EP3439967B1 - Loading device and method for loading trays for storage and transport with plastic containers - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a loading device and a method for loading storage and transport containers for plastic containers, in particular plastic bottles, according to the preambles of the respective independent device and method claims.

The containers made of tin or colored sheet metal, made of glass or ceramic, which were common in the past, are increasingly being replaced by containers made of plastic. Especially for the packaging of fluid substances, for example beverages, flowable foods such as e.g. Ketchup, sugo, pesto, sauces, mustard, mayonnaise and the like, household products, care products, cosmetics, etc., are now mainly used in plastic containers. The low weight and the lower costs certainly play a not inconsiderable role in this substitution. The use of recyclable plastic materials, the use of bioplastics and the overall more favorable overall energy balance in their manufacture also contribute to promoting consumer acceptance of plastic containers, in particular plastic bottles.

After they have been manufactured in a blow molding process (extrusion blow molding, stretch blow molding, injection blow molding), the empty plastic containers are either transported directly to a filling station or they are filled into containers for temporary storage and later to be transported to a location with a filling station, which can be located in the vicinity or at a greater distance from a manufacturing plant for the production of plastic containers. As a result, the capacity of a blow molding system can be better utilized independently of the capacity of a subsequent filling system or the like. In many cases, the plastic containers are also manufactured in production facilities that specialize in the manufacture of such products, and from there they are transported to a manufacturer of products that are to be filled into the plastic containers. For their storage and for the During transport, the plastic containers are loaded into storage and transport containers, so-called trays.

Storage and transport containers, the so-called trays, are loaded, for example, in semiautomatic or fully automatic loading devices for plastic containers, which can be part of loading and unloading systems and can be arranged following a production system, for example a blowing device for plastic containers. In connection with a station for unloading the trays, the system can, for example, also be arranged in front of a further treatment system for the plastic containers, for example in front of a filling system. From the prior art, for example, a loading device is known in which the plastic containers automatically brought in via transport aisles are picked up by a multi-gripper and placed line by line in a tray. The tray is tilted by a predetermined angle in order to prevent the containers from falling over after they have been placed in the tray. For filling, the multi-gripper must be tilted at the same angle as the tray. When a tray is completely full, it is transported on and a new, empty tray is transported to the loading position. Because of the ever lower weights of the plastic containers, for example plastic bottles, it can still happen that individual containers fall over after they have been put down, despite the inclined arrangement of the tray. This can lead to interruptions in the charging process and manual intervention is required to maintain operation. A stacking of plastic containers in layers on top of one another is not possible with this known loading device.

Another loading device known from the prior art provides a stationary driven slide on the multi-gripper, which pushes the deposited plastic containers together on the flat tray base. Because of the varying container formats, the use of the slide can prove to be problematic and even lead to the plastic containers placed in the tray tipping and falling over. In one embodiment, the slide can be suspended from the drive and hung on the tray as a fourth side wall. As a result, the contact of the slide and its guiding function with respect to the containers can be lost, which in turn can lead to tilting or even tipping over of the deposited plastic containers. A Stacking plastic containers on top of one another is not possible with this known loading device either.

Furthermore, loading devices for successive loading of cardboard boxes are known in which the goods to be packed are inserted line by line into the cardboard boxes, with support elements being provided, of which a first support element is used to fix already inserted articles in their position and of which a second support element is used for this serves to form an alley together with the first support element in which the next goods to be packaged are inserted. Then, with the articles already inserted being fixed in their position by one of the support elements, another lane is formed, which is then filled. Such devices are for example in EP 2 995 561 A1 and WO 2012/075520 A1 described.

The object of the present invention is therefore to remedy the described disadvantages of the loading devices of the prior art. The aim is to create a loading device for loading storage and transport containers or trays for plastic containers, in particular plastic bottles, in which the plastic containers are guided as comprehensively as possible when they are placed in a tray. It should be possible to avoid tipping and falling of the parked plastic containers. A device and an associated method are to be created which even enable plastic containers to be stacked in at least two layers on top of one another.

The solution to this and further objects consists in a loading device and in a method for loading storage and transport containers for plastic containers, in particular plastic bottles, which have the features or method steps listed in the respective independent device or method claims. Further developments and / or advantageous design variants of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims of the respective claim category.

The invention proposes a loading device for loading storage and transport containers or trays for plastic containers, in particular plastic bottles, which has a preferably automatically operable transport device for the trays and a converter for the plastic containers. The transfer device has a multi-gripper for securely gripping a predetermined number of plastic containers arranged in the form of a row. A stabilization device is arranged in a loading station for the trays, which has a first support rake and a second support rake, which are arranged essentially parallel to one another and can at least partially be moved into a tray to be loaded. The second support rake is adjustable relative to the first support rake from a first adjacent position into a second position at a predeterminable distance from one another in order to open a first loading aisle in the tray to be loaded. After the first loading aisle has been loaded with plastic containers, the second support rake can be moved across the first loaded loading aisle, counter to the transport direction of the tray, essentially to the first position of the first support rake.

By moving the second support rake and the tray in the transport direction of the tray essentially by a predetermined distance with the first rake essentially stationary, a second loading aisle adjoining the first loading aisle can be opened. The second loading lane can be approached by the multi-gripper and loaded with a second row of plastic containers. The second support rake forms a tilt protection for the first row of plastic containers during the opening of the second loading aisle.

The loading device according to the invention has a separate stabilization device for the plastic containers unloaded into the trays. This can ensure that the plastic containers are guided and supported as comprehensively as possible during loading. Tilting and falling of the plastic containers, which could lead to an interruption of the loading process, can be prevented. The provision of a separate stabilizing device in the form of two support racks, which support the plastic containers during loading, also creates the prerequisites for loading the trays with two or more layers of plastic containers arranged one above the other. To load the tray line by line with plastic containers, it can be transported to the loading station. To form the first loading aisle, the first and second support racks can be moved vertically into the tray and the second support rake can also be moved horizontally. The first loading lane can be formed in the transport direction of the tray adjacent to the front side wall extending essentially transversely to the transport direction. In the loading aisle formed between the first and the second support rake, the linearly arranged plastic containers can be placed in the first loading aisle by means of the multi-gripper. A tray usually consists of a flat tray base and four side walls, which are usually at right angles to one another. The tray can be square or rectangular. The tray is open to the tray bottom for loading. The tray can be made of metal, plastic or cardboard. Usually the opening opposite the tray bottom can be closed by a lid. The width of the loading aisle can be chosen so that the plastic containers can be inserted into the loading aisle without touching the support racks. The distance between the support racks and the plastic containers can be selected so that the plastic containers cannot tilt in the direction of the support racks. The length of the rows of plastic containers can be dimensioned in such a way that, after being inserted into the tray, they pass through the lines extending transversely to the support racks Side walls of the tray are supported in such a way that tipping over parallel to the support rake is impossible. The tray can be conveyed into the loading station, for example, by means of two parallel conveyor belts. These transport belts can be designed as toothed belts, and the back of the toothed belt can be smooth. It is also possible for drivers to be formed on the back of the toothed belt, which prevent the tray from being conveyed at the speed of the transport belt due to its inertia during its transport. After loading the first loading aisle, the second support rake, which extends parallel to and adjoins the one side wall, can be pulled out of the tray essentially perpendicular to the tray bottom without the plastic containers being able to tip over, since they are now supported by said side wall are. The second support rake can be displaced in the direction of the first support rake over the first row of plastic containers located in the tray to the first support rake, which has taken over the support function of the first row when retracted in the tray. The second support rake can be moved into the tray adjacent to the first support rake and thus take over the support function of the first support rake. To form the second loading aisle adjoining the first loading aisle, the tray and the second support rake can now be displaced by a predetermined distance in the transport direction of the tray with the first support rake essentially stationary. The second support rake and the tray can be moved synchronously. As a rule, the displacement speed of the tray and of the second support rake will be the same, so that the second support rake has essentially no relative movement with respect to the tray during the displacement of the tray. The first row of plastic containers can be secured against tipping over by the second support rake while the tray is being moved. By moving the tray and the second support rake, a second loading aisle adjoining the first loading aisle can be opened with respect to the essentially stationary first support rake. Thus, an exclusively vertical movement of the first support rake is sufficient for at least partially moving into the tray when loading the tray with the first row of plastic containers and moving it out of the tray after loading the tray with the last row of plastic containers. After loading the second loading aisle with a second row of plastic containers by means of the multi-gripper, the second support rake can again be relocated to the first support rake and the tray and the second support rake can be moved in the transport direction of the tray with the first support rake essentially stationary to form a third loading aisle be relocated. This process of forming loading lanes can be repeated until the tray is completely filled with plastic containers and the plastic containers are supported by the side walls of the tray against falling over or tipping over. In a further variant, it is possible to move the tray against the transport direction for loading. The second support rake can thus be essentially stationary and the first support rake can be moved vertically and horizontally. In this variant, however, the loading speed of the tray can be slowed compared to the exemplary embodiment described at the beginning, since the tray is displaced against its transport direction for filling with plastic containers for opening the loading aisles.

In one embodiment of the invention, the support racks have a lateral extension running transversely to the transport direction of the tray for distance adjustment, which is designed such that a loading aisle is delimited by the first and second support racks and by side walls of the tray extending in the direction of movement for distance adjustment. This makes it possible to ensure that all plastic containers in a separate row are supported, in particular during the opening of a new loading lane, and are prevented from tipping or falling over.

A further variant of the invention can provide that the second support rake is designed as the anti-tilt device and is adjustable for opening each loading aisle, while the first support rake is stationary while the tray is being loaded. The second support rake thus functions as a tilt protection for the first row of plastic containers unloaded into the first loading aisle when the second loading aisle adjoining the first loading aisle is opened. In this embodiment, after a loading aisle has been loaded with at least one row of plastic containers, the second support rake is first raised vertically, moved to the first position on the first support rake, and then lowered again. In doing so, it can already support the supporting function of the detached row of plastic containers. The second support rake and the tray can then be displaced in the transport direction of the tray with respect to the first support rake by a predetermined distance to open a new loading aisle. A falling over of the previously separated row of plastic containers is reliably prevented by the second support rake, which now fulfills the function of tilt protection. In this embodiment variant, the first support rake is moved essentially vertically into the tray to be loaded and usually after the loading of the tray with all rows of plastic containers from the tray is extended essentially vertically from the tray.

In one embodiment variant of the invention, the two support rakes can each comprise a bar running essentially transversely and essentially horizontally to the adjustment direction of the at least one support rake and rake prongs protruding vertically therefrom in the direction of a tray bottom. The chosen construction is simple, light and easy to repair, should any of the rake tines suffer a bending. Depending on the respective outer contour of the plastic containers provided for loading the trays, the rakes can be exchanged very easily if necessary in order to take account of the changed contour. For example, the individual support rakes can differ from one another in terms of the number of rake tines and their width.

A variant of the device can provide that the rake prongs of the two support rakes are cranked facing one another and are arranged with a gap between them. In this way, the rake tines, which are in a gap, define a common support plane when they are moved together. Since both support racks define the same support level, they can be used alternately to support the separated plastic containers. Furthermore, the takeover of the support function can take place particularly easily, for example by the second support rake from the first support rake, since the rake prongs of the second support rake can be moved into the spaces formed by the rake prongs of the first support rake. Thus, to take over the support function by the second support rake, no distance is necessary between the row of plastic containers to be supported and the rake prongs of the first support rake into which the rake prongs of the second support rake would otherwise have to move.

An embodiment variant of the invention can provide that the first and the second support rake can be displaced essentially vertically and at least one of the two support rakes can be adjusted essentially horizontally and parallel to the other support rake. The vertical adjustability of the support rakes allows the rake prongs to be easily moved vertically in and out of the tray and the distance between the two support racks, in particular the formation of a loading aisle by simply moving one of the support rakes. It goes without saying that the shifting of the second support rake can take place essentially horizontally in such a way that the two support rakes are retracted in their end position parallel to one another in the tray.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the rake prongs of the support racks have a vertical length that is greater than the depth of a tray to be loaded. As a result, the rake tines or the support rakes can be retracted sufficiently far into the tray to be loaded. This can also create the prerequisite for loading the tray with two or more rows of plastic containers arranged one above the other. Since the rake tines can be retracted far enough, plastic containers of smaller heights can also be adequately supported. Basically, the rake tines can be retracted into the tray until at least some of the rake tines touch the tray bottom.

The entire sequence of movements of the individual components of the device, in particular the transport of the trays, the movement of the support racks and the loading of the tray by means of the transfer device comprising a multi-gripper, is computer-controlled in one embodiment of the invention. The computer control can allow the movement sequences to be adapted very quickly and easily to different shapes of the plastic containers and / or sizes of the trays to be loaded. The multi-gripper can be arranged on a transfer robot that is designed to perform linear (transversal and vertical) and rotary movements.

The invention according to one of the embodiment variants described can be part of a semi- or fully automatic loading and unloading system for plastic containers. Such a system usually has a separation unit for the tray stacks, a feed for the individual empty trays, a loading station for loading the separated trays with rows of plastic containers, a removal of the loaded trays and a feed line for the plastic containers.

In a method for loading storage and transport containers or trays for plastic containers, in particular plastic bottles, plastic containers transported in rows are preferably loaded into a tray in a loading station for trays by a transfer device having a multi-gripper. The plastic containers each deposited in a loading aisle that is delimited by two side walls of the tray and by a first support rake and a second support rake arranged essentially parallel to the first support rake. The two support rakes are at least partially retracted into the tray to be loaded. The second support rake is adjusted relative to the first support rake from a first adjacent position into a second position at a predeterminable distance from one another in order to open a first loading aisle in the tray to be loaded. After filling the first loading aisle with a first row of plastic containers, the second support rake is shifted across the first row of plastic containers, counter to the transport direction of the tray, essentially to the first position of the first support rake, whereby by moving the second support rake and the tray in the transport direction of the tray by a predetermined distance, a second loading aisle adjacent to the first loading aisle is opened, which is approached by the multi-gripper and loaded with at least one second row of plastic containers. The second support rake forms a tilt protection for the first row of plastic containers during the opening of the second loading aisle.

The method according to the invention ensures that the plastic containers deposited in the respective loading aisle by means of the multi-gripper are comprehensively supported during loading. Tilting or even falling over of the containers can thereby be avoided. As a result of the method according to the invention, the plastic containers placed in a loading lane remain supported, even if a new loading lane adjoining them is opened.

In one variant of the method, each loading aisle is delimited by rake prongs of the first support rake, by rake prongs of the second support rake and by side walls of the tray to be loaded. The rake prongs of the two support rakes are cranked facing one another and are in a gap with one another in such a way that the two support rakes define a common support plane when they are moved together.

A process sequence can provide that after the loading of the first loading aisle with plastic containers, the second support rake is retracted essentially along the support plane into the first support rake so that it takes over the support function of the first support rake on the first row of unloaded plastic containers. The conduct of the proceedings can provide that after the second support rake has been brought up to the first support rake and the support function has been taken over by the second support rake, it is adjusted together with the tray to be loaded by the predetermined distance from the first support rake. The second loading aisle is opened. The first support rake is not adjusted.

In one variant of the method, the two support racks are adjusted vertically and at least the second support rake is displaced at least substantially horizontally and parallel to the first support rake. In this way, a loading lane can be formed in a simple manner.

In a variant of the method, the second support rake can be adjusted relative to the first support rake in conjunction with an adjustment of the tray in such a way that a loading aisle is opened in the tray, the width of which allows at least one, preferably several rows of plastic containers transported with the multi-gripper to be deposited. The loading process of a tray can be accelerated precisely through the one-time loading with several lines at the same time.

In a further variant of the method, two or more layers of plastic containers can be deposited sequentially on top of one another in a loading aisle delimited by the support racks and the side walls of a tray by means of the multi-gripper. This variant of the method is only made possible by the comprehensive and alternating support function of the two support racks and allows trays of given dimensions to be loaded, for example, with plastic containers of smaller volume or smaller overall heights.

A variant of the invention can provide that the trays made of cardboard are separated in a separating unit from a tray stack of trays that are stacked on top of one another, in which the side walls are folded in, before they are delivered to the loading station. Here, the uppermost tray with the folded-in side walls is removed from a tray stack by means of vacuum grippers, which is located in a magazine, which is usually filled with tray stacks manually, and transferred to a tray feed unit. The side walls of the tray are opened automatically. The opened tray is then moved into a guide that prevents the side walls from collapsing.

The tray is fed to the loading station, where it is filled with rows of plastic containers in the manner described above. After they have been completely filled with plastic containers, the trays are transported away and either stacked in an internal stacking station or transferred to a separate stacking station. Trays stacked on top of one another are easier to transport and enable more space-saving storage, for example in a high-bay warehouse or the like for buffering the plastic containers. For this reason, the trays loaded with plastic containers can be reassembled into a tray stack after loading in a stacking station. For reasons of stability, the individual trays made of metal or plastic are joined together up to a maximum stack height of 4000 mm. For reasons of stability, the stacking height for trays made of cardboard does not usually exceed a stacking height of 2800 mm. In a further variant of the invention, the tray stack can be lifted above the bottom tray for separation, particularly in the case of trays made of plastic or metal. This means that the bottom tray can be transported into the loading station, preferably by means of a roller conveyor. Lifting the tray stack in particular saves time compared to removing the top tray, which then has to be moved vertically down to be able to set it down on the roller conveyor.

It is clear to a person skilled in the art that features of the device and features of the method can be combined with one another insofar as it makes sense in order to thereby arrive at further subjects of the invention.

Fig. 1

zeigt eine Draufsicht auf eine Beladeanlage von Trays für Kunststoffbehälter mit einer integrierten Beladungsvorrichtung gemäss der Erfindung;

Fig. 2

zeigt eine perspektivische Ansicht einer Beladungsvorrichtung gemäss der Erfindung;

Fig. 3 bis Fig. 5

zeigen drei Seitenansichten von Stützrechen in drei unterschiedlichen Positionen; und

Fig. 6

zeigt eine Draufsicht auf die Stützrechen in zusammengeschobener Position.

Further advantages and features emerge from the following description of an exemplary embodiment variant of the invention with reference to the schematic drawings, which are not shown to scale.

Fig. 1

shows a plan view of a loading system for trays for plastic containers with an integrated loading device according to the invention;

Fig. 2

shows a perspective view of a loading device according to the invention;

FIGS. 3 to 5

show three side views of support rakes in three different positions; and

Fig. 6

shows a top view of the support rake in the pushed together position.

A loading system for storage and transport containers for plastic containers, so-called trays, is in Fig. 1 provided overall with the reference symbol 100. Such a system 100 can for example be arranged following a production system for plastic containers, for example a blow molding system. As a rule, such loading systems 100 are used to fill trays made of cardboard with plastic containers, the individual trays being stacked on top of one another and being transported to a store or to a locally separated filling system. The loading system 100 for trays comprises a tray magazine 110 for trays made of cardboard and folded into themselves. As a rule, the tray magazine 110 is filled manually. The uppermost tray is removed from the tray stack by means of a tray transfer unit 120, which in the present exemplary embodiment is equipped with vacuum lifters 121, and fed to an opening unit 130. There the folded-up tray is unfolded and fed to a loading device 1. In the loading device 1, the trays are loaded with plastic containers, for example, which are supplied in lines. The trays loaded with plastic containers are transported to a removal unit 140. There the trays are checked to see whether they have been properly loaded. Trays that are not fully loaded are discharged via the output unit 150. Properly loaded trays are transported to a tray stacking unit 160, in which the loaded trays are stacked on a pallet. The maximum stack height of 2800 mm is preferably not exceeded. In an adjoining discharge unit 170, the pallet with the stack of trays is usually removed manually by means of a lifting truck. The pallets can be stored in a pallet magazine 180 as required. The transport devices for the trays can be belt or roller conveyors, for example. In the Fig. 1 For example, the loading system 100 shown has a linear structure, which can be advantageous in many cases, for example for reasons of space. In an alternative embodiment variant, however, the loading system 100 can also have an L-shaped or U-shaped structure. In this way, the system can be adapted to the local conditions.

Fig. 2 shows a schematic representation of a loading device designed according to the invention, which is provided as a whole with the reference number 1. The loading device 1, which is sometimes also referred to as a tray packer, comprises a loading station 10 for the trays, a transfer device 6 with a multi-gripper 7 and a transport device 2 for trays, which in the present exemplary embodiment is designed as a belt conveyor. The belt conveyor 2 is designed for linear transport, and can be moved in a start-stop mode by predetermined distances of any length. A belt 21 of the belt conveyor 2 has a transport cam 22 which holds the tray in position on the belt and prevents the tray from sliding on the belt when the belt conveyor 2 starts up. In Fig. 2 a tray 11 is shown within the loading station 10. The tray 11 has an essentially orthogonal, flat tray base 12 and essentially rectangular, flat side walls 13. For example, the tray 11 is square and its external dimensions are approximately 1200 mm x 1200 mm. In a rectangular variant, the tray can have external dimensions that are up to 1400 mm × 1200 mm, for example. The height of a tray is variable and can be, for example, from 50 mm to 400 mm. The transport device 2 for the trays can also be a roller conveyor, for example.

A transfer device 6 is active in the loading station 10 and has a multi-gripper 7 for plastic containers that are preferably transported line by line. The transfer device 6 can be, for example, a transfer robot which can be designed for linear (transversal, vertical) movements and for rotary movements. The multi-gripper 7 grabs the plastic containers transported in a conveyor aisle 70 in a row and sets them down in the tray 11 after a longitudinal displacement. The multi-gripper 7 can also be designed to grasp more than one row of plastic containers. The multi-gripper 7 can be a vacuum gripper or have a gripper head, the mechanical gripper elements of which are precisely matched to the outer diameter of the plastic containers to be transported. When changing formats, the entire gripper head can easily be exchanged. A more detailed description of the converter 6 and the multi-gripper 7 is dispensed with, since such devices are sufficiently known from the prior art.

A first support rake 8 and a second support rake 9 are arranged between the converter 6 and the tray 11, which are arranged approximately parallel to one another and serve to support the plastic containers placed in the tray 11. The support rakes 8, 9 are mounted in such a way that their relative distance from one another can be adjusted as specified. The adjustment takes place essentially parallel to a longitudinal extension of the tray 11 to be loaded or essentially perpendicular to a direction of movement of the tray 11 into the loading station 10. The support rakes 8, 9 and their mode of operation are explained in more detail below.

Figs. 3 to 5 show the first 8 and the second support rake 9 in different positions. Fig. 6 additionally shows the two support rakes 8, 9 in a pushed together position according to the side view in Fig. 4 in a top view. The two support rakes 8, 9 each have rake prongs 81, 91 which protrude vertically in the direction of the tray bottom 12 from a bar 80, 90 running transversely to the adjustment direction of the support rakes 8, 9. The rake tines 81, 91 are cranked facing each other and are arranged on the respective beams 80, 90 in such a way that they are spaced apart ( Fig. 6 ). As a result, the rake tines 81, 91 of the two support rakes 8, 9 moved together define a common support plane 16 ( Figures 4 and 6 ). The length of the rake prongs 81, 91 of the two support rakes 8, 9 can be dimensioned in such a way that they reach just before the tray bottom 12 of a tray 11 to be filled, but do not yet touch it.

At the beginning of the loading process, one in loading station 10 ( Fig. 2 ) arranged trays 11, the two support rakes 8, 9 are moved into the tray 11 in such a way that the rake prongs 91 of the second support rake 9 are arranged in the vicinity of a rear side wall 13 of the tray 11. The first support rake 8 is arranged at a predeterminable distance from the second support rake 9 and thus opens a first loading aisle 14 in the tray 11 to be loaded. The multi-gripper 7 ( Fig. 2 ) now put down at least one row of plastic containers 20. In the case of a multi-gripper 7, which can grasp several rows of plastic containers at the same time, the first support rake 8 and the second support rake 9 are spaced from one another in such a way that the first loading aisle 14 formed by the two support rakes 8, 9 has a width that corresponds to the total width of the rows of plastic containers 20 arranged side by side correspond. After the multi-gripper 7 has moved the plastic containers 20 into the first loading aisle 14 has deposited and during or after it has been moved to grip further plastic containers, the second support rake 9 is raised vertically in such a way that the free ends of its rake prongs 91 are arranged above the plastic containers 20 placed in the tray 11. The second support rake 9 is then moved up to the first support rake 8 counter to the direction of movement V of the tray 11 and is lowered again vertically. The rake tines 81, 91 are in a gap and define a common support plane 16 ( Figures 4 and 6 ). The second support rake 9 is then adjusted together with the tray 11 in its direction of movement V relative to the first support rake 8 by a predetermined distance in order to open a second loading aisle 15. While the second loading aisle 15 adjoining the first loading aisle 14 is being opened, the second support rake 9 assumes the support function for the deposited plastic containers 20 ( Fig. 5 ). The second support rake 9 and the tray 11 have essentially no relative movement to one another during the opening of the second loading aisle 15. The newly created second loading lane 15 is now ready to receive further plastic containers that are transported by the multi-gripper 7. The process of displacing the second support rake 9 over the plastic container 20 just placed in the tray 11 against the direction of movement V of the tray 11, the retraction of the second support rake 9 into the first support rake 8 and the opening of a further loading aisle by moving the second support rake 9 together and the tray 11 in the direction of movement V of the tray 11 is repeated until the entire tray 11 is filled with plastic containers 20. After the rake prongs 81, 91 extend over the entire height of the tray 11, in the case of plastic containers of lower height, several layers of plastic containers can also be stacked one above the other in the loading lanes 14, which are delimited by the two support rakes 8, 9 and the side walls 13 of the tray 11. 15 can be turned off. After the tray 11 has been filled, it can be removed from the loading station 10 ( Fig. 2 ) must be removed.

The operation of the individual components of the device, in particular the transport of the trays 11, the movement of the support rakes 8, 9 and the loading of the trays 11 by means of the transfer device comprising a multi-gripper 7, can be computer-controlled. The computer control allows a very fast and simple adaptation of the movement sequences to different shapes of the plastic containers 20 and / or sizes of the trays 11 to be loaded.

The loading device according to the invention has a separate stabilization device for the plastic containers 20 unloaded into the trays 11. This ensures that the plastic containers 20 are guided and supported as comprehensively as possible during loading. Tilting and falling over of the plastic containers 20, which could lead to an interruption of the loading process, can thereby be prevented. The provision of a separate stabilization device in the form of two support rakes 8, 9, which support the plastic containers 20 during loading, also creates the prerequisites for loading the trays 11 with two or more layers of plastic containers 20 arranged one above the other.

The above description of specific exemplary embodiments serves only to explain the invention and is not to be regarded as restrictive. Rather, the invention is defined by the patent claims and the equivalents which are evident to the person skilled in the art and encompassed by the general inventive concept.

Claims (14)

1. A loading device for loading storage and transport receptacles or trays for plastic receptacles, in particular plastic bottles, with a transport device (2) for the trays (11) and with a transferring device (6) for the plastic receptacles (20) which comprises a multi-gripper (7) for a number of plastic receptacles (20) which are arranged in the shape of a row, wherein a stabilisation device is arranged in a loading station (10) for the trays (11), said stabilisation device comprising a first support rack (8) and a second support rack (9) which are arranged essentially parallel to one another, characterised in that the device is configured in a manner such that the first support rack (8) and the second support rack (9) are at least partly moved into a tray (1) to be loaded, that the second support rack (9) is displaced relative to the first support rack (8) from a first position adjacent to one another into a second position with a predefinable distance to one another, in order to open a first loading lane (14) in the tray (11) to be loaded, and after the loading of the first loading lane (4) with plastic receptacles (20) the second support rack (9) is displaced beyond the first loaded loading lane (14) counter to the transport direction (V) of the tray (11) essentially onto the first position of the first support rack (8), wherein by way of displacing the second support rack (9) and the tray (11) in the transport direction (V) of the tray (11) essentially by a predetermined distance given an essentially stationary first rack (8) a second loading lane (15) which is adjacent to the first loading lane (14) is opened, said second loading lane being approached by the multi-gripper (7) and being loaded with at least one second row of plastic receptacles (20), wherein the second support rack (9) is designed as an anti-tipping device for the first row of plastic receptacles (20) during the opening of the second loading lane (15).
2. A device according to claim 1, characterised in that the support racks (8, 9) comprise a lateral extension which runs transversely to the transport direction (V) for the distance adjustment and which is designed in a manner such that a loading lane (14, 15) is delimited by the two support racks (8, 9) and by the side walls (13) of the tray (11) which extend in the movement direction for distance adjustment.
3. A device according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the second support rack (9) is designed as a anti-tipping device and is adjustable for opening the loading lane (14, 15), whilst the first support rack (8) is essentially stationary during the loading of the tray (11).
4. A device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the two support racks (8, 9) each comprise a beam (80, 90) which runs essentially transversely and essentially horizontally to the adjusting direction of the at least one support rack (8, 9), and rack teeth (81, 91) which project vertically from this in the direction of a tray base.
5. A device according to claim 4, characterised in that the rack teeth (81, 91) of the two support racks (8, 9) are designed offset facing one another and are arranged to one another covering gaps, wherein they define a common support plane (16) in the moved-together state.
6. A device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the two support racks (8, 9) are essentially vertically displaceable and at least one of the two support racks (8, 9) is adjustable essentially horizontally and parallel to the other support rack (8, 9).
7. A device according to one of the claims 4 to 6, characterised in that the rack teeth (81, 91) of the support racks (8, 9) have a vertical length which is greater than a depth of the tray (11) to be loaded.
8. A device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the transport of the tray (11), the movement of the support racks (8, 9) and the loading of the tray (11) is effected in a computer-controlled manner by way of the transferring device (6) which comprises a multi-gripper (7).
9. A method for loading storage and transport receptacles or trays for plastic receptacles, in particular plastic bottles, concerning which plastic receptacles (20) which are preferably fed in rows are loaded in a loading station (10) for trays into a tray (11) by a transferring device (6) which comprises a multi-gripper (7), wherein the plastic receptacles (20) are each put down into a loading lane (14, 15) which is delimited by two sides walls (13) of the tray (11) and by a first support rack (8) and a second support rack (9) which is arranged essentially parallel to the first support rack (8), wherein the two support racks (8, 9) at least partly are moved into the tray (11) to be loaded, characterised in that that the second support rack (9) is displaced relative to the first support rack (8) from a first position adjacent to one another into a second position with a predefinable distance to one another, in order to open a first loading lane (14) in the tray (11) to be loaded, and that after the loading of the first loading lane (4) with a first row of plastic receptacles (20) the second support rack (9) is displaced beyond the first row of plastic receptacles (20) counter to the transport direction (V) of the tray (11) essentially onto the first position of the first support rack (8), wherein by way of displacing the second support rack (8) and the tray (11) in the transport direction (V) of the tray (11) by a predefined distance given an essentially stationary first rack (8) a second loading lane (15) which is adjacent to the first loading lane (14) is opened, said second loading lane being approached by the multi-gripper (7) and being loaded with at least one second row of plastic receptacles (20), wherein the second support rack (9) is designed as an anti-tipping device for the first row of plastic receptacles (20) during the opening of the second loading lane (15).
10. A method according to claim 9, characterised in that each loading lane (14, 15) is delimited by rack teeth (18) of the first support rack (8), by rack teeth (91) of the second support rack (9) and by side walls (13) of the tray (11) to be loaded, wherein the rack teeth (81, 91) are designed offset facing one another and are arranged to one another covering gaps in a manner such that they define a common support plane (16) in the moved-together state of the two support racks (8, 9).
11. A method according to claim 10, characterised in that after the loading of the first loading lane (14) with plastic receptacles (20), the second support rack (8) is moved essentially along the support plane (16) into the first support rack (8), so that it assumes the support function of the first support rack (8) at the first row of unloaded plastic receptacles (20).
12. A method according to claim 11, characterised in that the two support racks (8, 9) are adjusted vertically and at least the second support rack (8) is displaced at least essentially horizontally and parallel to the first support rack (8).
13. A method according to one of the claims 10 to 12, characterised in that the predefined distance between the first and the second support rack (8, 9) in combination with an adjustment of the tray is adjusted in a manner such that a loading lane (15) is opened, the width of which permitting the one-off placement of one or more rows of plastic containers (20) which are fed by the multi-gripper (7).
14. A method according to one of the claims 9 to 13, characterised in that two or more layers of plastic receptacles (20) above one another are sequentially put down into a loading lane (15) which is delimited by the support racks (8, 9) and the side walls (13) of the tray (11).

Images