Apparatus for splitting or distributing single products coming from a first conveying section onto a second conveying section comprising a plurality of track lines

Abstract

The invention relates to an apparatus for splitting or distributing products coming from a first conveying section and transported in a direction of conveyance (F) onto the track lines (3) of a second conveying section (2) comprising a plurality of track lines (3). The apparatus comprises a splitting device (1) having a conveying channel (6), which is preferably delimited on both sides, wherein products coming from the first conveying section are receivable by the conveying channel (6) via an upstream end region of the conveying channel (6) when viewed in the direction of conveyance (F), wherein the conveying channel (6) is movable relative to the track lines (3) of the second conveying section (2) in such a manner that, via a downstream end region of the conveying channel (6) when viewed in the direction of conveyance (F), at least a portion of the products received by the conveying channel (6) can be transferred to a track line (3) selected from the track lines (3) of the second conveying section (2). According to the invention, it is provided in particular that the conveying channel (6) comprises a propulsion device associated with the products received in the conveying channel (6), which, in order to transfer at least a portion of the products received by the conveying channel (6) to the selected track line of the second conveying section (2), is configured so as to transport and / or drive the products in the direction of conveyance (F).

Description

[0001] APPARATUS FOR SPLITTING OR DISTRIBUTING SINGLE PRODUCTS COMING FROM A FIRST CONVEYING SECTION ONTO A SECOND CONVEYING SECTION COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF TRACK LINES Description

[0002] The present invention relates generally to packaging lines of a packaging plant and, more particularly, to an apparatus for splitting or distributing products that are conveyed in series one behind the other.

[0003] In particular, the present invention relates to an apparatus for splitting or distributing products conveyed in a single row in a direction of conveyance, in particular single products, onto the track lines of a conveying section comprising a plurality of track lines. With such an apparatus, products such as juice-filled beverage cartons, having been conveyed one after the other in series from the filling system, for example, are moved transverse to their direction of conveyance into various track lines of a further (second) conveyor belt in order to then group them and package the grouped products into packs in a packaging machine. They can be placed in packaging cartons in a group with, for example, four or six products, or they can be film-shrunk into a pack. The products conveyed one behind the other in a single row must be moved in a controlled manner transverse to the direction of conveyance in order to distribute them in a plurality of downstream rows conveyed in parallel. The number of products in a pack is, of course, arbitrary. In principle, such an apparatus is known, for example, from the publication DE 10 2012 111 920 AL

[0004] This is an apparatus for re-grouping or re-sorting a number of products conveyed one behind the other in at least one row into an arrangement with products positioned side-by-side trans- versely to the direction of conveyance. To this end, a stepped spool that is movable transversely to the direction of conveyance is provided, which, in a pushing operation, shifts the successive products to be re-grouped or re-sorted one behind the other by a different movement path transversely to the direction of conveyance. The spool has a staircase-like or stepped contour with abutment surfaces, which shift successive products in the direction of conveyance transverse to the direction of conveyance by an amount corresponding to at least the product width or the product diameter. After formation of the step shape, the products are subsequently decelerated or accelerated, and the deceleration or acceleration then results in a plurality of groups of at least two products of an assembly next to one another and transverse to the direction of conveyance. A further embodiment of an apparatus for splitting or distributing single products coming from a first conveying section onto the track lines of a second conveying section is known, for example, from publication DE 10 2016 121 575 Al (here: FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 of DE 10 2016 121 575 Al).

[0005] In the splitting device known from this prior art, the products are only transported forwards by the underlying conveyor belt. Here, influences such as friction or vibration can cause the products to emerge from the splitting device with different gap lengths, which leads to problems when entering the track lines or trackways of a conveying section positioned downstream.

[0006] Based on these disadvantages, the present invention addresses the problem of specifying an apparatus for splitting or distributing single products onto the track lines of a subsequent conveying section, in which it is effectively avoided that the products emerge from the splitting device with different gap lengths.

[0007] This problem is solved according to the invention by the subject matter of independent claim 1, wherein advantageous further developments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

[0008] Accordingly, the present invention relates in particular to an apparatus for splitting or distributing products coming from a conveying section, in particular single products, onto the track lines of a second conveying section.

[0009] The first conveying section is in particular configured as a conveyor belt and comprises at least one and preferably exactly one track line along which the single products are transported in a direction of conveyance.

[0010] The second conveying section, which is provided downstream of the first conveying section when viewed in the direction of conveyance of the products, is in particular also configured as a conveyor belt, in particular a conveyor chain. By contrast to the first conveying section, however, the second conveying section comprises a plurality of track lines into which the products transported by the first conveying section, in particular the single products, are to be divided.

[0011] According to the present invention, a splitting device with a conveying channel that is preferably limited on both sides is used for this purpose. Via an end region of the conveying channel, which is positioned upstream when viewed in the direction of conveyance of the products, the single products coming from the first conveying section are receivable by the conveying channel. The conveying channel is movable relative to the track lines of the second conveying section in such a way that at least a portion of the products received from the conveying channel, in particular the single products, can be transferred onto a row of track lines selected from the track lines of the second conveying section via an end region of the conveying channel, which is positioned downstream when viewed in the direction of conveyance of the products.

[0012] According to the invention, it is provided in particular that the conveying channel of the splitting device comprises a propulsion device, which is assigned to the products received in the conveying channel. The propulsion device is configured so as to transport at least a portion of the products received from the conveying channel in the direction of conveyance, and in particular to accelerate or drive the products onto the selected track line of the second conveying section.

[0013] The advantages achievable with the solution according to the invention are obvious: due to the fact that the conveying channel of the splitting device comprises a propulsion device associated with products received in the conveying channel, which serves to drive or accelerate the products onto a selected track line of the second conveying section in the direction of conveyance, it can be prevented in an easily implemented yet effective manner that influences such as friction or vibration cause the products to emerge from the splitting device with different gap lengths, which as stated above leads to problems when entering the track lines or trackways of the second conveying section.

[0014] According to a preferred realization of the apparatus according to the invention, it is provided that the propulsion device of the conveying channel, which is associated with the single products accommodated in the conveying channel, comprises a belt drive.

[0015] The belt drive preferably comprises a first circumferential continuous belt, in particular a round belt, as well as a further (second) circumferential continuous belt, which is also preferably configured as a round belt. In particular, it is provided that the two continuous belts at least regionally limit the conveying channel of the splitting device at both ends and run parallel to the conveying channel in the direction of conveyance of the products.

[0016] According to design variants of this embodiment, it is provided that the two continuous belts are arranged and configured such that, in the case of the products received by the conveying channel, the belts engage with an opposite lateral lower region of the respective products. In this way, it is effectively prevented that, when accelerating or moving the products with the help of the propulsion device, the products could tilt or lose their original orientation.

[0017] According to design variants of the invention, the continuous belts of the propulsion device are associated with guide elements that are configured so as to guide and / or support the continuous belts at least in the region of the conveying channel. In particular, support rollers are considered as the guide elements. Of course, however, other embodiments for such guide elements are conceivable.

[0018] According to a further aspect of the present invention, the conveying channel of the splitting device can be telescoped in the direction of conveyance together with the propulsion drive. The conveying channel can be brought into an extended state of the conveying channel together with the propulsion device in such a way that the downstream end region of the conveying channel, when viewed in the direction of conveyance of the products, opens at an upstream end region of the selected track line of the second conveying section, in particular such that, with the aid of the propulsion device, at least a part of the products received by the conveying channel can be transferred to the selected track line of the second conveying section.

[0019] Due to the fact that the conveying channel can be telescoped together with the propulsion device in the direction of conveyance, it is realized in an easily implemented and in particular low-rise manner that the products can be transported forward in a controlled manner during the track line change, i.e., in the direction of conveyance, wherein a defined gap length between the products remains constant, in particular.

[0020] A variety of designs are possible for the telescoping of the conveying channel with the propulsion device.

[0021] For example, it is conceivable that, for telescoping the conveying channel with the propulsion device, the conveying channel comprises at least two lateral and opposing telescoping rails, which are reversibly movable, in particular synchronously, between a retracted state and an extended (telescoped) state with the aid of a drive, in particular an electromotive drive.

[0022] If, in this context, a belt drive having a first circumferential continuous belt and a second circumferential continuous belt is used as the propulsion device, it is then provided in particular that, in the retracted state of the telescoping rails as well as in the extended state of the telescoping rails, the first and second continuous belts delimit the conveying channel on both sides and extend there parallel to the conveying channel in the direction of conveyance. Preferably, the two continuous belts are associated with a scissor system comprising support rollers for supporting and / or guiding the corresponding continuous belt. The scissor system is preferably designed in the form of a kind of “scissor telescope,” as is used at least in principle for scissor lifting tables or the like.

[0023] In particular, the scissor system is connected with the telescoping rails and / or configured such that a distance between the two continuous belts in the region of the conveying channel remains identical in the retracted state as well as in the extended state of the telescoping rails. This distance is preferably adapted to the width of the products to be driven or accelerated by the propulsion device, which are received by the conveying channel.

[0024] According to preferred implementations of the apparatus according to the invention, it is provided that the splitting device with the conveying channel is provided in an end region of the second conveying section that is positioned upstream when viewed in the direction of conveyance of the products, wherein the second conveying section is in particular configured as a conveyor belt, in particular a chain belt. The conveyor belt is divided into the multiple track lines in a region of the conveyor belt, which, when viewed in the direction of conveyance of the products, lies downstream of the splitting device.

[0025] Preferably, it is provided that at least in an upstream end region of the track lines of the second conveying section, the track lines run parallel to one another. In this context, it is particularly suitable for the splitting device to be movable with the conveying channel transverse to the direction of conveyance relative to the track lines of the second conveying section. For this purpose, the splitting device comprises a corresponding drive, in particular an electromotive drive.

[0026] According to design variants of the apparatus according to the invention, it is provided that the apparatus comprises an inlet belt, which is arranged between the first conveying section and the splitting device section with the conveying channel and the second conveying section. The inlet belt preferably comprises a swiveling guide system with preferably two guide rails extending parallel to one another, between which an inlet channel is formed, in which the products coming from the first conveying section can be received one behind the other.

[0027] According to further developments of the swiveling guide system, it is provided that an end region of the inlet channel, which is positioned upstream when viewed in the direction of conveyance of the inlet belt, is preferably arranged in the center of the inlet belt and is configured so as to receive the single products coming from the first conveying section. It is expedient here that the at least one guide rail of the swiveling guide system can be pivoted relative to the inlet belt about an axis extending perpendicularly to the direction of conveyance of the inlet belt in such a way that, when viewed in the direction of conveyance of the inlet belt, a downstream end region of the inlet channel can be positioned at different positions with respect to the width of the inlet belt.

[0028] It is particularly preferably provided in this context that propulsion means are provided laterally at the downstream end region of the inlet channel, which are configured so as to transfer the products received by the inlet channel at the downstream end region of the inlet channel to the upstream end region of the conveying channel of the splitting device. In this context, acceleration rollers are in particular considered as the propulsion means.

[0029] An exemplary embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention is described in further detail below, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0030] The following are shown:

[0031] FIG. 1 A-C schematically and in a top plan view, the principle of an exemplary embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention;

[0032] FIG. 2A schematically and in an isometric view, an exemplary embodiment of a splitting device of the apparatus according to the invention, namely in its nontelescoped state;

[0033] FIG. 2B schematically and in an isometric view, the exemplary embodiment of the splitting device according to FIG. 2A, namely in a telescoped state;

[0034] FIG. 3 A-C schematically and in an isometric view, an exemplary embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention with a splitting device according to FIG. 2A; and

[0035] FIG. 4A-C schematically and in a top plan view, the exemplary embodiment of the splitting device according to FIG. 2A.

[0036] In FIG. 1A to 1C, the principle of the apparatus according to the invention is shown schematically.

[0037] The apparatus according to the invention comprises a splitting device 1, which serves to distribute or split products that are transported in single rows onto a plurality of track lines 3 (here: three track lines) of a second conveying section 2. The second conveying section 2 is a conveyor belt, in particular a conveyor chain. The individual track lines 3 of the second conveying section 2 are formed by corresponding limitations extending in the direction of conveyance F. The second conveying section 2, which is configured as a conveyor belt, in particular a conveyor chain, conveys the products received on the second conveying section 2 in the direction of conveyance F.

[0038] The splitting device 1 itself is provided in an upstream end region of the second conveying section 2, when viewed in the direction of conveyance F of the products.

[0039] In the apparatus illustrated schematically in FIG. 1 A to 1C, the splitting device 1 is movable, linearly slidable, perpendicular to the direction of conveyance F of the second conveying section 2. In this way, it is possible that the transported products can be optionally or selectively distributed onto the individual track lines 3 of the second conveying section 2 with the splitting device 1.

[0040] The apparatus comprises an inlet belt 10, which is arranged between a first conveying section (conveyor belt, not shown in the drawings) and the splitting device 1. The inlet belt 10 comprises a swiveling guide system with two guide rails 11 extending parallel to one another, between which an inlet channel 13 is formed, in which the products coming from the first conveying section (not shown) are received one behind the other.

[0041] An end region of the inlet channel 13, which is positioned upstream when viewed in the direction of conveyance F of the inlet belt 10, is arranged in the center of the inlet belt 10 and is configured so as to receive the products coming from the first conveying section (not shown). The two guide rails 11 of the swiveling guide system can be pivoted relative to the inlet belt 10 about an axis extending perpendicularly to the direction of conveyance F of the inlet belt 10 in such a way that, when viewed in the direction of conveyance F of the inlet belt 10, a downstream end region of the inlet channel 13 can be positioned at different positions with respect to the width of the inlet belt 10.

[0042] In this way, the splitting device 1 can be supplied with corresponding products via the inlet belt 10, even when the splitting device 1 is positioned upstream of one of the plurality of track lines 3 of the second conveying section 2.

[0043] The splitting device 1, which is described in further detail below with reference to the illustrations in FIG. 2 to FIG. 4, comprises a conveying channel 6 that is limited on both sides, wherein the products delivered by the inlet channel 13 of the swiveling guide system can be received from the conveying channel 6 via an end region of the conveying channel 6 that is positioned upstream when viewed in the direction of conveyance F. As shown in FIG. IB and FIG. 1C, the splitting device 1, in particular the conveying channel 6 of the splitting device 1, is movable relative to the track lines 3 of the second conveying section 2 in such a way that at least a portion of the products received from the conveying channel 6 can be transferred onto a row of track lines selected from the track lines 3 of the second conveying section 2 via an end region of the conveying channel 6, which is positioned downstream when viewed in the direction of conveyance F.

[0044] Specifically, FIG. 1 A shows a state in which products are transferred into the first track line 3 of the second conveying section 2 with the splitting device 1. In FIG. 1C, a state is shown in which products are transferred to the central track line 3 of the second conveying section 2 with the help of the splitting device 1 and in particular with the help of the conveying channel 6 of the splitting device 1.

[0045] In order to transfer the products from the inlet channel 13 of the swiveling guide system into the conveying channel 6 of the splitting device 1, propulsion means 12, in the form of acceleration rollers, are provided laterally in the downstream end region of the inlet channel 13, which are configured so as to transfer the products received by the inlet channel 13 at the downstream end region of the inlet channel 13 to the upstream end region of the conveying channel 6 of the splitting device 1.

[0046] As can also be seen in particular from the illustrations in FIG. 2 to FIG. 4, the splitting device 1 is characterized in that the splitting device 1 comprises a propulsion device, which serves to accelerate the products received in the conveying channel 6 accordingly, namely upon transfer of the products received by the conveying channel 6 onto the selected track line of the second conveying section 2.

[0047] Specifically, the propulsion means comprises a belt drive having a first circumferential continuous belt 4 and a second circumferential continuous belt 5. The two continuous belts 4, 5 limit the conveying channel 6 on both sides and extend parallel to the conveying channel 6 in the direction of conveyance F. This can be seen in particular in the top view of FIG. 4A to FIG. 4C.

[0048] The two continuous belts 4, 5 are arranged and configured such that, in the case of the products received by the conveying channel 6, the belts engage with an opposite lateral lower region of the respective products.

[0049] The top view according to FIG. 4A to 4C in particular further shows that the two continuous belts 4, 5 are associated with respective guide elements 7 in the form of support rollers, which are configured so as to guide and accordingly support the continuous belts 4, 5 in the region of the conveying channel 6.

[0050] The splitting device 1 according to the invention is further characterized in that the conveying channel 6 can be telescoped with the propulsion device in the direction of conveyance F. Specifically, the conveying channel 6 can be telescoped such that, in an extended state of the conveying channel 6, the downstream end region of the conveying channel 6 when viewed in the direction of conveyance F opens at an upstream end region of the selected track line of the second conveying section 2, such that, with the aid of the propulsion device, at least a part of the products received by the conveying channel 6 can be transferred to the selected track line of the second conveying section 2.

[0051] So that the conveying channel 6 can be telescoped accordingly, in the design variant shown in the drawings, the conveying channel 6 is configured with two lateral and diametrically opposed telescoping rails 8, which are reversibly movable with the aid of a drive between a retracted state and an extended state, in particular synchronously.

[0052] In addition, a scissor system 9 is used, which is assigned to the two continuous belts 4, 5 and comprises support rollers 7 in order to support and guide the respective continuous belt 4, 5. The scissor system 9 is connected to the telescoping rails 8 and is configured such that a distance between the two continuous belts 4, 5 in the region of the conveying channel 6 remains identical in the retracted state as well as in the extended state of the telescoping rails 8.

[0053] The invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings, but rather results when all of the features disclosed herein are considered together.

[0054] List of reference numerals

[0055] 1 Splitting device

[0056] 2 Second conveying section 3 Track line of the second conveying section

[0057] 4 First continuous belt

[0058] 5 Second continuous belt

[0059] 6 Conveying channel

[0060] 7 Guide elements / support rollers 8 Telescoping rail

[0061] 9 Scissor system

[0062] 10 Inlet belt

[0063] 11 Guide rail of the swiveling guide system

[0064] 12 Propulsion means / acceleration rollers

[0065] 13 Inlet channel

[0066] F Direction of conveyance

Claims

Claims1. An apparatus for splitting or distributing products, in particular single products, coming from a first, at least one-line conveying section and transported in a direction of conveyance (F) onto the track lines (3) of a second conveying section (2) comprising a plurality of track lines (3), wherein the apparatus comprises a splitting device (1) having a conveying channel (6), which is preferably delimited on both sides, wherein products coming from the first conveying section are receivable by the conveying channel (6) via an upstream end region of the conveying channel (6) when viewed in the direction of conveyance (F), and wherein the conveying channel (6) is movable relative to the track lines (3) of the second conveying section (2) in such a manner that, via a downstream end region of the conveying channel (6) when viewed in the direction of conveyance (F), at least a portion of the products received by the conveying channel (6) can be transferred to a track line (3) selected from the track lines (3) of the second conveying section (2), wherein the conveying channel (6) comprises a propulsion device associated with the products received in the conveying channel (6), which, in order to transfer at least a portion of the products received by the conveying channel (6) to the selected track line of the second conveying section (2), is configured so as to transport and / or drive the products in the direction of conveyance (F).

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the propulsion device comprises a belt drive with a first circumferential continuous belt (4), in particular round belts, and a second circumferential continuous belt (5), in particular a round belt, wherein the first and second continuous belts (4, 5) delimit the conveying channel (6) on both sides at least in regions and extend there parallel to the conveying channel (6) in the direction of conveyance (F).

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the first and second continuous belts (4, 5) are arranged and / or configured such that, in the case of the products received by the conveying channel (6), the belts engage with an opposite lateral lower region of the respective products.

4. The apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the first and second continuous belts (4, 5) are associated with respective guide elements (7), in particular in the form of support rollers, which are configured so as to guide and / or support the continuous belts (4, 5) at least in the region of the conveying channel (6).

5. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the conveying channel (6) with the propulsion device can be telescoped in the direction of conveyance (F), namely such that, in an extended state of the conveying channel (6), the downstream end region of the conveying channel (6) when viewed in the direction of conveyance (F) opens at an upstream end region of the selected track line (3) of the second conveying section (2), such that, with the aid of the propulsion device, at least a part of the products received by the conveying channel (6) can be transferred to the selected track line (3) of the second conveying section (2).

6. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein, for telescoping the conveying channel (6) with the propulsion device, the conveying channel (6) comprises at least two lateral and opposing telescoping rails (8), which are reversibly movable, in particular synchronously, between a retracted state and an extended state with the aid of a drive, in particular an electromotive drive.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the propulsion device comprises a belt drive with a first circumferential continuous belt (4), in particular a round belt, and a second circumferential continuous belt (5), in particular a round belt, wherein, in the retracted state of the telescoping rails (8) as well as in the extended state of the telescoping rails (8), the first and second continuous belts (4, 5) delimit the conveying channel (6) on both sides and extend there parallel to the conveying channel (6) in the direction of conveyance (F).

8. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein a respective scissor system (9) is associated with the first and second continuous belts (4, 5), which comprises support rollers (7) for supporting and / or guiding the corresponding continuous belt (4, 5), wherein the scissor system (9) is connected to the telescoping rail (8) and / or configured so that, in the retracted state as well as in the extended state of the telescoping rails(8), a distance between the two continuous belts (4, 5) in the region of the conveying channel (6) remains identical.

9. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the splitting device (1) with the conveying channel (6) is provided in an upstream end region of the second conveying section (2) when viewed in the direction of conveyance (F), wherein the second conveying section (2) is configured, in particular, as a conveyor belt, in particular a chain belt, and wherein the conveyor belt is divided into the plurality of track lines (3) in a region of the conveyor belt lying downstream of the splitting device (1) when viewed in the direction of conveyance (F).

10. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein, at least in an upstream end region of the track lines (3) of the second conveying section (2), the track lines (3) run parallel to one another, and wherein the splitting device (1) with the conveying channel (6) can be moved transverse to the direction of conveyance (F) relative to the track lines (3) of the second conveying section (2).

11. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the apparatus comprises an inlet belt (10) arranged between the first conveying section and the splitting device (1) with the conveying channel (6) and the second conveying section, wherein the inlet belt (10) comprises a swiveling guide system with preferably two guide rails (11) extending parallel to one another, between which an inlet channel (13) is formed, in which the products coming from the first conveying section can be received one behind the other.

12. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein an upstream end region of the inlet channel (13) when viewed in the direction of conveyance (F) of the inlet belt (10) is preferably arranged in the center of the inlet belt (10) and is configured so as to receive the products coming from the first conveying section, and wherein the preferably two guide rails (11) of the swiveling guide system are pivotable relative to the inlet belt (10) about an axis extending perpendicular to the direction of conveyance (F) of the inlet belt (10) in such a way that a downstream end region of the inlet channel (13) when viewed in the direction of conveyance (F) of the inlet belt (10) can be positioned at different positions with respect to the width of the inlet belt (10).

3. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein propulsion means (12), in particular in the form of acceleration rollers, are provided laterally in the downstream end region of the inlet channel (13), which are configured so as to transfer the products received by the inlet channel (13) at the downstream end region of the inlet channel (13) to the upstream end region of the conveying channel (6) of the splitting device (1).

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