 via the first industrial robot 24, which will be described below, and to be able to apply packaging to article 2 via the second industrial robot 34, which will be described below, it is necessary to first form article groups 8 from several articles 2. Each article group 8 comprises a corresponding number of articles 2, which are to be packaged together into a respective container.

[0071] For example, an article group 8 may comprise exactly six articles 2 or exactly six beverage containers 4, which are to be combined into a six-pack using packaging 37. It may also be the case that an article group 8 comprises exactly four articles 2 or exactly four beverage containers 4, which are to be combined into a four-pack using packaging 37. To form such an article group 8, the horizontal conveyor device 7 of the inlet ZL comprises several conveyor belts, one of which is operated intermittently.

[0072] One intermittently operated conveyor belt passes all articles intended for a respective article group 8 on to a downstream conveyor belt in one cycle and is then temporarily stopped until a defined gap is formed between the articles 2 already passed on to the downstream conveyor belt and the subsequent articles 2 in row 3. Following this, articles 2 intended for a further article group 8 are passed on to the downstream conveyor belt, thereby forming a further article group 8. Alternatively or in addition to this, the infeed ZL can comprise several pushing elements or other mechanisms with which the front articles 2 in row 3 are briefly accelerated in order to separate these articles 2 from the subsequent articles 2 in row 3 as article group 8.

[0073] From the inlet ZL, the articles 2, as article group 8, reach the first transport section TR1 of the packaging machine 1. In the first transport section TR1, the packaging machine 1 comprises several first push rods 16, which are arranged on two endless traction means 12 and are driven in rotation by the endless traction means 12. The endless traction means 12 are moved in rotation at a constant speed.

[0074] Behind the endless traction means 12, which can be seen in Fig. 1, in the direction of the image plane is the further endless traction means, on which the push rods 16 are additionally arranged. The endless traction means 12 as well as the further endless traction means not visible in Fig. 1 are each guided over several deflection pulleys 18. As can be seen in Fig. 1, a respective first push rod 16 comes into contact with articles 2 of a respective article group 8 at the rear and accompanies the respective article group 8 under rear contact, while the respective article group 8 is moved along the first transport section TR1. In this case, the respective article group 8 can be pushed along the first transport section TR1 via a respective first push rod 16.

[0075] In the packaging machine 1 according to Fig. 1, however, the articles 2 of a respective article group 8 rest on a horizontal conveyor configured as a component of the first transport section TR1, the transport speed of which essentially corresponds to a speed at which the first push rods 16 are driven in rotation. Thus, a respective article group 8 is accompanied by a respective first push rod 16 during its movement along the first transport section TR1, without the respective article group 8 being accelerated in the direction of movement BR via the respective first push rod 16.

[0076] By placing the first push rod 16 on the rear of the article groups 8, it can be ensured that each article group 8 reaches the second transport section TR2, which immediately follows the first transport section TR1, in a position that very precisely corresponds to an expected target position. Therefore, no additional sensors are required to check the actual position of each article group prior to manipulation by the first industrial robot 24 and to control the first industrial robot 24 accordingly. Due to the precise specification of the positions of article groups 8 by the first push rods 16, corresponding sensor technology can be omitted, so that the packaging machine 1 has a simple structure.

[0077] The first industrial robot 24 of the second transport section TR2 is designed as a delta kinematic robot 25 and is connected to the control device S. In the present case, only one first industrial robot 24 is shown. However, the second transport section TR2 may also have several such first industrial robots 24, each of which may be designed as a delta kinematic robot 25 and connected to the control device S, which controls the several first industrial robots 24 in a coordinated manner.

[0078] The control device S actuates the first industrial robot 24 so that it receives article groups 8 and, if necessary, displaces them obliquely to the direction of movement BR if this should be necessary or advantageous for the application of a packaging 37 to a respective article group 8, as described below. Furthermore, the first industrial robot 24 or the first delta kinematic robot 25 is capable of applying a respective banderol 27 to article 2 of a respective article group 8. In the area of ​​the second transport section TR2, the article groups 8 are moved without a push rod. Thus, the articles 2 are accessible to the first industrial robot 24 along their entire vertical extent, without a push rod being able to prevent the application of a banderol 27.

[0079] The respective band 27 is applied to the respective article group 8 by the first industrial robot 24, in which the respective first industrial robot 24 wraps a respective band 27 around the respective article group 8 from above. The band 27 is already closed. An opening cross-section of a respective band 27 is designed such that the band 27 is stretched by the articles 2 of a respective article group 8 when the band 27 is applied to the respective article group 8.

[0080] Often, the cohesion of articles 2 via a respective banderol 27 alone is not sufficient to securely hold the articles 2 of a respective article group 8 together. After the respective banderol 27 has been applied to a respective article group 8, the respective article group 8, together with the applied banderol 27, passes to the third transport section TR3 of the packaging machine 8.

[0081] In the third transport section TR3, the packaging machine 1 comprises a second industrial robot 34, which in this case is designed as a second delta kinematic robot 35. The second industrial robot 34 or the second delta kinematic robot 35 is also connected to the control device S. In practice, the packaging machine 1 in the region of the third transport section TR3 can comprise several second industrial robots 34 or several second delta kinematic robots 35, which are connected to the control device S. The second industrial robot 34 applies a respective packaging 37 to a respective article group 8, which holds the articles 2 of a respective article group 8 together in addition to the already existing fixation via the banderol 27.

[0082] The packaging 37 in this case is a so-called top clip. Such a top clip comprises a respective opening for each article 2, into which the respective article 2 or the respective beverage container 4 is inserted. In the area of ​​each respective opening, the packaging 37 or the top clip forms a plurality of retaining tabs. After the respective article 2 or the respective beverage container 4 has been inserted into the respective opening of the packaging 37, the respective article 2 or the respective beverage container 4 is held in a form-fitting manner on the packaging 37 via the retaining tabs formed in the area of ​​the respective opening. The packaging 37 is then arranged above the banderol 27, which holds the articles 2 of a respective article group 8 together in addition to the packaging 37.

[0083] During the movement of the article groups 8 along the third transport section TR3, a respective second push rod 36 engages the rear of a respective article group 8 and accompanies the respective article group 8 under rear contact, while the second industrial robot 34 applies the respective packaging 37 to the respective article group 8. As a result, the position of the respective article group 8 corresponds very precisely to an expected target position, whereby the respective packaging 37 can be reliably applied to the respective article group 8.

[0084] The second push rods 36 are also arranged on two endless traction means 32, which are oriented parallel to each other and guide the second push rods 36 in a circumferential direction. The endless traction means 32, on which the second push rods 36 are arranged, are deflected via deflection pulleys 38.

[0085] In the area of ​​the third transport section TR3, the article groups 8 may also rest on a horizontal conveyor whose transport speed essentially corresponds to the speed of the second push rods 36. Alternatively, a plate may be located in the area of ​​the third transport section TR3, on which the article groups 8 rest and along which plate the article groups 8 are slidably pushed via the second push rods 36.

[0086] The article groups 8 leave the third transport section TR3 together with the banderol 27 applied by the first industrial robot 24 and together with the packaging 37 applied by the second industrial robot 34 and are then moved further in the direction of a subsequent work station, such as a palletizing station.

[0087] Fig. 2 shows a flowchart of steps as they can be provided individually or in the combination shown in Fig. 2 in various embodiments of a method 100 according to the invention.

[0088] In step 110, article groups 8, each comprising a plurality of articles 2 formed by beverage containers 4, are moved along a first transport section TR1. Several circumferentially guided first push rods 16 accompany the article groups 8, bearing against the rear during their movement along the first transport section TR1. From the first transport section TR1, the article groups 8 then move to a second transport section TR2 without push rods.

[0089] In step 120, within the second push-rod-less transport section TR2, banderoles 27 are applied to article groups 8 by a first industrial robot 16. The article groups 8 then transfer to a third transport section TR3 with the applied banderoles 27.

[0090] In step 130, a second industrial robot 34, which is assigned to the third transport section TR3, applies packaging 37 to the article groups 8. During the application of the packaging 37, the article groups 8 are in contact with the rear of second push rods 36 and are accompanied by the second push rods 36 during their movement along the third transport section TR3 under rear contact.

[0091] The packaging 37 is packaging which forms a corresponding opening for each article 2, into which the respective article 2 is inserted via the second industrial robot 34.

[0092] The following is provided as a supplementary note to the above statements. Although a "schematic" representation and view is often or generally referred to in connection with the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 and its above descriptions, this in no way means that the figure representation and its description are of secondary importance with regard to the disclosure of the invention. The person skilled in the art is perfectly capable of deriving sufficient information from the schematic and abstractly drawn representation to facilitate their understanding of the invention, without their understanding being in any way impaired by the drawn and possibly not exactly true-to-scale proportions of parts of the packaging machine 1, its details, or other drawn elements.Rather, the figures enable the skilled reader to derive a better understanding of the inventive concept formulated in a more general and / or abstract manner in the claims and in the general part of the description, at least with regard to some aspects, based on the more specifically explained implementations of the method 100 according to the invention and the more specifically explained structure of the packaging machine 1 according to the invention.

[0093] The invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment. However, it is conceivable for a person skilled in the art that modifications or changes to the invention can be made without departing from the scope of the following claims.

[0094] 1 packaging machine

[0095] 2 articles

[0096] 3 row

[0097] 4 beverage containers

[0098] 7 Horizontal conveyor device

[0099] 8 article group

[0100] 12 endless traction devices (first transport section)

[0101] 16 first push rod

[0102] 18 pulley

[0103] 24 first industrial robots

[0104] 25 first delta kinematics robot

[0105] 27 banderol

[0106] 32 endless traction devices (second transport section)

[0107] 34 second industrial robot

[0108] 35 second delta kinematic robot

[0109] 36 second push rod

[0110] 37 Packaging

[0111] 38 pulley

[0112] 100 procedures

[0113] 110 first procedural step

[0114] 120 second process step

[0115] 130 third procedural step

[0116] 5 Control device

[0117] TR1 first transport section

[0118] TR2 second transport section

[0119] TR3 third transport section

[0120] ZL inlet

Claims

Claims 1. Packaging machine (1), comprising - a first transport section (TR1) for articles (2), which comprises a plurality of first push rods (16) which are guided in a circumferential manner in such a way that they accompany articles (2) during their movement along the first transport section (TR1) under rear contact, - a push rod-free second transport section (TR2) for articles (2), which follows the first transport section (TR1) and comprises at least one first industrial robot (24) for manipulating articles (2), which is located in the area of ​​the second transport section (TR2), and - a third transport section (TR3) for articles (2), which follows the second transport section (TR2) and comprises at least one second industrial robot (34) for applying packaging (37) to articles (2), wherein the third transport section (TR3) comprises a plurality of second push rods (36) which are guided in a circumferential manner in such a way that they accompany articles (2) under rear contact when the at least one second industrial robot (34) applies a respective packaging (37) to the respective articles (2).

2. Packaging machine (1) according to claim 1, wherein the second transport section (TR2) comprises a horizontal conveyor for transporting articles (2) whose transport speed differs by a maximum of 10% from a speed at which articles (2) are moved along the first transport section (TR1).

3. Packaging machine (1) according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein a speed at which the plurality of second push rods (36) are guided in a rotating manner is increased compared to a speed at which the plurality of first push rods (16) are guided in a rotating manner.

4. Packaging machine (1) according to claim 3, wherein the speed at which the plurality of second push rods (36) are guided in a rotating manner is increased by at least 5% to a maximum of 30% compared to the speed at which the plurality of first push rods (16) are guided in a rotating manner.

5. Packaging machine (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the at least one first industrial robot (24) is designed to rotate articles (2) about a vertically oriented axis.

6. Packaging machine (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the at least one first industrial robot (24) is configured and equipped such that it can displace articles (2) obliquely or perpendicularly to their direction of movement (BR) formed in the region of the second transport section (TR2).

7. Packaging machine (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the at least one first industrial robot (24) is designed to apply a banderol (27) to a plurality of articles (2) in each case.

8. Packaging machine (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, in which the at least one first industrial robot (24) is formed by at least one first delta kinematic robot (25) and / or in which the at least one second industrial robot (34) is formed by at least one second delta kinematic robot (35).

9. Use of a packaging machine (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8 for articles (2) which are beverage containers (4) and in particular beverage bottles or beverage cans.

10. A method (100) for transporting and packaging articles (2), in which articles (2) are first moved along a first transport section (TR1), wherein a plurality of circumferentially guided first push rods (16) accompany articles (2) under rear contact during their movement along the first transport section (TR1), and wherein the articles (2) pass from the first transport section (TR1) to a push rod-free second transport section (TR2), within which articles (2) are manipulated by at least one first industrial robot (24), whereupon the articles (2) subsequently pass from the second transport section (TR2) to a third transport section (TR3), in which at least one second industrial robot (34) applies packaging (37) to articles (2), and articles (2) are accompanied by a plurality of second circumferentially guided push rods (36) under rear contact during the application of packaging (37).

11. Method according to claim 10, wherein the articles (2) in the second transport section (TR2) are transported via a horizontal conveyor device, which moves the articles (2) at a transport speed that differs by a maximum of 10% from a speed at which articles (2) are moved along the first transport section (TR1).

12. The method according to claim 10 or claim 11, wherein the plurality of second push rods (36) are guided in rotation at a speed which is increased compared to a speed at which the plurality of first push rods (16) are guided in rotation.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the plurality of second push rods (36) are guided in rotation at a speed which is increased by at least 5% to a maximum of 30% compared to a speed at which the plurality of first push rods (16) are guided in rotation.

14. Method according to one of claims 10 to 13, wherein the at least one first industrial robot (24) rotates articles (2) about a vertically oriented axis during the manipulation.

15. Method according to one of claims 10 to 14, in which the at least one first industrial robot (24) displaces articles (2) during the manipulation obliquely or perpendicularly to their direction of movement (BR) formed in the region of the second transport section (TR2).

16. Method according to one of claims 10 to 15, in which the at least one first industrial robot (24) applies a respective banderol (27) to a plurality of articles (2) in each case within the scope of a respective manipulation.

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