EP3116793B1 - Apparatus for separating containers connected to container groups and corresponding method - Google Patents

Description

State of the art

In FR 2 303 712 A1 . US 3 007 359 A and EP 1 167 194 A2 are already devices for separating containers connected to groups of containers, with a separation unit, which is intended to separate at least one in a feed direction foremost container of the container group in a separation process transverse to the feed direction of at least one other container of the container group along a separation area, and has been proposed with a positioning unit, which is intended to form-fit the at least one arranged in the feed direction before the separation area container of the container group during the separation process. In addition, the positioning units show off FR 2 303 712 A1 and US 3 007 359 A each one in the feed direction first wedge.

In EP 1 048 595 A1 For example, a gripper device which can be driven in a rotating manner has already been proposed for turning individual products conveyed by means of a conveyor belt.

Disclosure of the invention

The invention relates to a device for separating containers connected to container groups, in particular of ampoules, with a separation unit which is provided, at least one in a feed direction foremost container of the container group in a separation process transverse to the feed direction of at least one further container Separate container group along a separation area, and with a positioning unit, which is provided, at least one arranged in the feed direction in front of the separation area of the container Container group during the separation process to position positively. According to the invention, the positioning unit has at least one first wedge in the feed direction and a second wedge in the feed direction with at least partially opposite holding surfaces. By "container groups connected to containers" should be understood in this context preferably in a so-called "blow-fill-seal" method produced container groups. In this method, a container group, for example consisting of five to ten containers, together in a blow-fill-seal machine from a Plastic material, in particular polypropylene, produced, filled and sealed. There are also known container groups of other plastics and in particular container groups with a multilayer structure of various plastic materials. This results in groups of containers in which the individual containers are connected transversely to their main extension in a container group direction side by side to a card-shaped container group. The containers have a container part which is filled with a filling material. At one end of the container part is bounded by a head part to which the container can be opened by breaking or twisting the head part. At an opposite end of the container part is bounded by a foot part. Headboard and footboard are generally flat at their ends and form guide surfaces. These guide surfaces facilitate positioning and guiding of the container group in devices. There are also known container groups in which a plurality of container parts are arranged in the main direction of extension. In particular, two container parts may be arranged in the main extension direction, wherein the head parts are arranged on the container parts at opposite ends. Foot parts omitted in this arrangement. As a result, such container parts are understood as belonging to a container. One skilled in the art will apply the invention described to such groups of containers by using them to separate containers arranged adjacent to the container group direction. Between adjacent containers separation points are usually arranged parallel to the main extension of the container, which are formed by weakening lines and / or notches connecting the container connecting webs. These separation points facilitate the separation of individual containers from the container group. Such groups of containers are known to the person skilled in the art. In this context, a "separation region" is to be understood as meaning, in particular, a region of the device in which the containers are separated along their connecting web. Preferably, the device first brings the separation point of the connecting web into the separating region, whereupon the connecting web is separated along the separating region and thus at its separating point. The device may be provided to separate a plurality of, preferably a single container from the container group in a separation process.

In this context, a "feed direction" is to be understood as meaning, in particular, a direction in which the container group is transported further between separation processes in order to transport the next container to be separated to the separation unit. The feed direction may in particular be at least substantially parallel to the container group direction. By "at least substantially" should be understood in this context, a deviation of less than 10 °. In this context, "positively positioning" is to be understood in particular as meaning that the container is brought into a desired position which is advantageous for the separation unit, at least in the direction of advance, by means of positive engagement, and / or held therein. The positive connection can be made with the container and / or the container part of the container. Preferably, at least two translations and at least two rotations are positioned in a form-fitting manner by the positioning unit. In particular, the positioning unit may have at least three line contacts during positioning with the container about a container longitudinal axis in the direction of its main extension. In this context, "line contact" is to be understood as meaning, in particular, a contact along a contact line or at at least two contact points which are arranged along a line, wherein the contact can be interrupted several times along the contact line. Preferably, the container can be divided around the longitudinal axis of the container into three circumferential segments of 120 ° each, which in each case have line contact with the positioning unit during positioning. The separation unit can particularly advantageously separate one or more containers from the container group with the container positioned by the positioning unit along the separation region. In particular, a shifting of the container group during the separation can be avoided. The separation unit can separate containers particularly quickly. Forces acting on the container group during separation can be absorbed by the positioning unit. Damage to the container parts of the container by the separation unit can be avoided.

Particularly advantageously, the positioning unit is provided to position a container of the container group adjacent to the feed direction against the separating region during the separating operation in a form-fitting manner. The Positioning unit can divert forces that arise during the separation process at a particularly short distance from the separation area. Excessive deformation and / or damage to the container group can be avoided.

In this context, "opposing" should be understood in particular to mean that surface normals of the holding surfaces each have a component which points in the direction of the respectively opposite holding surface. The container to be positioned can be advantageously positioned between the two retaining surfaces. Preferably, the first and the second wedge in a closing direction perpendicular to the feed direction and / or container group direction and perpendicular to the main extension of the container in the direction of the container to be positioned in the direction of an upper side of the container group can be lowered. The first and second wedge may position the container by having the support surfaces contact the container and apply force to the container. Preferably, the container is located on a bottom side opposite the top on a container support. The container support may be formed by a conveyor belt, a transport chain or other suitable support. In particular, in the feed direction to a conveyor belt, a transport chain or a similar element, a dead plate connect, on which the containers are pushed in the transport direction and which forms a container support. The containers can preferably rest on the container support with guide surfaces of their head and / or foot part and / or with their container part. The container can advantageously be positioned between the holding surfaces and the container support. Holding surfaces and container support are part of the positioning unit. The retaining surfaces may be flat. Preferably, the retaining surfaces may be concave. A contact area between the holding surfaces and the container can be increased. The retaining surfaces may also be convex. Convex shaped holding surfaces may be particularly suitable for positioning an orientation of the container during a rotation about its main extension. Preferably, at least one wedge a Have a wedge edge, which is intended to form-fit the container at its connecting web, in particular at the separation point. A suitably designed counterpart of the container support can support the container against the wedge edge. Bending of the container can be avoided. The container can be positioned particularly reliably. In a variant of the invention, the positioning unit may have a single wedge. The wedge can clamp with its wedge edge the container at the connecting web and urge it with its holding surface of the clamped connecting web away. The container can thus be positioned in the feed direction by a single wedge. The second wedge can be omitted.

It is further proposed that the second wedge has a first separating knife of the separating unit. The second wedge may advantageously position the last of the container of the container group in the feed direction in front of the separating region and, in cooperation with a further separating knife, separate the separating point to be separated in the separating region. A wedge edge of the second wedge may form a knife edge. Preferably, the second wedge and the first wedge can be jointly stored and / or driven on a linear unit. The first and second wedge may be moved together and positioned in the direction of the container group, and the second wedge, together with the further separating knife, may separate the separation point in the separation region. It can be omitted separate drives, components and bearing units for the wedges and the first cutting knife. Preferably, the first wedge is resiliently mounted on the linear unit in the closing direction. It can be avoided that the first wedge exerts excessive forces on the separation point. Unintentional shearing of the container group at the separation point, which is positioned by the wedge edge of the first wedge, can be avoided. The linear unit may move the first and second wedge together in the direction of the container group until the first wedge with the wedge edge contacts the container group at the connecting web. The linear unit can now move the second wedge even further in the closing direction until the holding surface of the second wedge touches the container part of the container and urges in the direction of the first holding surface, while the first wedge springs in and remains in its position. It may advantageously be a first coarse positioning by the wedge edge of the first wedge and a subsequent fine positioning take place through the holding surface of the second wedge. Advantageously, the holding surface and / or the wedge edge of the second wedge relative to the holding surface and / or the wedge edge of the first wedge can be set back against the closing direction, preferably by 0.1-5 mm. It can be advantageously achieved that initially the first and then the second wedge comes into contact with the container. The container can be particularly coarse and then finely positioned first. The positioning of the container can be particularly accurate. Alternatively, a first separating knife may be formed independently of the positioning unit and / or be driven and / or stored independently. The positioning unit and / or the wedges of the positioning unit can be arranged at a distance from the separation area. Influences of the separation process on the positioning unit can be reduced.

Advantageously, a further transport unit is proposed with at least one holder, which forms a receiving area for receiving the separated in each case a separation process container. An upper side of the holder, which has an opening of the receiving area, may be inclined away from the underside of the containers at a location at which the separated containers are received, starting from the separating area opposite to the container seat. The containers can be pushed away from the separation area by the inclination and can be picked up particularly securely from the receiving area. A "further transport unit" is to be understood in this context, in particular a unit which is intended to transport separate containers away from the separation area. In particular, the further transport unit can transfer the separate containers to a device which transports the containers to a next process step, in particular to a packaging process. Advantageously, at least one counter-holder is provided to secure the container, after it has been taken, from falling out of the receiving area. This can be done by the counter-holder on the container in the direction of the receiving area directed forces. The onward transport unit can transport the separated containers particularly reliable. Preferably, an active control device is provided to move the anvils. The receiving areas of the holder can at the appropriate moment from Containers released and / or in the receiving areas inserted containers can be secured. The active control device may preferably have mechanical control slots. The control device can be particularly robust and reliable. The control device may have a drive unit which is provided to drive the control gate. The movement of the counter-holder can be controlled very flexible. Preferably, the backstops are intended to secure the containers after they have been received by the receiving areas and before they are separated from the group of containers. Falling out of the containers from the receiving areas during the separation can be avoided.

Preferably, the further transport unit is intended to transport separated containers in a further transport movement, which has at least immediately after the separation process a main component of movement perpendicular to the feed direction and transverse to a main extension of the separation region. In this context, a "main component of motion" is to be understood in particular to mean the largest component of motion movement in terms of amount. The further transport unit can transport separated containers transversely to the feed direction. It is also possible for the further transport unit to transport the containers on a curved or preferably circular path. A tangent of the web to the separation region may preferably be perpendicular to the feed direction and to the main extension of the separation region. The holders can take the separated container particularly well by a movement perpendicular to the feed direction and transversely to the main extension of the separation area and further transport. The separated containers can be transported away from the separation area very quickly, so that an advance of the next container to be separated can take place.

Advantageously, the at least one holder has a further separating knife of the separation unit. The holder may preferably have a knife edge facing the separation region during the separation process, which forms the further separating knife. It can be saved components. The holder can cooperate with the first separating knife and separate the container while receiving the container.

It is proposed that the onward transport unit has a plurality of holders in one circulation. A "circulation" should be understood in this context in particular a closed path. The separating knife-forming holder can be moved in a continuous movement past the separation area. The separation and further transport of the containers can take place in a continuous process. The containers can be separated from the container groups and transported further with a particularly high performance. The holders can be transported by a chain or a conveyor belt around the circulation. Preferably, the holders can be moved on a circular path. The holders may preferably be mounted on a transport wheel rotatably mounted about an axis and moved by the latter in a circular circulation. The onward transport unit can take up and transport a particularly large number of containers at the separation area. Preferably, the further transport unit can deliver the containers to a further transport unit on a side of the transport wheel opposite the separation area. Preferably, the anvils are movably mounted on the transport wheel. Preferably, a cam is provided to suitably connected to the counterhold control means, in particular control cam. The control cams can be stored together with the counter-holders and the holders on the transport wheel and driven by the transport wheel in one circulation. The cam may preferably be arranged centrically to the transport wheel and resting relative to a machine base of the device. The control cam has a deflection in the region which is swept by the control cam when the holders and counter-holders are moved past the separating region, which displaces the counter-holder in the direction of the opening of the receiving region of the holders and secures containers inserted in the receiving regions. The anvils can remain in this position and prevent containers from falling out of the receiving areas until the holders reach a dispensing area in which the containers are dispensed to a next process step. In this position, the control cam can in turn have a deflection, which causes the receiving areas to be opened and the containers can be dispensed. Preferably, the separation process is carried out by two in a shearing motion past each other moving cutting knife. The cutting blades can act as a shearing blade. Preferably, the holders moving in the separation region perpendicular to the feed direction and to the main extension of the separation region and forming the further separation knives can be moved past the first separating knife formed by the second wedge with a shearing motion in order to separate the container to be separated from the container group in the separation region of the separation unit at the separation point to separate the containers. The knife edge forming wedge edges of the cutter blades may approach each other at a maximum approximation during the cutting operation. The separating knives can separate the containers in the separation area by a cutting process. Resulting cut edges can be particularly exact. Particularly preferably, the wedge edges of the separating knife are moved past each other while maintaining a separation distance. The separation distance may preferably be 0.1 to 0.3 mm. In this context, a "separation distance" is to be understood as meaning the distance between the two wedge edges at their greatest approximation during the separation process. A collision of the wedge edges can be avoided. The separation unit can be particularly reliable. Preferably, the wedge edge of at least one of the two separating blades can be inclined to the closing direction. In particular, the wedge edge can form an angle of 75 ° -85 ° with the closing direction and / or the direction of the shearing movement. The further wedge edge preferably forms an angle of 90 ° with the direction of the shearing movement. Preferably, the second wedge on the inclined wedge edge. Preferably, the wedge edge of the holder form an angle of 90 ° with the shearing motion. The separation unit can separate the container in the separation area at the separation point with a point shear. Forces occurring during separation may be small. By the separation process resulting vibrations can be reduced. The wedge edge can be spared. The separation unit can be particularly durable.

Further, a container feeding apparatus having the apparatus for separating containers connected to container groups having the described features is proposed. In particular, the supply device may be provided for a packaging machine for further packaging of the containers, in particular for a tubular bag machine. The delivery device may have the stated advantages.

Further proposed is a method for separating groups of containers with the device for separating containers connected to container groups with the described features. The method can have the stated advantages. In particular, the method may be suitable for separating containers from container groups with high performance and / or efficiency. The method may allow a continuous separation and onward transport process.

drawing

Further advantages emerge from the following description of the drawing. In the drawing, an embodiment of the invention is shown. The drawing, 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.

Show it:

Fig. 1

a schematic representation of an apparatus for separating containers connected to groups of containers,

Fig. 2

a schematic representation of the container group with the containers,

Fig. 3

a schematic representation of possible variants of holding surfaces,

Fig. 4

a schematic representation of a supply device with the device for separating containers connected to groups of containers,

Fig. 5

a section of the device Fig. 4 .

Fig. 6

the device for separating containers connected to groups of containers in operation with containers, and

Fig. 7

a schematic representation of a shearing movement of a first and another separating knife in a plan view perpendicular to a feed direction.

Description of the embodiment

FIG. 1 1 shows a schematic diagram of a device 10 for separating containers 14 connected to groups of containers 12 with a separating unit 16 which is provided for conveying a foremost container 20 of the container group 12 in a feed direction 18 in a separation process transversely to the feed direction 18 from a further container 22 Group of containers 12 along a separation area 24 to separate.

A positioning unit 26 is provided to position the container 22 of the container group 12, which is arranged in the feed direction 18 in front of the separating region 24 and adjoins the separating region 24, in a form-fitting manner during the separating process.

FIG. 2 shows a card-like container group 12, which is formed by six ampule-like containers 14, which are arranged in a container array direction 60 side by side. The container group 12 is made of a polypropylene material in a blow-fill-seal process known to the person skilled in the art. The containers 14 have a container part 62 in which a filling material, for example a liquid medicament such as eye drops or the like, is located. The containers 14 are connected to each other by connecting webs 64. In each case centrally between the container parts 62 are lines of weakness, the separation points 66 form arranged. The separating points 66 extend in the direction of a main extension 68 of the containers perpendicular to the container group direction 60. The containers 14 have a head part 70 in the main direction 68 at one end of the container part 62 and a foot part 72 at an opposite end. The container 14 can be opened by canceling the head part 70 for removal of the contents. End portions of the head portion 70 and the foot portion 72 are formed as flat guide surfaces 74. These guide surfaces 74 facilitate positioning and guiding of the container group 12 in devices by suitable transport and guide means. The device 10 is in the feed direction 18, a plurality of such container groups 12 successively fed. Alternatively, it would also be possible for the container groups 12 to be dispensed, for example, from a stack perpendicular to the feed direction 10 and to the main extension 68 into the device 10 and subsequently moved in the feed direction 18 for separating the containers 20. Alternatively, the container groups 12 could also be pushed transversely, in the direction of the main extension 68, into the device 10.

The positioning unit 26 has a first wedge 28 in the feed direction 18 with a holding surface 32 and a second wedge 30 in the feed direction 18 with a holding surface 34, wherein the holding surfaces 32, 34 are arranged opposite to each other. The holding surfaces 32, 34 are flat in the example shown and position the container 22 by coming into contact with the container part 62 and push the container 22 in a desired position and / or fix it in this desired position. In this case, the container 22 lies on its underside facing away from the holding surfaces 32, 34, in this example the respective underside of the guide surfaces 74, on a suitably formed container support 76, which is likewise part of the positioning unit 26. In the example shown, the container support 76 is formed by dead plates, on which the containers 14, 20, 22 are pushed in the feed direction 18 and on which they rest with their container parts 62 and guide surfaces 74. It is also conceivable that the container 14 rest only with their container parts 62 or with their guide surfaces 74 on the dead plate.

FIG. 3 shows possible alternative forms of the support surface 32. If a support surface, with which the support surface 32 contacts the container part 62, to be increased, so is a configuration corresponding to the support surface 32 ', advantageous. The holding surface 32 'is concave and nestles against a surface of the container part 62. The container part 62 can be spared so well. Alternatively, a convexly shaped holding surface 32 "can be advantageous if the smallest possible total contact surface is to be achieved." The container part 62 can also have grooves into which a convexly formed holding surface 32 "can advantageously engage. The person skilled in the art will determine the specific configuration of the holding surface 32 for the respective application. The holding surface 34 may be formed differently according to the examples shown here for the holding surface 32. The holding surfaces 32, 34 For example, instead of or in addition to the container part 62, the container 14 can also be positioned on the head part 70 or on the foot part 72 or in a combination of container part 62 and / or head part 70 and / or foot part 72.

The wedges 28, 30 further have wedge edges 78, 80. The wedge edge 78 of the wedge 28 also forms part of the positioning unit 26 and contacts the connecting web 64 in the region of the separation point 66. Since the separation point 66 forms a depression into which the wedge edge 78 dips, the container 22 is additionally fixed. In particular, a counterpart may additionally be provided for processing particularly flexible container groups 12 which exerts a counterforce to the force exerted by the wedge edge 78 on the side opposite the wedge edge 78 of the connecting web 64 and thus clamps the connecting web 64.

The second wedge 30 further has a first separating knife 36 of the separating unit 16. The separating knife 36 is formed by the wedge edge 80 of the second wedge 30 and touches at the beginning of the separation process, the connecting web 64 between the container 22 and the container 20 to be separated at the separation point 66 of this connecting web 64. This area also forms the separation area 24. At the same time supports this Touching also the positioning of the containers 20, 22 with respect to the separation area 24 of the separation unit 16. In cases where a contact of the container part 62 is to be avoided, the positioning unit 26, the container 20 also exclusively by means of the contact of the wedge edges 78, 80 at position the connecting webs 64 or on the head part 70 or on the foot part 72.

The device 10 further has a conveyor belt 82 (FIG. Figures 4-6 ) and an opposite on the side of the wedges 28, 30 arranged upper belt 84, which act on both sides of the guide surfaces 74 of the container groups 12 and drive them in the feed direction 18 and lead. A counting wheel 86 with a toothing engages in the part of the container group 12 having the container parts 62 such that the container parts 62 engage in recesses of the toothing and rotate the counting wheel 86 in a form-fitting manner according to a current position of the container parts 62. The counting wheel 86 is connected to a control unit, not shown, which controls the movements of the device 10 controls and regulates by means not shown drives. The information of the counting wheel 86 serves to correctly transport the container group 12 and the containers 14 in the feed direction 18, so that the separating points 66 come to rest at the desired positions during the separating operations and an alarm and / or machine stop in the case of containers 14 which are not correctly positioned trigger.

A further transport unit 38 has a plurality of holders 40, which are arranged in a circulation 52. The circulation 52 is formed by a transport wheel 90, on which the holders 40 are arranged. The holders 40 form receiving areas 42 for receiving the containers 20 separated in each case. On the receiving areas 42 opposite sides of the holders 40, counter holders 92 are slidably mounted on the transport wheel 90 in a closing movement 118 such that they can be pushed over the receiving areas 42. to secure container 14 inserted in the receiving areas 42. The holders 40 also have further separating blades 50 of the separation unit 16. The separating unit 16 is thus formed by the separating blades 36, 50 and the positioning unit 26. The separating blades 50 are formed by edges 88 of the holder 40. The onward transport unit 38 is provided to further transport separated containers 14 in a further transporting movement 44, which has a main movement component 46 perpendicular to the feed direction 18 and transversely to a main extension 48 of the separation area 24 immediately after the separation process.

The further transporting movement 44 forms a shearing motion 56 during the separation process. The separation process takes place by the separating blades 36, 50, which are moved past each other with the shearing movement 56 at a minimum separation distance 54 of 0.1-0.3 mm.

FIG. 7 shows the movement in the closing direction 96 of the first and the Scherbwegung 56 of the other separating knife 36, 50 in a plan view perpendicular to the feed direction 18. The first separating knife 36 forming wedge edge 80 is advantageous, as seen in this figure, with respect to the separation region 24 by one Angle 116 inclined, so if the two Cutting knife 36, 50 are moved past each other by the shearing motion 56, the separation point 66 is separated between the container 20, not shown in this figure and the container 22 in a point shear.

Based on Figures 4-6 , which show a feeding device 58 with the device 10 for separating containers 14 connected to container groups 12, the function of the device 10 will be explained in more detail.

The upper belt 84 and the conveyor belt 82 act on both sides of the guide surfaces 74 of the container groups 12 and transport them in the feed direction 18 in the direction of the separation region 24 of the separation unit 16. The counting wheel 86 monitors this feed. The control unit, not shown controls and controls the movements of the feed device 58 with the device 10. The wedges 28, 30 are mounted on a linear unit 94, the wedges 28, 30 together in a closing direction 96 perpendicular to the feed direction 18 and the main extension 48 of the separation area 24 drives in a lifting movement. The closing direction 96 biases an angle 100 of 90 ° with the feed direction 18. If the container group 12 has moved so far in the feed direction 18 that the separation point 66 is located between the container 22 and the container 20 to be separated in the separation region 24 of the separation unit 16, the linear unit 94 lowers the wedges 28, 30 in the direction of the container group 12 the wedges 28, 30 touch the container 22 and position it. The wedge 28 is resiliently mounted on the linear unit 94 by a spring element not shown in detail in the closing direction 96. The second wedge 30 is set back in the closing direction 96 relative to the first wedge 28 in the rebound state by about 1 mm. When the wedges 28, 30 are lowered in the closing direction 96 onto the container 22, first the wedge edge 78 and the holding surface 32 of the first wedge 28 touch the container 22. The linear unit 94 moves the wedge 30 further in the direction of the container 22, while the wedge 28 begins to spring down and thus remains in its position. As a result, the holding surface 34 of the second wedge 30 now also contacts the container part 62 of the container 22 and urges the container 22 in the direction of the first wedge 28. The container 22 is now centered and positioned between the holding surfaces 32, 34. By a spring force of the spring element of the first wedge 28 with its wedge edge 78 additionally clamps the container 22 at its separation point 66, without the separation point 66 by a to separate excessive force. The wedge edge 80 of the second wedge 30 is now in the separation area 24 in position for separating the container 20, 22nd

The transport wheel 90 rotates in the representation of FIGS. 4 to 6 in the further transport movement 44, which is approximately perpendicular to the feed direction 18 in the separation region 24, in the clockwise direction. In the exemplary embodiment, the further transport movement 44 is continuous, but it is also a discontinuous further transport movement 44 conceivable. In particular, the further transport movement 44 can be controlled as a function of a following machine 114. The counter-holders 92 of the holders 40, before the holders 40 pass through the separating region 24, are retracted in the direction of a center of rotation of the transporting wheel 90, so that the receiving regions 42 of the holders 40 have openings for receiving the containers 20 to be separated. The holder 40 closest to the separating region 24, opposite to the further transporting movement 44, moves past the separating point 24. A respective upper side 98 of the holders 40, on which the openings of the receiving areas 42 are arranged, is inclined relative to a radius of the transport wheel 90 so that the surface 98 with the feed direction 18, starting from the edge 88, spans an angle 102 of 10 °. The holder 40 comes into contact with the container 20 and receives the receiving portion 42 facing side of the container part 62, while the guide surfaces 74 of the container 20 come to rest on the top 98. Due to the inclination about the angle 102, the container 20 is urged by the separation point 24 in the direction of a center of rotation 104 of the transport wheel 90. The holder 40 opposite the counter-holder 92 is now moved away from the center of rotation 104 over the receiving area 42, so that the counter-holder 92 the container 20 in the receiving area 42 on the guide surfaces 74 of the container 20 (see FIG. 2 ) protects against falling out. The thus secured container 20 is now separated from the container 22. The edge 88 of the holder 40 forms one of the further separating knife 50, moves past the first separating knife 36 at the separation distance 54 and now separates the container 20 in the separating region 24. A control cam 106, into which control cams 108 of the counter-holders 92 engage, has a suitable deflection 110 at the corresponding position in the circulation 52 in order to control the counter-holder 92 in such a way that it secures the container 20 when passing through the separating region 24. After half a revolution of the transport wheel 90 reaches the holder 40 a dispensing area 112. Since the transport wheel 90 is now rotated by 180 °, the container 20 is now on the anvil 92 on. The anvil 92 is moved by the cam 106 slightly away from the holder 40 and extended so far from the center of rotation 104 that the container 20 is released from the holder 40 and the counter-holder 92 to the following machine 114, for example, a packaging machine, is discharged. This process is repeated continuously with each holder 40 in the circulation 52 of the transport wheel 90 and with each separated container 20. The transport wheel 90 can rotate with advantage at a constant speed, or be controlled according to a need of the following machine 114.

Claims (10)

1. Device for severing containers (14), in particular vials, that are connected in container groups (12), having a severing unit (16) that is provided for severing at least one container (20), which is foremost in a feed direction (18), of the container group (12) from at least one further container (22) of the container group (12) along a severing region (24), in a severing procedure transverse to the feed direction (18), and having a positioning unit (26) that is provided for form-fittingly positioning during the severing procedure at least one container (22), which is arranged upstream of the severing region (24) as seen in the feed direction (18), of the container group (12), wherein the positioning unit (26) has at least a first wedge (28), as seen in the feed direction (18), and a second wedge (30), as seen in the feed direction (18), that have at least partly opposite holding faces (32, 34).
2. Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the positioning unit (26) is provided for form-fittingly positioning during the severing procedure a container (22) of the container group (12) that adjoins the severing region (24) in the opposite direction to the feed direction (18).
3. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second wedge (30) has a first severing blade (36) of the severing unit (16).
4. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by an onward transport unit (38) having at least one holder (40), wherein this holder (40) forms a receiving region (42) for receiving the containers (20) that are each severed in a severing procedure.
5. Device according to Claim 4, characterized in that the onward transport unit (38) is provided for transporting severed containers (20) onward in an onward transport movement (44) that, at least directly downstream of the severing procedure, has a principal motion component (46) perpendicular to the feed direction (18) and transverse to a principal extent (48) of the severing region (24).
6. Device at least according to Claim 4, characterized in that the at least one holder (40) has a further severing blade (50) of the severing unit (16).
7. Device at least according to Claim 4, characterized in that the onward transport unit (38) has a plurality of holders (40) in a cycle (52).
8. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the severing procedure is performed by two severing blades (36, 50) that are moved past one another with a severing clearance (54) in a shearing movement (56).
9. Supply device for containers (14), having a device (10) for severing containers (14) that are connected in container groups (12) according to one of the preceding claims.
10. Method for severing container groups (12), having a device (10) for severing containers (14) that are connected in container groups (12) according to one of Claims 1-8.

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