Apparatus for conveying and buffering containers

Abstract

The present invention pertains to an apparatus for conveying and buffering containers (1). The apparatus comprises a feed-in section (2), a buffer section (3) with a longitudinal dimension (x) and a lateral dimension (y), and a feed-out section (4). The feed-in section (2) comprises one or more input channels (5, 5', 5'') adapted to deliver containers (1) into the buffer section (3). The buffer section (3) comprises a first conveying means (6) adapted to convey the containers (1) from the feed-in section (2) to the feed-out section (4) essentially along the longitudinal dimension (x). The feed-out section (4) comprises an output channel (9) essentially extending in the lateral dimension (y). The output channel (9) is bounded by an end wall (10) on a rear side and by a gating means (11) on a front side, bordering the buffer section (3). The gating means (11) is adapted to let containers(1) pass into the output channel (9) in a separated manner. The feed-out section (4) further comprises a second conveying means (12) adapted to convey one or more rows(13) of containers present in the output channel (9) out of the feed-out section (4) essentially along the lateral dimension (y).

Description

[0001] APPARATUS FOR CONVEYING AND BUFFERING CONTAINERS

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present invention pertains to an apparatus for conveying and buffering (or accumulating) containers, in particular pharmaceutical containers such as bottles, vessels, vials, ampules and carpules .

[0004] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Production lines, such as packaging lines for packaging / filling (liquid) products into containers, usually comprise a series of machines, performing different operations, for instance initially loading the containers onto the production line, sterilising the containers, filling the containers with a certain quantity of the product, sealing the containers, inspecting the filled containers, e.g., performing leak detection, labelling the containers, unloading the packaged product from the production line, thereby typically stowing a number of packaged products into a box for sale, and possibly wrapping each box into a protective plastic foil. The operations performed by the various machines commonly take different amounts of time to complete. Consequently, the various throughputs of the different stages of the production line need to be accommodated . This is typically achieved by buf fering or accumulation between stages of the production line .

[0006] Without such buf fering the entire system would stop each time any piece of equipment stops , e . g . , due to a temporary disruption such as a congestion or j amming . Therefore , accumulation greatly increases system ef ficiency .

[0007] Accumulation ( also referred to as buf fering) in the packaging industry is defined as having a reserve of (partially processed) containers between consecutive machines or a reserve of space to accumulate / buf f er containers to accommodate the di f ferent processing time required by various procedures involved in the packaging of the products . Accumulation is generally achieved with conveyors or with accumulation tables . Thereby, the population, or density, of containers upstream and downstream of any machine , combined with the speed of each machine determines the amount of accumulation required .

[0008] As indicated above , dynamic accumulation can be accomplished through conveyors located between machines . However, this approach requires large amounts of floor space and care must be taken to control line pressure as the containers accumulate on the conveyors and are forced against each other . Excessive line pressure can lead to breakage of some containers . Another accumulation device is the bi- flow table . A bi- flow table has conveyor chains that run in opposite directions to re-circulate the containers . With this approach there is continual container-to-container contact during the re-circulating process potentially resulting in the fracturing of fragile containers and possibly in the build-up of electrostatic charge causing ( small ) containers to cling to one another, especially i f also moisture ( e . g . , from the filled-in product ) is present . A further buf fering system utilises conveyors arranged in a loop configuration to re-circulate the containers and thus provide accumulation . In this system the containers that cannot immediately be processed by the downstream machine are sent on the re-circulating loop and merge again with the flow of incoming containers . As with the bi- flow table container-to-container contact continually occurs during the re-circulating causing the previously stated problems . A further drawback of the recirculation-based schemes is that they do not process the containers in a first-in- first-out ( FI FO) order, resulting in some containers being re-circulated for prolonged periods of time , which increases the chances of these containers being damaged and therefore having to be re j ected .

[0009] Most accumulation devices have a gate adj acent the discharge / feed-out area . The gate is used to control the discharge of containers from the accumulation device and hold them back in an accumulation area . Typically known systems will encounter ams from time to time due to having a container stuck between a flow separator and the gate . The common solution to this problem is to move the gate rapidly and attempt to close the gate between two containers. However, this can cause containers to become unstable and fall, thus causing even more congestion, or even to damaging containers .

[0010] Hence, there is a need for improved buffering means where in particular container-to-container contact is significantly reduced, less (floor) space is required (i.e., smaller size) and which enable a FIFO order of processing. Furthermore, such improved buffering means should be scalable and easily reconfigurable to accommodate different types of containers and of various sizes as well as to be able to operate with varying, dissimilar container f eed-in / input and f eed-out / output speeds. Moreover, there is a need for better gating means for safely and reliably separating containers which in particular ensure a controlled and stable transfer of containers from the buffering means into the subsequent conveying means to the next downstream section of the production line.

[0011] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012] It is an object of the present invention to provide an alternative and / or improved apparatus for conveying and buffering (upright) containers, in particular pharmaceutical containers such as bottles, vessels, vials, ampules and carpules, especially exhibiting reduced line pressure typically caused by continual container-to- container contact over extended periods of time, for instance during re-circulation of containers in state-of- the-art apparatuses. A further aim of the apparatus according to the present invention is to enable a first-in- first-out (FIFO) order of processing of the containers. This object is achieved by the conveying and buffering apparatus specified in claim 1.

[0013] It is a further object of the present invention to provide an alternative and / or improved gating means for safely and reliably separating of containers which in particular ensure a controlled and stable transfer of containers from the buffering means into the subsequent conveying means. The stand-alone features / elements of such a gating means are in particular specified in claim 2 and more specifically in claim 3.

[0014] Specific embodiments of the apparatus and gating means according to the present invention are given in the dependent claims.

[0015] An apparatus according to the present invention for conveying and buffering (upright) containers, in particular pharmaceutical containers such as bottles, vessels, vials, ampules and carpules, comprises:

[0016] - a feed- in section;

[0017] - a buffer section with a longitudinal x-dimension and a lateral y-dimension; and a feed-out section .

[0018] The feed-in section comprises a number of one or more input channels adapted to deliver containers into the buf fer section, wherein each of the one or more input channels is in particular adapted to convey a single column of containers .

[0019] The buf fer section comprises first conveying means adapted to convey the containers from the feed-in section to the feed-out section essentially along the longitudinal x- dimension .

[0020] The feed-out section comprises :

[0021] - an output channel essentially extending in the lateral y-dimension and being bounded by an end wall on a rear side and by a gating means on a front side bordering the buf fer section, the gating means being adapted to let containers pass into the output channel in a separated manner ; and

[0022] - second conveying means adapted to convey one or more rows of containers present in the output channel out of the feed-out section essentially along the lateral y- dimension .

[0023] In an embodiment of the apparatus the gating means are adapted to let containers enter into the output channel when the gating means are in an unrestricting position and to obstruct containers from entering into the output channel when the gating means are in a restricting position, the gating means further being adapted to periodically change between the unrestricting position and the restricting position, and wherein the second conveying means are adapted to convey one or more rows of containers present in the output channel out of the feed-out section essentially along the lateral y-dimension when the gating means are in the restricting position .

[0024] In a further embodiment of the apparatus the gating means comprise a plurality of pins , pegs , poles or bars , wherein in particular at least a subset of the plurality of pins , pegs , poles or bars is moveable from an unobstructing position where the output channel is in the unrestricting position to an obstructing position where the output channel is in the restricting position and vice-versa .

[0025] In a further embodiment of the apparatus the gating means comprise a plurality of pins , pegs , poles or bars , wherein individual ones and / or groups of the pins , pegs , poles or bars are moveable from an unobstructing position where the output channel is in the unrestricting position to an obstructing position where the output channel is in the restricting position and vice-versa, and wherein said moving of ( each of ) said individual ones and / or groups of the pins , pegs , poles or bars is in particular individually controllable .

[0026] In a further embodiment of the apparatus the pins , pegs , poles or bars are arranged in two spaced-apart rows forming a first and second rake or linear grid, the individual pins , pegs , poles or bars in the first and second rake or linear grid in particular being spaced part at regular / periodic intervals , the intervals in particular being the same in the first and second rake or linear grid, and the intervals being such that there is only space for a single upright container within each interval , wherein in the unobstructing position the pins , pegs , poles or bars of the first and second rake or linear grid are aligned such that the upright containers can enter into the output channel and in the obstructing position the pins , pegs , poles or bars of the first and second rake or linear grid are misaligned such that the upright containers are obstructed and cannot enter into the output channel .

[0027] In a further embodiment of the apparatus the second conveying means comprises a slider or pusher adapted to remove containers from the output channel , in particular when the output channel is in the restricting state , and to convey the containers from the output channel to downstream conveying means adapted to convey the containers away from the feed-out section, the slider or pusher in particular being further adapted to repeatedly :

[0028] - move from a first end of the output channel to a second end of the output channel when the output channel is in the restricting state ; stay at the second end of the output channel when the output channel is in the unrestricting state ; - move from the second end of the output channel to the first end of the output channel when the output channel is in the restricting state again;

[0029] - stay at the first end of the output channel when the output channel is in the unrestricting state again .

[0030] In a further embodiment of the apparatus the buf fer section further comprises one or more distributors adapted to spread the containers from the one or more input channels across the lateral y-dimension such that the containers are conveyed to the feed-out section essentially in a number of columns , which is in particular greater than the number of input channels .

[0031] In a further embodiment of the apparatus the one or more distributors comprises one or more sliders or pushers , in particular formed as a stripe or bar, moveable in or across the lateral y-dimension, in particular back and forth, an orientation of the individual one or more sliders or pushers in particular being adj ustable , for instance dependent on a direction of movement of the individual one or more sliders or pushers .

[0032] In a further embodiment of the apparatus the one or more distributors comprises one or more rotatable pushers , in particular located at sides of the buf fer section, in particular at least one of the rotatable pushers being operable to adj ust an angular position of the rotatable pusher and / or to adj ust a speed of rotation and / or direction of rotation of the rotatable pusher .

[0033] In a further embodiment of the apparatus the buf fer section further comprises a number of lanes essentially extending in the longitudinal x-dimension, wherein adj acent lanes are separated from one another by dividers / partitions , in particular mounted on a frame suspended above the first conveying means , wherein the dividers / partitions in particular have di f ferent lengths , wherein in particular the dividers / partitions located in a middle part of the buf fer section are longer than the dividers / partitions located in a lateral part of the buf fer section or the dividers / partitions located on one lateral side of the buf fer section are longer than the dividers / partitions located on the other lateral side of the buf fer section, for instance wherein the length of adj acent dividers / partitions gradually decreases , and wherein the lanes are in particular aligned with the gating means , wherein the gating means in particular comprise a row of pins , pegs , poles or bars moveable from an unobstructing position where the output channel is in the unrestricting position to an obstructing position where the output channel is in the restricting position and vice-versa, the pins , pegs , poles or bars in particular being spaced apart at regular / periodic intervals .

[0034] In a further embodiment of the apparatus the feed-in section comprises a third conveying means , such as one or more input conveyer belts or input slides , wherein a conveying speed of the third conveying means is greater, in particular at least by a factor of two , more particularly at least by a factor of four, than a conveying speed of the first conveying means .

[0035] In a further embodiment of the apparatus feed-in openings of the one or more input channels into the buf fer section are located essentially at a centre of the lateral y- dimension or at sides / corners of the lateral y-dimension, and wherein the one or more input channels are in particular adapted to deliver containers into the buf fer section essentially along the longitudinal x-dimension, and wherein each of the feed-in openings is in particular adapted to let pass only a single container at a time .

[0036] In a further embodiment of the apparatus feed-in openings of the one or more input channels into the buf fer section are located at upper and / or lower sides / corners at a beginning of the longitudinal x-dimension, and wherein the one or more input channels are in particular adapted to deliver containers into the buf fer section essentially along the lateral y-dimension, and wherein each of the feed-in openings is in particular adapted to let pass only a single container at a time .

[0037] In a further embodiment of the apparatus the downstream conveying means comprise one or more first output conveyer belts or first output slides arranged downstream of the first end of the output channel and one or more second output conveyer belts or second output slides arranged downstream of the second end of the output channel , a conveying speed of the first and second output conveyor belts in particular being less than a speed at which the slider or pusher of the second conveying means moves from the first end to the second end or vice-versa .

[0038] In a further embodiment of the apparatus the downstream conveying means comprise removal means adapted to remove fallen over containers from the downstream conveying means , the removal means in particular comprising a sorting mechanism adapted to guide upright containers away from a throw-of f area where the fallen over containers are removed from the downstream conveying means .

[0039] In a further embodiment of the apparatus a first further buf fer section is located between a first output of the output channel and the one or more first downstream output conveyer belts or first downstream slides and a second further buf fer section is located between a second output of the output channel and the one or more second output conveyer belts or second output slides .

[0040] In a further embodiment of the apparatus a conveying speed of the second conveying means is greater, in particular at least by a factor of two , more particularly at least by a factor of four, than the conveying speed of the first conveying means .

[0041] In a further embodiment of the apparatus :

[0042] - the feed-in section further comprises one or more sensors , such as one or more cameras , light barriers , range and / or directional sensors , for instance ultrasonic, TOF ( time of flight ) or Lidar ( light detection and ranging) sensors , adapted to determine the number of containers passing from the feed-in section to the buf fer section; and / or

[0043] - the buf fer section further comprises one or more sensors , such as one or more cameras , light barriers , range and / or directional sensors , for instance ultrasonic, TOF or Lidar sensors , in particular adapted to determine a position and / or a motion of one or more containers within the buf fer section; and / or

[0044] - the feed-out section further comprises one or more sensors , such as one or more cameras , light barriers , range and / or directional sensors , for instance ultrasonic, TOF or Lidar sensors , adapted to determine the number of containers exiting from the feed-out section, in particular from the output channel .

[0045] In a further embodiment the apparatus further comprises a processing unit , in particular an image processing unit , adapted to perform obj ect detection based on one or more outputs of the one or more sensors of the feed-in section and / or the buf fer section and / or the feed-out section, wherein the obj ects to be detected are in particular the containers , and is in particular further adapted to determine positions of or a distribution of the containers within the feed-in section and / or the buf fer section and / or the feed-out section .

[0046] In a further embodiment of the apparatus the conveying speed of each of the first , second and third conveying means is individually adj ustable , in particular for the apparatus comprising one or more sensors ( and a processing unit ) individually adj ustable based on one or more outputs of the one or more sensors of the feed-in section and / or the buf fer section and / or the feed-out section .

[0047] In a further embodiment of the apparatus comprising one or more sensors ( and a control unit ) and the gating means compris ing a plurality of pins , pegs , poles or bars , wherein individual ones and / or groups of the pins , pegs , poles or bars are moveable from an unobstructing position where the output channel is in the unrestricting position to an obstructing position where the output channel is in the restricting position and vice-versa, said moving of ( each of ) said individual ones and / or groups of the pins , pegs , poles or bars is individually controllable based on one or more outputs of the one or more sensors of the feedin section and / or the buf fer section and / or the feed-out section (under the control of the control unit ) . It is speci fically pointed out that combinations of the embodiments mentioned above can result in even further, more speci fic embodiments .

[0048] It is also to be noted that certain f eatures / elements of the embodiments mentioned above can be considered as standalone inventions , such as the gating means , which can for instance be employed independently in other possible apparatuses for conveying and buf fering or even for other purposes requiring a gating function .

[0049] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0050] The present invention is further explained below by means of non-limiting speci fic embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings , which show the following :

[0051] Fig . 1 a schematic top view of an exemplary embodiment of a conveying and buf fering apparatus according to the present invention;

[0052] Fig . 2 a schematic top view of a further exemplary embodiment of a conveying and buf fering apparatus according to the present invention; Fig . 3 a schematic top view of another exemplary embodiment of a conveying and buf fering apparatus according to the present invention;

[0053] Fig . 4 a schematic top view of yet another exemplary embodiment of a conveying and buf fering apparatus according to the present invention;

[0054] Fig . 5 a schematic top view of an exemplary embodiment of a gating means according to the present invention, a) in an unrestricting position and b ) in a restricting position ;

[0055] Fig . 6 a schematic top view of another exemplary embodiment of a gating means according to the present invention; and

[0056] Fig . 7 a schematic top view of yet another exemplary embodiment of a gating means according to the present invention, a ) in an unrestricting position and b ) in a restricting position .

[0057] In the figures , like reference signs refer to like parts .

[0058] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Fig. 1 shows a schematic top view of an exemplary embodiment of an apparatus according to the present invention for conveying and buffering (upright) containers 1, in particular pharmaceutical containers such as bottles, vessels, vials, ampules and carpules . The apparatus comprises a feed-in section 2, a buffer section 3 and a feed-out section 4. The buffer section 3 has a longitudinal x-dimension, extending from the feed-in section 2 to the feed-out section 4, and a lateral y- dimension, confining a bottom side and a top side of the buffer section 3. The feed-in section 2 comprises a number of input channels 5, 5', 5' ' adapted to deliver containers 1 into the buffer section 3 essentially in a downstream direction of the longitudinal x-dimension, whereby each of the input channels 5, 5', 5' ' is in particular adapted to convey a single column of (upright) containers 1. Each input channel 5, 5', 5' ' may deliver containers 1 from a different source (preceding machine of the production line) . The buffer section 3 comprises first conveying means 6 adapted to convey the containers 1 from the feed-in section 2 to the feed-out section 4 essentially along the longitudinal x-dimension. The feed-out section 4 comprises an output channel 9 and a second conveying means 12. The output channel 9 essentially extends in the lateral y- dimension and is bounded by an end wall 10 on a rear side and by a gating means 11 on a front side bordering the buffer section 3. Hence, the output channel 9 is arranged essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal x-dimension. The gating means 11 are adapted to let (upright) containers 1 pass into the output channel 9 in a separated manner (i.e., one after the other) . The second conveying means 12 are adapted to convey one or more rows of containers 1 present in the output channel 9 out of the feed-out section 4 essentially along the lateral y-dimension (i.e., essentially perpendicular to the flow of containers 1 passing through the buffer section 3) .

[0059] In order to convey containers 1 to the apparatus the feedin section 2 comprises a third conveying means 20, such as one or more input conveyer belts or input slides. The conveying speed of the third conveying means 14 is greater than a conveying speed of the subsequent first conveying means 6 in the buffer section 3. The feed-in openings 21 of the input channels 5, 5', 5' ' into the buffer section 3 are located essentially at a centre of the lateral dimension y and ( / or) at sides / corners of the lateral dimension y. Each of the feed-in openings 21 is adapted to let pass only a single container 1 at a time (i.e., one after the other) .

[0060] The containers 1 entering the buffer section 3 through the feed-in openings 21 of the feed-in section 2 are conveyed towards the feed-out section 4 by the first conveying means

[0061] 6. The first conveying means 6 may be one or more conveyor belt with a transport direction essentially along the longitudinal dimension x of the buffer section 3. Additionally, the buffer section 3 comprises distributors

[0062] 7, 7', 7' ' which are adapted to spread the containers 1 from the input channels 5, 5', 5' ' across the lateral dimension y such that the containers 1 are conveyed to the feed-out section 4 in a number of columns 8. The distributors can be implemented in the form of sliders 7 or pushers 7 ' , and in particular be stripe- or bar-shaped. They are moveable in or across the lateral dimension y, in particular back and forth. The orientation of the individual sliders 7 or pushers 7 ' may be adjustable, for instance dependent on a direction of movement of the individual sliders 7 or pushers 7' . Furthermore, the distributors can be realised as rotatable pushers 7 ' ' , which are in particular located at sides of the buffer section 3. The rotatable pushers 7 ' ' may be operable to adjust an angular position of the rotatable pusher 7' ' and / or to adjust a speed of rotation and / or direction of rotation of the rotatable pusher 7' ' .

[0063] The buffer section 3 may feature a number of lanes 18 essentially extending in the longitudinal dimension x for accommodating columns 8 of containers 1. Adjacent lanes 18 are separated from one another by dividers / partitions 19. These dividers / partitions 19 may be mounted on a frame suspended above the first conveying means 6. The dividers / partitions 19 may have different lengths. For example the dividers / partitions 19 located in a middle part of the buffer section 3 may be longer than the dividers / partitions 19 located in a lateral part of the buffer section 3 as shown in Fig. 1. Alternatively, as shown on Fig. 2, the dividers / partitions 19 located on one lateral side of the buffer section 3 (e.g., the bottom side) may be longer than the dividers / partitions 19 located on the other lateral side of the buffer section 3 (e.g., the top side) , whereby the length of adjacent dividers / partitions 19 gradually decreases (from bottom to top) , e.g., in a uniform manner. Note that the latter configuration is especially suitable for the situation where the feed-in opening of the input channel into the buffer section 3 is located at or next to a corner (e.g., at the bottom or top side) as shown in Fig. 2. In this case it is important to distribute the incoming containers 1 from the bottom side towards the top side of the buffer section 3 in order to achieve efficient buffering of the containers 1. In both the cases illustrated in Fig. 1 & 2 the lanes 19 are aligned with the gating means 11. The gating means 11 may comprise a row of pins 14, pegs, poles or bars moveable from an unobstructing position where the output channel 9 is in an unrestricting position to an obstructing position where the output channel 9 is in a restricting position and vice-versa. The pins 14, pegs, poles or bars are spaced apart at regular / periodic intervals .

[0064] Fig. 3 shows a schematic top view of another exemplary embodiment of a conveying and buffering apparatus according to the present invention with an alternative feed-in section 2. In this embodiment in addition to the two input channels 5', 5' ' located along the lateral dimension y at the left side of the buffer section 3 there are two further input channels 5, 5' ' ' located at the upper and lower sides of the buffer section 3, i.e., arranged along the longitudinal dimension x. In this way the four input channels 5, 5', 5' ', 5' ' ' may deliver containers 1 from an increased number of sources (i.e., preceding machines of the production line) distributed around the left part of the buffer section 3. Depending on the specific requirements only one or more of the input channels 5, 5', 5' ', 5' ' ' may be present, for instance any combination of the input channels 5, 5', 5' ', 5' ' ' (e.g., any combination of two input channels 5 & 5' or 5 & 5' ' or 5 & 5' ' ' or 5' ' & 5' ' ' , etc. ) can be realised.

[0065] A specific case is illustrated in Fig. 4 where only a single input channel 5 is located at the lower side of the buffer section 3 in a corner of the longitudinal dimension x. Thereby, containers 1 are delivered into the buffer section 3 essentially along the lateral direction / dimension y. The containers 1 are then transported along the longitudinal direction / dimension x in the buffer section 3 by means of the first conveying means 6, e.g., one or more (parallel) conveyor belts. Distribution of the containers 1 across the entire lateral dimension y of the buffer section 3 from the lower / bottom side to the upper / top side is ensured by the distributors 7, 7', 7 ' ' , 7 ' ' ' , whereby a part of the left side wall of the buffer section is arranged at an angle to the lateral direction / dimension y and thus acts as a deflector 7' ' ' redirecting containers incoming from the bottom side of the buffer section 3 (in y direction) to move towards the right of the buffer section 3 (in x direction) .

[0066] Furthermore, in the embodiment show in Fig. 4 the feed-out section 4 extends only in the lateral direction / dimension y at the right side the buffer section 3. In this way containers 1 are fed into the buffer section 3 from below at the left lower corner of the buffer section 3 in the lateral direction y (i.e., along the lateral dimension y) and subsequently, after traversing the buffer section 3 across the longitudinal direction x (i.e., along the longitudinal dimension x) , are removed from the buffer section 3 at the top and / or the bottom right corner (s) in the lateral direction y (i.e., along the lateral dimension y) . For instance, containers 1 could enter the buffer section 3 from the left top and / or bottom corners of the buffer section 3 in the lateral direction y, be conveyed across the buffer section 3 in the longitudinal direction x, and then exit the buffer section 3 at the right top and / or bottom corners again in the lateral direction y. This enables a flexible distribution of the incoming and outgoing containers 1 and provides a large degree of freedom in arranging the preceding and following machines of the production line around the proposed apparatus for conveying and buffering containers between the machines of the production line.

[0067] A benefit of the proposed apparatus is especially that less (floor) space is required. Furthermore, a first-in first- out ( FI FO) principle is essentially followed with regards to the order of inputting and outputting containers .

[0068] As illustrated in Fig . 5 in a schematic top view the gating means 11 are adapted to let containers 1 enter into the output channel 9 when the gating means 11 are in an unrestricting position ( cf . Fig . 5 a) ) and to obstruct containers 1 from entering into the output channel 9 when the gating means 11 are in a restricting position ( cf . Fig . 5 b) ) . The gating means 11 are further adapted to periodically change between the unrestricting position and the restricting position, and the second conveying means 12 , 16 are adapted to convey one or more rows 13 of containers 1 present in the output channel 9 out of the feed-out section 4 essentially along the lateral dimension y when the gating means 11 are in the restricting position . The gating means 11 may comprise a plurality of pins 14 , pegs , poles or bars , whereby at least a subset of the plurality of pins 14 , pegs , poles or bars is moveable from an unobstructing position where the output channel 9 is in the unrestricting position to an obstructing position where the output channel 9 is in the restricting position and vice-versa . Moreover, individual ones and / or groups of the pins 14 , pegs , poles or bars can be moved from an unobstructing position where the output channel is in the unrestricting position to an obstructing position where the output channel is in the restricting position and vice- versa . Thereby, moving of ( each of ) the individual ones and / or groups of the pins 14, pegs, poles or bars can be individually controlled.

[0069] As illustrated in Fig. 6 in a schematic top view the pins 14, pegs, poles or bars are arranged in two spaced-apart rows forming a first and second rake 15, 15' or linear grid, whereby the individual pins 14, pegs, poles or bars in the first and second rake 15, 15' or linear grid are spaced part at regular / periodic intervals. The intervals are the same in the first and second rake 15, 15' or linear grid, and the intervals are such that there is only space for a single upright container 1 within each interval. As can be seen in Fig. 7 a) in a schematic top view, in the unobstructing position the pins 14, pegs, poles or bars of the first and second rake 15, 15' or linear grid are aligned such that the upright containers 1 can enter into the output channel 9 having an end wall 10 on the rear side along which a row 13 of containers 1 is then formed. As can be seen in Fig. 7 b) in a schematic top view, in the obstructing position the pins 14, pegs, poles or bars of the first and second rake 15, 15' or linear grid are misaligned such that the upright containers 1 are obstructed and cannot enter into the output channel 9. The row 13 of containers 1 arranged along the end wall 10 on the rear side of the output channel 9 are then separated from the adjacent row of containers 1 held back first and second rake 15, 15' . The row 13 of containers 1 arranged along the end wall 10 on the rear side of the output channel 9 can then be conveyed out of the pusher 16 ( or slider ) of the second conveying means 12 .

[0070] The proposed gating means has the advantage of signi ficantly reducing container-to-container contact .

[0071] In the feed-out section 4 the second conveying means 12 comprises a slider or pusher 16 which is adapted to remove containers 1 from the output channel 9 , in particular when the output channel 9 is in the restricting state , and to convey the containers 1 from the output channel 9 to downstream conveying means 17 which in turn are adapted to convey the containers 1 away from the feed-out section 4 . The slider or pusher 16 is in particular adapted to repeatedly perform the following :

[0072] - move from a first end Ei of the output channel 9 to a second end E2 of the output channel 9 when the output channel 9 is in the restricting state ;

[0073] - stay at the second end E2 of the output channel 9 when the output channel 9 is in the unrestricting state ;

[0074] - move from the second end E2 of the output channel 9 to the first end Ei of the output channel 9 when the output channel 9 is in the restricting state again;

[0075] - stay at the first end Ei of the output channel 9 when the output channel 9 is in the unrestricting state again . The downstream conveying means 17 comprise one or more first output conveyer belts or first output slides arranged downstream of the first end Ei of the output channel 9 and one or more second output conveyer belts or second output slides arranged downstream of the second end E2 of the output channel 9 . The conveying speed of the first and second output conveyor belts is less than a speed at which the slider or pusher 16 of the second conveying means 12 moves from the first end Ei to the second end E2 or vice- versa . The downstream conveying means 17 may comprise removal means adapted to remove fallen over containers 1 from the downstream conveying means 17 . The removal means can comprise a sorting mechanism adapted to guide upright containers 1 away from a throw-of f area 22 where the fallen over containers 1 are removed from the downstream conveying means 17 . A first further buf fer section may be located between a first output of the output channel 9 and the one or more first downstream output conveyer belts or first downstream slides and a second further buf fer section may be located between a second output of the output channel 9 and the one or more second output conveyer belts or second output slides .

[0076] The feed-in section 2 may comprise one or more sensors 23 , such as one or more cameras , light barriers , range and / or directional sensors , for instance ultrasonic, TOF ( time of flight ) or Lidar ( light detection and ranging) sensors , adapted to determine the number of containers 1 passing from the feed-in section 2 to the buf fer section 3 . Alternatively or additionally, the buffer section 3 may comprise one or more sensors 23, such as one or more cameras 16, light barriers, range and / or directional sensors, for instance ultrasonic, TOF or Lidar sensors, in particular adapted to determine a position and / or a motion of one or more containers 1 within the buffer section 3. Alternatively or additionally, the feed-out section 4 may comprise one or more sensors 23, such as one or more cameras, light barriers, range and / or directional sensors, for instance ultrasonic, TOF or Lidar sensors, adapted to determine the number of containers 1 exiting from the feed- out section 4, in particular from the output channel 9.

[0077] The apparatus may comprise a processing unit, in particular an image processing unit, adapted to perform object detection based on one or more outputs of the one or more sensors 23 of the feed-in section 2 and / or the buffer section 3 and / or the feed-out section 4, whereby the objects to be detected are in particular the containers 1, and is in particular further adapted to determine positions of or a distribution of the containers 1 within the feed-in section 2 and / or the buffer section 3 and / or the feed-out section 4.

[0078] The apparatus may comprise a control unit adapted to control the first, second and third conveying means 6, 12, 20 (including the pusher 16) , the distributors 7, 7', 7 ' ' , the gating means 11, and the downstream conveying means 17. Controlling of these means in particular includes individually adjusting their speed (and direction) . The control unit receives data from the processing unit in order to determine the present buffering situation and will control the stated means accordingly to achieve efficient buffering while especially avoiding congestions. In case a congestion situation is identified by the control unit it can notify a higher-level instance monitoring and managing the entire production line to take appropriate action.

[0079] In order to achieve efficient buffering of containers the conveying speed of each of the first, second and third conveying means 6, 12, 20 is individually adjustable, in particular individually adjustable based on one or more outputs of the one or more sensors 23 of the feed-in section 2 and / or the buffer section 3 and / or the feed-out section 4. Such adjustments are performed by the control unit. Moreover, the control unit controls the gating means 11, in particular controls moving of (each) individual ones and / or groups of the pins 14, pegs, poles or bars of the gating means 11, e.g., based on data received from the processing unit, to ensure a stable and smooth transfer of containers 1 from the buffer section 3 into the output channel 9, thus preventing local congestions of containers along parts of the output channel 9. LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

[0080] 1 container (upright)

[0081] 2 feed-in section

[0082] 3 buffer section

[0083] 4 feed-out section

[0084] 5, 5', 5' ' , 5' ' ' input channel in the feed-in section

[0085] 6 first conveying means in the buffer section, e.g., conveyor belt

[0086] 7 slider of the distributor in the buffer section

[0087] 7 ' pusher of the distributor in the buffer section

[0088] 7' ' rotatable pusher of the distributor in the buffer section

[0089] 7' ' ' deflector of the distributor in the buffer section

[0090] 8 column of containers in the buffer section

[0091] 9 output channel in the feed-out section

[0092] 10 end wall on the rear side of the output channel

[0093] 11 gating means on the front side of the output channel, e.g., pins 14, pegs, poles, bars, rake 15, 15'

[0094] 12 second conveying means in the feed-out section, e.g., conveyor belt, pusher 16, slider

[0095] 13 row of containers in the feed-out section

[0096] 14 pin of the gating means

[0097] 15 first rake of the gating means 15' second rake of the gating means

[0098] 16 pusher (or slider) of the second conveying means

[0099] 17 downstream conveying means

[0100] 18 lane in the buffer section 19 lane dividers / partitions

[0101] 20 third conveying means in the feed-in section, e.g., conveyor belt, slide

[0102] 21 feed-in opening

[0103] 22 throw-off area 23 sensor, e.g., camera

[0104] Ei first end of the output channel

[0105] Ei second end of the output channel x longitudinal dimension of the buffer section y lateral dimension of the buffer section

Claims

CLAIMS1. An apparatus for conveying and buffering containers (1) , in particular pharmaceutical containers such as bottles, vessels, vials, ampules and carpules, the apparatus comprising:- a feed-in section (2) ;- a buffer section (3) with a longitudinal dimension (x) and a lateral dimension (y) ; and a feed-out section (4) , the feed-in section (2) comprising:- a number of one or more input channels (5, 5', 5' ' , 5' ' ' ) adapted to deliver containers (1) into the buffer section (3) , wherein each of the one or more input channels (5, 5', 5' ' , 5' ' ' ) is in particular adapted to convey a single column of containers (1) , the buffer section (3) comprising:- first conveying means (6) adapted to convey the containers (1) from the feed-in section (2) to the feed- out section (4) essentially along the longitudinal dimension (x) , the feed-out section (4) comprising:- an output channel (9) essentially extending in the lateral dimension (y) and being bounded by an end wall (10) on a rear side and by a gating means (11) on a front side bordering the buffer section (3) , the gatingmeans (11) being adapted to let containers (1) pass into the output channel (9) in a separated manner; and- second conveying means (12, 16) adapted to convey one or more rows (13) of containers (1) present in the output channel (9) out of the feed-out section (4) essentially along the lateral dimension (y) .

2. The apparatus of claim 1 or 2, wherein the gating means (11) are adapted to let containers (1) enter into the output channel (9) when the gating means (11) are in an unrestricting position and to obstruct containers (1) from entering into the output channel (9) when the gating means (11) are in a restricting position, the gating means (11) further being adapted to periodically change between the unrestricting position and the restricting position, and wherein the second conveying means (12, 16) are adapted to convey one or more rows (13) of containers (1) present in the output channel (9) out of the feed-out section (4) essentially along the lateral dimension (y) when the gating means (11) are in the restricting position.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 or 2, wherein the gating means (11) comprise a plurality of pins (14) , pegs, poles or bars, wherein in particular at least a subset of the plurality of pins (14) , pegs, poles or bars is moveable from an unobstructing position where the output channel (9) is in the unrestricting position to an obstructing positionwhere the output channel (9) is in the restricting position and vice-versa.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the pins (14) , pegs, poles or bars are arranged in two spaced-apart rows forming a first and second rake (15, 15' ) or linear grid, the individual pins (14) , pegs, poles or bars in the first and second rake (15, 15' ) or linear grid in particular being spaced part at regular / periodic intervals, the intervals in particular being the same in the first and second rake (15, 15' ) or linear grid, and the intervals being such that there is only space for a single upright container (1) within each interval, wherein in the unobstructing position the pins (14) , pegs, poles or bars of the first and second rake (15, 15' ) or linear grid are aligned such that the upright containers (1) can enter into the output channel (9) and in the obstructing position the pins (14) , pegs, poles or bars of the first and second rake (15, 15' ) or linear grid are misaligned such that the upright containers (1) are obstructed and cannot enter into the output channel (9) .

5. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the second conveying means (12) comprises a slider or pusher(16) adapted to remove containers (1) from the output channel (9) , in particular when the output channel (9) is in the restricting state, and to convey the containers (1) from the output channel (9) to downstream conveying means(17) adapted to convey the containers (1) away from thefeed-out section (4) , the slider or pusher (16) in particular being further adapted to repeatedly:- move from a first end (Ei) of the output channel (9) to a second end (E2) of the output channel (9) when the output channel (9) is in the restricting state;- stay at the second end (E2) of the output channel (9) when the output channel (9) is in the unrestricting state ;- move from the second end (E2) of the output channel (9) to the first end (Ei) of the output channel (9) when the output channel (9) is in the restricting state again;- stay at the first end (Ei) of the output channel (9) when the output channel (9) is in the unrestricting state again.

6. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the buffer section (3) further comprises one or more distributors (7, 7', 7' ' ) adapted to spread the containers (1) from the one or more input channels (5, 5', 5' ', 5' ' ' ) across the lateral dimension (y) such that the containers (1) are conveyed to the feed-out section (4) essentially in a number of columns (8) , which is in particular greater than the number of input channels (5, 5', 5' ', 5' ' ' ) .

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the one or more distributors (7, 7', 7' ' ) comprises one or more sliders (7) or pushers (7' ) , in particular formed as a stripe or bar,moveable in or across the lateral dimension (y) , in particular back and forth, an orientation of the individual one or more sliders (7) or pushers (7' ) in particular being adjustable, for instance dependent on a direction of movement of the individual one or more sliders (7) or pushers ( 7 ' ) .

8. The apparatus of claim 6 or 7, wherein the one or more distributors (7, 7', 7' ' ) comprises one or more rotatable pushers (7' ' ) , in particular located at sides of the buffer section (3) , in particular at least one of the rotatable pushers (7' ' ) being operable to adjust an angular position of the rotatable pusher (7' ' ) and / or to adjust a speed of rotation and / or direction of rotation of the rotatable pusher ( 7 ' ' ) .

9. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the buffer section (3) further comprises a number of lanes (18) essentially extending in the longitudinal dimension (x) , wherein adjacent lanes (18) are separated from one another by dividers / partitions (19) , in particular mounted on a frame suspended above the first conveying means (6) , wherein the dividers / partitions (19) in particular have different lengths, wherein in particular the dividers / partitions (19) located in a middle part of the buffer section (3) are longer than the dividers / partitions(19) located in a lateral part of the buffer section (3) or the dividers / partitions (19) located on one lateral side of the buffer section (3) are longer than thedividers / partitions (19) located on the other lateral side of the buffer section (3) , for instance wherein the length of adjacent dividers / partitions (19) gradually decreases, and wherein the lanes (19) are in particular aligned with the gating means (11) , wherein the gating means (11) in particular comprise a row of pins (14) , pegs, poles or bars moveable from an unobstructing position where the output channel (9) is in the unrestricting position to an obstructing position where the output channel (9) is in the restricting position and vice-versa, the pins (14) , pegs, poles or bars in particular being spaced apart at regular / periodic intervals.

10. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the feed-in section (2) comprises a third conveying means (20) , such as one or more input conveyer belts or input slides, wherein a conveying speed of the third conveying means (14) is greater, in particular at least by a factor of two, more particularly at least by a factor of four, than a conveying speed of the first conveying means (6) .

11. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein feed-in openings (21) of the one or more input channels (5, 5', 5' ' , 5' ' ' ) into the buffer section (3) are located essentially at a centre of the lateral dimension (y) or at sides / corners of the lateral dimension (y) , and wherein the one or more input channels (5, 5', 5' ' , 5' ' ' ) are in particular adapted to deliver containers (1) into the buffer section (3) essentially along the longitudinaldimension (x) , and wherein each of the feed-in openings(21) is in particular adapted to let pass only a single container (1) at a time.

12. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein feed-in openings (21) of the one or more input channels (5, 5', 5' ' , 5' ' ' ) into the buffer section (3) are located at upper and / or lower sides / corners at a beginning of the longitudinal dimension (x) , and wherein the one or more input channels (5, 5', 5' ' , 5' ' ' ) are in particular adapted to deliver containers (1) into the buffer section (3) essentially along the lateral dimension (y) , and wherein each of the feed-in openings (21) is in particular adapted to let pass only a single container (1) at a time.

13. The apparatus of any one of claims 5 to 12, wherein the downstream conveying means (17) comprise one or more first output conveyer belts or first output slides arranged downstream of the first end (Ei) of the output channel (9) and one or more second output conveyer belts or second output slides arranged downstream of the second end (E2) of the output channel (9) , a conveying speed of the first and second output conveyor belts in particular being less than a speed at which the slider or pusher (16) of the second conveying means (12) moves from the first end (Ei) to the second end (E2) or vice-versa.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the downstream conveying means (17) comprise removal means adapted to remove fallen over containers (1) from the downstream conveying means (17) , the removal means in particular comprising a sorting mechanism adapted to guide upright containers (1) away from a throw-off area (22) where the fallen over containers (1) are removed from the downstream conveying means (17) .

15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein a first further buffer section is located between a first output of the output channel (9) and the one or more first downstream output conveyer belts or first downstream slides and a second further buffer section is located between a second output of the output channel (9) and the one or more second output conveyer belts or second output slides.

16. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein a conveying speed of the second conveying means (12) is greater, in particular at least by a factor of two, more particularly at least by a factor of four, than the conveying speed of the first conveying means (6) .

17. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein:- the feed-in section (2) further comprises one or more sensors (23) , such as one or more cameras, light barriers, range and / or directional sensors, for instance ultrasonic, TOF (time of flight) or Lidar (lightdetection and ranging) sensors, adapted to determine the number of containers (1) passing from the feed-in section (2) to the buffer section (3) ; and / or- the buffer section (3) further comprises one or more sensors (23) , such as one or more cameras (16) , light barriers, range and / or directional sensors, for instance ultrasonic, TOF or Lidar sensors, in particular adapted to determine a position and / or a motion of one or more containers (1) within the buffer section (3) ; and / or- the feed-out section (4) further comprises one or more sensors (23) , such as one or more cameras, light barriers, range and / or directional sensors, for instance ultrasonic, TOF or Lidar sensors, adapted to determine the number of containers (1) exiting from the feed-out section (4) , in particular from the output channel (9) .

18. The apparatus of claim 17, further comprising a processing unit, in particular an image processing unit, adapted to perform object detection based on one or more outputs of the one or more sensors (23) of the feed-in section (2) and / or the buffer section (3) and / or the feed- out section (4) , wherein the objects to be detected are in particular the containers (1) , and is in particular further adapted to determine positions of or a distribution of the containers (1) within the feed-in section (2) and / or the buffer section (3) and / or the feed-out section (4) .

19. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein the conveying speed of each of the first, second and third conveying means (6, 12, 20) is individually adjustable, in particular for the apparatus of claim 17 or 18 individually adjustable based on one or more outputs of the one or more sensors (23) of the feed-in section (2) and / or the buffer section (3) and / or the feed-out section (4) .

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