DE202022103987U1 - Packaging machine with a grouping device for producing single-layer groups of partially overlapping products - Google Patents

Abstract

Packaging machine comprising a grouping device (13).
- a spreading area (4) with at least one spreading table (14) with a base body (14A) and a plurality of slat-shaped support slats (15) whose transverse spacing can be adjusted and which each have at least one row (R) running in the longitudinal direction (10) of seats (S) for one product (P) each,
- at least one transverse drive (16) for adjusting the transverse distance, for producing single-layer groups with an even or odd number of rows (R) of products (P), the products (P) within the group viewed in plan in Transversely (11) to this partially overlap each other, and inserting the group in an outer packaging (K), such as a box (K), wherein the packaging machine also has
- a delivery area (2) in which the products (P), in particular in one or more rows (R), are delivered,
- a feed area (3) with a feed robot (23) for transferring a feed set of products from the delivery area (2) onto the spreading table (14),
- a discharge area (4) with a discharge robot (24) for moving a discharge set of products (P) away from the spreader table (14) directly or indirectly into the outer packaging (K), characterized in that
- there are several two-row supporting rails (15.2), each with two rows (R) of seats (S) that cannot be moved relative to one another in the transverse direction (11),
- in between there are at least two support rails (15.1) movable relative to one another in the transverse direction (11), in particular adjacent to one another in the transverse direction (11), with only one row (R) of seats,
- the spreader table drive (16) being designed in such a way that it is able to move the two single-row support strips (15.1) either towards one another or apart from each other towards the respectively adjacent, in particular two-row, support strips (15.2), in particular up to contact. (Structure spreader table in general:)

Description

I. Field of application

The invention relates to a grouping device for producing single-layer products in which the products partially overlap one another within the layer, in particular in the longitudinal and transverse directions.

II. Technical background

Such groups are required in particular in packaging machines, because there products often have to be introduced into outer packaging such as boxes or cartons in a specific group arrangement.

Irrespective of this, the task is to keep the effort involved in forming the groups as low as possible, for example to keep the number of drives for this low or the number of robots or other handling devices for the products - robots being referred to below in the context of the application to include all other types of handling facilities - to be kept to a minimum.

This applies above all to the tool attached to a robot, which has to be moved by the robot and should therefore be as compact as possible and, above all, light in design in order to make acceleration from a standstill and braking to a standstill as easy as possible.

Such a group formation and the corresponding grouping device becomes all the more complicated if the group consists not only of products standing next to one another in a single layer, but also of products of different orientation, for example, in order to achieve the highest possible packing density in the outer packaging.

Products that are not cylindrical or cuboid in shape, but products that taper in a spatial direction, from wine bottles to ice cream cones to truncated cone-shaped coffee capsules, can be packed more densely in this way, for example in the case of a single-layer, two-dimensional group of coffee capsules, by in the longitudinal and transverse direction, i.e. in the rows and columns, a normal standing and an upside down coffee capsule can be arranged alternately.

The situation is even more difficult if such products with different orientations in the group - e.g. when viewed from above - are to be grouped partially overlapping one another in order to achieve an even higher packing density.

In this context, both spreading tables and spreading tools on a robot are already known in principle, each of which has carrying elements, usually carrying strips, along which there are several grippers, such as suction cups, for holding one product each, with the mutual distance, in the case of carrying strips the Lateral spacing of the support rails, which are parallel to one another, can be changed. While the number of drives in a spreader table increases the complexity, but the resulting increase in weight is of secondary importance, such an increase in weight in the tool of a robot is very disadvantageous because the robot's working speed decreases as a result.

In this connection it is also known to distribute the grouping movements for forming the desired group to a spreader table on the one hand and a robot tool on the other hand.

As a rule, a supply robot is used to transfer a supply set of products from a delivery area, in which the products are supplied in one or more rows, to the spreader table, and from there they are removed and deposited by a discharge robot, often directly in an overpack such as a box or carton, the tool of one or both of the robots can be a spreading tool.

Spreading should not only be understood to mean that the transverse distance between the product carriers or grippers can also be actively widened from an initial state, but also the reverse case, that the initial state is the spaced functional position and at a spreading station the product carriers or Gripper carrier are approximated against each other.

If the products are all delivered in the same orientation, ie standing on their feet, the grouping device must also include a turner, which turns at least some of the products into an upside-down orientation.

III. Presentation of the invention

a) Technical task

It is therefore the object of the invention to provide a packaging machine with a grouping device for this purpose, in which, above all, the grouping device is constructed as simply and functionally as possible and allows rapid operation of the grouping device, in particular the entire packaging machine, in particular due to the lowest possible weight of the robot tool on one of the transfer robots.

b) Solution of the task

This object is solved by the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments result from the dependent claims.

A generic packaging machine is intended to produce a multi-row, single-layer group of products, in particular on a spreading table, with the products within the group partially overlapping one another in the transverse direction when viewed from above, and the insertion of the group or parts of the group, the removal -Sets, in particular in the longitudinal direction of several so-called carton arrays, each for one carton, in an outer packaging, such as a carton.

In the following, for the sake of simplicity, we will only speak of boxes, which - also in the previous text - is intended to include all types of outer packaging.

Lateral overlapping is used to increase the packing density and is particularly useful when the products do not have a uniform cross-section along their height, such as coffee capsules, which can have a good lateral overlap, especially when adjacent coffee capsules are alternately on top or bottom stand as soon as the one-sided wide edge is once at the top and once at the bottom.

• - wenigstens einem Spreiztisch mit einem Grundkörper und mehreren in ihrem Querabstand verstellbaren, Leisten-förmigen Tragleisten, die jeweils mindestens eine in Längsrichtung verlaufende Reihe von Sitzen für je ein Produkt aufweisen,
• - wenigstens einem Quer-Antrieb zum Verstellen des Querabstandes.

As is known, the packaging machine can have a grouping device with

• - at least one spreader table with a base body and several slat-shaped support slats, which can be adjusted in their transverse spacing and each have at least one row of seats running in the longitudinal direction for one product each,
• - At least one transverse drive for adjusting the transverse distance.

The approximately horizontal support rails are usually located on the top of the base body of the spreader table, and the transverse direction in which the transverse distance is present and can be adjusted, preferably runs at right angles to the longitudinal direction.

Such spreader tables are widely known to change the distance between the rows of seats from a feed distance, in which it corresponds in particular to the row distance of the rows of grippers of a loading feed robot, to a discharge distance, which in particular corresponds to the rows -Distance of the rows of grippers of a particular spreader table unloading discharge robot matches, can be adjusted.

This so-called spreading, i.e. changing the transverse spacing of the rows of seats and thus the support rails in which they are arranged - can alternatively also be provided in the tool of a transfer robot, a so-called spreading tool, but this then becomes the robot tool heavy and complicated, which contradicts the goal of a tool on the robot that is as light as possible and easy to accelerate, so that at least part of the manipulations to be carried out on the products during transfer are outsourced to a spreader table.

The seats, each of which can accommodate a product, are usually designed as a recess in the support rails.

• - einen Anliefer-Bereich, in dem die Produkte in einer oder mehreren Reihen angeliefert werden,
• - einen Zufuhr-Bereich mit einem Zufuhr-Roboter zum Umsetzen eines Zufuhr-Sets aus Produkten vom Anliefer-Bereich auf den Spreiztisch,
• - einen Abfuhr-Bereich mit einem Abfuhr-Roboter zum Umsetzen eines Abfuhr-Sets aus Produkten vom Spreiztisch weg direkt oder indirekt in die Umverpackung.

Apart from the grouping device, the packaging machine usually further comprises

• - a delivery area in which the products are delivered in one or more rows,
• - an infeed area with an infeed robot for transferring an infeed set of products from the delivery area to the spreading table,
• - a discharge area with a discharge robot for transferring a discharge set of products from the spreader table directly or indirectly into the outer packaging.

The group does not necessarily have to match the infeed set and/or the outfeed set with regard to the number of products and/or number of rows and/or number of products per row, but can match them. The same applies to the comparison between the supply set and the discharge set. Likewise, the group does not necessarily have to match the spreader table in terms of the number of products and/or number of rows and/or number of products per row, but can match it.

The group to be produced, which is assembled in particular on the spreading table, can include, for example, 6 rows with 16 products each.

A feeder set, on the other hand, can have 2 rows of 16 products each, so 3 feeder sets, usually one after the other, for example placed on the spreader table to make the group to be generated available there.

A discharge set, on the other hand, can have 3 rows of 16 products each, with which, for example, four cartons with 3 rows of 4 products each can be filled at the same time.

In the case of multi-layered cartons, in particular, it can happen that the top layer only has 3 rows of 3 products each, for example, in order to achieve the contents of the carton specified for marketing reasons. A discharge set would then have 3 rows with 12 products each for placement as the top layer in the box.

The excess products on the spreader table, which has 6 rows of 16 products each, would be parked in a buffer, e.g. on a buffer carriage, but would continue to be used.

A robot is understood to mean any type of handling device.

The supply set of products is usually also a single-row or double-row group of products, but this does not have to be identical to the group to be produced in terms of the number of products and the number of rows and arrangement of the products.

In the longitudinal direction along the rows of seats, these preferably have the same longitudinal distance from one another over all, that is to say in all support rails of the spreader table and, in the case of several spreader tables, in all spreader tables.

However, it is possible that the removal robot can change this longitudinal distance during the transfer, i.e. it is a spreading tool that can be spread in the longitudinal direction.

• - mehrere zweireihige oder noch mehr Reihen umfassende Tragleisten mit zwei Reihen von Sitzen für je ein Produkt und
• - dazwischen wenigstens zwei relativ zueinander in Querrichtung bewegbare Tragleisten mit nur einer Reihe von Sitzen.

According to the invention, the packaging machine has, in particular its grouping device, in particular its spreading table

• - Several two-row or even more rows comprehensive support rails with two rows of seats for one product each and
• - In between at least two relative to each other in the transverse direction movable support rails with only one row of seats.

A two-row support rail is understood to mean any one or more support rails in which the rows of seats arranged thereon are not movable relative to one another in the transverse direction. It is irrelevant whether these rows of seats, which cannot move in relation to one another, are arranged on a common support rail or are distributed over two separate support rails which, however, cannot be moved relative to one another in the transverse direction.

In particular, the two single-row support slats are transversely adjacent to each other, meaning that there is no other support slat or row of seats between them.

The spreader table drive is designed in such a way that it is able to move the two single-row support rails either in the transverse direction towards one another or apart, in particular to move them between a feed distance and a discharge distance.

Irrespective of what type of group is to be formed on the spreader table, the feed distance is usually always the same, since it depends on the row distance of the feed robot that is usually always the same.

• Wenn beispielsweise 2-reihige Abfuhr-Sets hergestellt werden sollen, entspricht der Abfuhr-Abstand innerhalb des Abfuhr-Sets in der Regel dem Reihen-Abstand der Reihen innerhalb der doppelreihigen Tragleisten, und dann wird auch der Abstand zwischen den einreihigen Leisten auf den gleichen Reihen-Abstand der Sitze eingestellt, was in der Regel ohnehin der Ausgangszustand ist und damit der Zufuhr-Abstand zwischen den beiden einreihigen Tragleisten, der dann gleichzeitig der Abfuhr-Abstand ist.

However, there can be several versions of the removal distance, depending on the shape of the group to be produced and in particular the desired row distance between the individual rows, especially within a removal set:

• For example, if 2-row discharge sets are to be made, the discharge spacing within the discharge set is usually the same as the row spacing of the rows within the double-row support ledges, and then the spacing between the single-row ledges on the same rows also becomes equal -Adjusted the distance between the seats, which is usually the initial state anyway and thus the supply distance between the two single-row support rails, which is then also the discharge distance.

For example, if 3-row discharge sets are to be produced, in which the row spacing within this discharge set should then generally be the same as in the 2-row discharge sets and the same as the row spacing on the double-row support rails, then the discharge distance between the two rows of single-row support slats is chosen so that each of them is brought closer to the respectively adjacent double-row support slats, in particular up to contact, that the row distance between the one row on the single-row support slat and the next row on the double-row support rail is the same as between the two rows of the double-row support rail.

For example, if 4-row exhaust sets are to be made, both will be single-row Support rails positioned transversely opposite one of the adjacent double-row support rails in such a way that there is the same row spacing between all 4 rows of the discharge set, namely the same as there is between the two rows of the double-row support rail involved.

If there are then two more double-row support strips on the opposite side of the single-row support strips, these are also brought together to such an extent that the transverse distance between the two middle rows of seats is the same as between the two rows of each of the two double-row support strips, which is the same for both is.

In this way, discharge sets can be formed with both an odd and an even number of rows, whereby the number and mutual arrangement in the transverse direction of single-row and double-row support rails must of course be adapted to the maximum achievable number of rows.

Structure spreader table in general:

• - entweder jeweils, insbesondere alle, direkt relativ zum Grundkörper quer verlagerbar, insbesondere unabhängig voneinander, und werden dann nachfolgend Direktleisten genannt
• - oder von den nicht querfesten Tragleisten ist wenigstens eine als Direktleiste direkt relativ zum Grundkörper quer verlagerbar und
• - die übrigen Tragleisten als nicht querfeste nur indirekt relativ zum Grundkörper verlagerbar sind, indem sie direkt relativ zur Direktleiste quer verlagert sind, und werden nachfolgend Indirektleisten genannt.

Preferably, at least two of the support rails of a spreader table are fixed (= transversely fixed) to the base body in the transverse direction, but no support rails that are directly adjacent to one another. The remaining support rails are

• - Either in each case, in particular all, directly relative to the base body transversely displaceable, in particular independently of each other, and are then referred to below as direct strips
• - Or of the non-transversely fixed support rails, at least one can be displaced transversely as a direct rail directly relative to the base body and
• - The remaining support strips are only indirectly displaceable relative to the base body as they are not transversely fixed, in that they are directly displaced transversely relative to the direct strip, and are referred to below as indirect strips.

The indirect strips are preferably the outermost support strips of the spreader table.

In particular, if at least one, better two guide rods, spaced apart in the longitudinal direction and running parallel to one another, brace in the transverse direction from the at least one direct rail on at least one side, in particular both sides, along which the at least one indirect rail is guided in a form-fitting manner, this results in a simple Realizable structure that gets by with just a few drives for the transverse adjustment of the support rails.

1. concrete solution:

• - eine doppelreihige Tragleiste in Querrichtung unmittelbar benachbart, also ohne weitere Tragleisten dazwischen, neben einer von zwei einreihigen Tragleisten angeordnet ist,
• - die doppelreihige Tragleiste und die davon abgewandte der beiden einreihigen Tragleisten querfest am Grundkörper befestigt sind und
• - außen angrenzend an die beiden querfesten Tragleisten jeweils eine doppelreihige Tragleiste angeordnet ist.

A solution may be that

• - a double-row support rail is arranged immediately adjacent in the transverse direction, i.e. without further support rails in between, next to one of two single-row support rails,
• - The double-row support bar and the facing away from the two single-row support bars are fixed transversely to the base body and
• - A double-row support strip is arranged outside adjacent to the two transversely fixed support strips.

2-row, 3-row and 4-row groups, in particular discharge sets, of products can then be produced with only 3 transverse drives.

In the initial state, the two single-row support rails are usually very slightly spaced from one another, in particular contacting one another, but to the adjacent double-row support rails and these take up an initial distance which is preferably the feed distance. Then, for the production of 2-row removal sets, this starting distance is also the removal distance.

Preferably, the non-transversely rigid single-row support rail is a direct rail, while the two outer double-row support rails are indirect rails.

The non-transversely fixed, single-row support strip can be moved in the transverse direction by means of a controlled 1st transverse drive, which can act in particular on the end face of the guide rod and can displace it in the transverse direction.

• - entweder die beiden äußeren doppelreihigen Tragleisten mittels eines jeweils separaten 2. und 3. Quer-Antriebes in Querrichtung bewegbar
• - oder die beiden äußeren doppelreihigen Tragleisten sind mittels eines gemeinsamen 2. Quer-Antriebes und einer Gegensynchron-Mechanik in Querrichtung gegensynchron bewegbar.

Preferably are

• - Either the two outer double-row support rails can be moved in the transverse direction by means of a separate 2nd and 3rd transverse drive
• - Or the two outer double-row support rails can be moved counter-synchronously in the transverse direction by means of a common second transverse drive and a counter-synchronous mechanism.

2. concrete solution:

• - eine doppelreihige Tragleiste unmittelbar neben einer von zwei einreihigen Tragleisten jeweils unabhängig voneinander quer verlagerbar zum Grundkörper angeordnet sind,
• - außen angrenzend an dieses Paket mit 4 Sitzreihen jeweils eine doppelreihige Tragleiste querfest zum Grundkörper angeordnet ist.

Another concrete solution may be that

• - a double-row support strip is arranged directly next to one of two single-row support strips, each independently of one another and transversely displaceable to the base body,
• - Outside adjacent to this package with 4 rows of seats in each case a double-row support bar is arranged transversely to the base body.

This can also enable training with very few drives.

In particular, this is the case when, in the initial state, the two single-row support rails are very closely spaced from one another or are in contact with one another, but are at an initial distance from the adjacent double-row support rails and between them.

• - die beiden einreihigen Tragleisten mittels eines gesteuerten 1. Quer-Antriebes und einer Gegensynchron-Mechanik in Querrichtung gegensynchron bewegbar sind und
• - die doppelreihige Tragleiste einerseits und die beiden einreihigen Tragleisten gemeinsam andererseits mittels eines gesteuerten 2. Quer-Antriebes und einer Gegensynchron-Mechanik gegensynchron in Querrichtung verlagerbar sind.

This goal is further promoted by the fact that

• - The two single-row support rails can be moved counter-synchronously in the transverse direction by means of a controlled first transverse drive and a counter-synchronous mechanism and
• - The double-row support rail on the one hand and the two single-row support rails together on the other hand can be displaced counter-synchronously in the transverse direction by means of a controlled second transverse drive and a counter-synchronous mechanism.

Product turner:

If the products within the group are to be alternately oriented differently in the longitudinal direction and/or in the transverse direction, in particular alternately standing on their feet and standing upside down, each feed area should have a product turner with grippers, in particular suckers, which with products on it can be pivoted about a horizontal pivot axis, in particular together with the base body of the product turner.

In this way, products can be pivoted from a 1st orientation into a 2nd orientation.

In particular, the number of grippers should correspond to the number of half a feed set of products for feeding to the spreader table.

In particular, the product turner should be designed in such a way that it is able to move its grippers, in particular suckers, between a first functional position with all grippers in just one row and a second functional position in which every 2nd gripper is transverse to this original row in a second, parallel row is offset so that the grippers now lie on a zigzag line.

If the feeding robot has a tool with two rows of grippers, in particular suckers, for holding one product each, which on the one hand can pick up the turned products lying on the zigzag line and, in addition, the same number of non-turned products lying on a complementary zigzag line lie, this tool holds two rows of alternately differently oriented products both in the row direction and in the column direction.

This can be achieved in a particularly simple manner by attaching a pair of two grippers that are adjacent in the transverse direction to the row direction to each pair holder in the tool of the feeding robot and attaching these pair holders, which are arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction, in Can be moved in the transverse direction between the first functional position, in which the grippers are arranged in 2 longitudinal rows, and the second functional position, in which the grippers are arranged in 3 longitudinal rows.

Multiple spread tables:

In order to increase the throughput, several movable spreader tables, in particular movable independently of one another, can be present within the machine, while the at least one transverse drive is arranged in one, in particular only one, spreader station to which all loaded spreader tables can be moved.

This means that the entire mechanism required for the spreading, including the drives, only has to be provided once in the machine, even if a large number of spreading tables are in use, since changing the transverse distances in the spreading station, which is preferably also the discharge area for the discharge Sets of the assembled groups is, and that transferring from the spreader table to the outer packaging or onto a discharge conveyor is much faster than correctly assembling the load for a spreader table and its loading process.

For this reason, the packaging machine preferably has a plurality of delivery areas and feed areas, in each of which a spreader table can be loaded completely or only partially, in particular one after the other.

Preferably, each spreading table can be moved by means of a transport device, in particular arranged on a carriage, which can be moved in particular along a guide, in particular to the spreading station and/or the removal area with the removal robot there.

The tool of the removal robot preferably has several rows of grippers, in particular suction cups, arranged at a fixed transverse distance, and the grippers that are adjacent in the transverse direction and are arranged approximately in the same longitudinal position along the rows are fastened as a transverse group to a transverse group holder and said cross-assembly holders are longitudinally movable between a first, more spaced, and said second, more closely spaced or contacting operative position.

In particular, the tool of the removal robot has two rows if they are to grip and transfer two-row removal sets, and accordingly the cross-group holders are then pair holders since they hold exactly two grippers.

In this way, the products can be brought to a desired longitudinal distance before being transferred to the outer packaging, preferably approaching each other as closely as possible and overlapping in the longitudinal direction in order to achieve a high packing density in the outer packaging.

Depending on the work order, it may happen that when the spreader table is emptied, a residual group will remain on the spreader table that no longer corresponds to a cardboard array. This is especially the case when the cartons are filled in several layers, but not all layers should contain the same number of products.

In order to completely empty the spreader table, this remainder group - regardless of whether it is part of a row running in the longitudinal direction, a whole row or a part or a whole column of the group on the spreader table - is temporarily stored and later used.

For this purpose there is a buffer for such products, in particular with longitudinal rows of seats (S), which are located in an overlapping distance, in particular in the transverse direction, and are preferably formed on a buffer carriage arranged in the direction of passage, in particular along a buffer rail, can be moved back and forth.

A buffer robot is preferably present, which is able to move the rest of the group into the buffer and thereby carry out further manipulations on the rest of the group and/or its individual products, for example entangling around an upright axis, changing the distance in the longitudinal and/or transverse direction or other manipulations.

The buffer carriage can move in the direction of flow (the longitudinal position of the spreading station) at such a transverse distance from the discharge robot that it can use its tool to remove products from the buffer carriage, in particular in whole carton arrays and, in particular, directly in cartons can implement.

• - wobei die Reihen-Anzahl wahlweise eine gerade oder eine ungerade Anzahl sein kann, insbesondere die Reihen-Anzahl 2, 3 oder 4 sein kann,
• - wobei die Produkte innerhalb der Gruppe in der Aufsicht betrachtet spätestens beim Einsetzen in die Umverpackung in Reihen-Richtung, der Längsrichtung, und/oder in Querrichtung hierzu einander teilweise überlappen,

insbesondere mittels einer Verpackungsmaschine gemäß einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche,
ist es bekannt, dass

• - mindestens ein Spreiztisch vorhanden ist, auf dem jeweils mehrere Tragleisten mit zwei Reihen oder nur einer Reihe von Sitzen für je ein Produkt pro Sitz in ihrem Querabstand verstellbar zueinander angeordnet sind,
• - wobei zwei einreihige Tragleisten in Querrichtung benachbart zueinander angeordnet sind zwischen zwei zweireihigen Tragleisten.

With regard to the method for producing at least one multi-row, single-layer group of products (P) from products delivered in particular in one or more rows and inserting the group or parts of the group as cardboard arrays into an outer packaging, such as a cardboard box (K)

• - where the number of rows can optionally be an even or an odd number, in particular the number of rows can be 2, 3 or 4,
• - whereby the products within the group partially overlap each other in the row direction, in the longitudinal direction and/or in the transverse direction when viewed from above at the latest when they are inserted into the outer packaging,

in particular by means of a packaging machine according to one of the preceding claims,
is it known that

• - at least one spreader table is available, on which several support rails with two rows or only one row of seats for one product per seat are arranged adjustable in their transverse distance to one another,
• - wherein two single-row support slats are arranged transversely adjacent to each other between two double-row support slats.

• - einer eng benachbarten, insbesondere kontaktierenden, Lage nebeneinander
• - und einer weiter beabstandeten Lage auseinander und eng benachbart, insbesondere kontaktierend, zu der benachbarten doppelreihigen Tragleiste

hin und her verstellt, wodurch im 1. Fall eine Gruppe mit gerader Reihen-Anzahl und im 2. Fall eine Gruppe mit einer ungeraden Reihen-Anzahl erstellt werden kann.According to the invention, the two single-row support strips are then between

• - A closely adjacent, in particular contacting, layer next to each other
• - And a further spaced position apart and closely adjacent, in particular contacting, to the adjacent double-row support strip

back and forth, whereby in the 1st case a group with an even number of rows and in the 2nd case a group with an odd number of rows can be created.

The products within the group are preferably arranged alternately with different orientations in the longitudinal direction and/or in the transverse direction.

To form 4-row groups, both single-row support slats are preferably placed closely adjacent, in particular in contact with the one directly adjacent double-row support slat and on the other side of the two single-row support slats two double-row support slats are brought into a closely adjacent position to one another, but at a distance to the two single-row support rails.

The support rails are preferably arranged in such a way that, in the case of packages with closely spaced 2, 3 or 4 rows of seats, the distance between the packages of seats and the support rails which support them is always the same. This means that the same removal tool can always be used.

The products are usually fed to the spreading table in 2-row feed sets, with the products alternating within the feed set both along the rows and across them in one of two different orientations, in particular standing on their feet and standing upside down , present.

• - eine 1. Reihe von Produkten entsprechend der Anzahl eines halben Zufuhr-Sets mit in einer 1. Orientierung vorliegenden Produkten ergriffen wird,
• - das 2. und jedes andere geradzahlige Produkt der Reihe in Querrichtung versetzt wird in eine parallele Reihe, sodass die Produkte in einem Zickzack-Muster angeordnet sind, insbesondere auf einer Zickzack-Linie, liegen,
• - alle diese Produkte, insbesondere gemeinsam, gewendet werden in eine 2. Orientierung
• - eine andere Reihe von Produkten entsprechend der Anzahl eines halben Zufuhr-Sets mit in einer 1. Orientierung vorliegenden Produkten ergriffen wird,
• - von dieser anderen, gewendeten Reihe das 1. und jedes andere ungeradzahlige Produkt in Querrichtung versetzt wird in eine parallele Reihe, sodass die Produkte in einem komplementären Zickzack-Muster angeordnet sind, insbesondere auf einer komplementären Zickzack-Linie liegen,
• - die gewendeten zwischen die ungewendeten Produkten als Zufuhr-Set festgehalten werden.

In particular, for this purpose, the feed set is generated by

• - a 1st row of products corresponding to the number of half a supply set with products present in a 1st orientation is grasped,
• - the 2nd and every other even-numbered product in the row is transversally displaced into a parallel row so that the products are arranged in a zigzag pattern, in particular on a zigzag line,
• - all these products, especially together, are turned in a 2nd orientation
• - another row of products corresponding to the number of half a supply set with products present in a 1st orientation is grasped,
• - from this other, turned row, the 1st and every other odd-numbered product is transposed into a parallel row so that the products are arranged in a complementary zigzag pattern, in particular lie on a complementary zigzag line,
• - the turned between the unturned products are held as a feed set.

Whether all odd-numbered products are transposed transversely into a parallel row from the turned row and the even-numbered products from the other row, or vice versa, is irrelevant provided a double-row infeed set is formed where the products are longitudinally oriented as also alternate in the transverse direction.

If, after transferring the carton arrays into the cartons on the spreader table, a residual group of products remains, this can be transferred into a buffer, in particular by rotating the residual group about an upright axis.

After reaching a filling level of the buffer - which contains only one layer - which comprises at least one carton array, preferably as many carton arrays as can be achieved from a removal group, at least one, preferably all achievable, carton arrays are made taken from the buffer and, in particular directly, put into cartons and the remaining residual groups of products are reused in this way.

c) exemplary embodiments

• 1: die Verpackungsmaschine mit schematischem Produktfluss in der Aufsicht,
• 1a: in einer Ausschnittvergrößerung auf den linken Teil der 1 den Produktfluss ohne Maschinengestell,
• 1b: in einer Ausschnittvergrößerung auf den rechten Teil der 1 den Produktfluss ohne Maschinengestell,
• 2a, b: die Erstellung der Zufuhr-Sets betrachtet in Durchlaufrichtung 10*,
• 2c-e: die Erstellung der Zufuhr-Sets betrachtet in der Aufsicht,
• 3: einen Spreiztisch mit in Längsrichtung verlaufenden Reihen von Sitzen,
• 4a: den Spreiztisch der 3 betrachtet in Längsrichtung mit viermal je zwei Reihen von Sitzen in Überlappungsposition, und Abstand zwischen den in Überlappungsposition zueinander befindlichen Doppelreihen,
• 4b: den Spreiztisch der 3 betrachtet in Längsrichtung mit zweimal je vier Reihen in Überlappungsposition, und Abstand zwischen den in Überlappungsposition zueinander befindlichen Vierer-Reihen,
• 4c: den Spreiztisch der 3 betrachtet in Längsrichtung mit zweimal je drei Reihen in Überlappungsposition, und Abstand zwischen den in Überlappungsposition zueinander befindlichen Dreier-Reihen,
• 5: die Spreiz-Station in perspektivischer Darstellung.

Embodiments according to the invention are described in more detail below by way of example. Show it:

• 1 : the packaging machine with schematic product flow in the top view,
• 1a : in a detail enlargement on the left part of the 1 the product flow without a machine frame,
• 1b : in a detail enlargement on the right part of the 1 the product flow without a machine frame,
• 2a, b : the creation of feed sets viewed in flow direction 10*,
• 2c-e : the creation of feed sets viewed in the top view,
• 3 : a spreader table with longitudinal rows of seats,
• 4a : the spreader table of 3 considered longitudinally with four sets of two rows of seats in overlapping position, and distance between the double rows in overlapping position,
• 4b : the spreader table of 3 viewed in the longitudinal direction with two rows of four in each overlapping position, and distance between the rows of four in the overlapping position,
• 4c : the spreader table of 3 viewed in the longitudinal direction with two rows of three in each overlapping position, and distance between the rows of three in the overlapping position,
• 5 : the spreading station in a perspective view.

1 and in enlarged section views, the 1a, b show the packaging machine from above, with in 1 Products P are fed in at the top right in two separate tracks by means of a product feed conveyor 25 each, and cartons K filled and closed with them are discharged from the machine by means of a carton removal conveyor 29 at the bottom right.

In principle, the products P are fed with each of the two product feed conveyors 25 in the main transport direction 10 * from right to left to one of two delivery areas 2 each, from there in a feed area 3 in a specific arrangement - the so-called supply sets - implemented on a respective carriage 18.1, 18.2, 18.3 of a transport device 8, each of which carries a spreader table 14 as part of a grouping device 13 and in which 1 in the main transport direction 10* from left to right and converted into open boxes K in the right end area of the machine.

In the main transport direction 10*, the packaging machine comprises several, in this case five, frame modules 1a - 1e one behind the other, which are each rectangular when viewed from above and whose respective long sides are closed by a double-leaf safety door 9, and the two front sides are also closed of the machine is closed by a safety door 9, which stops the machine immediately if one of the safety doors 9 is opened.

The two delivery areas 2 and feed areas 3 are located in the frame modules 1a and 1c.

As usual, the cartons K are removed individually from flat blanks Z, which are arranged on the side of the respective frame module 1a, b and can be folded out for filling from a blank magazine 27 and fed to an erector 26, which converts the flat blanks Z into three-dimensional, open-topped Cartons K erect, which are then transported further on a container belt 30 to the removal area 5 - here in the frame module 1d - where the products P arranged on a spreading table 14 are removed from this and converted into the empty cartons K.

This discharge area 5 also includes a spreading area 4 with a spreading station 7 in order to bring the rows R of products running in the longitudinal direction 10 on the spreading table 14 to the correct transverse distance from one another so that the - only in 4a illustrated - removal robot 24 can implement the products in the boxes K.

The filled cartons K are then displaced transversely to the main transport direction 10* and thereby closed by means of a closing station 28 by means of their lid, placed on a carton discharge conveyor 29 and thus discharged from the packaging machine in the main conveying direction 10*.

In the present case, the longitudinal direction 10 of the spreader tables 14, which is in particular the longitudinal direction 10 of the rows R of seats S thereon, corresponds to the main transport direction 10* of the packaging machine, as does the horizontal transverse direction 11 of the spreader tables running at a 90° angle thereto 14 with the horizontal transverse direction 11*, which runs at a 90° angle to the main throughput direction 10* of the machine.

How 2a as well as the 4a - c show, these are products P which, in order to achieve the greatest possible packing density in the horizontal plane in the longitudinal direction 10 and in the transverse direction 11, can be arranged overlapping and placed in cartons, since they do not have a constant cross-section over their height, especially not are cylindrical, but in this case in the shape of a truncated cone with a horizontally projecting edge on the broad side of the truncated cone, such as coffee capsules.

If possible, it should be possible for these to be introduced into a carton K by one and the same machine in the longitudinal and transverse direction, with a different number of carton arrays of products P.

Do you want - as in 1 , 1a , 1b - e.g. three rows running in the longitudinal direction 10, each with four such products P packed as closely as possible, the products must alternate in normal orientation Pn and inverse orientation Pi from one product P to the next, preferably with one oriented in the longitudinal direction 10 and transverse direction 11 array in both directions.

For this purpose, these products P with their conical peripheral surfaces are arranged so close to one another or arranged in contact with one another in the middle height range that the capsule located with the widened edge at the bottom, i.e. standing upside down - hereinafter referred to as inversely oriented product Pi in this position, in contrast to a product Pn in the normal position with the protruding edge at the top - could not be pulled out upwards.

In carton K and thus shortly before it is placed in it, the overlap should preferably be the same as in 4c can be seen in the transverse direction 11, also given in the longitudinal direction 10, the change in the distances between the products P in the longitudinal direction 10 being effected by the removal robot 24 relocating there and its tool W24.

Since the products P are usually always fed in the same orientation, here in the normal orientation Pn, measures are necessary to move the two-dimensional discharge set - which is removed from the spreading table and which has several items to be placed in a box - in the longitudinal and transverse directions Can include arrays - to achieve this alternating different orientation both in the longitudinal and in the transverse direction.

Depending on the desired packaging, this should be possible in this case with two-row, three-row or four-row removal sets and thus carton arrays.

A further aggravating factor is that the cardboard arrays stored in several layers one on top of the other in the boxes usually have complete layers in the lower layers, but can have an incomplete layer in the top layer, for example.

First, rows of products P must be created, with a number of products per row equal to the number within the rows needed on the spreader table. The number of products in a row is 16 here, i.e. 1 less than the number of seats S within a row R of seats S of the spreader table 14.

As in 3 As can be seen, the seats S are in the form of depressions which are designed differently depending on whether an inversely oriented product Pi or a normally oriented product Pn is to be received therein.

For this purpose, a row with a certain number, here 16 pieces, of products P is removed from each of the two incoming endless single-row queues of products Pn in each of the two delivery areas 2 and held at a defined longitudinal distance from one another by a known, in the Top view viewed over a grouping chain running around a deflection roller on each side, from which the corresponding number of drivers 21 protrudes radially at a defined distance, here 16 drivers.

the inside 1a from the top run, shown in the drawing, via the right-hand deflection roller into the bottom run, shown in the drawing, takes the first product P of the queue of products delivered with it in a form-fitting manner, with the queue immediately slipping down and the second driver taking the product that is now at the front end with it, etc. up to Longitudinally 10 a total of 16 normally oriented products Pn are held at a defined longitudinal distance along the lower strand shown and in a defined position, and the grouping chain 20 stops.

The drivers 21 have such a height that the products can still be gripped from above and removed upwards between the drivers 21 .

In order for the group to be formed on the spreading table 14 to be present in each row R running in the longitudinal direction 10 as well as in each column running in the transverse direction 11 one after the other, products are oriented alternately, i.e. Pn on the one hand and Pi on the other, the in products delivered to both product feed conveyors 25 with the same orientation, here Pn, are first turned half into the inverse orientation Pi.

2a and 2c show a product turner 6 with a rod-shaped base body 6A, along which a similar number, here 16, gripper holders 6.1 - 6.16 are arranged, projecting towards the same side at a distance from the products P held on the grouping chain 20 Gripping position at their free end each have a downward-pointing gripper G, here a sucker G, which lie on a straight line in the gripping position.

The turner 6 is positioned and the gripper holders 6.1 to 6.16 are spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal direction 10 such that in this gripping position it is seated with a gripper G on a product P and can grip and hold it.

In addition, the base body 6A can be pivoted by about 180° about a pivot axis 6′ running in its longitudinal direction 10, so that after pivoting the grippers G point upwards and the product P held by them is above the gripper G and upside down, inversely Orientation Pi is located.

In addition, at least every second gripper holder, either the even-numbered or the odd-numbered ones, preferably each gripper holder, can be automatically changed in length in a controlled manner in the same transverse direction to the pivot axis 6' by a distance that corresponds to the distance between two in the overlapping position or overlapping distance AÜ mutually located rows R of seats S on the spreader table 14.

This allows according to 2c , right side the turned products Pi are placed on the corners of a zigzag line Z1.

The next row of 16 products Pn held by the grouping chain 20 is gripped by the tool W23 of a supply robot 23 which—as in FIG 2 B right and in 2d shown on the far right - carries sixteen pair holders 23.1 to 23.16 on its underside corresponding to the distance between the products of the group of 16 in the grouping chain 20 . Each of the pair of holders carries two grippers G on its underside at a distance in the transverse direction 11 with the overlap distance AÜ.

The even-numbered or odd-numbered pair holders 23.1 to 23.16 can be adjusted in the transverse direction 11 by this overlap distance AÜ in relation to the other, non-movable gripper holders from the aligned position, with all pair holders 23.1 to 23.16 also being able to be adjusted by this overlap distance AÜ in Transverse direction 11 can be adjustable.

The pair holders 23.1 to 23.16 are first brought into the non-aligned, mutually offset position, as shown in FIG 2d , resulting in the middle of a straight line running in the longitudinal direction 10 with 16 grippers G aligned on it and to the left and right of it in the overlapping distance AÜ a straight line each with eight grippers G on it.

In this state, the feeding robot 23 lowers with its middle straight line with 16 suckers onto the 16 row of products Pn in the grouping chain 20, grasps them and lifts them out of the grouping chain 20, and then shifts every other one Pair holders 23.1 to 23.16 back into the mutually aligned position, as a result of which the 16 products held by the tool W23, which are in the normal position Pn, are now positioned on the corners of a zigzag line Z2 when viewed from above.

The turner 6 on the one hand and the feed robot 23 on the other hand are designed in such a way that the Z-lines Z1 and Z2 run in opposite directions, i.e. cross 15 times when they lie on top of each other, or to put it another way, the pattern of Pi products held by the turner 6 is complementary to the sample of Pn products held by the supply robot 23.

Accordingly, now lowers according to 2e the supply robot 23 with the Pn products held thereon on the pattern held by the turner 6 of Pi products from such that each of the still free holders 23.1-23.16 per pair has one gripper G of the supply robot 23 each one of the Pi products held by the turner 6 grasps the top thereof, whereupon the turner 6 releases the products it is holding.

The infeed robot 23 now holds an infeed set consisting of two rows of 16 products each arranged at an overlapping distance AÜ in the transverse direction 11, which alternate in terms of their orientation in the longitudinal direction 10, and also the two products arranged next to one another in the transverse direction 11 one is a Pi and one is a Pn product.

If all gripper holders of the turner 6 and/or all pair holders of the tool W23 can be extended or displaced in the transverse direction, the corresponding group with the respective second element must be controlled by the control in such a way that the two complementary patterns of products arise.

How 1 and 1a show, the spreader table 14 is loaded in the first feed area 3 in the machine module 1a, but with two such feed sets next to each other, which are then shown here in the middle of the spreader table 14 on the carriage 18.1, so that the process described twice has to run, so the feed robot 23 puts such a feed set on this carriage 18.1 twice in a row.

However, each spreading table 14 has eight rows R of seats S according to the product orientation to be accommodated, also divided into seats for normally oriented products, i.e. Sn seats, and seats for products to be placed inverted, i.e. Si seats, in 1a indicated by a "+" for an empty Pi seat and a "-" for an empty Pn seat.

The carriage then moves, e.g. turner 6 and feed robot 23.

Depending on how many completely or partially filled rows next to each other the spreader table 14 needs for its current work task, one or two further feed sets are placed on the spreader table 14 as described above in this next feed area 3, in this case just one more, double-row Feed set, as shown there on the carriage 18.2 and its spreader table 14, because in this case cartons K are to be filled with layers each consisting of three rows running in the longitudinal direction 10 next to each other, for which purpose on the spreader table 14 six rows of products P are needed while two rows of seats remain empty.

The carriages 18.1-18.3, which carry the spreading tables 14 filled according to the respective work order, are each moved further individually into the spreading area 4, here in the machine module 1 d, in which there is a spreading station next to and below the carriage rail 19 7 is located, which has the necessary at least one transverse drive 16, with which or with which the transverse distances of the rows of seats S can be changed on the spreader table 14 positioned in the spreader station so that a - in 1 , 1a , 1b not shown for reasons of clarity, only in 4a illustrated - removal robot 24 in the removal area 5 can each remove a removal set of products from the spreader table 14 and divided into several carton arrays in the longitudinal direction 10 one behind the other into the cartons K, which for this purpose are placed at the correct longitudinal distance from one another and on the correct longitudinal position to the spreading table 14 in the spreading area 4 on a container belt 30, mostly standing still

Furthermore - which is of secondary importance for the described invention - runs on the side of the carriage rail 19 facing away from the container belt 30 in the modules 1d and 1e another carriage rail 19*, on which one or more buffer carriages 18* run in the longitudinal direction 10 are movable, which also have rows of seats running in the longitudinal direction 10 multiple times next to each other with alternately inverted and normal seats Si and Sn in the row direction and column direction and preferably with the same number of rows R and with the same number of seats S along a row as the spreader tables 14.

These buffer carriages 18* are used to pick up remaining products, a residual group, when a spreading table 14 is emptied—implemented by a buffer robot (not shown) at a different longitudinal position than the spreading area 4, here in module 1e can remain if in the cartons K one - mostly uppermost - is to be stored, which is to contain fewer products than the other layers.

Such a buffer carriage 18* usually remains there until it is filled to the point where it contains one or more cardboard arrays and is then shown in accordance with FIG 1b moved to the left into the removal area 5 and can there—by means of the removal robot 24—partly or completely deliver its contents into empty cartons K provided there.

How the rows r of Siten S in Spreiz area 4 in the Spreiz station 7 using one or more transverse drives 16 are brought to the correct cross distance from each other 3 until 5 .

3 shows the spreader table 14 without the carriage underneath, on which it is usually firmly mounted and with which it can only move in the longitudinal direction 10 along the carriage rail 19, from which it can be seen that the spreader table 14 has a total of eight adjacent 10 rows R of seats S running in the longitudinal direction, with normal seats Sn for products Pn in the normal position alternating with inverted seats Si for inverted-oriented products Si within the row R, i.e. the seats designed as depressions are dimensioned accordingly and positioned relative to one another are.

Every second row R is the same, and the rows in between have a Sn seat at the positions where the first-mentioned rows have a Si seat, so that in the transverse direction 11, which runs at right angles to the longitudinal direction 10, inverted seats Si alternate with normal seats Sn.

3 also shows that the rows R of seats are formed on slat-shaped support strips 15, here a total of six support strips 15A to 15E.

Starting from the left in the transverse direction 11, the support strips 15A, 15B and the last 15E each carry two rows R of seats, specifically at an overlapping distance AÜ from one another, so that correspondingly oriented products placed in these seats overlap one another in the transverse direction 11 viewed from above . Between the double-row support rails 15B and 15E are two support rails 15C, D, each of which has only one row R of seats S.

The 4a until 4c show - viewed in the longitudinal direction 10 - the spreader table 14 with different distances between the support rails 15 in the transverse direction 11 depending on how many rows the removal set of products P to be transferred into the cartons K should have and depending on the transverse distance between the rows of Grippers G, which are in the tool W24 - which is usually also changed when changing the number of rows of the carton array - of a removal robot 24 are present.

4a can be seen from the double-row support strips 15.2 in the form of the support strips 15A, B and E that under an overlap distance AÜ from the center of a normal seat Sn to the center of one in the transverse direction 11 on the same in particular or a longitudinally slightly offset longitudinal position of the inverse seat Si located next to it, such a distance is understood that products Pn, Pi oriented correspondingly seated on the corresponding seat overlap in the transverse direction 11, in that in this case the upper radially projecting edge of the Pn product protrudes over the bottom surface of the Pi product or at least its radially protruding edge down there and vice versa.

On the other hand, non-overlapping distance An means that the transverse distance between adjacent seats Si and Sn is so large that products Pi, Pn next to each other at this distance do not overlap horizontally and can be lifted up independently of one another.

Figure 4a shows the initial spread state:

Within the two-row support strips 15.2, here the support strips 15A, 15B and 15E, are the two rows, each in the direction of 4a run, already arranged in such an overlap distance Aü. In addition, the two single-row support slats 15.1, here the support slats 15C and 15D, are moved so close together in the transverse direction 11 that their seats and thus also the correspondingly oriented products standing on them are at the overlap distance Aü.

The two-row support bar 15B and the single-row support bar 15D are fixedly connected in the transverse direction 11 to the base body 14A of the spreader table 14, which contains sleeve-shaped bearings 22, usually plain bearings 22, aligned in the transverse direction 11 at two longitudinal positions, in which in the longitudinal direction 10 a guide rod 17 extends transversely through the base body 14A at the front and rear end region and protrudes from the base body 14A on both sides.

The single-row support strip 15C is fixed in the transverse direction to this guide rod 17 and is therefore a direct strip 15d, since it can be displaced directly with respect to the base body 14A.

The two outer, double-row support rails 15A, 15E are slidably arranged on this guide rod 17 and held at a distance from the next inner, adjacent support rail 15B or 15D by means of a compression spring 31, and against a transverse stop at the respective outer end of the guide rod 17 pressed. They are thus indirect strips 15ind, since they can only be displaced directly relative to the guide rod 17 and thus only indirectly relative to the base body 14A. The springs 31 additionally press the single-row bar 15C and the adjacent single-row bar 15D against one another.

So if two-row removal sets of products P are to be removed from the spreader table 14 and converted into cartons, the spreader table 14 can be in the unloaded initial position according to FIG 4a remain and all eight rows can be filled with products.

If according to 4b four rows, each overlapping in the transverse direction within the 4 rows, removal sets of products P are required for conversion into cartons K, all eight rows can also be filled with products P.

Before removal, the transverse drive 16A moves the double-row support bar 15A and the transverse drive 16E moves the double-row support bar 15E in the direction towards each other against the force of the springs 31 until the first four rows of seats S and the last four Transverse rows are each at an overlapping distance Aü from each other, while the fourth and fifth rows of seats and products P resting thereon are at a non-overlapping distance An, so that the four-row infeed sets of products can be independently lifted up and transferred.

Since the support rails 15B and 15D are fixedly connected to the base body 14A in the transverse direction, they serve as stops when the outer support rails 15A, 15E are pushed up.

If, on the other hand, three-row removal sets of products P according to 4c are generated, it is clear on the one hand that because of eight rows a total of only two three-row discharge sets can be generated, i.e. two rows of seats cannot contribute to these three-row discharge sets and preferably remain empty, in this case the outer support strip 15A of the two adjacent, double-row support rails 15A and 15B.

Furthermore, it is clear that a non-overlapping distance An must be achieved between the seats and products standing on them of the two single-row support strips 15C, 15D.

This is achieved by, on the one hand, using the transverse drive 16E to press one outer double-row support strip 15E against the single-row support strip 15D fixed to the base body to an overlap distance Aü, in particular until these support strips are in contact with one another, and as a counter-holder the Transverse drive 16A presses the support bar 15A against the base body fixed double-row support bar 15B.

This is necessary so that by subsequent application by means of the drive 16C, which does not act on the respective support bar, but on the guide rod 17, the rod-fixed, single-row support bar 15C moves away from the position in the starting position on the support bar 15D and up to an overlap distance AÜ is pressed against the adjacent double-row base body-fixed support bar 15B.

Then the three-row removal sets can be removed individually and placed in the boxes.

Figure 5 shows the spreading station 7 with the transverse drives 16:

The transverse drives 16A and 16E are arranged at a height so that when there is a carriage 18 with a spreading table 14 therebetween in the spreading station 7, they press against the outside of the support rails 15A or 15E.

The two transverse drives 16C, which in this case are spaced apart in the longitudinal direction 10 and are arranged on the same side of the carriage rail 19, are arranged at such a height and in such a longitudinal position that one of the two guide rods 17 of the in the spreading Position, so standing in the correct longitudinal position in the spreading station 7, press spreading table 14, and of course must be operated synchronously.

These transverse drives 16C are arranged on that side that they push the respective guide rod 17 away from the single-row support rail 15D fixed to the base body in the direction of the two adjacent double-row support rails 15A and 15B.

Of course, the two transverse drives 16C could be combined into one, which acts on an indicated connecting rod between the two sliding pins, which press on one of the two guide rods 17 in each case.

The transverse drives are preferably arranged on two beams which run on both sides of the carriage rail 19 and are firmly connected to the machine frame, which is not shown here.

The 1b also shows that within the rows of seats S running in the longitudinal direction 10 and thus also the products Pi, Pa resting on them, there is no overlapping distance AÜ to one another in the longitudinal direction 10, but the products in the already filled cartons K do.

With regard to the mobility of its grippers G, in particular suckers G, on the tool body, the removal robot 24 is designed in such a way that it pulls the adjacent groups of e.g. three grippers or suckers G in the longitudinal direction 11, the column direction 10 relative to the base body and relative to each other can be controlled automatically in a wide range. As a result, during the transfer process from the spreader table 14 into the boxes K, four groups of three, for example, can be brought in the longitudinal direction 10 to an overlap distance AÜ in the longitudinal direction 10, and these three on four large carton arrays in a longitudinal position that is the longitudinal position of the provided cartons K, in particular on the container belt 30, so that the removal robot 24 divides a removal set in the longitudinal direction 10 into three by four product large carton arrays and one of them in a carton K each the container tape 30 can store.

• - die Reihen-Anzahl der Gruppe wahlweise eine gerade oder eine ungerade Anzahl sein, insbesondere die Reihen-Anzahl 2, 3 oder 4 sein,
• - wobei die Produkte (P) innerhalb der Gruppe in der Aufsicht betrachtet spätestens beim Einsetzen in die Umverpackung in Reihen-Richtung, der Längsrichtung (10), und/oder in Querrichtung (11) hierzu einander teilweise überlappen,
• - insbesondere die Produkte (P) innerhalb der Gruppe in Längsrichtung (10), und/oder in Querrichtung (11) jeweils abwechselnd unterschiedlich orientiert sind,

wobei

• - mindestens ein Spreiztisch (14) vorhanden ist, auf dem jeweils mehrere Tragleisten (15) mit nur einer oder zwei Reihen von Sitzen für je ein Produkt in ihrem Querabstand verstellbar zueinander angeordnet sind,
• - wobei zwei einreihige Tragleisten (15.1) in Querrichtung (11) benachbart zueinander angeordnet sind zwischen zwei zweireihigen Tragleisten (15.2),
• - für die Bildung einer Gruppe mit gerader Reihen-Anzahl einer eng benachbarten, insbesondere kontaktierenden, Lage nebeneinander
• - und einer für die Bildung einer Gruppe mit einer ungeraden Reihen-Anzahl weiter beabstandeten Lage auseinander und eng benachbart, insbesondere kontaktierend, zu der benachbarten doppelreihigen Tragleiste (15.2)

hin und her verstellt werden.When using a packaging machine according to the invention, to produce at least one multi-row, single-layer group of products (P), in particular in one or more rows, delivered products and insert the group or parts of the group as a cardboard array in an outer packaging, such as a carton (K),

• - the number of rows in the group can be either an even or an odd number, in particular the number of rows can be 2, 3 or 4,
• - where the products (P) within the group partially overlap each other in the row direction, the longitudinal direction (10) and/or in the transverse direction (11) when viewed from above at the latest when they are inserted into the outer packaging,
• - in particular the products (P) within the group are oriented alternately in the longitudinal direction (10) and/or in the transverse direction (11),

where

• - there is at least one spreader table (14) on which a plurality of support rails (15) with only one or two rows of seats for one product each are arranged so that they can be adjusted in terms of their transverse distance from one another,
• - wherein two single-row support rails (15.1) are arranged adjacent to one another in the transverse direction (11) between two two-row support rails (15.2),
• - for the formation of a group with an even number of rows of a closely adjacent, in particular contacting, layer next to each other
• - and one for the formation of a group with an odd number of rows spaced further apart and closely adjacent, in particular in contact, to the adjacent double-row support bar (15.2)

be adjusted back and forth.

In a preferred embodiment, to form 4-row groups, both single-row support rails (15.1) are placed closely adjacent, in particular in contact with, an adjacent double-row support rail (15.2) and on the other side of the two single-row support rails (15.1) two double-row Carrying strips (15.2) placed in a closely adjacent position to one another, at a distance from the two single-row carrying strips (15.1) in the transverse direction (11).

In the context of a preferred embodiment, the support strips (15) are arranged in such a way that in packages with closely spaced 2, 3 or 4 rows of seats (S), the transverse distance between the packages of seats (S) and the support strips (15), they wear is always the same.

• - die Produkte (P) dem Spreiztisch (14) in 2-reihigen Zufuhr-Sets zugeführt,
• - wobei innerhalb des Zufuhr-Sets sowohl entlang der Reihen als auch quer dazu die Produkte (P) abwechselnd in einer von zwei unterschiedlichen Orientierungen, insbesondere normal auf dem Fuß stehend (Pn) oder auf dem Kopf stehend (Pi), vorliegen.

As part of a preferred embodiment

• - the products (P) are fed to the spreading table (14) in 2-row feed sets,
• - wherein within the feed set, both along the rows and across them, the products (P) are alternately in one of two different orientations, in particular normal on their feet (Pn) or upside down (Pi).

• - eine 1. Reihe von Produkten (P) entsprechend der Anzahl der Hälfte eines Zufuhr-Sets mit in einer 1. Orientierung vorliegenden Produkten (P) ergriffen wird,
• - das 2. und jedes andere geradzahlige Produkt der Reihe in Querrichtung (11) versetzt wird in eine parallele Reihe, sodass die Produkte auf einer 1. Zickzack-Linie (Z1) liegen,
• - alle diese Produkte, insbesondere gemeinsam, gewendet werden in eine 2. Orientierung,
• - eine andere Reihe von Produkten (P) entsprechend der Anzahl der Hälfte eines Zufuhr-Sets mit in einer 1. Orientierung vorliegenden Produkten (P) ergriffen wird,
• - von dieser 1., gewendeten Reihe das 1. und jedes andere ungeradzahlige Produkt (P) in Querrichtung (11) versetzt wird in eine parallele Reihe, sodass die Produkte auf einer 2. Zickzack-Linie (Z2) liegen,
• - die gewendeten zwischen den ungewendeten Produkten (P) gemeinsames als Zufuhr-Set festgehalten werden.

In a preferred embodiment, the feed set is created by

• - a 1st row of products (P) corresponding to the number of half of a supply set with products (P) present in a 1st orientation is grasped,
• - the 2nd and every other even-numbered product of the row in the transverse direction (11) is shifted into a parallel row so that the products lie on a 1st zigzag line (Z1),
• - all these products, especially together, are turned into a 2nd orientation,
• - another row of products (P) corresponding to the number of half of a supply set with products (P) present in a 1st orientation is grasped,
• - from this 1st, turned row, the 1st and every other odd-numbered product (P) is shifted in the transverse direction (11) into a parallel row, so that the products lie on a 2nd zigzag line (Z2),
• - the turned between the unturned products (P) are held together as a feed set.

• - insbesondere unter Drehung der Rest-Gruppe um eine aufrechte Achse,
• - nach Erreichen eines einlagigen Füllstandes des Puffers, der mindestens ein Karton-Array umfasst, vorzugsweise so viele Karton-Arrays wie aus einer Abfuhr-Gruppe erzielt werden können, mindestens ein, vorzugsweise alle erzielbaren, Karton-Arrays aus dem Füllstand des Puffers entnommen und, insbesondere direkt, in Kartons (K) umgesetzt.

Within the framework of a preferred embodiment, a residual group of products (P) remaining on the spreader table (14) after the carton arrays have been transferred into the cartons (K) is converted into a buffer,

• - especially with rotation of the rest group around an upright axis,
• - after reaching a single-layer filling level of the buffer, which comprises at least one carton array, preferably as many carton arrays as can be achieved from a removal group, at least one, preferably all achievable, carton arrays are removed from the filling level of the buffer and , especially directly, implemented in boxes (K).

REFERENCE LIST

1a, b

Machine frame, frame module

2

delivery area

3

Feed Area

4

spread area

5

discharge area

6

turner

6.1-6.18

pair holder

6'

pivot axis

6A

body

7

spread station

8th

transport device

9

security door

10

longitudinal direction of the rows,

10*

main transport direction

11

horizontal transverse direction to 10

11*

horizontal transverse direction to 10*

12

vertical

13

grouping device

14

spreader table

14A

body

15

top bar

15A - E

top bar

15.1

single-row support bar

15.2

double-row support bar

15d

Direct bar

15ind

Indirect bar

16

transverse drive

17

senior management

18.1/2/3

Sleds

19

carriage rail

20

grouping chain

21

driver

22

bearings, plain bearings

23

Feeding Robot

W23

Tool

23.1-23.16

pair holder

24

removal robot

W24

Tool

25

Product-to-Conveyor

26

lifting station

27

blank magazine

28

capping station

29

Carton Ejector

30

container belt

31

compression spring

G

gripper, sucker

K

Outer packaging, carton

P

product

pm

Product in normal position, product in initial position

pi

Product in inverse position, rotated product, differently oriented product

R

Row

S

Seat

sn

Seat for product in normal position, product in home position

si

Seat for product in inverse position, rotated product, differently oriented product

Claims (17)

A packaging machine with a grouping device (13) comprising - a spreading area (4) with at least one spreading table (14) with a base body (14A) and a plurality of slat-shaped support slats (15) adjustable in their transverse spacing, each of which has at least one in the longitudinal direction (10) having a running row (R) of seats (S) for one product (P) each, - at least one transverse drive (16) for adjusting the transverse distance, for producing single-layer groups with an even or odd number of rows ( R) of products (P), the products (P) within the group partially overlapping each other in the transverse direction (11) when viewed from above, and inserting the group into an outer packaging (K), such as a box (K), wherein the packaging machine also has - a delivery area (2) in which the products (P) are delivered, in particular in one or more rows (R), - a feed area (3) with a feed robot (23) for transferring a supply set of products from the delivery area (2) to the spreading table (14), - a discharge area (4) with a discharge robot (24) for converting a discharge set of products (P) from Spreading table (14) away directly or indirectly into the outer packaging (K), characterized in that - there are several two-row support rails (15.2), each with two rows (R) of seats (S) that cannot be moved relative to one another in the transverse direction (11), - in between there are at least two support rails (15.1) which can be moved relative to one another in the transverse direction (11), in particular adjacent to one another in the transverse direction (11), with only one row (R) of seats, - the spreader table drive (16) being designed in this way that he is able to approach the two single-row support strips (15.1) either against each other or apart against the respectively adjacent, in particular double-row, support strips (15.2), in particular up to contact. (Structure spreader table in general:) packaging machine claim 1 , characterized in that - at least two of the support strips (15) of a spreader table (14), but no support strips (15) directly adjacent to one another, are firmly connected to the base body (14A) of the spreader table (14) in the transverse direction (11), the remaining support rails (15) - either in each case, in particular all, as direct rails (15d) directly relative to the base body (14A), in particular independently of one another, can be transversely displaced, - or of the non-transversely fixed support rails at least one direct rail (15d) directly relative to the base body (14A) is transversely displaceable, - the remaining supporting strips (15) as non-transversely fixed indirect strips (15ind) are indirectly displaceable relative to the base body (14A) by being directly transversely displaceable relative to the direct strip (15d). Packaging machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the indirect strips (15ind) are the outermost, in particular double-row, support strips (15) of the spreader table (14). Packaging machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - of the at least one direct bar (15d) on at least one side, in particular both sides, in the transverse direction (11) at least one, better two guide rods (17 ) strive, - the at least one indirect rail (15ind) along the guide rod (17) is guided in a form-fitting manner. (Specifically Schubert:) Packaging machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - a double-row support strip (15.2) is arranged directly next to one of two single-row support strips (15.1), - the double-row support strip (15.2) and the one of the two single-row support strips (15.1) facing away from it are transversely fixed are attached to the base body (14A), - a double-row support bar (15.2) is arranged on the outside adjacent to the two transversely fixed support bars (15), - the two single-row support bars (15.1) contact each other, especially in the initial state, but to the adjacent double-row support bars ( 15.2) and these assume a starting distance from each other. Packaging machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - the non-transversely fixed single-row support strip (15.1) is a direct strip (15d). Packaging machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - the non-transversely fixed single-row support bar (15C) can be moved in the transverse direction (11) by means of a controlled transverse drive (16C), which acts in particular on the end face of the guide rod (17), - either the two outer double-row support strips (15A, 15E) can be moved in the transverse direction (11) by means of a separate transverse drive (16A, 16E) - or the two outer double-row support strips (15A, 15E) by means of a common transverse drive and a Counter-synchronous mechanism in the transverse direction (11) are movable counter-synchronously. (Alternative solution:) Packaging machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - a double-row support strip (15.2) is arranged directly next to one of two single-row support strips (15.1) each independently of one another and can be displaced transversely to the base body (14A), - on the outside adjacent to this package in each case a double-row Support strip (15.2) is arranged transversely fixed to the base body (14A), - especially in the initial state, the two single-row support strips (15.1) contact each other, but to the adjacent double-row support strips (15.2) and these assume a starting distance from each other. Packaging machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - the two single-row support strips (15.1) can be moved counter-synchronously in the transverse direction (11) by means of a controlled first transverse drive (16.1) and a counter-synchronous mechanism, - the double-row support strip (15.2 ) on the one hand and the two single-row support rails 15.1) together on the other hand can be displaced counter-synchronously in the transverse direction (11) by means of a controlled second transverse drive (16.2) and a counter-synchronous mechanism. Packaging machine according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the products (P) within the group are alternately oriented differently in the longitudinal direction (10) and/or in the transverse direction (11), in particular standing on their feet (Pn) or standing inversely upside down ( Pi), characterized in that - each feed area (3) has a product turner (6) with a number of grippers (G), in particular suction cups, in particular according to the number of half a feed set, which are between a first functional position arranged in only one row and a second functional position arranged in two rows of grippers (G) can be adjusted and pivoted about a horizontal pivot axis (6'), in particular together with the base body (6A) of the product turner (6). and/or - the supply robot (23) has a tool (W23) with at least one, in particular two, rows of grippers (G), in particular suckers, for holding one product (P) each. Packaging machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - there are several spreader tables (14 1 - 14.3) that can be moved within the machine, in particular that can be moved independently of one another, - the at least one transverse drive (16) is arranged in one, in particular only one, spreading station (7) to which the loaded spreading tables (14.1 - 14.3) can be moved. Packaging machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - each spreading table (14.1 - 14.3) can be moved by means of a transport device (8), - in particular the transport device (8) comprises carriages (18) which, in particular, move independently of one another along a guide, in particular a guide rail (19) can be moved. Packaging machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - there are several delivery areas (2.1, 2.2) and feed areas (3.1, 3.2), in each of which a spreading table (14) can be loaded only partially or completely. Packaging machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the tool (W23) of the feed robot (23) there is a pair of two grippers (G) adjacent in the transverse direction (11) on a pair holder (23.1 - 23.16), are fixed and these pair of holders (23.1 - 23.16) can be moved in the transverse direction (11) between the first and the second functional position. Packaging machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - the tool (W23) of the feeding robot (23) between a first functional position in which the grippers are arranged in two rows of grippers (G) running in the longitudinal direction (10) and a second functional position in which the grippers (G) are arranged in three rows of grippers (G). Packaging machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - the tool (W24) of the removal robot (24) has several, in particular two, rows of grippers (G), in particular suckers, arranged at a fixed transverse distance, - which in the transverse direction (11) adjacent grippers (G) arranged approximately in the same longitudinal position along the rows are attached as a transverse group to a transverse group holder, in particular a pair holder, and these can be moved in the longitudinal direction (10) between at least a first, further spaced and the second, more closely spaced or contacting, functional position. Packaging machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - a buffer for products ( P), is present, - in particular the buffer in the form of rows of seats (S) running in the longitudinal direction (10), which are located at an overlapping distance, in particular in the transverse direction (11), on a buffer carriage (18*) - which can be moved in particular along a buffer rail (19*) and can approach the longitudinal position of the spreading station (7) in the throughput direction (10*) at such a transverse distance from the removal robot (24) that the latter with its tool (W24) can remove products (PE) from the buffer carriage (18*) and convert them into cartons (K).

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