DE102013113754A1 - Method for forming containers and their palletizing and conveying and handling device for articles and containers - Google Patents

Abstract

A conveying and handling device (10) for articles, containers (18) and containers (34) is disclosed which comprises a horizontal conveying device (14, 16, 29) for conveying articles or containers (18) in a mass flow or in groups and a device (24) for grouping the articles or containers (18), which is arranged downstream of a Umreifungsstation (32) for combining the article or container groups (26) to Umreifungsgebinden (34). The strapping station (32) is arranged downstream of a stacking station (38) for forming pallet layers, each with a plurality of juxtaposed strapping packages (34) per layer. A handling and / or gripping device (30) serves to receive groups (26) of articles or containers (18) from the horizontal conveyor (14, 16, 29) and their transfer to the strapping station (32). The invention also discloses a corresponding method for forming containers (34) each having a plurality of articles or containers (18) and for subsequent palletizing of the containers (34).

Description

The present invention relates to a method for forming containers, each with a plurality of articles and for subsequent palletization of the container and a conveying and handling device for articles and containers.

If articles such as beverage containers are to be palletized, it is generally necessary to first group several articles in each case and then to combine them, with the aid of suitable outer packaging, to form strapping or shrinkage packages. Such a process provides for a continuous promotion of the articles as well as the strapping or film wrapping of article groups during transport and the subsequent grouping and / or compilation of the film or strapping packages for palletizing. By means of a loading station o. The like. Complete pack layers are usually stored at a desired location, eg. At a so-called. Stacking and a pallet located thereon.

In known strapping and palletizing processes, packages are produced in a continuous process with strapping bands. In this case, strapping heads are used, which are synchronized in the running direction with a continuous supply stream and lowered in each case in a vertical stroke on the container in order to apply the strapping during the package transport. Thereafter, the strapped containers are grouped with a grouping system for layering and then palletized.

Such a strapping and palletizing is, for example, from the EP 2 305 563 A2 out. There are the strapping, with each two or more items are held together during a continuous funding process attached. The containers thus formed can then be assembled into pallet layers and palletized.

Although these known systems are able to cope with a very high throughput of strapped containers, they require a relatively high machine outlay and require a relatively large storage space. Gantry robots are often used for handling the containers, as well as for the moving strapping heads which are moved along with the continuously transported article groups. The strapping heads moved with high dynamics additionally require special functionalities for strip handling, such as, for example, a powerful strip store, a strip return for compensating return movements of a strapping head in the direction of the strip store and correspondingly reliable strip guiding devices. In addition, the machines used require a relatively large installation space due to the only variable machine layout.

These conditions require a high level of equipment, even if the available power is not always needed. Especially for systems with lower power, it is therefore desirable to be able to provide a Umreifungsstation for article groups and a system for their palletization with less cost and material. Therefore, a primary object of the present invention is to provide a reliable and accurate handling, strapping and / or palletizing equipment which can provide satisfactory processing and handling throughput with few moving components and the least possible machine outlay.

This object of the invention is achieved with the objects of the independent claims. Features of advantageous developments of the invention will become apparent from the respective dependent claims.

Thus, in order to achieve the stated object, the present invention proposes a method for forming containers with a plurality of articles or containers and for subsequent palletizing of the containers with the features of the independent method claim. In the method according to the invention, the articles, containers or other piece goods are transported by means of at least one horizontal conveyor in a mass flow or in groups of articles or containers and divided during their transport to groups with several articles or containers, and then in grouped formation to a handling and / or gripping device to be transported. This handling and / or gripping device receives or engages at least one group of articles or containers from the horizontal conveyor and conveys them as article or container groups to a strapping station where the article or container groups are each stretched by at least one horizontally stretched around at least two articles Umreifungsbandes are summarized to Umreifungsgebinden. Thereafter, the Umreifungsgebinde are each translated or transferred to a stacking place, where pallet layers are formed, each with several juxtaposed strapping bundles per layer.

In a first variant of the method according to the invention the Umreifungsgebinde after their formation by applying the strapping by means of handling and / or Gripping device translated to the stacking place. In addition, the article or container groups are held during the formation of the Umreifungsgebinde each by the handling and / or gripping device and fixed in the preferably stationary trained Umreifungsstation. In this case, preferably each of the article or container groups is held during their entire handling until delivery in the pallet position of the handling and / or gripping device and fixed there.

This first embodiment of the method according to the invention is essentially based on the fact that no moving strapping heads are used, but a stationary strapping, which is coupled with a subsequent direct palletizing. For this purpose, suitable handling devices such as robots o. The like. Gripping devices are used, which initially remove the article or container groups to be strapped from a Zuförderstrom and lift in the stationary strapping. After the strapping has been used up, the same handling or gripping devices or robotic grippers remove the strapping packages from the strapping station and lift them directly to their intended storage location, for example onto a pallet stack. The entire process can be described as follows. First, the classification of articles or containers in a known manner from a mass flow. The number of side by side Fördergassen and the number of each divided containers per lane defines the respective container size. Thus, for example, in the case of a container or article feed with four adjacent lanes, parallel operation with two strapping stations can ensure that 2 × 3 or 2 × 4 containers are produced in each case. The division or department of the required number of articles or containers can be done, for example, with a push chain. The pre-grouped formation thus formed can then be pushed with this push chain on a continuously moving conveyor belt, from where a defined number of articles or containers can be picked up and lifted with the correspondingly synchronized robot gripper. The recorded article or container grouping is used in the stationary strapping units, wherein the robot in the described embodiment does not release the container during the strapping process. Then the strapped container is lifted out of the strapping unit and placed on the pallet position. Advantageously, two robots working in parallel and two strapping stations operating in parallel can be used for these operations.

An alternative embodiment of the method according to the invention provides that the strapping packages are transferred after their formation by applying the strapping band by means of a further transport device to the stacking station. In this variant of the method, it may be provided, for example, that the strapping packages are lowered downwards after being strapped and transported to the pallet place via a horizontal conveyor. For this purpose, for example, a transport or conveyor with openable rolling floor or Venetian blind o. The like. Come are used. In addition, in this variant of the method, it is preferably provided that the handling and / or gripping device delivers the article groups to the stationary strapping station, whereby it is able to receive a further article group during a strapping process in order to subsequently transfer them to the strapping station. In this way, the throughput of the system can be increased because the handling and gripping device does not have to wait until a strapping process is completed, but can immediately grab another article or container group and transport to the stationary strapping.

In all these variants of the method according to the invention, the handling and / or gripping device can be advantageously formed by at least one articulated robot, which has a gripper for receiving the article group.

If in the present context of articles or containers or of piece goods is mentioned, the grouped, recorded, strapped into the strapping and palletized in the form of strapping, so can basically all conceivable types of strapping, i. meant and encompassable containers or containers. As such articles or containers are in particular liquid or beverage containers in question, for example. So-called. PET container, but also cuboid container in the form of composite packaging, as well as other types of cargo, which can be summarized in the manner described with strapping to bundles , So if in the wider context of articles is mentioned, so are generally meant container or other cargo. The same applies to the naming of containers.

The handling, strapping and palletizing process of the second method variant described above also provides a stationary strapping with subsequent pre-grouping and palletizing. Again, the article or container division, followed by the grouping of containers with overrun, the robot synchronization and the lifting of the container as in the previously described concept. The article or container groups are then each by means of handling and gripping devices or means the robot is used in the stationary strapping units. The handling or gripping unit or the robot leaves the container for strapping each los and can immediately swing back into the container receiving position. Below the stationary strapping units are each suitable transport facilities that can be achieved, for example. Via a louver-like floor on which the containers are placed during strapping. This openable or louvered floor is driven after strapping down on a conveyor, after which the shutter opens and the containers are delivered to the feed dog, for example. By simply lowering. Thereafter, the strapped containers can be removed by the transporter to a Vorgruppierungsstation, after which the layer preparation can be done in the Vorgruppierung, for example. With the support of lateral centering and subsequent Überub the position in the loading plate of the palletizing system.

To achieve the above object, the invention further proposes a conveying and handling device for articles and containers with the features of the independent device claim. This article handling and handling device provides at least one horizontal conveyor for conveying articles in a mass flow and at least one grouping device for grouping the articles. The grouping device is arranged downstream of at least one Umreifungsstation for summarizing the article groups by means of at least one strapping band stretched horizontally around at least two articles to form Umreifungsgebinden. This Umreifungsstation is also a stacking station for the formation of pallet layers, each with a plurality of juxtaposed Umreifungsgebinden arranged downstream of each layer. In addition, the conveying and handling device for articles and containers comprises a handling and / or gripping device for receiving in each case at least one grouping of articles from the horizontal conveyor, which serves to transfer the groupings to the strapping station. The at least one strapping station is normally a stationary device, which may in particular be placed at the edge or in continuation of a horizontal conveyor on which the article or container groupings are conveyed towards the stacking station.

In the apparatus according to the invention, the handling and / or gripping device for receiving the Umreifungsgebinde is prepared and provided by the Umreifungsstation and their transfer to the stacking station. This suitability can be ensured in particular by multi-axis mobile robot units. Furthermore, the device has a stationary strapping station or a plurality of stationary strapping stations, in which the article groups can be fixed by the handling and / or gripping device during the formation of the strapping containers.

In addition, the device has a further arranged between the strapping station and the stacking conveyor for transferring the Umreifungsgebinde after their formation by applying the strapping to the stacking place. This further transport device can optionally be formed by the existing handling and / or gripping devices or by the multiaxially movable robot units, which not only lift the article or container groups to be strapped into the stationary strapping stations, but also after production of the strapping from the Umreifungsstationen remove and transport to the designated stacking stations. In an alternative embodiment, the further transport means may also be formed by an additional lifting device for lowering the strapping after their strapping down, for example. By a rolling floor or jalousieeartig open bottom, which further comprises a below a plane of Umreifungsstation horizontal conveyor for conveying connection with the Stacking or a pallet or palletizing can have.

The handling and / or gripping device can be formed in an advantageous manner by at least one articulated robot, which has a gripper for receiving the article group.

The device according to the invention serves, in particular, to carry out one of the previously described method variants for forming containers with a plurality of articles each and for subsequent palletizing or stacking of the containers.

A characteristic feature of the method according to the invention and of the device according to the invention is that the transfer of the strapping bundles to the pallet layer takes place discontinuously, so that movable strapping heads can be completely dispensed with. In particular, synchronously with the continuously transported article or container groups movable strapping heads that require complex motion controls and relatively complex facilities for trouble-free tape tracking, increase the construction cost of such grouping, handling, strapping and palletizing considerably, resulting in the inventive device or In the process according to the invention, it can largely be dispensed with. As a result, a particularly cost-effective conveying and handling device and a cost feasible method provided that, although usually provides a lower throughput than the continuously operating systems, but designed for significantly less space and also cheaper to buy and in operation.

In a first variant of the method according to the invention are gripped by means of gripping elements, which can be positioned on pivot arms of handling robots, several successively arranged in the conveying direction, zoomed on a conveyor surface groups of containers and fixed so that they can be used in the Umreifungsstationen. While the container groups are inserted into the respective strapping heads of the strapping station, the pivot arms of the handling robots move in the conveying direction so far that the gripping elements can continue to hold and fix the container groups located in the strapping heads. In this position, the strapping heads can work by applying the strapping around the groups of containers and thus converting each into strapping containers. In a subsequent process step, the strapping containers held in the gripping elements are conveyed to the stacking stations or to the respective pallets, which typically can follow the strapping station on the left and / or right. Thereafter, the gripping elements of the handling robot move back to the corresponding conveyor section and prepare for the acquisition of further groups of containers. After several such handling and conveying steps have taken place, the pallets are loaded with a plurality of strapping. Once the pallets are covered with a complete layer of strapping, either another layer and possibly other layers can be stacked over it, or the simply loaded pallet can be removed and replaced with an empty pallet which is loaded flat in the same way.

In a simplified embodiment variant of the conveying and handling device according to the invention, optionally only one handling and / or gripping device in the form of a single handling robot can be provided, with which only one stacking station or one pallet is loaded. With the help of an adapted design of their gripping device, the handling and / or gripping device can either record the same number of groups of containers, convey it to the strapping station and transfer it from there to the pallet as in other variants. However, it may be useful to work with a lower overall throughput speed if only one handling robot is available.

A further embodiment variant may differ with regard to the movement and handling sequences of the strapping packages after passing through the strapping stations. Thus, for example, it may be provided here that the e.g. formed by the handling robot handling and / or gripping devices only for the transfer of the container groups to be strapped in the stationary strapping provide where they strapped and summarized to Umreifungsgebinden. Once the respective groups of containers have been removed from the parallel horizontal conveyors and transferred to the strapping stations, the gripping members can disengage from the groups of containers and pivot back the pivot arms of the handling robots to the following groups of containers provided by the horizontal conveyors for receiving and receiving them to hand over the strapping stations.

In this case, in particular two or four handling robots can work alternately, so that one of the two gripping elements transfers the recorded groups of containers to the strapping station, while the other handling robot with the other gripping element picks up the groups of containers transported on the conveyor surface. As soon as the container groups located in the strapping station are strapped there, the corresponding gripper element moves back to the conveyor section to accommodate further groups of containers, while the other handling robot moves with further groups of containers in the direction of the strapping station. Once in each of these strapping stations the simultaneously strapped containers are completed, the number of which corresponds in each case to the number of existing strapping heads, the strapping containers are transferred by means of suitable transport means to the stacking place or to the pallets. The further transport device can be formed, for example, by a lifting device with which the strapping packages are delivered down from the strapping station after strapping, for example by a roller floor or floor to be opened so that they are further located by means of a below the level of the strapping Horizontal conveyor to the stacking or the pallet or palletizing can be transported.

In the following, embodiments of the invention and their advantages with reference to the accompanying figures will be explained in more detail. The proportions of the individual elements to one another in the figures do not always correspond to the actual size ratios, since some shapes are simplified and other shapes are shown enlarged in relation to other elements for better illustration.

1 shows in a total of six schematic views conveying, strapping and palletizing steps of a first embodiment of a conveying and handling device according to the invention.

2 shows a schematic view of another variant of the conveying and handling device according to the invention.

3 shows in two schematic views a third embodiment of the conveying and handling device according to the invention.

4 shows a schematic perspective view of a handling robot for handling and transport of container groups and strapping.

For identical or equivalent elements of the invention, identical reference numerals are used. Furthermore, for the sake of clarity, only reference symbols are shown in the individual figures, which are required for the description of the respective figure. The illustrated embodiments are merely examples of how the device or method of the invention may be configured and are not an exhaustive limitation.

The total of six schematic representations of 1 ( 1a to 1f ) illustrate successive process or process steps in the strapping and palletizing of containers in connection with a first embodiment of a conveying and handling device according to the invention 10 for the conveying, handling, packaging and / or palletizing of articles, containers, general cargo and / or containers of all kinds. For the sake of simplicity, in the following context - as well as in connection with a second ( 2 ) and a third embodiment ( 3a . 3b ) of the device according to the invention 10 - Only talk of containers, which are transported with the device, treated, strapped and stacked on pallets, but this is not to be understood as limiting. In principle, all conceivable types of articles, piece goods and / or containers as well as containers of all kinds can be included with the term of the container used. The conveying and handling device according to the invention 10 has two parallel and in parallel conveying direction 12 promoting horizontal conveyors 14 and 16 on, with each of which a variety of individual, tightly packed containers 18 in the conveying direction 12 to be moved. The horizontal conveyors 14 and 16 can be formed, for example, each by mat chain conveyors o. The like. Conveying devices with endless tension elements, on which the container 18 optionally in a so-called mass flow or in preformatted or ordered formation can be transported.

In the representations of the 1a to 1f are each several, in the conveying direction 12 each successive and immediately successively arranged conveying sections of the horizontal conveying devices 14 and 16 shown in a schematic way. So can a first conveyor section 20 For example, a one-piece device for pre-grouping the container 18 for their subsequent grouping to prepare a strapping process have. The first conveyor section 20 provided container dividing device may in particular work with Einteilstäben move on the lateral edges of the container outlines from below the conveying plane upwards and after alignment, division and / or a retention operation against the continuously moving horizontal conveyors 14 and 16 can provide the desired gap formation between consecutively transported container groups.

A to the first conveyor section 20 subsequent second conveyor section 22 can be a so-called grouping device 24 have, for example, can be equipped with push chains and for a desired container grouping after Vorgrouppierung in the first conveyor section 20 can provide. With the help of the grouping facility 24 can in the second conveyor section 22 in particular the container groups to be strapped later 26 are formed, which may optionally have a rectangular formation or a so-called. Diagonal formation. In the illustrated embodiment of the 1 ( 1a to 1f ) ensures the grouping 24 for the training of several groups of containers 26 in diagonal formation, each in this arrangement to a subsequent third conveyor section 28 are transported further, in which they are normally subjected to no further formation change or modification, but at a constant conveying speed to handling and / or gripping devices 30 be transported, each spatially the third conveyor section 28 the conveying and handling device 10 assigned.

Instead of the diagonal groupings shown 26 can in the second conveyor section 22 of course also rectangular formations from the containers 18 are formed, which can be handled in subsequent packaging and palletizing steps with appropriately adapted holding and gripping devices. The third conveyor section 28 in particular by a wider support and conveying surface 29 be formed, which are in the conveying direction 12 to the two separate horizontal conveyors 14 and 16 followed. On this wider support and conveying surface 29 become in the second conveyor section 22 formed groups 26 usually transported with unchanged conveying speed and in parallel to each other in the direction of further grouping.

Furthermore, behind the third conveyor section 28 , following the support and conveying surface 29 , stationary strapping stations 32 arranged, each capable of simultaneously several groups of containers 26 equipped with strapping and in this way each strapping 34 manufacture. Such a so-called strapping 34 may in particular consist of four, six or any other number of containers, which are held together by means of at least one strapped around the container strapping plastic band. Optionally, the strapping 34 have a handle made of sheet material or the same material as the strapping.

According to the in the 1a to 1f shown first embodiment is at the end of the third conveyor section 28 or following the support and conveying surface 29 in the area of each of the two horizontal conveyors 14 and 16 in each case at least one separate strapping station 32 placed, each three strapping heads arranged one behind the other 36 includes. In the illustrated embodiment, these are each three Umreifungsköpfe 36 in a common strapping station 32 summarized.

Basically, any of these strapping stations 32 optionally a strapping head 36 , two, three or more parallel and simultaneous strapping heads 36 exhibit. The embodiment shown sees a common strapping station 32 or optionally two combined strapping stations 32 - One for each of the two existing horizontal conveyors 14 and 16 - each with three strapping heads 36 before, so that at the same time a total of six strapping 34 can be produced, which can then be stacked or palletized.

Both the reception and transfer of the container groups to be strapped 26 to the strapping stations 32 as well as their transfer to a stacking place 38 or to a first pallet 40 or second pallet 42 takes place by means of the at least two handling and / or gripping devices 30 , In the embodiment shown in each case by multi-axis movable or articulated handling robot 44 are formed. As the schematic representations of 1 let recognize, are the handling and / or gripping devices 30 or the handling robot 44 in the immediate vicinity of the Umreifungsstationen 32 and in the area of the third conveyor section 28 on both sides of the first and second horizontal conveyors 14 respectively. 16 placed so that their swing arms 46 with the end arranged thereon gripping elements 48 at the end of the third conveyor section 28 arrived container groups 26 reach and record and they by appropriate pivoting movements to the stationarily arranged strapping 32 transport them where they are using the strapping heads 36 to strapping 34 are processed.

During strapping operations, the container groups remain 26 or the strapping containers 34 usually within the gripping elements 48 the handling robot 44 held so that the finished strapping 34 without further delays with renewed movements of the swivel arms 46 to the stacking places 38 can be transported.

The schematic representation of 1a shows a process step in which the gripping elements 48 on the swivel arms 46 the two handling robots 44 are positioned, three in the conveying direction 12 arranged one behind the other, on the conveyor surface 29 transported container groups 26 grab and fix so that they are in the strapping stations 32 can be used. The presentation of the 1b clarifies the sequence of movements in the direction of the strapping station 32 moving swivel arms 46 with the gripping elements arranged thereon 48 and the container groups held therein 26 ,

The Indian 1c The process step shown illustrates the installation of the container groups 26 into the respective strapping heads 36 the strapping station 32 , The swivel arms 46 the handling robot 44 have in the conveying direction 12 so far moved that the gripping elements 48 in the strapping heads 36 located container groups 26 can continue to hold and fix. In this position, the strapping heads can work, the strapping around the groups of containers 26 Apply and each in strapping 34 convert. In the following process step the 1d become those in the gripping elements 48 held strapping 34 to the stacking places 38 or on the first pallet 40 and the second palette 40 transported, which left and right to the Umreifungsstation 32 connect.

The 1e clarifies the back to the third section 28 moving gripping elements 48 the handling robot 44 , thus focusing on the acquisition of further groups of containers 26 prepare, as shown in the presentation of 1f is clarified. There is also indicated that already several such handling and conveying steps have taken place, so that the two pallets 40 and 42 already with a plurality of strapping 34 are loaded. Once the pallets 40 and 42 with a complete layer of strapping 34 are covered, either another layer and possibly other layers can be stacked above it, or the simply loaded pallet can be removed and replaced by an empty pallet, which is loaded in the same way flat.

The schematic representation of 2 shows a simplified embodiment of the conveying and handling device according to the invention 10 that differ from the variant according to 1a to 1f essentially differs in that only one handling and / or gripping device 30 in the form of a single handling robot 44 is provided, with only a stacking place 38 or a pallet 40 can be equipped. Due to the design of the gripping device 48 can the handling and / or gripping device 30 optionally the same number of container groups 26 in the strapping station 32 from there to the pallet 40 convert as the variant according to 1 , However, it may be useful to work with a lower overall throughput speed, since only one handling robot 44 is available.

The two schematic representations of 3 ( 3a and 3b ) illustrate a third embodiment of the conveying and handling device according to the invention 10 that differ from the in 1 variant shown with respect to the movement and handling of the strapping 34 after passing the strapping stations 32 different. The remaining construction with the three conveyor sections, of which in the 2 only the third conveyor section 28 with the support and conveying surface 29 is shown substantially corresponds to that of the first variant according to 1 , However, in the second variant shown here, the handling robots ensure that 44 formed handling and / or gripping devices 30 only for the transfer of the container groups to be strapped 26 in the stationary strapping stations 32 where she straps and to strapping 34 be summarized. Once the respective container groups 26 from the parallel horizontal conveyors 14 and 16 or from the conveying surface 29 removed and to the Umreifungsstationen 32 were handed over, the gripping elements 48 yourself from the container groups 26 solve and the swivel arms 46 the handling robot 44 to the following, from the horizontal conveyors 14 respectively. 16 in the third funding section 28 provided container groups 26 swing back to pick them up and to the strapping stations 32 to hand over.

Like the 3a and 3b clarify, the two left and right at the edge of the third conveyor section 28 standing handling robot 44 work alternately, leaving one of the two gripping elements 48 the recorded container groups 26 to the strapping station 32 passes while the other handling robot 44 with the other gripping element 48 the on the conveying surface 29 transported container groups 26 takes up (cf. 1a ). Once in the strapping station 32 located container groups 26 strapped there, moves the corresponding gripping element 48 again to the third stage of the promotion 28 back to more container groups 26 while the other handling robot 44 with other groups of containers 26 towards the strapping station 32 moved (cf. 1b ).

Once in these strapping stations 32 each of the simultaneously strapped containers 34 are completed, the number of each of the number of existing strapping heads 36 corresponds to the strapping 34 by means of suitable transport facilities 50 to the stacking place 38 or to the pallet 40 or 42 to hand over. As it is the schematic representation of 3a and 3b let recognize, is the further transport device 50 here by a lifting device 52 formed, with which the strapping 34 be given down after strapping down, for example, by a roller floor or jalousie-like opening floor 54 so that they are made by one below the level of the strapping stations 32 located further horizontal conveyor 56 to the stacking place 38 or the pallet or palletizing station 42 can be transported.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, the further horizontal conveyor device conveys 56 perpendicular to the conveying direction 12 the two first and second horizontal conveyors 14 and 16 ,

The schematic perspective view of 4 illustrates an embodiment of a handling robot 44 , which is in the area of the third stage of development 28 is placed and the recording and transfer of the means of horizontal conveyors 14 and 16 transported container groups to a Umreifungsstation not shown here and from there to a stacking place 38 with pallet standing on it 40 serves. At the free end of the swivel arm 46 of the handling robot 44 there is a gripping element 48 for simultaneous inclusion of several groups of containers 26 or strapping 34 the number of which corresponds to the number of strapping heads present in the strapping stations and which can be loaded simultaneously.

The 1 to 4 leave a characteristic feature of the method and apparatus of the invention 10 recognize, that is, the transfer of strapping 34 to the pallet position 40 respectively. 42 discontinuously, allowing for moving strapping heads 36 can be completely dispensed with. This is a particularly cost-effective conveying and handling device 10 and provided a cost-effective method available, although usually provides a lower throughput than the continuously operating systems, but clearly saves on installation space.

The invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications or changes may be made to the invention without departing from the scope of the following claims.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

 Conveying and handling device

12

 conveying direction

14

 first horizontal conveyor

16

 second horizontal conveyor

18

 Container, article

20

 first conveyor section

22

 second conveyor section

24

 grouping

26

 Container group, article group

28

 third conveyor section

29

 Bearing surface, conveying surface

30

 Handling and / or gripping device

32

 strapping

34

 Strapping containers, containers

36

 strapping

38

 storehouse

40

 Pallet, first pallet

42

 Pallet, second pallet

44

 handling robots

46

 swivel arm

48

 gripping element

50

 transport means

52

 lifting device

54

 Rolled floor, Venetian blind floor

56

 further horizontal conveyor

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• EP 2305563 A2 [0004]

Claims (12)

Method of forming containers ( 34 ) each with several articles or containers ( 18 ) and for subsequent palletizing of the containers ( 34 ), in which method the articles or containers ( 18 ) by means of at least one horizontal conveyor ( 14 . 16 . 29 ) transported in a mass flow and during their transport to groupings ( 26 ) with several articles or containers ( 18 ) and grouped into a handling and / or gripping device ( 30 ), each containing at least one grouping ( 26 ) of articles or containers ( 18 ) from the horizontal conveyor ( 14 . 16 . 29 ) and as article or container groups ( 26 ) to a strapping station ( 32 ) where the article or container groups ( 26 ) in each case by means of at least one strapping band stretched horizontally around at least two articles to form strapping bundles ( 34 ), according to which the strapping containers ( 34 ) each to a stacking place ( 38 ), where pallet layers each having a plurality of juxtaposed strapping bundles ( 34 ) are formed per layer. Method according to Claim 1, in which the strapping packages ( 34 ) after their formation by applying the strapping band by means of the handling and / or gripping device ( 30 ) to the stacking place ( 38 ) to be translated. Method according to Claim 1 or 2, in which the article or container groups ( 26 ) during the training of strapping containers ( 34 ) each by the handling and / or gripping device ( 30 ) and in the strapping station ( 32 ) are fixed. Method according to Claim 3, in which the article or container groups ( 26 ) during their handling to the delivery in the pallet position in each case by the handling and / or gripping device ( 30 ) and fixed there. Method according to Claim 1, in which the strapping packages ( 34 ) after its formation by applying the strapping band by means of a further transport device ( 50 . 56 ) to the stacking place ( 38 ) are transferred. Method according to Claim 5, in which the strapping packages ( 34 ) after being strapped downwards, in particular by means of a rolling floor ( 54 ) and / or a lifting device ( 52 ) and via a horizontal conveyor ( 56 ) on the pallet or stacking station ( 38 ) be transported. Method according to Claim 5 or 6, in which the handling and / or gripping device ( 30 ) the article or container groups ( 26 ) to the stationary strapping station ( 32 ) and other article or container groups ( 26 ) and then to the strapping station ( 32 ) to hand over. Conveying and handling device ( 10 ) for articles, containers ( 18 ) and containers ( 34 ), with at least one horizontal conveyor ( 14 . 16 . 29 ) for the transport of articles or containers ( 18 ) in a mass flow or in groups, and with at least one grouping device ( 24 ) for grouping the articles or containers ( 18 ), which grouping device ( 24 ) at least one strapping station ( 32 ) to summarize the article or container groups ( 26 ) by means of at least one strapping band stretched horizontally around at least two articles into strapping packs ( 34 ), which strapping station ( 32 ) a stacking place ( 38 ) for the formation of pallet layers, each with a plurality of juxtaposed strapping bundles ( 34 ) is arranged downstream of each layer, and with a handling and / or gripping device ( 30 ) for accommodating at least one grouping ( 26 ) of articles or containers ( 18 ) from the horizontal conveyor ( 14 . 16 . 29 ), to the transfer to the Umreifungsstation ( 32 ). Device according to claim 8, comprising at least one stationary strapping station ( 32 ), in which the article or container groups ( 26 ) during the training of strapping containers ( 34 ) each by the handling and / or gripping device ( 30 ) are fixable. Device according to claim 8 or 9, comprising a further, between the strapping station ( 32 ) and the stacking place ( 38 ) arranged transport device ( 50 . 56 ) for transferring the strapping containers ( 34 ) after its formation by applying the strapping band to the stacking station ( 38 ) having. Device according to Claim 10, in which the further transport device ( 50 . 56 ) a lifting device ( 54 ) for lowering the strapping ( 34 ) after being strapped down and one below a level of the strapping station ( 32 ) located horizontal conveyor ( 56 ) for conveying connection with the stacking station ( 38 ) having. Device according to one of claims 8 to 11, wherein the handling and / or gripping device ( 30 ) by at least one handling or articulated robot ( 44 ), which is a gripper ( 48 ) for the inclusion of article groups ( 26 ) having.

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