Packaging apparatus, and method for packaging articles

Abstract

The invention relates to a packaging apparatus (1). The packaging apparatus (1) comprises at least one horizontal conveying device (10, 20) for providing packaging (3), and a feed (60) for articles (2). The packaging apparatus (1) also comprises a handling device (15) which is designed to receive articles (2) from the feed (60) and to bring them together with a relevant item of packaging (3) on the at least one horizontal conveying device (10, 20) so that a plurality of articles (2) form, together with a relevant item of packaging (3), a packaging unit (8) on the at least one horizontal conveying device (10, 20). The packaging apparatus (1) also comprises at least one manipulator (16) and a transport device (70). The manipulator is designed to receive packaging units (8) from the at least one horizontal conveying device (10, 20) and to transfer the received packaging units (8) into predefined positions on the transport device (70), in which predefined positions successive packaging units (8) on the transport device (70) have a defined relative mutual spacing.

Description

[0001] Packaging device and method for packaging articles

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

[0003] Handling or dealing with articles often involves providing individual or multiple articles with packaging, which may be in the form of outer packaging, a container, or wrapping. Such packaging is used to group articles together into a packaging unit, so that the articles can be transported to a desired destination using this packaging unit and, if necessary, placed on the market. Packaging also often serves the purpose of protecting multiple articles from damage during transport and / or handling. This purpose can particularly be fulfilled by packaging designed as a cardboard box in which several articles are completely contained. Such packaging units therefore provide an effective way of enabling simultaneous handling of several articles, in particular to facilitate the transport of several articles.In this context, the term packaging unit refers to the outer packaging or cardboard box including all the items contained therein.

[0004] Folding boxes are often used for packaging that holds multiple items, as they offer relatively good protection for the items contained within. Furthermore, such folding boxes are stackable with the items inside, and they also allow the items contained within to be identified through information printed or affixed to their exterior.

[0005] Once the respective multiple items have been placed into a respective package and thus form a packaging unit, the packaging units are first transferred to a conveyor belt and then fed to a divider, which places successive packaging units at a relative distance from one another that is suitable for further processing. Before being fed to the divider, it may be necessary for the packaging units to be first accumulated in order to feed the packaging units to the divider in an orderly manner. Once the packaging units have been placed at a relative distance from one another via the divider, the packaging units can then be passed on to another workstation, such as a grouping station, at this relative distance.

[0006] To form packaging units and subsequently transfer them to a specific relative spacing, packaging devices are required that have a complex design and require a lot of space. It would also be desirable if the performance and throughput of such devices and processes could be further increased.

[0007] An object of the invention can therefore be seen in providing a generic device and a generic method that require less space. Furthermore, a generic packaging device and a generic method that are characterized by higher throughput and higher performance, respectively, are to be provided.

[0008] The problem is solved by the subject-matter comprising the features in the independent claims.

[0009] The object of the invention is achieved with a packaging device having the features of the independent claim. This packaging device comprises at least one horizontal conveyor for providing packaging. In various embodiments, the packaging device can comprise a first horizontal conveyor and a second horizontal conveyor. A conveying direction of the first horizontal conveyor and a conveying direction of the second horizontal conveyor can be oriented opposite to one another. In addition, the packaging device can comprise at least one transfer unit designed to transfer packaging from the first horizontal conveyor to the second horizontal conveyor.

[0010] The packaging device may comprise a plurality of shuttles, each of which is designed to receive a respective packaging. The at least one horizontal conveyor device may be designed to convey or transport the plurality of shuttles. As already mentioned above, the packaging device may comprise at least one transfer unit. The at least one transfer unit may be designed to transfer shuttles from the first horizontal conveyor device to the second horizontal conveyor device. The packaging may be cartons or cardboard boxes designed to receive a plurality of articles and having a lid or an upper side that can be folded in and closed. The packaging may also be so-called trays, which have a plurality of tabs that can be folded in and transferred into an upright orientation.When we talk about a tray, we mean a cardboard support for several items placed on it, with the tabs forming a surrounding edge that stabilizes the items placed on the tray. Optionally, such trays can be equipped with additional outer packaging, such as a film wrap.

[0011] The packaging may also be packaging that can contain several articles designed as beverage bottles and, for this purpose, has an opening for each beverage bottle through which the respective beverage bottle can be inserted.

[0012] In principle, the packaging can also be so-called wraparound packaging, i.e. packaging in which the outer packaging is formed by flat film and / or cardboard material that is wrapped or wrapped around several articles in order to physically group them together and thus form a packaging unit.

[0013] Alternatively, the packaging may also be shrink-wrapped packages, in which the packaging units are formed by groupings of items wrapped in shrinkable film, with these arrangements then subjected to heat treatment in order to shrink the film and tightly stretch it around the grouped items.

[0014] All of these wrapping outer packaging can optionally be combined with cardboard packaging and / or trays, so that such packaging units can be additionally wrapped with film, e.g. with stretch film or with shrinkable film.

[0015] The packaging device further comprises an infeed for articles. The infeed can have several aisle plates, whereby articles can be guided along a respective row between immediately adjacent aisle plates. Furthermore, the infeed can comprise a conveyor belt for moving the articles or for moving the articles along a respective row. When reference is made to articles here, this can in principle be understood to mean any object that is to be combined with packaging via the packaging device or that is to be packaged with respective packaging via the packaging device. In particular, the articles can be beverage containers or beverage cans and / or beverage bottles.

[0016] The packaging device comprises a handling device which is designed to receive articles from the inlet and to combine them with a respective packaging on the at least one horizontal conveyor device, so that a plurality of articles with a respective packaging form a respective packaging unit on the at least one horizontal conveyor device.

[0017] In various embodiments, the handling device can be designed for inserting articles into a respective package, which is located on the horizontal conveyor. If the packaging device comprises several shuttles, the handling device can be designed for inserting articles into a respective package, which is held by a respective shuttle.

[0018] The handling device may also be designed to pneumatically receive articles from the infeed by applying negative pressure to the articles and to combine them with a respective package on the at least one horizontal conveyor. In further embodiments, the handling device may also comprise a plurality of clamping and / or gripping instruments, by means of which clamping and / or gripping instruments the handling device can receive articles from the infeed. The handling device may, for example, comprise a gantry system or be designed as a gantry system. The handling device may also be designed as a multi-axis robot or an articulated-arm robot, or comprise a multi-axis robot or an articulated-arm robot.

[0019] The packaging device comprises a manipulator and a transport device. The transport device can, for example, have a circulating conveyor belt or a circulating mat chain for conveying packaging units. The manipulator is designed to receive packaging units from the at least one horizontal conveyor and to transfer the received packaging units to predetermined positions on the transport device. In these predetermined positions, successive packaging units on the transport device have a defined relative spacing from one another.

[0020] In particular, the packaging device may comprise a specific manipulator which is designed to receive packaging units from the at least one horizontal conveyor device and to transfer the received packaging units to predetermined positions on the transport device, in which predetermined positions successive packaging units have a defined relative spacing from one another.

[0021] When a manipulator is mentioned here, this can include the moving part of a robot, but can also mean the entire handling robot that is configured for specific gripping and moving tasks, namely in this case for receiving packaging units from the at least one horizontal conveyor device and for transferring the received packaging units to predetermined positions on the transport device.

[0022] Since the manipulator itself can transfer packaging units to the transport device with a defined relative spacing, a divider can be omitted in various designs to ensure that packaging units are spaced at a defined relative distance from one another or to be able to feed packaging units to a subsequent workstation in a timed manner. The packaging device therefore has a simple and compact design. Furthermore, the packaging device can be used to package items at high throughput and bring them into the timed alignment required for subsequent processing.

[0023] As will be mentioned below, in various embodiments, the transport device can comprise a plurality of rotating push rods. However, in various embodiments, such a plurality of rotating push rods may not be provided, and the transport device may advance the packaging units transferred to the predetermined position(s) in a linear direction, with the packaging units maintaining the defined relative spacing from one another.

[0024] The predetermined positions can be designed such that the relative spacings formed between immediately successive packaging units on the transport device are substantially identical.

[0025] As previously mentioned, the transport device can comprise a plurality of rotating push rods, of which immediately successive push rods form a respective free space between them, wherein a respective predetermined position is located in a respective free space when the manipulator transfers the respective received packaging unit to the transport device.

[0026] At least two closed chain and / or belt drives guided essentially parallel to one another can be provided, on which the plurality of push rods are arranged for circulating movement.

[0027] When referring to multiple rotating push rods, this can be understood as elements that are in contact with the back of packaging units while the packaging units are moved via a conveyor belt. Therefore, in various embodiments, it is not absolutely necessary for the packaging units to be subjected to force or actively conveyed via the multiple rotating push rods.

[0028] Push rods can also be designed such that they convey or push packaging units under force while resting against the rear, while the packaging units rest on a transfer plate and are moved in a sliding manner along the transfer plate. Push rods can also be understood as elements that rest on the front of packaging units and at least temporarily decelerate packaging units relative to the transport speed of a conveyor belt on which the packaging units rest, in order to create a defined relative distance between successive packaging units. It is possible that no conveyor belt is arranged between the at least one horizontal conveyor device and the transport device.It is thus possible for the manipulator to be located directly downstream of the at least one horizontal conveyor, and for the transport device to follow the manipulator directly. When referring to a downstream positioning of the manipulator here, this arrangement refers to an article flow or conveyor flow of packaging units, so that the manipulator can be located downstream of the horizontal conveyor, specifically directly downstream. Furthermore, the transport device can also be located directly downstream of the manipulator.

[0029] The manipulator can thus transfer packaging units from the at least one horizontal conveyor to the transport device.

[0030] In such embodiments, already formed packaging units are therefore received directly by the manipulator from the at least one horizontal conveyor and placed into the free spaces. In these embodiments, no further or additional conveyor belts are required to transfer already formed packaging units to the conveyor or to the divider. The packaging device thus requires relatively little space to form packaging units and to transfer the formed packaging units into the corresponding arrangement with a predetermined relative spacing. Since no further conveyor belt or work station is arranged between the at least one horizontal conveyor and the manipulator, the packaging device can also operate at a high throughput or high performance.

[0031] The transport device or the divider can, for example, be followed by a work station via which thermoplastic packaging material is applied to packaging units. For this purpose, the work station can comprise several circulating wrapping rods. The packaging device can additionally comprise a shrink tunnel via which the thermoplastic packaging material is shrunk onto the packaging units. The transport device or the divider can also be followed by a grouping station via which packaging units are brought into a relative arrangement to one another, which relative arrangement is coordinated with a palletizable layer to be formed from the packaging units. The at least one manipulator can be designed to lift packaging units from the at least one horizontal conveyor device and to insert the lifted packaging units into free spaces.In such embodiments, the throughput or performance can be further increased. Alternatively, the manipulator can be designed to push packaging units from at least one horizontal conveyor into the free spaces. As mentioned above, the manipulator can be part of a correspondingly configured robot, or the manipulator can be formed by a correspondingly configured robot.

[0032] Furthermore, the infeed for articles and the transport device may share a common conveyor belt. Such packaging devices have a simple design.

[0033] It has also proven effective if the relative distance between the at least one horizontal conveyor and the transport device is less than approximately five meters. Such embodiments are characterized by further reduced space requirements and high performance or throughput, since the manipulator only has to travel a short distance when transferring packaging units from the at least one horizontal conveyor to the transport device.

[0034] In various embodiments, the push rods of the transport device can be redirected below a transport plane designed for the packaging units. This prevents the manipulator from accidentally colliding with the redirected part of the push rods, which could potentially cause damage. Furthermore, very large manipulators can be used in such embodiments, as a collision with the redirected part of the push rods can be ruled out.

[0035] The manipulator may be configured to receive multiple packaging units and to adjust the relative spacing of the multiple received packaging units. This allows the packaging units to be inserted into the free spaces formed between the push rods in a predetermined position without the relative spacing of the packaging units being previously adjusted via additional devices. Furthermore, the packaging device may comprise an actuator provided for the circular movement of the push rods and a control device connected to the actuator, via which the actuator can be controlled for the continuous circular movement of the push rods.

[0036] In various embodiments, the handling device and the at least one horizontal conveyor device can be designed as a component of a packaging module of the packaging device, which packaging module comprises a frame that forms the periphery, wherein the frame extends over the plurality of circumferentially moving push rods of the transport device.

[0037] In such embodiments, the push rods may be retracted above the frame. Even with such embodiments, it is possible to prevent the manipulator from accidentally colliding with the retracted part of the push rods, which could potentially cause damage.

[0038] Furthermore, the manipulator can comprise a gripper head for receiving packaging units. This gripper head is designed such that it can be inserted into an area formed between the forward and return strands of the circumferentially guided push rods. The gripper head can be cantilevered or extend laterally beyond a support structure of the manipulator provided for the gripper head.

[0039] The invention also relates to a use of a packaging device according to one of the previously described embodiments for articles which are beverage bottles or beverage cans.

[0040] The invention further relates to a method for packaging articles. The invention can relate to a method for packaging articles using an embodiment of the packaging device already described above. The embodiments of the packaging device already described above can also be designed to carry out the embodiments of the method according to the invention described below. Features which have already been mentioned previously for various embodiments of the packaging device can also be provided in the embodiments of the method according to the invention described below, without being mentioned again. Likewise, the features described below for the embodiments of the method according to the invention can be provided in the embodiments of the packaging device according to the invention already described above.

[0041] The articles may be beverage containers, beverage bottles, or beverage cans. However, the invention is not limited to such articles, so the articles may also be other objects, either already packaged or not yet packaged.

[0042] Packaging is provided via at least one horizontal conveyor. Furthermore, a handling device receives articles from an infeed and combines the articles with a respective packaging on the at least one horizontal conveyor, so that several articles with a respective packaging form a respective packaging unit on the at least one horizontal conveyor.

[0043] A transport device is also provided. In the method, the manipulator or a specific manipulator receives packaging units from the at least one horizontal conveyor and transfers the received packaging units to predetermined positions on the transport device. In these predetermined positions, successive packaging units are located on the transport device at defined relative distances from one another.

[0044] The transport device may comprise several push rods that are moved in a rotating manner, with immediately adjacent push rods forming a respective free space between them. A respective predetermined position may be located in a respective free space when the manipulator transfers the respective received packaging unit to the respective predetermined position on the transport device.

[0045] It may be that the manipulator lifts packaging units from the at least one horizontal conveyor and then places the lifted packaging units into the free spaces.

[0046] Furthermore, articles in the infeed area may be moved via a circulating conveyor belt. This circulating conveyor belt advances packaging units within the area of ​​the transport device, with each packaging unit resting against a respective push rod at the rear during the advance. The manipulator can also move packaging units from the point of receipt to the point of insertion into the free spaces along a transfer path that is no more than approximately five meters long.

[0047] It may be that the push rods of the transport device are returned below a transport level designed for the packaging units.

[0048] It is also conceivable that the manipulator receives several packaging units together from the at least one horizontal conveyor and adjusts the relative distance of the received packaging units in accordance with the specified positions or in accordance with the positions of the free spaces.

[0049] Furthermore, the several push rods of the transport device can be driven continuously.

[0050] It may also be the case that the at least one horizontal conveyor device and the handling device are a component of a packaging module, which packaging module comprises a frame that forms the periphery of the packaging module and extends over the plurality of circumferentially moving push rods, wherein the push rods are returned above the frame.

[0051] Furthermore, it has proven useful if the manipulator comprises a gripper head via which the manipulator receives packaging units from the at least one horizontal conveyor device, wherein the gripper head is introduced into an area formed between the forward run and return run of the circulating push rods in order to introduce the received packaging units into the free spaces.

[0052] The following explanations summarize some aspects of the packaging device according to the invention, which has already been explained in various embodiments, and specify some aspects. However, they should not be viewed as contradicting the explanations already made, but rather as a whole, and in case of doubt, possibly as more specific embodiments and / or modifications. Thus, as already mentioned several times above, the packaging device according to the invention serves to package articles that may, for example, be formed by beverage containers. The packaging device can, in particular, comprise a first horizontal conveyor device and a second horizontal conveyor device, which are preferably arranged side by side.

[0053] The first horizontal conveyor can have several circulating holding means, whereby a shuttle can be clamped between two immediately consecutive holding means of the first horizontal conveyor. For example, the first horizontal conveyor can comprise at least one circulating chain and / or belt drive, on which the holding means are arranged and by which the holding means and the shuttles can be moved in the conveying direction. In a practical embodiment, shuttles can be returned to the first horizontal conveyor by means of the second horizontal conveyor.

[0054] A magazine or a first magazine can accommodate a plurality of packages. The packages can be removed from the magazine, in particular by means of a suitable handling device, and received by the shuttles, which are further clamped to the first horizontal conveyor via the holding means.

[0055] In the magazine, the packages are normally still folded. During transfer to the first horizontal conveyor or during transfer to the shuttles moved by the first horizontal conveyor, the packages can be pulled open and unfolded using the handling device. Furthermore, the shuttles moved by the first horizontal conveyor are preferably moved continuously in a defined transport direction while the then pulled-up packages are deposited on the shuttles. This defined transport direction for the movement of the shuttles and for the movement of the packages picked up and pulled open by the shuttles is imposed on the shuttles by the first horizontal conveyor.

[0056] It is particularly useful to adapt the dimensions of the shuttles to the dimensions of the mounted packages, so that the respective dimensions of the shuttles correspond approximately or reasonably to the corresponding dimensions of the mounted packages. The shuttles can also optionally each form an edge area over which the mounted packages can be held in a form-fitting or essentially form-fitting manner after each receipt by one of the shuttles. In addition, a second magazine can be assigned to the packaging device, which can serve to accommodate a plurality of compartments. These compartments can be removed from the second magazine and inserted into the packages still arranged and mounted on the shuttles.The removal of compartments from the second magazine and the arrangement of removed compartments in the pulled-up packaging can be carried out using the handling device described above, which removes outer packaging from the first magazine, pulls it up and places it on the shuttles.

[0057] It is also conceivable that a further handling device is provided for the handling task described, which removes compartments from the second magazine and inserts them into the packages that have already been pulled up and are still on shuttles that are moved by means of the first horizontal conveyor device.

[0058] By means of the respective compartment, several chambers are formed in the respective packaging, with each chamber being provided for accommodating a respective article designed as a beverage container. While each compartment is being inserted into a respective packaging, the respective packaging and the respective shuttle on which the respective packaging continues to rest are moved continuously along the first transport direction.

[0059] After a respective compartment has been inserted into a respective packaging, it may be expedient to have the respective packaging, together with the respective shuttle on which the respective packaging continues to rest, transferred from the first horizontal conveyor to the second horizontal conveyor. For this purpose, immediately after the respective compartment has been inserted into a respective packaging, a sliding bar may come into surface contact with several shuttles and / or with several packages into which a respective compartment has already been inserted and pushes the several shuttles and the packages still arranged on them perpendicular to the first transport direction, so that the respective shuttles and the packages still arranged on them are moved in the direction of the second horizontal conveyor or are pushed over in the direction of the second horizontal conveyor.

[0060] Since such a sliding bar must be moved back in the direction of the first horizontal conveyor to receive another shuttle and since this limits the throughput for the packaging device, designs have proven successful in which such a sliding bar can be dispensed with.

[0061] Instead of such a sliding beam, a transfer unit, referred to here as a "transfer unit," can be used, with which the shuttles can transfer from the first horizontal conveyor to the second horizontal conveyor, or via which the shuttles can transfer from the second horizontal conveyor to the first horizontal conveyor. Such embodiments make it possible to operate the packaging device at a higher throughput.

[0062] The second horizontal conveyor device can also have a plurality of holding means which clamp a respective shuttle after it has changed from the first horizontal conveyor device to the second horizontal conveyor device.

[0063] A further component of the packaging device can be formed by an inlet with a conveyor device and several parallel aisle plates, between which several parallel aisle plates, several rows of consecutively arranged articles or several rows of consecutively arranged beverage containers can be guided parallel to one another. A frontmost article or a frontmost beverage container in each row can be in surface contact, in particular, with a support beam.

[0064] Such a support beam can preferably be moved parallel to a second transport direction, along which the second horizontal conveyor device moves shuttles with packages arranged thereon, each of which already has a compartment inserted. The movement speed of the support beam is reduced compared to the transport speed of the conveyor device configured as part of the infeed, so that articles of a respective row or beverage containers of a respective row accumulate on the support beam.

[0065] A correspondingly configured handling device can be configured to receive multiple articles or beverage containers from the parallel rows from the inlet and subsequently deposit one article or beverage container at a time into a respective chamber formed by the compartment in a package. The articles or beverage containers are then received in the chambers formed by the respective compartment of a respective package in a form-fitting or substantially form-fitting manner.

[0066] While the articles or beverage containers are being deposited in the respective chamber of a compartment, the respective shuttle, which has already been transferred to the second horizontal conveyor, together with the packaging still standing on it and the compartment inserted therein, is moved continuously along the second transport direction. The respective shuttle, which has already been transferred to the second horizontal conveyor, continues to be clamped to the second horizontal conveyor by the holding means of the second horizontal conveyor.

[0067] A package, together with the inserted compartments and the inserted articles or beverage containers, forms a packaging unit. Each packaging unit, which is still picked up by a shuttle, is then picked up by a manipulator, which can, for example, be a suitably designed and configured robot. Alternatively, the term can also be understood to mean that the manipulator forms a moving and gripping part of the robot.

[0068] Such a robot or its manipulator can, for example, be capable of simultaneously or at least approximately simultaneously receiving six packaging units from six shuttles and lifting these six packaging units from the shuttles located on the second horizontal conveyor. To receive the packaging units, the manipulator can, for example, comprise a gripper head that can grip and pick up the packaging units by clamping and / or pneumatically. After receiving the six packaging units, the manipulator performs a transfer movement for the six packaging units, with which the manipulator can move the six packaging units to a transport device.

[0069] Such a transport device can, for example, comprise several circumferentially guided push rods and a conveyor belt. A respective free space is preferably formed between each pair of directly consecutive push rods. Once the manipulator has received packaging units from the shuttles, the manipulator adjusts the relative distance between the packaging units so that two packaging units can subsequently be deposited in each free space. Other configurations are also possible to fill the free space, for example, with just one packaging unit or with three or more packaging units.

[0070] The manipulator therefore transfers received packaging units to predefined positions on the transport device, in which predefined positions the packaging units already have a defined relative spacing from one another. Such a predefined position is located in a respective free space when the manipulator transfers the received packaging unit to the transport device.

[0071] The push rods can also be omitted in other embodiments. In such embodiments, the manipulator 16 can continue to receive the packaging units from the second horizontal conveyor and transfer them to the transport device in the predetermined positions, so that the packaging units transferred to the transport device form a defined relative spacing from one another.

[0072] It has proven effective to ensure that the relative spacing between consecutive packaging units is essentially identical. If the transport device is driven at a constant conveyor speed over time, the packaging units can be fed to a subsequent work station in cycles or at a predetermined rate.

[0073] During the placement of the packaging units in the free spaces or after the packaging units have been placed in the free spaces, the push bars come into contact with the back of the packaging units and accompany the packaging units while supporting them from behind. The packaging units are conveyed via the conveyor belt of the transport system, on which the packaging units rest.

[0074] The push beams are moved in a rotating motion, whereby an actuator (not specified here) can be provided to drive the push beams in a rotating motion. A suitably equipped and configured control device can also ensure that the rotating motion of the push beams is continuous or uninterrupted. In practice, design variants have proven successful in which the distance between the transport device and the second horizontal conveyor is less than approximately five meters. This allows very high cycle times to be achieved, within which the manipulator receives packaging units from the shuttles and places them in the free spaces.

[0075] To prevent a collision between the manipulator and the push beams, designs have proven effective in which the push beams are returned below a transport plane provided by the conveyor belt for conveying the packaging units. Alternatively, the push beams can be returned above a frame of the transport device, providing sufficient space for the manipulator to be inserted into an area formed between the forward and return strands of the circulating push beams.

[0076] As previously mentioned, the inlet can be formed by a conveyor device. However, in various embodiments, such a conveyor device can also be dispensed with, for example, if the conveyor belt is designed as a common conveyor belt for the inlet and the transport device and extends along the inlet and along the transport device. In such embodiments, the conveyor belt or the common conveyor belt can move both articles in the inlet area and packaging units in the transport device area.

[0077] In the embodiment discussed here, the packaging and the packaging units are moved in particular via two horizontal conveyors, with the packaging being arranged on shuttles. However, it is also possible for only a single horizontal conveyor to be provided for the transport of packaging. It is also possible for packaging to be conveyed with just one horizontal conveyor or with several horizontal conveyors, without the movement or conveyance of the packaging being carried out with the additional use of shuttles.

[0078] The packaging units can be transported via the transport device toward another workstation. For example, it may be provided that, in a subsequent step, thermoplastic packaging material is applied to the packaging units and shrunk onto them in a shrink tunnel. The packaging units can also be moved via the transport device toward a grouping station, which arranges the packaging units relative to one another in a way that is coordinated with a palletizable layer to be formed from the packaging units.

[0079] As mentioned above, shuttles from which the packaging units have already been removed via the manipulator are each empty. These empty shuttles are preferably returned to the first horizontal conveyor for further receipt of packaging. For this purpose, a sliding beam can come into surface contact with the empty shuttles and push the empty shuttles from the second horizontal conveyor to the first horizontal conveyor. However, it has proven effective to use at least one suitable and appropriately configured transfer unit for this purpose. For example, the first horizontal conveyor and the second horizontal conveyor can operate via transfer units, for example, according to the principle of a rotary machine, and guide the shuttles in a rotating manner.

[0080] Optionally, the packaging device can be provided with several rotating gears, via which shuttles can be pushed from the first horizontal conveyor to the second horizontal conveyor and from the second horizontal conveyor to the first horizontal conveyor, so that the packaging device operates as a rotary machine. In order to enable engagement with the gears, each shuttle can, for example, have a rack or the like which has teeth that match the teeth of the gears. The teeth of a respective rack can be brought into meshing engagement with corresponding counter-teeth of the gears in order to push a respective shuttle over. If a respective gear is thus rotated while engaging with the teeth of a respective rack, the respective shuttle is pushed from the first horizontal conveyor to the second horizontal conveyor orpushed from the second horizontal conveyor to the first horizontal conveyor.

[0081] The respective gearwheel can expediently be arranged below a transport plane designed for the shuttles. It can also be the case that the gearwheel is positioned such that the shuttles hit the respective gearwheel with a rack arranged on one side of the respective shuttle. In a useful embodiment, the number of gearwheels and their positioning can be selected such that a single shuttle is pushed from the first horizontal conveyor to the second horizontal conveyor and from the second horizontal conveyor to the first horizontal conveyor. It is also conceivable that the corresponding number and positioning of the gearwheels are selected such that several shuttles are pushed simultaneously from the first horizontal conveyor to the second horizontal conveyor and from the second horizontal conveyor to the first horizontal conveyor.For example, the shuttles may be pushed in pairs from the first horizontal conveyor to the second horizontal conveyor or from the second horizontal conveyor to the first horizontal conveyor.

[0082] In the following, a useful embodiment of the method according to the invention will be explained in brief, in which several successive method steps can be provided.

[0083] In a first step, packaging can be provided via at least one horizontal conveyor. The packaging is located in shuttles, which are moved via the at least one horizontal conveyor. In a subsequent step, a handling device receives articles, which may be beverage containers, from an infeed and places the received articles on a package, whereby the packaging together with the articles forms a packaging unit. The packaging remains on the respective shuttle when the handling device places articles on the respective packaging in the step.

[0084] The method can utilize a transport device that circulates multiple push rods. In a further method step, a manipulator receives packaging units from the at least one horizontal conveyor and places each packaging unit into a respective free space, which is formed between directly adjacent push rods of the transport device.

[0085] In the following, exemplary embodiments will explain the invention and its advantages in more detail with reference to the accompanying figures. The relative sizes of the individual elements in the figures do not always correspond to the actual sizes, as some shapes are simplified and others are enlarged relative to other elements for better illustration.

[0086] Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of an embodiment of a packaging system according to the invention.

[0087] Fig. 2 shows the embodiment of the packaging system according to Fig. 1 and, in conjunction with Fig. 1, illustrates individual aspects of its functionality.

[0088] Fig. 3 shows a schematic view of an embodiment of a packaging system according to the invention with a mechanism for pushing shuttles between two horizontal conveyors.

[0089] Fig. 4 shows steps as they can be provided individually or according to the combination and sequence shown in Fig. 4 in various embodiments of the method according to the invention.

[0090] Identical reference numerals are used for identical or equivalently functioning elements of the invention. Furthermore, for the sake of clarity, only those reference numerals are shown in the individual figures that are necessary for the description of the respective figure. The illustrated embodiments merely represent examples of how the invention can be configured and do not constitute an exhaustive limitation.

[0091] The schematic plan view of Fig. 1 illustrates a first embodiment of a packaging device according to the invention, which is generally designated here by reference numeral 1. Articles 2, which in this case are or can be formed by beverage containers 4, can be packaged via the packaging device 1. The packaging device 1 comprises a first horizontal conveyor 10 and a second horizontal conveyor 20, which are arranged side by side.

[0092] The first horizontal conveyor 10 has a plurality of circulating holding means 12, wherein a shuttle 5 can be clamped to the first horizontal conveyor 10 between each two immediately consecutive holding means 12 of the first horizontal conveyor 10. For example, the first horizontal conveyor 10 can comprise at least one circulating chain and / or belt drive on which the holding means 12 are arranged.

[0093] In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, shuttles 5 are returned from the second horizontal conveyor 20 to the first horizontal conveyor 10, wherein the shuttles 5 which in Fig. 1 have not yet completely transferred to the second horizontal conveyor 20 have already completely transferred from the second horizontal conveyor 20 to the first horizontal conveyor 10 in Fig. 2 and are held clamped between immediately successive holding means 12 of the first horizontal conveyor 10.

[0094] In Figures 1 and 2, reference numeral 30 designates a magazine or a first magazine, respectively, in which a plurality of packages 3 are accommodated. The packages 3 are removed from the magazine 30 by means of a handling device (not shown) and received by the shuttles 5, which are further clamped to the first horizontal conveyor 10 via the holding means 12.

[0095] In the magazine 30, the packages 3 are still folded. During transfer to the first horizontal conveyor 10 or during transfer to the shuttles 5 moved by the first horizontal conveyor 10, the packages 3 are pulled up by means of the handling device. Furthermore, the shuttles 5 moved by the first horizontal conveyor 10 are continuously moved in a transport direction TR1 while the then pulled-up packages 3 are deposited on the shuttles 5. This transport direction TR1 is provided by the first horizontal conveyor 10 for moving the shuttles 5 and for moving the packages 3 picked up and pulled up by the shuttles 5.

[0096] The illustration in Fig. 1 also shows that the dimensions of the shuttles 5 are adapted to the dimensions of the pulled-up packages 3, or that the dimensions of the shuttles 5 correspond to the dimensions of the pulled-up packages 3. The shuttles 5 each form an edge region over which the pulled-up packages 3 can be held in a form-fitting or essentially form-fitting manner after each acceptance by a respective shuttle 5.

[0097] The packaging device 1 also comprises a second magazine 40, in which a plurality of compartments 6 are accommodated. The compartments 6 are removed from the second magazine 40 and inserted into the packages 3 that are still arranged and pulled onto the shuttles 5. The removal of compartments 6 from the second magazine 40 and the arrangement of removed compartments 6 in the pulled-up packages 3 can be carried out via the handling device already described above, which removes outer packages 3 from the first magazine 30, pulls them up, and places them on the shuttles 5.

[0098] It is also conceivable that a further handling device is provided for this purpose, which removes compartments 6 from the second magazine 40 and inserts them into the packages 3 which have already been pulled up and are still located on shuttles 5 which are moved by means of the first horizontal conveyor device 10.

[0099] By means of the respective compartment 6, a plurality of chambers are formed in the respective packaging 3, wherein each respective chamber is provided for receiving a respective article 2 designed as a beverage container 4. While a respective compartment 6 is introduced into a respective packaging 3, the respective packaging 3 and the respective shuttle 5, on which the respective packaging 3 continues to stand, are moved continuously along the first transport direction TR1.

[0100] After a respective compartment 6 has been introduced into a respective packaging 3, the respective packaging 3, together with the respective shuttle 5, on which the respective packaging 3 continues to stand, changes from the first horizontal conveyor device 10 to the second horizontal conveyor device 20. For this purpose, immediately after the introduction of a respective compartment 6 into a respective packaging 3, a sliding bar may come into surface contact with a plurality of shuttles 5 and / or with a plurality of packages 3, into which a respective compartment 6 has already been introduced, and pushes the plurality of shuttles 5 and the packages 3 still arranged thereon perpendicular to the first transport direction TR1, so that the respective shuttles 5 and the packages 3 still arranged thereon are moved in the direction of the second horizontal conveyor device 20 or are pushed in the direction of the second horizontal conveyor device 20.

[0101] Since such a sliding bar must be moved back in the direction of the first horizontal conveyor device 10 to receive another shuttle and since this limits the throughput for the packaging device 1, embodiments have proven successful in which such a sliding bar can be dispensed with.

[0102] Instead of such a sliding beam, a transfer unit 78 (see Fig. 3) can be provided, with which the shuttles 5 can transfer from the first horizontal conveyor 10 to the second horizontal conveyor 20 or via which the shuttles 5 can transfer from the second horizontal conveyor 20 to the first horizontal conveyor 10. In such embodiments according to the following description of Fig. 3, the packaging device 1 can be operated with high throughput.

[0103] The second horizontal conveyor device 20 also has a plurality of holding means 14 which clamp a respective shuttle 5 after it has been transferred from the first horizontal conveyor device 10 to the second horizontal conveyor device 20.

[0104] A further component of the packaging device 1 is formed by an inlet 60 with a conveyor device 64 and a plurality of parallel aisle plates 62, between which a plurality of parallel aisle plates 62 guide a plurality of rows of consecutively arranged articles 2 or a plurality of rows of consecutively arranged beverage containers 4 parallel to one another. A respective foremost article 2 or a respective foremost beverage container 4 of a respective row is in surface contact with a support beam 9.

[0105] The support beam 9 is moved parallel to a second transport direction TR2, along which second transport direction TR2 the second horizontal conveyor 20 moves shuttles 5 with packages 3 still arranged thereon, each of which already has a compartment 6 inserted. A movement speed of the support beam 9 is reduced compared to a transport speed of the conveyor device 64 formed as a component of the inlet 60, so that articles 2 of a respective row or beverage containers 4 of a respective row accumulate on the support beam 9.

[0106] A handling device, designated by reference numeral 15 and shown or indicated here only schematically, receives several articles 2 or several beverage containers 4 from the parallel rows from the inlet 60 and subsequently deposits one article 2 or one beverage container 4 in each case in a respective chamber formed by the compartment 6 in a packaging 3. The articles 2 or the beverage containers 4 are then received in a form-fitting or essentially form-fitting manner in the chambers formed by the respective compartment 6 of a respective packaging 3. While the articles 2 or the beverage containers 4 are deposited in the respective chamber, the respective shuttle 5, which has already been transferred to the second horizontal conveyor device 20, is moved continuously along the second transport direction TR2 together with the packaging 3 still standing thereon and the compartment 6 inserted therein.The respective shuttle 5 which has already been switched to the second horizontal conveyor 20 continues to be held clamped to the second horizontal conveyor 20 via the holding means 14 of the second horizontal conveyor 20.

[0107] A package 3, together with the inserted compartment 6 and the inserted articles 2 or the inserted beverage containers 4, forms a packaging unit 8. Each packaging unit 8, which is still picked up by a shuttle 5, is then picked up by a manipulator 16, which is shown only schematically in Figures 1 and 2.

[0108] In the embodiment according to Figures 1 and 2, the manipulator 16 simultaneously or at least approximately simultaneously receives six packaging units 8 from six shuttles 5 and lifts these six packaging units 18 from the shuttles 5 located on the second horizontal conveyor 20. To receive the packaging units 8, the manipulator 16 has a gripper head that clamps and / or pneumatically grips the packaging units 8. After receiving the six packaging units 8, the manipulator 16 performs a transfer movement for the six packaging units 8, with which the manipulator 16 moves the six packaging units 8 to a transport device 70.

[0109] The transport device 70 has several circumferentially guided push rods 7 and a conveyor belt 72. Between each pair of immediately consecutive push rods 7, a respective free space is formed, which is indicated in Figures 1 and 2 by arrows and which is referred to by reference numeral 13. Once the manipulator 16 has received packaging units 8 from the shuttles 5, the manipulator 16 adjusts the relative distance between the packaging units 8 so that two packaging units 8 can subsequently be deposited in each respective free space 13.

[0110] The manipulator 16 therefore transfers received packaging units 8 to predetermined positions on the transport device 70, in which predetermined positions the packaging units 8 already have a defined relative spacing from one another. In the embodiment according to Fig. 1, a respective predetermined position is located in a respective free space 13 when the manipulator 16 transfers the respective received packaging unit 8 to the transport device 70.

[0111] The push rods 7 can also be omitted in further embodiments. In such embodiments, the manipulator 16 can continue to receive the packaging units 8 from the second horizontal conveyor 20 and transfer them to the transport device 70 in the predetermined positions, so that the packaging units 8 transferred to the transport device 70 form a defined relative spacing from one another.

[0112] It has proven advantageous if the relative spacing between successive packaging units 8 is essentially identical. If the transport device 70 is driven at a constant conveying speed over time, the packaging units 8 can be fed to a subsequent work station in cycles or at a predetermined timing.

[0113] During the placement of the packaging units 8 in the free spaces 13 or after the packaging units 8 have been placed in the free spaces 13, the push bars 7 come into contact with the rear of the packaging units 8 and accompany the packaging units 8 while supporting them from behind. The packaging units 8 are conveyed via the conveyor belt 72 of the transport device 70, on which the packaging units 8 rest.

[0114] The push bars 7 are moved in a rotating manner, whereby an actuator (not shown) is provided for this purpose, which drives the push bars 7 in a rotating manner. The control device S ensures that the rotating movement of the push bars 7 occurs continuously or without interruption.

[0115] In practice, the distance between the transport device 70 and the second horizontal conveyor device 20 is less than 5 meters. This allows very high cycle times to be achieved, within which the manipulator 16 receives packaging units 8 from the shuttles 5 and places them in the free spaces 13. To avoid a collision of the manipulator 16 with the push beams 7, embodiments have proven successful in which the push beams 7 are returned below a transport plane provided by the conveyor belt 72 for conveying the packaging units 8. Alternatively, the push beams 7 can be returned above a frame of the transport device 70, thereby providing sufficient space for the manipulator 16 to be inserted into an area formed between the forward and return strands of the circulating push beams 7.

[0116] As already mentioned above, the inlet 60 forms a conveyor device 64. In various embodiments, the conveyor device 64 can be omitted if the conveyor belt 72 is designed as a common conveyor belt for the inlet 60 and the conveyor device 70 and extends along the inlet 60 and along the conveyor device 70. In such embodiments, the conveyor belt 72 or the common conveyor belt can move both articles 2 in the area of ​​the inlet 60 and packaging units 8 in the area of ​​the conveyor device 70.

[0117] In the embodiment according to Figures 1 and 2, the packages 3 and the packaging units 8 are moved via two horizontal conveyor devices 10 and 20, with the packages 3 being arranged on shuttles 5. However, it is also possible for only one horizontal conveyor device 10 or 20 to be provided, with which packages 3 are conveyed. It is also possible for packages 3 to be conveyed with only one horizontal conveyor device 10 or 20 or with several horizontal conveyor devices 10 or 20, without the movement or conveyance being carried out with the aid of shuttles 5.

[0118] The packaging units 8 are conveyed towards a further work station via the transport device 70. In a subsequent step, thermoplastic packaging material may be applied to the packaging units 8 and shrunk onto the packaging units 8 in a shrink tunnel. It may also be that the packaging units 8 are moved via the transport device 70 towards a grouping station, which brings the packaging units 8 into a relative arrangement that is coordinated with a palletizable layer to be formed from the packaging units 8. Fig. 1 shows, with reference number 5', empty shuttles from which the packaging units 8 have already been removed via the manipulator 16. The empty shuttles 5' are returned to the first horizontal conveyor device 10 to receive packages 3 again.For this purpose, a sliding bar can again come into surface contact with the empty shuttles 5' and push the empty shuttles 5' from the second horizontal conveyor 20 onto the first horizontal conveyor 10. However, it has proven useful if at least one transfer unit 78 (see Fig. 3) is provided for this purpose.

[0119] A view of Figures 1 and 2 together illustrates the transfer of the shuttles 5 together with the packaging 3 located thereon and the inserted compartments 6 from the first horizontal conveyor 10 to the second horizontal conveyor 20. A view of Figures 1 and 2 together also illustrates the return of empty shuttles 5' from the second horizontal conveyor 20 to the first horizontal conveyor 10.

[0120] From a view of Figures 1 and 2, it is also clear that the first horizontal conveyor device 10 and the second horizontal conveyor device 20 operate via transfer units 78 (cf. Figures 3 and 4) according to the principle of a rotary machine and guide the shuttles 5 in a rotating manner.

[0121] Fig. 3 shows a functional principle as it can be provided in various embodiments of a packaging device 1 according to the invention and shows in particular an embodiment of a transfer unit 78. Fig. 3 further illustrates individual steps as they can be provided in various embodiments of the method 100 according to the invention (cf. Fig. 4).

[0122] For reasons of clarity, in order to illustrate the functional principle and mode of operation of the packaging device 1, only the first horizontal conveyor device 10, the second horizontal conveyor device 20, the holding means 12 and 14 and gear wheels 50 are shown in Fig. 3, which can push a respective shuttle 5 from the first horizontal conveyor device 10 to the second horizontal conveyor device 20 and from the second horizontal conveyor device 20 to the first horizontal conveyor device 10. The transport device 70, the inlet 60, the handling device 15, the manipulator 16 and the first magazine 30 and the second magazine 40 are omitted from the illustration according to Fig. 3, but are also provided for the functional principle and mode of operation of the packaging device 1 according to Fig. 3.

[0123] The embodiment of a packaging device 1 according to Fig. 3 comprises a plurality of gear wheels 50, via which shuttles 5 can be pushed from the first horizontal conveyor 10 to the second horizontal conveyor 20 and from the second horizontal conveyor 20 to the first horizontal conveyor 10, so that the packaging device 1 operates as a rotary machine.

[0124] Each shuttle 5 has a rack (not shown in Fig. 3) which has a toothing. The toothing of a respective rack can be meshed with a corresponding mating toothing of the gears 50 to push a respective shuttle 5 over. Thus, if a respective gear 50 is rotated while engaging with a toothing of a respective rack, the respective shuttle 5 is pushed from the first horizontal conveyor 10 to the second horizontal conveyor 20 or from the second horizontal conveyor 20 to the first horizontal conveyor 10.

[0125] The respective gear 50 can be arranged below a transport plane designed for the shuttles 5. It is also possible for the gear 50 to be positioned such that the shuttles 5 meet the respective gear with a rack arranged on one side of the respective shuttle 5.

[0126] In the embodiment shown in Fig. 3, the number of gear wheels 50 and their positioning are selected such that a single shuttle 5 is pushed from the first horizontal conveyor 10 to the second horizontal conveyor 20 and from the second horizontal conveyor 20 to the first horizontal conveyor 10. It is also conceivable that the corresponding number and positioning of the gear wheels 50 are selected such that several shuttles 5 are pushed simultaneously from the first horizontal conveyor 10 to the second horizontal conveyor 20 or from the second horizontal conveyor 20 to the first horizontal conveyor 10. For example, the shuttles 5 can be pushed in pairs from the first horizontal conveyor 10 to the second horizontal conveyor 20 or from the second horizontal conveyor 20 to the first horizontal conveyor 10.Fig. 4 shows steps as they can be provided individually or according to the combination and sequence shown in Fig. 4 in various embodiments of the method 100 according to the invention.

[0127] In step 110, packages 3 are provided via at least one horizontal conveyor 10 or 20. The packages 3 are located in shuttles 5, which are moved via the at least one horizontal conveyor 10 or 20. In step 120, a handling device 15 receives articles 2, which are beverage containers 4, from an inlet 60 and deposits the received articles on a package 3, whereby the package 3 together with the articles 2 forms a packaging unit 8. The packaging 3 remains on the respective shuttle 5 when the handling device deposits article 2 on the respective package 3 in step 120.

[0128] In the method 100, a transport device 70 is provided that moves a plurality of push rods 7 in a rotating manner. In step 130, a manipulator 16 receives packaging units 8 from the at least one horizontal conveyor device 10 or 20 and places each packaging unit 8 into a respective free space 13, which is formed between directly consecutive push rods 7 of the transport device 70.

[0129] The invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment. However, it is conceivable for a person skilled in the art that modifications or variations of the invention can be made without departing from the scope of the following claims.

[0130] List of reference symbols

[0131] 1 packaging device

[0132] 2 articles

[0133] 3 Packaging

[0134] 4 beverage containers

[0135] 5 Shuttle

[0136] 5' Empty Shuttle

[0137] 6 compartments

[0138] 7 push beams

[0139] 8 packaging units

[0140] 9 investment bars

[0141] 10 First horizontal conveyor

[0142] 12 holding devices

[0143] 13 Free space

[0144] 14 holding devices

[0145] 15 Handling device

[0146] 16 Manipulator

[0147] 18 sales units

[0148] 20 Second horizontal conveyor

[0149] 30 First Magazine

[0150] 40 Second Magazine

[0151] 50 gear

[0152] 60 inlet

[0153] 62 Gassenblech

[0154] 64 conveyor system

[0155] 70 Transport device

[0156] 72 conveyor belt

[0157] 78 Transfer unit

[0158] 100 procedures

[0159] 110 Process step, first process step

[0160] 120 process step, second process step

[0161] 130 procedural step, third procedural step

[0162] S control device

[0163] TR1 transport direction

[0164] TR2 transport direction

Claims

Claims 1. Packaging device (1), comprising - at least one horizontal conveyor device (10, 20) for providing packaging (3), - an inlet (60) for article (2) and - a handling device (15) which is designed to receive articles (2) from the inlet (60) and to bring them together with a respective packaging (3) on the at least one horizontal conveyor device (10, 20), so that in each case several articles (2) with a respective packaging (3) form a respective packaging unit (8) on the at least one horizontal conveyor device (10, 20), wherein it is provided that - the packaging device (1) comprises a manipulator (16) and - comprises a transport device (70), wherein the manipulator (16) is designed to receive packaging units (8) from the at least one horizontal conveyor device (10, 20) and to transfer the received packaging units (8) to predetermined positions on the transport device (70), in which predetermined positions successive packaging units (8) on the transport device (70) have a defined relative spacing from one another.

2. Packaging device according to claim 1, in which the transport device (70) comprises a plurality of rotating push rods (7), of which immediately successive push rods (7) form a respective free space (13) between them, wherein a respective predetermined position is located in a respective free space (13) when the manipulator (16) transfers the respective received packaging unit (8) to the transport device (70).

3. Packaging device (1) according to claim 2, wherein the manipulator (16) is designed to lift packaging units (8) from the at least one horizontal conveyor device (10, 20) and to insert the lifted packaging units (8) into the free spaces (13).

4. Packaging device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, in which the inlet (60) for articles (2) and the transport device (70) share a common conveyor belt.

5. Packaging device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a relative distance between the at least one horizontal conveyor device (10, 20) and the transport device (70) is not more than about five meters.

6. Packaging device (1) according to one of claims 2 to 5, in which the push rods (7) of the transport device (70) are returned below a transport plane designed for the packaging units (8).

7. Packaging device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the manipulator (16) is designed to receive a plurality of packaging units (8) and to adjust the relative distance of the plurality of received packaging units (8).

8. Packaging device (1) according to one of claims 2 to 7, comprising an actuator provided for the circumferential movement of the push rods (7) and a control device (S) connected to the actuator, via which the actuator can be controlled for the continuous circumferential movement of the push rods (7).

9. Packaging device (1) according to one of claims 2 to 7, in which the handling device (15) and the at least one horizontal conveyor device (10, 20) are designed as a component of a packaging module of the packaging device (1), which packaging module comprises a frame which forms the periphery of the packaging module, wherein the frame extends over the plurality of circumferentially moving push rods (7) of the transport device.

10. Packaging device (1) according to claim 9, wherein the push rods (7) are returned above the frame.

11. Packaging device (1) according to one of claims 2 to 10, in which the manipulator (16) comprises a gripper head for receiving packaging units (8), which gripper head is designed such that it can be inserted into an area formed between the forward run and the return run of the circumferentially guided push rods (7).

12. Use of a packaging device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 11 for articles (2) which are beverage bottles or beverage cans.

13. A method (100) for packaging articles (2), in which packaging is provided via at least one horizontal conveyor device (10, 20) and a handling device (15) receives articles (2) from an infeed (60) and brings them together with a respective packaging (3) on the at least one horizontal conveyor device (10, 20), whereby a plurality of articles (2) with a respective packaging (3) form a respective packaging unit (8) on the at least one horizontal conveyor device (10, 20), and in which method (100) a transport device (70) is provided, wherein the manipulator (16) receives packaging units (8) from the at least one horizontal conveyor device (10, 20) and transfers them to predetermined positions on the transport device (70), in which predetermined positions successive packaging units (8) on the transport device (70) are located at defined relative distances from one another.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the transport device (70) comprises a plurality of push rods (7) which are moved in a rotating manner and of which directly successive push rods (7) form a respective free space (13) between them and wherein a respective predetermined position is located in a respective free space (13) when the manipulator (16) transfers the respective received packaging unit (8) to the respective predetermined position on the transport device (70).

15. The method (100) according to claim 14, wherein the manipulator (16) lifts packaging units (8) from the at least one horizontal conveyor device (10, 20) and subsequently inserts the lifted packaging units (8) into the free spaces (13).

16. Method (100) according to claim 14 or claim 15, in which articles (2) are moved in the region of the inlet (60) via a circulating driven conveyor belt, wherein this circulating driven conveyor belt moves packaging units (8) in the region of the transport device (70), wherein a respective packaging unit (8) is in contact with a respective push rod (7) at the rear during the movement.

17. Method (100) according to one of claims 14 to 16, wherein the manipulator (16) moves packaging units (8) from the receipt to the introduction into the free spaces (13) along a transfer path which is less than approximately five meters.

18. Method (100) according to one of claims 14 to 17, wherein the push rods (7) of the transport device (70) are returned below a transport plane designed for the packaging units (8).

19. Method (100) according to one of claims 13 to 18, wherein the manipulator (16) jointly receives a plurality of packaging units (8) from the at least one horizontal conveyor device (10, 20) and adjusts the relative distance of the received packaging units (8) in accordance with the predetermined positions or in accordance with the positions of the free spaces (13).

20. Method (100) according to one of claims 14 to 19, wherein the plurality of push rods (7) of the transport device (70) are driven in continuous rotation.

21. Method (100) according to one of claims 14 to 20, wherein the at least one horizontal conveyor device (10, 20) and the handling device (15) are a component of a packaging module, which packaging module comprises a frame which forms the periphery of the packaging module and extends over the plurality of circumferentially moved push rods (7), wherein the push rods (7) are returned above the frame.

22. Method according to one of claims 14 to 21, in which the manipulator (16) comprises a gripper head via which the manipulator (16) receives packaging units (8) from the at least one horizontal conveyor device (10, 20), wherein the gripper head is introduced into an area formed between the forward run and return run of the circumferentially guided push rods (7) in order to introduce the received packaging units (8) into the free spaces (13).

Images