Device and method for transporting articles, such as beverage containers or similar items

Abstract

A device (1) for transporting articles, such as beverage containers or the like, is disclosed. The device (1) comprises a feed conveyor (20), a dispensing device (30), and a discharge conveyor (40). The dispensing device (30) can receive articles from the feed conveyor (20) and can move the received articles from the feed conveyor (20) such that the articles reach a plurality of different and parallel paths of the discharge conveyor (40). Furthermore, the dispensing device (30) can be designed to perform adjustment work when the width and / or number of the several different and parallel paths of the discharge conveyor (40) are changed. Figure for the abstract: Fig. 6

Description

Title of the invention: Device and method for transporting articles, such as beverage containers or the like

[0001] The present invention relates to a device and method for transporting articles, such as beverage containers or the like.

[0002] Devices for packaging beverage containers in additional packaging or in beverage crates are known from the prior art. Such a device is disclosed, for example, in EP 0 251 032 A1. The packaging or unpacking machine described in said EP patent application comprises a conveyor path on which bottle crates are transported. Bottles are transported on another conveyor path positioned parallel to this conveyor path. Furthermore, a lifting and lowering gripping and support head is provided with a plurality of gripping elements by means of which bottles can be received from the other conveyor path, then moved towards a respective associated bottle crate and placed in said bottle crate.In order to accurately strike the bottle crate, the gripping and support head has a guide frame. In the EP patent application, the bottles are held by means of the gripping elements.

[0003] In practice, it is often a transport device having several partitions or guide components oriented parallel to each other which is arranged upstream of such a packaging machine according to the description of the EP patent application or also of another packaging machine and by means of which the bottles can be brought in parallel rows to the packaging machine. Then, the packaging machine can pick up at least one bottle from each of the parallel rows and deposit it in a respectively associated box.

[0004] In order for the transport device to be loaded in a defined or uniform manner with bottles, a distribution device can be arranged upstream of the transport device, which receives bottles from a feed conveyor and then distributes them on several tracks which are formed between said partitions oriented parallel to each other or between the guide components.

[0005] If bottles having a different geometry (e.g. diameter) or having a different volume are to be transferred into beverage crates in successive packaging operations, it is necessary to adapt the relative spacing of the partitions or the guide components beforehand. Such an adaptation may also be necessary if the number of lanes is to be changed. for a given item package. In practice, such adjustments are time-consuming and complicated. In practice, such adjustment is still often carried out manually or by a user who moves the corresponding guide elements or removes them from the transport device if they are not required to form the respective tracks.

[0006] Devices are also known which enable such an adaptation in a time-optimized and simplified manner. Such a device is known from WO 2014 / 135352 A1, for example. The device according to WO 2014 / 135352 A1 comprises a gear arrangement having a first output and a second output, to which outputs guide components are respectively coupled. An actuator can be selectively coupled to the outputs in order to thereby cause an adjustment of the guide components which are connected to the respective output. In the case of the device described in WO, additional devices or a gear arrangement and a coupling of the partitions or the guide components to respective outputs are required in order to be able to adjust the partitions or the guide components relative to each other.It would be desirable to have options that allow for the simplified adjustment of guide components or partition walls.

[0007] The object of the invention is to provide a device or method of the type mentioned at the beginning which allows a corresponding change or adaptation of such a device easily and in a short time.

[0008] The above-mentioned problems are solved by the objects which comprise the features presented in the present application.

[0009] The invention relates to a device for transporting articles such as beverage containers or the like. The articles that can be transported by means of the device may be formed, for example, by beverage bottles or by beverage cans. It is also possible for the articles to be several articles that have already been combined to form a multipack.

[0010] The device comprises a feed conveyor, a distribution device and a discharge conveyor. The feed conveyor may, for example, be designed as a buffer for articles or, if necessary, comprise a star wheel which can bring a stream of articles in a row to the distribution device. Such a buffer may have consecutive conveyor belts which have a different transport speed. A section of the feed conveyor which is arranged first in the transport direction may be a conveyor belt, if necessary surrounded laterally by partitions or ramps, which is directly adjacent to the distribution device or which is arranged directly upstream of the distribution device.

[0011] The dispensing device is configured such that the dispensing device can receive articles from the infeed conveyor and can move the articles received from the infeed conveyor in such a manner that, thereby, the articles are dispensed onto a plurality of different and parallel paths of the outfeed conveyor.

[0012] The device may include a shrink wrapping device that receives articles transported on parallel tracks of the discharge conveyor, film wraps, in its film wrapping module, newly formed groups of articles and shrink-fits said film onto the set of articles in its shrink tunnel.

[0013] The device may comprise a packaging machine which receives articles or many beverage containers from the discharge conveyor and deposits them in a beverage crate and / or in another additional packaging, thereby bringing together several items to form a multipack. In addition, the device may comprise a grouping station which forms a palletizable layer from a plurality of multipacks. A palletizer which is configured as a component of the device may be arranged downstream of the grouping station and deposits said palletizable layer formed by the grouping station on an associated pallet.

[0014] It may be provided that the distribution device is designed to carry out adjustment work when changing a width and / or a number of the several different and parallel tracks of the discharge conveyor.

[0015] Such a path of the discharge conveyor can be formed by a circulating driven conveyor belt as well as by two adjacent guide elements extending parallel to each other. In this way, the distribution device can be designed in such a way that, within the scope of adjustment work, the distribution device can change a position of the respective conveyor belt of a respective path and, if necessary, can move the respective conveyor belt for this purpose with a movement component which extends obliquely and / or perpendicularly to the transport direction of the articles.

[0016] In particular, it may be here that the dispensing device is temporarily mechanically engaged with the respective conveyor belt in order to change a position of the respective conveyor belt, then changes a position of the respective conveyor belt by being mechanically engaged with the respective conveyor belt, and in doing so moves the respective conveyor belt with a movement component that extends obliquely and / or perpendicularly to the transport direction of the articles.

[0017] The movement component extending perpendicularly and / or obliquely to the transport direction may preferably have an orientation extending horizontally or substantially horizontally.

[0018] Alternatively or additionally, the dispensing device can be designed such that, within the scope of the adjustment work, the dispensing device can change a position of a respective guide element of the discharge conveyor and, if necessary, can move the respective guide element for this purpose with a movement component which extends obliquely and / or perpendicularly to the transport direction of the articles.

[0019] In other words, it may be that the dispensing device (or parts thereof) can modify or adjust by respective physical contact the position of guide elements of the discharge conveyor and / or the position of conveyor belts of the discharge conveyor.

[0020] A guide element may also be referred to as a ramp or may be designed as a ramp. It may also be the case that at least one specific guide element is designed as a component of two adjacent lanes. Thus, it may be the case that two adjacent lanes share a common guide element or that a specific guide element contributes to the formation of a first lane and a second lane, which first lane and which second lane extend next to each other or are directly adjacent.

[0021] The discharge conveyor may form at least two lanes. In various embodiments, the discharge conveyor forms more than two lanes or at least three lanes. The at least two lanes may be aligned with lanes of the feed conveyor, which will be further described below. A number of lanes of the feed conveyor may be such that it is greater or less than a number of lanes of the discharge conveyor.

[0022] It may also be that the dispensing device is designed to perform adjustment work when changing a width and / or a number of several different and parallel lanes, which several different and parallel lanes are provided by the infeed conveyor for guiding articles in several parallel rows.

[0023] Alternatively or additionally, it may be that the dispensing device is designed to carry out adjustment work, in which adjustment work the dispensing device independently adjusts at least one contact element intended to push the articles and designed as a component of the dispensing device, in particular by means of a drive mechanism designed to move the articles.

[0024] The dispensing device may comprise a motor, it is by means of which motor that the dispensing device, in order to move and dispense the articles onto the several different and parallel tracks of the discharge conveyor, moves at least one contact element obliquely with respect to a direction of movement (with a component oriented perpendicularly and / or obliquely to the direction of movement) of the articles. Embodiments have been proven in which the dispensing device can, using this motor, a) adjust a width and / or a number of the several different and parallel tracks of the discharge conveyor and / or in which the dispensing device can, using this motor, b) changing a width and / or a number of the several different and parallel tracks of the feed conveyor and / or in which the distribution device can, with the help of this motor, (c) independently adjusting at least one contact element intended to push the articles and designed as a component of the dispensing device, in particular by means of a drive mechanism designed to move the articles.

[0025] In other words, it has proven useful for a single drive mechanism or motor to be used both for moving articles and for adjusting or changing the position of lane sheets or conveyor belts. Furthermore, if necessary, an adjustment of the contact element of the dispensing device itself can be carried out by means of the same motor.

[0026] Embodiments have proven themselves in which the dispensing device comprises at least one contact element provided for pushing the articles, preferably obliquely to their direction of movement, on which at least one contact element provided for pushing the articles is arranged at least one projection. In this case, the dispensing device can be designed in such a way that said at least one projection can be brought to bear on a respective support beam of a respective guide element designed as a component of the discharge conveyor, by means of the dispensing device to change a width and / or a number of the several different and parallel tracks.

[0027] In the case of a support beam, this may be a conventional component of the respective guide element (e.g. the separating plate or the guide element itself) or, alternatively, for example, a type of fork having two upwardly pointing teeth, between which teeth the contact element can enter. Alternatively or additionally, the projection may comprise a fork.

[0028] In various embodiments, the protrusion could also be eliminated if it is formed, for example, by one end of the contact element itself.

[0029] Alternatively or additionally, it may be provided that said at least one projection or another projection can be supported on a support beam of a respective lane sheet supplied by the feed conveyor or a support beam of the lane sheet, by means of the distribution device to change a width and / or a number of the several different and parallel lanes. Embodiments have been made their evidence in which the distribution device adjusts one after the other all the guide elements of the discharge conveyor and / or all the lane sheets of the feed conveyor. In other embodiments, it can be provided that the distribution device adjusts several guide elements of the feed conveyor and / or several lane sheets of the discharge conveyor at the same time.

[0030] When moving from an odd number of lanes to another odd number of lanes, it may be that a middle lane of the feed conveyor or the discharge conveyor is not adjusted, but all the other lanes are adjusted (the removal of a lane is counted).

[0031] When changing from an odd number of lanes to a different width per lane, it may be that the conveyor belt of the middle lane of the infeed conveyor or the outfeed conveyor is not adjusted, but all other conveyor belts are adjusted.

[0032] When moving from an even number of lanes to another even number of lanes or to a different width (per lane), it may be that the middle guide element of the feed conveyor or the discharge conveyor is not adjusted, but all other guide elements are adjusted (the withdrawal of one lane is counted).

[0033] According to the last three paragraphs, the mirror-symmetric adjustment can ensure that the next packaging device or machine is traversed in the middle. In this case, the device would comprise a "stationary center". Alternatively, it is possible, for example, that the next shrink-wrapping device is operated in such a way that always two multipacks are produced in parallel. In this case, two "stationary centers" could be defined, i.e. two parallel surfaces relative to which the strips or the guide elements adjust mirror-symmetrically.

[0034] Beyond this fact, it may be that said at least one projection can be moved by means of the distribution device against a transport direction intended for the articles, to come to bear (and if necessary to adjust it) on a respective support beam of a respective alley sheet.

[0035] It is also conceivable that said at least one projection can be moved by means of the dispensing device along a transport direction provided for the articles, to come to bear on a respective support beam of a respective guide element.

[0036] In various embodiments, it may be that at least one sensor system is arranged at at least one free end of said at least one contact element provided for pushing articles. If necessary, for the support of said at least one projection on the support beam of the respective guide element, said at least one sensor system can detect a relative position between said at least one projection and the respective guide element, oriented in the transport direction.

[0037] Alternatively or additionally, said at least one sensor system can be designed such that, for the support of said at least one projection or the other projection on the respective support beam of the respective lane sheet, said at least one sensor system can detect a relative position between said at least one respective projection or the other projection and the respective lane sheet, oriented against the transport direction.

[0038] Further, the dispensing device may be configured to receive a stream of articles in a row from the infeed conveyor. In this case, the dispensing device may be further configured such that the dispensing device can distribute the stream of articles in a row received from the infeed conveyor onto the several different and parallel paths of the outfeed conveyor.

[0039] Furthermore, a stopping device may be arranged on the device, which fixes the guide elements and / or the conveyor belts of the feed and / or discharge conveyor in their position, in particular after an adjustment operation and before a start of production. The stopping device may be, for example, a snap-in mechanism which fixes the guide elements on their suspension or on their frame.

[0040] In one embodiment, the stop device can be actuated (deactivated or released and / or activated or tensioned) by the dispensing device, in particular by said projection.

[0041] At the time when the dispensing device performs adjustment work, in which adjustment work the dispensing device independently adjusts at least one contact element intended for pushing the articles and designed as a component of the dispensing device, it may be that the stopping device is activated or tensioned and that, for example, the projection connected to the contact element is pressed against a support beam of the guide elements of the discharge conveyor in order to adjust the contact element. For this purpose, it may be that another stopping device is activated between the contact element and the motor of the dispensing device. This can be designed in the same way as the stopping device described above.

[0042] As already mentioned above, a movement of articles by means of the dispensing device can be carried out in particular with a movement component which is perpendicular and / or oblique to the transport direction. In this case, for example, articles can be conveyed inside the dispensing device on a conveyor belt. During this conveying, they come into contact with a surface of the contact element which is arranged obliquely and / or perpendicular to the transport direction and thus moves the articles laterally, to the left or to the right (seen in the transport direction) relative to the conveyor belt.

[0043] Relative to a fixed frame of the distribution device, the article then moves, during the movement, obliquely (component of the conveyor belt moved + component perpendicular to it due to the movement) relative to the direction of transport or to the direction of movement (which it had when it reached the distribution device or at the start of the latter).

[0044] During operation, the contact element of the dispensing device can be controlled in such a way that it guides an incoming flow of articles successively into different paths of the discharge conveyor. In particular, the contact element can be rotatable or pivotable for this purpose.

[0045] In particular, the dispensing device may comprise two contact elements which are adjustable relative to each other and which can easily divert a flow of articles to the left or to the right, depending on the direction in which the contact elements are adjusted.

[0046] The dispensing device may comprise at least one contact element provided for pushing the articles obliquely and / or perpendicularly to their direction of movement, which - can be transferred by means of the distribution device into a position intended for carrying out adjustment work when changing a width and / or a number of the several different and parallel tracks of the discharge conveyor, which position differs from the positions intended for pushing the articles obliquely and / or perpendicularly to their direction of movement, and / or which at least one contact element - can be transferred by means of the distribution device into a position intended for carrying out adjustment work when changing a width and / or a number of the several different and parallel lanes of the feed conveyor, which position differs from the positions intended for pushing the articles obliquely and / or perpendicularly to their direction of movement.

[0047] Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for transporting articles such as beverage containers or the like. Features which have already been described with respect to various embodiments of the device according to the invention may also be provided in the embodiments of the method according to the invention described below and are not mentioned repeatedly. In addition, features which are described below with respect to the various embodiments of the method according to the invention may be provided in the embodiments of the device according to the invention which have already been described previously. It is conceivable that the device is designed to implement the embodiments of the method according to the invention.

[0048] A feed conveyor, a distribution device and a discharge conveyor are provided to implement the method. The conveyor feeder moves articles towards the distribution device and the distribution device receives from the feed conveyor the articles moved by means of the feed conveyor, moves the articles at least proportionally and thus distributes the articles onto several different and parallel paths of the discharge conveyor.

[0049] It is intended that the dispensing device performs at least one of the following steps before receiving the articles moved by means of the infeed conveyor and before dispensing received articles onto the several different and parallel paths of the discharge conveyor: - carry out adjustment work for the width and / or number of the several different and parallel tracks of the discharge conveyor; - carrying out adjustment work for a width and / or number of several different and parallel lanes, which several different and parallel lanes are formed by the feed conveyor to guide articles in several parallel rows; - carrying out adjustment work in which the dispensing device independently adjusts at least one contact element intended to push the articles and designed as a component of the dispensing device, in particular by means of a drive mechanism designed to move the articles.

[0050] Embodiments have been proven in which the dispensing device comprises at least one contact element intended to push the articles, on which at least one contact element intended to push the articles is arranged at least one projection.In the method, it can then be provided that the discharge conveyor comprises a plurality of guide elements for forming the plurality of different and parallel tracks, wherein, to carry out the adjustment work, the distribution device places said at least one projection preferably in plane support on a respective support beam, which respective support beam is connected to a respective guide element and then moves said at least one projection with a movement component oriented perpendicular to the transport direction of the articles, causing the respective guide element to move with a movement component oriented obliquely to the transport direction of the articles.

[0051] Alternatively or additionally, the feed conveyor may comprise at least one lane sheet for forming the several different and parallel lanes, wherein, to carry out the adjustment work, the distribution device places said at least one projection in plane support on a support beam of a respective lane sheet and then moves said at least one projection with a movement component oriented perpendicular to the transport direction of the articles, causing the respective lane sheet to move with a movement component movement oriented obliquely and / or perpendicularly to the direction of transport of the articles.

[0052] It is also possible that said at least one projection, before it is placed in plane support on the respective support beam of the respective guide element, is moved by means of the distribution device along a transport direction intended for the articles, in the direction of the respective guide element and / or that said at least one projection, before it is placed in plane support on the support beam of the respective lane sheet, is moved by means of the distribution device against a transport direction intended for the articles, in the direction of the respective lane sheet.

[0053] It may be that at least one sensor system is arranged at at least one free end of said at least one contact element provided for pushing articles, which at least one sensor system, for the support of said at least one projection on the support beam of the respective lane sheet, detects a relative position between said at least one projection and the support beam of the respective lane sheet, oriented against the transport direction.

[0054] Alternatively or additionally, it may be that said at least one sensor system, for the support of said at least one projection on the respective support beam of the respective guide element, detects a relative position between said at least one respective projection and the respective support beam of the respective guide element, oriented in the transport direction.

[0055] It is also conceivable that the distribution device receives from the feed conveyor a flow of articles in a row, and that the distribution device distributes on the several different and parallel paths of the discharge conveyor said flow of articles received from the feed conveyor in a row.

[0056] The device can be connected to a control which controls all movements of the distribution device, if necessary in addition the speed of conveyor belts of the feed conveyor, the distribution device and the discharge conveyor, as well as the mentioned stopping device (if it exists).

[0057] In particular, the dispensing device may be operated in a production mode in which articles are transported and dispensed.

[0058] In particular, it may be possible to operate the dispensing device in a changeover mode in which no article is transported and no article is dispensed (at least not by the dispenser and by / via the conveyor to be changed).

[0059] In particular, the control can switch between the two modes.

[0060] Recipes that can be selected (e.g. via a touch screen) for the different items to be transported and which indicate how the conveyor belts and / or the alley sheets and / or the contact element itself to be adjusted or set can be stored in said control.

[0061] The recipe may present width, position and / or distance values ​​for the alley walls and / or movement profiles for the contact element or the motors with which it is moved.

[0062] In particular, the contact element or a projection is moved into a position in change mode in which it is not moved in production mode.

[0063] In particular, the dispensing device may not have a drive mechanism which is only provided for adjusting the distance separating two contact elements.

[0064] In particular, the dispensing device may comprise three drive mechanisms, in particular motors, preferably electric motors, one of which causes the contact element to move in and against the transport direction, another causes the contact element to move with a horizontal movement and perpendicular to the transport direction, and yet another drives the conveyor which is arranged below the contact element.

[0065] The direction of transport is preferably horizontal.

[0066] In this case, "below" means "closer to the center of the earth."

[0067] Further, a method of handling articles such as beverage containers or similar could be implemented with the following steps, in which case it may be a separate invention: - implement a production mode with the following steps - transporting a plurality of articles in at least one row in a transport direction, optionally in several adjacent rows between several adjacent partitions, - changing the number of rows in which the articles are transported, by distributing the articles on at least two adjacent tracks, by the fact that a first contact element comes into contact with the articles via at least one drive mechanism and moves, in particular moves the articles with a component perpendicular to the direction of transport, - guide distributed items on several adjacent lanes between several adjacent partitions, - end the production mode and start a change mode by the next step, - adjusting the position of at least one partition by contact with a second contact element which is moved by the same drive mechanism as the first contact element. - end the changeover mode and start a next production mode, in which items of other dimensions (e.g. width or diameter) are handled in the next production mode.

[0068] In the case of the second contact element, it may in particular be said projection.

[0069] In the case of partitions, these may be the aforementioned guide elements or alley sheets.

[0070] In the case of the drive mechanism, it may be said motor.

[0071] The position adjustment step may comprise that the same two motors that moved the first contact element in the production mode move the second contact element in the change mode. Preferably, the two motors are arranged stationarily on a machine frame.

[0072] The first contact element is preferably connected to the second contact element (e.g. by means of screwing), they can even be designed in one piece.

[0073] It should be explicitly emphasized here that all aspects and variant embodiments that have been explained in connection with the device according to the invention may also relate to or constitute partial aspects of the method according to the invention. Consequently, if, in a passage in the description or also in the definitions of the claims relating to the device according to the invention, certain aspects and / or connections and / or effects are referred to, this also applies to the method according to the invention. The same applies conversely, so that all aspects and variant embodiments that have been explained in connection with the method according to the invention may also relate to or constitute partial aspects of the device according to the invention.Therefore, if in a passage in the description or also in the definitions of the claims relating to the method according to the invention certain aspects and / or connections and / or effects are mentioned, this also applies to the device according to the invention.

[0074] The following are examples of embodiments intended to explain the invention and its advantages in more detail with reference to the attached figures. The proportions of the individual elements relative to each other in the figures do not always correspond to the actual proportions because some shapes are shown in a simplified manner and other shapes, for better illustration, are shown enlarged relative to other elements.

[0075] [Fig.l], [Fig.2], [Fig.3], [Fig.4] and [Fig.5] show schematic views of a first embodiment of a device according to the invention and illustrate individual steps as may be provided in various embodiments of a method according to the invention. [Fig. 6] shows a schematic side view of another embodiment of the device according to the invention and illustrates individual steps as may be provided in various embodiments of a method according to the invention. [Fig.7] and [Fig.8] show a possibility of changing the number of parallel tracks of an evacuation conveyor. [Fig.9] shows an embodiment of an installation design in which an embodiment of a device according to the invention is used. [Fig. 10] shows in flowchart form individual steps as they can be provided individually or in the combination shown in [Fig. 10] in various embodiments of the method according to the invention.

[0076] Identical reference numerals are used for elements of the invention which are identical or which have the same effect. Furthermore, for the sake of clarity, only those reference numerals are shown in the individual figures which are necessary for the description of the respective figure. The embodiments shown are only examples showing how the invention can be constructed, and do not constitute a definitive limitation.

[0077] The embodiments, examples and variations of the preceding passages, the claims or the following description and the figures, including their respective different views or individual features, may be used independently of each other or in any combination. Features that are described in connection with one embodiment may be applied to all embodiments, if the features are not incompatible.

[0078] Even if one speaks, in the context of the following description of figures, in general of "schematic" representations and views, this does not in any way mean that the representations of the figures and their description should be of minor importance with regard to the disclosure of the invention. The person skilled in the art is quite capable of taking sufficient information from the schematic and abstract illustrations which facilitate his understanding of the invention, without being hindered in any way in his understanding for example due to the proportions drawn and possibly not exactly to scale.Thus, the figures allow the person skilled in the art as a reader, with the aid of the more concretely explained implementations of the method according to the invention and the more concretely explained mode of operation of the device according to the invention, to better understand the inventive idea formulated in a more general and / or more abstract manner in the claims as well as in the general part of the description.

[0079] Figures 1 to 5 show schematic views of a first embodiment of a device 1 according to the invention and illustrate individual steps as they may be provided in various embodiments of a method 100 according to the invention.

[0080] The components of the device 1 according to [Fig. 1] are a dispensing device 30 and a discharge conveyor 40, which discharge conveyor 40 is arranged, in the direction of the image plane, behind the dispensing device 30. A feed conveyor 20 is arranged upstream of the dispensing device 30 in the direction away from the image plane, the former not being shown in [Fig. 1] for reasons of clarity, but being shown by way of example in [Fig. 6]. Such a feed conveyor 20 may comprise a star wheel, for example, which brings to the dispensing device 30 an article flow in a row which consists of a plurality of articles 2. Such a feed conveyor 20 may also comprise a buffer which brings to the dispensing device 30 an article flow in a row which consists of a plurality of articles 2.

[0081] In the embodiment according to [Fig.l], the articles 2 are formed as beverage containers 4 or as beverage bottles. However, the articles 2 can also be optionally formed by other container shapes, for example by beverage cans or by cardboard packaging or the like.

[0082] The dispensing device 30 comprises a support and bearing structure 36 on which a linear guide 33 is arranged above a transport plane provided for the articles 2. The two contact elements 31 of the dispensing device 30 are fixed along said linear guide 33. The two contact elements 31 are spaced from each other in such a way that a flow of articles in a row which is supplied to the dispensing device 30 by means of the feed conveyor 20 can be guided between the two contact elements 31.

[0083] For the movement of the flow in a row of articles 2 or beverage containers 4, the dispensing device 30 may comprise a horizontal transport device 34 on which the articles 2 rest during movement by the dispensing device 30 and which may be designed as a circulating driven conveyor belt.

[0084] In this case, the contact elements 31 can be moved together along the linear guide 33 by means of the motor 32 with a movement component which is oriented perpendicular to the transport direction TR (cf. [Fig.3]) of the articles 2. Due to this fact, the flow of articles in a row can be introduced into a selected lane 43 of the discharge conveyor 40 by means of the distribution device 30, the contact elements 31 maintaining a parallel orientation during the movement.

[0085] It is precisely by means of this motor 32 that adjustment work can be carried out on the feed conveyor 20 (see [Fig.6]) and / or on the discharge conveyor 40, as will be explained further below.

[0086] Furthermore, a second motor 32' is shown respectively in Figures 1 to 6. Said second motor 32' acts in concert with the contact element 31 in such a way that the contact element 31 can be moved or displaced in the transport direction TR by the second motor 32'.

[0087] A respective track 43 of the discharge conveyor 40 is formed by two adjacent and parallel guide elements 42 and by a conveyor belt 45 (see [Fig. 3]), which conveyor belt 45 moves a stream of articles in a row along the respective adjacent guide elements 42. In the present case, the movement takes place in the transport direction TR (see [Fig. 3]) which, in Figures 1 and 2, extends respectively in the direction of the image plane. The motor 32 can be designed, for example, as a normal (rotary) electric motor (synchronous motor, asynchronous motor, servo motor or the like) or as an electromagnetic direct drive mechanism or as a long or planar stator motor.

[0088] In a feed (or feed conveyor 20) from which the articles 2 always come in the same position perpendicular to the transport direction during a production cycle, the contact elements 31 may have a fixed position in a starting area (seen in the transport direction) of the distribution device 30 during operation (=production mode). In the middle or at the end of the distribution device 30, the (rear parts of the) contact elements 31 may be temporarily curved or be rotated around a hinge not shown in order to guide the flow of articles continuously over a longer period (which is at least twice as long as that required by an article to pass through the distribution device) in a determined path 43.

[0089] In the case of a feeder (or a feed conveyor 20) that delivers the articles 2 to different positions, the contact elements 31 can be configured in the front area in the same way as in the rear area. In this case, there can be two settings that allow the contact elements 31 to be moved independently of each other.

[0090] The mode of operation of the device 1 during service becomes clear by considering Figures 1 and 2 together. Considering them together, it appears that a flow of articles in a row which was still fed to a first track 43 in [Fig.l] is already fed to another track 43 in [Fig.2] by means of the distribution device 30; for this purpose, the contact elements 31 have been moved together along the linear guide 33.

[0091] In order for the dispensing device 30 to be able to change lanes 43 to bring the flow of articles into a row, the articles 2 or the beverage containers 4 are moved with a movement component which extends perpendicular to their previously planned transport direction TR (see [Fig. 3]).

[0092] The articles 2 or the beverage containers 4 can then be removed from the discharge conveyor 40 or from the tracks 43 of the discharge conveyor 40 by means of a manipulator not shown and, if necessary, be placed in beverage crates or other additional packaging. Alternatively, they can be transported in a shrink-wrapping device not shown.

[0093] If the contact elements 31 are adjusted in such a way that a flow of articles which was previously fed to a first track 43 is then fed to a second or another track 43, there is a control of the motors 32 and 32' which then move the contact elements 31 at the same time. The motor 32 moves the contact elements 31 perpendicular to the transport direction TR (see [Fig. 3]).

[0094] The second motor 32' moves the contact elements 31 simultaneously in the transport direction TR, the contact elements 31 thus approaching the discharge conveyor 40. Thanks to this superimposed movement in time, the contact elements follow a circular path during an adjustment, whereby it is possible to prevent articles 2 from tipping over unintentionally during a lane change.

[0095] [Fig.3] represents a schematic side view of the embodiment according to Figures 1 to 2. Furthermore, the feed conveyor 20 (see [Fig. 6]) is not shown for reasons of clarity. During operation, the articles 2 or alternatively the beverage containers 4 are moved as an article stream in a row between adjacent contact elements 31 of the dispensing device 30, with articles 2 that follow one another in the transport direction TR being placed against each other. For reasons of clarity, [Fig. 3] shows only individual articles 2 of the article stream that is moved in a single row between the contact elements 31 during operation.

[0096] Considering together Figures 1 and 2 as well as 3 and 4, it is clear that the distribution device 30 moves the contact elements 31 along the linear guide 33 (Figures 1 and 2) when passing from a first track 43 to another track 43 and also performs a stroke along another linear guide 33' for the contact elements 31 (only one in the case of a single contact element 31), which stroke is oriented in the transport direction TR.

[0097] In the representation of [Fig. 3], the contact elements 31 have already completed this stroke and, as shown in [Fig. 4], have been returned to the position y shown by means of a return stroke. If the distribution device 30 wishes to convey a stream of articles in a row which has been brought so far to a first track 43 to another track 43, the contact elements 31 perform for this purpose a non-linear and curved or curved movement.

[0098] Alternatively, this movement can be at least oblique (angle between 1° and 45°, preferably between 5° and 30°) relative to the conveying direction. This prevents the individual articles 2 from tipping over unintentionally during dispensing or during a "track change 43" or, if necessary, from not exactly meeting the respective track 43. A displacement speed of the movement component of the contact elements 31 in the conveying direction TR essentially corresponds to the conveying speed of the horizontal conveying device 34 in the conveying direction TR, which can be designed as a component of the dispensing device 30.

[0099] [Fig. 3] further shows two supports 47 on which the lane sheets 42 of the discharge conveyor 40 are suspended in a displaceable manner. The lane sheets 42 of the discharge conveyor 40 can be moved along the linear guides 46.

[0100] A conveyor belt 45 can be moved along the linear guide 48.

[0101] In particular, when the articles 2 are transferred to a shrink wrapping device, a plurality of conveyor belts 45 adjustable relative to each other may be arranged on the discharge conveyor (along a direction in the image plane).

[0102] When the articles 2 are transferred to an insert packaging device (as described in the prior art), it may be that only one large conveyor belt or several small non-adjustable conveyor belts are arranged at the location of the conveyor belt 45 in [Fig. 3], since, compared to the shrink packaging device, it is no longer necessary to sort into groups of multipacks. In this case, with a different article format, only the lane sheets of the discharge conveyor 40 need to be adjusted. Here and elsewhere, the term conveyor belt should also include transport chains or the like.

[0103] [Fig. 5] again shows the device 1 of the embodiment according to FIGS. 1 to 4 in the changeover mode which was initiated by the control S. In the side view according to [Fig. 5], no article 2 is dispensed onto the tracks 43 of the discharge conveyor 40 by means of the dispensing device 30. In [Fig. 5], the dispensing device 30 is thus in an operating state in which the dispensing device 30 can carry out adjustment work on the discharge conveyor 40.

[0104] Such adjustment work can be carried out if necessary if it is desired to switch from a first type of beverage container 4 to another type of beverage container 4, the dimensions of the beverage containers of the second type differing from the dimensions of the beverage containers of the first type.

[0105] For this purpose, it may be necessary that the relative distance of the guide elements 42 must be adapted to the modified dimensioning before transporting the second type of beverage containers 4 in order to prevent these beverage containers from becoming stuck or tilting when moving between the guide elements 42.

[0106] In addition or alternatively, it may be that, for further operation of the device 1 in the next production cycle, a number of tracks 43 of the discharge conveyor 40 is required which is different from the number previously available. In this case too, the distribution device 30 can adapt the corresponding number of tracks 43 of the discharge conveyor 40; for this purpose, the distribution device 30 moves the guide elements 42 of the discharge conveyor 40, if necessary, into a respective waiting position on the very side of the discharge conveyor 40, in which the guide elements 42 remain until their reuse.

[0107] In order to carry out such adjustment work, a projection 17 is arranged on a contact element 31 of the distribution device 30, which projection 17 projects beyond the contact element 31 in the transport direction TR. In addition, a support beam 19 projects upwards from the guide elements 42.

[0108] As mentioned above, to change lanes 43, the contact element 31 can already perform a stroke in the transport direction TR. In order for the projection 17 to come into contact with the support beam 19, the stroke is increased until the projection 17 and the support beam 19 are aligned with each other, as shown in [Fig. 5], perpendicular to the transport direction TR. This position is detected using the sensor system 37 which is arranged on the contact element 31. The projection 17 does not reach a position as shown in [Fig. 5], if the dispensing device 30 passes articles 2 to the discharge conveyor 40.

[0109] The projection 17 then comes into surface contact with the support beam 19 and pushes the support beam 19 together with the guide element 42 on which the support beam 19 is arranged, in a direction of movement which is oriented perpendicular to the conveying direction TR. As a result, the distance between the pushed guide element 42 and an adjacent guide element 42 optionally increases or decreases, whereby the width of a respective track 43 of the discharge conveyor 40 can be adjusted by means of the distribution device 30.

[0110] Additional devices for adjusting a track width, as can be provided in known devices of the prior art, are therefore not necessary. The adjustment work can be carried out exclusively by means of the distribution device 30.

[0111] As already mentioned, the projection 17 can also be replaced or formed by the end of the contact element 31.

[0112] The dispensing device 30 can carry out such an adjustment for all the guide elements 42 of the discharge conveyor 40. As already described in connection with FIGS. 1 and 2, the adjustment of the contact elements 31 along the linear guide 33 or perpendicular to the transport direction TR is carried out by means of the motor 32. In this way, the motor 32 can advantageously be used both for dispensing the articles 2 onto the tracks 43 and for adjustment work on the guide elements 42. Consequently, adjustment work on the discharge conveyor 40 becomes possible in a simple manner without the need for additional adjustment mechanisms and possibly complex construction for this purpose.

[0113] Said stroke in the transport direction TR can be carried out by a second motor 32'. The adjustment is therefore carried out by an interaction of the two motors 32 and 32'.

[0114] [Fig. 6] shows a schematic side view of another embodiment of the device 1 according to the invention and illustrates individual steps as they can be provided in various embodiments of a method 100 according to the invention. [Fig. 6] then shows an exemplary embodiment of a feed conveyor 20 designed as a component of the device 1.

[0115] The feed conveyor 20 comprises a plurality of lane plates 22, in which two lane plates 22 respectively form together with a respective conveyor belt 21 a respective lane for moving a stream of articles in a row. In this case, a stream of articles in a row is guided between adjacent lane plates 22. If the dimensioning of the beverage containers 4 which are to be dispensed on the lanes 43 is changed, it is necessary for embodiments of a feed conveyor 20 according to [Fig. 6] that, for this purpose, the relative spacing of the lane plates 22 of the feed conveyor 20 is previously adjusted.

[0116] In the embodiment according to [Fig. 6], a projection 17' is arranged for this purpose on the contact element 31 of the distribution device 30, which projection 17' projects beyond the longitudinal extent of the contact element 31 against the transport direction TR. A support beam 19' is arranged respectively on the lane sheets 22 and points upwards in the direction opposite to the respective lane sheet 22. The projection 17' can be moved in the direction of a respective support beam 19' until the projection 17' and the support beam 19' are aligned with each other perpendicular to the transport direction TR. The contact element 31 can then be moved perpendicular to the transport direction TR, the respective support beam 19' being moved perpendicular to the transport direction TR together with the respective lane sheet 22 in order to adapt the respective width of an alley with the respective dimensioning of the beverage containers 4 to be moved via said supply 20.

[0117] The projection 17 which projects from the contact element 31 in the transport direction TR, and which projection 17 makes it possible to adjust the guide elements 4, is further provided in the embodiment according to [Fig. 6] or is arranged on the contact element 31. The adjustment of the guide elements 42 by means of the projection 17 is further carried out in accordance with the description in [Fig. 5].

[0118] [Fig. 6] further shows yet another 32" motor for adjusting the front section of the contact element 31. In Figures 1 to 6, the articles are preferably transported continuously on all the conveyors 20, 30, 40.

[0119] Figures 7 and 8 show another embodiment of a device 1 according to the invention and illustrate to what extent the number and width of tracks 43 of a discharge conveyor 40 can be modified in the context of various embodiments.

[0120] In [Fig.7], the feed conveyor 20 moves articles 2 in a single row towards the distribution device 30. The distribution device 30 comprises an articulated arm robot 39 which receives articles 2 moved via the feed 20, deflects them by 90° and distributes them onto two parallel tracks 43 of the discharge conveyor 40.

[0121] [Fig. 7] further shows that exactly one lane sheet 22 is positioned approximately centrally along the discharge conveyor 40 to form the two parallel lanes 43 in [Fig. 7]. Two other lane sheets 22 are in a standby position and are initially not required for the transport of articles 2 on two parallel lanes 43, shown in [Fig. 7].

[0122] Depending on a corresponding number of articles 2 of the respective multipack to be formed from the articles 2 moved by means of the device 1, it may be necessary in practice that the device 1 according to [Fig. 7] has to be put into the state according to [Fig. 8] in which the discharge conveyor 40 forms four lanes 43 for moving articles 2 in four parallel rows. For this purpose, it is necessary that the lane sheets 22 which are still arranged in a waiting position in [Fig. 7] are moved towards a middle of the discharge conveyor 40 and positioned along the transport path of the articles 2 according to [Fig. 8]. Such a movement is carried out in the embodiment according to Figures 7 and 8 by means of the articulated arm robot 39 which is implemented as a component of the distribution device 30. A suspension and adjustment of the lane sheets 22 can be designed analogously to Figures 5 and 6.

[0123] For this purpose, the articulated arm robot 39 receives a respective lane sheet 22, moves the respective lane sheet 22 towards the middle of the discharge conveyor 40, whereupon the respective lane sheet 22 is fixed in the respective intended position to form a track 43. In practice, for example, a toothing is suitable for this purpose, which keeps the respective lane sheet 22 moved towards the middle, positively engaged in its position. This can also be the case with the previously mentioned embodiments.

[0124] A locking mechanism can also be provided which, if necessary, ensures that the respective lane sheet 22 does not unintentionally release from its position. Such a locking mechanism can, if necessary, be released by means of the articulated arm robot 39 if the respective lane sheet 22 is to be returned from the position according to [Fig. 8] to the waiting position according to [Fig. 7]. This can also be the case with the previously described embodiments.

[0125] [Fig. 9] shows an embodiment of a plant design 200 in which an embodiment of a device 1 according to the invention is used. The plant design of the embodiment according to [Fig. 9] comprises a tempering device for preforms 205, from which the heated preforms are fed to a blowing machine 210 and are stretch-blown there to form PET bottles.

[0126] The blowing machine 210 is followed by a device 215 which comprises a rinsing machine, a filling machine and a closing machine. The stretch-blown, filled and closed PET bottles are then fed to a labeling device 220 which applies a respective label to outer side surfaces of the PET bottles. The labeled bottles then reach a buffer 230 via conveyor belts, which can temporarily store PET bottles.

[0127] The buffer 230 is then followed by an embodiment of a device 1 according to the invention which can be designed in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the preceding figures. The device 1 comprises a feed conveyor 20, a distribution device 30 and a discharge conveyor 40. The discharge conveyor 40 is followed by a packaging device 240 which can apply, if necessary, cutouts of thermoplastic packaging material to sets of articles 2.

[0128] The articles 2, with their respective blank of thermoplastic packaging material, then enter a shrink tunnel 250 in which a respective blank of thermoplastic packaging material is shrink-fitted onto a respective set of articles. A respective carrying handle is applied by means of the carrying handle applicator 260 to the multipacks thus produced, whereupon a palletizable layer is formed from several multipacks by the grouping station 270 and the palletizable layer is then placed on a pallet by means of the palletizer 280.

[0129] [Fig. 10] shows in flowchart form individual steps as they can be provided individually or in the combination shown in [Fig. 10] in various embodiments of the method 100 according to the invention. The method 100 can be implemented by means of the previously described embodiments of a device 1 according to the invention.

[0130] In step 110, adjustment work is carried out on a feed conveyor 20 by means of a distribution device 30 (see [Fig. 1]); for this purpose, the distribution device 30 adapts a relative spacing of a plurality of lane sheets 22 designed as a component of the feed conveyor 20 to each other and for this purpose moves the lane sheets 22 relative to each other. The spacing is adapted here in such a way that the spacing of immediately adjacent lane sheets 22 corresponds to a little more than the maximum cross-sectional diameter of articles 2 which are to be transported between the lane sheets 22 by means of the feed conveyor 20.

[0131] In step 120 following step 110, adjustment work is carried out on a discharge conveyor 40 (see [Fig. 1]) by means of the distribution device 30; for this purpose, the distribution device 30 adapts a relative spacing to one another of a plurality of guide elements 42 designed as a component of the discharge conveyor 40 and for this purpose moves the guide elements 42 relative to one another. Here too, the spacing is adapted in such a way that the spacing of immediately adjacent guide elements 42 corresponds to a little more than the maximum cross-sectional diameter of articles 2 which are to be transported between the guide elements 42 of the discharge conveyor 40. In the context of steps 110 and 120, adjustment work is therefore carried out by means of a distribution device 30.

[0132] Once the adjustment work is completed, step 120 is followed by step 130. In step 130, the feed conveyor 20 moves articles 2 towards the distribution device 30. The distribution device 30 then receives the articles 2 from the feed conveyor 20, moves the received articles 2 at least proportionally and thus distributes the received articles 2 onto a plurality of different and parallel tracks 43 of the feed conveyor 40, which several different and parallel tracks 43 are formed using the guide elements 42.

[0133] The invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment. However, it is conceivable for a person skilled in the art to be able to make variations or modifications of the invention without departing from the scope of protection of the following claims.

[0134] List of reference figures [Tables 1] 1 device 2 item 4 beverage container 17 projection 17' projection 19 19' support beam support beam 20 21 feed conveyor conveyor belt 22 lane plate 30 distribution device 31 contact element 32 32' 32“ motor second motor other motor 33 33' 34 linear guide other linear guide horizontal transport device 36 37 support and support construction sensor system 40 discharge conveyor 42 guide element 43 46 47 track linear guide support 48 linear guide 100 process 110 120 130 200 205 210 215 first process step second process step fourth process step plant design tempering device for preforms blowing machine rinsing machine, filling machine and closing machine closing machine conveyor belts buffer packaging device shrink tunnel carrying handle applicator group post palletizer TR transport management

Claims

1. Claims Device (1) for transporting articles, such as beverage containers or the like, comprising - a feed conveyor (20), a distribution device (30) and a discharge conveyor (40), - wherein the dispensing device (30) can receive articles (2) from the feed conveyor (20) and can move the articles (2) received from the feed conveyor (20) in such a way that, thus, the articles (2) are distributed on a plurality of different and parallel tracks (43) of the discharge conveyor (40), said device (1) being characterized in that - the distribution device (30) is designed to carry out adjustment work when changing a width and / or a number of the several different and parallel tracks (43) of the discharge conveyor (40), and / or by the fact that - the distribution device (30) is designed to carry out adjustment work when changing a width and / or a number of several different and parallel lanes, which several different and parallel lanes are provided by the feed conveyor (20) for guiding articles (2) in several parallel rows, the device being further characterized by the fact that - the dispensing device (30) is designed to carry out adjustment work; in which adjustment work, the dispensing device (30) independently adjusts at least one contact element (31) provided for pushing the articles (2) obliquely and / or perpendicularly to their transport direction, and designed as a component of the dispensing device (30), in particular by means of a drive mechanism (32) designed to move the articles (2), - and that the dispensing device (30) is designed to operate in a production mode in which the articles (2) are conveyed inside the dispensing device (30) on a conveyor belt (21) and, during their transport, come into contact with a surface of the contact element (31), which laterally moves the articles (2) and dispenses them, and in a changeover mode in which no articles (2) are transported and dispensed.

2. Device according to claim 1, wherein the dispensing device (30) comprises at least one contact element (31) provided for pushing the articles (2) obliquely to their direction of movement, on which at least one contact element (31) provided for pushing articles (2) is arranged at least one projection (17, 17'), wherein the dispensing device (30) is designed in such a way that - said at least one projection (17, 17') can be supported on a respective support beam (19) of a respective guide element (42) designed as a component of the discharge conveyor (40), by means of the dispensing device (30) to change a width and / or a number of the several different and parallel tracks (43), and / or wherein it is provided that - said at least one projection (17, 17') can be supported on a support beam (19') of a respective alley sheet supplied by the feed conveyor (20),by means of the distribution device (30) for changing a width and / or a number of the several different and parallel alleys.,

3. Device according to claim 2, wherein - said at least one projection (17') can be moved by means of the distribution device (30) against a transport direction (TR) provided for the articles (2), to come to bear on a respective support beam (19') of a respective alley sheet, and / or wherein - said at least one projection (17) can be moved by means of the distribution device (30) along a transport direction (TR) provided for the articles (2), to come to bear on a respective support beam (19) of a respective guide element (42).

4. Device according to claim 3, wherein at least one sensor system (37) is arranged at at least one free end of said at least one contact element (31) provided for pushing articles (2), which at least one sensor system (37) - can detect, for the support of said at least one projection (17) on the support beam (19) of the respective guide element (42), a relative position between said at least one projection (17) and the respective guide element (42), oriented in the transport direction (TR), and / or which at least one sensor system (37) - can detect, for the support of said at least one projection (17') on the respective support beam (19') of the respective lane sheet (22), a relative position between said at least one respective projection (17') and the respective lane sheet (22), oriented against the transport direction (TR).

5. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the dispensing device (30) is adapted to receive a stream of articles in a row from the infeed conveyor (20), and wherein the dispensing device (30) is designed in such a way that the dispensing device (30) can distribute the stream of articles in a row received from the infeed conveyor (20) onto the several different and parallel tracks (43) of the discharge conveyor (40).

6. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the dispensing device (30) comprises at least one contact element (31) which is provided for pushing the articles (2) obliquely and / or perpendicularly to their direction of movement and which - can be transferred by means of the dispensing device (30) into a position provided for carrying out adjustment work when changing a width and / or a number of the several different and parallel tracks (43) of the discharge conveyor (40), which position differs from the positions provided for pushing the articles (2) obliquely and / or perpendicularly to their direction of movement,and / or which at least one contact element (31) - can be transferred by means of the dispensing device (30) into a position intended for carrying out adjustment work when changing a width and / or a number of the several different and parallel lanes of the feed conveyor (20), which position differs from the positions intended for pushing the articles (2) obliquely and / or perpendicularly to their direction of movement.,

7. A method (100) of transporting articles (2) such as beverage containers (4) or the like, wherein the method (100) provides a feed conveyor (20), a dispensing device (30) and a discharge conveyor (40), wherein the feed conveyor (20) moves articles (2) towards the dispensing device (30) and the dispensing device (30) receives from the feed conveyor (20) the articles (2) moved by means of the feed conveyor (20), then moves them at least proportionally and thus distributes them on several different and parallel tracks (43) of the discharge conveyor (40), the method (100) being characterized in that the distribution device (30) in a changeover mode, before receiving the articles (2) moved by means of the feed conveyor (20) and before distributing received articles (2) on the several different and parallel tracks (43) of the discharge conveyor (40), implements the following steps: - carrying out adjustment work for a width and / or a number of the several different and parallel tracks (43) of the discharge conveyor (40);and / or - performing adjustment work for a width and / or number of several different and parallel lanes, which several different and parallel lanes are formed by the feed conveyor (20) for guiding articles (2) in several parallel rows;and further - carrying out adjustment work in which the dispensing device (30) independently adjusts at least one contact element (31) provided for pushing the articles (2) obliquely and / or perpendicularly to their transport direction, and designed as a component of the dispensing device (30), in particular by means of a drive mechanism (32) designed to move the articles (2), the method (100) being further characterized in that the dispensing device (30), in a production mode, - conveys the articles (2) inside the dispensing device (30) on a conveyor belt (21) and, - laterally moves the articles (2) during their conveyance by contact with a surface of the contact element (31), and dispenses them.;

8. Method according to claim 7, wherein it is provided that the dispensing device (30) comprises at least one contact element (31) provided for pushing the articles (2), on which at least one contact element (31) provided for pushing the articles (2) is arranged at least one projection (17, 17'), and in which method it is provided that - the discharge conveyor (40) comprises a plurality of guide elements (42) for forming the plurality of different and parallel lanes (43), wherein, in order to carry out the adjustment work, the distribution device (30) places said at least one projection (17) in planar support on a respective support beam (19), which respective support beam (19) is connected to a respective guide element (42) and then moves said at least one projection (17) with a movement component oriented perpendicular to the transport direction (TR) of the articles (2), causing the respective guide element (42) to move with a movement component oriented obliquely to the transport direction (TR) of the articles (2), and / or in which method it is provided that - the feed conveyor (20) comprises at least one lane sheet (22) for forming the plurality of different and parallel lanes, wherein, in order to carry out the adjustment work,the distribution device (30) places said at least one projection (17') in plane support on a support beam (19') of a respective lane sheet (22) and then moves said at least one projection (17') with a movement component oriented perpendicular to the transport direction (TR) of the articles (2), causing the movement of the respective lane sheet (22) with a movement component oriented obliquely to the transport direction (TR) of the articles (2).,

9. Method according to claim 8, wherein, - said at least one projection (17) is moved by means of the distribution device (30) along a transport direction (TR) provided for the articles (2), towards the respective guide element (42), before coming into plane abutment on the respective support beam (19) of the respective guide element (42). - said at least one projection (17') is moved by means of the distribution device (30) against a transport direction (TR) provided for the articles (2), towards the respective lane sheet (22), before coming into plane abutment on the support beam (19') of the respective lane sheet (22).

10. Method according to claim 9, wherein at least one sensor system (37) is arranged at at least one free end

11. said at least one contact element (31) provided for pushing articles (2), which at least one sensor system (37) - detects, for the support of said at least one projection (17') on the support beam (19') of the respective lane sheet (22), a relative position between said at least one projection (17') and the support beam (19') of the respective lane sheet (22), oriented against the transport direction (TR), and / or which at least one sensor system (37) - detects, for the support of said at least one projection (17) on the support beam (19) of the respective guide element (42), a relative position between said at least one projection (17) and the respective support beam (19) of the respective guide element (42), oriented in the transport direction (TR). Method according to any one of claims 7 to 10, in which the distribution device (30) receives from the feed conveyor (20) a flow of articles in a row, and in which the distribution device (30) distributes on the several different and parallel paths (43) of the discharge conveyor (40) said flow of articles received from the feed conveyor (20) in a row.

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