DE19513552A1 - Method and device for packing or unpacking containers to be packed or unpacked in boxes - Google Patents

Abstract

A process and device for packing containers (1) into boxes is disclosed. The containers (20) arranged in matrix-shaped groups on a first continuous conveyor (4) are gripped by corresponding packing means (18) and set into boxes (6) on a second continuous conveyor (8). The invention is characterised in that the packing means (18) are arranged on a carrousel (10) that rotates around a horizontal axis of rotation (11) that extends transversely to the common direction of displacement (5) of the first and second conveyors (4, 8). Besides carrying out a movement of rotation (9) around the axis of rotation (11), the packing means (18) carry out an additional linear movement parallel to the axis of rotation (11) between both conveyors (4, 8).

Description

The present invention relates to a method and a Device for packing boxes to be packed Containers in which the groups in matrix form on a first rotating conveyor arranged containers seized by a packing set and in respective boxes on a respective second rotating Conveyor device are stored. Furthermore, the Invention a method and an apparatus for unpacking of containers to be unpacked from boxes which in the on a first rotating conveyor tion moving boxes arranged containers from one gripped each packing set and on a second revolving conveyor are stored. About that in addition, the invention relates to auxiliary methods according to the Claims 8 and 11 and auxiliary devices according to the Claims 27, 34 and 38.

A method or a device of the aforementioned Art has been in operation in several factories for several years use. It is currently the highest hour services relating to the number of packable and unpackable items Container reached. For example, plants are currently offered, which should be able to up to 8100 boxes per Hour, for example, handle 150,000 bottles per hour to be able to. It is like the present one Invention to so-called continuous packing and unpacking procedures or devices.  

In the known method or in the known Vorrich the two funding agencies run in opposite directions directions. The packing sets are lengthened stretched around the guide island that moves between the two funding agencies. In the round about this The packing sets also become wavy on the guide island moved so that they are in the area of the first funding institution First move the device down to grasp the containers and then move back up to the container from the to lift the first conveyor and to the one on the two to transport the existing crates animals. The amplitude of this lifting movement must be sufficient to then close the groups of containers down move and put in the boxes. Then the Packing sets lifted from the boxes and around that other end of the guide island to be moved are able to move back down to one new group of containers to be packed from the first To take funding.

The fact that the packing sets around an elongated guide around the island and along the undulating Guideways must be moved, thereby changing direction If problems occur continuously, they must be be accelerated and slowed down, which ultimately the Movement speed sets limits and the hours performance of the system limited. The accounts continue to run necessary braking and acceleration increased wear, so that the system as a whole is faulty is due. A relatively large amount of effort is also required Lich to the relatively complicated movements of the Packgarni doors to accomplish.

The object of the present invention is a method or to provide a device of the type mentioned, with with or with a high hourly output - at least comparable to that of the prior art - reliable and can be reached with less effort and where  in the event of accidents that lead to an interruption of operations and therefore overall a reduction in the mean Hourly performance compared to the known Plants, can be significantly reduced.

To solve this problem, both the packing process as well as provided in the unpacking process that the Packgarni doors on one around a horizontal and across to the common Direction of travel of the first and second conveyor de rotation axis are arranged circular, and that the packing sets in addition to the rotary movement around the Axis of rotation a linear movement parallel to the axis of rotation between between the two conveyor systems. A preacher to perform this procedure when packing Containers can be found in claim 12, while the corresponding device for unpacking containers Claim 16 can be seen.

The invention in turn turns two conveyors used, but in contrast to the prior art in run in the same direction. Above these two Conveyor facilities is located around a horizontal Rotary axis revolving rondelle, this axis of rotation transverse to first and second conveyor. Because that Rondell performs a continuous rotary motion the acceleration and deceleration processes of the Packgarni structures as far as possible compared to the known system minimized. The linear movement of the packing sets in parallel to the axis of rotation between the two conveyors during the rotating movement of the rondel and can be rea be lized that here too no pronounced mass forces te occur that lead to undesirable wear and undesirable accidents. The rotation of the rondelle is moving as a whole through symmetrical arrangement the parts always balanced somewhat, so that the arrangement relatively vibration-free. Because the rotary speed intensity that is required to be high with the hours performance of the most powerful systems so far comparable  Achieve hourly output at about 10 rpm of the rondelle a certain amount of imbalance is perfectly acceptable. The Rondell therefore forms the device that holds the containers transferred from one conveyor to the other and can with the inventive concept even at higher Rotational speeds are operated at the hourly rate stung increase, while in the prior art Speed limits of the transfer device quickly are reached.

In connection with creating a powerful, continuous working device for packing Containers in boxes, the other task is that appropriate device as quickly as possible on different To be able to convert container and box sizes.

The invention provides a method for solving this problem for grouping gelie on a first conveyor made containers according to a planned matrix shape, with several extending longitudinally along the first Conveyor railing extending the orientation of the Carry out the containers in the transverse direction and the containers in the lanes formed between the railings on in the lanes provided respective conveyor belts are transported, wherein in the inlet area of the first conveyor, d. H. the conveyor belts featured a circumferential bottle divider can be seen, which in rows across the direction of rotation and in Area of the conveyor belts arranged dividing pins, which are slower than that at a linear velocity Moving and moving speed of the conveyor belts together the following series of dividers a mutual, corresponding to the length of the respective container groups Have distance, characterized in that the respective arranged rows of dividing pins on support units and longitudinally along the support units, d. H. in or adjusted in the opposite direction to the conveying direction, the bottle divider either below or above the upper debris of the conveyor belts is placed. A  corresponding device can be found in claim 27.

With the invention thus a method or a Vorrich tion created, which the known dividing pins used according to the prior art, but so on Carrier units mounted so that they run lengthways along the carrier units, d. H. in or opposite to the funding direction can be adjusted, the system very quickly, automatically and without manual work on the im Operation provided different block lengths, d. H. the different lengths of the groups of containers can be fitted, these block lengths of the dimensions of the containers and the number of containers in one the intended box are to be packed, depend.

This solution according to the invention can usefully be a supplement tion of the method according to the invention can be applied but also in existing plants, which follow one another Working principle, can also be used advantageously.

Another part of the task described above is also the block widths or width of the groups of containers to be packed in boxes during the Operating can vary fully automatically to make a difference the container dimensions and crate dimensions will. For this purpose, a device is preferably used for railing adjustment at a conveyor for Containers provided, the railings on at least one Place of respective control bodies arranged in a row pern be moved, and by the respective actuator Rotation of a continuous adjustment shaft in the transverse direction are adjustable, characterized in that each position body sits on a sleeve rotatable by the adjusting shaft, one of the sleeves in the axial direction of the adjusting shaft is not movable, but the others are movable are, between each actuator and the associated Sleeve a screw drive is provided, such that a Twisting the sleeve to shift the twist  secured actuating body leads along the adjusting shaft, and that each actuator has a bearing on the sleeve of the adjacent actuator body coupled for the same is, whereby the adjustment movement of each actuator depending on Direction of rotation of the adjustment shaft to the adjustment movement of the previous actuator added or subtracted from this is hated. Because with a railing adjustment also one Adjustment of the dividing pins in the transverse direction is required is, the device according to claim 27 in correspond trained accordingly, as from claim 30 emerges.

This device for railing or One-piece pin adjustment in the transverse direction of the conveyor again around a device that either complements the first-mentioned method according to the invention or for the inventions device according to the invention can be viewed, or is also useful in itself and also for use in conventional systems or processes.

After all, a continuously working, lei Stable device for packing containers in Crates a well thought out strategy for handling mistakes stick boxes or faulty packing processes, that works quickly and reliably and long lasting Prevents faults and damage to the system. For The invention provides a method for solving this subtask to avoid damage caused by accidents at the on packing containers into damaged or improper according to boxes in which a sensor device opens one buffer movement indicating an impending accident Packing set detected and triggers a switch-off process, characterized in that in the event of the response of the Sensor device part of the second box in the area the conveyor carrying the Rondell moved down becomes. A corresponding support device for support of boxes when packing containers into the boxes claim 38.  

The fact that the table of the support device in the event of a Incident can be moved down very quickly it is possible to prevent damaged or not proper boxes to damage or long cause permanent failure of the system. These faulty ones or improper boxes are invented very quickly quickly down from the area of the Packgar nituren moved away, so that the Rondell anyway when braking can expire until the faulty or not ord Appropriate boxes are removed from the table and this is moved up again by the support device. The sensor signal announcing the fault can also do this be used to switch off the system as a whole.

This facility can also be used with the procedure ren or with the device of the first inventions mentioned here application, but can also be used with conventional Plants are used to remedy accidents create.

Further preferred embodiments of the invention The subclaims relate to methods and devices remove.

The invention is described below using a practical Example and the drawing explained in more detail demonstrate:

Fig. 1 is a schematic view direction of the first conveyor and of the rondel a machine according to the invention approximately as this view presents itself for packaging of containers in boxes, in along the plane II of Fig. 3,

Fig. 2 is a schematic view direction of the second conveyor and of the rondel of the machine according to the invention approximately as this view presents itself for packaging of containers in boxes, in along the plane II-II of Fig. 3,

Fig. 3 shows a cross section through the roundabout of FIGS. 1 and 2 on the section plane III-III,

Fig. 4 shows an enlarged illustration of the bottle one piece on the right side of Fig. 1 in the same side view, but at the same time depicting development of the slide control for the rotational movement of the bearing Einteilstifte carrier units,

5 shows a cross section through the bottles of one piece of Fig. 4, seen at the section plane VV, namely direction. And over the entire width of the first conveyor considered

FIGS. 6A to E various details of the support units of one piece bottles according to FIGS. 4 and 5, wherein

Fig. 6A is a further link control for the Einteilstifte Ver position along the carrier units is, as to the sectional plane VIa-VIa of Fig. 5,

Fig. 6B, the circulating chain of the Verstelleinrich processing of FIG. 6A, namely how this sectional plane at the VIb-VIb of Fig. 6C, and 6D to see

Fig. 6C is a view of the device of FIG. 6A shows in the direction VIc,

Fig. 6D is an open side view of the device of Fig. 6C, and

Fig. 6E is a section through the Fig. 6b to the cutting plane VIe-VIe,

Fig. 7 is a partially broken away view of the transverse adjustment of the Einteilstifte a row of pins of the bottle the one piece of Fig. 1, as this is shown approximately at the sectional plane VII-VII,

Fig. 8 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 7, from which the mechanical arrangement can be seen more clearly,

FIG. 9A and 9B view of the pin row of Figure 7 and that

Fig. 9A is a view corresponding to the arrow IXa of Fig. 7, and

Fig. 9B a sectional view thereof along the plane IXb-IXb of Fig. 7.

Fig. 10 is an enlarged, partially broken away, depicting the lung Geländerverstelleinrichtung of FIG. 1, as this is seen at the plane XX,

Fig. 11 is an enlarged view of part of Fig. 9,

FIG. 12A and 12B are sectional view according to the planes XIIa-XIIa and XIIb-XIIb of Fig. 10, and

Fig. 13 is a schematic representation of the adaptation of the railing to different container diameters.

The machine according to the invention was designed to either pack containers 2 , which are supplied by the first conveyor 4 according to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, into boxes 6 on the second conveyor 8 or containers 2 from boxes 6 on the first conveyor 4 can be removed and placed on the second conveyor 8 . That is, the machine according to the invention can be implemented and used either as a packaging machine and / or as an unpacking machine.

Here is a continuously operating principle, in which the first conveyor 4 and the second conveyor 8 are arranged side by side. About the parallel Förderein directions 4 and 8 , the rondelle 10 is attached, which rotates in a similar shape as a ferris wheel in the direction of arrow 9 ( Fig. 1) about the horizontal axis of rotation 11 . Distributed on the circumference are preferably five, linearly movable gripper units 12 of which only three are shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, which can serve four boxes 6 (up to six boxes are possible) and thus accomplish the actual packing process. The goods to be transported (container 2 and boxes 6 ) do not come to a standstill during the packing process.

The packaging machine is due to the undefined distances and positions of the container 2 on the upstream conveyor device much more complicated than the unpacking machine and is therefore taken as a reference for the description. The regulated arrangement of the containers 2 in the boxes 6 , which are located in the unpacking case on the first conveyor 4 , immensely simplifies the unpacking process. The unpacking machine is thus also realized by dispensing with several assemblies. In order to describe the process, we pick out a gripper unit 12 and follow a complete packing cycle in the case of packing, based on certain boundary conditions.

For this purpose, there is the respective, but not shown, gripper unit, initially on the side of the first conveying device 4 in the three o'clock position 12 a of FIG. 1 of the roundel 10 . In front of the bottle divider 16 , which the first conveying device 4 contains , there is a large number of pent-up and filled containers 2 on a storage belt, not shown. Due to the conveying effect of the accumulation belt, the filled containers 2 are distributed in different alleys 14 on the first conveyor 4 and travel in the direction of arrow 5 to the bottle divider 16 located in the first conveyor. The containers 2 are thus arranged in rows roughly corresponding to the box matrix.

Now the containers 2 have to be divided along the rows into container or block groups according to the required number of bottles of the given box matrix. The bottle divider 16 releases the container group in the direction of arrow 5 ( Fig. 1) and holds back the excess containers 2 . The gripper unit (not shown) in the three o'clock position 12 a of FIG. 1 lowers through the rotation of the rondelle 10 in the direction of arrow 9 above the divided container group and then holds it in place. The gripper unit 12 has a gripper assembly 18 consisting of packing tulips 20 , which can be displaced vertically, so that the packing tulips 20 do not have to close exactly at the lower turning point of the roundel 10 , but can then close as soon as they have been placed on the containers 2 . The vertical component of the circular motion is buffered, as a result of which the gripper assembly 18 describes a path which is flattened at the lower quadrant of the orbit of the circular 10 . To ensure that the gripper set 18 is lowered in the gripper unit 12 exactly above the containers 2, these are guided by positioning pins ride-22nd

When turning further, the gripper unit 12 lifts the container group off. As soon as the nine o'clock position of the roundel 10 in FIG. 1 is reached (which corresponds to the three o'clock position in FIG. 2), a linear movement of the gripper unit 12 is initiated parallel to the axis of rotation 11 , the linear movement after further rotation of the roundel 10 in the direction of the arrow 9 in the three o'clock position in Fig. 1 (which corresponds to the nine o'clock position in Fig. 2) is completed. The gripper unit 12 is thus in the nine o'clock position in FIG. 2 above the second conveyor device 8 . So that the container 2 can be placed exactly in the boxes 6 , these are, after they have also been first divided, prepositioned along the box positioner 28 with positioning pins, which the second conveyor 8 contains . The exact position of the boxes when inserting the container is achieved by the centering frame 24 , which, with the gripper cooking unit 18 and guided over a control curve 26 ( FIG. 2), lowers onto the boxes 6 before the containers 2 are inserted.

After the packing tulips 20 in the gripper set 18 are controlled and the gripper unit 12 has been lifted again from the boxes 6 in the direction of arrow 9 ( FIG. 2), a further linear movement of the gripper unit 12 from the second conveyor 8 to the side of the first can Conveyor 4, the starting position can be taken again to begin the next packing cycle. This further linear movement takes place most easily during a further rotation of the rondel. The released boxes 6 are now provided with containers 2 and can leave the machine in the direction of the arrow 5 ( FIG. 2). Since this sequence, which is illustrated here using the example of a gripper unit 12 , requires two rotations, five gripper units 12 are preferably provided in order to achieve a harmonious sequence.

In order to be able to move the crate positioner 28 downward in the second conveyor 8 in the case of a bottle cradle in order to avoid collisions, two cylinders 30 and four guides 32 were provided for the latter. During normal operation, the crate positioner 28 is supported in the upper end position by the cylinders 30 , as can be seen in FIG. 2. Double-acting pneumatic cylinders were chosen, on the one hand because only two defined positions are required, on the other hand so that they can accelerate very quickly and the speed in the lower area can be comfortably absorbed (end position damping). Roller guides serve as guides 32 which prevent the box positioner 28 from tilting or tilting. This is necessary because tilting could lead to jamming during the descent process. On the other hand, the operating position of the crate positioner 28 is not as exact.

It would also be conceivable to replace the moving-away movement of the second conveyor device 8 downward in that the lever plates 48 , which carry the gripper units 12 at the two opposite ends of the linear guides 42 , are made in several parts, the parts of the lever plates against one another are movable so that the necessary stroke can be realized in the event of malfunctions.

By constructive measures on the rondel 10 , the prepositioning of the boxes 6 can be replaced by the box positioner 28 by running the boxes 6 onto corresponding components of the rondel 10 .

In order to meet the requirement to be able to drive different boxes matrices, and this results in different box widths, a corresponding railing adjustment unit 34 ( FIG. 2) is provided for the boxes. By a scissors mechanism that is driven by an electric motor, the box railing 36 is moved perpendicular to the belt direction. This railing adjustment unit can be driven by a motor (not shown), which enables a defined positioning and maintains a specific position due to its holding torque.

Due to the kinematic principle used for the machine, there is a direct correlation between the size of the clothing, the round diameter and the packing capacity. For a given packing or unpacking performance, there is a maximum permissible rotational speed of the roundel, ie the maximum permissible linear gripper units 12 located thereon or the gripper sets 18 located therein. It has been found that the optimal solution for the design of the roundel is achieved if the roundel diameter is kept as small as possible. As a result, the required amount of material and the possible balancing forces are kept as small as possible. It has also been found that the optimal number of gripper units is five. The use of more gripper units leads to larger diameters and additional costs, while with fewer than five gripper units, a harmonious sequence of packing and unpacking processes appears to be more difficult to achieve. Nevertheless, the invention is not limited to the use of just five gripper units. More or fewer gripper units can be used. If the speed Umlaufgeschwindig too high, there would be the risk that the container 2 when entering the machine on the first conveyor 4 by too high acceleration of the total hinge ends hinge 38 of the first conveyor 4 , fall. Therefore, the gripper units 12 must be kept as small as possible in the conveying direction. The flat top chains 38 of the first conveyor device 4 namely run faster than the one-piece fingers 160 of the bottle dividers and the positioning fingers 22 of the bottle positioners 94 , which each move at the same speed as the gripper units 12 .

When Rondell 10 is to be achieved that the five gripper units 12 are placed on the smallest possible diameter. This requires a design that is optimized in terms of shape and space saving. The roundel 10 must ensure that the gripper units 12 can be moved between the first conveyor 4 and the second conveyor 8 . The vertical component of the rotational movement is responsible for lifting the containers 2 from the first conveyor 4 on the one hand and lowering them into the boxes 6 on the second conveyor 8 on the other hand. In order for the packing tulips 20 to have sufficient time to open and close, the circular path must, as already mentioned, be flattened at the lower quadrant of the circular movement of the rondelle 10 . A centering frame 24 must ensure that the boxes 6 are in the correct position before the containers 2 are lowered. The equipment should enable a fully automatic changeover. Appropriate sensors must be installed to detect malfunctions. These functions are realized with energy in the form of dry compressed air and low voltage.

For this purpose, the Rondell 10 is composed of radially extending supporting parts, the so-called Rondellsterstern 46 , and a central hollow shaft 58 , on which the plat-shaped Rondellsterne 46 are welded. After attaching the main bearing 78 , the Rondell 10 can be completely assembled outside the machine and must only be used in the machine frame 80 at the Endmon days. The number of star arms of the circular star 46 corresponds to the number of gripper units 12 provided . The entire Rondell 10 is divided into separate modules that can be exchanged as desired. It is therefore very easy to repair because individual assemblies can be exchanged and repaired. In addition to the connection screws, only the corresponding energy systems have to be interrupted. This means that there is little downtime (in the event of any damage).

The gripper units 12 are installed with their guides 42 and lever plates 48 as well as with the bearing 82 and already pressed-on connection flanges 84 in the circular star 46 . Compressed air and lubricant are provided in the gripper units 12 by rotary transmitters 86 . The control signals and the control current are transmitted via telemetry 88 . In the central hollow shaft, the control signals are transmitted via telemetry 90 , the control current can take place via slip rings 92 or also via telemetry. The gripper unit 12 contains the clothing carriage 40 which carries the gripper clothing 18 . The entire clothing carriage 40 , which is designed as a welded sheet metal construction, is connected to the gripper unit 12 via two column guides, not shown, and four short-stroke cylinders, also not shown. In this way, the required height compensation for the pick-up and delivery position is realized. The short-stroke cylinders only travel in idle mode during normal operation; however, they are essential for an automatic changeover.

Each clothing slide 40 is carried and guided by two linear guides 42 . The linear guides 42 are attached at their opposite ends to cranks, the so-called lever plates 48 , which are mounted on the star arms of the circular star 46 via the bearing pin 66 and the bearing 82 seated in the pressed-on connecting flange 84 . As explained in more detail later, the lever plates 48 are always held in a vertical position by gear trains during the orbital movement of the rondelle 10 . The linear movement of each clothing carriage 40 , along the associated two linear guides 42 , is accomplished by a rodless pneumatic cylinder 44 , which is also attached to the lever plates 48 . In a possible modification, the rodless pneumatic cylinders 44 can be replaced by electromotive systems.

Each clothing carriage 40 receives a compressed air reservoir, not shown, which supplies the gripper assembly 18 , a lubricant distributor, not shown, for the linear guides 42 and a valve island, not shown, on which the electrically operated pneumatic valves, not shown, are seated. The valve terminal, not shown, has the advantage that it can be controlled with only one interface cable, not shown.

As already mentioned, there are now five of these gripper units 12 , which must always be aligned exactly vertically, between the two circular star 46 . Therefore, they are controlled via gear trains, which sit on the Rondellstern 46 . Each gear train is structured as follows.

The central ring gear 68 ( Fig. 3) is fixed to the frame and meshes over two gear stages with five ring gears 70 , each of which sits on a corresponding journal 66 of the lever plates 48 . The gear train is designed so that no translation takes place, that is, that the outermost sprockets 70 have no self-rotation. Since the Grei fer Units 12 are on the inside of the Rondellsterne 46 , the central ring gear 68 (sun gear fixed to the frame) can only be realized on both sides on the outside, the imprinted movement must be passed through the Rondellstern 46 , which for reasons of space the gearbox intermediate stages 72 is realized.

The control cam 26 ( Fig. 2), which forces the movement of the centering frame 24 during the settling process, must also be firmly attached to the frame. However, since it is located on the inside of the Rondellstern 46 , on the side of the second conveyor 8 , the rolling movement of the idler 74 of the first intermediate gear stage 72 is guided to the inside of the Ron dellsterne 46 , and with the same gear pairing a stationary one to the frame Sun gear 76 realized on the inside to which the control cam is attached.

The centering frame 24 has, as already mentioned, the task of aligning the boxes 6 relative to the gripper set 18. Since the centering frame 24 may only be lowered during the working stroke, it is held by a spring assembly 50 ( FIG. 3) above, which by a pneumatic cylinder 52 is wounded if necessary. So in the event of failure of the compressed air or at rest all centering frames 24 are retracted. The centering frame 24 is mounted with two telescopic linear guides 54 in the lever plate 48 . The two linear guides 54 are connected at the top with a yoke 56 , on which the spring assembly 50 and the pneumatic cylinder 52 are suspended. The linear guides 54 are located on the axially inner side of the lever plates 48 , while the spring assemblies 50 and the pneumatic cylinders 52 are arranged on the axially outer side of the lever plates 48 .

Since the centering frame 24 is retracted in the event of a settling and has to pass under the central hollow shaft 58 of the roundell 10 , the yoke 56 can only perform a certain stroke. However, since the centering frame 24 has to travel a much larger distance, it is necessary to execute the linear guide 54 telescoping bar. The stroke is forced on the centering frame 24 by a teleflex cable 60 attached to the inner telescopic tube of the centering frame 24 and to the lever plate 48 . The Teleflexführung 62 as a deflection unit is fixed like a loose roller on the yoke 56 of the centering frame 24 , which is firmly connected to the outer telescopic tube of the linear guide 54 . This doubles the stroke. In trouble-free operation, the pneumatic cylinder 52 extends in a corresponding position and presses the cam roller 64 , which is attached to the yoke 56 (and is only indicated by its axis of rotation in FIG. 2), on the control cam 26 . The control curve 26 , which determines the vertical Stel development of the centering frame 24 in the lower region of the rondel 10 , is arranged between the lever plates 48 and the axially inner side of the Rondellsternes 46 on the side of the second conveyor 8 and, as already mentioned, there at the Fixed sun gear 76 , which ensures that the control cam is arranged fixed to the frame, ie always has the same position. The pneumatic cylinder thus presses the roller 64 against the horizontal flange of the control cam 26 , so that it determines the vertical position of the respective yoke 56 and therefore of the respective centering frame during the orbital movement in the lower region of the roundel.

In the case of a crate, the centering frame 24 is not controlled by the control cam 26 , but the inner telescopic tube of the linear guide 54 is pressed upwards. An electro-mechanical switch, which is interposed on the lever plate side of the telex extension 60 , registers the relief of the telex extension 60 and can thus forward the error message to the programmable logic controller (PLC), not shown.

Since, according to collision considerations, the centering frame 24 must not remain in the upper extreme position during the idle stroke, the unit, consisting of the suspension of the teleflex extension with sensors, is mounted on a cylinder, not shown, which can lower the centering frame 24 by changing the suspension point.

In the embodiment just described, the centering frame 24 always remains on the side of the roundel 10 associated with the second conveyor 8 . However, it would also be conceivable to combine the centering frame 24 with the clothing slide 40 , and to be able to move it back and forth from one side of the circular 10 to the other side of the circular 10 .

The bottle transport system of the plant generally has the task in this process section to distribute the filled containers 2 , which drive in a completely random arrangement on a conveyor onto the packaging machine, to the alleys 14 . This is accomplished by forcing the containers 2 in front of the first conveyor 4 in the so-called bottle inlet on the previously mentioned but not shown storage belt into the alleys 14 lying in the belt direction. This then forms the interface to the first conveyor device 4 of the packaging machine.

Since there is a certain variety of containers in the area of the reusable containers, it is also important to be able to adjust the alleys 14 to the different diameters of the containers. The first conveying device 4 is to be kept as small as possible in terms of length in the conveying direction. The reasons for this are to be found in the smallest possible extent, relative to the machine frame 80 . As short as possible design positively influences the mass of umlau fenden hinged chain 38 , on which the container 2 mentioned above, about bottle dividers 16 , bottle positioner 94 and devices 96 for railing adjustment, are transported away.

In the preferred embodiment shown here, ten flat hinge chains 38 are provided side by side, only one of which is visible in FIG. 1 (all flat hinge chains being shown in FIGS. 5, 8 and 10). The drive of the first conveyor 4 is not synchronized with the main movement of the rondel 10 , but a control loop is provided which strictly coupled the drive of individual components, for example the bottle divider 16 , with the main movement of the rondel 10 . A control loop is not absolutely necessary here, it may even be advantageous to have all drives driven by a common motor, the desired coupling being implemented using appropriate gears.

According to Fig. 4 and 5 of the bottle divider 16 divides, by means of a device 98 for adjusting the one piece fingers 160, the flow rate of the container 2 over the entire width of the first conveyor 4, in blocks a. The main movement of the device 98 for adjusting the one-piece fingers 160 is realized by the double chains 100 arranged on both sides of the first conveyor 4 ( FIG. 5), such that the device 98 for adjusting the one-piece fingers 160 are connected to the double chains 100 by means of carrier units 102 . The container 2 are by the faster than the double chains 100 revolving hinge belt chains 38 (conveyor belts), which are guided in the middle of the alleys 14 in the hinge belt chain guide 138 , on the slower moving device 98 for adjusting the one-piece fingers 160 .

So that the finger of the device 98 for adjusting the divider 160 controlled one piece fingers 160 can easily turn up the densely populated moving containers 2 between, they must attach surfacing a vertical position, a take. This is ensured by the main links 104 , which are also arranged on both sides of the first conveyor 4 ( FIG. 5), which control the cam rollers 106 . These are each rigidly connected via a lever 108 to the carrier unit 102 , which is rotatably suspended from the double chain 100 . Since the main link 104 is displaced to the right during the ascent process by the amount of the length of the lever, the device 98 for adjusting the one-piece fingers 160 assumes a vertical position. Due to the elevation in the front area of the main link 104 , ie on the left side of FIG. 4, the respective cam rollers 106 and the respective carrier units 102 are pressed upward here.

After overcoming this elevation of the control links 104 , they drop off steeply, as a result of which the device 98 for the adjustment of the one-piece fingers 160 is swung away in a forward direction. This prevents the containers 2 from tipping over the submerged one-piece fingers 160 of the device 98 . Since the direction of movement at the two vertices, which are located in the areas 103 and 105 of the main link 104 , is not defined, two auxiliary links 110 and 111 take over the guidance of the carrier units 102 in these areas 103 , 105 and thus the device 98 mounted in between for adjusting the one-piece fingers 160 . In order to ensure a defined guidance, the main scenes 104 are widened in the areas 103 and 105 .

In order to be able to drive different container sizes, the device 98 for adjusting the one-piece fingers 160 must be able to assume different positions along the first conveying device 4 during the ascending process, depending on the type of bottle. The semi movement of the one piece finger is generated in the carrier unit 102 160, so that the device 98 may be moved relative to the adjustment of one piece finger 160 relative to the carrier unit 102nd As will be explained in more detail below with reference to FIG. 6, the movement is initiated by the link 112 , which is mounted in the front area around a fixed point. If, for example, the smallest group of containers is moved, the link 112 is pivoted upwards by the maximum angle, and the device 98 for adjusting the one-piece fingers 160 is in the front end position during the ascending process. Then, while the carrier unit 102 is moving forward, it begins its relative movement backwards until it has reached its rear end position.

This ensures that the device 98 for adjusting the one-piece fingers 160 appears at different locations depending on the container size, but always releases the container group at the same time or at the same location along the first conveyor 4 and delivers it to the bottle positioner 94 , so that the synchronization between bottle divider 16 and bottle positioner 94 is correct.

According to FIG. 6, a cam roller 114 is driven by the backdrop 112 mentioned in FIGS . 4 and 5. The cam roller 114 is fastened to a toothed rack 116 which is held in the upper end position by the spring assembly 118 ( FIG. 6A) without cam actuation. The rack 116 is guided in the linear guide 120 and controls the gear 122 . The gear wheel 122 is arranged in front of the sprocket wheel 124 visible in FIG. 6B and is rigidly connected to it. The sprocket 124 controls, ie drives the chain 126 , which is connected to a carriage 128 and is guided in a groove by two roller bearings 130 . The device 98 for adjusting the one-piece fingers 160 is connected to the carriage 128 via the angle 132 visible in FIG. 6E. Since the rack 116 is arranged to the right of the center point of the sprocket 124 , the carriage 128 is normally in the front end position according to FIG. 6 B. If the rack 116 is now pulled down from the cam roller 114 , the carriage 128 begins and thus the device 98 for adjusting the one-piece fingers 160 its relative movement until it has reached the rear end position, not shown.

The device 98 for adjusting the one piece finger 160 (FIG. 7), 1 is shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. Transversely of the first conveyor 4, both, used in the bottle divider 16 as well as in Flaschenpositionierer 94th Due to the rotation of the double chains 100 and 136 (see FIG. 1), the one-piece fingers 160 , which are coupled to the device 98 for adjusting the same, in this case mesh the fixed hinged belt chain guides 138 ( FIG. 8). The device 98 for adjusting the one-piece fingers 160 is identical to the device 140 for adjusting the positioning pins 22 . The device 140 and the device 98 are adjustable to different diameters and they are to be regarded as identical.

The adjustment movement, orthogonal to the direction of movement of the first conveyor 4 , is initiated with the aid of a hexagon shaft 142 . The details can be seen better in FIG. 8, a representation of FIG. 7 enlarged on one side. On this hexagonal shaft 142 sits a threaded sleeve 144 , with left and right hand threads, which is firmly pinned there. On both sides of this threaded sleeve 144 are five screw drives, also called actuators, switched in series ( Fig. 7). Such an actuator consists of an actuator body 146 and a threaded sleeve 148 , which are connected via a bearing 150 . By the rotation of the hexagonal shaft 142 , the first actuating body 146 a now experiences a linear movement perpendicular to the conveying direction after the centrally fixed threaded sleeve 144 ( FIG. 7). The threaded sleeve 148 a of the first actuating body 146 a not only transmits the displacement of the first actuating body 146 a to the adjacent actuating body 146 b, but additionally induces a linear movement in the actuating body of the second actuating body 146 b by the still existing rotation of the hexagonal shaft 142 . This means that the threaded sleeve 148 has a central opening with approximately the same cross section as the hexagonal shaft 142 , so that the threaded sleeve 148 unscrews with the hexagonal shaft 142 , but is axially displaceable relative to the latter. The bearing 150 thus enables the relative rotary movement between each threaded sleeve 148 and the actuating body 146 connected therewith via the bearing 150 , which maintains its orientation but transmits the axially directed adjusting forces between adjacent actuating bodies 148 . This fact, ie the linear movements of the actuators along the hexagonal shaft, continues to propagate from the center outwards. The necessary adjustment distances are added or subtracted depending on the direction of rotation of the hexagonal shaft 142 .

On the actuators 146 so-called support body 152 are screwed ver, which redirect the linear movements to the top of the tubular and slotted housing 154 of the device 98 Vorrich. There, the support bodies 152 run on attached plastic slide rails 156 . The tubular housing 154 fulfills the purpose of the supporting function and the protection against the constantly dripping liquid soap suds. As can be seen from FIG. 9B, the one-piece fingers 160 or positioning pins 22 (identical in construction to 160 ) are modularly screwed into the pin carriers 162 on the supporting bodies 152 , so that the pin carrier 162 can be easily removed in the event of damage, without dismantling the first conveyor device 4 . Fig. 9A shows respect to the installation position of Fig. 1 and Fig. 4.

The device 96 for railing adjustment ( FIG. 10) represents a central element in the first conveyor 4. It serves to adjust the alley railings 164 and the hinge band chain guide 138 . There are preferably four devices 96 for railing adjustment fixed in the first conveyor device 4 , arranged ( Fig. 1).

The apparatus 96 for rail adjustment of Fig. 10, from which a section is enlarged in Fig. 11 is based on the same functional principle as the device 98 or device 140 ( FIG. 7). The devices 98 , 140 and 96 actually differ only in the number and geometry of the adjusting bodies 146 used and to be adjusted. The adjustment movement, orthogonal to the conveying direction, is also initiated with the aid of a hexagon shaft 142 . A threaded sleeve 144 ( FIG. 11) with left-hand and right-hand thread sits centrally on this hexagonal shaft 142 , which is firmly pinned there. A total of ten screw drives, or actuators, are connected in series on both sides of this threaded sleeve. Such an actuating unit consists of an actuating body 146 and a threaded sleeve 148 , which are connected via a bearing 150 . Due to the rotation of the hexagonal shaft 142 , the first adjusting body 146 a, after the centrally fixed threaded sleeve 144 , now experiences a linear movement perpendicular to the conveying direction. The threaded sleeve 148 a of the first actuator 146 a not only transfers the displacement of the first actuator 146 a, but also induced by the still existing rotation of the hexagonal shaft 142 , additional Lich a linear movement in the second actuator 146 b. This state of affairs also spreads from the middle to the outside. Depending on the direction of rotation of the hexagonal shaft 142, the necessary adjustment distances result from addition or subtraction.

So-called support bodies 152 are also screwed to the actuating bodies 146 , which redirect the linear movements to the upper side, the tubular and slotted housing 154 , of the device 96 . There, the support bodies 152 run on plastic slide rails 156 . On the support body 152 , attachments 158 for alley railings 164 and the Scharnierbandket ten guides 138 are screwed ( Fig. 12). The tubular housing 154 fulfills the purpose of the supporting function and the protection against the constantly dripping liquid soap suds. The greater mass resulting from the larger number of actuating bodies 146 does not play a role in this case, since the devices 96 for railing adjustment, as already mentioned, are fixedly mounted in the first conveying device 4 and do not circulate.

The support body 152 of the device 96 for railing adjustment, viewed from the center, alternately hinge strap chain guides 138 ( Fig. 12 b) and attachments 158 for alley countries 164 ( Fig. 12 a). The modular equipping of the devices 96, 98 and 140 offers the advantage of being able to carry out almost all of the components, apart from the attachments 158 for alley railings 164 , the screwed-on hinged belt chain guides 138 and the pin carrier 162 , in the case of the devices 98 and 140 .

In order to be able to carry out the fully automatic adaptation to the various container diameters here as well, the hexagonal shaft 142 is controlled by an electric motor 166 and a preliminary spur gear intermediate transmission 168 via the PLC (not shown). This can best be seen from the front view of the device 98 for adjusting the one-piece fingers 160 ( FIG. 9 a).

Fig. 13 shows in a schematic plan view how the alley railings 164 , which are mounted on the device 96 for adjusting the alley railings 164 and the hinged belt chain guides 138 , are positioned during adjustment at positions which take into account the different possible diameters of the containers.

Claims (40)

1. A method for packing containers ( 1 ) to be packed in boxes, in which the groups ( 2 ) arranged in groups in matrix form on a first circulating conveyor ( 4 ) are gripped by a respective packing set ( 18 ) and placed in respective boxes ( 6 ) a second rotating conveyor device ( 8 ) who the, characterized in that the packing sets ( 18 ) on a horizontal and transverse to the common direction ( 5 ) of the first and second Fördereinrich device ( 4 , 8 ) lying axis of rotation ( 11 ) rotating Rondell ( 10 ) are arranged, and that the packing sets ( 18 ) in addition to the rotary movement ( 9 ) about the axis of rotation ( 11 ) perform a linear movement parallel to the axis of rotation ( 11 ) between the two conveyor devices ( 4 , 8 ). 2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the packing sets ( 18 ) during the rotary movement ( 9 ) about the axis of rotation ( 11 ) are always held in a vertical position. 3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the linear movement takes place parallel to the axis of rotation ( 11 ) during the upper part of the rotary movement ( 19 ). 4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the packing sets ( 18 ) in the region of the second conveyor ( 8 ) in the respective centering frame ( 24 ) are introduced, which with respect to the respective guide ( 42 ) for the Linear movement can be pressed down, the centering frame ( 24 ) aligning the boxes ( 6 ) when the containers ( 2 ) are inserted. 5. A method for unpacking containers ( 21 ) packed in boxes ( 6 ), in which the groups (in groups) in boxes on a rotating conveyor ( 4 ) arranged containers ( 2 ) are gripped by a respective packing unit ( 18 ) and on another circulating conveyor are stored (8), characterized in that the packing sets (18) on a about a horizontally and transversely to the common running direction (5) of the first and second conveyor (4, 8) axis of rotation (11) at circumferential roundel (10 ) are arranged, and that the packing sets ( 18 ) in addition to the rotary movement ( 9 ) about the axis of rotation ( 11 ) perform a linear movement parallel to the axis of rotation ( 11 ) between the two conveyor devices ( 4 , 8 ). 6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that the packing sets ( 18 ) during the rotary movement ( 9 ) about the axis of rotation ( 11 ) are always held in a vertical position. 7. The method according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the linear movement takes place parallel to the axis of rotation ( 11 ) during the upper part of the rotary movement ( 9 ). 8. A method for grouping containers ( 2 ) delivered on a first conveyor device ( 4 ) according to a proposed matrix shape, wherein a plurality of railings ( 164 ) extending in the longitudinal direction along the first conveyor device carry out the alignment of the containers ( 2 ) in the transverse direction and the Containers ( 2 ) are transported in the alleys ( 14 ) formed between the railings on respective conveyor belts ( 38 ) provided in the alleys, a circumferential bottle divider ( 16 ) being provided in the inlet area of the first conveyor device ( 4 ), ie the conveyor belts ( 38 ) is, which carries in rows transverse to the direction of rotation and in the area of the conveyor belts ( 38 ) arranged dividing pins ( 160 ) which move at a linear speed less than the revolving speed of the conveyor belts ( 38 ) and successive rows of dividing pins ( 160 ) mutually corresponds to the length of the respective container groups Adequate spacing, characterized in that the respective rows of dividing pins ( 160 ) are arranged on carrier units ( 102 ) and adjusted in the longitudinal direction along the carrier units ( 102 ), ie in or opposite to the conveying direction ( 5 ), the bottle divider ( 16 ) is arranged either below or above the upper debris of the conveyor belts ( 38 ). 9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that the adjustment during the circulating movement of the bottle divider ( 16 ) is carried out by a link control ( 112 , 114 ) and that the link ( 112 ) of the link control is adjusted to adapt to different block lengths. 10. A method for avoiding damage due to accidents when packing containers in damaged or improper boxes ( 6 ), in which a Sensoreinrich device detects a buffer movement of the packing set ( 18 ) indicating an impending accident and triggers a switch-off process, characterized in that that in the event of the sensor device responding, a part ( 28 ) of the second conveyor device ( 8 ) carrying the boxes ( 6 ) in the region of the roundel ( 10 ) is moved downward. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein said portion ( 28 ) of the second conveyor is raised to its operating position by at least one pneumatic cylinder-piston assembly ( 30 ) and this cylinder-piston assembly ( 30 ) is vented, whereby said portion ( 28 ) moves down under the influence of gravity. 12. Device for packing in boxes ( 6 ) to pack the containers ( 2 ), in which the groups in matrix form on a first circulating conveyor ( 4 ) arranged containers ( 2 ) are gripped by a respective packing set ( 18 ) and into each Boxes ( 6 ) placed on a second rotating conveyor ( 8 ), characterized in that the packing sets ( 18 ) on an axis of rotation ( 11 ) lying horizontally and transversely to the common direction of travel of the first and second conveyor ( 4 , 8 ). revolving rondel ( 10 ) is arranged, and that a device ( 42 , 44 ) is provided to see the packing sets ( 18 ) in addition to the rotary movement ( 9 ) about the axis of rotation ( 11 ) linear and parallel to the axis of rotation ( 11 ) between to move the two conveyors ( 4 , 8 ). 13. The apparatus according to claim 12, characterized in that a device ( 68 , 70 , 72 , 74 ) is provided which keeps the packing sets ( 18 ) during the rotary movement ( 9 ) about the axis of rotation ( 11 ) always in a vertical position. 14. The apparatus according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the device ( 42 , 44 ) for Bewerkstelli supply of the linear movement of the packing sets ( 18 ) parallel to the axis of rotation ( 11 ) is designed to this linear movement during the upper part of the Rotational movement ( 9 ) to accomplish. 15. The device according to one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that in the region of the second conveying device ( 8 ) carries the rondelle ( 10 ) centering frame ( 24 ), and that a further device ( 52 ) is provided to the centering frame ( 24 ) Push down to align the boxes when inserting the containers. 16. Device for unpacking in boxes ( 6 ) packed containers ( 2 ), in which the groups in matrix form in boxes ( 6 ) on a rotating conveyor ( 4 ) arranged container ( 2 ) from a respective packing set ( 18 ) and placed on a further rotating conveyor ( 8 ), characterized in that the packing sets ( 18 ) are rotating on an axis of rotation ( 11 ) lying about a horizontal and transverse to the common running direction ( 5 ) of the first and second conveyor ( 4 , 8 ) Rondell ( 10 ) is arranged, and that a device ( 42 , 44 ) is provided to the packing set ( 18 ) in addition to the rotary movement about the axis of rotation ( 11 ) linear and parallel to the axis of rotation ( 11 ) between the two conveyor devices ( 4 , 8 ) to move. 17. The apparatus according to claim 16, characterized in that a device ( 68 , 70 , 72 , 74 ) is provided which always keeps the packing sets ( 18 ) during the rotary movement ( 9 ) about the axis of rotation ( 11 ) in a vertical position. 18. The apparatus of claim 16 or 17, characterized in that the device ( 42 , 44 ) for Bewerkstelli supply of the linear movement of the packing set ( 18 ) parallel to the axis of rotation ( 11 ) is designed to this linear movement during the upper part of the Rotational movement ( 9 ) to accomplish. 19. Device according to one of claims 16 to 18, characterized in that in the region of the second conveying device ( 8 ) the rondelle ( 10 ) carries the centering frame ( 24 ), and in that a further device ( 52 ) is provided to the centering frame ( 24 ) to push down to align the boxes ( 6 ) when inserting the containers ( 2 ). 20. Device according to one of the preceding claims 12 to 19, characterized in that the roundel ( 10 ) has a central tube axis ( 58 ) which is supported at its opposite ends in bearings ( 78 ) of a support frame ( 80 ) and that the tube axis ( 58 ) also at opposite ends, each radially extending support parts ( 46 ), on which several, each a crank ( 48 ) supporting stub axles ( 66 ) are rotatably supported GE, which via respective gear systems ( 68 , 70 , 72 , 74 ), which are supported by the radially extending support parts ( 46 ), always maintain the same orientation with respect to the vertical direction when the rondelle ( 10 ) rotates, whereby the crank ( 48 ) also maintains this vertical orientation, and that at least one and preferably two linear guides ( 42 ) are provided between cranks ( 48 ) arranged opposite one another, along which the packing sets ( 18 ) in the axial direction ( 11 ) of the Ron dells ( 10 ) can be moved back and forth. 21. The apparatus according to claim 20, characterized in that the centering frame ( 24 ) on the cranks ( 48 ) on the pack side of the rondel ( 10 ) are attached and can be pressed down by respective adjusting devices ( 52 ). 22. The apparatus according to claim 21, characterized in that the actuating devices are formed by pneumatic cylinders ( 52 ). 23. The device according to claim 20, characterized in that that preferably centered on four sides frames are provided, each on two between opposite cranks extending Guide rails supported and by a respective one Packing set is carried, and that the guide rods of control devices provided on the cranks can be raised and lowered. 24. The device according to claim 20, characterized in that the linear movement of the packing sets ( 18 ) accomplishing devices ( 44 ) consist of rodless cylinders which cooperate with a magnet attached to the carriage ( 40 ) of the packing sets ( 18 ) and preferably between the two longitudinal guides ( 42 ) for the respective packing sets ( 18 ) are arranged. 25. The device according to claim 20, characterized in that the packing sets ( 18 ) have individual, the neck portions of the container preferably present as bottles receiving tulips ( 20 ) which can be pneumatically controlled for gripping and releasing the individual bottles ( 2 ). 26. Device according to claims 20 and 25, characterized in that the central tube axis ( 58 ) of the washer ( 10 ) serves as a compressed air reservoir. 27. Device for grouping on a first conveying device ( 4 ) delivered containers ( 2 ) according to an intended matrix shape, wherein several extending in the longitudinal direction along the first conveying device he railings ( 164 ) make the alignment of the containers ( 2 ) in the transverse direction and the containers ( 2 ) can be transported in the alleys ( 14 ) formed between the railings ( 164 ) on respective conveyor belts ( 38 ) provided in the alleys, with a circumferential bottle divider in the inlet area of the first conveyor device ( 4 ), ie the conveyor belts ( 38 ) ( 16 ) is provided, which in rows transverse to the direction of rotation and in the region of the conveyor belts ( 38 ) arranged dividing pins ( 160 ) carries, the linear speed of the dividing pins ( 160 ) is less than the rotating speed of the conveyor belts ( 38 ), and successive rows of dividing pins ( 160 ) a mutual, the length of the respective container Subgroups corresponding distance, characterized in that the respective rows of dividing pins ( 160 ) are arranged on support units ( 102 ) and in the longitudinal direction along the support units ( 102 ), ie in or opposite to the conveying direction ( 5 ) for adaptation to different block lengths of the containers ( 2 ) are adjustable. 28. The apparatus according to claim 27, characterized in that a partial pins ( 160 ) are adjustable by a further link control ( 112 ) in the longitudinal direction of the support units ( 102 ) to adjust to different block lengths. 29. The device according to claim 27 or 28, characterized in that the carrier units ( 102 ) of preferably arranged to the left and right of these rotating chains ( 100 ) and preferably in the immediate vicinity of the chains ( 100 ) arranged as closed loops trained scenery tracks ( 104 , 110 , 111 ) can be oriented. 30. The device according to one of claims 27 to 29 comprising means (98) for adjusting the setting pins (160) in the transverse direction, ie transverse to the conveying direction of the first conveyor, wherein the Einteilstifte (160), likewise arranged each row of each in a series Adjusting bodies ( 146 ) are moved, and the respective adjusting bodies ( 146 ) are adjustable in the transverse direction by rotating a continuous adjusting shaft ( 142 ), characterized in that each adjusting body ( 146 ) is seated on a sleeve ( 148 ) rotatable by the adjusting shaft, whereby one of the sleeves ( 144 ) is not displaceable in the axial direction of the adjusting shaft, but the others are displaceable, a thread drive being provided between each actuating body by ( 146 ) and the associated sleeve ( 148 ) in such a way that a rotation of the sleeve ( 148 ) leads to a displacement of the respective rotationally secured control body along the adjusting shaft ( 142 ), and that j Eeder control body ( 146 ) via a position tion ( 150 ) to the sleeve ( 148 ) of the adjacent control body ( 146 ) is coupled to take the same, whereby the adjustment movement of each control body ( 146 ) depending on the direction of rotation of the adjusting shaft ( 142 ) to the Verstellbewe tion of the previous control body ( 146 ) is added or subtracted from this. 31. The device according to claim 30, characterized in that the adjusting shaft ( 142 ) has a polygonal cross-section or longitudinal grooves and the sleeves ( 148 ) each have a central opening with a complementary shape, whereby the sleeves ( 148 ) along the adjusting shaft ( 142 ) can be moved, but are non-rotatably connected to it. 32. Apparatus according to claim 30 or 31, characterized in that the adjusting shaft ( 142 ) at one point, for example in the middle with a double sleeve ( 144 ) is fixedly connected, which has two opposing threads and the screw drives left and have corresponding thread directions to the right of the double sleeve ( 144 ). 33. Device according to one of claims 30 to 32, characterized in that the actuating body ( 146 ) are arranged in a tubular housing ( 154 ) which extends between opposing carrier units ( 102 ), is connected at its ends to this and has a longitudinal slot at the bottom that on the adjusting bodies ( 146 ) there are provided respective fixed supporting bodies ( 152 ) which carry the dividing pins ( 160 ) so that the connection between each adjusting body ( 146 ) and the associated supporting body ( 152 ) extends through the slot, and that the supporting body ( 152 ) preferably on guides provided on the outer side of the housing ( 156 ) according to the movements of the Stellkör by ( 146 ) are displaceable. 34. Device ( 96 ) for railing adjustment in a conveying device for containers ( 2 ), the railings ( 164 ) being moved at least at one point by respective actuators ( 146 ) arranged in a row and the respective actuators ( 146 ) Rotation of a continuous adjusting shaft ( 142 ) can be adjusted in the transverse direction, characterized in that each adjusting body ( 146 ) sits on a sleeve ( 148 ) which can be rotated by the adjusting shaft, one of the sleeves ( 144 ) not being displaceable in the axial direction of the adjusting shaft ( 142 ) is, but the others are slidable, wherein between each actuator body ( 146 ) and the associated sleeve ( 148 ) a screw drive is provided such that a rotation of the sleeve ( 148 ) to a displacement of the respective non-rotating actuator body ( 146 ) along the Verstellwelle leads, and that each Stellkör by ( 146 ) via a bearing ( 150 ) to the sleeve ( 148 ) of the adjacent S tell body is coupled to take the same, whereby the adjusting movement of each adjusting body ( 146 ) depending on the direction of rotation of the adjusting shaft ( 142 ) to the adjusting movement of the previous adjusting body ( 146 ) is added or subtracted therefrom. 35. Apparatus according to claim 34, characterized in that the adjusting shaft ( 142 ) has a polygonal cross-section or longitudinal grooves and the sleeves ( 148 ) each have a central opening with a complementary shape, whereby the sleeves ( 148 ) along the adjusting shaft ( 142 ) can be moved, but are non-rotatably connected to it. 36. Apparatus according to claim 34 or 35, characterized in that the adjusting shaft ( 142 ) at one point, for example in the middle with a double sleeve ( 144 ) is fixedly connected, which has two opposing threads and the screw drives left and have corresponding thread directions to the right of the double sleeve ( 144 ). 37. Device according to one of claims 34 to 36, characterized in that the actuating bodies ( 146 ) are arranged in a tubular housing ( 154 ) which has a longitudinal slot at the bottom, and that on the actuating bodies ( 146 ) respective fixed support bodies ( 146 ) 152 ) are provided, which carry the railings ( 164 ) and / or conveyor belt guides ( 138 ) of the conveyor ( 4 ), that the connection between each actuating body ( 146 ) and the associated supporting body ( 152 ) extends through the slot, and that the support body ( 152 ) preferably on the outer side of the housing ( 154 ) provided guides ( 156 ) are displaceable according to the movements of the actuating body. 38. Support device ( 28 ) for supporting boxes ( 6 ) when packing containers ( 2 ) into the boxes ( 6 ), in which the support device ( 28 ) forms a conveyor track for the boxes ( 6 ) along which the boxes ( 6 ) can be moved according to the appropriate division below the packing sets ( 18 ) carrying the containers ( 2 ), characterized in that the support device ( 28 ) is in the form of a table raised by at least one pneumatic device ( 30 ), a sensor being provided, which generates a signal in the event of a buffer movement of the pack set ( 18 ) indicating a corresponding malfunction, whereby the table ( 28 ) can be moved downwards via the pneumatic device ( 30 ) and the lowering height is preferably at least the height of the respective boxes ( 6 ) corresponds. 39. Support device according to claim 38, characterized in that the pneumatic device ( 30 ) can be vented in the event of a malfunction, whereby the table ( 28 ) moves downward under the action of gravity. 40. Device according to one of claims 38 or 39, characterized in that a safety device for damping the lowering movement of the support table ( 28 ) is provided, but only becomes effective after the prescribed lowering height.