Holding device for package handling equipment

Abstract

The package handling device (1) and method for grouping packages filled with a liquid food product include a conveyor belt (2) that conveys packages (PI, P2) in a downstream direction (D), a guide member (4) disposed on one side of the conveyor belt (2), a grouping device (3) that receives the packages from the conveyor belt (2) and groups a predetermined number of packages together, and a holding device (5) disposed on the opposite side of the conveyor belt (2) relative to the guide member (4). The holding device (5) has a plurality of flexible elements (6) that are angled relative to the conveyor belt (2). Each flexible element (6) is configured to flex to allow passage of a package (PI) in the downstream direction (D), and to retract from a flexed position (F) after the package (P2) has passed to prevent movement of the package (P2) in the upstream direction (U).

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a device and a method for grouping packages filled with liquid food products. [Background technology]

[0002] A processing system for producing packages filled with liquid food typically includes a filling machine for forming packages and filling the packages with liquid food, and a package handling device or machine for receiving the packages filled with liquid food from the filling machine. The packages can be formed of paperboard or other packaging materials suitable for containing liquid food. The liquid foods filled in the packages can include beverages such as dairy products, dairy alternatives, juices and nectars, water, tea-based beverages, coffee-based beverages, fruit-based beverages, sports and energy drinks, and wine. Liquid foods including cheese, yogurt, fruit, soups, sauces, dressings, and tomato preparations may also be suitable.

[0003] A package handling machine includes package dividers that channel packages into multiple lanes as they enter the machine, a holding device or grouper that groups the packages, and a film or shrink wrapper to shrink wrap a predetermined number of packages to produce a multipack of packages. Many package handling machines include a conveyor belt that transports the packages in a downstream direction. When the grouper stops, a kickback or wave may occur to the packages standing on the conveyor belt. In conventional package handling machines, a drawback is that when a kickback occurs, the kickbacked package may be struck from behind by another package and fall onto the conveyor belt. The fallen package may have a negative effect on downstream processes. Typically, the fallen package must be manually uprighted. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The object of the present invention is to at least partially overcome one or more of the limitations of the prior art, in particular to provide a device and method for achieving efficient grouping of packages filled with liquid food products. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] According to one aspect of the invention, a package handling apparatus for grouping packages filled with a liquid food product comprises a conveyor belt configured to transport the packages in a downstream direction, a guide member disposed on one side of the conveyor belt, a grouping device configured to receive the packages from the conveyor belt and group a predetermined number of the packages together, and a retaining device disposed on an opposite side of the conveyor belt relative to the guide member, the retaining device having a plurality of flexible elements angled relative to the conveyor belt, each flexible element configured to flex to allow passage of a package in the downstream direction and to retract from the flexed position after passage of the package to prevent movement of the package in the upstream direction.

[0006] Thus, in contrast to conventional package handling machines that do not include any kind of package retaining device, the package handling apparatus described herein advantageously prevents packages from falling off the conveyor belt during the stoppage of the grouper. Each flexible element of the retaining device is configured to bend to a deflected position during operation of the grouper to allow the package to pass through. After the package has passed, the flexible element retracts from the deflected position to a neutral position, since the flexible element may be formed of an elastic material. When in the neutral position, the flexible element has a predetermined amount of stiffness to maintain its shape when subjected to a reaction force by the package, such that the flexible element prevents the package from moving upstream during the stoppage of the grouper. The retaining device can also be easily integrated into existing package handling machines via attachment to a guide rail disposed along the conveyor belt of the package handling machine.

[0007] According to another aspect of the invention, a method for grouping packages filled with a liquid food product includes conveying the packages in a downstream direction on a conveyor belt, guiding the packages with a guide member disposed on one side of the conveyor belt, and grouping a predetermined number of the packages together with a grouping device configured to receive the packages from the conveyor belt. Guiding the packages includes moving the packages past a retaining device. The retaining device is disposed on an opposite side of the conveyor belt relative to the guide member and has a plurality of flexible elements angled relative to the conveyor belt. Each flexible element is configured to flex to allow passage of the package in the downstream direction and to retract from the flexed position after passage of the package to prevent movement of the package in the upstream direction.

[0008] The method may include the same features as the package handling apparatus for grouping packages and shares the same advantages.

[0009] Further objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description and drawings.

[0010] Features of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings in which: [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a package handling device for grouping packages filled with liquid food products. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the device of FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a top view of the device of FIG. 1. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a partial top view of the device of FIG. 1 showing a retaining device having a flexible element. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the device of FIG. 4. [Figure 6] 5 is a partial top view of the device of FIG. 4 showing neutral and deflected positions of the flexible element. [Figure 7] FIG. 5 is a top view of the device of FIG. 4 showing the packaging during operation of the device. [Figure 8] 2 is a schematic diagram of a processing system for producing liquid food filled packages including the apparatus of FIG. 1. [Figure 9] 2 is a flow chart of a method for grouping packages filled with liquid food products using a package handling apparatus, such as the apparatus of FIG. 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all embodiments are shown. The present invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein.

[0013] Referring first to Figures 1-3, a package handling apparatus 1 for grouping packages filled with liquid food is shown. The package handling apparatus 1 comprises a conveyor belt 2 configured to convey the packages in a downstream direction D, and a grouping device 3 configured to receive the packages from the conveyor belt 2 and group a predetermined number of the packages together. The packages may be formed of paperboard or other materials suitable for containing liquid food. The packages may have a rectangular or cylindrical shape, or may have a rectangular shape with rounded corners. Other shapes may also be suitable. The liquid food may include dairy products such as cheese, yogurt, or milk products, dairy alternatives, juices and nectars, water, tea-based beverages, coffee-based beverages, fruit-based beverages, sports and energy beverages, wine, fruit, soups, sauces, dressings, or tomato preparations. Other liquid foods may also be suitable.

[0014] A guide member 4 is disposed on one side of the conveyor belt 2 for guiding packages along the conveyor belt 2. The guide member 4 may be an elongated guide rail or bar that runs parallel to the conveyor belt 2. Parallel bars 4a, 4b may form the guide member 4 and are attached to a track 2a that supports the conveyor belt 2. The conveyor belt 2 may comprise any suitable conveyor-type belt, chain, or other flexible member for transporting packages in a processing system. The guide member 4 is fixed to the track 2a and may extend along more than half or most of the total length of the conveyor belt 2. The length of the guide member 4 may extend to the grouping device 3 such that the guide member 4 guides the packages until they are captured by the grouping device 3 at the downstream end of the conveyor belt 2.

[0015] A holding device 5 is arranged on the opposite side of the conveyor belt 2 relative to the guide member 4. The holding device 5 has a number of flexible elements 6 that are angled with respect to the conveyor belt 2 and the downstream direction D to prevent the movement of the packages in an upstream direction U, which is opposite to the downstream direction D. The flexible elements 6 are also angled with respect to the downstream direction D, since the conveyor belt 2 and the downstream direction D are parallel to each other. The holding device 5 may be removably attachable to a second guide member 7 that is arranged on the opposite side of the conveyor belt 2 relative to the guide member 4. Similar to the guide member 4, the second guide member 7 may be a guide rail or bar that is elongated and extends parallel to the conveyor belt 2. The second guide member 7 may likewise be fixed to the track 2a for the conveyor belt 2. The flexible elements 6 may be fixed to a bracket 8 via a fastener 9, which may be attached to the second guide member 7.

[0016] The length L of the holding device 5 may be less than the entire length of the second guide member 7 and the conveyor belt 2, so that the holding device 5 extends along only a part of the conveyor belt 2. The arrangement of the flexible elements 6 may end before a grouping device 3 arranged downstream with respect to the flexible elements 6. The grouping device 3 may be in the form of a belt brake having two rotating belts 10, 11 which rotate towards the conveyor belt 2 in opposite rotational directions to capture the packages from the conveyor belt 2. The rotation axes about which the two rotating belts 10, 11 rotate extend in a direction perpendicular to the plane along which the conveyor belt 2 moves. The two rotating belts 10, 11 may be arranged to rotate in an upper plane parallel to the plane along which the conveyor belt 2 moves, so as to ensure that the packages are engaged by the two rotating belts 10, 11.

[0017] A predetermined number of packages may be captured by the grouping device 3 and grouped together to allow for subsequent packaging. The grouping device 3 may be configured to release the packages after a predetermined number of packages have been grouped. The packages are typically grouped into a row and may then be grouped into a pattern having multiple rows and columns, depending on what downstream equipment is used. For example, between 3 and 10 packages may be grouped together. Other packing patterns and package numbers may also be suitable. The grouping device 3 may be a conventional belt grouper.

[0018] 4 and 5 show further details of the flexible elements 6 of the retention device 5. Each flexible element 6 has a proximal end 12, a distal end 13, and an elongated body 14 extending from the proximal end 12 to the distal end 13. The proximal end 12 may be the portion of the flexible element 6 that is secured to the guide member 7. The proximal end 12 may be secured to a bracket 8 that is attached to the guide member 7. The bracket 8 may be formed of a metallic material and may have a pocket or mounting surface 15 that protrudes from the bracket 8. The mounting surface 15 is configured to receive or engage the proximal end 12 of a corresponding one of the flexible elements 6 to position the flexible element 6 relative to the bracket 8. The mounting surface 15 may be formed of a metal and integrally formed as part of the bracket 8. The proximal end 12 may be adjacent to and engaged with the mounting surface 15. The fastener 9 may include a screw, bolt, nut, clamp, clasp, washer, or any other suitable fastening element. Flexible element 6 may include a fastener hole pattern 17 including multiple holes formed in elongated body 14 configured to receive fasteners 9. Providing a large number of possible fastener holes allows the extended length of flexible element 6 to be adjusted to ensure that flexible element 6 can engage different sized packages.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 4, the flexible elements 6 may have a predetermined spacing S from one another along a portion of the second guide member 7. The predetermined spacing S may be set by the location of the mounting surfaces 15 along the bracket 8 such that the mounting surfaces 15 have the same predetermined spacing S. The flexible elements 6 may be equally spaced, or any number of flexible elements 6 may be provided. The predetermined spacing S may be 15-25 centimeters, or may be outside this range. The predetermined spacing S may be 20 centimeters. The bracket 8 may be formed to have a predetermined spacing S between the mounting surfaces 15, and each flexible element 6 may be disposed adjacent to every other mounting surface 15 such that the spacing between the flexible elements 6 is twice the predetermined spacing S of the mounting surfaces 15. Forming the bracket 8 to have a smaller predetermined spacing S between the mounting surfaces 15 is advantageous in allowing for different spacing between the flexible elements 6 when secured to the bracket 8 to accommodate different size packages.

[0020] The bracket 8 may include a hook or clamp 18 that engages with the second guide member 7 to secure the bracket 8 to the second guide member 7. The clamp 18 and the second guide member 7 may have a snap-fit ​​connection. The clamp 18 may be attachable to the parallel guide rails 7a, 7b forming the second guide member 7 such that the clamp 18 snaps around or extends over each of the parallel guide rails 7a, 7b. On the opposite side of the clamp 18 relative to the side that engages the second guide member 7, the clamp 18 is attached to the main support 8a of the bracket 8. The main support 8a may be planar in shape such that the mounting surface 15 is angled relative to the plane of the main support 8a. When attached to the second guide member 7, the main support 8a is positioned outside the second guide member 7 with respect to the conveyor belt 2 and packages conveyed between the first and second guide members 4, 7. The mounting surface 15 of the bracket 8 passes through the parallel guide rails 7 a, 7 b of the second guide member 7 and extends inwardly towards the conveyor belt 2 .

[0021] Because the bracket 8 is mounted outside of the area where the packages move when viewed in relation to the second guide member 7, the bracket 8 can be easily mounted to guide members of existing package handling machines. Another advantage of the bracket 8 is that a predetermined spacing between the flexible elements 6 is provided by the mounting surfaces 15 formed on the bracket 8. Yet another advantage of the bracket 8 is that it allows all of the flexible elements to be uniformly mounted relative to the second guide member 7.

[0022] In one embodiment, each flexible element 6 may be attached to the second guide member 7 independently relative to the other flexible elements 6 such that brackets may not be required. A clamp or other suitable fastening mechanism may be used to secure the proximal end 12 of each flexible element 6 to the guide member 7. Attaching each flexible element 6 independently and separately is advantageous in allowing for adjustment of the spacing between the flexible elements 6. Yet another advantage of attaching each flexible element 6 independently and separately is that maintenance or replacement of a single flexible element 6 may be less complicated.

[0023] FIG. 6 illustrates the operation and different positions of the flexible elements 6. Each flexible element 6 is movable between a neutral position N and a deflected position F. During movement between the neutral position N and the deflected position F (shown diagrammatically as a bend line), i.e., during deflection of the flexible element 6, the elongated body 14 of the flexible element 6 is deflected relative to the proximal end 12 such that the distal end 13 is also deflected. Deflection of the elongated body 14 and the distal end 13 may include the elongated body 14 being bent or curved relative to the proximal end 12. Deflection may also be referred to as deflection of the flexible element 6. During deflection of the flexible element 6, the proximal end 12 remains in a fixed position and the elongated body 14, and therefore the distal end 13, is deflected relative to the proximal end 12. The proximal end 12 remains in a fixed position via the proximal end 12 being fixed to a fixed mounting surface 15 of the bracket 8.

[0024] The flexible element 6 may be formed of a resilient flexible plastic material. Also, the flexible element 6 is formed of a material having a predetermined stiffness that allows the flexible element 6 to maintain its shape when subjected to a predetermined amount of force, such as the force exerted by a recoiling package, and allows the flexible element 6 to flex when subjected to a larger amount of force, such as during normal movement of the package in a downstream direction. The flexible element 6 may have a length that is greater than the width and thickness of the flexible element 6. The length of the flexible element 6 may be twice the width, and the length may be 15 to 25 centimeters, or outside this range. The thickness of the flexible element 6 may be less than 3 millimeters.

[0025] When the flexible element 6 is not deflected, i.e. when no force is acting on the flexible element 6, the flexible element 6 is in a neutral position N. When in the neutral position N, the flexible element 6 has minimal or no curvature and is elongated in the downstream direction D and in a first extension direction E1 transverse or obliquely inclined relative to the conveyor belt 2. The angle θ between the first extension direction E1, i.e. the transverse extension direction, and the downstream direction D may be between 15 degrees and 30 degrees, or outside this range. The angle θ may be about 22 degrees. Arranging the flexible element 6 in an obliquely inclined orientation relative to the conveyor belt 2 is advantageous in allowing the flexible element 6 to deflect more easily to allow the passage of packages moving in the downstream direction D. By having a smaller angular displacement A compared to the larger angular displacement that may be required if the flexible element were positioned directly perpendicular to the conveyor belt 2, the flexible element 6 deflects more easily.

[0026] The mounting surface 15 of the bracket 8 may also extend in the first extension direction E1. When mounted on the guide member, the bracket 8 extends parallel to the conveyor belt 2 and the downstream direction D, such that the bracket 8 is formed to have a mounting surface 15 angled at the same angle θ with respect to the main support 8a. The mounting surface 15 may be fixed at an angle θ with respect to the bracket 8 to define a neutral position N of the flexible element 6 when the flexible element 6 is mounted on the bracket 8.

[0027] The tip 13 extends in a first extension direction E1 when the flexible element 6 is in a neutral position N. In operation, a package moving in a downstream direction D on the conveyor belt 2 engages the tip 13. The package exerts a force in the downstream direction D on the tip 13, which is moved outwardly away from the conveyor belt 2 so that the package can pass the flexible element 6. The movement of the tip 13 is made possible by the elongated body 14 of the flexible element 6 being deflected, e.g., bent or curved, relative to the base end 12, which is held by the mounting surface 15 of the bracket 8. The flexible element 6 is thus moved to a deflected position in which the tip 13 extends in a second extension direction E2 parallel to the side of the package. The second extension direction E2 may be substantially parallel to the downstream direction D and to the conveyor belt 2. When in the deflected position F, the flexible element 6 has a curvature R. When the flexible element 6 is in the deflected position F, the mounting surface 15 remains in a fixed position extending in the first extension direction E1 and holds the proximal end 12 which also remains in a fixed position extending in the first extension direction E1.

[0028] When the package passes the flexible element 6 so that the rear end face of the package is downstream relative to the tip 13 of the flexible element 6 and the package no longer engages and exerts force on the tip 13, the elasticity of the flexible element 6 allows the flexible element 6 to retract, or return to a neutral position N, so that the flexible element 6 is not deflected and the tip 13 again extends in the first extension direction E1 transverse to the downstream direction D.

[0029] FIG. 7 shows the operation of the package handling device 1 with packages P1, P2. The packages P1, P2 are transported in the downstream direction D by the conveyor belt 2. The package P1 is in a position where it passes the flexible element 6, which is in the deflection position F and has a curvature R. The force exerted by the moving package P1 is sufficient to deflect the flexible element 6. The angled orientation of the flexible element 6 towards the grouping device and the package P1 moving in the downstream direction D towards the grouping device 3 also allows the moving package P1 to deflect the flexible element 6. The tip 13 of the flexible element 6, or a tangent to the tip 13, extends parallel or nearly parallel to the side of the package P1 that engages the tip 13. The mounting surface 15 of the bracket 8 and the base end of the flexible element 6 remain in a fixed position extending in the extension direction E1, which is transverse to the mounting surface 15 and the base end. The packages P1 can therefore move in a downstream direction D past the flexible element 6 towards the grouping device 3.

[0030] The package P2 is in the position where it has moved past the flexible element 6 and is downstream relative to the flexible element 6. The flexible element 6 is in a neutral position N, where the flexible element 6 is not deflected such that the leading edge 13 extends in the transverse extension direction. When the grouping device is stopped, a recoil effect can occur in the package queue, i.e. among the packages standing on the conveyor belt 2, such that a force in the upstream direction U is exerted on the package P2. The package queue comprises a number of packages P1, P2 aligned along the conveyor belt 2 that are captured by the grouping device 3. When in the neutral position N, the leading edge 13 extending in the transverse extension direction can be engaged by the rear face 19 of the package P2 in the upstream direction U due to a recoil effect that causes the package P2 to have a slight movement in the upstream direction U. The stiffness of the flexible element 6 allows the flexible element 6 to essentially maintain its shape and withstand the slight force exerted by the package P2 in the upstream direction U such that the elongated body 14 and the distal end 13 are not significantly deflected relative to the proximal end 12. Thus, the package P2 cannot move upstream past the flexible element 6 and is held in a downstream position relative to the flexible element 6. Also, if a recoil effect occurs when a package is next to the flexible element, such as package P1, the force exerted on the package by the bent flexible element is usually large enough to prevent the package from tipping over.

[0031] FIG. 8 shows a processing system 20 for producing packages filled with a liquid food product. The processing system 20 includes a conventional filling machine 21 configured to form packages and fill the packages with the liquid food product. The system 20 also includes a package handling apparatus 1 or machine configured to receive the packages from the filling machine 21. The package handling apparatus 1 includes a conveyor belt 2 and a holding device or grouping apparatus 3. The package handling apparatus 1 may include additional modules such as package dividers 22 that channel the packages into multiple lanes as they enter the machine, and a film or shrink wrapper 23 for shrink wrapping a predetermined number of packages grouped by the grouping apparatus 3. The grouping apparatus 3 may be configured to release the packages after a predetermined number of packages have been grouped for wrapping by the shrink wrapper 23.

[0032] Referring now to FIG. 9, a method 30 for grouping packages filled with liquid food is shown. The method 30 can be performed using the apparatus 1 shown in FIGS. 1-8. The method 30 includes a step 31 of conveying the packages P1, P2 on a conveyor belt 2 in a downstream direction D. A step 32 of the method 30 includes guiding the packages P1, P2 with a guide member 4 arranged on one side of the conveyor belt 2. A step 33 of the method 30 includes grouping a predetermined number of the packages P1, P2 with a grouping device 3 configured to receive the packages P1, P2 from the conveyor belt 2. The step 32 may include moving the packages P1, P2 past a holding device 5 arranged on the opposite side of the conveyor belt 2 relative to the guide member 4. As described, the holding device 5 has a plurality of flexible elements 6 angled with respect to the conveyor belt. Each flexible element 6 is configured to bend to allow the passage of packages P1, P2 in the downstream direction D, and to retract from a bent position F to a neutral position N after the packages P1, P2 have passed to prevent movement of the packages P1, P2 in the upstream direction U.

[0033] A package handling apparatus 1 for grouping packages filled with liquid food including a retaining device 5 is advantageous in achieving more efficient grouping of the packages by preventing the packages from falling off the conveyor belt. The retaining device includes a flexible element that is angled relative to the conveyor belt and the downstream direction such that the flexible element flexes to allow the packages to move downstream past during operation of the grouping apparatus, and is resilient such that when the grouping apparatus is stopped the stiffness of the flexible element retracts to a position that prevents the packages from moving backwards or upstream.

[0034] From the foregoing, it can be seen that while various embodiments of the invention have been described and illustrated, the invention is not limited thereto and may be embodied in other ways within the scope of the subject matter defined in the following claims.

Claims

1. Packages filled with liquid food (P １ , P ２ A package handling device (1) for grouping packages, comprising: The package (P １ , P ２ a conveyor belt (2) configured to convey the sheet in a downstream direction (D); A guide member (4) disposed on one side of the conveyor belt (2); The package (P １ , P ２ ) and receiving a predetermined number of said packages (P １ , P ２ a grouping device (3) configured to group together A package handling device (1) comprising: a holding device (5) arranged on the opposite side of the conveyor belt (2) relative to the guide member (4), the holding device (5) having a plurality of flexible elements (6) angled relative to the conveyor belt (2), each flexible element (6) having: - the package (P １ , P ２ ) to allow passage of - the package (P １ , P ２ After the package (P １ , P ２ ) to prevent upstream migration of A holding device (5), A package handling device (1) comprising:

2. 2. The package handling device (1) of claim 1, wherein each flexible element (6) has a neutral position (N) in which the flexible element (6) is not deflected, and the flexible elements (6) are formed of an elastic material so as to retract from the deflected position (F) to the neutral position (N).

3. Each flexible element (6) has an extension direction (E) transverse to the downstream direction (D) when the flexible element (6) is in the neutral position (N). １ 3. The package handling device (1) according to claim 2, wherein the package handling device (1) is elongated in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the package.

4. The extending direction (E １ 4. The package handling device (1) according to claim 3, wherein the angle (θ) between the upstream direction (F) and the downstream direction (D) is between 15 and 30 degrees.

5. 5. A package handling device (1) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein each flexible element (6) has a base end (12), a distal end (13) and an elongate body (14) extending between the base end (12) and the distal end (13), and wherein the base end (12) is configured to remain in a fixed position and the distal end (13) is configured to deflect relative to the base end (12) while the flexible element (6) is deflected.

6. The tip portion (13) extends in an extension direction (E) parallel to the downstream direction (D) when the flexible element (6) is in the deflected position (F). ２ 6. The package handling device (1) of claim 5, configured to extend along a

7. The package handling device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a second guide member (7) arranged on the opposite side of the conveyor belt (2), the holding device (5) being attached to the second guide member (7).

8. 8. Package handling device (1) according to claim 7, wherein the holding device (5) comprises a metal bracket (8) mountable to the second guide member (7).

9. 9. The package handling device (1) according to claim 8, wherein the holding device (5) comprises a plurality of fasteners (9) configured to secure each flexible element (6) to the metal bracket (8).

10. 8. Package handling device (1) according to claim 7, wherein each flexible element (6) is attachable to the second guide member (7) independently with respect to the other flexible elements (6).

11. Package handling device (1) according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the flexible elements (6) have a predetermined spacing (S) from one another along a portion of the second guide member (7).

12. Package handling device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the flexible element (6) is made of a flexible plastic material.

13. The grouping device (3) includes a belt brake (3) having two rotating belts (10, 11) arranged to rotate in opposite rotational directions, the belt brake (3) being arranged to brake a predetermined number of the packages (P １ , P ２ ) are grouped together and then the package (P １ , P ２ The package handling device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, configured to release a package.

14. Packages filled with liquid food (P １ , P ２ 1. A processing system (20) for producing a polyimide-containing polymer, comprising: A package is formed, and the package (P １ , P ２ a filling machine (21) configured to fill the liquid food into a container (20); The package (P １ , P ２ 14. A package handling device (1) adapted to receive a package from a package handling device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, A processing system (20) comprising:

15. Packages filled with liquid food (P １ , P ２ ) , comprising: The package (P １ , P ２ ) on a conveyor belt (2) in a downstream direction (D) (31); The package (P) is guided by a guide member (4) arranged on one side of the conveyor belt (2). １ , P ２ ) (32), and The package (P １ , P ２ ) is received by a grouping device (3) arranged to receive a predetermined number of said packages (P １ , P ２ ) together (33), The guiding (32) causes the package (P) to pass through a holding device (5). １ , P ２ ), the holding device (5) is arranged on the opposite side of the conveyor belt (2) relative to the guide member (4), the holding device (5) has a plurality of flexible elements (6) angled with respect to the conveyor belt (2), each flexible element (6) comprising: - the package (P １ , P ２ ) to allow passage of - the package (P １ , P ２ After the package (P １ , P ２ ) in the upstream direction (U); The method (30) is configured to:

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