EP2874888B1 - Product stacking device - Google Patents

Description

State of the art

There are already known product stacking devices for forming product stacks from product groups of products lying flat and / or in a shingled product arrangement during transport movement, with at least two stop means with stack abutment surfaces provided for forming the product stacks.

US 5,311,722 discloses a product stacking apparatus for forming product stacks from product groups of products fed in a shingled product arrangement during a transport movement, with at least two stop means with stack abutment surfaces provided for forming the product stacks.

Disclosure of the invention

The invention is based on a product stacking device according to claim 1.

In this context, a "product" is to be understood as meaning preferably a disc-shaped foodstuff, in particular a biscuit. But there are also other stackable products conceivable. The product stacks are preferably provided for packaging on a packaging machine, in particular a horizontal tubular packaging machine known to the person skilled in the art and / or a roll packaging machine and / or a cartoning machine. Under a "lying flat" product arrangement in this context, in particular an arrangement are understood in which products are supported side by side by a product support, such as a conveyor belt and / or a surface, lying. In this context, a "stop means" should be understood to mean, in particular, a means which is intended to transmit at least one force and / or position to a product or a product group by means of a mechanical contact.

A "shingled product arrangement" is to be understood in this context, in particular, a product arrangement in which, with the exception of a last product products in a shingle each rest with one side on a next adjacent product, in a direction opposite to the shingle direction again a following product on a opposite side of the product rests. The last product in the shingle direction can rest on a product support and / or a stack contact surface in the case of the shingled product arrangement. In this context, a "shingle direction" should preferably be understood to mean a direction parallel to the transport direction, in which the products are inclined starting from a vertical to the transport direction. Preferably, the shingle direction is identical to the transport direction. In a further embodiment of the invention, it is also possible that the shingle direction is arranged at an angle, in particular a right angle, to the transport direction. In particular, in the case of a shingled product arrangement, main surfaces of adjacent products can cover more than 10%, preferably more than 30%, particularly preferably more than 50%. Preferably, major surfaces of adjacent products in the shingled product assembly overlap to less than 90%, more preferably less than 80%. In this context, "main surfaces" are to be understood as meaning, in particular, the two largest surfaces of a product.

A shingle angle which the main surfaces of the products in the shingled product arrangement form with the product overlay is 15 ° -60 °. Particularly preferred may be a shingle angle 25 ° - 35 °. All products of a product group can occupy a shingled product arrangement. Alternatively, a last product in shingled direction may lie flat on the product support and the other products may be in a shingled product arrangement with the last shingled product in the shingle direction resting on the flat last product. If, in this alternative arrangement, the products are inclined in the transport direction, it is preferred the last product in the transport direction, the products are inclined in the opposite direction to the transport direction, the first product in the transport direction, flat on the product support. This arrangement may be particularly suitable for forming a vertical product stack. Shingled product arrangements are known to the person skilled in the art. In this context, a "product stack" is to be understood in particular to mean a product arrangement in which main surfaces of the products with an horizontal product support and / or a horizontal enclose an angle of at least substantially 0 ° or 90 °. In this context, a "horizontal" is to be understood in particular as meaning a direction perpendicular to a weight force and / or the conveying direction. At an angle of at least substantially 0 °, there is a horizontal, at an angle of at least substantially 90 °, a vertical product stack. By "at least substantially" is meant in this context a deviation of less than 15 °, preferably less than 10 °, particularly preferably less than 5 °. Preferably, products of a product stack have a coverage of more than 80%, more preferably more than 90%. A transition from a shingled product arrangement into a product stack can preferably take place continuously. Preferably, the product stacking device is provided for transferring products that are lying flat in a shingled product arrangement prior to stacking. A "transport movement" is to be understood in this context, in particular a movement in a conveying direction. The transport movement is preferably intended to transport the products to a further processing process, in particular to a packaging process. The conveying direction can change its direction at least along subregions of a transport path, in particular continuously. Preferably, the transport movement is continuous at least in one operating state. In this context, "continuous" should be understood to mean, in particular, standstill-free. Preferably, speed changes of the transport movement are continuous. In this context, a "stack contact surface" is to be understood as meaning, in particular, a region of a stop means on which at least one product of a product group and / or a product stack touches the stop means during stacking. The stack contact surface can be approximately linear and / or punctiform. A "collapsing unit" should be understood in this context, in particular a unit which is intended to reduce the distance of the stack contact surfaces in Effect product group direction. The assembly unit may in particular comprise one or more mechanical and / or electronic control units, one or more storage units or one or more attachment units. In particular, the merge unit may include coupling gears and / or gate controls and / or inclined surfaces. Coupling gear, gate controls and / or inclined surfaces may be provided in particular to control depending on a position and / or a movement at least one further position and / or movement, in particular a translation and / or rotation of at least one stop means. Such devices are known in the art. In this context, a "product group direction" should be understood to mean in particular a middle direction, along which the supplied products of a product group are arranged next to one another or shingled. In this context, a "spacing" of the stack contact surfaces in the product group direction should be understood as meaning, in particular, a mean distance, measured in the product group direction, between regions of the opposing stack contact surfaces which are touched by products of a product group during the stack formation at the time the distance is determined. The product stack can be effectively formed by pushing together a supplied product assembly. Continuous stacking can be particularly easy. The transport movement can be interruption free. A performance of the product stacking device can be particularly high. It can be formed especially many product stacks per unit time. The product stacks can be transported particularly easily in the direction of the further processing process during stacking

It is further proposed that at least one stop means is formed by a driver and / or by a counter-holder of a feed device. In this context, a "supply device" is to be understood in particular to mean a device which is provided for supplying products and / or product stacks to a packaging process of a packaging machine. In particular, the supply device can take over products in a lying flat and / or in a shingled product arrangement and transfer them to the packaging machine as a product stack at the end of the transport route. In this context, a "driver" is to be understood in particular as an element which is intended to at least one product or product group in the transport direction by a frictional connection and / or preferably to push a positive connection and / or wear. In this context, a "counterholder" is to be understood as meaning, in particular, an element which is intended to support at least one product or product group counter to the transport direction by a frictional connection and / or preferably a positive connection. In particular, the counter-holder can be provided to prevent tilting of products. The drivers and / or counter-carriers can transport the products and form product stacks. It can be saved components. The delivery device may comprise the product stacking device. A particularly cost-effective and compact design may be possible. In particular, the supply device may comprise a conveyor system revolving around a preferably closed path, such as a chain and / or a guide designed as a closed loop. The transport route may in particular be part of the path of the conveyor system. Carrier and / or counter-holder can preferably be movably mounted on the conveyor system at least in the transport path in the conveying direction. A drive system, in particular the chain, can be provided to drive the drivers and / or counter-holders along the path. Particularly preferably, the driver and / or counter-holder can be driven individually, at least in partial areas of the conveyor line, in particular by a linear motor system. The conveyor system may preferably have at least one primary part of a linear motor system. Preferably, the drivers and / or counter-holders can be arranged on conveying elements, the secondary parts of the linear motor system, in particular permanent magnets having. Carrier and counterholder can be moved very flexible. In particular, distances between driver and counterholder can be variable. Distances between the slings can be flexibly adjusted. Product stack and / or product group lengths can be easily customized. Product stacks with a different length and / or a different number of products can be formed.

Further, at least one bearing unit is proposed, via which at least one of the stop means is rotatably mounted by at least one degree of freedom. In particular, the storage unit may be part of the assembly unit. The distance between opposing stack contact surfaces of two stop means can be effective by turning at least one stop means be reduced. Preferably, the stop means may be rotatably mounted about an axis which is at least substantially transversely, that is arranged at an angle of 90 ° relative to the product group direction. By "at least substantially" is meant in this context a deviation of less than 30 °, preferably less than 10 °, particularly preferably less than 5 °. The bearing unit can rotatably support the stop means on conveying means such as a chain and / or conveying elements of the feeding device. The distance in the product group direction of opposing stack contact surfaces, between a arranged on the supply device, in particular designed as a driver, stop means and rotatably mounted stop means can be effectively reduced. A rotatably mounted stop means can effectively influence a shingle angle of the shingled product arrangement and translate it into an angle of a product stack. Advantageously, at least two stop means, in particular a driver and a counter-holder, which are intended to form a product stack, be rotatably mounted on bearing units. A shingle angle and a distance from stack abutment surfaces can be effectively adjusted. A product stack formation can be particularly gentle on the product. In a further embodiment of the invention, it is possible that further stop means are rotatably mounted on at least one bearing unit. The further storage unit may preferably be arranged on one of the supply device in the direction opposite to a weight force opposite side of the product groups. There are also other possible arrangements of a storage of further stop means conceivable. The further stop means can effectively support product stack formation. Counter holders of a feed device moved along the feed direction can be dispensed with.

Furthermore, at least one bearing unit is proposed by means of which at least one of the stop means is mounted to be translationally movable in at least one degree of freedom in at least one working section. In particular, the storage unit may be part of the assembly unit. The distance of opposing stack contact surfaces of two stop means can be effectively reduced by a translational movement of at least one stop means at least substantially in the product group direction.

Furthermore, at least one drive unit is proposed with which the at least one stop means can be driven in at least one degree of freedom.

In particular, the drive unit may have an actuator such as a rotary cylinder, a stepping motor and / or in particular a servo drive and / or may include a slide control. A control unit of the merging unit may be provided to control and / or regulate a movement of the stop means in the degree of freedom. The degree of freedom may in particular be a rotation or a translation. The control unit can effectively set the distance between opposing stack contact surfaces of two stop means.

It is further proposed that the assembly unit is provided to form the at least one product stack by controlling the at least one drive unit. In particular, by suitable control of the at least one drive unit, the assembly unit can reduce the distance of stacking contact surfaces lying opposite one another in the product group direction, so that a product group is pushed together to form a product stack. Once a desired stack length has been reached, the assembly unit can keep the distance between stacking contact surfaces lying opposite one another in the product group direction at least substantially constant. Force measuring devices may preferably be provided which signal an increase in a force caused by the product stack between the stop means when the product stack length is reached and / or undershot. The force measuring devices may be provided on the stop means and / or on the bearing means of the stop means. Preferably, drive quantities of the drive units of the stop means can be used to determine a force, in particular drive currents and / or moments and / or forces. A particularly gentle and flexible stacking may be possible.

It is also proposed that at least one stop means has stack contact surfaces at two sides opposite each other in the product group direction. In particular, product stacks can be formed in each case between stop means following each other in product group direction. A stop means can simultaneously form a stack contact surface of a product stack and a further stack contact surface of a product stack adjacent to the product group direction. The number of slings can be reduced. The product stacking device can be particularly compact and inexpensive.

It is further proposed that the merging unit contains at least one slide control. The slide control may in particular have a fixedly attached to the product stacking device and / or to the feed device backdrop. The slide control can be provided in particular to move stop means depending position and / or to pivot. The stacking can be done mechanically controlled, in particular depending on a position of the product group and / or the stop means along the transport path. Additional controlled drives, especially servo and / or linear motors for controlling the stack formation can be omitted. The product stacking device can be particularly inexpensive.

It is further proposed that the merging unit contains at least one electrical and / or electronic control unit. The control unit may preferably be provided to individually control and / or regulate distances of stacking surfaces of attachment means opposite each other in product group direction. Stacking can be particularly flexible. Different staple lengths may be possible. In particular, a mechanical conversion and / or a conversion of the product stacking device to form product stacks of different lengths can be omitted.

In an alternative embodiment (not part of the invention), it is proposed that the assembly unit contains at least one stop means formed by a side guide inclined with respect to the transport movement. The collapsing unit preferably contains at least two stop means formed in the product group direction and formed by inclined side guides. Preferably, the stop means are inclined so that the distance decreases in the product group direction opposite stack contact surfaces in the direction of the transport movement. Preferably, the transport movement is at least substantially transverse to the product group direction. The stack formation preferably takes place at least essentially by a reduction of the product group length transversely to the transport direction. By "at least substantially" should be understood in this context in particular a deviation of less than 30 °, preferably less than 15 °, more preferably less than 5 °.

Preferably, the product groups are passed by the transport movement of the stack contact surfaces so that they are pushed together due to their decreasing in the transport direction distance. Preferably, the distance between the side guides to each other and the angle of the inclined position relative to the product group direction and / or the transport movement by means of a suitable adjustable storage device of the side guides are adjustable. The stacking can be done by a static arrangement of elements of the assembly unit. The merging unit can be particularly simple. A control and / or regulation of movements and / or drives for stack formation can be omitted. Between the stop means, a large number of product stacks can be successively formed continuously. The product stacking unit can be particularly powerful. The side guides can be designed as stop rulers. Preferably, the side guides contain circumferential belts and / or belts. Friction between product groups and side guides can be minimized. The product stacks can be formed very gently.

In the invention, it is proposed that at least one of the stop means is provided to space the product groups of the supplied products. In particular, the stop means can be guided between two successive product groups of the product lying flat and / or shingled product arrangement. The product groups can be separated from the stop means and spaced by the stop means. The product group is formed by a number of products that are to form a product stack. The product groups of the products lying flat and / or in a shingled product arrangement can be supplied to the product stacking device without the product groups already being spaced apart. A separate device for spacing product groups can be dispensed with. Preferably, the product groups can be spaced apart from carriers of the product stacking device. The drivers can be advantageously performed between product groups, these space and thereby form product stacks by pushing the product groups in the transport movement against each an anvil. The product stacking device can particularly efficiently space product groups and form product stacks.

In a further variant of the invention, an infeed belt is proposed, which is intended to urge, at least in a first step of the formation of the product stacks, the product groups resting on the infeed belt with the transporting movement against stop means moving more slowly relative to the transporting movement. Preferably, the products lying flat and / or supplied in a shingled product arrangement are delivered to the infeed belt and / or transported by the infeed belt in the transporting movement. Preferably, the infeed belt has a gap through which the stop means projects. The infeed belt can in particular be formed by two parallel belts between which there is a gap through which the stop means projects. The products can preferably be dispensed individually from a feed belt onto the infeed belt. The stop means may be formed as a counter-holder and is moved slower compared to the transport movement of the intake belt. The products are urged by the infeed conveyor against the anvil and form a shingled product arrangement. Due to the faster movement of the infeed belt compared to the backstop, the shingling angle of the product assembly may become progressively steeper during transport. The second stop means is advantageously designed as a driver and, in a second step, forms the product stack by reducing the spacing between the stacking surfaces of the stop means which are opposite one another in the product group direction. The infeed belt can advantageously support product stack formation. In particular, the first step of product stack formation by the infeed belt can be particularly gentle on the product. Damage to the products can be avoided.

Furthermore, a method is proposed for forming at least one horizontal or vertical product stack with a product stacking device described. Two stop means can push together rapidly and effectively to a product stack by reducing the distance of product groups in the direction opposite stacking surfaces shingled product groups. In particular, a first or last product of the product group may be arranged in a flat product configuration for forming a vertical product stack. Other products may be arranged in a shingled product configuration with the product adjacent to the flat product resting thereon. When reducing the distance of

Stacking surfaces, the products can be pushed together into a vertical stack of products. In particular, all products of a product group can be arranged in a shingled product arrangement to form a horizontal product stack. By reducing the spacing of the stack abutment surfaces, the shingling angle can be increased until the shingled product assembly transitions into a horizontal product stack. Fast and easy stacking may be possible. The stack formation can take place in a continuous movement, in particular together with a transport movement.

Furthermore, a supply device, in particular for feeding products to a packaging process, with a product stacking device is proposed. In particular, the product stacking device may be integrated into the supply device. Conveying elements of the feed device can form stop means of the product stacking device. It can be saved components. A particularly compact construction of the feeding device with the product stacking device may be possible. Particularly preferably, the supply device may be part of a packaging machine. The packaging machine can have the stated advantages.

drawings

Further advantages emerge from the following description of the drawing. In the drawings, embodiments of the invention are shown. The drawings, the description and the claims contain numerous features in combination. The person skilled in the art will expediently also consider the features individually and combine them into meaningful further combinations.

Fig. 1

eine schematische Darstellung einer Zufuhrvorrichtung mit einer Produktstapelvorrichtung in einem ersten Ausführungsbeispiel,

Fig. 2

eine schematische Darstellung einer Zufuhrvorrichtung mit einer Produktstapelvorrichtung in einem zweiten Ausführungsbeispiel,

Fig. 3

eine schematische Darstellung einer Zufuhrvorrichtung mit einer Produktstapelvorrichtung in einem dritten Ausführungsbeispiel,

Fig. 4

eine schematische Darstellung eines Ausschnitts einer Zufuhrvorrichtung mit einer Produktstapelvorrichtung in einem vierten Ausführungsbeispiel,

Fig. 5

eine schematische Darstellung einer Zufuhrvorrichtung mit einer Produktstapelvorrichtung in einem fünften Ausführungsbeispiel,

Fig. 6

eine schematische Darstellung einer Zufuhrvorrichtung mit einer Produktstapelvorrichtung in einem sechsten Ausführungsbeispiel,

Fig. 7

eine schematische Darstellung einer Zufuhrvorrichtung mit einer Produktstapelvorrichtung in einem siebten Ausführungsbeispiel,

Fig. 8

eine schematische Darstellung einer Zufuhrvorrichtung mit einer Produktstapelvorrichtung in einem achten Ausführungsbeispiel, Fig. 9 eine schematische Darstellung einer Zufuhrvorrichtung mit einer Produktstapelvorrichtung in einem neunten Ausführungsbeispiel, der nicht Teil der Erfindung ist,

Fig. 10

eine schematische Darstellung einer Verpackungsmaschine mit der Produktstapelvorrichtung des ersten Ausführungsbeispiels,

Fig. 11

eine schematische Darstellung einer Zufuhrvorrichtung mit einer Produktstapelvorrichtung in einem zehnten Ausführungsbeispiel und

Fig. 12

eine schematische Darstellung einer Zufuhrvorrichtung mit einer Produktstapelvorrichtung in einem elften Ausführungsbeispiel.

Show it:

Fig. 1

a schematic representation of a supply device with a product stacking device in a first embodiment,

Fig. 2

a schematic representation of a supply device with a product stacking device in a second embodiment,

Fig. 3

a schematic representation of a supply device with a product stacking device in a third embodiment,

Fig. 4

a schematic representation of a section of a feed device with a product stacking device in a fourth embodiment,

Fig. 5

a schematic representation of a supply device with a product stacking device in a fifth embodiment,

Fig. 6

a schematic representation of a supply device with a product stacking device in a sixth embodiment,

Fig. 7

a schematic representation of a supply device with a product stacking device in a seventh embodiment,

Fig. 8

a schematic representation of a supply device with a product stacking device in an eighth embodiment, Fig. 9 a schematic representation of a supply device with a product stacking device in a ninth embodiment, which is not part of the invention,

Fig. 10

a schematic representation of a packaging machine with the product stacking device of the first embodiment,

Fig. 11

a schematic representation of a supply device with a product stacking device in a tenth embodiment and

Fig. 12

a schematic representation of a supply device with a product stacking device in an eleventh embodiment.

Description of the embodiments

FIG. 1 FIG. 10 shows a product stacking device 10a for forming product stacks 12a from product groups 14a of flat-fed products 16a during a transporting movement 28a with abutment means 18a with stack abutment surfaces 20a provided for forming the product stacks 12a. The product stacking device 10a has an assembly unit 22a, which is provided to form the product stacks 12a by reducing a distance 24a from stacking surfaces 20a of two stop means 18a opposite each other in the product group direction 26a. The product stacking device 10a is part of a feed device 34a of a packaging machine 110a (FIG. FIG. 10 ). In the example shown, the product stacking device 10a is fed a web of products 16a. It is in an extension of the embodiment shown here, a multi-lane design possible in which a plurality of webs of products 16a are supplied side by side to form a plurality of product stacks 12a side by side. In this case, the stop means 18a can simultaneously form a plurality of juxtaposed product stacks 12a or it can be provided side by side a plurality of stop means 18a.

The products 16a are laid flat over a feed belt 58a in a feed direction 60a on an infeed belt 62a. In this case, product groups 14a are formed in a shingled product arrangement 64a. The stop means 18a are formed by dogs 30a and counter-holders 32a of the feed device 34a. The drivers 30a and the counter holders 32a are mounted on a revolving chain 66a and are moved along a transport path 68a in the conveying direction 70a. The feed belt 58a may be formed as a so-called "pull-nose" belt in which a belt end 72a is movable in the feed direction 60a to facilitate formation of gaps between the product groups 14a. The person skilled in the art is aware of various solutions.

The drivers 30a are provided to push the product groups 14a resting on a product support 74a in the direction of conveyance 70a in the direction of a packaging machine not shown here at the end of the transport path 68a. The drivers 30a are retractably mounted on the chain 66a in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction 70a, so that they can be lowered by a pivoting movement in the region of the feed belt 58a by means of a linkage control not shown here under the product support 74a. After a product group 14a having a desired number of products 16a has been formed, the driver 30a is erected so that it can transport the product group 14a resting on the product support 74a in relation to a weight force 76a by means of positive locking. The product group 14a initially has the shingled product arrangement 64a in the product group direction 26a parallel to the conveying direction 70a at a shingle angle 78a between main surfaces 106a of the products 16a and the product support 74a of less than 45 °. The counter-holders 32a are provided for the product groups 14a resting on the product support 74a support against the conveying direction 70a. Carrier 30a and counter-holder 32a form stop means 18a of the product stacking device 10a and touch the product groups 14a with stacking surfaces 20a.

Bearing units 36a store the abutment means 18a formed as a counter-holder 32a rotatably on the chain 66a by one degree of freedom 38a. The product support 74a has a bearing unit 40a which supports the stop means 18a along a transport section 68a corresponding to the working section 42a in a degree of freedom 44a along the conveying direction 70a translationally movable. A drive unit 46a drives the chain 66a. The stop means 18a designed as drivers 30a are driven in the conveying direction by the chain 66a in the translatory degree of freedom 44a. A slide control 52a moves in a pivotal movement 80a due to the movement of the drive unit 46a, the stop means 18a designed as a counter-holder 32a in the degree of freedom 38a.

The stop means 18a with the slide control 52a and the bearing units 36a and 40a are part of the assembly unit 22a. The pivotal movement 80a causes a reduction of the distance 24a of stacking faces 20a of the driver 30a and of the counter-holder 32a that are opposite each other in the product group direction 26a. The product groups 14a are erected starting from the shingled product arrangement 64a to form a horizontal product stack 12a. Carrier 30a and anvil 32a are now moved synchronously in the conveying direction 70a and transferred at the end of the transport path 68a, the product stack 12a to a packaging process of the packaging machine. In a variant not shown here, the counter holders 32a are additionally displaceably mounted relative to the chain 66a in the conveying direction 70a against a spring force or by means of a controllable or controllable drive. A product stack length 90a can thus be additionally adjusted.

The following description and the drawings of further embodiments are essentially limited to the differences between the exemplary embodiments, with respect to identically named components, in particular with regard to components having the same reference numerals, In principle, reference may also be made to the drawings and / or the description of the other embodiments. To distinguish the embodiments, instead of the letter a of the first embodiment, the letters b to k are adapted to the other embodiments.

FIG. 2 shows a product stacking device 10b for forming product stacks 12b from product groups 14b of flat-fed products 16b during a transporting movement 28b with stop means 18b with stack abutment surfaces 20b provided for forming the product stacks 12b in a second embodiment.

The product stacking device 10b differs from the first exemplary embodiment in particular in that the stop means 18b designed as a driver 30b and counterholder 32b of a feed device 34b are arranged on conveyor elements 82b which can be driven individually in position and speed by a drive unit 46b formed by a linear motor system 84b. The conveying elements 82b each contain a secondary part 86b of the linear motor system 84b. Instead of a chain, the supply device 34b includes a primary part 88b, which is arranged along a revolving path and has individually controllable electromagnets. An electronic control unit 54b independently controls the position and speed of the conveyor elements 82b. The control unit 54b, together with the linear motor system 84b and the conveying elements 82b with the stop means 18b, forms an assembly unit 22b. The control unit 54b controls the position and speed of the stop means 18b during the transport movement 28b to a packaging process such that a distance 24b of stacking faces 20b of at least two stop means 18b located opposite one another in a product group direction 26b is reduced. The counter-holders 32b are mounted rotatably on the conveying elements 82b by means of bearing units 36b by one degree of freedom 38b. A pivotal movement 80b is controlled by a linkage control 52b depending on a position along a transport path 68b. The distance 24b is determined by a superimposition of the pivoting movement 80b and by the relative positions of the stop means 18b relative to one another controlled by the control unit 54b.

By a combination of the pivoting movement 80b with a translation of the stop means 18b in the conveying direction 70b, the product group 14b can be set up from a shingled product arrangement 64b to form a horizontal product stack 12b. Different product stack lengths 90b may be adjusted by the control unit 54b without a mechanical format change or remodeling of the product stacker 10b. It is also possible that in the conveying direction 70b successive product stacks 12b have different product stack lengths 90b.

FIG. 3 shows a product stacking device 10c for forming product stacks 12c from product groups 14c of flat-fed products 16c during a transporting movement 28c with stop means 18c with stack abutment surfaces 20c, which are provided for forming the product stacks 12c, in a third embodiment. The product stacking apparatus 10c differs from the product stacking apparatus 10a of the first embodiment in particular in that drivers 30c and counter holders 32c of a supply apparatus 34c are rotatably mounted on storage units 36c in a degree of freedom 38c on a chain 66c. A movement about the degree of freedom 38 c of the driver 30 c and the counter-holder 32 c is controlled via a slide control 52 c. Carrier 30c, backstop 32c and slide control 52c are part of a merge unit 22c. A shingling angle 78c of the product groups 14c is influenced by the backstops 32c. The counter-holders 32c are aligned along a transport path 68c during a product stack formation with respect to a weight force 76c, so that the shingling angle 78c increases. The drivers 30c are also erected along the transport path 68c until the driver 30c and the counterholder 32c are perpendicular to a conveying direction 70c. A distance 24c between pallet abutment surfaces 20c, which are located opposite one another in a product group direction 26c, of the abutment means 18c designed as a driver 30c and counterholder 32c is reduced so that horizontal product stacks 12c are formed. The product stacks 12 c are formed particularly gently by the simultaneous erection of driver 30 c and counter holder 32 c.

FIG. 4 shows a product stacking device 10d for forming product stacks 12d from product groups 14d of products 16d fed in a shingled product arrangement 64d during a transporting movement 28d with abutment means 18d with stack abutment surfaces 20d, which are provided for forming the product stacks 12d, in a fourth embodiment.

The product stacking device 10d differs from the second embodiment in particular in that the stopper means 18d designed as a driver 30d and anvil 32d reduce and / or counteract a spacing 24d of stacking surfaces 20d opposed in a product group direction 26d in a translation superimposed on the transporting movement 28d Conveying direction 70d to be moved. Carrier 30d and counter-holder 32d are part of an assembly unit 22d. A bearing unit, which allows a pivoting movement, is eliminated. The structure is particularly simple and inexpensive.

FIG. 5 shows a product stacking device 10e for forming product stacks 12e from product groups 14e of flat-fed products 16e during a transporting movement 28e with stop means 18e with stack abutment surfaces 20e provided for forming the product stacks 12e in a fifth embodiment.

The product stacking device 10e differs from the second embodiment in particular in that the stop means 18e have stack bearing surfaces 20e on two sides 48e, 50e which are opposite one another in a product group direction 26e. The product stacking device 10e is provided for forming vertical product stacks 12e. A stop means 18e simultaneously performs the function of a driver 30e of a product group 14e and of a counter-holder 32e of a product group 14e following a conveying direction 70e. A number of stop means 18e is reduced compared to the preceding embodiments.

Prior to stacking, the last product 102e of the supplied product group 14e in the conveying direction 70e lies flat on an infeed belt 62e, while FIG further products 104e of the product group 14e are arranged in a shingled product arrangement 64e. The shingled further products 104e are supported directly or indirectly on the last product 102e. If a distance 24e of stacking faces 20e opposite to one another in the product group direction 26e is reduced, the further products 104e are pushed onto the last product 102e, so that a vertical product stack 12e is formed. The stopper means 18e driven by a drive unit 46e and having a control unit 54e provided for controlling the position and speed of the stopper means 18e belong to an assembly unit 22e. The drive unit 46e is formed as in the second embodiment as a linear motor system 84e and provided for an individual drive of the stop means 18e.

FIG. 6 shows a product stacking device 10f for forming product stacks 12f from product groups 14f of flat-fed products 16f during a transporting movement 28f with stopper means 18f with stack abutment surfaces 20f provided for forming the product stacks 12f in a sixth embodiment.

The product stacking apparatus 10f differs from the fifth embodiment in particular in that the abutment means 18f are mounted rotatably on conveying elements 82f on bearing units 36f. The formation of product stacks 12f is supported by an additional pivoting movement 80f and takes place particularly gently. The swinging motion 80f is controlled by a linkage control 52f depending on a position of the stopper means 18f along a conveying path 68f. A linear motor system 84f serves to independently control and regulate the speed and position of the stop means 18f by a control unit 54f. The stopper means 18f, the slide control 52f, the bearing units 36f, and a drive unit 46f formed as a linear motor system 84f are parts of an assembly unit 22f. At the end of the transport path 68f, the product stacks 12f are enveloped by a film tube 108f in a packaging process of a packaging machine 110f. From the film tube 108f single packages are each formed with a product stack 12f by a sealing unit, not shown here.

FIG. 7 shows a product stacking device 10g for forming product stacks 12g of product groups 14g of flat-fed products 16g during a transporting movement 28g with stop means 18g with stack abutment surfaces 20g provided for forming the product stacks 12g in a sixth embodiment.

The product stacking device 10g differs from the first exemplary embodiment in particular in that abutment means 18g designed as counter holders 32g are mounted rotatably about a bearing unit 36g, wherein the bearing unit 36g is arranged in the example shown counter to a weight force 76g above the product groups 14g. It is also conceivable in an alternative embodiment that at least one bearing unit of stop means with respect to the transport movement 28g is arranged next to, or relative to the weight force 76g, below the product groups 14g. The stop means 18g are arranged on a wheel 92g, which is rotatably mounted on the bearing unit 36g about a rotation axis 94g. As a driver 30g formed stop means 18g push the product groups 14g in a conveying direction 70g against one of the counter-holder 32g. The counter-holder 32g is at this time aligned in the direction of the weight 76g vertically downward. A distance 24g in the product group direction 26g between opposing stack contact surfaces 20g of the counter holders 32g and driver 30g decreases, so that a product stack 12g is formed from the product group 14g. Subsequently, the counter-holder 32g is moved away from the product stack 12g by a pivoting movement 80g around the bearing unit 36g, so that the driver 30g can transport the product stack 12g under the counter-holder 32g further in the conveying direction 70g. Subsequently, a next counter-holder 32g is aligned vertically downward to form a next product stack 12g. In the example shown, four counter-holders 32g are arranged on the wheel 92g, with two opposing counter-holders 32g in each case being driven together. To the wheel 92g successive counter-holder 32g are independently driven, so that the counter-holder 32g of two successive product groups 14g can be synchronized independently with the product groups 14g. The movements of through a circumferential chain 66g driven driver 30g and the counter-holder 32g are tuned by a control unit 54g. The stop means 18g and the control unit 54g are part of an assembly unit 22g.

FIG. 8 shows a product stacking device 10h for forming product stacks 12h from product groups 14h of flat-fed products 16h during a transporting movement 28h with stop means 18h with stack abutment surfaces 20h provided for forming the product stacks 12h in an eighth embodiment.

The product stacking apparatus 10h differs from the first embodiment in particular in that a shingling angle 78h of a shingled product arrangement 64h produced from the flatly supplied products 16h is ensured by stop wedges 96h. The stop wedges 96h are arranged on a side facing away from a conveying direction 70h side of trained as a driver 30h stop means 18h. A stop means 18h designed as a support element 98h supports, at one end of the product group 14h in the conveying direction 70h, the product group 14h initially resting on the stopper wedge 96h ( Figure 8-I ). The drivers 30h with the stop wedges 96h and the support member 98h are part of a merge unit 22h. The stop wedge 96h is moved away in the conveying direction 70h together with the product stack 12h following in the conveying direction 70h. The product group 12h is also moved in the conveying direction 70h against the support element 98h by the follower 30h following it, so that a distance 24h between stack contact surfaces 20h of the support element 98h and the driver 30h is reduced and the product group 14h is erected ( Figure 8-II ). A counter-holder 32h pivotally mounted on a bearing unit 36h by one degree of freedom 38h pivots against the product group 14h and further directs the product stack 12h by decreasing the distance 24h of the stack-contacting faces 20h of the counter-holder 32h and the follower 30h opposite to each other in the product-group direction 26h until a product stack 12h is formed. The support element 98h is moved upwards away from a product support 74h and away from the product stack 12h, counter to a weight force 76h ( Figure 8-III ). The drivers 30h and the backstops 32h transport the product stack 12h together in the direction of a packaging process. FIG. 9 shows a product stacking device 10i for forming product stacks 12i from product groups 14i of products 16i fed in a shingled product arrangement 64i during a transporting movement 28i with abutment means 18i with stack abutment surfaces 20i provided for forming the product stacks 12i, in a ninth embodiment not forming part of Invention is.

An assembly unit 22i includes two stop means 18i formed as side guides 56i with circulating conveyor belts and a feed device 34i with a cross-bar chain 100i. The product groups 14i are transported on the cross-bar chain 100i with a product group direction 26i transversely to a conveying direction 70i. One of the lateral guides 56i is mounted obliquely relative to the transporting movement 28i on the feeding device 34i such that a distance 24i in the product group direction 26i between the stacking bearing surfaces 20i decreases in the feeding direction 60i, while the other lateral guide 56i is mounted parallel to the conveying direction 70i on the feeding device 34i , Due to a decreasing distance 24i, the product groups 14i are pushed together during transport in the conveying direction 70i to form a horizontal product stack 12i.

FIG. 11 FIG. 10 shows a product stacker 10j for forming product stacks 12j from product groups 14j of flat-fed products 16j during a transport movement 28j by means of an aggregation unit 22j with abutment means 18j with stack abutment surfaces 20j forming the product stacks 12j by reducing a distance 24j from each other in a product group direction Stack contact surfaces 20j are provided, in a tenth embodiment. The product stacking device 10j differs from the first embodiment in particular in that stop means 18j designed as a driver 30j are provided to space the product groups 14j of the supplied products 16j. The stop means 18j may be driven by, for example, a circulating chain or a linear motor system. The product stacking apparatus 10j of this embodiment is for forming provided horizontal product stacks 12j. It would also be possible to apply the particular features of this embodiment to a product stacker for forming vertical product stacks. The products 16j are laid flat over a feed belt 58j in a feed direction 60j onto an infeed belt 62j. The feed belt 58j is formed as a double belt with two parallel belts spaced apart. One of the drivers 30j, after a number of products 16j which are to form a product stack 12j, is in each case guided between two products 16j lying on the supply belt 58j, thus separating two successive product groups 14j. In order to guide the carriers 30j between the products 16j, these are rotatably supported by bearing units 36j in a degree of freedom 38j and are controlled via a linkage control 52j so that they are in each case in a place where they are to be guided between the products 16j. Stand upright 28j perpendicular to the transport movement. As an alternative to the slide control 52j, it would also be possible, for example, to provide a servo-motor drive. Forming gaps between product groups 14j by a means separate from the merging unit 22j, such as a pull-nose band as in the first embodiment, can be eliminated. Subsequently, a distance between each stack abutment surfaces 20j of the driver 30j and a second stopper 18j formed as a counter-holder 32j is reduced to form the product stack 12j. In order to achieve this, the rotatably mounted counter-holders 32j are pivoted against the carriers 30j by the slide control 52j counter to the transport movement 28j.

FIG. 12 shows a product stacking device 10k for forming product stacks 12k of product groups 14k of flat-fed products 16k during a transporting motion 28k with an assembly unit 22k with abutment means 18k with stack abutment surfaces 20k provided for forming the product stacks 12k in an eleventh embodiment. The product stacking device 10k of this embodiment is provided for forming horizontal product stacks 12k. It would also be possible to apply the particular features of this embodiment mutatis mutandis to a product stacking device for forming vertical product stack. The product stacking device 10k differs from the first embodiment in particular in that an infeed belt 62k is provided to urge, in a first step of the formation of the product stacks 12k, the product groups 14k resting on the infeed belt 62k with the transporting movement 28k, against the transporting movement 28k, moving more slowly than counterweight 32k. The stop means 18k can be driven, for example, by a revolving chain or a linear motor system. The products 16k are discharged flat over a feed belt 58k in a feed direction 60k onto the infeed belt 62k. The infeed belt 62k is formed as a double belt with two parallel belts spaced apart so that the stopper means 18k can be guided in the area of the clearance by the infeed belt 62k. The abutment means 18k are designed as a driver 30k and counterholder 32k rotatably mounted about a degree of freedom 38k perpendicular to the transporting movement 28k and controlled via a linkage control 52k. As an alternative to the slide control 52k, it would also be possible, for example, to provide a servomotor control. The counter-holders 32k are inclined in a first step I in the direction of the transporting movement 28k and move in the direction of the transporting movement 28k slower than the infeed belt 62k, so that the products 16k delivered by the supply belt 58k to the infeed belt 62k each have a product group 14k against a counter-holder 32k and shingled product assemblies 64k form. Due to the difference in speed between the infeed belt 62k and the counterholder 32k, a shingle angle 78k of the product groups 14k becomes steeper and steeper. In a second step II, the counter-holders 32k are set perpendicular to the transporting movement 28k and the carriers 30k are set by raising them to the end of the respective product group 14k opposite the transporting movement 28k. In a step III, the carriers 30k are erected perpendicular to the transporting movement 28k and thus the product stacks 12k are formed by reducing a distance 24k of stacking surfaces 20k of the drivers 30k opposite each other in a product group direction 26k and the counter holders 32k. Carrier 30k and counter-holder 32k now move synchronously in the direction of the transport movement 28k in order to transport the product stacks 12k further.

Claims (12)

1. Product stacking device for forming product stacks (12a-h; 12k) of product groups (14a-h; 14k) of products (16a-h; 16k) which during a transportation movement (28a-h; 28k) are infed lying flat and/or in an imbricated product arrangement (64a-h; 64k), said device having a minimum of two stop means (18a-h; 18k) having stack-bearing faces (20a-h; 20k) which are provided for forming the product stacks (12a-h; 12k), wherein an imbrication angle which is formed by main faces (106a) of the products in the imbricated product arrangement (64a-h; 64k) in relation to a product support (74a; 74h) is 15° to 60°, wherein the main faces are the two largest faces of a product, characterized in that a converging unit (22a-h; 22k) is provided in order to form at least one product stack (12a-h; 12k) by diminishing a spacing (24a-h; 24k) of stack-bearing faces (20a-h; 20k), which in a product-group direction (26a-h; 26k) are mutually opposite, of the at least two stop means (18a-h; 18k), wherein the product stack (12a-h; 12k) is a product arrangement in which the main faces (106a) of the products (16a-h; 16k) in relation to a horizontal product support (74a; 74h) and/or to a horizontal enclose an angle of at least substantially 0° or 90°, and wherein at least one of the stop means (18a-h; 18k) is provided to separate and space apart the product groups (14ah; 14k) of the infed products (16a-h; 16k).
2. Product stacking device according to Claim 1,
   characterized in that at least one stop means (18a-k) is formed by an entrainment element (30a-k) and/or by a counter support (32a-e; g-k) of an infeed device (34a-h).
3. Product stacking device according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized by at least one mounting unit (36a-c; f-j) by way of which at least one of the stop means (18 a-c; f-k) is mounted so at be rotatable about at least one degree of freedom (38 a-c; f-k) .
4. Product stacking device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by at least one mounting unit (40a-h) by way of which at least one of the stop means (18a-h) is mounted so as to be movable in a translational manner in at least one degree of freedom (44a-h) at least along an operational portion (42a-h).
5. Product stacking device according to Claim 3 or 4,
   characterized by at least one drive unit (46a-h) by way of which the at least one stop means (18ah) is driveable in at least one degree of freedom (38a-c; f-h, and 44a-h).
6. Product stacking device according to Claim 5,
   characterized in that the converging unit (22a-h) is provided in order for the product stack (12a-h) to be formed by actuating the at least one drive unit (46a-h).
7. Product stacking device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one stop means (18e-f; h) has stack-bearing faces (20e-f; h) on two sides (48e-f; h, and 50e-f; h) which in the product-group direction (26e-f; h) are mutually opposite.
8. Product stacking device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the converging unit (22a-c; f; h-k) includes at least one gate-type guide (52a-c; f; h-k).
9. Product stacking device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the converging unit (22b; d-h) includes at least one electric and/or electronic control unit (54b; d-h) .
10. Product stacking device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by an entry belt (62k) which, at least in a first step of forming the product stacks (12k), is provided for urging the product groups (14k) which bear on the entry belt (62k) by means of the transportation movement (28k) towards stop means (18k) which in relation to the transportation movement (28k) are being moved more slowly.
11. Method for forming at least at least one horizontal or vertical product stack (12a-k) using a product stacking device (10a-k) according to one of the preceding claims.
12. Infeed device, in particular for infeeding of products (16a-k) to a packing process, having a product stacking device (10a-k) according to one of Claims 1-10.

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