DE102019203289A1 - Method and device for layer formation or palletizing of articles, piece goods and / or bundles, as well as layer or pallet arrangement formed by means of such a method - Google Patents

Abstract

An article or piece goods layer (10) is disclosed, which is formed by a plurality of articles (12) or piece goods. The article or piece goods layer (10) is provided in particular for a pallet (16) or forms part of a pallet (16) with several article or piece goods layers (10) stacked on top of one another. The articles (12) or piece goods are each provided with external make-up (20) and / or coatings and / or fittings that convey an optical impression and / or information at least at selected points on their respective surfaces. At least two articles (12) or piece goods of the article or piece goods layer (10), in particular two articles (12) or piece goods arranged adjacently in the article or piece goods layer (10), deliver with their outwardly pointing outer presentations (20) and / or coatings and / or fittings create an optical combination or overall impression that stands out or differs from the individual article (12) or piece goods. The invention also relates to a method and a device (74) for forming or producing such article or piece goods layers (10) Compilation of individual articles (12) or piece goods.

Description

The present invention relates to an article or piece goods layer formed by a plurality of articles or piece goods having the features of independent claim 1 and independent claim 15. In addition, the invention relates to a method for producing at least one such article or piece goods layer according to independent claim 8, According to independent method claim 19 or according to independent method claim 23. In addition, the invention relates to a device for forming at least one article or piece goods layer from a plurality of identically shaped and dimensioned articles or piece goods with the features of independent claim 13 or independent claim 20. Furthermore The invention relates to a further article or piece goods layer with the features of independent claim 21, which is formed by a plurality of containers.

If a large number of similar articles, such as a large number of similar beverage containers, are to be palletized, it is usually necessary, instead of palletizing the individual articles, to group several articles beforehand and then to combine containers with the help of suitable outer packaging and then use them as piece goods to group, to put together in layers and to palletize. Such bundles can be designed and manufactured, for example, as so-called strapping bundles or as so-called shrink bundles. Such a manufacturing process usually provides for continuous conveyance of the articles as well as strapping with at least one strapping band or foil wrapping of groups of items during transport and the subsequent grouping and / or assembly of the foil or strapping containers for palletizing. By means of a so-called loading station or the like, complete piece goods or bundle layers are normally stored at a desired location, for example at a so-called stacking place and a pallet on it and / or on a piece goods or bundle layer already stored there, possibly separated by a flat intermediate layer made of cardboard or similar material.

The most diverse design variants of such containers with several beverage containers combined in groups are known from the prior art. In a known package variant, several beverage containers are each received in separate cardboard outer packaging, which are formed into folding boxes and mechanically stabilize and hold the containers together. Such bundle groupings with cardboard folding sleeves can be found, for example, in DE 23 56 748 A1 , in the WO 88/02729 A1 , in the WO 99/01355 A1 , in the EP 2 055 648 A1 , in the WO 02/32771 A1 as well as in the DE 10 2011 111 821 A1 disclosed. A common variant of such known groupings can, for example, each comprise six beverage containers, which are combined in a 2x3 rectangular arrangement and inserted into the cardboard outer packaging.

Regardless of whether cuboid piece goods such as containers with several individual articles each, for example with four, six or more combined and mechanically held together beverage containers, or the individual articles or beverage containers are put together and stacked in several layers on top of each other, should both be labeled Articles or containers as well as printed cardboard boxes or other outer packaging in practice arise the desire not only to keep the images and printing of the individual articles or piece goods recognizable on the outside of the pallet, but also to create an advantageous overall visual impression through their particularly uniform arrangement . If no further measures are taken for the corresponding handling, it can often happen with palletized piece goods such as containers or with palletized articles such as beverage containers that the viewer standing in front of the pallet cannot immediately see from every angle of each container which product it is acts. In addition, it can happen that the use of the respective areas for the visual presentation of the palletized containers, piece goods or articles with similar containers, piece goods or articles is not always optimal.

In order to achieve a desired overall visual impression when putting together pallets, it is already known to design large-area advertising images by means of individual container alignment by means of the respective container printing. To this end, the handling machines can be combined with a container alignment system which is able to turn the labeled or printed sides of the container outwards in the desired manner. An advantage of such an orientation is mentioned, for example, that the products on the shelf are easier to recognize by end customers and consumers (cf. Jörg Bückle, Wolfgang Huber: Manual of the packing and palletizing technology. Ed .: Volker Kronseder, Hamburg 2005; here: pp. 228-229 ). In addition, in the cited literature reference is made to the possibility of individually aligning the individual containers in order to generate large-area advertising images in combination, which, however, requires a correspondingly suitable container design.

Even if the design is already combined due to the known arrangement options, consisting of the printing or labeling of several articles, piece goods or Bundle composing images has been proposed, it can be defined as the primary goal of the present invention, which goes beyond the known orientation, to generate more complex image combinations in the palletizing and / or grouping of particularly similar articles, piece goods or bundles that are not only based on the regular and each based on the same alignment of a plurality of printed or labeled articles, piece goods or bundles, but can be generated by a systematic and in particular cross-layer alignment and arrangement of a plurality of identically or differently designed articles, piece goods or bundles.

The above aim is achieved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Further advantageous refinements are described by the respective dependent claims.

In order to achieve the stated aim, the invention initially proposes an article or piece goods layer, referred to in the present context in abstract form, which is formed by a plurality of articles or piece goods. These articles or piece goods forming the article or piece goods layer can in particular be formed by similarly shaped and identically dimensioned articles or piece goods which are brought into a layer formation in a large number in a regular arrangement, in order, for example, to be stacked and / or palletized in several such layers to become. I.e. the article or piece goods layer defined here and forming a partial aspect of the present invention can in particular be provided for a pallet or be or form part of a pallet with several article or piece goods layers stacked one on top of the other. In principle, the articles or piece goods that form an article or piece goods layer can also be shaped differently and / or have dimensions that differ from one another, provided that the differently shaped and / or dimensioned articles or piece goods can be properly joined together.

The invention provides that at least some of the articles or piece goods arranged on the outside in the layer arrangement and thus visible to an observer, each with an external appearance and / or an optical impression and / or information conveying coatings and / or equipment at least at selected points of their respective Surfaces are provided.

In addition, it is provided that at least two of these articles or piece goods of the article or piece goods layer that are arranged on the outside in the layer arrangement and are thus visible to an observer, in particular two articles or piece goods arranged adjacently in the article or piece goods layer, with outwardly facing external presentations and / or coatings and / or fittings by combination create an optical combination or overall impression that stands out or differs from the individual article or piece goods and / or provide a combination image.

In the case of the article or piece goods layer according to the invention, the individual articles or piece goods thereof can optionally be formed by primary packaging with filling goods located therein, wherein the filling goods can in particular be formed by liquid or a liquid beverage. In this variant, the article or piece goods layers are each formed by a large number of such primary packagings that are regularly assembled and joined to one another, which can be formed, for example, by PET beverage containers, plastic or glass bottles, cans, etc. These individual primary packaging, PET beverage containers, plastic or glass bottles, cans, etc. each have the above-mentioned, but not yet defined in detail, external presentations and / or coatings and / or equipment on their outer surfaces, which are grouped or lined up accordingly create the desired overall visual impression, for example by means of different motifs in each case, which only result in a combined overall picture when they are joined together.

Equally conceivable and very often in practice is an embodiment of the articles or piece goods in the article or piece goods layer according to the invention in the form of so-called secondary packaging, in which several primary packaging are combined to form a container. Here, at least two primary packagings are combined to form one container, but in particular three, four, six or more primary packagings, the primary packagings each containing filling goods, in particular liquid or a liquid beverage.

The secondary packaging according to the definition chosen here are containers, e.g. Containers with outer packaging such as cardboard boxes or the like.

However, strapping containers are also conceivable in which several primary packagings can be held together and fixed to one another by horizontal strapping or by several horizontal strapping bands.

In addition, the packs can be formed as foil packs, as shrink film packs, as tray packs with secondary packaging made of plastic or cardboard, whereby, for example, four or six primary packagings can be accommodated in such secondary packaging, which is configured as a so-called tray.

In the last-mentioned variant of the article or piece goods layer according to the invention, at least some of the secondary packaging formed by the bundles are preferably each with external presentations and / or coatings and / or equipment that convey an optical impression and / or information at least at selected points on their respective surfaces Mistake.

Such equipment can be, for example, a label that is subsequently attached or a cardboard box with color or ornamental printing or a correspondingly printed shrink film or the like. Equipment according to the definition chosen here can also be formed, for example, by a relief-like design, a so-called 3D feature on the surface or the like.

In the case of the bundle layers, it is also provided that at least one of these bundles with regard to its presentation, coating and / or equipment features with regard to its position in the article or piece goods layer or on a pallet and in relation to at least one further, in particular adjacent bundle is oriented on the outside, the equipment of the at least two containers giving an overall picture.

Optionally, the articles or piece goods of the article or piece goods layer according to the invention can already be provided with the desired make-up, coating and / or equipment features during their production.

It is also conceivable, however, if these presentation, coating and / or equipment features are / have been applied subsequently or after the production or assembly of the item or piece goods layer.

In all variants it is necessary for the realization of the optical impression that the at least one article provided with an equipment is oriented outwards with regard to its equipment features or its position on the pallet, so that it is also visible and interacts in the desired manner with neighboring articles and can deliver a combined overall visual impression.

The present invention can in principle be implemented in all types of filling, packaging and / or palletizing systems in which primary packaging such as containers or the like or secondary packaging such as containers are produced in one production run, the containers being either in the configuration and / or the orientation of the products.

In connection with the present invention, for example, such containers can be produced in which the packaging, which is later on the edge or in a corner on the pallet, is aligned with its outward-facing logo so that the logo is orthogonal to the bisector of the corner is aligned.

In addition, it can be advantageous to align the logos of the other packaging or the adjacent containers parallel to the side of the first container, as this allows a combination image to be generated across all containers, i.e. an overall picture or a logo can be displayed over at least two adjacent containers or over at least two adjacent ones, i.e. Stacked layers result.

Since layers of the same type arranged one above the other are usually separated by intermediate layers made of cardboard or plastic, which mechanically stabilize larger pallet arrangements and prevent the layers from slipping, it can also be advantageous to use these intermediate layers, which are relatively thin but still visible, to be included in the design of the container. For example, the intermediate layer edges can be printed in such a way that the intermediate layer fits into the overall picture of the containers arranged one above the other and / or next to one another.

Optionally, single-row containers (e.g. 1 x3 container) and larger containers that differ from them (e.g. 2x3 containers) can be positioned in the same layer. The packs can be formed, for example, by shrink packs, band packs, nested packs or the like. “Three-dimensional” containers can also be combined with one another, whereby these can be combined, for example, individually “Tetris-like” to form a layer, so that this layer can then comprise at least two levels with containers.

The present invention can also be implemented with so-called adhesive bandages.

These can, for example, be provided with adhesive dots that are selectively sprayed on or applied in almost any other practically feasible manner in a production run, in order to be able to line them up and combine them with one another as desired.

In particular, no other outer packaging is provided around the respective adhesive bandage for the adhesive bandages.

It is conceivable, for example, for single-row containers to use the one that is normally required for processing adhesive containers To allow the holding device (curing section) to run through two rows of adhesive bandages that are not glued to one another. The same route can be used, for example, for the production of two-row bundles by applying additional adhesive points here so that two-dimensional bundles can be formed by joining several bundles grouped in one row.

Depending on which machines are used for the desired purposes, their control is adapted to the required layer scheme. In principle, combinations with direct printing are also possible; the packaging is printed with regard to the later position in the layer or the pallet, in which case alignment may no longer be necessary, since the combination images directly influence the direct printing process.

If an initially selected alignment cannot be retained for any reason, alignment prior to palletizing may be conceivable and sensible. The alignment can in principle be carried out by recording an actual orientation and then adapting it to a target orientation, for example by rotating the article in question.

Another option is to glue the layers together. It can also be advantageous to apply a barcode to the handle or handles, which can also be done using a direct printing process if necessary.

In summary, some aspects of the present invention are mentioned again below. In this way, entire pallets or even individual layers can be designed in which the individual articles, piece goods or bundles are aligned in such a way that an image or lettering or the like is generated. While it was already known, e.g. To align cans within an adhesive container in such a way that the manufacturer's lettering is visible, the present invention also proposes to create an overall image across all layers through the appropriate alignment of the individual articles, piece goods or bundles.

Numerous machine configurations are conceivable for this, for example the combination of several lines, each comprising a shrink tunnel, in order to be able to produce different layers by means of differently designed and / or printed foils, which when joined together produce a desired overall appearance. Alternatively, it is also possible to do the printing only after the articles, piece goods or bundles have been put together on a pallet.

The alignment is preferably carried out in such a way that the overall pallet results or provides a defined appearance from at least one, preferably different, viewing angle.

Furthermore, the invention proposes a combination of several superimposed and stacked article or piece goods layers according to one of the above-described design variants to achieve the above-mentioned goal, with the make-up, coating and / or equipment features of the article or piece goods also already defined above adjacent Layers of articles or piece goods arranged one above the other generate an optical combination or overall impression at individual or multiple locations and / or provide a combination image. This in no way excludes that the respective presentation, coating and / or equipment features of adjacently arranged articles or piece goods within a layer are included in this combination or overall impression, so that this overall picture extends over a larger area and possibly over several Layers of articles, piece goods or bundles can extend.

Such a combination can also be formed in such a way that the presentation, coating and / or equipment features of the articles or piece goods are only applied afterwards or after the at least two article or piece goods layers have been stacked, for example by means of direct printing or by labeling the individual articles , Piece goods or containers.

In addition to the article or piece goods layers as defined and characterized above and the optional combination of several such article or piece goods layers, the invention also proposes a method for generating at least one article or piece goods layer or for generating several article or piece goods layers according to one of the embodiment variants described above or for generating a combination of several stacked article or piece goods layers, the presentation, coating and / or equipment features with regard to their position on the stacked article or piece goods layers, ie possibly on the entire pallet, are / are oriented outwards, which can be controlled by means of a sensor detection and / or influenced in a suitable manner on the basis of the sensor data, for example by controlling a correspondingly controllable manipulator.

Thus, the method can advantageously be designed in such a way that the presentation, coating and / or equipment features are detected by means of sensory detection and corresponding movement control Positioning the article or piece goods are brought into their respective intended positions. The desired alignment of the articles or piece goods can thus take place in the method in such a way that the make-up, coating and / or equipment features are sensed and, by means of appropriate movement control, the features are subsequently applied to the articles in their respective intended positions. or piece goods are positioned.

This can be done either via sensors or by maintaining the position after the equipment has been applied or by applying equipment to the pallet or before it is set down.

An advantageous variant of the method according to the invention can also provide that individual articles or piece goods are rotated in the desired or necessary manner during layer formation to create the optical impression and / or exchanged for articles or piece goods that are marked or equipped differently.

A variant of the method is also conceivable in which the presentation, coating and / or equipment features are applied to the respective articles or piece goods afterwards or after the at least two article or piece goods layers have been stacked one on top of the other.

In addition to the article or piece goods layers described above in numerous design variants as well as the method for producing article or piece goods layers with outwardly facing combination images, the present invention further comprises a device for forming at least one article or piece goods layer from a plurality of articles or piece goods. These articles or piece goods of the at least one article or piece goods layer can optionally be shaped and dimensioned identically.

In principle, the articles or piece goods that form an article or piece goods layer can also be shaped differently and / or have dimensions that differ from one another, provided that the differently shaped and / or dimensioned articles or piece goods can be properly joined together.

This device according to the invention comprises at least one manipulator for detecting and handling the articles or piece goods in connection with the formation of the respective layer and for aligning the articles or piece goods to be brought into the layer arrangement in relation to an external make-up, coating and / or equipment feature .

In addition, the device comprises at least one optical sensor for detecting the articles or piece goods to be brought or brought into the layer arrangement. The sensor signals of the at least one optical sensor can be processed and used to control the at least one manipulator with regard to the positioning and / or alignment of the respective articles or piece goods in relation to neighboring articles or piece goods of the article or piece goods layer.

The articles or piece goods or bundles of an article or piece goods layer are in particular all arranged in a common horizontal plane.

The articles or piece goods or bundles of an article or piece goods layer in particular each have support surfaces which are arranged and / or aligned horizontally.

When aligned, the articles or piece goods or bundles are rotated in particular about a vertical axis which is oriented perpendicular to the horizontal contact surface of the respective article, piece goods or bundle.

In particular, all articles or piece goods are essentially cylindrical. “Essentially cylindrical” means in the present context that e.g. Conical sections, as they are usually provided in the upper area of bottles, should also fall under this term. In addition, bottle shapes should also be meant whose cross-sectional contour deviates from the strictly cylindrical shape, but is approximated to one, for example polygonal bottle contours with e.g. octagonal or nine-sided plan or cross-section. The term should also include article, container and bottle shapes which are only partially polygonal and in other sections, for example, are slightly oval or again cylindrical.

A sensor-controlled alignment of articles, piece goods or bundles can be implemented, for example, by means of a camera or several cameras, the recorded images of which are evaluated by an image evaluation with regard to the actual alignments and possibly with regard to a control of target alignments. Such an image evaluation can be used to determine a required angle of rotation by which the respective object must be rotated in order to achieve the desired or desired target alignment.

The device according to the invention is used to form at least one article or piece goods layer according to one of the embodiment variants described above or to create a combination of several article or piece goods layers stacked on top of one another, as they have also already been described above. This device is equipped with at least one optical sensor for detecting the orientation or position of the external presentation, coating and / or equipment features of the articles or piece goods. The sensor signals can advantageously be evaluated and used to control at least one manipulator for positioning and / or aligning the articles or piece goods in the respective article or piece goods layer and / or in relation to adjacent articles or piece goods in the respective article or piece goods layer .

The above-mentioned goal is achieved in particular by an article or piece goods layer with the features of independent claim 15, which is formed by a plurality of articles or piece goods, and which is intended for a pallet or part of a pallet with several articles stacked one on top of the other. or general cargo layers is or can form. At least some of the articles or piece goods have an external appearance and / or a coating that conveys an optical impression and / or provides or conveys information, which e.g. can be formed by printing with ink. Likewise, some of the articles or piece goods of the article or piece goods layer according to the invention can alternatively or additionally with a visually recognizable and distinguishable equipment such as e.g. be provided with a label.

Thus, at least some of the articles or piece goods of the article or piece goods layer according to the invention each have an identification with a logo or a brand name or the like, with the respective center points or centroids of the markings or the logo or brand name each at a first circumferential position on the respective article or piece goods are arranged.

In addition, it is provided that the item or piece goods layer comprises several sides, each of which is formed by several articles or piece goods arranged along a straight line and thus forming a row. Furthermore, it is provided that the article or piece goods layer comprises a plurality of corners, each of which is formed by a single article or piece goods at the end of two adjacent rows.

Finally, it is provided in the article or piece goods layer according to the invention that in at least one corner, in particular in two, three or all four corners of the layer, a line connecting a centroid of the respective identification, logo or brand name with a volume centroid of the corresponding article or Piece goods essentially form an angle bisector between the two adjacent rows. It is irrelevant whether several items are combined to form one container or whether the items are palletized individually.

In geometric contexts it is defined that the individual articles or piece goods that are located in the respective corners of an article or piece goods layer can be turned outward so that their externally applied labels, logos or trademarks / names are not only frontal from one side are visible, but also from the other side or from a point of view of the viewer in the area of the extension of the respective corner. Therefore, when the line connecting the center of gravity of the respective identification, the logo or the brand name of the article or piece goods located in the corner with its volume center of gravity is meant an imaginary line that runs particularly horizontally or parallel to the lower contact area of the respective article, which their exit in the volume focus of the article, ie usually takes in the center or cylinder center of the article or piece goods, and which perpendicularly cuts through the lateral surface, whereby by definition it runs approximately in the middle through the label applied on the outside.

If it is now also mentioned that this (imaginary, invisible) connecting line essentially forms an angle bisector between the two adjacent rows, this means a rotation of the article located in the corner by about 45 ° around its vertical axis so that its external marking remains recognizable from different viewpoints of the viewer in the area or in the vicinity of this corner. This also defines that the article located in the corner with its identification or with its brand name or logo is not aligned parallel to the neighboring articles on its right and parallel to the neighboring articles on its left, but the alignment between them is around 90 ° rotated alignments of the corresponding articles of adjacent rows is located, in particular approximately in the middle, so that the corresponding identification of this article located in the corner remains identifiable from all viewers in the vicinity of the corner. Instead of 45 °, other angles in the range of, for example, 30 ° to 60 ° can optionally also be provided, which likewise fulfill such a function.

In particular, a certain orientation of an article can be provided, namely in such a way that when considering the position from a defined first point, an angle that is included between two lines, the first line being an imaginary connecting line from this point of the position to the The center of gravity of the volume of an article arranged in the position and the second distance is a connecting line from the center of volume of the same article to the centroid of the brand name or logo of the same article is greater than 91 °, preferably greater than 120 ° and even more preferably greater than 150 °. It should be pointed out once again that the term “volume center of gravity” used here forms the apex of such an angle view, with angles greater than 180 ° not being considered.

The points formed in this way are the projections onto a horizontal plane that intersects the center of gravity of the volume of the article. In particular, at least two, preferably at least three and even more preferably at least four of the articles of the ply can have such a defined alignment with respect to the same first point of the ply, these articles preferably being in outer, i.e. rows visible from the outside.

In particular, at least two, preferably at least three and even more preferably at least four of the corner articles of the layer can have such a specific orientation with respect to the same first point of the layer.

In particular, all articles of the considered position can have such a specific orientation with respect to the same first point of the position. However, if it should be necessary, for example, that a barcode on one side of the layer must be visible to the viewer in order to be able to scan the pallet, an article can be provided on at least one, preferably two sides of the layer, which does not have this orientation but its barcode (which is arranged, for example, offset by 180 ° from the logo in the circumferential direction of the article) points outwards.

In particular, at least 20%, preferably at least 40%, even more preferably at least 60% of the articles of the ply can meet this configuration with respect to the same first point of the ply.

If it is desired that the position has the desired appearance for a viewer from all sides, then the point can be arranged in a volume center of gravity of the position. If it is desired that a viewer has the desired appearance in front of his eyes even when some articles have already been removed from the front, the first point of the position can be arranged in the middle of a page or even outside the position.

It can happen, especially in the case of a position of the point outside of a position, that the point lies between two straight lines, in particular exactly in their center, which run through two opposite edges of the position.

In all configurations, the items can either be grouped into bundles or can be placed individually.

In the case of packs, it can be the case that the centroids of the brand names or logos, at least half, preferably all of the articles, are directed essentially outwards relative to a center of gravity of the volume of the pack. The alignment to the certain first point of the sheet may then apply to less than 70% of the articles in the sheet.

A conventional six-pack with two rows and three columns of articles can be designed, for example, in such a way that there are two connecting lines, each with three centroids of the logos or brand names, which are two parallel lines on the outside, or that the connecting lines from a volume centroid of the container to the respective Centers of area of the logos or brand names are each arranged approximately at a 60 ° angle. The specification "approx." Means +/- 20 ° or less. The focal areas of the logos or brand names are preferably arranged on the outside of the container.

In a further variant of the article or piece goods layer according to the invention explained above, the article forming a corner of the article or piece goods layer or the piece goods forming a corner of the article or piece goods layer can be part of a container that comprises several combined articles or piece goods, which for example. Wrapped in foil or held together by means of adhesive points and / or strapping or the like. It can also be provided here that some of the remaining articles or piece goods of the container form part of one, in particular of both, adjacent rows.

In the case of the article or piece goods layer according to the invention, the identification, the logo or the brand name of the article or piece goods can optionally extend over a larger circumferential angle of the article or piece goods in question. In particular, it can be provided that the identification, the logo or the brand name of the article or piece of goods extends over a circumferential angle of up to 270 degrees along the circumference of the article or piece of goods. This is to ensure that the one in the corner The article is easily recognizable from all sides and, in particular, its labeling, its logo, the trademark / name is equally easy to recognize from all observer positions, even if the article is arranged slightly rotated around its vertical axis. Optionally, the circumferential angle over which the marking, the logo or the brand name extends can also be less than 270 degrees.

In the case of the article or piece goods layer, the identifications, the logos or brand names of the articles or piece goods adjacent to the corner article can be aligned outwards, in particular in the rows, so that they can be easily recognized and identified by a viewer standing in front of the row.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned aim of the invention, a method for producing such an article or piece goods layer is also proposed in particular. This method is used to produce an article or piece goods layer or several stacked article or piece goods layers according to one of the embodiment variants described above, the articles or piece goods which are arranged in a corner position in the individual or in the stacked article or piece goods layers with respect to their respective position and / or their respective identification or their respective logo or brand name are oriented towards the outside, which is controlled and / or influenced or controlled by means of a sensory detection.

Such a sensor system can be formed, for example, by an optical sensor device such as a camera with a downstream image evaluation. On the basis of the images captured in this way, a manipulation device can be controlled with which the corresponding articles can be positioned in the desired alignment in the row, so that the external markings, logos or brand names take the respectively desired position.

In addition to the above-described variant of the device for producing differently configured article or piece goods layers, a further device for producing an article or piece goods layer according to one of the previously described embodiment variants is proposed below. This inventive device in turn serves to form at least one article or piece goods layer from a plurality of articles or piece goods and comprises at least one manipulator for detecting and handling the article or piece goods in connection with the formation of the respective layer and for aligning each in the layer arrangement moving articles or general cargo with regard to their external markings, their logos or brand names.

In addition, the device according to the invention comprises at least one sensor, in particular at least one optical sensor for detecting the articles or piece goods to be brought or brought into the layer arrangement, the sensor signals of the at least one preferably optically working sensor being processed and for controlling the at least one manipulator with regard to the positioning and / or alignment of the respective articles or piece goods in relation to neighboring articles or piece goods of the article or piece goods layer can be used. Thus, on the basis of the acquired sensor data, the manipulator can be controlled in the desired manner, whereby the corresponding articles can be positioned in the desired orientation in the row so that the external markings, logos or brand names take the respectively desired position.

Another variant of the article or piece goods layer according to the invention is formed by a large number of containers. This article or piece goods layer is intended for a pallet or can form part of a pallet with several article or piece goods layers stacked on top of one another. At least two adjacent containers of the article or piece goods layer each comprise at least two articles or piece goods, these respective articles or piece goods being marked with a logo or a brand name or the like with a centroid. The logos or brand names each extend along the circumference of an article by or over a first circumferential angle. It is provided that two articles or piece goods of different and adjacent to one another in the article or piece goods layer arranged containers are arranged directly next to each other, and that one of these two articles or piece goods relative to the other of these two articles or piece goods with respect to the alignment of a connecting line of A center of gravity of the volume of the article or piece goods is arranged rotated by a second angle about a vertical axis to a center of area of the marking, the logo or the brand name, the second angle being greater than zero and corresponding at most to the first angle.

It can optionally be provided that the second angle is greater than 30 degrees and smaller than 90 degrees.

To achieve the above-mentioned goal, a method for manufacturing or generating at least one article or piece goods layer is also proposed, in particular a layer as in FIG described and defined in the two paragraphs above. In the method, at least the identifications, logos and / or brand names of the outer articles or piece goods are oriented outwards with respect to their respective position on or in the stacked article or piece goods layers, which is controlled and / or influenced by means of sensory detection. The method also provides that at least two bundles of the article or piece goods layer are produced with the same number and arrangement of the articles or piece goods located therein, with at least one article or piece goods of these two containers in each case being brought into different orientations.

As an alternative to this, the method can also provide that at least the identifications, logos and / or brand names of the outer articles or piece goods are or are oriented towards the outside with regard to their respective position on or in the stacked article or piece goods layers, which is controlled and monitored by means of sensory detection / or is influenced, with at least two containers of the article or piece goods layer being produced, each with a different number and / or arrangement of the articles or piece goods located therein.

Furthermore, in this variant of the method it can be provided that in each case at least one article or piece goods of each of these two containers in question is brought into different orientations.

In all of the above-described article or piece goods layers according to the present invention, the articles or piece goods of the packs can optionally be joined to one another and / or connected to one another by means of adhesives. In addition, however, other types of packaging are also conceivable, such as foil packs, shrink film packs, strapping packs, etc.

The logo or brand name can also be the product name, for example. A characteristic of the logo or the brand name can be that it is formed by the lettering with the largest font size on the respective container or article.

A portion of the circumference on the articles or containers that is not part of the logo or brand name can be identified by an ingredient list and / or a barcode and / or a QR code and / or a deposit seal and / or an address (eg of the bottler or the seller) and / or a mineral water analysis and / or an overlap area of labels (especially with wraparound labels) and / or a folded or connecting edge (with sleeve labels) and / or a best-before date. In particular, only one or more of the features mentioned are present in this section over the entire height of the article, possibly with a background color or background pattern.

In particular, the logo or brand name cannot include any of these things.

A circumferential section on the articles or containers that is not part of the logo or brand name can alternatively or additionally be a non-printed and / or unlabeled circumferential section (over the entire height of the container or article, alternatively: if there is, for example, a chest label there is, but no label at the same height on the spine (offset 180 ° along the circumference) of the article, the spine can be seen as a non-part of the section).

In particular, the logo or brand name cannot include any of these things.

It should be expressly mentioned at this point that all aspects and design variants that are used in connection with the device according to the invention for forming at least one article or piece goods layer from a plurality of identically shaped and dimensioned articles or piece goods have been explained, equally relate to or can form partial aspects of the method according to the invention for generating at least one article or piece goods layer or for generating several article or piece goods layers. If, therefore, at one point in the description or in the definition of claims for the device according to the invention, certain aspects and / or connections and / or effects are mentioned, this applies equally to the method according to the invention. The same applies in reverse, so that all aspects and design variants that have been explained in connection with the method according to the invention for generating at least one article or piece goods layer or for generating several article or piece goods layers equally relate to or can be partial aspects of the device according to the invention. If, therefore, at one point in the description or in the definition of claims for the method according to the invention, certain aspects and / or relationships and / or effects are mentioned, this applies equally to the device according to the invention.

In addition, it should be expressly mentioned at this point that all aspects and design variants that have been explained in connection with the device according to the invention or in connection with the method according to the invention for producing or forming at least one item or piece goods layer from a plurality of identically shaped and dimensioned articles or piece goods , equally relate or can form partial aspects of the article or piece goods layers produced or formed with it. If, therefore, certain aspects and / or interrelationships and / or effects are mentioned at one point in the description or in the definition of claims for the device according to the invention or the method according to the invention, this applies equally to the article or piece goods layers according to the invention produced or formed in this way . The same applies in reverse, so that all aspects and design variants that have been explained in connection with the item or piece goods layer according to the invention also relate to or can be partial aspects of the device according to the invention or the method according to the invention.

• 1 zeigt in insgesamt drei Ansichten (1A, 1 B und 1C) verschiedene Darstellungen auf einzelne sowie auf übereinander gestapelte Artikellagen.
• 2 zeigt in einer schematischen Draufsicht unterschiedliche Varianten von Gebinden, die mit Haftverbindungen zwischen aneinander grenzenden Mantelflächen benachbarter Artikel hergestellt sind.
• 3A zeigt in einer schematischen Frontansicht eine Palettenzusammenstellung, bei der die Artikel jeweils durch Flaschen gebildet sind.
• 3B zeigt in einer schematischen Frontansicht eine weitere Palettenzusammenstellung, bei der Bedruckungen nachträglich auf die Flaschen aufgebracht werden.
• 3C zeigt eine schematische Draufsicht auf eine komplette Artikellage, die durch eine Rechteckanordnung einer Vielzahl von Artikeln oder Flaschen gebildet ist.
• 3D, 3E und 3F zeigen mehrere schematische Draufsichten einer für Endkunden zugänglichen Artikellage, bei der im Zeitverlauf mehrere Artikel oder Flaschen entnommen werden.
• 3G zeigt in einer schematischen Draufsicht eine Artikellage, bei der einzelne Artikel durch Klebeverbindungen aneinander gefügt sind.
• 4 zeigt in zwei schematischen Draufsichten (4A und 4B) beispielhafte Präsentations- und/oder Verkaufssituationen von Artikellagen oder von mehreren übereinander gestapelten Artikellagen.
• 5 zeigt in insgesamt drei schematischen Ansichten (5A, 5B und 5C) eine Variante einer Artikellage mit der Ausrichtung der darin befindlichen Artikel.
• 6 zeigt in einer schematischen Draufsicht eine Artikellage oder einen Teil einer Lage.
• 7 zeigt in insgesamt sieben stark schematischen Draufsichten (7A bis 7G) verschiedene Anlagenkonfigurationen von Vorrichtungen zur Herstellung erfindungsgemäßer Artikellagen oder Palettenzusammenstellungen, wobei die 7G eine Vergrößerung des letztens Teils einer Anlage zeigt.

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

• 1 shows a total of three views ( 1A , 1 B and 1C ) Different representations on individual as well as on stacked article layers.
• 2 shows, in a schematic plan view, different variants of bundles that are produced with adhesive connections between adjacent outer surfaces of adjacent articles.
• 3A shows a schematic front view of a pallet assembly in which the articles are each formed by bottles.
• 3B shows a schematic front view of another pallet arrangement in which printing is subsequently applied to the bottles.
• 3C shows a schematic plan view of a complete article layer, which is formed by a rectangular arrangement of a plurality of articles or bottles.
• 3D , 3E and 3F show several schematic top views of an article position accessible to end customers, in which several articles or bottles are removed over time.
• 3G shows a schematic plan view of an article layer in which individual articles are joined to one another by adhesive connections.
• 4th shows in two schematic plan views ( 4A and 4B) Exemplary presentation and / or sales situations of article layers or of several article layers stacked on top of one another.
• 5 shows a total of three schematic views ( 5A , 5B and 5C ) a variant of an article position with the orientation of the articles located therein.
• 6th shows a schematic plan view of an article layer or part of a layer.
• 7th shows a total of seven very schematic top views ( 7A to 7G) various system configurations of devices for the production of article layers or pallet assemblies according to the invention, the 7G shows an enlargement of the last part of a plant.

Identical reference symbols are used for identical or identically acting elements of the invention. Furthermore, for the sake of clarity, only reference symbols are shown in the individual figures which are necessary for the description of the respective figure. The illustrated embodiments merely represent examples of how the device according to the invention or the method according to the invention can be designed and do not represent a final limitation.

The schematic view of the 1A from diagonally from the front to a complete item position 10 illustrates an example of an arrangement of a total of five rows of six articles each standing next to one another in a rectangular structure 12 , here each with cylindrically shaped primary packaging 14th Are formed in the form of beverage cans or the like. Beverage containers. If at this point and in the further description of primary packaging 14th is spoken, this generally means packaging containers with, in particular, liquid packaged goods which do not comprise or contain any further outer packaging, but in which the packaged goods are contained directly. As the present invention defines, is the article location shown 10 through a large number of similarly shaped and equally dimensioned articles 12 or primary packaging 14th educated.

As also the schematic view of the 1B shows, several such similar and equally large article layers can be 10 for a pallet 16 intended or part of a pallet assembly 18th or a stack of pallets 18th with several article layers stacked on top of each other 10 be or educate. There are four such article layers, for example 10 with a total of thirty cylindrical articles each 12 or primary packaging 14th placed in alignment on top of each other and stacked in such a way that whereby a stable and easily manageable packaging unit for transport purposes with a large number of similar articles 12 is formed.

The articles 12 the in 1A shown individual item position 10 are each with external presentations 20th in the form of directly on the article jacket surfaces 22nd printed on or on labels stuck there 24 located logos 26th , Illustrations, colored and / or graphic design, etc. In principle, the articles 12 to implement the invention be provided with a wide variety of coatings or external features that are able to convey a visual impression or convey information. The outer get-ups 20th , Coatings and / or equipment are here at least at selected points of the respective surfaces on the article jacket surfaces 22nd arranged.

Like it 1A made clear are several articles 12 the item location 10 , namely in particular several in the item position 10 adjacent articles 12 , with outward-facing appearances 20th in the form of graphic logos 26th Mistake. In addition, the articles 12 the front row of articles in the viewing direction 12 the shown item position 10 each rotated around their vertical longitudinal axes so that the logos 26th adjacent article 12 together a new combination picture 28 surrender. In this highly simplified case, four individual letters (“L”, “O”, “G”, and “O”) form the combination image in this row from left to right 28 , which in the example shown results in the word "LOGO" made up of four letters.

Like it also the 1B made clear, several items can be aligned one above the other 12 item layers located one above the other 10 of the pallet stack 18th , namely in particular a plurality of article layers arranged adjacent one above the other 10 located articles 12 , with outward-facing appearances 20th in the form of graphic logos 26th be provided. There are also individual articles here 12 the front rows of articles in the viewing direction 12 of the four item positions shown 10 each rotated around their vertical longitudinal axes so that the logos 26th aligned articles on top of each other 12 together a new combination picture 28 surrender. In this highly simplified case, four individual letters (“L”, “O”, “G”, and “O”) in this row form the combination image from top to bottom 28 , which in the example shown results in the word "LOGO" made up of four letters.

The schematic view of the 1C from the front at an angle to another pallet assembly 18th shows an alternative variant of the external presentation 20th , here by a print 30th a foil wrapping 32 is formed. This foil wrapping 32 forms a secondary packaging 34 for those held together by it and by the secondary packaging 34 wrapped primary packaging 14th or article 12 . By combining several articles 12 or primary packaging 14th by means of foil wrapping 32 or secondary packaging 34 are so-called containers 36 formed here depending on the type of film wrapping 32 For example, as a wound pack, a shrink pack or the like.

Every container 36 can normally have a defined number of primary packaging 14th or article 12 however, variable numbers of articles are also possible as an option. You can also choose to use it in any container or piece goods layer 10 (each container 36 at the same time forms a piece goods) of different sized containers 36 be compiled with differing numbers of items, as shown in the schematic top view of 2 is shown as an example.

As secondary packaging 34 acting foil envelope 32 indicates the in 1C schematically indicated graphic design 26th in the form of partial letters 38 on, with several different partial lettering 38 on the foil wraps 32 adjacent containers 36 again a combination picture 28 surrender. This combination picture 28 can, for example, according to 1C through a total of four partial lettering 38 two pairs of containers arranged one above the other and side by side 36 be educated. In principle, larger combination images are also possible 28 possible that result from a correspondingly larger number of partial lettering 38 can put together.

It should be mentioned at this point that the term selected here, the partial lettering 38 may also include purely graphic elements or mixed elements, so that several such graphic elements or optionally also a combination of graphic elements with letters form a larger combination image 28 can result.

The remaining containers 36 in 1C can in a corresponding manner with secondary packaging 34 be equipped, the printing 30th or other external presentations 20th can have. You can also choose between different combination images 28 each with different printing 30th and their cross-container compilation is generated, which is in 1C however, it is not shown for the sake of simplicity.

The schematic top view of the 2 illustrates the different types of containers 36 in this case without secondary packaging, but with adhesive bonds 40 between adjacent outer surfaces of adjacent articles 12 or primary packaging 14th are made. For the production and formation of these container variants, refer to the disclosure content of EP 2 878 543 A1 referred; Reference is hereby made to the content of this laid-open specification - at least as far as the design of such so-called adhesive bandages and their production are concerned - and the content is included in the present description.

At this point are only a few containers 36 described, for example. Two by means of adhesive connection 40 articles adhering to each other 12 may include, such as the container 36 in the lower left corner. Optionally, such a container 36 also six articles adhered in a row 12 include, such as the container 36 right outside in the general cargo position shown 10 . In addition, these containers 36 Handles 42 have, the ends of which are normally on the lateral surfaces of individual articles 12 are attached, in particular by means of adhesive bonds. For example, a 3x3 container with a total of nine articles glued together 12 (here: left above the mentioned container 36 in the lower left corner) one of the three middle articles 12 spanning handle 42 on, the ends of which on the outsides of the outer articles 12 the middle row are glued. Other alternative handle variants are in 2 shown, in addition to parallel to the article orientations, diagonal courses with diagonally across the articles 12 running handle 42 .

The two schematic front views of the 3A and 3B each show a pallet composition 18th where the article 12 or primary packaging 14th each through bottles 44 are formed in groups or as a complete item layer 10 on secondary packaging 34 stand, here by a so-called cardboard tray 46 is formed. Such a cardboard tray 46 basically functions as a flat and sufficiently stable intermediate layer, but also has low side walls on all four long sides 48 , whereby the bottles arranged in a rectangular composite 44 formed item position 10 held in place and the bottles 44 not only are prevented from slipping, but also from falling over or falling out of the side of the stacked arrangement. The side walls 48 are usually held in place and mutually stabilized by glue seams (not shown) or by stapled folds.

The bottles 44 are each with external presentations 20th in the form of labels 50 or of printing 30th provided on their outer surfaces, with individual bottles 44 certain logos 26th can be provided, the bottles in a certain arrangement of one above the other or one next to the other 44 a combination picture 28 like this in the 3A is indicated schematically. There are a total of four bottles 44 in four superimposed layers 10 as a combination picture 28 the word "BEER" as each of the bottles 44 on their label 50 as single capital letters in this order from top left to diagonally bottom right a “B”, twice an “E” and an “R”.

In the embodiment shown, these are labeled bottles 44 designed differently than all other bottles 44 in the layer arrangement 10 with labels not designed separately or otherwise 50 what appropriate measures to position these labeled bottles 44 requires. These are on the side walls 48 as secondary packaging 46 functioning cardboard trays 46 each markings 52 appropriate alignment of the labeled bottles 44 and / or their correct positioning in the item position 10 enable so their specially marked labels 50 with the logo on it 26th that is different from that of the other bottles 44 differs in the desired alignment to the front of the pallet stack 18th and thus point to the viewer.

While the schematic front view of the 3A the four specially marked bottles have already been aligned 44 in the four article layers stacked on top of each other 10 with each as documents and secondary packaging 34 serving cardboard trays 46 shows the schematic front view of FIG 3B subsequent printing on the outer surfaces of the bottles 44 located labels 50 or directly on the outer surface of each with markings 52 on the side walls 48 the cardboard trays 46 marked positions. A print bar moves for this purpose 54 with several direct print heads from bottom to top of the pallet stack 18th along and printed those bottles 44 with a specific print image or logo 26th that follow the markings 52 the side walls 48 are located.

The 3B shows them in one place each - ie with one bottle each 44 - printed lower two article layers 10 while the print bar 54 with the direct print heads already the third item layer 10 has approximated from below and there for printing the bottle 44 at the corresponding mark 52 the side wall 48 of the cardboard tray 46 cares. The top item tier 10 however, is not yet printed. Like it 3B shows by way of example, all bottles facing the viewer can 44 , the front on the item position 10 are arranged to be printed at the same time, with only those bottles 44 , which are separated by a mark 52 are specially marked with a different logo 26th be provided. With this variant with subsequent printing, it is also conceivable that only the bottles 44 printed on, which is at the marking 52 are located while the remaining bottles 44 already with a finished label 50 or direct printing on the shell side.

The schematic top view of the 3C on a complete item list 10 through a 6x9 rectangle arrangement of a total of fifty-four items 12 or bottles 44 (see. 3A and 3B) is formed, illustrates a meaningful printing and / or labeling strategy in which at least all of the outside on the long sides of the article layer 10 located article 12 or bottles 44 printed and / or provided with labels, for example. By means of a print bar 54 as in the 3B is shown, which must be equipped with a corresponding number of print heads to all bottles to be printed 44 and to be able to apply printing ink.

All bottles that cannot be printed or labeled are shown in the top view 44 by the corresponding reference number 56 marked. These bottles that cannot be printed or labeled 44 or. 56 are all located in the inner area of the item position 10 , ie in a 4x7 rectangular field, the outer bottles on all sides 44 is surrounded. The four bottles at the corners 44 are separately with the reference number 58 marked as it is with these bottles 44 or. 58 It can be useful to provide them with a 45 ° rotated outwardly about their vertical longitudinal axis and / or with a correspondingly enlarged printing or labeling, so that these bottles 44 or. 58 can be recognized equally well by every observer and, in particular, do not have any large open spaces that can prove to be optically disadvantageous.

The remaining bottles 44 that are located on the long sides of the item layer 10 are with the reference number 60 characterized because they have or receive printing and / or labeling on their outward-facing section of their respective outer surface. This is seven bottles each 44 or. 60 between two corner bottles 58 on the longer sides and four bottles each 44 or. 60 between two corner bottles 58 on the shorter sides of the item layer 10 .

The top view of the 3C also shows optional adhesive connections 40 between individual bottles 44 , whereby here each 2x3 rectangular container 36 and 2x4 rectangular containers 36 be formed. Overall, the item position shown includes 10 six smaller 2x3 rectangular containers 36 and three larger 2x4 rectangular containers 36 . However, other combinations are also possible, either as an adhesive bandage 36 , as in 3C indicated, or as a foil pack 36 , like this e.g. in 1C is shown.

The schematic top views of the 3D , 3E and 3F show different states of an article position accessible to end customers 10 which is initially still complete ( 3D ), while there are several items in the sales and withdrawal process 12 or bottles 44 can be taken from what is caused by different phases over time ( 3E and 3F) is exemplified.

With this article position 10 are all bottles printed or labeled and according to the in 3C chosen systematics either with the reference number 60 or - for the bottles 44 in the corner area - with the reference number 58 designated. The schematic top views of the 3D , 3E and 3F again show an item location 10 , which in the complete state ( 3D ) through a 6x9 rectangular arrangement of a total of fifty-four items 12 or bottles 44 (see. 3A and 3B) is formed. A sensible printing and / or labeling strategy is shown for the articles that are not joined to one another with adhesive surfaces, but that can be removed individually 12 or bottles 44 , in which not only all the outside on the long sides of the article layer 10 located article 12 or bottles 44 printed and / or provided with labels, for example. By means of a print bar 54 as in the 3B is shown, which must be equipped with a corresponding number of print heads to all bottles to be printed 44 and to be able to apply printing ink. With this variant, all bottles can 44 or. 60 be printed or labeled on their outward-facing sections of their outer circumferential surfaces, while the total of twelve bottles arranged diagonally to one another 44 or. 58 that are in the corner areas of the item position 10 stand, with a larger and 45 ° outwards into the corner areas of the location 10 indicating labeling or printing.

The top view of the 3E shows a removal phase in which several items 12 or bottles 44 or. 60 are removed so that there are still bottles 44 or. 60 with outward-facing labels or print areas on the inward-facing long sides of the item layer 10 remain. The top view of the 3F shows a more advanced removal phase, where this also applies to the inward corner areas, where the bottles that remain there 44 or. 58 still stand with labels or printings rotated by 45 ° and thus recognizable on all sides.

The schematic top view of the 3G illustrates an alternative variant of a layer arrangement or an article layer 10 , for the individual articles 12 are joined to one another by adhesive bonds. With this slightly smaller 5x9 rectangular arrangement in the item position 10 are all external articles 12 on their sides facing each other via adhesive connections 40 connected to each other, making the item location 10 is stabilized on all sides. In addition, these are external articles 12 or bottles 44 each labeled and / or printed and accordingly with the reference number already used above 60 marked. The printed or labeled bottles in the corner areas 44 are accordingly with the reference number 58 marked. The twenty-one bottles inside 44 or. 56 can either not be printed or provided with the most necessary information or not at all. Labels or complete printing can be dispensed with here because these bottles 44 or. 56 are not made available to the end customer in individual form.

The schematic top views of the 4A and 4B illustrate an exemplary presentation and / or sales situation that the end customer can encounter. Here is an article location 10 that are part of a previously shown pallet assembly 18th with a plurality of article layers stacked one on top of the other 10 can be, with a narrow side on a wall 62 of the sales room, while on the other narrow side 64 a passage 66 for people, especially for end customers.

The individual articles 12 or bottles 44 the item location 10 are according to their proximity to the passage 66 or to the wall 62 aligned in different ways. Here the 4A a preferred orientation towards the passage 66 that are not from the current position in the area of passage 66 differs. In contrast, the clarifies 4B a preferred orientation to a specific position in the passage 66 , which here through a center to the narrow side 64 the item location 10 aligned fictional alignment point 68 is marked.

The differently labeled bottles 44 are either on the narrow side 64 the item location 10 and not arranged in the corner areas and accordingly as bottles to be printed or labeled on the front 60 marked. The ones on the long sides 70 as well as the corner areas between the narrow side and the adjacent long sides 70 the item location 10 The bottles located are provided with printing or labeling rotated by 45 ° and with the reference number corresponding to the designation selected above 58 marked. Since the further back on the long sides 70 located bottles 44 under certain circumstances can no longer be observed to the same extent, these can again be aligned with the front and printed or labeled (reference numbers 60 ) receive.

At the in 4B shown variant in which the bottles 44 according to the alignment point 68 in the area of the passage 66 to the narrow side 64 the item location 10 aligned and rotated, the bottles can 44 in the front rows (based on the narrow side 64 ) each with one at 45 ° to both long sides 70 rotated printing or labeling (bottles 58 ) while the one further back on the wall 62 located bottles 44 one to the passage 66 can receive directed alignment or labeling or printing. This concerns according to 4B at least the one on the wall 62 adjacent row of bottles 44 , possibly one or two more rows, except for those on the long sides 70 located bottles 44 , which is preferably the orientation rotated by 45 ° (bottles 58 ) can get.

The three schematic views of the 5A to 5C show a variant of an article position 10 ( 5A) with the orientation of the articles inside 12 Here too, at least in sections, cylindrical primary packaging 14th are formed. Like it 5A and 5B reveal the articles 12 or primary packaging 14th external markings in the form of logo areas or brand name areas 202 on. The 5B It also makes it clear that each of these logo or brand name areas 202 a centroid 203 or has a focus of the logo area or focus of the brand name area, which means that in the case of rectangular or round logo or brand name areas 202 approximately a center point is defined. As the logo or brand name areas 202 however, they can also be irregularly shaped, defines the centroid 203 a point that does not have to be in the middle between the side or top and bottom edges.

Optionally, all articles 12 or primary packaging 14th have such an external appearance and / or an optical impression conveying and / or information supplying or conveying coating. However, at least some of the articles have 12 the shown item position 10 A coating in the form of the logo or the brand name that conveys and / or provides information or conveys information about such an external presentation and / or an optical impression 202 . This presentation or coating can be formed, for example, by printing with ink. Likewise, some of the articles 12 or Primary packaging 14th the item position shown here 10 alternatively or additionally be provided with optically recognizable and distinguishable equipment such as a label.

Like it 5A still shows the item position 10 arranged in a rectangle and therefore comprises a total of four sides, each of which meet at 90 ° angles, the sides each of several being arranged along a straight line and thus a row 201 educational articles 12 or primary packaging 14th with external markings on them in the form of logos and / or brand names 202 are formed. Also includes the item location 10 a total of four corners 200 each from a single article 12 or a single primary packaging 14th at the end of two adjacent rows 201 are formed.

The schematic top view of the 5C leaves an interrupted and therefore invisible connection line in reality 204 from a volume focus 205 of the item shown 12 or the primary packaging shown 14th through the center of gravity 203 recognize through downwards. This connecting line 204 can represent a line of sight leading from a viewer to logo or brand name areas 202 of the corresponding article 12 leads.

An exemplary point of view 210 a viewer is shown in the schematic top view of FIG 6th clarified in more detail.

The 5A makes it clear that at least one corner 200 , especially with two, three or all four corners 200 the item location 10 , the connecting line 204 of a centroid 203 the respective identification, logo or brand name 202 with a volume focus 205 of the corresponding article 12 or the corresponding primary packaging 14th roughly bisecting the angle 206 between the two adjacent rows 201 forms. In geometric contexts it is defined that the individual articles 12 or primary packaging 14th that are in the respective corners 200 and thus at the ends of the rows 201 the item location 10 are rotated outward about their respective vertical axes in such a way that their externally applied identifications, logos or trademarks / names 202 are not only visible from the front from one side, but also from the other side or at one point of view 210 of the viewer in the area of the extension of the respective corner 200 .

If therefore from the connecting line 204 of the center of gravity 203 the respective identification, logo or brand name 202 the one in the corner 200 located item 12 with its volume focus 205 When talking about it, it is a particularly horizontal or parallel to the lower contact surface of the respective article 12 running imaginary line - here the broken line according to 5A and 5C - meant that their exit in the volume focus 205 of the article 12 , ie usually in the center or cylinder center of the article 12 takes, and which perpendicularly cuts through the lateral surface, whereby by definition it is roughly centered by the marking applied on the outside 202 runs.

According to 5A can twist the item 12 in the corners 200 the item location 10 be about 45 ° around its vertical axis, so that its external marking 202 equally from different viewpoints of the observer in the area or in the vicinity of this corner 200 remains recognizable. This also defines the one in the corner 200 located articles 12 with its identification 202 neither parallel to the neighboring articles 12 to his right as well as parallel to the neighboring articles 12 is aligned to its left, but the alignment is between these 90 ° rotated alignments of the corresponding article 12 adjacent rows 201 located, in particular approximately in the middle, so that the corresponding marking 202 this one in the corner 200 located item 12 equally from all viewers in the vicinity of the corner 200 remains recognizable.

The schematic top view of the 6th shows an item location 10 by several adhesive bandages 36 of three adjacent and by adhesive dots 40 Primary packaging joined together 14th is formed. A total of six such triple containers 36 form the item position shown 10 . The orientation of the individual primary packaging 14th in the containers 36 are different. While with the right three stacked containers 36 the two outer primary packaging 14th are oriented in such a way that their logo or brand name surfaces attached to the outside of the jacket surfaces 202 down and towards a lower viewer 210 The primary packaging in the middle is the one that may be further away 14th rotated by an angle of about 45 ° around their vertical axes to the right, so that their logo or brand name surfaces attached to the outside of the outer surfaces 202 to the bottom left and thus directly towards the nearby viewer below 210 point.

The right primary packaging 14th of the lower left container 36 is, however, rotated to the left by an equal angle of 45 ° around its vertical axis, which means that its logo or brand name surface attached to the outside of the outer surface 202 to below right and thus also directly in the direction of the nearby viewer below 210 which is located in front of the left primary packaging 14th of the lower right container 36 is located.

In order to be able to be recognized equally well from all possible observer positions, the primary packaging in each case is in contrast 14th of the three in the item location 10 containers arranged on the left 36 each oriented so that their logo or brand name surfaces attached to the outside of the outer surfaces 202 down and towards a lower viewer 210 wise that may be further away.

On the other hand, the primary packaging pointing to the left is in contrast 14th of the three in the item location 10 containers arranged on the left 36 each oriented so that their logo or brand name surfaces attached to the outside of the outer surfaces 202 to the left and towards a left at the article location 10 standing viewer 210 wise that is relatively close to the item position 10 is located. While the connecting line 204 between the volume center of gravity 205 and the focus 203 the logo or brand name area 202 the left primary packaging 14th of the middle container 36 the left side horizontally to the left and thus directly to the viewer 210 points are those at the corners 200 the item location 10 located in each case rotated by 45 ° about their vertical axes, with the upper primary packaging 14th 45 ° to the left and the lower primary packaging 14th is rotated 45 ° to the right, so that your logo or brand name areas 202 each to the viewer 210 show the left hand position of the article 10 is located.

The individual articles 12 or primary packaging 14th also in larger containers 36 and / or in larger article layers 10 oriented and individually rotated about their vertical axes, in particular by a meaningful angle of rotation of 45 ° in relation to an alignment parallel to the longitudinal rows 201 .

Optionally, the angle can also be in a range from 30 ° to 60 °.

The very schematic ones 7A to 7F illustrate a total of six different system configurations of devices 74 for the production of the article layers according to the invention 10 and / or pallet combinations 18th as they were previously based on the 1A to 4B have been described in various variants.

The first system configuration according to 7A points in the conveying direction 72 from left to right several successively arranged system modules of the device 74 , the respective handling and / or processing stations for the above-mentioned articles 12 or primary packaging 14th form. At the device 74 according to 7A forms an oven 76 a first station for heating so-called preforms made of thermoplastic material (preforms). The stove 76 the preforms supplied and in particular manufactured by means of an injection molding process are fed in and brought to a reasonable temperature at which the preforms can be plastically deformed, which is done in a furnace 76 downstream blow molding machine 78 he follows. In this blow molding machine 78 For example, the preforms can be subjected to a stretch blow molding process and thereby shaped into plastic containers or plastic bottles.

The blow molding machine 78 is at the in 7A device shown 74 a direct printing machine 80 downstream, which can for example comprise several modules, which are preferably each designed as so-called rotary machines. In this direct printing machine 80 can previously in the blow molding machine 78 Shaped containers can be printed on their outside and provided with a desired decoration or an external presentation.

One of the direct printing press 80 in transport direction 72 a downstream rinser that is basically to be regarded as optional, but is preferred in practice 82 can serve to clean the reshaped or blow-molded containers from the temperature-controlled preforms before they are placed in a downstream filler 84 be filled with the respective intended filling, which is usually formed by a cold drink or a hot drink. The pen 84 is usually a capper 86 for the airtight and therefore food-safe sealing of the filled container, downstream of the one in the conveying direction 72 again a suitable horizontal conveyor 88 is subordinate to that in a switch 90 for dividing the product flow into two parallel branches 92 and 94 flows out.

In each of these parallel branches 92 and 94 is a drying station each 96 arranged around the container jacket surfaces as dry as possible to the respective downstream modules 98 to be able to hand over for aligning and gluing together the articles or containers to be connected. The modules 98 form in the device variant according to 7A thus adhesive packs of a definable size from the filled individual items or individual containers and at the same time lead them in a single conveyor line 100 further, here at the same time through a curing section 102 is formed, in which the applied adhesive bonds are given sufficient time to harden, whereby the containers are mechanically stabilized.

The one in the first section through the curing section 102 formed conveyor line 100 further comprises a module 104 for applying handles to the adhesive bandage, also as a handle applicator 104 can be designated. The handles are in the handle applicator 104 usually attached to suitable adhesive points of individual article jacket surfaces forming the adhesive bandage, usually by means of adhesive bonds that do not require any further curing.

After completing the module 104 To apply the handles, the adhesive packs thus finished can finally be sent to a palletizing station 106 can be transferred where several bundles make up an article or bundle layer 10 (see. 1A to 4B) form, being in the palletizing station 106 Typically several of these complete article or bundle layers are stacked on top of each other until a pallet assembly of the desired size or height and number of articles or bundle layers located on top of each other is formed - usually separated by suitable intermediate layers, the articles, containers and / or bundles preferably being the ones in the 1A to 6th the alignment described.

Optionally, a manipulator can be used at a suitable location 300 be provided with which the article, container and / or bundle can be rotated and brought into a required or desired orientation. At the device 74 there is such a manipulator 300 sensibly in the area or near the modules 98 where the items or containers will be aligned.

These finished pallets can finally be supplied to the trade and / or presented to the end customer in a suitable manner (cf. 4A and 4B) .

The second system configuration according to 7B points in the conveying direction 72 system modules of the device arranged one after the other from left to right 74 , which are also each handling and / or processing stations for the article 12 form. In the second variant of the device 74 according to 7B joins the oven mentioned above 76 the blow molding machine 78 in which the preforms are subjected to a stretch blow molding process, for example, and thereby formed into plastic containers or plastic bottles.

The blow molding machine 78 is in the second variant of the device 74 no downstream direct printing machine, but a transport route 108 , which can optionally be equipped with bottom cooling for the blow-molded or stretch blow-molded containers so that their temperature can be reduced for the downstream processing and filling steps.

The transport route 108 can in transport direction 72 again the optional rinser 82 as well as the filler 84 and the closer 86 be downstream, which here is a labeling station 110 is downstream for labeling the filled and closed containers. This labeling station 110 is the horizontal conveyor 88 downstream that in a switch 90 for dividing the product flow into two parallel branches 92 and 94 flows out. In each of these branches 92 and 94 is a drying station each 96 arranged to dry the containers and their outer surfaces on downstream modules 98 to be able to hand over for aligning and gluing together the articles or containers to be connected. Again, manipulators can be used here 300 be provided for rotating and aligning the articles or containers.

The modules 98 form adhesive packs of a definable size from the filled individual items or individual containers and simultaneously guide them in a single conveyor line 100 further, here at the same time through a curing section 102 is formed, in which the applied adhesive bonds are given sufficient time to harden, whereby the containers are mechanically stabilized. The one in the first section through the curing section 102 formed conveyor line 100 further comprises a module 104 for applying handles to the adhesive bandage, also as a handle applicator 104 can be designated. These handles are made in the handle applicator 104 usually attached to suitable adhesive points of individual article jacket surfaces forming the adhesive bandage, usually by means of adhesive bonds that do not require any further curing.

After completing the module 104 To apply the handles, the adhesive packs thus finished can finally be sent to a palletizing station 106 be transferred, where several bundles form an article or bundle layer, with in the palletizing station 106 Typically several of these complete article or bundle layers are stacked on top of each other until a pallet assembly of the desired size is formed.

The third system configuration according to 7C shows an alternative variant in which no preforms are processed, but reusable containers are supplied, cleaned and refilled with beverages or other liquids. Accordingly, in this device 74 at the front (ie left) in the conveying direction 72 from left to right a transfer station 112 intended for empties, which optionally include a depalletizing station and / or an unpacker for the empties can. This transfer station equipped as required 112 is a cleaning station 114 downstream for the empties, in which the used and refilled bottles or containers are cleaned.

The cleaning station 114 is at the in 7C shown third variant of the device 74 a transport route 108 downstream, which can optionally be equipped with bottom cooling for the cleaned and refilled containers, so that they can be reduced in temperature after their cleaning with increased temperature for the downstream processing and filling steps.

The transport route 108 can in transport direction 72 again the optional rinser 82 as well as the filler 84 and the closer 86 be downstream, which here is a labeling station 110 is downstream for labeling the filled and closed containers. This labeling station 110 is the horizontal conveyor 88 downstream that in a switch 90 for dividing the product flow into two parallel branches 92 and 94 flows out. In each of these branches 92 and 94 is a drying station each 96 arranged to dry the containers and their outer surfaces on downstream modules 98 to be able to hand over for aligning and gluing together the articles or containers to be connected. Again, manipulators can be used here 300 for rotating and aligning the article or container by a required angle of rotation (see 5A , 5B , 5C and 6th ) be provided.

The modules 98 form adhesive packs of a definable size from the filled individual items or individual containers and simultaneously guide them in a single conveyor line 100 further, here at the same time through a curing section 102 is formed, in which the applied adhesive bonds are given sufficient time to harden, whereby the containers are mechanically stabilized. The one in the first section through the curing section 102 formed conveyor line 100 further comprises a module 104 for applying handles to the adhesive bandage, also as a handle applicator 104 can be designated. These handles are made in the handle applicator 104 usually attached to suitable adhesive points of individual article jacket surfaces forming the adhesive bandage, usually by means of adhesive bonds that do not require any further curing.

After completing the module 104 To apply the handles, the adhesive packs thus finished can finally be sent to a palletizing station 106 be transferred, where several bundles form an article or bundle layer, with in the palletizing station 106 Typically several of these complete article or bundle layers are stacked on top of each other until a pallet assembly of the desired size is formed.

The fourth system configuration according to 7D points in the conveying direction 72 system modules of the device arranged one after the other from left to right 74 , the respective handling and / or processing stations for the articles 12 form. At the device 74 according to 7D forms the furnace 76 the first station to heat up the preforms. In the oven 76 the preforms are brought to a temperature that is sensible for plastic deformation, which takes place in the furnace 76 downstream blow molding machine 78 he follows. In the blow molding machine 78 the preforms are formed into plastic containers or plastic bottles.

The blow molding machine 78 is at the device 74 according to 7D a transport route 108 downstream, which can optionally be provided with floor cooling. One of the transport route 108 in transport direction 72 downstream optional rinser 82 is used to clean the container before it is placed in a downstream filler 84 be filled with the liquid product. The pen 84 is also a closer here 86 downstream of it, a drying station designed as a rotary machine 116 follows. Also that of the drying station 116 following direct printing machine 118 can also be designed as a rotary machine and in particular comprise several rotary machine modules.

To these rotary modules of the direct printing machine 118 a distribution star closes 120 which alternates the filled and printed containers into two separate modules 98 for aligning and adhesively joining the articles or containers to be connected. The modules 98 are also designed and shown here as rotary modules. Manipulators can also be used at this point 300 for rotating and aligning the article or container by a required angle of rotation (see 5A , 5B , 5C and 6th ) be provided.

The modules 98 form adhesive packs of a definable size from the filled individual items or individual containers and simultaneously guide them along the conveyor line 100 further, here at the same time through a curing section 102 is formed, in which the applied adhesive bonds are given sufficient time to harden, whereby the containers are mechanically stabilized. The one in the first section through the curing section 102 formed conveyor line 100 further comprises a module 104 for applying handles to the adhesive bandage, also as a handle applicator 104 can be designated. These handles are Applicator 104 usually attached to suitable adhesive points of individual article jacket surfaces forming the adhesive bandage, usually by means of adhesive bonds that do not require any further curing.

After completing the module 104 To apply the handles, the adhesive bandages thus finished can finally be sent to the palletizing station 106 be transferred, where several bundles form an article or bundle layer, with in the palletizing station 106 Typically several of these complete article or package layers are stacked on top of one another until a pallet assembly of the desired size or height and number of articles or package layers located one above the other is formed.

The fifth system configuration according to 7E points in the conveying direction 72 system modules of the device arranged one after the other from left to right 74 , which are also each handling and / or processing stations for the article 12 form. In the fifth variant of the device 74 according to 7E joins the oven mentioned above 76 the blow molding machine 78 in which the preforms are subjected to a stretch blow molding process, for example, and thereby formed into plastic containers or plastic bottles.

The blow molding machine 78 is also in the fifth variant of the device 74 a transport route 108 downstream, which can optionally be equipped with bottom cooling for the blow-molded or stretch blow-molded containers so that their temperature can be reduced for the downstream processing and filling steps.

The transport route 108 can in transport direction 72 again the optional rinser 82 as well as the filler 84 and the closer 86 be downstream, which here is a labeling station 110 is downstream for labeling the filled and closed containers. The labeling station 110 is preferably a drying station 122 upstream so that the labels adhere perfectly to the surface of the container and the adhesion is not impaired by residual moisture.

To the labeling station 110 a distribution star closes 120 which alternates the filled and labeled containers into two separate modules 98 for aligning and adhesively joining the articles or containers to be connected. The modules 98 are also designed and shown here as rotary modules. The modules 98 form adhesive packs of a definable size from the filled individual items or individual containers and simultaneously guide them along the conveyor line 100 further, here at the same time through a curing section 102 is formed, in which the applied adhesive bonds are given sufficient time to harden, whereby the containers are mechanically stabilized. Optionally, in the area of modules 98 the manipulators already mentioned several times above 300 be provided for rotating and aligning the article or container by a required angle of rotation.

The one in the first section through the curing section 102 formed conveyor line 100 further comprises a module 104 for applying handles to the adhesive bandage, also as a handle applicator 104 can be designated. These handles are made in the handle applicator 104 usually attached to suitable adhesive points of individual article jacket surfaces forming the adhesive bandage, usually by means of adhesive bonds that do not require any further curing.

After completing the module 104 To apply the handles, the adhesive bandages thus finished can finally be sent to the palletizing station 106 be transferred, where several bundles form an article or bundle layer, with in the palletizing station 106 Typically several of these complete article or package layers are stacked on top of one another until a pallet assembly of the desired size or height and number of articles or package layers located one above the other is formed.

The sixth system configuration according to 7F points in the conveying direction 72 system modules of the device arranged one after the other from left to right 74 , which are also each handling and / or processing stations for the article 12 form. In the sixth variant of the device shown here 74 according to 7F joins the oven mentioned above 76 the blow molding machine 78 in which the preforms are subjected to a stretch blow molding process, for example, and thereby formed into plastic containers or plastic bottles.

The blow molding machine 78 is also in the sixth variant of the device 74 a transport route 108 downstream, which can optionally be equipped with bottom cooling for the blow-molded or stretch blow-molded containers so that their temperature can be reduced for the downstream processing and filling steps.

The transport route 108 can in transport direction 72 again the optional rinser 82 as well as the filler 84 and the closer 86 be downstream, which here is a labeling station 110 is downstream for labeling the filled and closed containers. The labeling station 110 is preferably a drying station 122 upstream so that the labels on the container surfaces adhere properly and the adhesion is not impaired by residual moisture.

The labeling station 110 in this sixth variant is directly a glue station 124 assigned, which applies adhesive dots at suitable points on the container surfaces before they are attached to a distributor star 120 are transferred, the filled, labeled and provided with adhesive dots container to a container formation station 126 passes in which the adhesive bandages are made. Optionally, in the area of the pack formation station 126 the manipulators already mentioned several times above 300 be provided for rotating and aligning the article or container by a rotation angle required in each case, so that about the container 36 according to 6th can be formed.

The pack formation station 126 the curing section follows 102 , in which the applied adhesive bonds have sufficient time to harden, which also mechanically stabilizes the containers produced. The curing line 102 the module continues to follow 104 for applying handles to the adhesive bandage, also as a handle applicator 104 can be designated. These handles are made in the handle applicator 104 usually attached to suitable adhesive points of individual article jacket surfaces forming the adhesive bandage, usually by means of adhesive bonds that do not require any further curing.

After completing the module 104 To apply the handles, the adhesive bandages thus finished can finally be sent to the palletizing station 106 be transferred, where several bundles form an article or bundle layer, with in the palletizing station 106 Typically several of these complete article or package layers are stacked on top of one another until a pallet assembly of the desired size or height and number of articles or package layers located one above the other is formed.

The 7G shows an enlarged view of a downstream part of the system. This embodiment or the corresponding components can in particular be part of the other embodiments described above in which packs are produced.

The articles are in particular on a conveyor belt 88 a switch 90 fed, which the articles in two streams on the conveyor belts 92 and 94 divides. The switch can for example be analogous to the publication U.S. 3,552,537 A (if the articles arrive at the switch in one lane), or in the case of mass transport, the switch can be a partition plate or bar which is arranged in the middle of the conveyor belt and on which the articles are in push in the alley more or less randomly.

Via an inlet device 409 , in particular a device for generating a defined distance, preferably a screw (not shown), the articles are each placed on a carousel 411 with rotating plates arranged on this 401 to hand over. The turntable 401 are on the carousel 411 itself rotatably mounted and driven. Via a sensor 402 , in particular a camera, the current rotational orientation of the article is determined with regard to the logo or brand name affixed to it (alternatively via a pressure mark or a notch on the article). After evaluating the measurement result, the article is turned at an angle for the application of adhesive dots by means of the nozzles 403 turned. The nozzles 403 can be fixed on the circumference of the carousel 411 be arranged.

In particular, the adhesive dots on the articles that are later on the outside of the finished layer can be applied to areas that are further than 30 °, preferably further than 60 °, from a centroid of the logo or brand name of the article on both sides in the circumferential direction of the article are removed, especially for the items that are in the position outside. This also applies to all other embodiments in which adhesive packs are produced

Using a specified palletizing scheme, the control 400 determine which articles have to be provided with adhesive at which circumferential position. Through the control 400 the turntables or their drives are controlled in their rotary position according to the measurement result of the sensor and the palletizing scheme.

After the articles are brought together and the glue is in the curing section 102 at least partially (the adhesive does not have to be finally hardened, but only so far that it “survives” the subsequent treatments) and thus the containers are created, they are transported on a conveyor 404 , in particular on a conveyor belt or on several conveyor belts, further promoted towards palletizing.

On this transporter 404 can be a handle by means of the device 104 be attached to the containers.

In the area of the transporter 404 is in particular a manipulator 405 , here in the form of a robot, arranged, which by turning and / or Moving certain bundles creates the configuration of the later item position. It is also preferably connected to a controller 400 linked, via which data on the position and / or alignment of the containers are passed on.

In particular, this manipulator 405 Containers whose articles have logos or brand names pointing outwards and which are later on the outside of the article position (at least on one side), rotated and / or displaced in such a way that a connecting section from a layer center (volume center of gravity) via a container center point (volume center of gravity) to a Center of the logo or brand name exclusively contains angles that are each greater than 90 °, preferably greater than 120 °, even more preferably less than 160 °. Instead of the volume center of gravity of the container, the volume center of gravity of the external articles could also be used here. This applies at least to the containers that are positioned on a side edge of a layer (see, for example, the embodiment according to FIG 4A , assuming that they are bundles, e.g. six-packs 2x3), but can also apply to several or all sides (see embodiment according to 3C or 3D , assuming they are containers, e.g. six-packs 2x3).

In other words, packs are positioned via the manipulator in such a way that brand names or logos pointing outward relative to the pack also take up an outward-pointing space on the articles. This applies primarily to the containers that are arranged on at least one side on the outside within the layer, but can also additionally apply to at least one container in the “second row” (seen from the outside).

In particular, this manipulator 405 Containers, the articles of which have logos or brand names pointing outwards and which are later on the outside of the article position, rotated and / or displaced in such a way that a connecting route from a point in the middle of a certain edge side 413 the position via a container center point (volume center of gravity) to a center point of the logo or brand name exclusively contains angles which are each smaller than 90 °, preferably smaller than 60 °, even more preferably smaller than 30 °. This is particularly true in the embodiments according to 4th (assuming there are containers) the case.

In the case of palletizing of individual articles in article layers (without outer packaging or adhesive dots) that are not combined into bundles, the palletizer, or sensors and rotatable packing tulips arranged on it, take on these tasks (not shown)

The following should be given as a supplementary note to the above statements: Even if “schematic” representations and views are generally spoken of in connection with the figures and their above descriptions, this does not mean that the figure representations and their description with regard to the disclosure of the invention should be of minor importance. The person skilled in the art is quite able to derive enough information from the schematically and abstractly drawn representations that facilitate his understanding of the invention without having to rely on the drawn and possibly not exactly to scale proportions of parts of the device and / or the Article or piece goods or other drawn elements would be impaired in its understanding in any way. Rather, the figures enable the person skilled in the art as a reader to use the more specifically explained implementations of the method according to the invention and the more specifically explained structure of the device according to the invention 74 (see. 7A to 7G) to derive a better understanding of the inventive concept formulated in the claims and in the general part of the description in more general and / or more abstract form.

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 can be made to the invention without departing from the scope of protection of the following claims.

List of reference symbols

10

Item location, general cargo location, location

12

Article, general cargo

14th

Primary packaging

16

palette

18th

Pallet assembly, pallet stack

20th

Presentation, external presentation

22nd

Outer surface, article outer surface

24

label

26th

Logo, illustration, colored design, graphic design

28

Combination picture, overall picture

30th

Oppression

32

Foil wrapping

34

Secondary packaging

36

Container

38

Partial lettering

40

Adhesive connection, glue point

42

Handle

44

bottle

46

Tray, cardboard tray

48

Side wall

50

label

52

mark

54

Print bar

56

Bottle not to be printed on, bottle not to be labeled

58

corner bottle, corner bottle to be printed, corner bottle to be labeled, corner bottle

60

Bottle to be printed, bottle to be labeled

62

Wall, wall surface

64

Narrow side (of the item position)

66

Passage for people or end customers

68

Alignment point

70

Long side (of the item position)

72

Direction of conveyance, direction of transport

74

Device, device for the production of article layers and / or pallet combinations

76

Oven, heating oven for tempering the preforms

78

Blow molding machine

80

Direct printing machine

82

Rinser

84

Filler, filling machine, filling module

86

Capper

88

Horizontal conveyor

90

Soft

92

first branch

94

second branch

96

Drying station

98

Module for aligning and joining the articles, gluing and aligning station

100

Conveyor line

102

Curing line

104

Module for applying the handles, handle applicator

106

Palletizing station

108

Transport route, transport route with floor cooling

110

Labeling station, labeling module

112

Transfer station for empties

114

Cleaning station for empties

116

Drying station (rotary machine)

118

Direct printing machine (rotary machines, rotary modules)

120

Distribution star

122

Drying station

124

Gluing station

126

Pack formation station

200

corner

201

line

202

Logo, brand name, logo area, brand name area

203

Focus of the logo area, focus of the brand name area, area focus

204

Connecting line

205

Focus of volume

206

Bisector

210

Observer, observer position, observer point of view

300

manipulator

400

control

401

Turntable

402

sensor

403

Nozzles

404

carrier

405

manipulator

409

Inlet device

411

carousel

413

Center of the marginal side of a layer

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant was 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.

Patent literature cited

• DE 2356748 A1 [0003]
• WO 8802729 A1 [0003]
• WO 9901355 A1 [0003]
• EP 2055648 A1 [0003]
• WO 0232771 A1 [0003]
• DE 102011111821 A1 [0003]
• EP 2878543 A1 [0102]
• US 3552537 A [0172]

Non-patent literature cited

• Jörg Bückle, Wolfgang Huber: Manual of the packing and palletizing technology. Ed .: Volker Kronseder, Hamburg 2005; here: pp. 228-229 [0005]

Claims (26)

Article or piece goods layer (10) formed by a plurality of articles (12) or piece goods, which is or can form part of a pallet (16) with several article or piece goods layers (10) stacked on top of one another , wherein the articles (12) or piece goods are each provided with external make-up (20) and / or coatings and / or equipment that convey an optical impression and / or convey information at least at selected points on their respective surfaces, and at least two articles (12 ) or piece goods of the article or piece goods layer (10), in particular two articles (12) or piece goods arranged adjacently in the article or piece goods layer (10), with outwardly facing external presentations (20) and / or coatings and / or equipment Combination creates an optical combination or overall impression that stands out or differs from the individual article (12) or piece goods ugen and / or provide a combination image (28). Item or piece goods position according to Claim 1 , the individual articles (12) or piece goods of which are formed by primary packaging (14) with filling goods located therein, in particular formed by liquid or a liquid beverage. Item or piece goods position according to Claim 1 , whose individual articles (12) or piece goods are formed by secondary packaging (34) in the form of containers (36) each with at least two combined primary packaging (14), the primary packaging (14) each containing filling goods, in particular liquid or a liquid beverage. Item or piece goods position according to Claim 3 , in which at least some of the secondary packaging (34) formed by the packs (36) or the summarizing secondary packaging (34) each with external make-up (20) and / or coatings and / or equipment that convey an optical impression and / or convey information at least at selected points of their respective Surfaces are and / or is provided, and at least one of these containers (36) with regard to its presentation, coating and / or equipment features with regard to its position in the article or piece goods layer (10) and in relation to at least one other, in particular adjacent one Container (36) is oriented outwards, the equipment of the at least two containers producing an overall picture (28). Item or piece goods position according to one of the Claims 1 to 4th , in which the presentation, coating and / or equipment features of the article (12) or piece goods are / were applied subsequently or after the production of the article or piece goods layer (10). Combination of several superimposed and stacked article or piece goods layers (10) according to one of the Claims 1 to 5 , wherein the make-up, coating and / or equipment features of the articles (12) or piece goods adjacent to one another superposed article or piece goods layers (10) create an optical combination or overall impression at individual or several points and / or provide a combination image (28) . Combination after Claim 6 in which the make-up, coating and / or equipment features of the articles (12) or piece goods are / have been applied subsequently or after the at least two article or piece goods layers (10) have been stacked on top of one another. Method for producing at least one article or piece goods layer (10) according to one of the Claims 1 to 5 or for generating a combination of several stacked article or piece goods layers (10) according to FIG Claim 6 or 7th , wherein the presentation, coating and / or equipment features with respect to their position on the stacked article or piece goods layers (10) are / are oriented outwards, which is controlled and / or influenced by means of a sensor detection. Procedure according to Claim 8 , in which the make-up, coating and / or equipment features are brought into their respective intended positions by means of sensory detection and corresponding movement control when positioning the articles (12) or piece goods. Procedure according to Claim 8 , in which the make-up, coating and / or equipment features are detected by sensors and positioned by appropriate motion control with the precise subsequent application of the features to the articles (12) or piece goods that have been brought into their respective intended positions. Method according to one of the Claims 8 to 10 , in which individual articles (12) or piece goods are rotated in the desired manner to create the optical impression and / or are exchanged for articles (12) or piece goods that are marked or equipped in a different way. Method according to one of the Claims 8 to 11 in which the make-up, coating and / or equipment features are applied to the respective articles (12) or piece goods afterwards or after the at least two article or piece goods layers (10) have been stacked one on top of the other. Device (74) for forming at least one article or piece goods layer (10) from a plurality of articles (12) or piece goods, comprising at least one manipulator (300) for detecting and handling the article (12) or piece goods in connection with the formation of the respective layer (10) and for the alignment of the articles (12) or piece goods to be brought into the layer arrangement in relation to an external presentation, coating and / or equipment feature, as well as comprising at least one, in particular optical sensor, for detecting the respective in articles (12) or piece goods to be moved or moved the layer arrangement, the sensor signals of the at least one optical sensor being processed and used to control the at least one manipulator (300) with regard to the positioning and / or alignment of the respective article (12) or piece goods in With reference to adjacent articles (12) or piece goods of the article or piece goods layer (10) used w can ground. Device for forming at least one article or piece goods layer (10) according to one of the Claims 1 to 7th or to form a combination of several stacked article or piece goods layers (10) according to Claim 8 or 9 , which device (74) is equipped with at least one optical sensor for detecting the orientation or position of the external presentation, coating and / or equipment features of the articles (12) or piece goods, the sensor signals for controlling at least one manipulator (300) for Positioning and / or alignment of the articles (12) or piece goods in the respective article or piece goods layer (10) and / or in relation to each adjacent article (12) or piece goods in the respective article or piece goods layer (10) are evaluated and used can. Article or piece goods layer (10) formed by a multiplicity of articles (12) or piece goods, which is or can form part of a pallet (16) with several article or piece goods layers (10) stacked on top of one another, wherein the articles (12) or piece goods each have an identification with a logo or a brand name or the like, the centers of area or centroids (203) of which are each arranged at a first circumferential position on the respective article (12) or piece goods, the articles - or piece goods layer (10) comprises several sides which are each formed by several articles (12) or piece goods arranged along a straight line and thus forming a row, wherein the article or piece goods layer (10) comprises several corners (200), each of which are formed by a single article (12) or piece goods at the end of two adjacent rows, and wherein at least one corner (200), in particular two, three i or four corners (200), a connecting line (204) of a center of gravity (203) of the respective identification, logo or brand name with a volume center of gravity (205) of the corresponding article (12) or piece goods, essentially an angle bisector (206) between the two adjacent rows (201). Article or piece goods position (10) according to Claim 15 , in which the one corner (200) of the article or piece goods layer (10) forming article (12) or one corner (200) of the article or piece goods layer (10) forming piece goods is part of a container (36), and wherein a Part of the remaining articles (12) or piece goods of the container (36) form part of one, in particular of both, adjacent rows. Article or piece goods position (10) according to Claim 15 or 16 , in which the identification, the logo or the brand name of the article (12) or piece goods extends over a circumferential angle of a maximum of 270 degrees along the circumference of the article (12) or piece goods. Article or piece goods layer (10) according to one of the Claims 15 to 17th in which the markings, logos or brand names of the articles (12) or piece goods adjacent to the corner article are aligned outwards in the rows. A method for producing an article or piece goods layer (10) or a plurality of article or piece goods layers (10) stacked one on top of the other according to one of the Claims 15 to 18th wherein the articles (12) or piece goods which are arranged in a corner position in the individual or in the stacked article or piece goods layers (10) are oriented outward with respect to their respective position and / or their respective identification or their respective logo or brand name what is controlled and / or influenced or controlled by means of a sensory detection. Device (74) for forming at least one article or piece goods layer (10) from a plurality of articles (12) or piece goods, comprising at least one manipulator (300) for detecting and handling the article (12) or piece goods in connection with the formation of the respective layer (10) and for aligning the articles (12) or piece goods to be brought into the layer arrangement with regard to their external markings, their logos or brand names, as well as comprising at least one, in particular optical, sensor for detecting the respective in the layer arrangement articles (12) or piece goods that are brought or transported, the sensor signals of the at least one sensor being processed and for controlling the at least one manipulator (300) with regard to the positioning and / or alignment the respective article (12) or piece goods can be used in relation to adjacent articles (12) or piece goods of the article or piece goods layer (10). Article or piece goods layer (10) formed by a multiplicity of containers (36) which is intended for a pallet (16) or is or can form part of a pallet (16) with several article or piece goods layers (10) stacked on top of one another, with at least two adjacent containers (36) of the article or piece goods layer (10) each comprise at least two articles (12) or piece goods, the respective articles (12) or piece goods being labeled with a logo or a brand name or the like with a Centers of area (203) which markings, logos or brand names each extend along the circumference of an article (12) by a first circumferential angle, with two articles (12) or piece goods of different and adjacent to one another in the article or piece goods layer (10) arranged containers (36) are arranged directly next to one another, one of these two articles (12) or piece goods relative to the other of these two items angle (12) or piece goods with respect to the alignment of a connecting line (204) from a volume center of gravity (205) of the article (12) or piece goods to a centroid (203) of the logo or the brand name is arranged rotated by a second angle about a vertical axis, wherein the second angle is greater than zero and corresponds at most to the first angle. Article or piece goods position (10) according to Claim 21 , at which the second angle is greater than 30 degrees and less than 90 degrees. Method for generating at least one article or piece goods layer (10), in particular according to Claim 21 or Claim 22 , wherein at least the identifications, logos and / or brand names of the outer articles (12) or piece goods are or are oriented outwards with respect to their respective position on or in the stacked article or piece goods layers (10), which is controlled and / or or is influenced, at least two containers (36) of the article or piece goods layer (10) each having the same number and arrangement of the articles (12) or piece goods located therein being produced, with at least one article (12) or piece goods of these two concerned Container (36) is brought into different orientations. Method for generating at least one article or piece goods layer (10), in particular according to Claim 21 or Claim 22 , wherein at least the identifications, logos and / or brand names of the outer articles (12) or piece goods are or are oriented outwards with respect to their respective position on or in the stacked article or piece goods layers (10), which is controlled and / or or is influenced, with at least two containers (36) of the item or piece goods layer (10) being produced, each with a different number and / or arrangement of the articles (12) or piece goods located therein. Procedure according to Claim 24 , in which at least one article (12) or piece goods of each of these two containers (36) is brought into different orientations. Article or piece goods layer (10) according to one of the Claims 1 to 5 or 16 to 18th or 20th to 25th , in which the articles (12) or piece goods of the containers (36) are joined to one another and / or connected to one another by means of adhesives.

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