WO2020069803A1

WO2020069803A1 - Device and method for transporting a plurality of articles

Info

Publication number: WO2020069803A1
Application number: PCT/EP2019/073326
Authority: WO
Inventors: Manuel Kollmuss; Herbert Spindler; Jürgen Werner
Original assignee: Krones Aktiengesellschaft
Priority date: 2018-10-01
Filing date: 2019-09-02
Publication date: 2020-04-09
Also published as: CN112689604A; DE102018124216A1; EP3860937A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (1) for transporting a plurality of articles (2). The device (1) comprises at least one horizontal conveying apparatus (9) for conveying articles (2) and a plurality of guide walls (6), which are designed to guide articles (2) conveyed by means of the at least one horizontal conveying apparatus (9). The device (1) also has at least one sensor system (15), which is designed to detect and/or recognize a malfunction occurring in the region of at least one guide wall (6) of the plurality of guide walls (6) and affecting the conveying of articles (2). The device (1) also comprises at least one actuator operatively connected to the at least one sensor system (15), which at least one actuator operatively connected to the at least one sensor system (15) can transmit a defined motion to the at least one guide wall (6) of the plurality of guide walls (6) in order to resolve or avoid a malfunction, if the at least one sensor system (15) recognizes and/or detects a malfunction occurring in the region of the at least one guide wall (6) in question.

Description

Device and method for transporting a large number of articles

The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for

Transport a variety of items.

In some areas of automation technology, a large number of similar articles can be handled. This applies, for example, in automation technology for the food and beverage industry and / or in packaging technology and in

Packaging industry, where it is customary to provide devices specially designed for handling recurring processes for handling the articles to be handled.

The articles can be, for example, objects, such as packaged or unpacked objects or containers, or bundles of several objects, the objects of a bundle, for example, by means of strapping, an outer packaging, such as a wrapping, a shrink tube or one

Cartons or a support frame are held together, to name just a few conceivable configurations.

Articles in an article stream of articles arranged in succession, for example uninterrupted articles that are transported directly one after the other, are advantageously conveyed to be handled or transported away from a handling that has been carried out.

In order to deal with as many articles as possible in the shortest possible time, it is known to transport the articles in a plurality of article streams, which are guided by parallel lateral widths and are adapted to the width of the articles.

From DE 33 36 988 C2 a transport device with several parallel streets is known. Each alley has its own

Conveyor belt formed transport track. The two outer lanes are outward through two outer ones fixed to the frame on opposite long sides Guide railings limited. Inner guide rails, briefly referred to as alley plates, delimit the alleys inwards, towards the center of the transport device. The alleys to the left of the middle are thus left outside through the outside

Guide railings and from the center separated from each other by alley plates arranged on one side on the right of their transport tracks. The alleys to the right of the center, on the other hand, are delimited from each other by the outer guide rail on the right and towards the center by alley plates arranged on one side on the left of their transport tracks. The conveyor belts are arranged to be freely displaceable independently of one another across the width of the transport device between the outer guide railings.

DE 195 14 928 A1 discloses a method for loading a

Alley distribution for vessels. The vessels are in the process by a

Feeder fed and diverted from this at right angles to a crowding table upstream of the alley distribution. The process provides active control of the movement of the vessels from the feed conveyor to the aisles depending on the

Occupancy status of the crowded table or the alleys. Optionally, a movement of the vessels on the thrust table can be actively controlled. From the crowding table, the vessels are distributed approximately evenly over the several aisles of the aisle distribution with slight dynamic pressure, which is caused by vibrators on the guide rails, a slight transverse or longitudinal movement of the guide rails or by additional ones

Instruction elements should be supported.

US Pat. No. 5,768,860 A also discloses the loading of an aisle transport with bottles previously transported in bulk transport. As soon as by means of

Detectors of a congestion in the bottle transport is detected, lateral baffles are moved towards or away from each other in the area of mass transport, which should resolve the congestion that occurs.

DE 699 00 132 T2 discloses a transport device for containers such as

Bottles to be transported in rows separated by side guides. A pivotally movable flap is arranged in the area of an intermediate guide. As soon as an interruption in the container flow is detected, the movable flap is pivoted or rotated in order to prevent congestion in the

Eliminate tank flow that has formed upstream of the intermediate guide. EP 2 479 123 A1 also describes a device and a method for transporting articles in a mass flow in the direction of one or more separating elements for dividing the mass flow into a plurality of aisles. A detection device is arranged in a separation area and can detect faults in the article flow. A handling device coupled to the detection device is able to either remove individual articles which have caused such disturbances or to correct their positioning. The detection device can in particular comprise one optical sensor or a plurality of optical sensors. The handling device can comprise at least one gripping means for the articles and can be formed, for example, by a portal robot.

As can be seen from the known methods and devices, it can be in particular in the area of free ends of the alley plates or others

Guide walls easily Occur that beverage containers accumulate unintentionally, so that the continuous flow of articles is interrupted at least in some areas.

If such a congestion occurs, the respective beverage containers can be removed, for example, by manual intervention in the article flow and removed manually from the article flow. To do this, the transport device must be stopped, which in turn reduces the throughput. Personnel effort is also required to remove the respective congestion. If a stowage is not noticed, it may be that a subsequent handling intended for the articles or, if applicable, a subsequent handling intended for the articles designed as beverage containers

Packaging process is faulty or associated with problems.

In a further development, for example in accordance with EP 2 479 123 A1, instead of manual intervention, a handling device, formed for example by a

Portal robots, intervene in the article flow and ensure that a sensor-detected fault is eliminated, which, however, requires a comparatively high sensory and mechanical effort in order to be able to transport articles with high loads

Transport speeds to ensure a quick and reliable elimination of all faults that occur.

For this reason, an object of the invention can be seen in a comparatively simply constructed and reliably working possibility

to provide, which at least counteracts the problems mentioned. The above object is achieved by the subjects which include the features in the independent claims. Further advantageous configurations are described by the dependent claims.

The invention relates to a method for transporting a large number of articles. The individual articles of the multitude can each be designed as a beverage container and in particular as a beverage bottle and / or as a beverage can.

A first step in the process involves the conveyance of articles. In this case, the articles may be moved horizontally during conveying. At least one horizontal conveyor device can be provided for conveying, on which the articles stand during conveying.

Furthermore, the articles are to be guided over several guide walls during their promotion. At least individual articles can be at least temporarily in surface contact with the plurality of guide walls and can be slid along the plurality of guide walls.

It is provided that the conveyed articles are monitored with regard to a disturbance which is already caused by at least one guide wall of the plurality of guide walls or is about to occur in the future and relates to the conveyance of articles.

In particular, the monitoring can be designed in such a way that the conveyed articles are monitored with regard to a disturbance which has already been caused by at least one guide wall of the plurality of guide walls or is imminent and which is related to the promotion of articles, which disturbance affects the promotion of articles by reducing a Transport speed of individual articles or characterized by a complete standstill of individual articles without further transport. It may be the case that individual articles clamp in the area of at least one guide wall, as a result of which their respective transport speed is reduced compared to a respective transport speed of further articles or as a result of which individual articles are stopped or come to a standstill.

For example, it may be that at least one sensor system is provided, with the aid of which at least one sensor system the articles conveyed with regard to one already caused by at least one guide wall of the plurality of guide walls or future impending disruption and article promotion. In particular, it may be that at least one sensor system is provided, with the aid of which at least one sensor system, the conveyed articles with regard to a disturbance over the course of time that is either caused or imminent by at least one guide wall of the plurality of guide walls and that is impending in the future and relates to the conveyance of articles be monitored continuously and / or without interruption. The at least one sensor system can be formed, for example, by at least one camera and / or by at least one light barrier and / or by at least one pressure sensor.

It is also provided that at least one guide wall of the plurality of guide walls executes, if necessary, a defined movement in order to resolve or avoid a fault, at which defined movement the at least one guide wall is moved back and forth, provided that within the scope of the monitoring one through at least one guide wall of the several guide walls a disturbance that has already been caused or is about to occur as well as the promotion of articles is determined and / or recognized. It is conceivable here that the at least one guide wall is moved in the context of the defined movement against a conveying direction provided for articles and is subsequently moved back into an initial position or an initial position. It may be the case that the at least one guide wall of the plurality of guide walls executes a defined movement as required, in order to resolve or avoid a malfunction, at which defined movement the at least one guide wall is moved back and forth and is thereby extended and / or telescoped.

It may be that patterns of movement of the articles being promoted are recorded and the resulting faults occur

Connection is established. It is conceivable that the manufactured

Relationship in determining and / or recognizing a future imminent by at least one baffle of the several baffles as well as the promotion of articles is taken into account.

It is also conceivable that, in the event of a malfunction identified and / or detected as part of the monitoring, a defined actuating movement that is coordinated with the respective malfunction is selected from several different actuating movements for at least one guide wall. The at least one guide wall of the plurality of guide walls can to trigger or avoid the fault identified and / or recognized as part of the monitoring, if necessary, be moved back and forth with the selected, defined actuating movement that is coordinated with the fault. In this way, a multitude of different disturbances can be effectively counteracted.

It may be the case that the plurality of guide walls in the area of a respective free end with the aid of at least one sensor system, the detection area of which extends over the area of the free ends of the plurality of guide walls, onto one that is already caused or is impending in the future by at least one guide wall of the plurality of guide walls, and Promotion of items related to disorder to be monitored. It may be that at least one free end of at least one guide wall is moved back and forth to resolve or avoid a disturbance within the defined movement, provided that within the scope of the monitoring one of the several guide walls that has already been caused or is pending in the future or that is to come The conveyance of a fault pertaining to articles is determined and / or detected in the area of a respective free end, a respective guide wall of the plurality of guide walls can taper.

It may also be the case that the articles are guided parallel or substantially parallel to one another over the plurality of guide walls during their conveyance in several and in particular at least three rows of articles arranged one behind the other. As an alternative or in addition to this, it can be the case that the articles are guided over the several guide walls during their conveyance in the disordered mass flow. It may be that the multiple and in particular at least three rows are on

Articles arranged one behind the other can be fed in parallel or essentially in parallel to a packaging machine.

In various embodiments, it can be provided that at least one guide wall has at least two guide wall sections along its longitudinal direction, which at least two guide wall sections are coupled to one another by at least one hinge, at least one guide wall section of the at least two

Guide wall sections for resolving or avoiding a malfunction, if necessary, and being moved back and forth relative to at least one further guide wall section of the at least two guide wall sections about a vertical axis formed via the at least one hinge. It may also be that the at least one guide wall of the plurality of guide walls executes an oscillating movement, in which oscillating movement the at least one guide wall is in and against one provided for the articles

Direction of conveyance is moved back and forth. In particular, it can be the case that the at least one guide wall of the plurality of guide walls executes the oscillating movement continuously or without interruption, in which case the oscillating movement is carried out continuously or without interruption, the at least one guide wall is moved back and forth in and against a conveying direction provided for the articles .

It is conceivable here that the at least one guide wall of the plurality of guide walls executes a defined movement, if necessary, in order to resolve or avoid a fault, in which case a defined movement, if necessary, temporarily increases an action radius of the oscillating movement.

As already mentioned above, it is provided that the conveyed articles are monitored with regard to a malfunction which has already been caused by at least one guide wall of the plurality of guide walls or is about to occur in the future and relates to the conveyance of articles. It may be the case that after the defined movement has been carried out, a check is carried out to determine whether the respective disturbance already caused by at least one guide wall of the plurality of guide walls and relating to the conveyance of articles could be eliminated by means of the defined movement. It is also conceivable here that the radius of action is increased further, provided that

As part of the review, it was found that the disturbance already caused by at least one guide wall of the several guide walls and relating to the promotion of articles could not be eliminated by means of the defined movement.

The invention also relates to a device for transporting a large number of articles. Features that have already been described above for various embodiments of the method can also be described in the following

Embodiments of the device can be provided and are not mentioned several times. Furthermore, features described below, which relate to various embodiments of the device, may be provided in previous embodiments of the method already described. The device can comprise an inlet, the articles being conveyed in the region of the inlet in an unordered mass flow. Furthermore, the device can comprise a metering section adjoining the inlet, which has at least two guide walls each designed as a separating element. In the area of

Dosing section, the articles between the at least two each as

Partition trained guide walls are performed. The at least two guide walls, each designed as a separating element, can be positioned at an angle to one another, so that an opening cross-section, provided via the at least two guide walls, each designed as a separating element, for guiding articles, of an alley created by means of the at least two guide walls, each designed as a separating element, in a conveying direction of the articles gradually decreased. A transport section designed as part of the device can connect to the metering section. Of the

Transport section can comprise a plurality of guide walls each formed as a narrow plate, with immediately adjacent ones each formed as a narrow plate

Provide baffles between each of a respective alley for guiding a single-row flow of articles arranged one behind the other.

The device comprises at least one horizontal conveyor for

Conveying articles and a number of guide walls already mentioned, which are designed to guide articles conveyed via the at least one horizontal conveyor device. The at least one horizontal conveyor device can comprise at least one circulating conveyor belt, via which articles can be moved or conveyed.

Furthermore, the device has at least one sensor system, which is designed to detect and / or detect a fault which occurs in the area of at least one guide wall of the plurality of guide walls and relates to the conveyance of articles.

The device comprises at least one actuator that is operatively connected to the at least one sensor system, which can transmit at least one actuator that is operatively connected to the at least one sensor system in order to resolve or avoid a fault, a defined movement to the at least one guide wall of the plurality of guide walls, provided that the at least one a sensor system detects and / or detects a fault occurring in the area of the respective at least one guide wall. The at least one actuator that is operatively connected to the at least one sensor system can be, for example, a spindle drive or an electromagnetic one

Direct drive or as a linear motor, as a servo motor and / or as a further drive.

The detection range of the at least one sensor system can extend over free ends of the plurality of guide walls, so that the at least one sensor system for

Detecting and / or recognizing a malfunction occurring in the area of a respective free end of the at least one guide wall and relating to the conveyance of articles. It is also conceivable that a detection range of the at least one sensor system extends at least in regions over an inlet and / or over further regions of the device within which articles are conveyed.

It may also be that the at least one actuator that is operatively connected to the at least one sensor system can move the respective at least one guide wall of the plurality of guide walls back and forth within the scope of the defined movement, at least in the region of its free end, provided that the at least one sensor system Detects and / or detects the area of the respective free end of the respective at least one guide wall fault.

Furthermore, it can be the case that the plurality of guide walls between them form a plurality of aisles for guiding articles moved via the at least one horizontal conveyor device as single-row article flows which are moved parallel to one another. As an alternative or in addition to this, it can be the case that the plurality of guide walls form lateral boundaries for guiding articles moving in the unordered mass flow via the at least one horizontal conveyor device.

The device can comprise a control and / or regulating device which is connected to the at least one sensor system and the at least one actuator. It is conceivable that the control and / or regulating device, taking into account respective actual information provided via the at least one sensor system and relating to the conveyance of articles, can conclude that there will be a future fault and the conveyance of articles in the area of the respective at least one guide wall. It may be the case that the at least one actuator via the control and / or regulating device for transmitting a defined one and for avoiding one future disturbance-oriented movement of the respective at least one guide wall can be controlled, provided that the control and / or regulating device, taking into account respective actual information provided via the at least one sensor system and relating to the promotion of articles, relates to future occurring and the promotion of articles in the area of closes any fault relating to at least one guide wall.

Furthermore, the control and / or regulating device can be designed as a self-learning system. It can be the case that information provided by the at least one sensor system over the course of time and relating to the promotion of articles with potentially occurring and the promotion of articles in the range of several

Baffles related faults are linked and these links are stored in a memory. Furthermore, it can be provided that the control and / or regulating device designed as a self-learning system, taking into account the links stored in the memory, can conclude that there will be a future fault and the promotion of articles in the area of the respective at least one guide wall.

It is also conceivable that the device is a control and / or

Includes control device, which with the at least one sensor and the

at least one actuator is connected and on which a plurality of motion sequences for a defined movement of the respective at least one guide wall are stored. The plurality of different movement sequences can be matched to a plurality of faults which can be detected and / or recognized by the at least one sensor system and which relate to the conveyance of articles. It may be that the at least one actuator can be controlled via the control and / or regulating device for transmitting a respective defined movement with a respective movement pattern to the respective at least one guide wall of the plurality of guide walls, which movement sequence is based on the respective one of the at least one sensor system ascertained and / or recognized and in the area of the respective at least one guide wall malfunction is coordinated.

It may also be that the at least one guide wall has at least two guide wall sections along its longitudinal direction, which at least two guide wall sections are coupled to one another by at least one hinge, so that the at least two guide wall sections within the defined movement over the at least one Actuator can be pivoted relative to each other about at least one vertical axis formed over the at least one hinge.

In addition, the device can comprise a control and / or regulating device which is connected to the at least one sensor system and the at least one actuator. It can be provided that the at least one guide wall can be moved in an oscillating manner via the at least one actuator and that the at least one actuator, upon the instigation of the control and / or regulating device, in order to resolve or avoid a fault, perform a defined movement onto the at least one guide wall of the plurality of guide walls can transfer the defined movement at which a radius of action of the oscillating movement is temporarily increased.

In the following, exemplary embodiments are intended to explain the invention and its advantages with reference to the attached figures. The size ratios of the individual elements to one another in the figures do not always correspond to the real size ratios, since some shapes are simplified and other shapes are shown enlarged in relation to other elements for better illustration.

1 shows a schematic view of a first embodiment of a device according to the invention.

Figures 2 to 7 show individual aspects as they can be provided in various embodiments of the device according to the invention. Furthermore, FIGS. 2 to 7 show individual steps as they occur in various embodiments of the invention

Procedure can be provided.

Figures 8 and 9 show a schematic view of another

Embodiment of a device according to the invention. FIGS. 8 and 9 further illustrate individual steps, such as those of a possible embodiment

The inventive method can be provided.

10 shows a schematic view of a guide wall as can be provided in various embodiments of a device according to the invention and for implementation in various embodiments of the method according to the invention. Identical reference numerals are used for identical or identically acting elements of the invention. Furthermore, for the sake of clarity, only reference numerals are shown in the individual figures which are necessary for the description of the respective figure. The illustrated embodiments are only examples, such as the

Invention can be designed and are not a final limitation.

Although generally in the context of the figures of "schematic"

Representations and views are mentioned, it is by no means meant that the figure representations and their description should be of secondary importance with regard to the disclosure of the invention. The person skilled in the art is quite capable of extracting enough information from the schematically and abstractly drawn representations that make it easier for him to understand the invention without, for example, drawing from the drawn and possibly not exactly to scale

Size relationships of the device or other drawn elements would be affected in any way in its understanding. The figures thus enable the person skilled in the art as a reader to derive a better understanding of the general and / or abstract concept of the invention formulated in the claims and in the general part of the description on the basis of the specifically explained implementations of the method according to the invention and the specifically explained mode of operation of the device according to the invention.

1 shows a schematic view of a first embodiment of a device 1 according to the invention. The device 1 is provided for transporting a large number of articles 2, which individual articles 2 of the large number each as

Beverage containers 4 are formed.

In order to move the articles 2 or beverage containers 4 in the conveying direction FR, the device 1 comprises a horizontal conveyor device 9, on which the articles 2 or beverage containers 4 stand. Via an inlet 3, the articles 2 or

Beverage container 4 between two designed as lateral boundaries 6 '

Guide walls 6 first moved in the unordered mass flow or conveyed in the unordered mass flow. Also part of the device 1 is a metering section 5, which follows the feed 3 in the conveying direction FR and which, up to then, has been transported in the disordered mass flow and is supplied as an article 2 designed as a beverage container 4 via the feed 3. The dosing section 5 comprises several oriented parallel to each other and each designed as a separating element 6 "

Guide elements 6, wherein articles 2 formed by beverage containers 4 are moved in the area of the metering section 5 between adjacent guide elements 6 formed as separating element 6 ". In order to form single-row streams on articles 2 arranged one behind the other or single-row streams on beverage containers 4 arranged one behind the other in the region of the metering section 5 between separating elements 6 ″ or moving beverage containers 4, a transport section 7 is provided which is directly connected to the metering section 5 connects. Of the

Transport section 7 comprises several each designed as a narrow plate 6 ″ ”

Baffles 6, a respective aisle being formed between immediately adjacent baffles 6, each formed as a lane sheet 6 ″ ”, for single-row guidance of a respective stream of articles 2 arranged one behind the other or for single-row guidance of a respective stream on beverage containers 4 arranged one behind the other. A packaging machine 20 connects to the transport section 7. The packaging machine 20 is fed via the transport section 7 single-row flow on articles 2 arranged one behind the other or single-row flows on drink containers 4 arranged one behind the other, the packaging machine 20 receiving the single-row flows via the transport section 7 from the articles 2 or from the drink containers 4 Articles 2 or on beverage containers 4

Forms packaging units.

In practice, it may be that article 2 or beverage container 4, for example in an area in which a respective guide wall 6 designed as a lateral boundary 6 'connects to a guide wall 6 designed as a separating element 6 ", thereby causing a continuous flow or a continuous movement of articles 2 formed by beverage containers 4 is disturbed. In the conveying direction FR, subsequent articles 2 formed by beverage containers 4 can accumulate on the respective article 2 or beverage containers 4, which articles 2 or beverage containers 4 in a region in which a respective guide wall formed as a lateral boundary 6 ' a guide wall 6 designed as a separating element 6 "connects, inadvertently clamp. As a result, a gap or spacing is inadvertently formed in relation to articles 2 that are leading and formed by beverage containers 4, as a result of which the packaging machine 20 is to be used

Packaging process cannot be carried out without errors. 1 also shows that the separating elements 6 ″

Baffles 6 have a free end pointing towards the conveying direction FR, at which articles 2 formed by beverage containers 4 can also jam. Furthermore, the alley plates 6 ″ ”formed as a component of the transport section 7 or the guide walls 6 designed as a component of the transport section 7 form a free end pointing against the conveying direction FR, at which end

Beverage containers 4 trained articles 2 can also unintentionally jam.

In order to be able to counteract such an undesired congestion or disturbance, the device 1 comprises a sensor system 15 designed as a camera 16, which is connected to a control and / or regulating device S. Via the sensor system 15 designed as a camera 16, the control and / or regulating device S is able to detect or cause congestion in the area of guide walls 6 of the inlet 3, guide walls 6 of the metering section 5 and / or guide walls 6 of the transport section 7. Detect or determine the fault. The control and / or regulating device S can then, if necessary, move a respective guide wall 6 back and forth via at least one actuator, which is not shown in FIG. 1, provided the control and / or regulating device S detects a congestion via the sensor system 15 designed as a camera 16 or detects or detects a fault. The movement of the respective guide wall 6 is preferably oscillating and oblique to the conveying direction FR, which the horizontal conveying device 9 for

Transport of articles 2 formed by beverage containers 4 is provided. It is also conceivable here that the control and / or regulating device S, with the aid of logic stored on the control and / or regulating device S, can conclude that there is an impending malfunction or congestion in articles 2 before the respective malfunction or congestion has occurred . In this case, the control and / or regulating device S can control the respective at least one actuator for moving a respective guide wall 6, as a result of which a respective malfunction or congestion does not occur or as a result of which a respective impending malfunction or congestion is counteracted.

Figures 2 to 7 show individual aspects as they do in various

Embodiments of the device 1 according to the invention can be provided. FIGS. 2 to 7 also show individual steps as can be provided in various embodiments of the method according to the invention. The metering section 5 of FIG. 2 differs in structure from that

Dosing section 5, as shown in the embodiment of FIG. 1. The guide walls 6 of the metering section 5, each designed as a separating element 6 ", are set at an angle to one another in the exemplary embodiment according to FIG Direction of the transport section 7 adjoining the metering section 5 is reduced in amount.

A further component of the transport section 7 are a plurality of guide walls 6, each designed as a narrow plate 6 '', between which guide walls 6 of the transport section 7 articles 2 formed by beverage containers 4 in a row in the direction of a packaging machine 20 (not shown in FIG. 2) (see FIG. 1). be performed. Reference is also made to number 9 on the horizontal conveyor device which is designed as part of the device 1 and which moves article 2 or the beverage container in the conveying direction FR. With regard to the exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 2 to 7, a possibility for eliminating a congestion caused by a guide wall 6 or a disturbance caused by a guide wall 6 and relating to the promotion of articles 2 is now clarified. The steps according to FIGS. 2 to 7 take place successively in time in the continuous order corresponding to FIGS. 2 to 7.

3, the articles 2 ″ or beverage containers 4 ″ clamp in the region of free ends of a plurality of guide walls 6 of the transport section 7, which a plurality of guide walls 6 are formed by alley plates 6 ″. With regard to the articles 2 'which are clamped between the upper guide walls 6' '', each of which is designed as an alley plate 6 '", it can be seen in FIG. 2 that between the clamped articles 2 or the clamped beverage containers 4' and further articles 2 or further beverage containers 4, which lead the clamping articles 2 'or the clamping beverage containers 4', a relative distance or a gap is formed. Such a distance or such a gap is undesirable in practice, which is why the fault must be eliminated as soon as possible or the unwanted clamping for the articles 2 'or

Beverage container 4 'must be picked up promptly.

According to FIG. 1, a sensor system 15 is also provided in the exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 2 to 7, the detection range of which is indicated by reference 17. The sensor system 15 is designed as a camera 16, but in further embodiments it can also be designed as a light barrier or as a further sensor system. The sensor system 15 designed as a camera 16 is connected to the control and / or regulating device S. If the control and / or regulating device S, with the aid of the sensor system 15 or the camera 16, has identified a fault or jamming of the articles 2 'or beverage container 4', the control and / or

Control device S matched to the respective fault or tuned to the

Position at which the articles 2 'or beverage containers 4' clamp, move a guide wall 6 or more guide walls 6 of the transport section 7 to and fro via an actuator connected to the control and / or regulating device S.

In the process steps, as exemplified by the

4, the guide wall 6 shown at the top and designed as a narrow plate 6 '"is moved obliquely to the conveying direction FR and in the opposite direction of the respective article 2' or the respective beverage container 4 ', which respectively Article 2 'or which one

Beverage container 4 'cause the disruption or which respective articles 2' or

Unintentionally clamp beverage container 4 '. The movement is in Fig. 4 by means of

Arrows indicated. When looking at FIG. 4 with FIG. 5, it can be seen that the corresponding movement of the guide wall 6 according to FIG. 4 has released the clamping for the articles 2 'or for the beverage containers 4', as a result of which the fault could be eliminated . The respective previously unintentionally clamped articles 2 ″ or beverage containers 4 ″ can now move into an alley, which is located between immediately adjacent and each as an alley plate 6 ″ ”

trained guide walls 6 of the transport section 7 are formed.

A summary of FIGS. 5 to 7 then shows that the guide wall 6 designed as a narrow plate 6 ″ “is moved back to the starting position according to FIG. 2 after the fault has been eliminated or after the clamping has been released. If the clamping or malfunction after moving the alley plate 6 ″ “

5 is not or not completely lifted, the respective guide wall 6, which is designed as a narrow plate 6 ″ “, can be moved several times from the position according to FIG. 2 into the position according to FIG. 5.

Does the respective guide wall 6 designed as a narrow plate 6 ″ “have its own

7 or the respective guide wall 6 designed as an alley plate 6 ′ “has been moved back into its starting position according to FIG. 7, thus the conveyance of articles 2 formed by beverage containers 4 via the control and / or regulating device S with the aid of the camera 16

trained sensor 15 continues to be monitored for faults. If a further fault occurs, at least one guide wall 6 designed as a narrow plate 6 '"and / or at least one guide wall 6 designed as a separating element 6" can be moved back and forth at a later point in time, with the respective clamping of articles 2 being released or the respective fault is eliminated.

Figures 8 and 9 show a schematic view of another

Embodiment of a device according to the invention 1. Furthermore, FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate individual steps, as they occur in conceivable embodiments of a

The inventive method can be provided. According to the

Embodiment of a device 1 from FIG. 1, the exemplary embodiment of a device 1 according to FIGS. 8 and 9 comprises an inlet 3, a metering section 5 following the inlet 3 and a connecting section 5 adjoining the metering section 5

Transport section 7. Article 2 or

Beverage containers 4 are fed to a packaging machine 20 in several parallel rows.

In the exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 8 and 9, the metering section 5 comprises four guide walls 6 which are oriented parallel to one another and each formed as a separating element 6 ″, the free central ends 17 (cf. FIG. 10) of the two central guide walls 6 and the two central separating elements 6 “clamp the articles that are still shown with reference to numbers 2 'and each designed as a beverage container 4'.

Also in the exemplary embodiment from FIGS. 8 and 9, a sensor system 15 designed as a camera 16 is provided, the detection area 17 of which extends over the guide walls 6 designed as separating elements 6 ". By looking at FIGS. 8 and 9 as well as by the arrow representation corresponding to FIG. 9, it is now clear that all of the guide walls 6, each designed as a separating element 6 ", have an actuating movement oriented perpendicular to the conveying direction FR of the horizontal conveying device 9 at the instigation of the control and / or regulating device S. execute what the

Clamping is eliminated or which eliminates the disturbance trained with regard to the promotion of Article 2. After the clamping according to FIG. 9 has been released or after the fault has been eliminated, they can each be used as Partition element 6 "formed guide walls 6 in their respective starting position according to Fig.

8 can be moved back.

10 shows a schematic view of a guide wall 6, as can be provided in various embodiments of a device 1 according to the invention and for implementation in various embodiments of the method according to the invention. The guide wall 6 according to the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 10 can be designed as a lateral boundary 6 ″, as a separating element 6 ″ and / or as a narrow plate 6 ″ ”or can be used for this purpose.

The exemplary embodiment of the guide wall 6 shown in FIG. 10 comprises a first guide wall section 22 and a second guide wall section 24, which are connected to one another via a hinge 30. The hinge 30 provides a vertical axis H about which the first guide wall section 22 and the second guide wall section 24 can be pivoted or pivoted relative to one another. In addition, the first guide wall section 22 and the second guide wall section 24 each comprise a plurality of segments 16 and 16 'positioned one above the other in the horizontal direction.

In addition to the first baffle section 22 and the second

Guide wall section 24 comprises guide wall 6 a third guide wall section 26. Third guide wall section 26 is coupled to first guide wall section 22 via a hinge 30, so that third guide wall section 26 is relative to the first

Guide wall section 22 can be pivoted about the vertical axis H formed via the hinge 30. The vertical axis H, about which the third guide wall section 26 can be pivoted relative to the first guide wall section 22 and the vertical axis H, about which the second guide wall section 24 can be pivoted relative to the first guide wall section 22, are oriented parallel to one another.

The third guide wall section 26 forms a free end 17 which is directed against the conveying direction FR (see FIGS. 1 to 9) or which points in the direction of the inlet 3. As mentioned above, article 2 or beverage container 4 may unintentionally jam in the area of the free end 17. In order to counteract such unwanted stowage, a respective guide wall 6 according to the

10 in the region of the third guide wall section 26, a fastening 32, which fastening 32 is not provided with one in the figures support rod shown can be arranged. The support rod can then be moved in an oscillating manner together with the specific third guide wall section 26 via the actuator already described above and in connection with the control and / or regulating device S (see FIGS. 1 to 9), the third guide wall section 26 in this case being moved by one Vertical axis H is pivoted relative to the first guide wall section 22. As part of the oscillating movement, the free end 17 of the third guide wall section 32 can be moved both in the horizontal direction and overlapped in time in the vertical direction. In order to be able to provide the necessary length compensation of the guide wall 6 according to FIG. 10, it may be that the guide wall 6 is designed to be telescopic and / or that the guide wall 6 can be extended or that the guide wall 6 comprises several parts, at least of which a first part can be pulled out of at least a second part. In practice, for example, embodiments have proven successful in which the third guide wall section 26 is connected to an elongated hole which provides the hinge 31 connecting the third guide wall section 26 and the first guide wall section 22. As an alternative or in addition to this, it may be the case, for example, that the third guide wall section 26 comprises at least two parts which can be selectively pushed or pulled apart for length compensation.

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 changes of the invention can be made without leaving the scope of the following claims.

Reference list

1 device

2 items

3 inflow

4 beverage containers

5 metering section

6 guide wall

6 ‘lateral limitation

6 “partition

6 '' alley sheet

7 transport section

15 sensors

16 camera

17 Free end

20 packaging machine

22 First baffle section

24 Second baffle section

31 hinge

32 attachment

35 suspension

FR direction of conveyance

H vertical axis

S control and / or regulating device

Claims

Expectations

1. A method for transporting a large number of articles (2), comprising the following steps: - conveying articles (2),

Guide the article (2) over several guide walls (6) during their promotion, it being provided that

- The funded articles (2) are monitored with regard to a malfunction caused by at least one baffle (6) of the plurality of baffles (6) or imminent and related to the promotion of articles (2), and that at least one baffle (6) of the several guide walls (6) for resolving or avoiding a malfunction, if necessary, executes a defined movement, in which defined movement the at least one guide wall (6) is moved back and forth, if one is monitored by at least one within the scope of the monitoring

Guide wall (6) of the several guide walls (6) which have already been caused or are about to occur and which are related to the promotion of articles (2), are detected and / or recognized.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the funded articles (2) with regard to a future and the promotion of articles (2) related

Fault are monitored and in which at least one guide wall (6) of the plurality of guide walls (6) executes the defined movement as required, in order to avoid a fault, in which defined movement the at least one guide wall (6) is moved back and forth, provided that it is being monitored a future imminent fault and / or detection relating to the promotion of articles (2) is detected and / or recognized by at least one guide wall (6) of the plurality of guide walls (6).

3. The method according to claim 2, in which movement patterns of supported articles (2) are recorded and resulting from this already occurred A connection is established for faults, it being provided that the connection established is taken into account when determining and / or recognizing a future impending fault due to at least one guide wall (6) of the plurality of guide walls (6) and the promotion of articles (2).

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, in which in a detected and / or detected malfunction in the course of the monitoring, a defined actuating movement which is coordinated with the respective malfunction is selected from a plurality of different actuating movements for at least one guide wall (6), and in which - the at least one guide wall (6) of the plurality of guide walls (6) for dissolving or

Avoiding the malfunction identified and / or recognized as part of the monitoring is moved back and forth as required with the selected, defined and coordinated actuating movement.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, in which - the plurality of guide walls (6) in the region of a respective free end (17) below

With the aid of at least one sensor system (15), the detection area of which extends over the area of the free ends (17) of the plurality of guide walls (6), on one that is already caused or is about to be created by at least one guide wall (6) of the plurality of guide walls (6) or that is to come Funding of articles (2) related disturbance are monitored, and at least one free end (17) of at least one guide wall for resolving or avoiding a disturbance is moved back and forth within the scope of the defined movement, if one is monitored by at least one Guide wall (6) of the several guide walls (6) which have already been caused or are about to occur and which are related to the promotion of articles (2), are detected and / or recognized.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, in which

- The articles (2) on the several guide walls (6) during their promotion in

several and in particular at least three rows in a row arranged articles (2) are guided parallel or substantially parallel to each other, and / or in which

- The articles (2) on the several baffles (6) during their promotion in

disordered mass flow.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the at least one

Guide wall (6) has at least two guide wall sections (22, 24, 26) along its longitudinal direction, which at least two guide wall sections (22, 24, 26) are coupled to one another by at least one hinge (31), at least one

Guide wall section (22, 24, 26) of the at least two guide wall sections (22, 24, 26) for resolving or avoiding a malfunction as required and relative to at least one further guide wall section (22, 24, 26) of the at least two guide wall sections (22, 24, 26 ) around one formed over the at least one hinge (31)

Vertical axis (H) is rotated back and forth.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the at least one

Guide wall (6) of the plurality of guide walls (6) executes an oscillating movement, in which oscillating movement the at least one guide wall (6) is moved back and forth in and against a conveying direction (FR) provided for the articles (2) and in which The method provides that the at least one guide wall (6) of the plurality of guide walls (6) executes a defined movement, if necessary, in order to resolve or avoid a fault, in which case the defined guide is executed

Movement a radius of action of the oscillating movement is temporarily increased.

9. Device (1) for transporting a large number of articles (2), comprising at least one horizontal conveying device (9) for conveying articles (2) and - several guide walls (6) which are used to guide the at least one

Horizontal conveyor (6) conveyed articles (2) are formed, it being provided that

- The device has at least one sensor system (5) which is used for detection

and / or recognizing one of the plurality in the area of at least one guide wall (6) Baffles (6) occurring and the promotion of articles (2) related disorder is formed, and that

- The device (1) comprises at least one actuator that is operatively connected to the at least one sensor system (15), which has at least one actuator that is operatively connected to the at least one sensor system (15) for resolving or avoiding a fault, a defined movement of the at least one Guide wall (6) of the plurality of guide walls (6) can be transmitted if the at least one sensor system (15) detects and / or detects a fault occurring in the area of the respective at least one guide wall (6).

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein

- A detection area (17) of the at least one sensor system (15) extends over free ends (17) of the plurality of guide walls (6), so that the at least one sensor system (15) for determining and / or recognizing one in the area of a respective free end (17) the at least one guide wall (6) occurring and promoting the promotion of articles (2) is formed, and in which

- The at least one actuator that is operatively connected to the at least one sensor system (15) has the respective at least one guide wall (6) of the plurality

Guide walls (6) can move back and forth within the defined movement at least in the area of their free end (15), provided that the at least one sensor system

(15) detects and / or detects a malfunction occurring in the region of the respective free end (7) of the respective at least one guide wall (6).

1 1. Device according to claim 9 or claim 10, wherein

- The plurality of guide walls (6) form a plurality of aisles between them for guiding articles (2) which are moved via the at least one horizontal conveyor device (9) as single-row article flows which are moved parallel to one another, and / or in which - The plurality of guide walls (6) form lateral boundaries (6 ') for guiding articles (2) moving in the unordered mass flow via the at least one horizontal conveyor device (9).

12. The device according to one of claims to 1 1, comprising a control and / or regulating device (S) which is connected to the at least one sensor system (15) and the at least one actuator, it being provided that

- The control and / or regulating device (S) taking into account respective actual information provided via the at least one sensor system (15) and relating to the promotion of articles (2) regarding future and the promotion of articles (2) in the area of each can close at least one guide wall (6) disturbance, and it is provided that

- The at least one actuator can be controlled via the control and / or regulating device (S) for transmitting a defined movement and aimed at avoiding a future disturbance to the at least one guide wall (6), provided that the control and / or regulating device (S ), taking into account respective actual information provided via the at least one sensor system (15) and relating to the promotion of articles (2), concludes that there will be a future disturbance and the promotion of articles (2) in the area of the respective at least one guide wall (6) .

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the control and / or regulating device (S) is designed as a self-learning system, which

- From the at least one sensor system (15) provided over the course of time and relating to the promotion of articles (2), information with potential

occurring and promotion of articles (2) in the field of several

Baffles (6) relating to faults are linked and these links are stored in a memory and which control and / or regulating device (S), which is designed as a self-learning system, taking into account the links stored in the memory to a future and the promotion of articles (2) in the area the respective at least one guide wall (6) related malfunction can close.

14. Device according to one of claims 9 to 13, comprising a control and / or regulating device (S), which is connected to the at least one sensor system (15) and the at least one actuator, it being provided that

- On the control and / or regulating device (S) a plurality of movement sequences for a respectively defined movement of the respective at least one guide wall (6) are stored, which several different movement sequences on several of the at least one sensor system (15) can be determined and / or recognized and disruptions relating to the promotion of articles (2) are coordinated and it is provided that

- The at least one actuator via the control and / or regulating device (S) for transmitting a respective defined movement with each

Movement patterns on the respective at least one guide wall (6) of the plurality of guide walls (6) can be controlled, which respective movement sequence is based on the particular movement detected and / or recognized by the at least one sensor system (15) and occurring in the area of the respective at least one guide wall (6) Disturbance is matched.

15. Device according to one of claims 9 to 14, wherein the at least one guide wall (6) has at least two guide wall sections (22, 24, 26) along its longitudinal direction, the at least two guide wall sections (22, 24, 26) by at least one hinge (31) are coupled together so that the at least two

Guide wall sections (22, 24, 26) can be pivoted relative to one another about at least one vertical axis (H) formed via the at least one hinge (31) as part of the defined movement via the at least one actuator.

16. Device according to one of claims 9 to 15, comprising a control and / or regulating device (S) which is connected to the at least one sensor system (15) and the at least one actuator, it being provided that the at least one guide wall (6) can be moved in an oscillating manner via the at least one actuator and that the at least one actuator, upon the instigation of the control and / or regulating device (S), in order to resolve or avoid a fault, a defined movement onto the at least one guide wall (6) of the plurality of guide walls ( 6) can transfer the defined movement at which a radius of action of the oscillating movement is temporarily increased.