Device and method for conveying material, in particular continuously

Abstract

An apparatus for, in particular, continuous conveyance of material, in particular in the form of packages, wherein the apparatus comprises a storage unit (2) having a plurality of storage lines or storage tracks (5), wherein material (6) can be picked up from each storage line or storage track (5) of the storage unit (2). The apparatus further comprises a feed conveyor belt (7) arranged, when viewed in a conveying direction (F) of the material (6), upstream of the storage unit (2), with which the material (6) to be picked up from the storage tracks (5) of the storage unit (2) is or can be fed; and a splitting unit (3) arranged, when viewed in the conveying direction (F) of the material (6), between the storage unit (2) and a downstream end region of the feed conveyor belt (7) and configured so as to feed the material (6) fed with the feed conveyor belt (7) to the storage lines or storage tracks (5) of the storage unit (2). According to the invention, it is provided in particular that the feed conveyor belt (7) comprises a device (8) for creating a predetermined or determinable defined gap in the material flow between two neighboring material groups or between two neighboring materials (6).

Description

[0001] DEVICE AND METHOD FOR CONVEYING MATERIAL, IN PARTICULAR CONTINUOUSLY

[0002] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The present invention relates generally to packaging lines of a packaging system and, more particularly, to devices for splitting or distributing products that are conveyed in series one behind the other.

[0005] In particular, the invention relates to a device for, in particular, continuous conveyance of conveyed material, in particular in the form of packaging.

[0006] DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART

[0007] Packaging systems are generally characterized in particular by a plurality of packaging stations (packaging devices) that further process the packages in different work steps. In filling systems for beverage cartons, for example, first a straw applicator and then a shrink film applicator are used subsequent to a filling machine. In the shrink film applicator, multiple packages are combined into one pack.

[0008] When designing a packaging system, the focus is increasingly on the processing rate, i.e., the number of packages per unit of time. The higher the packaging rate of a packaging system, the more efficient the packaging system works. There is therefore a fundamental need to optimize the processing rate of a single packaging station or packaging device of the packaging system in order to increase the processing rate of the entire packaging system. When operating a packaging system, the goal is to operate the respective slowest packaging station (packaging device) at its maximum processing rate to the extent possible in order to maximize the throughput of packages of the packaging system to the extent possible.

[0009] On the other hand, when operating the packaging system, it is generally also unavoidable for malfunctions to occur during the processing of the packages at individual packaging devices. In order to be able to maintain a production process that is as fault-free as possible, and / or to compensate for fluctuations in the processing rate of packaging devices of the packaging system, it is common for a buffer device to be arranged between two packaging devices, in particular in the form of a buffer table. The buffer table receives packages when a fault occurs downstream of the buffer table in the packaging system and the packages can no longer be processed further downstream. Once the downstream fault is rectified, the packages temporarily stored on the buffer table can be retrieved from the buffer table and further processed.

[0010] Accordingly, it is possible with the buffer table to continue to operate the packaging devices or other devices that are positioned downstream in relation to the buffer table for a certain period of time, at least until the buffer table is filled, i.e., the storage capacity of the buffer table has been reached.

[0011] Accordingly, the use of a buffer table ensures the reliability of an upstream device in the event of a failure of a downstream device, because the upstream device can still initially fill the buffer table with packages before it must also be switched off. If the disruption of the downstream device is previously corrected, the upstream device can continue to operate without interruption.

[0012] The buffer table considered here is, in particular, a buffer table in which packages are or can be stored temporarily without pressure, i.e., with a predetermined or predeterminable (small) spacing between one another. In particular, the buffer table is not a so-called “low-pressure buffer apparatus”, such as is used, in particular, as a storage apparatus or distribution unit in bottle filling plants, for example. In such low-pressure buffer apparatuses, the containers (bottles) are transported and temporarily stored at a certain (low) dynamic pressure.

[0013] A buffer table for a packaging system embodied as a storage unit is known from the publication EP 3 854 732 Al, for example.

[0014] The buffer table known from this prior art relates to a buffer table comprising one infeed, one outfeed, and at least two buffer lines, which can be loaded with packages separately from each other and are arranged between the infeed and the outfeed, wherein a transport apparatus is respectively associated with the at least two buffer lines / buffer tracks for transporting the respective packages. The outfeeding preferably takes place at an angle to the at least one buffer line and even further preferably perpendicular to the at least one buffer line. The respective transport apparatuses associated with the buffer lines can comprise transport belts, in particular. Of course, other embodiments can also be considered here. In particular, it is provided that the respective transport apparatuses associated with the buffer lines of the buffer table are controllable and operable independently from one another.

[0015] However, the currently known buffer tables also have a limited product throughput. Typically, buffer tables of the kind considered herein are designed for product performance of about 24,000 packages / hour.

[0016] The product throughput of a buffer table is determined by the splitting unit or the infeed with which the products supplied via a feed conveyor belt are fed to the individual buffer tracks of the buffer table.

[0017] In so doing, the splitting unit, which is often executed as a satellite, is traversed perpendicularly to the buffer tracks of the buffer table. When switching from a first buffer track to a next buffer track, the products must be temporarily held in the splitting unit or in the satellite, namely until the splitting unit or the satellite moves to the next buffer track.

[0018] However, if the travel direction of the splitting unit / satellite is contrary to the inlet direction of the products, there will be a short-term congestion of the products upstream of the splitting unit.

[0019] In the existing flow rates, this short-term congestion is not a problem. However, this can lead to problems if the goal is to increase the performance of the buffer table.

[0020] In particular, there is a need in the packaging industry for buffer tables with a significant increase in performance of around 40,000 packages / hour. In other words, the goal is to increase performance by up to approximately 70%.

[0021] In the event of such an increase in performance, the accumulation of the products in the process of the splitting unit / satellite contrary to the energizing direction of the products may cause problems in the fault-free process. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0022] Based on this problem, the object of the invention is thus to specify a device for, in particular, continuous conveyance of material, in particular in the form of packaging, whereby an increase of a product throughput of a buffer table serving as the storage unit can be achieved by means of conveyance without disruption occurring in the production process.

[0023] The problem underlying the invention is in particular achieved by an apparatus according to independent claim 1, wherein advantageous further developments thereof are specified in the corresponding dependent claims.

[0024] The invention relates to an apparatus for, in particular, continuous conveyance of conveyed material, in particular in the form of packages, wherein the apparatus comprises a storage unit, in particular in the form of a buffer table, having a plurality of buffer lines or buffer tracks, wherein conveyed material can be picked up from each buffer line or buffer track of the storage unit.

[0025] The apparatus further comprises - when viewed in a conveying direction of the conveyed material - a feed conveyor belt arranged upstream of the storage unit, with which the conveyed material to be picked up from the buffer tracks of the storage unit is or can be fed.

[0026] Finally the apparatus according to the invention comprises - when viewed in a conveying direction of the conveyed material - a splitting unit arranged between the storage unit and a downstream end region of the feed conveyor belt and configured so as to feed the conveyed material fed with the feed conveyor belt to the buffer lines or buffer tracks of the storage unit.

[0027] The splitting unit is in particular part of the infeed of the buffer table or forms the infeed.

[0028] For this purpose, the infeed can comprise, in particular, a so-called satellite or diverter which ensures that the packages supplied by the infeed with the aid of the feed conveyor belt are supplied to the correct buffer line, respectively.

[0029] If all packaging devices operate properly downstream of the buffer table, the buffer table can forward the packages without delay, namely by first transporting without delay the packages from the infeed to the outfeed via a dedicated buffer line of the buffer table. This dedicated buffer line can also be understood as a “bypass buffer line”, which, as a rule, only transports the packages from the infeed to the outfeed.

[0030] If, on the other hand, a fault occurs downstream in relation to the buffer table, the outfeed of the buffer table provided preferably directly in front of the fault or preferably directly in front of the faulty packaging device is instructed to remove no further packages from the buffer table. The first buffer line (bypass buffer line) of the buffer table associated with the outfeed initially fills up until it has reached a maximum filling level. The filling of this first buffer line of the buffer table is controlled with the aid, for example, of the non-contacting sensor provided on the downstream or outfeed-side end region.

[0031] Specifically, the first buffer line of the buffer table is filled until, in the first buffer line, the first downstream package reaches a predetermined or predeterminable region at the downstream or outfeed-side end region of the buffer line. Then, from the infeed of the buffer table, the buffer table is successively filled along further buffer lines.

[0032] In this case, initially with the aid of the infeed, the packages to be temporarily stored are fed to a second buffer line of the buffer table, namely in such a way that a first downstream package of this package row has reached the region monitored with the sensor provided at the downstream or outfeed-side end region. Then, the filling of a next (further) buffer line takes place.

[0033] This process is performed either until the buffer table has reached a maximum fill level in total or until the fault is corrected and the buffer table can then be emptied. If the fault in the downstream packaging device is not rectified by the time that the maximum fill level of the buffer table is reached, then at least the directly upstream packaging device is stopped, however, the entire packaging system can also be stopped. In particular, all packaging devices directly associated with the respective buffer table are stopped, i.e., all the packaging devices that directly supply packages from the at least one infeed to the buffer table or take them from the at least one outfeed of the buffer table.

[0034] If the fault is corrected downstream, the downstream packaging device resumes its operation. The buffer table can thus be successively emptied again, namely in that the outfeed of the previously filled buffer lines receives the packages and feeds them to the downstream packaging device until the buffer table is emptied.

[0035] The feeding and removal of the packages to and from the buffer table is preferably carried out with conveyor devices. Such conveyor devices are preferably arranged at the infeed and at the outfeed of the buffer table. Preferably, the infeed and the outfeed are each associated with a corresponding transport apparatus in order to supply the packages that have been fed with the conveyor device of the infeed to the buffer table or to the individual buffer lines of the buffer table in order to feed packages from the buffer lines at the outfeed of the respective conveyor device (outlet conveyor). With the aid of the conveyor devices and the transport apparatuses associated with the infeed and outfeed, respectively, it is possible to continuously process packages in packaging devices along the packaging system without the need for manual intervention.

[0036] For transporting the respective packages in the buffer table, transport apparatuses are provided along the respective buffer lines. The transport apparatuses are configured so as to store the packages in a buffer line and transport them to the downstream or outfeed-side end region of the buffer line.

[0037] From the infeed, the packaging must be supplied to a respective buffer line of the buffer table. On the buffer table, the buffer lines are preferably arranged adjacent to one another.

[0038] As already mentioned, a splitting unit with a transport apparatus is associated with the infeed in order to feed the packages of the corresponding buffer line of the buffer table starting from the outfeed, generally in a linear motion. However, in order to then be able to divide the supplied packages into the individual buffer lines, it is necessary to vary the direction of movement of the packages, in particular from the transport apparatus of the infeed to the respective buffer line currently in use. For this purpose, the infeed can comprise a splitting unit embodied as a loading device, which is in particular a so-called satellite or diverter, and which ensures that the packages supplied by the infeed with the aid of the conveyor device are supplied to the correct buffer line, respectively. The transport apparatus associated with the infeed and / or the transport apparatus associated with the outfeed preferably consists of vertical plastic linkages with applied rubber blades on both sides in order to transport the packages gently.

[0039] The splitting unit embodied as the loading device may be formed as a linearly operated satellite that is transversely, preferably perpendicularly, movable to the buffer lines and feeds the packages to the individual buffer lines of the conveyor direction on the infeed side.

[0040] Preferably, a plurality of adjacent buffer lines is provided on the buffer table. The more buffer lines are arranged side by side, the greater the buffer capacity of the buffer table and the lower the probability of failure of the packaging system. The buffer table can be a horizontal as well as a vertical buffer table.

[0041] In order to be able to achieve an increase in the performance of the buffer table without a fault occurring, in particular when loading the buffer tracks of the buffer table or when infeeding the packages into the buffer tracks of the buffer table, it is provided in particular according to the invention that the feed conveyor belt, with which the conveyed material to be received by the buffer tracks of the storage unit is fed, comprises a device for generating a predetermined or predeterminable gap in the flow of conveyed material between two adjacent groups of conveyed material.

[0042] As used herein, the term “gap” means a distance between two adjacent packages that is greater than a predetermined maximum distance between packages of the conveyed material transported with the feed conveyor belt.

[0043] The device associated with the feed conveyor belt for creating a defined gap in the flow of conveyed material between two adjacent groups of conveyed material is in particular configured to, as needed, slow down the packages transported with the feed conveyor belt in order to create gaps between the packages such that a larger gap between two adjacent groups of conveyed material can be achieved. A correspondingly large gap between two adjacent groups of conveyed material is required so that the splitting unit, which is embodied as a loading device and is in particular configured as a linearly operated satellite, has more time to be able to move in particular transversely and preferably perpendicularly to the buffer lines / buffer tracks. In other words, the short-term reduction in product flow rate at the feed conveyor belt can then be utilized downstream of the splitting unit embodied as the loading device in order to change the buffer tracks / buffer lines of the buffer table.

[0044] According to implementations of the device according to the invention, the splitting unit comprises a conveyor track having - when viewed in the conveyance direction - a downstream first end region and an upstream second end region, wherein the splitting unit is movable relative to the buffer tracks of the storage unit, so that optionally the first end area of the conveyor track of the splitting unit is thus connected or connectable in a conveying manner to one of the buffer tracks of the storage unit, such that a group of conveyed material provided by the feed conveyor belt is feedable to the buffer track of the storage unit.

[0045] In this context, it is particularly suitable for the second end region of the conveyor track of the splitting unit to be connected in a conveying manner with - when viewed in the conveying direction of the conveyed material - a downstream end region of the feed conveyor belt, such that, via the downstream end region of the feed conveyor belt, a material group generated by the gaps created in the flow of conveyed material is or can be fed to the conveyor track of the splitting unit.

[0046] The device associated with the feed conveyor belt for creating a defined gap in the flow of conveyed material between two adjacent groups of conveyed material is in particular configured so as to create a gap length between two adjacent groups of conveyed material in such a way that, with the help of the splitting unit and without changing a conveying speed of a transport apparatus assigned to the feed conveyor belt, a leading first material group of the two adjacent groups of conveyed material of a first buffer track of the storage unit and a trailing second material group of the two adjacent groups of conveyed material is fed to a second buffer track of the storage unit.

[0047] With the device for generating the defined gap in the flow of conveyed material between two adjacent groups of conveyed material, in particular a gap length between two adjacent groups of conveyed material is created as a function of a speed, with which the conveyed material is fed with the feed conveyor belt, and a speed with which at least the second end region of the conveyor track of the splitting unit is moved from a first buffer track of the storage unit to a second buffer track of the storage unit to be filled.

[0048] Alternatively or additionally, the gap length between two adjacent groups of conveyed material is generated depending on the duration required to move at least the second end region of the conveyor track of the splitting unit from a first buffer track of the storage unit to a second buffer track of the storage unit to be filled.

[0049] According to a first realization of the device associated with the feed conveyor belt for creating the defined gap in the flow of conveyed material between two adjacent groups of conveyed material, the device is configured so as to reduce a speed at which the conveyed material is fed by way of the feed conveyor belt in some regions, preferably in the downstream end region of the feed conveyor belt.

[0050] In this context it is particularly conceivable that the feed conveyor belt comprises a first drive means by which the feed conveyor belt and / or the conveyed material received by the feed conveyor belt is moved at a particularly constant feed conveying speed in the conveyed direction of the conveyed material.

[0051] The device for creating the defined gap in the flow of conveyed material between two adjacent groups of conveyed material comprises a further, second drive means by which a feed conveying speed of the conveyed material moved in the conveyed direction is in particular selectively or if necessary reducible or is reduced.

[0052] The second drive device comprises, for example, a vertical belt band unit having two vertical belt bands positioned opposite one another, which are each configured, at least in the region in which the device for creating the defined gap in the flow of conveyed material between two adjacent groups of conveyed material is provided, to at least partially or regionally pick up the material laterally in such a way that, in particular at short notice, a flow of conveyed material specified by the first drive unit is down-regulated to a feed conveying speed that is or can be determined in particular in advance or that is reduced in view of the feed conveying speed specified by the first drive unit. Alternatively (or additionally to this as well) the device for creating the defined gap in the flow of conveyed material between two adjacent groups of conveyed material also comprises a feed conveyor belt section (gap conveyor) provided in - when viewed in the conveying direction of the material - a downstream end region of the feed conveyor belt, which is configured such that it can be moved in relation to the feed conveyor belt so that, even when the splitting unit is changed from a first buffer track to a second buffer track of the storage unit, a continuous conveyance of the conveyed material is possible.

[0053] In this context, it is expedient that the feed conveyor belt section is configured so as to move from a first position to a second position after or upon a change of the splitting unit from the first buffer track to the second buffer track of the storage unit, wherein a distance between the first position and the second position corresponds to a length of a gap created by the change of the buffer track between a last piece of conveyed material of a material group fed to the first buffer track and a first piece of conveyed material of a material group fed, or to be fed, to the second buffer track.

[0054] In particular, the feed conveyor belt section is configured so as to move back to, or in the direction of, the first position after moving to the second position.

[0055] Further, it is preferably provided that the feed conveyor belt section has a constant length.

[0056] According to realizations of the feed conveyor belt section, it has an arc-shaped region, at least partially or regionally. In particular, it is provided that a conveying speed of the material to the feed conveyor belt section is at least substantially constant.

[0057] The invention further relates to a method for in particular continuous conveyance of conveyed material, in particular in the form of packaging, wherein, with the aid of a feed conveyor belt, conveyed material in the form of a plurality of individual products and in particular individual packages is fed to a splitting unit, which is configured such that conveyed material fed to the feed conveyor belt is optionally supplied to a buffer track of a storage unit having a plurality of buffer tracks, in particular storage tables.

[0058] In the method according to the invention, it is provided in particular that, during the feeding or upon the feeding of the material to the splitting unit, material groups are formed, wherein, between two adjacent groups of conveyed material, a predetermined or predeterminable defined gap is created in the flow of conveyed material between the two adjacent groups of conveyed material.

[0059] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0060] The invention is described in more detail in the following on the basis of exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings., wherein:

[0061] FIG. 1 schematically shows an exemplary embodiment of the packaging system according to the invention;

[0062] FIGS. 2A and 2B, respectively, schematically show, in a plan view, an exemplary embodiment of a feed conveyor belt with which the material to be picked up by buffer tracks of a buffer table is fed or is feedable; and

[0063] FIGS. 3 A and 3B, respectively, schematically show, in a plan view, an exemplary embodiment of a splitting unit configured to feed the material fed with a feed conveyor belt to the buffer tracks of a buffer table.

[0064] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0065] In FIG. 1, schematically, a packaging system 1 is shown having a first packaging device 11, for example in the form of a filling machine, a buffer table 2, and a second packaging device 12, for example a straw applicator. The first packaging device 11 (filling machine) comprises an outfeed from which packages 6, for example beverage cartons or the like, preferably in a closed state, are placed on a transport belt (feed conveyor belt 7). Via this conveyor device 7, the packages 6 are fed to an infeed 3 of the buffer table 2.

[0066] On the output side of the buffer table 2, an outfeed 4 is provided, via which the packages 6 temporarily stored on the buffer table 2 are discharged onto a second conveyor device (outlet conveyor 13).

[0067] As the second conveyor device (outlet conveyor 13), a second transport belt is provided at the outfeed 4, which feeds the packages 6 to the second packaging device 12 (for example, a straw applicator). An infeed is provided on the input side of the second packaging device 12. An outfeed is provided on the output side of the second packaging device 12. The packages 6 equipped for example with a straw in the second packaging device 12 are output at the outfeed from the second packaging device 12 (straw applicator).

[0068] It does not need to be further explained that the packaging system 1 shown schematically in FIG. 1 is purely exemplary, and the sequence and arrangement of the packaging device 11, 12 and the buffer table 2 can vary. In particular, according to exemplary embodiments, a filling machine, a straw applicator, a shrink wrap applicator, or the like are all to be understood as packaging devices of a packaging system 1.

[0069] The buffer table 2 shown merely schematically in FIG. 1 serves to temporarily store packages 6 provided by the first packaging device 11. The flow of the packages 6 is viewed downstream, starting from the first packaging device 11 through the first conveyor device (feed conveyor belt 7), through the buffer table 2, through the second conveyor device (outlet conveyor 13), and to the second packaging device 12.

[0070] If a fault occurs downstream of the buffer table 2, for example in the region of the second packaging device 12, the packages 6 should no longer be fed to the second packaging device 12. In order to prevent the first packaging device 11 (e.g., filling machine) from needing to be shut down, the buffer table 2 is provided. Via the infeed 3 associated with the buffer table 2, packages 6 can be fed onto the buffer table 2, while no further packages 6 are output at the outfeed 4 associated with the buffer table 2.

[0071] This is possible until the buffer capacity of the buffer table 2 is reached. However, during this time, the first packaging device 11 (for example, a filling machine) can continue to output packages 6. The time provided by the buffer table 2 can be used in order to remedy the fault at the packaging device 12, which is downstream in view of the buffer table 2. Once the fault is remedied and the at least one downstream packaging device 12 is again operational, packages 6 can be fed again to the second packaging device 12 via the outfeed 4 and the second conveyor device (outlet conveyor 13) associated with the buffer table 2.

[0072] Although not shown in FIG. 1, the infeed 3 of the buffer table 2 preferably comprises a loading device having a transport apparatus associated with the loading device, wherein the loading device is configured so as to feed packages 6 from the first packaging device 11 and the first feed conveyor belt 7, respectively, to one of the buffer lines 5 of the buffer table 2, as needed. The loading device can be configured as a linearly operated satellite and / or a diverter, wherein the satellite and / or diverter is movable transversely and preferably perpendicularly to the buffer lines 5 of the buffer table 2, so as to successively fill in the individual buffer lines 5 of the buffer table 2.

[0073] The buffer table 2 shown in the drawings is in particular a buffer table 2 in which an outfeed 4 is arranged at the downstream end region of the buffer lines 5 and an infeed 3 is arranged at the opposite end region of the buffer lines 5. The loading device provided at the infeed 3 of the buffer table 2 is configured so as to load a next buffer line 5 of the buffer table 2 after reaching a defined fill level of one of the buffer lines 5.

[0074] On the other hand, the individual buffer lines 5 of the buffer table 2 are each equipped with a correspondingly assigned transport apparatus in order to transport the packages 6 in the individual buffer lines 5 in the transport direction. The transport apparatuses associated with the individual buffer lines 5 can each be configured as transport belts.

[0075] Referring now to the illustration in FIGS. 2 A and 2B, an embodiment of a device 8 for generating a predetermined or predeterminable gap in the flow of conveyed material between two adjacent groups of conveyed material or conveyed material 6 (packaging) of a feed conveyor belt is described.

[0076] The feed conveyor belt 7 illustrated in FIGS. 2 A and 2B has a downstream end region and an opposite upstream end region, when viewed in the conveying direction F of the conveyed material 6. The downstream end area of the feed conveyor belt 7 is connected in a conveying manner with a splitting unit 3 of a buffer table 2 (not shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B).

[0077] As illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B, with the aid of the feed conveyor belt 7 the conveyed material 6 (packaging) is conveyed without pressure, i.e., with a predetermined or predeterminable (slight) distance between each other in the direction of the splitting unit 3 or in the direction of the buffer table 2 at a constant speed. In order to create a predetermined or predeterminable (larger) gap in the flow of conveyed material between two adjacent groups of conveyed material or individual parts, a vertical belt conveyor 9 is assigned to the feed conveyor belt 7 with two vertical belt bands opposite to one another.

[0078] The vertical belt bands are respectively configured, at least in the region in which the device 8 for creating the defined gap in the flow of conveyed material between two adjacent groups of conveyed material is provided, to at least partially or regionally pick up the material 6 laterally in such a way that, in particular at short notice, a flow of conveyed material specified by the feed conveyor belt 7 is down-regulated to a conveying speed that is or can be determined in particular in advance or that is reduced in view of the feed conveying speed specified by a drive unit of the feed conveyor belt 7.

[0079] In particular, the vertical belt conveyor 9 is configured to control the product flow down to approx. 24,000 packages / hour.

[0080] The short-term reduction in product flow rate can then be utilized downstream of the splitting unit 3, preferably configured as a satellite, to switch the buffer lines 5 of the buffer table 2. The short-term pile up created upstream of the vertical belt conveyor 9 is dismantled again after the required track change time of the splitting unit 3.

[0081] In FIGS. 3A and 3B, an alternative embodiment of a device 8 for generating a predetermined or predeterminable gap in the flow of conveyed material between two adjacent groups of conveyed material is illustrated.

[0082] In this case, the device 8 for generating the defined gap in the flow of conveyed material between two adjacent groups of conveyed material comprises a feed conveyor belt section 10 provided in - when viewed in the conveying direction F of the conveyed material 6 - a downstream end region of the feed conveyor belt 7, which is embodied as a gap conveyor.

[0083] A comparison of the representations in FIG. 3 A and FIG. 3B shows that the feed conveyor belt section 10, which is embodied as a gap conveyor, is configured to be movable relative to the feed conveyor belt 7 such that even when the splitting unit 3 is changed from a first buffer track 5 to a second buffer track 5 of the storage unit 2, a continuous conveyance of the conveyed material 6 is possible.

[0084] In FIG. 3 A, it is indicated that the feed conveyor belt section 10 (gap conveyor) is embodied as a movable conveyor section which can be driven towards the products fed in the inlet direction via the feed conveyor belt 7, thereby closing the gaps between the individual packages. When a defined number of products are merged, the feed conveyor belt section 10 embodied as a gap conveyor changes the direction of travel and then travels back at a higher speed than the product flow on the feed conveyor belt 7. This results in a timed product grouping with a defined gap, which in turn can be used for a track change of the subsequent splitting unit 3.

[0085] Specifically in FIG. 3 A, it is indicated that the feed conveyor belt section 10 embodied as a gap conveyor travels towards the incoming products 6 and thus closes the small gaps between the individual products.

[0086] In FIG. 3B, it is indicated that the feed conveyor belt section 10 embodied as a gap conveyor returns faster than the incoming products 6 and thus creates the defined gaps between the product lines.

[0087] The invention is not limited to the embodiments shown in the drawings, but results when all of the features disclosed herein are considered together.

[0088] List of reference numerals

[0089] 1 Packaging system

[0090] 2 Storage unit / buffer table 3 Splitting unit 3 / Infeed of the buffer table 2

[0091] 4 Outfeed of the buffer table 2

[0092] 5 Buffer line / buffer track

[0093] 6 Conveyed material / Packaging

[0094] 7 Feed conveyor belt 7

[0095] 8 Device 8 for creating defined gaps

[0096] 9 Vertical belt conveyor

[0097] 10 Feed conveyor belt section 10 / Gap conveyor

[0098] 11 First packaging device

[0099] 12 Second packaging device

[0100] 13 Outlet conveyor

[0101] F Conveying direction F

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for the in particular continuous conveyance of material, in particular in the form of packages, wherein the apparatus comprises the following: a storage unit (2), in particular in the form of a storage table comprising a plurality of storage lines or storage tracks (5), wherein material (6) can be picked up from each storage line or storage track (5) of the storage unit (2); a feed conveyor belt (7) arranged, when viewed in a conveying direction (F) of the material (6), upstream of the storage unit (2), with which the material (6) to be picked up from the storage tracks (5) of the storage unit (2) is or can be fed; and a splitting unit (3) arranged, when viewed in the conveying direction (F) of the material (6), between the storage unit (2) and a downstream end region of the feed conveyor belt (7) and configured so as to feed the material (6) fed with the feed conveyor belt (7) to the storage lines or storage tracks (5) of the storage unit (2), characterized in that: the feed conveyor belt (7) comprises a device (8) for creating a predetermined or determinable defined gap in the material flow between two neighboring material groups or between two neighboring materials (6).

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the splitting unit (3) comprises a conveyor track having, when viewed in the conveying direction (F) of the material (6), a downstream first end region and an upstream second end region, wherein the splitting unit (3) can be moved in relation to the storage lines or the storage tracks (5) of the storage unit (2) in such a way that, selectively or as needed, the first end region of the conveyor track of the splitting unit (3) is or can be connected to one of the storage lines or storage tracks (5) of the storage unit (2) in a conveying manner such that a material group provided by the feed conveyor belt (7) or a material (6) provided by the feed conveyor belt (7) can be fed to the storage line or storage track (5) of the storage unit (2).

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the second end region of the conveyor track of the splitting unit (3) is connected in a conveying manner with, when viewed in the conveying direction (F) of the material (6), a downstream endregion of the feed conveyor belt (7), such that, via the downstream end region of the feed conveyor belt (7), a material group generated by the gaps created in the material flow is or can be fed to the conveyor track of the splitting unit (3).

4. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the device (8) for creating the defined gap in the material flow between two neighboring material groups or between two neighboring materials (6) is configured so as to create a gap length between two neighboring material groups or between two neighboring materials(6) in such a way that, with the help of the splitting unit (3) and in particular without a change in a speed at which the material (6) is fed by way of the feed conveyor belt(7), a leading first material group of the two neighboring material groups of a first storage track (5) of the storage unit (2) and a trailing second material group of the two neighboring material groups can be fed to a second storage track (5) of the storage unit (2).

5. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the device(8) for creating the defined gap in the material flow between two neighboring material groups or between two neighboring materials (6) is configured so as to create a gap length between two adjacent material groups or between two adjacent materials (6), preferably as a function of(a) a speed at which the material (6) is fed by way of the feed conveyor belt(7); and(b) a speed at which the splitting unit (3) is moved from a first storage line or storage track (5) of the storage unit (2) to a second storage line or storage track (5) of the storage unit (2) to be filled; and / or(c) a period of time required in order to move the splitting unit (3) from a first storage line or storage track (5) of the storage unit (2) to a second storage line or storage track (5) of the storage unit (2) to be filled.

6. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the device(8) for creating the defined gap in the material flow between two neighboring material groups or between two neighboring materials (6) is configured so as to reduce a speed at which the material (6) is fed by way of the feed conveyor belt (7) in some regions, preferably in the downstream end region of the feed conveyor belt (7).

7. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the feed conveyor belt (7) comprises a first drive device, with which the feed conveyor belt (7) and / or the material (6) picked up from the feed conveyor belt (7) is / are moved at an in particular constant feed conveyor speed in the conveying direction (F) of the material (6), and wherein, in order to create the defined gap in the material flow between two neighboring material groups or between two neighboring materials (6), the device (8) comprises a second drive with which a feed conveyor speed of the material (6) moved in the conveying direction (F) is or can be reduced, in particular selectively or as needed.

8. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the second drive device comprises a vertical belt band unit (9) having two vertical belt bands positioned opposite one another, which are each configured, at least in the region in which the device (8) for creating the defined gap in the material flow between two neighboring material groups or between two neighboring materials (6) is provided, to at least partially or regionally pick up the material (6) laterally in such a way that, in particular at short notice, a material flow specified by the first drive unit is down-regulated to a conveying speed that is or can be determined in particular in advance or that is reduced in view of the feed conveying speed specified by the first drive unit.

9. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the device (8) for creating the defined gap in the material flow between two neighboring material groups or between two neighboring materials (6) comprises a feed conveyor belt section (10) provided in, when viewed in the conveying direction (F) of the material (6), a downstream end region of the feed conveyor belt (7), which is configured such that it can be moved in relation to the feed conveyor belt (7) so that, even when the splitting unit (3) is changed from a first storage track (5) to a second storage track (5) of the storage unit (2), a continuous conveyance of the material (6) is possible.

10. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the feed conveyor belt section (10) is configured so as to move from a first position to a second position after or upon a change of the splitting unit (3) from the first storage track (5) to the second storage track (5) of the storage unit (2), wherein a distance between the first positionand the second position corresponds to a length of a gap created by the change of the storage track (5) between a last piece of material (6) of a material group fed to the first storage track (5) and a first piece of material (6) of a material group fed, or to be fed, to the second storage track (5).

11. The apparatus according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the feed conveyor belt section (10) is configured so as to move back to, or in the direction of, the first position after moving to the second position.

12. The apparatus according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the feed conveyor belt section (10) has a constant length.

13. The apparatus according to any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein the feed conveyor belt section (10) comprises an at least partially or regionally arcuate region.

14. The apparatus according to any one of claims 9 to 13, wherein a conveying speed of the material (6) in the feed conveyor belt section (10) is at least substantially constant.

15. A method for in particular continuous conveyance of material (6), in particular in the form of packages, wherein the method comprises the following method steps: with the help of a feed conveyor belt (7), a material (6) in the form of a plurality of individual products, and in particular individual packages, is fed to a splitting unit (3), which is configured so as to feed material (6) fed by way of the feed conveyor belt selectively or as needed to a storage track (5) of a storage unit (2), in particular a storage table, comprising a plurality of storage tracks (5); and during the feeding or upon the feeding of the material (6) to the splitting unit (3), material groups are formed, wherein, between two neighboring material groups, a predetermined or determinable defined gap is created in the material flow between the two neighboring material groups.

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