DE102009025568A1 - Device and method for the successive emptying of containers filled with rod-shaped products - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (10) for the successive emptying of containers (14) filled with rod-shaped products into an emptying magazine (19), comprising a feeding device (11) for feeding products filled with products (14), a transfer device (13) having a A cassette (22) for receiving and holding the containers (14), by means of which the containers (14) can be transported from a pick-up position (17) into the region of an emptying position (21) and back into a dispensing position (20), a storage area (18 ) for receiving the products flowing out of the containers (14) and a removal device (12) disposed below the feeding device (12) for transporting the emptied containers (16), wherein the product format dependent components, ie the cassette (22), the memory area ( 18) and the emptying magazine (19), have movable parts to adapt to different product formats, which is characterized in that the bew egenbaren parts for adaptation to different product formats of at least two components from the group cassette (22), memory area (18) and emptying magazine (19) automated and designed mechanically coupled and configured. Furthermore, the invention relates to a corresponding method.

Description

The The invention relates to a device for successive emptying of containers filled with rod-shaped products in an emptying magazine, comprising a feeder for feeding containers filled with products, a transfer device with a cassette for recording and holding the containers by means of which the containers from a pick-up position in the area of an emptying position and can be transported back to a dispensing position, a Storage area for receiving the flowing from the containers Products and arranged below the feeder Removal device for transporting the emptied container, being dependent on the product format components, ie the Cassette, the storage area and the emptying magazine, movable Have parts for adaptation to different product formats. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for each other following emptying filled with rod-shaped products Containers in an emptying magazine in which the product formats may vary from container to container, comprising the steps of: supplying a full container on a feeding device in the region of a pick-up position of a transfer device, Transporting the full container from the pick-up position in the region of an emptying position by means of the cartridge having a transfer device, Emptying the container over a storage area in the emptying magazine, transporting the emptied container in a dispensing position, transporting the emptied container on a Abtransporteinrichtung, with movable parts of the Product format dependent components, namely the cassette, the storage area and the emptying magazine, to Adaptation to different product formats can be adjusted.

such Devices and methods are used in the tobacco processing industry especially in the processing of rod-shaped products, such as z. As cigarettes, filter rods or the like are used. The rod-shaped products are filled into containers and stored in these for storage and / or further processing. If necessary, the products become downstream devices or also fed to so-called emptying magazines. As a container All suitable storage or storage media, such. As Schragen, shaft trays, boxes and the like. For automated emptying of containers these are automatically on the feeder in one Pick-up position transportable. The transfer device takes care of Make sure that the full containers are automatically removed from the Pick-up position in an emptying position above the emptying magazine or the like or for reasons of securing the discharge process over the memory area provided above the emptying magazine and the emptied containers automatically return to be placed a delivery position. From the delivery position the emptied containers removed in various ways.

It is common on a device products of different Length to store and / or continue to process. you speaks at the product length of different Product formats. In other words, each container contains Products of a length, that is a format. From container however, the format of the container may vary. Usually done a format change, however, not from container to container, but only if the production is on another product or one other product format is changed. The changeover to another However, product format makes it necessary to use the device accordingly to ensure a trouble-free emptying process and in particular to avoid the occurrence of the so-called cross-pilots. To do this, the components depend on the product format or to be adjusted to the product format, movable Parts on. This concerns in particular the cassette, the storage area and the emptying magazine of the device. The products are independent of their format, each with its longitudinal axis parallel narrower towards the front wall and the rear wall Side walls of the containers, so that the longitudinal axes in the direction of transport of the container on the Show feeder. That means that for format adjustment usually the distance between front wall and rear wall or between corresponding guide and / or receiving elements the corresponding components must be changed so that the products in their longitudinal direction not too much distance to the boundaries, so the front and rear walls and have the guiding and / or receiving elements.

From the DE 20 20 825 For example, an automatic device for supplying cigarettes or the like is known. The device comprises a feed device for feeding products filled with products, a transfer device for receiving and holding the containers and a removal device for transporting the empty containers. The transfer device comprises a rotary head for receiving a plurality of containers. A cam allows a movement of Schragenaufnahmen or cassettes superimposed on the pivoting movement of the rotary head, in which the containers are guided and / or held. With such a device, however, only products of one format can be stored.

The EP 1 603 416 B1 describes a filter rod magazine of a filter attachment machine, wherein the filter rod magazine has a storage volume. The filter rod magazine has movable boundary walls. In other words, the front wall and the rear wall of the filter rod magazine are moveable toward and away from each other to vary the distance between the front wall and the rear wall for adjustment to different product formats.

The However, devices known from the prior art have the disadvantage that only individual components of the device are customizable for a format change. For the generic device, this means that all components depending on the product format constructive designs and / or separate outputs for adjustment need. Furthermore, this requires separate adjustment each component in addition to the required structural elements, such as As adjusting and / or drive means, a high degree Experience by the operator to bring the individual components together to adjust or vote. In other words, that's customization the device to a new product format with the conventional Devices and methods time consuming and imprecise.

Of the Invention is therefore the object of a simple manageable and universally, namely for different product formats, usable device for emptying with rod-shaped To create products filled containers. Of the Invention is further based on the object, a corresponding Propose procedure.

The Task is characterized by a device of the type mentioned by solved that the moving parts to adapt to different product formats of at least two components from the group cassette, storage area and emptying magazine automated and mechanically coupled formed and are set up. This can be easy and accurate A format change can be made. Through the coupling or locking of at least two components is reduced to the one constructive Effort, because on separate drives or appropriate means for each the components can be dispensed with. This is the structure the device significantly simplified. Furthermore, the inventive training sure that the setting is accurate to different product formats, as the Coordination of the individual components independently from the experience and quality of the operator by the Coupling is inevitably given.

A expedient development of the invention is characterized characterized in that arranged inside the cassette, in the longitudinal direction the products adjustable guide and / or receiving elements for guiding and / or for receiving or holding the container or the products in the container mechanically with a front wall adjustable in the longitudinal direction of the products and a rear wall adjustable in the longitudinal direction of the products the storage area are designed and coupled coupled. By this embodiment of the invention is on particularly effective and precise way that achieves that Adjustment of the boundary walls of the storage area inevitably transferred to the cassette or its guiding and / or holding elements so that the cassette without its own drive elements accordingly the adjustment of the memory area is also adjusted.

advantageously, are the guiding and / or receiving elements or clamping bars one side area and the guiding and / or receiving elements or clamping webs of the opposite side area by means of a crossbeam and guide rods with each other in active connection. This simplifies the structural design the device on. The connection opposite each other lying guiding and / or receiving elements by means of Crossbar and guide rods provides a simple and safe transmission of the adjustment safely.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is characterized characterized in that for coupling or locking the guiding and / or receiving elements with the associated front wall or rear wall each provided at least one cylinder unit is. This solution according to the invention leaves a fast and secure connection of the movable parts of two Components too.

A further expedient embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the storage area and the emptying magazine a common, one-piece front wall and a common, have one-piece rear wall. In addition to the advantage the common and synchronized adjustment of several components by a single drive means is especially the smooth and heel-free Surface of the common front wall and rear wall especially for a trouble-free emptying process advantageous.

The object is also achieved by a method with the steps mentioned above in that the adaptation of a component or its movable parts from the group cassette, storage area and emptying magazine to different product formats inevitably and automatically to a corresponding adjustment of at least one other component or their movable parts of the same group leads. The resulting benefits were already in Zusam menthang mentioned with the device according to the invention. To avoid repetition, please refer to the corresponding passages.

Further expedient and / or advantageous embodiments and method steps of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims and the description. A particularly preferred embodiment the invention and the inventive method become closer with the attached drawing explained. In the drawing shows:

1 a perspective view of a device according to the invention,

2 a side view of the device according to 1 .

3 a section of the device according to 1 parts of the cassette as part of the transfer device, as well as the storage area with underlying discharge magazine,

4 an enlarged view of the detail A according to 3 , and

5 an enlarged view of the detail B according to 3 ,

The in the figures exemplified device is used for emptying of tobacco-processing with rod-shaped products Industry filled containers, taking product format dependent components of the device to different Product formats are customizable.

The device described in the figures 10 includes a feeder 11 , a removal facility 12 and a transfer facility 13 , The feeder 11 Used for feeding and stocking products filled (full) containers 14 , The feeder 11 is above the Abtransporteinrichtung in the embodiment shown 12 arranged and runs as well as the removal device 12 essentially horizontal. Substantially horizontal also expressly includes a slight incline at an angle of about 3 ° with respect to a horizontally stretched plane, such that the feeder 11 towards the transfer facility 13 slightly falls off, leaving the container 14 in relation to a vertical orientation by the corresponding angle α inclined on the feed device 11 stand. As a result, the products are inside the container 14 safe on the back wall 15 of the container 14 at. The removal facility 12 serves to transport the (emptied) containers 16 , By means of the transfer device 13 are the full containers 14 from a pick-up position 17 in the area of a storage area 18 or an emptying magazine 19 and back to a delivery position 20 transportable. The emptying magazine 19 may be part of the device 10 or as a separate part under the emptying position 21 be arranged. In the embodiment shown, the memory area is 18 in the flow direction of the products from the container 14 in front of the emptying magazine 19 arranged. The storage area is preferred 18 immediately above the emptying magazine 19 arranged to secure the emptying process.

On the concrete training of the transfer facility 13 it is only secondary. In the described embodiment, the transfer device comprises 13 for example, a cassette 22 which is formed substantially vertically movable up and down and pivotally. The vertical and pivotal movements are directly or indirectly through the cassette 22 executable. The cassette 22 is for holding and / or gripping a container 14 . 16 trained and established during the emptying process. For this purpose, the cassette 22 suitable elements 23 for holding and / or gripping the containers 14 . 16 on. These elements 23 or container receptacles can z. B. pneumatically actuated jaws or the like. The Elements 23 but can also be formed in other ways, for example by spring elements and other conventional holding and / or gripping elements.

To pick up or pick up the full container 14 from the feeder is the cassette 22 optionally a pick-up element 24 assigned. The pick-up element 24 is further configured and adapted to the full container 14 inside the cassette 22 so that it can be fixed in the "center-product" position. The "center-product" position, which is also known by the term "constant edge" - in this case correctly "constant line" - is particularly advantageous for the handling of different product lengths, ie product formats, in the course of a format changeover. The products are within the container with its central axis parallel to each other, so that the products with their end faces against the rear wall 15 of the container. In other words, the products show inside the container 14 in the direction of transport direction T of the container 14 on the feeder 11 , The pick-up element 24 can also have a (not shown) push-off element.

To practice the substantially vertical movement from the pickup position 17 in the emptying position 21 has the device 10 as part of the transfer facility 13 a lift facility 25 on. In addition to the lift facility 25 includes the transfer device 13 a pivoting device 26 to exercise the over-head pivotal movement of the full container 14 holding cassette 22 over the storage area 18 or via the emptying magazine 19 as well as the then emptied container 16 hal border cassette 22 back. The movements of the emptying process, so the vertical movement on the one hand and the pivoting movement on the other hand, of course, can be realized in other usual ways.

In a format change depending on the product formats each adapted containers 14 . 16 used, so that the products safely and in particular against cross-airman protected within the container 14 . 16 lie. That leads to the cassette 22 for picking up and holding the containers 14 . 16 is formed adaptable to different container dimensions. In other words, the cassette includes 22 movable parts for adaptation to different product formats. These movable parts are in the described embodiment by guiding and / or receiving elements 31 for guiding and / or holding the container 14 . 16 or in the container 14 formed products. Correspondingly point to the other components depending on the product format, namely the memory area 18 and the emptying magazine 19 movable parts for adaptation to different product formats. In the memory area 22 Preferably, the movable parts are a front wall 27 and a back wall 28 , wherein the term "front" and "back" is arbitrarily interchangeable. The same applies to the emptying magazine 19 , which also includes a movable front wall and a movable rear wall.

According to the invention, the movable parts to adapt to different product formats of at least two components from the group cassette 22 , Storage area 18 and emptying magazine 19 automated and mechanically coupled trained and set up. In other words, optionally the guiding and / or receiving elements 31 the cassette 22 with the front wall 27 and the back wall 28 of the memory area 18 and / or the front wall 27 and the back wall 28 of the memory area 18 with the front wall and the back wall of the emptying magazine 19 detachably lockable with each other, so that a movement of the movable parts of the one component inevitably leads to the corresponding movement of the movable parts of at least one further component.

Preferably, all components or their movable parts thereof are automatically and mechanically coupled and configured. Particularly preferred are the cassette 22 and the memory area or its parts which are movable for purposes of format adaptation are automatically designed and set up in a mechanically coupled manner. In a further optional development of the invention, the memory area 18 and the emptying magazine 19 or their movable parts coupled with each other. In contrast to the couplable, so also releasable connection between the cassette 22 and the storage area 18 is the coupling or connection between the movable parts of the storage area 18 and the emptying magazine 19 preferably permanent and insoluble.

The guiding and / or receiving elements 31 the cassette 22 are on opposite side area, so on both sides of the container 14 . 16 inside the cassette 22 arranged and mechanically with the mutually movable toward and away from each other front and rear walls 27 . 28 of the memory area 18 coupled trained and furnished. The guiding and / or receiving elements 31 the cassette 22 have on both sides in each case two movable clamping webs 32 . 33 on, of which one of the clamping bars 32 at the front of the container 14 . 16 and the other clamping bar 33 at the back of the container 14 . 16 in clamped condition. The two opposite clamping webs 32 placed at the front of the container 14 . 16 can be brought into contact with it, are in operative connection with each other. In the embodiment shown, the clamping webs 32 over a crossbeam 34 or the like connected to each other. Accordingly, the two opposing clamping webs 33 at the back of the container 14 . 16 attack, also over the crossbeam 34 connected accordingly. More precisely, the clamping bars 32 and 33 over guide rods 35 in operative connection with each other. In other words, the guide rods connect 35 in each case the clamping webs 32 . 33 on one side, with the clamping bars 32 at the crossbeam 34 are attached. A movement of the crossbeam 34 therefore leads over the guide rods 35 to a synchronous movement of the clamping webs 32 and 33 , The clamping bars 32 . 33 run in oblong holes 36 . 37 in side walls 38 . 39 the cassette 22 are formed. For fixing the respective position of the guiding and / or receiving elements 31 or the clamping webs 32 . 33 are these clamping elements 40 . 41 assigned, which can fix the position on the one hand and release on the other hand.

The adjustable front wall 27 of the memory area 18 Can be coupled with the clamp bars 32 connecting cross-beam 34 educated. The adjustable rear wall 28 of the memory area 18 is also coupled with the clamping webs 33 over the guide rods 35 connecting cross-beam 34 educated. For coupling the crossbeam 34 with the front wall 27 or rear wall 28 is in each case at least one cylinder unit 42 provided (see in particular 5 ). However, the coupling, locking or otherwise produced connection can also be realized in any other usual manner. The coupling or connection between the front wall 27 of the memory area 18 and the (not explicitly shown or referenced) front wall of the emptying magazine 19 on the one hand and the back wall 28 of the memory area 18 and the (not explicitly shown or referenced) back wall of the emptying magazine 19 on the other hand can also be realized by releasable locking elements. Preferably, the memory area 18 and the emptying magazine 19 but a common, one-piece front wall 27 and a common, integral back wall 28 on.

To change the format of the device 10 to a new product format is the device 10 at least one drive 43 assigned for adjusting the movable parts of the format-dependent components. The drive is preferred 43 the front wall 27 or rear wall 28 of the memory area 18 assigned. In an adjustment of the movable parts of the storage area 18 These take up virtually the moving parts of the cassette 22 and the emptying magazine 19 With. The drive movement can in the usual way, for. B. on timing belt, chains, spindles or the like or by additional drives on both the front wall 27 as well as on the back wall 28 be transferred so that the front wall 27 and back wall 28 move evenly and by the same amount to the center of the product. About the mechanical coupling of the storage area 18 with the cassette 22 and / or the emptying magazine 19 , in addition to the described possibilities z. B. can also be achieved by synchronized drives, the corresponding adjustment of all movable parts is reached automatically.

The method principle is explained in more detail below with reference to the attached drawing.
Full containers 14 are successively through the feeder 11 in the transport direction T in the pick-up position 17 transported. Thereby the containers become 14 with the back wall 15 transported in advance, wherein in the container 14 located products with their longitudinal extent parallel to each other and in the direction of transport direction T, preferably with its front side on the rear wall 15 fitting. One full container at a time 14 is from the transfer facility 13 initially transported up and then over the storage area 18 pivoted. The products are in the usual way by a not explicitly shown closing element in the container 14 held. In the overhead position is the container 14 in the emptying position 21 , After removal or opening of the closing element, the products first flow into the storage area 18 and then on to the emptying magazine 19 , The empty container 16 is then from the emptying position 21 in the delivery position 20 and from there to the lower Abtransporteinrichtung 12 transported. The moving parts of the device 10 namely the guiding and / or receiving elements 31 or clamping webs 32 . 33 the cassette 22 , the front wall 27 and back wall 28 of the memory area 18 as well as the front wall and rear wall of the emptying magazine 19 are adjusted to the respective product length or the corresponding product format, so that the products are arranged and aligned in the respective component (in the container located in the cassette, the storage area, the emptying magazine). With respect to the cassette 22 can the clamping bars 32 . 33 also be adjusted to the container size, which may vary depending on the product format.

For a format adjustment, the front wall 27 and the back wall 28 of the memory area 18 by means of the drive 43 evenly shifted in relation to the product center, which increases the distance from the front wall 27 and back wall 28 changed symmetrically to the product center. The measure of the product center is preferably already for or through the pickup 24 specified. The pick-up element 24 Namely, for example, is set via a drive and a rotary or absolute encoder in its position to the product center. This information is provided via the control of the device, which is not explicitly shown 10 to the drive 43 transferred, which then the front wall 27 and back wall 28 of the memory area 18 moved to the new position. The adjustment movements for a format adjustment take place in a product-free device or machine.

To exercise the common movement of all movable parts of the format-dependent components we use the cassette 22 first over the cross-beam 34 , Guide rods 35 and cylinder unit 42 formed mechanism with the memory area 18 and more specifically coupled to the movable parts thereof. Before starting the drive 43 to adjust the movable parts, the clamping elements 40 . 41 holding the clamping bars 32 . 33 the cassette 22 fix, solved. Once the clamping bars 32 . 33 are solved, the common adjustment of the front wall takes place 27 and back wall 28 of the memory area 18 and the clamping webs 32 . 33 the cassette 22 automatically by the (actuator) drive 43 , After adjusting to the new product format, namely the new product length, the clamping bars become 32 . 33 again through the clamping elements 40 . 41 fixed. The coupling between the memory area 18 and the cassette 22 can then be solved. Preferably, the memory area remain 18 and the cassette 22 but coupled during the emptying process.

In the foregoing, the mechanical and automatic coupling of storage area 18 and cassette 22 described. In a similar way, a mechanical and automatic Coupling between memory area 18 and emptying magazine 19 be realized. It is particularly easy, however, if the front wall 27 and back wall 28 the storage area and the front wall and the rear wall of the discharge magazine 19 each one and the same wall, so that the adjustment of the front wall 27 of the memory area 18 because of the one-piece design with the front wall of the emptying magazine 19 at the same time the adjustment of the front wall of the emptying magazine 19 means. The same applies to the rear wall adjustment.

There is also the possibility that waiver of the storage area 18 the front wall and rear wall of the emptying magazine 19 mechanically with the cassette 22 can be coupled, in the above to the coupling of the memory area 18 with the cassette 22 described way. Ultimately, the device can 10 also for emptying several containers 14 be formed simultaneously. In the described embodiment, the pick-up element 24 quasi described as a clock for the adjustment. The drive 43 can the information necessary for the format change in other ways, namely z. B. by a direct input via the control panel of the device 10 , obtained by additional (not shown) measuring elements or the like. Also could be the drive 43 the cassette 22 or the emptying magazine 19 be assigned.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list The documents listed by the applicant have been automated generated and is solely for better information recorded by the reader. The list is not part of the German Patent or utility model application. The DPMA takes over no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• - DE 2020825 [0004]
• EP 1603416 B1 [0005]

Claims (15)

Contraption ( 10 ) for the successive emptying of containers filled with rod-shaped products ( 14 ) in an emptying magazine ( 19 ), comprising a feeder ( 11 ) for feeding containers filled with products ( 14 ), a transfer device ( 13 ) with a cassette ( 22 ) for receiving and holding the containers ( 14 ), by means of which the containers ( 14 ) from a pickup position ( 17 ) in the area of an emptying position ( 21 ) and back to a delivery position ( 20 ) are transportable, a memory area ( 18 ) for picking up the containers ( 14 ) flowing products and one below the feeder ( 11 ) arranged Abtransporteinrichtung ( 12 ) for transporting the emptied containers ( 16 ), depending on the product format components, ie the cassette ( 22 ), the memory area ( 18 ) and the emptying magazine ( 19 ), movable parts for adaptation to different product formats, characterized in that the movable parts to adapt to different product formats of at least two components from the group cassette ( 22 ), Memory area ( 18 ) and emptying magazine ( 19 ) are automated and designed mechanically coupled and set up. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that that all components or the corresponding movable parts of the same automated and mechanically coupled trained and set up are. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the cassette ( 22 ) and the memory area ( 18 ) or whose movable parts are coupled and adapted to be set up. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the memory area ( 18 ) and the emptying magazine ( 19 ) or their movable parts are coupled together. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that inside the cassette ( 22 ), in the longitudinal direction of the products adjustable guide and / or receiving elements ( 31 ) for guiding and / or holding the container ( 14 . 16 ) or in the container ( 14 ) mechanically with a longitudinally adjustable product of the front wall ( 27 ) and an adjustable in the longitudinal direction of the product rear wall ( 28 ) of the memory area ( 18 ) are coupled and configured. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the cassette ( 22 ) on opposite side areas in each case two clamping webs ( 32 . 33 ), wherein in each case a clamping web ( 32 ) on each side for guiding and / or holding the front wall wall of the container ( 14 . 16 ) and one clamping bar each ( 33 ) on each side for guiding and / or holding the back wall ( 15 ) of the container ( 14 . 16 ) or vice versa trained and set up. Apparatus according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the guiding and / or receiving elements ( 31 ) or the clamping webs ( 32 . 33 ) Clamping elements ( 40 . 41 ) for fixing the respective position of the clamping webs ( 32 . 33 ) assigned. Apparatus according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the guiding and / or receiving elements ( 31 ) or clamping webs ( 32 . 33 ) of the one side region and the guiding and / or receiving elements ( 31 ) or clamping webs ( 32 . 33 ) of the opposite side region by means of a crossbeam ( 34 ) and guide rods ( 35 ) are in operative connection with each other. Apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that the adjustable front wall ( 27 ) and the adjustable rear wall ( 28 ) of the memory area ( 18 ) over the crossbeam ( 34 ) and the guide rods ( 35 ) with the corresponding guiding and / or receiving elements ( 31 ) or clamping webs ( 32 . 33 ) of the cassette ( 22 ) are coupled and configured. Device according to one of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that for coupling or locking of the guide and / or receiving elements ( 31 ) or clamping webs ( 32 . 33 ) with the associated front wall ( 27 ) or back wall ( 28 ) at least one cylinder unit ( 42 ) is provided. Device according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the memory area ( 18 ) at least one drive ( 43 ) is assigned for adjusting the movable parts. Device according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the memory area ( 18 ) and the emptying magazine ( 19 ) a common, one-piece front wall ( 27 ) and a common one-piece backplane ( 28 ) exhibit. Method for the successive emptying of containers filled with rod-shaped products ( 14 ) in an emptying magazine ( 19 ), where the product formats may vary from container to container, comprising the steps of: - feeding a full container ( 14 ) on a feeder ( 11 ) in the area of a pick-up position ( 17 ) a transfer device ( 13 ), - transporting the full container ( 14 ) from the pick-up position ( 17 ) in the area of an emptying position ( 21 ) by means of a cassette ( 22 ) Transfer device 13 ), - emptying the container ( 14 ) over a memory area ( 18 ) into the emptying magazine ( 19 ), - transporting the emptied container ( 16 ) into a delivery position ( 20 ), - removal of the emptied container ( 16 ) on a removal facility ( 12 ), wherein - movable parts of the product format dependent components, namely the cassette ( 22 ), the memory area ( 18 ) and the emptying magazine ( 19 ), can be adjusted for adaptation to different product formats, characterized in that the adaptation of a component or its movable parts from the group cassette ( 22 ), Memory area ( 18 ) and emptying magazine ( 19 ) inevitably and automatically leads to a corresponding adaptation of at least one further component or its movable parts of the same group to different product formats. A method according to claim 13, characterized in that the adjustment of the front wall ( 27 ) and back wall ( 28 ) of the memory area ( 18 ) by a drive ( 43 ) automatically for the corresponding adjustment of clamping webs ( 32 . 33 ) of the cassette ( 22 ) leads. Method according to claim 14, characterized in that in the region of the pick-up position ( 17 ) the container ( 14 ) the information "center-product" of the products is determined, and this information from the drive ( 43 ), after the front wall ( 27 ) and back wall ( 28 ) of the memory area ( 18 ) with the clamping webs ( 32 . 33 ) of the cassette ( 22 ) mechanically coupled and the clamping webs ( 32 . 33 ) of the cassette ( 22 ) were released for movement, for adjusting the front wall ( 27 ) and back wall ( 28 ) of the memory area ( 18 ) and thus the clamping webs ( 32 . 33 ) of the cassette ( 22 ) is used.