EP3456424A2 - Transfer station and return system - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a transhipment station for randomly supplied standard containers of different types, in particular for different unsorted added returnable returnable bottles, with a container crate delivery device, which is designed to hold different types of standards containers intended for the different standard containers, with a recognition unit, which is designed for this purpose to detect the type of a supplied standard container having a displacing device which is adapted to automatically displace at least one standard container recognized by the detecting unit to a predetermined free position within a standard container box provided for the respective type of standard container and provided on the container crate supply device , The present invention further relates to a reverse vending machine with such a transfer station and a method for automatically handling unsorted supplied standard containers of different types.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a handling station and a method for automatic handling of unsorted fed standard containers of different types. The present invention further relates to a reverse vending machine with such a transfer station.

TECHNICAL BACKGROUND

Although the present invention of a transfer station is explained by means of a returnable bottle return machine, it is not limited thereto but also applicable to other applications and / or other types of standard containers.

Automatic reverse vending machines for single or returnable bottles, also called reverse vending machines, are very common especially in countries with a one-way and returnable deposit for beverage containers (eg Germany, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Croatia, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland). The purpose of the reverse vending machines is to reduce the personnel expenses for empties acceptance. This is desirable, since the empties acceptance for the operator brings a significant effort and thus costs, but no added value. In known reverse vending machines, however, always a certain amount of personnel, especially for the sorting and / or handling of empties, required.

In one of the Applicant known reverse vending a single bottle acceptance is provided for returnable bottles. The individually accepted returnable bottles are collected at the back of the reverse vending machine at a handling station on a so-called bottle collection table. The FIG. 1 schematically shows such a bottle collection table 100. This has a direction indicated by the arrows arrows slide / conveyor belt, by means of which the bottles are supplied to the bottle collection table A, B, C, D in the direction of the feed device 102 opposite end 104 of the bottle collection table 100 are conveyed.

As is known, there are a large number of different types of reusable returnable bottles. Although there are standard bottles for certain types of drinks, such as the typical German reusable beer bottles made of brown glass or the typical German reusable sparkling water bottles made of white glass. However, these different types of reverse vending machines are usually unsorted in a common for all types of feed introduced and also unsorted transported to the bottle collection table. Furthermore, there are also a variety of types of returnable bottles, which deviate from the norm. In particular, certain bottlers use individually designed reusable bottles, which are thus not standard bottles. Such bottles are generally incompatible with the usual standard containers.

As a result of the circumstances described above, a large number of different types of bottles typically accumulate in an unsorted manner on a bottle collection table of a returnable bottle reverse vending machine, as in US Pat FIG. 1 is indicated by the different bottle types A, B, C and D. In practice, several hundred bottles can be collected on the bottle collection table. Sometimes this usually happens until the bottle collection table is full and the reverse vending machine can therefore no longer accept returnable bottles unless the bottle collection table has been manually emptied beforehand. Manual emptying, in turn, means that a person manually removes the refill bottles collected on the bottle collection table from the bottle collection table and, as a rule, sorts them into predetermined standard container crates. However, this still represents a relatively high personnel costs for operating the reverse vending machine, but it should be avoided or at least reduced.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Against this background, the present invention seeks to provide an improved handling station for standard containers.

This object is achieved by a handling station with the features of claim 1 and / or by a reverse vending machine with the features of claim 24 and / or by a method having the features of claim 26.

• Eine Umschlagstation für unsortiert zugeführte Normbehälter unterschiedlichen Typs, insbesondere für unterschiedliche unsortiert zugeführte Mehrwegpfandflaschen, mit einer Gebindekisten-Bereitstellungsvorrichtung, welche dazu ausgebildet ist, unterschiedliche Typen von für die unterschiedlichen Normbehälter bestimmten Normgebindekisten vorzuhalten, mit einer Erkennungseinheit, welche dazu ausgebildet ist, den Typ eines zugeführten Normbehälters zu erkennen, mit einer Verlagerungsvorrichtung, welche dazu ausgebildet ist, automatisiert zumindest einen von der Erkennungseinheit erkannten Normbehälter an eine vorbestimmte freie Position innerhalb einer für den jeweiligen Typ des Normbehälters bestimmten, an der Gebindekisten-Bereitstellungsvorrichtung bereitgestellten Normgebindekiste zu verlagern.
• Ein Rücknahmeautomat für Mehrwegpfandflaschen mit einer Eingabevorrichtung zum einzelnen Einführen von Mehrwegpfandflaschen, mit einer Transportvorrichtung, mit einer Flaschenscaneinheit, mit einer erfindungsgemäßen Umschlagstation.
• Ein Verfahren zum automatischen Umschlagen von unsortiert zugeführten Normbehältern unterschiedlichen Typs, insbesondere mittels einer erfindungsgemäßen Umschlagstation und/oder mittels eines erfindungsgemäßen Rücknahmeautomaten, mit den folgenden Schritten: Ermitteln des Typs zumindest eines zugeführten Normbehälters; Ermitteln der freien Positionen einer für dem ermittelten Typ des Normbehälters zugeordneten Normgebindekiste; Zuordnen zumindest einer der freien Positionen innerhalb einer für den erkannten Typ des Normbehälters bestimmten Normgebindekiste; Verlagern des zugeführten Normbehälters an die ihm zugeordnete Position in der Normgebindekiste.

Accordingly, it is provided:

• A transhipment station for randomly supplied standard containers of different types, in particular for different unsorted added returnable returnable bottles, comprising a container crate delivery device which is designed to hold different types of standard crates intended for the different standard containers, having a recognition unit designed to be of the type to detect supplied standard container, with a displacement device which is adapted to automatically displace at least one of the detection unit recognized standard container to a predetermined free position within a specific for the respective type of the standard container, provided on the container crate delivery device standard container crate.
• A reverse vending machine for returnable deposit bottles with an input device for individually introducing reusable returnable bottles, with a transport device, with a bottle scanning unit, with a transfer station according to the invention.
• A method for automatic handling of unsorted delivered standard containers of different types, in particular by means of a transfer station according to the invention and / or by means of a reverse vending machine according to the invention, comprising the following steps: determining the type of at least one supplied standard container; Determine the free positions of one for the determined Type of standard container assigned standard container box; Assigning at least one of the free positions within a standard container box intended for the identified type of standard container; Moving the supplied standard container to its assigned position in the Normgebindekiste.

The underlying realization of the present invention is that of the reusable bottles fed into reverse vending machines, a main volume of on average about 80% can only be assigned to a few, in particular four, standard bottle types. The remainder, so-called secondary occurrence of on average about 20% of refillable bottles supplied in reverse vending machines, contains either rarer standard bottle types or types of reusable bottles which deviate from the norm.

The idea underlying the present invention is now to automatically sort the main volume of standard bottles and to transport them in specific standard containers and provide only for the additional amount of a manual emptying or sorting in specific (special) container crates, z. B. by only the additional amount is collected on a bottle collection table. Thus, the main volume is automatically sorted into standard container crates, which greatly reduces the manual effort of sorting.

According to the invention, the standard container crates required for the main volume are kept available on a container crate delivery device and a recognized (standard) bottle of the main volume is assigned a free position in a standard crate box intended for its bottle type. The bottle is then automatically moved to this predetermined position by actuation of an actuator.

Advantageously, therefore, the proportion of reusable bottles, which must be manually sorted into specific container crates, by a very large proportion, in particular by the proportion of the main volume of about 80% on average be lowered. Thus, in the long term, high personnel costs can be saved, whereby appropriate Transfer stations or the corresponding reverse vending machines are made more effective.

Advantageous embodiments and further developments will become apparent from the other dependent claims and from the description with reference to the figures of the drawing.

According to a preferred embodiment, the displacement device has a positioning unit which can be moved at least in two axes. The mobility in at least two axes ensures a positioning of the actuator so that a predetermined position of a standard container box can be approached. A Normgebindekiste generally has a grid-like division with intermediate walls or intermediate webs, wherein a grid element corresponds to a respective intended for receiving a standard container position. These positions are longitudinal and transverse, so two-dimensionally distributed over the box and accessible from above for setting a standard container open. With the two-axis movable actuator, which is movable in the same plane in which the Normgebindekiste is arranged in the container crate delivery device, thus each position of the Normgebindekiste can be approached. Additionally or alternatively, it would also be conceivable that the displacement device has a rotationally movable positioning unit. Additionally or alternatively, it would also be advantageous if the setting unit is a robot or has a robot arm.

According to a preferred embodiment, a transport device is provided, which is designed to convey the different standard containers. Advantageously, a standard container can thus be conveyed in a simple manner. For example, the standard container can be transported to the detection unit by means of the transport device and transported further after detection or transported away by the detection unit.

According to an advantageous embodiment, a sorting device is provided, which is designed to such standard container, for which no Normgebindekisten in the container crate delivery device are held to recognize and auszuschleusen from the transport device. Advantageously, all possible standard containers can thus be handled with the handling station, in particular also such standard containers, for which no standard container crates are provided in the container crate provision device.

According to a preferred embodiment, a collection table is further provided, on which the discharged standard container, for which no Normgebindekisten are kept in the container crate delivery device, collectible. In particular, the collection table can be analogous to the in FIG. 1 be formed bottle collection table shown. Thus, an additional occurrence of the standard container on the collecting table is advantageous collectable. Overall, the flexibility of the handling station is thus increased by means of the sorting device and the collection table, since despite the automated shift of the main volume of the standard container still still the additional amount of standard containers can be handled. As a result of the fact that the additional income accounts for only 20% of the total volume on average, the handling station has an automatic, multiple, and in particular five times higher, automatic transit time until the collection table has to be manually emptied.

According to one embodiment, the setting unit is designed to carry out an orientation of the container crate providing device corresponding to the predetermined position. The at least one standard container is then displaceable by the transport device to the predetermined position after the alignment. In a movable in two axes embodiment of the actuating unit, this may for example be designed as xy-stage. Furthermore, the transport device can be arranged stationary in this case. By virtue of the method of the xy-cross table along two axes, the setting unit can thus always be positioned in a manner in which an output of the conveying device is located above the position predetermined for the standard container in a standard container box arranged on the xy-stage. Thus, the standard container by simply transporting along the transport device output directly from the output to the predetermined position. In the case of a rotationally movable adjusting unit, this could for example be formed by a rotating rotary table.

According to a preferred embodiment, the transport device includes a slide system, which is designed such that a standard container therein during displacement to the predetermined position at least partially gravity-accelerated slides from a higher level to the predetermined position. Sliding is understood here to mean any gravitationally accelerated movement. This means that both low and high frictional forces can act or even a free fall can be provided at least in sections. Further, the slip also includes an acceleration or deceleration phase. For this purpose, for example, brake elements may be provided at the output of the transport device, which decelerate the gravity-accelerated sliding or falling before entering the Normgebindekiste, so that damage to the standard container and Normgebindekiste be avoided.

According to an alternative embodiment, the standard containers are conveyed by the transport device to the setting unit, wherein the setting unit is adapted to displace at least one standard container to the predetermined position. Thus, in this embodiment, the standard container crates and the standard container crate delivery device may remain stationary during the process of relocation. Instead, in this case, the actuating unit is an additional movable module which moves the standard containers directly to their predetermined position. If necessary, the actuating unit can be movable in more than two axes, preferably in three axes. For example, the actuator removes the standard container from the transport device and moves it directly to the predetermined position in the Normgebindekiste.

According to a preferred embodiment, the sorting device is further adapted to the types of standard containers, for which Normgebindekisten in the container crate delivery device are kept out sorted into individual outlets. Thus, it is advantageously possible to selectively remove only one type of standard containers from an outlet by means of the setting unit. Thus, the removal can be tuned to this type and so the effectiveness and / or the efficiency of the displacement of the standard container can be increased by the actuator.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the adjusting device is designed to remove a plurality of standard containers of one type at least one of the outlets and to shift to a corresponding plurality of predetermined positions within at least one standard container box intended for the respective type of standard container. Preferably, the adjusting device is further adapted to remove the plurality of standard containers from at least one of the spouts at the same time. Thus, particularly less displacement processes are necessary, which increases the efficiency of the handling station. The simultaneous removal of the majority of standard containers, the efficiency is increased again. For this purpose, each first one of the plurality of standard containers corresponding number of standard containers are collected in the individual outlets. The plurality of standard containers can then be removed simultaneously from a spout.

In a preferred embodiment, the plurality of standard containers of the number or an integral multiple of the number of standard containers, which fit next to each other in the longitudinal or transverse direction of the Normgebindekisten in Normgebindekisten. It should be noted that different types of standard container crates may each be different transverse or longitudinal directions. In the integer multiple is in cases in which there are several, for example, two, juxtaposed similar boxes.

In a preferred embodiment, the plurality of standard containers corresponds to four standard containers. Four juxtaposed standard containers are particularly advantageous to relocate at the same time, because for four standardized containers four standard containers correspond to the number which can be arranged either transversely or longitudinally within the box. Furthermore, four standard containers also correspond to a favorable number for types of Normgebindekisten in which only two standard containers can be arranged in the transverse direction. Four standard containers then correspond to the number of standard containers, which in the transverse direction fits into two standard containers arranged side by side. In this case, it is thus the integer multiple, here twice, the number of standard containers, which fits next to each other in the transverse direction in this kind Normgebindekiste. For example, the number of four standard containers corresponds to the number that fits in a beer crate in the transverse direction, in a soda crate in the longitudinal direction, and in juice bags in the transverse direction in two juxtaposed boxes. Advantageously, the standard container crates in the container crate delivery device are also arranged accordingly.

Alternatively or additionally, it is also conceivable that the orientation of the adjusting device according to the respective Kistenart is changeable, so that it aligns as needed either in the transverse or in the longitudinal direction of the standard container crates standard container transport device of Normgebindekisten.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the adjusting device has a gripper system, which is designed to detect the plurality of standard containers for removal from one of the outlets and release them for setting in at least one Normgebindekiste again. Preferably, the gripper system is further adapted to simultaneously detect the standard container and / or release it again. Thus, the relocation operation is performed in a very efficient manner since only one time interval each is required to capture, relocate, and release four standard containers. Compared to a single gripper system, the setting device is thus four times more effective.

According to one embodiment, the transport device has a buffer zone, in which the handling station supplied standard container initially collectable unsorted. If, for example, unexpectedly many standard containers are fed to the handling station in a short time interval, such a tip can advantageously be compensated or collected by means of the buffer zone. Furthermore, by means of the buffer zone, it is also possible to continue supplying bottles to the transfer station, even if one of the stations of the transfer station following in the transport direction is being serviced, emptied or otherwise used. Thus, the operational availability of the handling station is increased or improved.

In a preferred embodiment, the transport device has a separating device, by means of which the standard containers collected in the buffer zone can then be further singulated and individually forwarded. Thus, after the buffer zone, the standard containers can advantageously be reintegrated individually into the sequence of the transfer station.

In one embodiment, the buffer zone is formed as a collection table. In particular, this is a collecting table equipped with a slide / conveyor belt. The slide / conveyor belt preferably conveys the standard containers to the separating device, so that a continuous separation of the standard containers is made possible.

According to a further embodiment, the separating device is designed as a guard rail guide tapering to the width of a standard container on the collecting table. Thus, a particularly robust and easy to manufacture training of the separating device is advantageously realized.

In a preferred embodiment, the detection unit of the buffer zone downstream of the transport device is provided in the transport direction. Alternatively or additionally, the detection unit can also be provided downstream of the separating device on the transport device in the transport direction. It would also be conceivable to provide the detection unit directly on the separating device. The order thus remains advantageous obtained in the transport device downstream of the detection unit transported standard container. Since the standard containers are also recognized in this order, the information on the sequence can be advantageously used to operate the displacement device, for example to optimize travels of the displacement device and / or knowing the transport time, the number at a certain time in the spouts predetermine standard container.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, a control device is provided, which has a memory and which is designed to read information about the type of a standard container from the detection unit. Preferably, the control device is further adapted to store current information about already occupied positions within the held in the container crate delivery device Normgebindekisten in the memory, to update and retrieve when needed again. In addition, the control device is optionally or additionally designed to associate a recognized by the detection unit standard container depending on the information on the type and the already occupied positions in the standard container for this type box a free position within this standard container box. Furthermore, the control device is preferably designed to control the setting unit or the transport device or both in accordance with the displacement of the standard container to its assigned position. Overall, the control device is thus designed to control the interaction of the individual components of the handling station and to perform an action provided in each case for the corresponding case in dependence on information collected or provided by the individual components of the handling station. Preferably, the control device is designed as a computer unit, which has a memory, a communication system and a decision logic. The manner of controlling the setting unit and / or the transport device is dependent on the type of execution of the handling station. If it is, for example, a transfer station, in which the transport device is arranged stationary, first the adjusting unit for aligning driven in accordance with the predetermined position and then driven the transport device for transporting to the predetermined position. If, however, it is, for example, an embodiment in which the transport device first transports the standard container to the setting unit, first the transport device is actuated for transporting and subsequently the setting unit is actuated to move the standard container to the predetermined position.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the container crate delivery device has at least one removal device which is designed to automatically transport standard crates filled completely with standard containers. Preferably, it is designed to transport the standard container crates depending on the information stored in the memory of the control device. Advantageously, the standard container crates are thus not only automatically filled with standard containers, but also transported away automatically after filling.

In one embodiment, a box stacking device is provided which is configured to stack standard box crates transported away from the package crate delivery device. Advantageously, the removed boxes are thus already spent at the end of the handling station in stacks, so that a logistical further processing of Normgebindekisten simplifies or without manual stacking the Normgebindekisten is possible, which means less handling effort and thus reduces resulting costs.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, the container crate delivery device has at least one feeding device and a crate magazine, which are designed to automatically replace respectively discharged standard crates with standard crates from the crate magazine. Advantageously, the process of replacing a full standard container box is thus automatically realized, which in turn reduces manual intervention to a large extent. In particular, a manual intervention is necessary only when all the crates from the crate magazine consumed or with Standard containers are filled. Thus, the purely automatic operating time until a manual intervention is necessary advantageous greatly increased.

According to one embodiment, the crate magazine is designed for magazine storage of crate stacks. In this embodiment, the crate magazine further comprises a box destacking device, which is adapted to singulated stacked in the crate magazine magazinierten Normgebindekisten. Thus, the Normgebindekisten can be stored in a space-saving manner in boxes stacks and yet fed individually by the feeder to the container crate delivery device.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment of a reverse vending machine, the recognition unit simultaneously forms the bottle scanning unit. Thus, an additional detection unit on the back of the automatic reverse vending machine is unnecessary, which advantageously a component of the handling device can be saved. For this purpose, the control device is designed such that it reads information about the type of the scanned reusable bottles from the bottle scanning unit. Thus, this information is retained for the transhipment station, so that advantageously a new recognition by means of a recognition unit is superfluous.

In an advantageous embodiment of a method according to the invention, information about already occupied positions is stored in a memory within the standard container crates held in the container crate provision device. This information is updated after moving a standard container to its assigned position in the standard container box in the memory. Thus, up-to-date information about already occupied or free positions within the container crate provision device is always available in the memory and can be called up therefrom. Advantageously, therefore, the container crate delivery device can be operated fully automatically, as based on this information, the supply and removal of Normgebindekisten can be controlled.

According to one embodiment, after updating, a step of removing the standard container box is provided if the standard container box no longer has an empty position. Thus, full Standardgebindekisten be removed from the container crate delivery device.

In a preferred embodiment, after the removal, a step of supplying a further, preferably empty standard container of the same type is also provided. Thus, the transported away Normgebindekiste is replaced directly by the supplied Normgebindekiste.

In an advantageous embodiment, the step of displacing the supplied standard container comprises the simultaneous displacement of a plurality of standard containers. Thus, the efficiency of the process is increased.

The above embodiments and developments can, if appropriate, combine with each other as desired. Further possible refinements, developments and implementations of the invention also include combinations, not explicitly mentioned, of features of the invention described above or below with regard to the exemplary embodiments. In particular, the person skilled in the art will also add individual aspects as improvements or additions to the respective basic form of the present invention.

CONTENT OF THE DRAWING

Fig. 1

ein Flaschensammeltisch in einer perspektivischen Ansicht;

Fig. 2

eine Draufsicht auf eine schematisch dargestellte Umschlagstation gemäß einem ersten Ausführungsbeispiel;

Fig. 3

eine perspektivische Ansicht einer schematisch dargestellten Umschlagstation gemäß Fig. 2;

Fig. 4

die Umschlagstation gemäß Fig. 3 mit Sortiereinrichtung und Sammeltisch;

Fig. 5

eine Draufsicht auf eine schematisch dargestellte Umschlagstation gemäß einem weiteren Ausführungsbeispiel;

Fig. 6

eine Draufsicht auf eine schematisch dargestellte Umschlagstation mit Abtransportvorrichtung und Zuführeinrichtung;

Fig. 7

eine Draufsicht auf eine schematisch dargestellte Umschlagstation gemäß einem weiteren Ausführungsbeispiel;

Fig. 8

eine schematische Seitenansicht einer Kistenstapelvorrichtung;

Fig. 9

eine schematische Seitenansicht einer KistenEntstapelvorrichtung;

Fig. 10

ein Rücknahmeautomat für Mehrwegpfandflaschen;

Fig. 11

eine perspektivische Darstellung einer Umschlagstation mit aus zwei Tischen bestehenden Zuführeinrichtung, einem Greifersystem und einer Abtransportvorrichtung;

Fig. 12

eine Ansicht auf die Umschlagstation aus Fig. 11 von vorne gesehen.

The present invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the exemplary embodiments indicated in the schematic figures of the drawing. It shows:

Fig. 1

a bottle collection table in a perspective view;

Fig. 2

a plan view of a schematically illustrated transfer station according to a first embodiment;

Fig. 3

a perspective view of a schematically illustrated transfer station according to Fig. 2 ;

Fig. 4

the transhipment station according to Fig. 3 with sorter and collecting table;

Fig. 5

a plan view of a schematically illustrated transhipment station according to another embodiment;

Fig. 6

a plan view of a schematically illustrated transhipment station with removal device and feeding device;

Fig. 7

a plan view of a schematically illustrated transhipment station according to another embodiment;

Fig. 8

a schematic side view of a box stacking device;

Fig. 9

a schematic side view of a box destacking device;

Fig. 10

a reverse vending machine for returnable returnable bottles;

Fig. 11

a perspective view of a handling station with two feeders, a gripper system and a removal device;

Fig. 12

a view of the transhipment station Fig. 11 seen from the front.

The accompanying figures of the drawing are intended to convey a further understanding of the embodiments of the invention. They illustrate embodiments and, together with the description, serve to explain principles and concepts of the invention. Other embodiments and many of the stated advantages will become apparent with reference to the drawings. The elements of Drawings are not necessarily to scale.

In the figures of the drawing are the same, functionally identical and same-acting elements, features and components - unless otherwise stated - each provided with the same reference numerals.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows a bottle collection table, as it is known to the applicant. The bottle-collecting table 100 has a bottle-collecting surface 101 on which a slip / conveyor belt is provided, the conveying direction of which is indicated by the movement arrow drawn on the bottle-collecting surface 101. Furthermore, a supply device 102 is provided, which feeds the bottles collecting table shown schematically, different bottles A, B, C, D. The bottle collecting surface 101 is bounded by circulating bands 103 so that bottles A, B, C, D collected on the bottle collecting table 100 can not fall down. The bottles are unsorted or routed on the bottle collection table, transported by the slide / conveyor belt to the table 102 opposite the feeder 102 and dammed there by the belt 103. The bottle collection table 100 is provided for holding several hundred bottles A, B, C, D. At the latest when the bottle collection table 100 is full, it must be emptied manually, so that more bottles can be supplied.

FIG. 2 shows a plan view of a schematically illustrated transhipment station 1. This transhipment station 1 has a container crate delivery device 2, in which different types of Normgebindekisten A ', B', C ', D' (hereinafter referred to as "boxes") are kept. Furthermore, a recognition unit 3 is provided, which detects the return station 1 supplied returnable deposit bottles A, B, C, D (hereinafter referred to as "bottles") recognizes. Furthermore, a transport device 6 is provided, which transports the bottles A, B, C, D from the recognition unit 3 to the package crate delivery device 2.

Further, a displacement device 4 is provided, which is adapted to each of the recognized by the detection unit 3 bottles A, B, C, D automatically to a predetermined free position in a for the respective type of the bottle A; B; C; D specific standard container box A 'provided on the package crate providing apparatus 2; B '; C '; D 'to relocate. For this purpose, the displacement device 4 has an actuating unit 5 which can be moved in two axes x and y. By the method along the x- and / or y-axis, the actuator 5 makes an orientation of the container crate delivery device 2, each of the predetermined position for a recognized bottle A; B; C; D corresponds. If, for example, a low beer bottle B has been detected, the setting unit 5 is aligned such that an output 9 of the conveying device 6 is positioned just above the predetermined position of the beer box D 'provided for low beer bottle D.

The orientation of the actuator 5 may be before or preferably during the transport of the respective bottles A; B; C; D take place. All that matters is that the orientation at the time of dispensing the bottle A; B; C; D in the respective box A '; B '; C '; D 'is completed. If a bottle A; B; C; When the output reaches 9, it is directly from the top into the box A '; B '; C '; D 'supplied to the predetermined position. The feeding can be done by means of motor insertion, gravity-accelerated sliding or at least partially dropping in the bottle A; B; C; D take place, wherein the feed movement is preferably decelerated at the output 9 at the end of the feeding process to damage the bottle A; B; C; D or the box A '; B '; C '; D 'to avoid.

The transfer station 1 has a control device 20 for allocating a free position and for controlling the setting unit 5 and / or the transport device 6. This contains a memory 21 and is adapted to information about the type of a supplied bottle A; B; C; D read from the detection unit 3. In that Memory 21 puts the control device 20 current information on already occupied positions within the held in the container crate delivery device 2 Normgebindekisten A ', B', C ', D' from. After a bottle of A; B; C; D to a free position within a box A '; B '; C '; D 'was supplied, this information is always updated. Furthermore, the stored information is retrieved when needed. Depending on this information of a detected by the detection unit 3 bottle A; B; C; D in the box A 'intended for its type; B '; C '; D 'then this is a free position within the box A'; B '; C '; D 'assigned. The control device 20 then controls the setting unit 5 and / or the transport device 6 accordingly to the bottle A; B; C; D to relocate to the assigned position.

In the illustrated embodiment, the detection unit 3, the control device 20 and parts of the transport device 6 are housed in a common housing 10. Of course, this is just an example arrangement.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a schematically illustrated transhipment station 1 according to FIG. 2 , For the sake of clarity, the boxes B 'and C' are not shown therein but merely indicated with respect to the position of their base area. Furthermore, the housing 10 is shown closed.

From this representation, the position and the design of the transport device 6 with its output 9 are particularly recognizable. The transport device 6 has a flat area and a curved or angled area. At the end of the angled area is the output 9. In the planar area, the transport device 6 preferably has a feed device, not shown, for example, a conveyor belt, conveyor rollers or the like, which is adapted to a bottle A; B; C; D to convey to the curved or angled area. The curved or angled portion has a chute 17 in which the bottle A; B; C; D is gravitationally accelerated and its orientation from a horizontal to a vertical position, in which she puts into a box A '; B '; C '; D 'is adjustable, changes. In this situation, the bottle A; B; C; D is output from the output 9 to its assigned position. Preferably, the bottle is braked at the output 9. At the output 9 to this end brake lobes 18 are provided, which are adapted to the case or the sliding of the bottle A; B; C; D to prevent damage to the bottle and / or the box is avoided.

In FIG. 4 is the transfer station 1 according to FIG. 3 shown with a sorter 7 and a collection table 8. The sorting device 7 has an actuating part 19 by means of which a transported in the transport device 6 bottle A; B; C; D discharged from the transport device 6 and the collection table 8 can be supplied. The sorter 7 is activated whenever a bottle A; B; C; D, which is not intended for any of the boxes A ', B', C ', D' held in the package crate delivery device 2. In the illustrated embodiment, the control part is designed as a flap 19. In the non-activated state of the sorting device 7, the flap 19 is folded upwards, so that it does not engage in the transport device 6. In the illustrated activated state, the flap 19 is folded down so that it engages in the transport device 6 and transported in the transport device 6 bottle on the flap 19 and a guide connected thereto the collection table 8 is supplied. As a guide, for example, a chute, a conveyor belt, a roller conveyor or a different kind of feed device may be connected to the flap 19.

On the collecting table 8, the discharged bottles according to the in FIG. 1 illustrated manner of a bottle collection table collected. The collecting table 8 is located outside the action space of the setting unit 5. In the non-activated state, the sorting device 7 and the collection table 8 thus do not affect the functions of the envelope device 1 for bottle types, for which boxes A ', B', C ', D' in the Container box provision device 2 are kept.

FIG. 5 shows an alternative embodiment of a transfer station 1. The displacement device 4 is in the in relation to the previously described Figures 2-4 formed manner described. On the other hand, the illustrated embodiment differs in the manner of bottle feeding. The transport device 6 here has a buffer zone 15, which is designed as a collecting table. In this buffer zone, the different supplied bottles A, B, C, D can be buffered in unsorted manner. Furthermore, a separating device 16 is provided, which is designed as a tapered guard rail guide, and the bottles buffered in the buffer zone 15, A, B, C, D, are separated so that they can be conveyed individually by the transport device 6. The collecting table 15 is for this purpose equipped with a slide / conveyor belt which conveys the bottles A, B, C, D in the direction shown by the movement arrows to the guard rail guide 16 and jams it on the guard rail guide 16. At the end of the guardrail guide 16, this tapers to the width of a single bottle A; B; C; D, so that only a single bottle A; B; C; D in the adjacent to the collecting table 15 section of the transport device 6 can be introduced. In this section, in which the bottles A, B, C, D are transported individually, the detection unit 3 is provided in this embodiment. This represents, analogous to that in relation to the Figures 2-4 described manner, the respective type of a bottle A; B; C; D fixed, so that the displacement device 4 and the actuator 5 can be aligned accordingly.

FIG. 6 shows a transfer station 1 according to FIG. 2 with a feeder 31 and a removal device 30. The feeder 31 is in each case connected to a box magazine 32, in which a plurality of boxes A ', B', C ', D' is magazined. When a box A 'held in the package crate preparation apparatus 2; B '; C '; D 'complete with bottles A; B; C; D is filled, this is brought by the actuator 5 to its associated removal device 30. The removal device 30 has in each case transport means, for example a drive roller or the like on, by means of which the respective box A '; B '; C '; D 'is pulled down by the container crate delivery device 2 and transported away. Subsequently, the container crate delivery device 2 is moved by means of the adjusting unit 5 to a position in which a similar box to the position of the removed box A '; B '; C '; D 'can be supplied by the feeder 31.

In the illustrated embodiment, a total of four feeders 31 and four removal devices 30 are provided. The feeders 31 are in the illustration of FIG. 6 the left and right of the container crate delivery device 2 are arranged, while the removal devices 30 are respectively arranged in front of (in the drawing below) and behind (in the drawing above) of the container crate delivery device 2. The arrangement shown, however, is to be understood as purely exemplary.

In the illustrated arrangement, if, for example, a crate A 'intended for sparkling water bottles A is full, the crating crate delivery device 2 is initially aligned by means of the adjusting unit 5 to remove the full crate A' at the left rear corner of the action space of the setting unit 5. Thus, the box A 'is oriented so that it can be removed from the left of the housing 10 arranged removal device 30. Subsequently, the container crate delivery device 2 is moved a little forward, that is, in a middle left position, in which a box A 'can be fed from the crate magazine 32 to the position of the discharged crate A' by the rear left feeder 31 to replace. After feeding the box A 'is thus again a new, preferably an empty box A' positioned on the container crate delivery device 2, which can then be filled again with soda bottles A. Correspondingly, this procedure can also be carried out analogously with a box B 'for high beer bottles B in the left front corner of the action space or with a beer crate D' for low beer bottles D at the right rear corner of the action space of the setting unit 5. For the boxes C ', which for juice bottles C are provided, two boxes C 'at a time to be added or removed. This is done in the illustrated embodiment in the front right corner of the action space in an analogous manner. Overall, a fully automatic system for transporting away and supplying boxes A ', B', C ', D' to the container crate provision device 2 is thus realized.

In the FIG. 6 In addition, the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 can be supplemented with a box stacking device 60 and optionally or additionally with a box unstacking device 70. Such a box stacking device 60 is shown in a schematic side view in FIG FIG. 7 shown. FIG. 8 shows a schematic side view of a box destacking device 70th

A box stacking device 60 according to FIG. 7 is preferably provided on a removal device 30. Removed boxes 65 can thus be stacked automatically. For this purpose, the removed boxes 65 are transported to a stacking station 61. This stacking station 61 has a lifting device 62, by means of which one or more boxes 65 already located at the stacking station 61, which belong to a box stack 63, are lifted, so that the box 65 transported away can be transported under the stack of boxes 63. Then the box stack is lowered, so that it sits on the currently supplied box. Thus, the box stack 63 is increased by the additionally supplied box 65.

A gripping device 64 of the lifting device 62 is then automatically attached to the currently supplied, lowest box of the box stack 63. For example, this may have an unillustrated spring hinge, which is folded down when moving the gripping device in one direction and when reaching the bottom box by the spring force unfolds again. Upon arrival of a next transported box, the stacking process can be repeated and the box stack 63 can be increased by another box. Upon reaching a predetermined maximum stack height of, for example, four or five boxes, the box stack 63 then continues along the removal device 30 transported away. In this stacked state, the box stacks 63 can then be loaded directly, for example on pallets.

In the FIG. 8 The box de-stacking apparatus 70 shown uses this with respect to FIG FIG. 7 described principle of the stacking process in the reverse manner to unstacking. In the box magazine 32, the boxes are stacked in boxes stacks 73 stacked. When a single box is to be fed by means of the feeder 31, the foremost box stack 73 located at a destacking station is grasped and lifted from below by means of a gripping device 74 and a lifting device 72 on the second box. The lowest box is then free and can be fed individually by means of the feeder 31. Subsequently, the remaining box stack 73 is again placed on the feeder 31 and the gripping device is converted into the now second box from below. When all the crates of the box stack 73 are fed, a further stacked box stack 73 is fed to the unstacking station 71.

FIG. 9 shows an alternative embodiment of a transfer station 1. This has analogous to the embodiments described above, a recognition unit 3 and a control device 20. In contrast to the embodiments described above, the sorter 7 is here in addition to the discharge of bottles F, for which no boxes are provided in the container crate delivery device 2, also designed to be the supplied bottles A, B, C, D, for which Cases A ', B', C ', D' in the container crate delivery device 2 are reserved to presort. Thus, in addition to the collection table 8 also spouts 11, 12, 13 and 14 are provided, in which the bottles A, B, C, D are sorted discharged. In these outlets 11, 12, 13 and 14, the bottles A, B, C, D are then sorted sorted.

Furthermore, the displacement device 4 according to this embodiment has an alternative setting unit 5, on which a gripper system 41 is provided. That is, unlike the previously described embodiments of FIGS. 2 to 6 In this embodiment, the boxes A ', B', C ', D' and the container crate delivery device 2 remain stationary during the transferring operation of the bottles A, B, C, D. Instead, the bottles A, B, C, D are detected by the gripper system 41 and conveyed to their assigned predetermined position of the associated boxes A ', B', C ', D'.

The gripper system 41 has a total of four grippers 42, which are arranged and aligned in the example shown so that they can detect four bottles A, B, C, D from one of the spouts 11, 12, 13, 14 at the same time. Thus, the gripper system 41 is aligned parallel to the outlets 11, 12, 13, 14. The adjusting device 5, to which the gripper system 41 is attached, can be moved in three dimensions. Thus, it is adapted to the seized within one of the spouts bottles A; B; C; D and along a height dimension, which in Fig. 9 drawn with a z-axis, to lift out of the spout. By moving along the x and y axes, the gripper system 41 is then moved to a position which in the z direction coincides with that for the detected bottles A; B; C; D predetermined positions within one of the boxes A 'stored in the package crate providing device 2; B '; C '; D 'are aligned. Then, the gripper system 41 is lowered in the z-direction. When the predetermined position or the next position due to lack of accessibility of the predetermined position is reached, the bottles A; B; C; D released from the gripper system 41 and thus supplied to their predetermined positions.

In the illustrated embodiment, the boxes A ', B', C ', D' are each sorted on a conveyor belt, which simultaneously forms the feeder 31 and the removal device 30. Furthermore, the conveyor belt also simultaneously forms the crate magazine 32. Optionally, the crates can also be stored in crate stacks 73, wherein a destacking device 70 according to FIG. 8 is interposed. Likewise, in the region of the removal device 30, a box stacking device 60 according to FIG. 7 be provided. The conveyor belts are parallel, so that the orientation of the gripper system 41 for the individual boxes A '; B '; C '; D 'does not need to be changed. The boxes A ', B', C ', D' are according to their number of bottles A; B; C; D, which in the longitudinal or transverse direction in the respective boxes A '; B '; C '; D 'fit, differently oriented. The boxes B 'and D' for high and low beer bottles B, D are lined up along in the conveyor belt. Both beer crates B ', D' can accommodate four beer bottles B, D in the transverse direction.

Thus, the gripper system 41 equipped with four grippers 42 can completely fill the beer crates B ', D' in each case in a transverse row. The water headers A ', however, are lined up along the conveying direction in the conveyor belt. The water basins A 'can accommodate only three but longitudinally four bottles in a row in the transverse direction. Accordingly, the gripper system 41 equipped with four grippers 42 can set four water bottles A at a time in the longitudinal direction of the water crates A 'at the same time. The juice boxes C 'have only three bottles in the longitudinal direction and only two bottles in the transverse direction. Therefore, two juice boxes C 'are juxtaposed in the longitudinal direction, so that the gripper system 41 at the same time four juice bottles C in two juxtaposed juice boxes C' can perform in the transverse direction.

Coming back to the sorting device 7, this has at the entrance of the collecting table 8 and at the entrance of the outlets 11, 12 and 13 each have a flap 19. In the closed state of the flaps 19 is transported on the transport device 6 bottle A; B; C; D transported past the flaps 19 past. In the opened state, a bottle A; B; C; D discharged through a flap 19 and the collection table 8 or one of the outlets 11, 12 or 13 supplied. The last spout 14 does not require a flap, since all bottle types not belonging to this spout 14 are already sorted out in advance.

The flaps 19 are preferably also controlled by the control device 20. For example, the bottle types A in the spout 11, the bottle types B in the spout 12, the bottle types C in the spout 13 and the bottle types D in the spout 14. Accordingly, when detecting a bottle D by the detection unit 3, none of the flaps 19 opens, while recognizing the bottle type C, the flap 19 at the outlet 13, upon detection of the bottle type B, the flap 19 of the spout 12 and upon detection of the bottle type A the Flap 19 opens at the outlet 11. If another type of bottle, for example a bottle F, for which no Normgebindekiste is held in the container crate delivery device 2, is detected, the respective bottle F is discharged by means of the provided on the collection table 8 flap 19 in this.

FIG. 10 shows a reverse vending machine 50 for returnable returnable bottles. This has input device 51 for inputting individual bottles. Further, a bottle scanning unit 3 'is provided which scans the inputted individual bottles and recognizes their type, so that a deposit value can be assigned to an inputted bottle. Furthermore, a transport device 6 'is provided, which removes the input single bottles from the bottle scanning unit 3'. If the type of bottle is not recognized, acceptance is denied and the bottle is returned by reversing the transport device 6 '.

In the illustrated embodiment, the reverse vending machine has a handling station 1, not shown here, according to one of FIGS. 2-4, 6 or 9. The handling station 1 is preferably arranged at the back behind the reverse vending machine 50. The bottle scanning unit 3 'simultaneously forms the recognition unit 3 of the handling station 1. Furthermore, the transport device 6 'is preferably designed as part of the transport device 6 of the transfer station 1. The housing 10 of the reverse vending machine 50 here corresponds to the housing 10, in which according to FIG. 2 and 9 the detection unit 3 and the control device 20 are provided. However, this is only an example. The housing of the reverse vending machine can instead also be an independent housing. Alternatively, the reverse vending machine 50 may also be provided embedded in a wall, so that it only on the back of the wall, on which then the transfer station is arranged, a housing.

Furthermore, the reverse vending machine also has an adjusting device 52 for feeding standard container crates. These can also be scanned according to the invention with a recognition unit 3 "with respect to their deposit value and transported away by means of an additional transport device 6". Boxes entered here can for example be fed directly to the removal device 30 of the handling station.

Furthermore, the reverse vending machine 50 also has a deposit request button 53 and a deposit voucher dispensing slot 54, wherein via the deposit request button 53 can be output via the slot 54 placard be issued. Of course, the deposit request button 53 and the exit slot 54 are merely exemplary embodiments of a man-machine interface. Instead, another human-machine interface, for example a touch-screen operation or a purely electronic deposit processing system or the like, may also be provided.

Although the present invention has been fully described above with reference to preferred embodiments, it is not limited thereto but is modifiable in a variety of ways.

For example, the reverse vending machine may also be suitable for disposable deposit bottles. These are not the transhipment station, but fed to an upstream or parallel compression and / or crushing station. Under a reverse vending machine for returnable bottles is thus also a reverse vending machine to understand, which is suitable for reusable and disposable bottles.

Furthermore, the entire transfer station can be accommodated in a separate room or in a housing, wherein the input device and / or the setting device and / or the deposit request button and / or the dispensing slot are preferably integrated in a wall of the room or of the housing.

The feed devices 31 and removal devices 30 can also be arranged in another suitable manner, which is to supply and remove the boxes A '; B '; C '; D 'allowed, arranged. For example, it would also be conceivable that in the embodiment according to FIG. 6, the removal devices 30, like the feed devices 31, are likewise arranged laterally. Furthermore, it would be conceivable to arrange the feed devices 31 and the removal devices 30 in a space-saving manner, at least partially, one above the other. In this case, the adjusting device 5 would preferably in three axes, that is in addition to the x and y direction in the z direction, movable to move to the upper and lower feeders 31 and removal devices 30.

Fig. 11 and Fig. 12 show a perspective view of a transfer station or a view of the transfer station seen from the front. The transhipment station 1 here has a feed device consisting of two tables 110, a plurality of bottle stands 111, a gripper system 112 and a removal device 113.

A table 110 is each equipped with a plurality of outlets 114, which serves the up and juxtaposition of sorted and pushed into this standard bottles 115. The outlets 114 serve the purpose of predetermining a line on the tables 110 into which the different standard bottles 115 are presorted along a line. Typically, only one type of standard bottles 115 are provided per outlet 114.

On the side of in the Fig. 11 and 12 not shown bottle feed a total of 4 bottle stands are provided. These bottle stands 111 serve the purpose of supplying supplied standard bottles 115, which are supplied for example laterally to the tables 110 in the lying state. Subsequently, the thus prepared standard bottles 115 are suitably (in the Fig. 11 and 12 not shown) in the various outlets 114 sorted. Typically, after sorting per run 114 only one type of standard bottles 115 is provided. The sorted standard bottles 115 are then moved towards the table end 104, for example by gravity or by a drive device such as a slider or a conveyor belt.

The gripper system 112 comprises a frame 117 in the x- / y-direction along and transversely to the two tables 110 movable gripper 118. The gripper 118 is designed here as a gantry crane 118. A gantry crane 115 is a stationary but mobile crane. The gantry crane 118 spans its working area, such as in the example shown a respective outlet 113, such as a portal. He usually runs on rails of the frame 117, on which he rests with his supports. The gantry crane 118 can move the load in all three directions. This gantry crane 118 is designed to act as a gripper and to receive at least one, preferably also a plurality of side by side in a respective outlet 113 located standard bottles 115 and to place in a corresponding standard container box 119. For this, the gantry crane 118 in the z-direction, so vertically movable to settle the recorded standard bottles 115 in the standard container box 119.

Is a standard container box 119 full, what about in the (in the Fig. 11 and 12 not shown sensor is recognizable, it can be removed via the conveyor belt 113 formed as removal device 113. About this conveyor belt the transfer station 1 and empty standard container boxes 119 are supplied. The feeding or removal of the empty or full standard container crates 119 can take place via a drive device, such as a slide or a conveyor belt. Alternatively, it would also be a non-powered, eg gravitational feeding the empty standard container crates 119 to a transfer position 120, in which the gantry crane 118 deposits the recorded standard bottles 115 in the standard container box 119. Once a standard container box 119 is completely filled with bottles, by releasing a buffer or stop the standard container box 119 can be transported by gravity or by a drive device along the removal device 113.

Although the present invention has been fully described above with reference to preferred embodiments, it is not limited thereto, but is modified in many ways.

Further embodiments

1. 1. transfer station (1) for unsorted supplied standard containers (A, B, C, D) of different types, in particular for different unsorted added returnable returnable bottles (A, B, C, D),
   with a container crate provision device (2) which is designed to hold different types of standard crates (A ', B', C ', D') intended for the different standard containers (A, B, C, D),
   with a recognition unit (3), which is designed to recognize the type of a supplied standard container (A, B, C, D),
   with a displacement device (4) which is designed to automate at least one standard container (A; B; C; D) recognized by the detection unit to a predetermined free position within a particular type of standard container (A; B; C; D ) to relocate to the container crate delivery device (2) provided Normgebindiste (A ';B'; C ';D').
2. 2. transhipment station according to embodiment 1,
   characterized
   in that the displacement device (4) has an actuating unit (5) which can be moved at least in two axes (X, Y) and / or in a rotational manner.
3. 3. transhipment station according to embodiment 1 or 2,
   characterized
   a transport device (6) is provided, which is designed to convey the different standard containers (A, B, C, D).
4. 4. Transhipment station according to one of the preceding embodiments,
   characterized
   a sorting device (7) is provided, which is designed to have such standard containers (F) for which there are no standard containers in the container crate provision device (2) are held to recognize and ausschlleusen from the transport device (6).
5. 5. transhipment station according to embodiment 4,
   characterized
   in that a collection table (8) is provided on which the discharged standard containers (F) for which no standard container crates are held in the container crate provision device (2) can be collected.
6. 6. Transhipment station according to one of the preceding embodiments,
   characterized
   in that the setting unit (5) is designed to carry out an orientation of the container crate provision device (2) that corresponds to the predetermined position, and the at least one standard container (A; B; C; D) after being aligned by the transport device (6) to the predetermined position Position is displaced.
7. 7. transhipment station according to embodiment 6,
   characterized
   in that the transport device (6) contains a slide system (17) which is designed such that a standard container (A; B; C; D) slides at least in sections, gravitationally accelerated from a higher level to the predetermined position during displacement to the predetermined position.
8. 8. Transhipment station according to one of the preceding embodiments,
   characterized
   in that the standard containers (A; B; C; D) can be conveyed by the transport device to the setting unit (5) and the setting unit (5) is designed to deliver at least one standard container (A; B; C; D) to the predetermined position relocate.
9. 9. transhipment station according to embodiment 8,
   characterized
   in that the sorting device (7) is further adapted to the types of standard containers (A, B, C, D) for which standard container boxes (A ', B', C ', D') in the container crate delivery device (2) are kept sorted out into individual outlets (11, 12, 13, 14).
10. 10. transfer station according to embodiment 9,
    characterized
    in that the adjusting device (5) is designed to remove a plurality of standard containers (A; B; C; D) of one type, in particular simultaneously, from at least one of the outlets (11, 12, 13, 14) and to a corresponding plurality predetermined positions within at least one for the particular type of standard container (A; B; C; D) determined standard container box (A ';B'; C ';D') to relocate.
11. 11. transhipment station according to embodiment 10,
    characterized
    in that the plurality of standard containers (A; B; C; D) correspond to the number or an integral multiple of the number of standard containers (A; B; C; D) which fit next to each other in the longitudinal or transverse direction of the standard container crates into the standard container crates.
12. 12. transfer station according to embodiment 10 or 11,
    characterized
    the plurality of standard containers (A; B; C; D) correspond to four standard containers (A; B; C; D).
13. 13. Transhipment station according to one of the embodiments 10 to 12,
    characterized
    in that the adjusting device has a gripper system (41) which is designed to grasp the plurality of standard containers, in particular at the same time, for removal from one of the outlets (11, 12, 13, 14) and for setting into at least one standard container box, in particular simultaneously to release again.
14. 14. Transhipment station according to one of the preceding embodiments,
    characterized the transport device (6) has a buffer zone (15) in which supplied standard containers (A; B; C; D) can initially be collected in unsorted form.
15. 15. Transhipment station according to embodiment 14,
    characterized
    in that the transport device (6) has a separating device (16) by means of which the standard containers (A; B; C; D) collected in the buffer zone (15) can subsequently be separated and forwarded one at a time.
16. 16. Transhipment station according to embodiment 14 or 15,
    characterized
    in that the buffer zone (15) is designed as a collecting table (15), in particular as a collection table equipped with a slide / conveyor belt.
17. 17. Transhipment station according to embodiment 16,
    characterized
    in that the separating device (16) is designed as a guard rail guide (16) tapering to the width of a standard container (A; B; C; D) on the collecting table.
18. 18. Transfer station according to one of the embodiments 14 to 17,
    characterized
    the detection unit (3) of the buffer zone (15) and / or the separating device (16) is provided downstream of the transport device (6) in the transport direction.
19. 19. transhipment station according to one of the preceding embodiments,
    characterized
    in that a control device (20) is provided which has a memory (21) and which is designed to:
    • To read information about the type of standard container (A; B; C; D) from the recognition unit (3);
    • store, update and, if necessary, retrieve up-to-date information on positions already occupied within the standard packaging crates (A ';B'; C ';D') held in the crate-providing device (2) in the memory (21);
    • a standard container (A; B; C; D) recognized by the recognition unit (3) as a function of the information relating to its type and to the already occupied positions in the standard container box (A ';B'; C ';D') determined for this type ) assign a free position within this standard container box; and
    • to control the setting unit (5) and / or the transport device (6) according to the displacement of the standard container (A; B; C; D) to its assigned position.
20. 20. Transhipment station according to one of the preceding embodiments,
    characterized
    in that the container crate provision device (2) has at least one removal device (30) which is designed, in particular as a function of the information stored in the store (21), standard container crates ((B; C; D) filled completely with standard containers (A; A ';B'; C ';D') to be transported away automatically.
21. 21. Transhipment station according to embodiment 20,
    characterized
    in that a box-stacking device is provided which is designed to stack standard container boxes (A ', B', C ', D') transported away from the package crate delivery device (2).
22. 22. Transfer station according to one of the preceding embodiments,
    characterized
    in that the container crate provision device (2) has at least one feed device (31) and a crate magazine (32) which are designed to automatically transport respectively discharged standard crates (A ';B'; C ';D') with standard crates (A '; B ', C', D ') from the box magazine (32).
23. 23. transhipment station according to embodiment 22,
    characterized
    in that the box magazine (32) is designed to store crate stacks and has a box destacking device which is designed to be stacked in the crate magazine (32), in particular empty standard crates (A ';B'; C ';D'). to separate.
24. 24. Automatic reverse vending machine (50) for returnable returnable bottles (A; B; C; D)
    with an input device (51) for individually introducing returnable returnable bottles,
    with a transport device (6 '),
    with a bottle scanning unit (3 ')
    with a transfer station (1) according to one of the preceding claims.
25. 25. automatic return device according to embodiment 24,
    characterized
    in that the recognition unit (3) simultaneously forms the bottle scanning unit (3 ').
26. 26. A method for automatic handling of unsorted delivered standard containers (A, B, C, D) of different types, in particular by means of a transfer station (1) according to one of claims 1 to 23 and / or by means of a reverse vending machine (50) according to embodiment 24 or 25 , with the following steps:
    • Determining the type of at least one supplied standard container (A; B; C; D);
    • Determining the free positions of a standard container box (A ';B'; C ';D') assigned to the identified type of standard container (A; B; C; D);
    • Assigning at least one of the free positions within a standard container box (A ';B'; C ';D') determined for the identified type of standard container (A; B; C; D);
    • Displacing the supplied standard container (A; B; C; D) to its assigned position in the standard container box (A ';B'; C ';D').
27. 27. Method according to embodiment 26,
    characterized
    in that a memory (21) stores information about positions already occupied within the standard packaging crates (A ';B'; C ';D') held in the crating crate provision device (2), which after moving a standard container (A; B C; D) is updated to its assigned position in the standard container box (A ';B'; C ';D') in the memory (21).
28. 28. Method according to one of the embodiments 26 or 27,
    characterized
    a step of removing the standard container box (A ';B'; C ';D') is provided after the updating if the standard container box (A ';B'; C ';D') no longer has an empty position.
29. 29. Method according to embodiment 28,
    characterized
    after removal, a step of supplying a further, preferably empty, standard container box (A ';B'; C ';D') of the same type is provided.
30. 30. Method according to one of the embodiments 26 to 29,
    characterized
    in that the step of displacing the supplied standard container (A; B; C; D) comprises the simultaneous displacement of a plurality of standard containers (A; B; C; D).

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Transfer station

2

Container boxes providing device

3

recognizer

3 '

Bottles scanning unit

3 '

recognizer

4

displacing device

5

actuator

6, 6 ', 6 "

transport device

7

sorter

8th

collecting table

9

output

10

casing

11

outlet

12

outlet

13

outlet

14

outlet

15

Buffer zone, collection table

16

Separating device, tapered guardrail guide

17

slide

18

brake flaps

19

flap

20

control device

21

Storage

30

removal device

31

feeding

32

box Magazine

41

gripper system

42

grab

50

reverse vending machine

51

input device

52

adjustment

53

Pfandanforderknopf

54

output slot

60

Box stacker

61

stacking station

62

hoist

63

stacks of crates

64

gripping device

65

Crate, Normgebindekiste

70

Crate-stacking

71

unstacking

72

hoist

73

Empty crate stack

74

gripping device

100

Bottle collection table

101

Bottles quilt

102

feeder

103

bands

104

table end

110

Tables, feeder

111

Unscrambler

112

gripper system

113

removal device

114

outlets

115

Standard bottles

116

over position

117

frame

118

Gripper unit, gantry crane

119

Standard container crate

X, Y, Z

axes

A ', B', C ', D'

Standard container boxes

A, B, C, D

Standard container, bottles

Claims (13)

Transfer station (1) for unsorted individually supplied standard containers (A, B, C, D) of different types, in particular for different unsorted individually supplied returnable returnable bottles (A, B, C, D),
with a container crate provision device (2) which is designed to hold different types of standard crates (A ', B', C ', D') intended for the different standard containers (A, B, C, D),
with a recognition unit (3), which is designed to recognize the type of a single supplied standard container (A, B, C, D),
with a displacement device (4) which is designed to automate at least one standard container (A; B; C; D) recognized by the detection unit to a predetermined free position within a particular type of standard container (A; B; C; D ) to relocate to the container crate delivery device (2) provided Normgebindiste (A ';B'; C ';D'). Transfer station according to claim 1,
characterized,
in that the displacement device (4) has an actuating unit (5) which can be moved at least in two axes (X, Y) and / or rotationally and / or that a transport device (6) is provided which is designed to hold the different standard containers (A, B, C, D). Transfer station according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized,
in that a sorting device (7) is provided, which is designed to recognize such standard containers (F) for which standard containers are not kept in the container crate provision device (2) and to remove them from the transport device (6). auszuschleusen, in particular on a designated collecting table. Transfer station according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized,
in that the setting unit (5) is designed to carry out an orientation of the container crate provision device (2) that corresponds to the predetermined position, and the at least one standard container (A; B; C; D) after being aligned by the transport device (6) to the predetermined position Position is displaced. Transfer station according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized,
in that the standard containers (A; B; C; D) can be conveyed by the transport device to the setting unit (5) and the setting unit (5) is designed to deliver at least one standard container (A; B; C; D) to the predetermined position relocate. Transfer station according to claim 5,
characterized,
in that the sorting device (7) is further configured to hold the types of standard containers (A, B, C, D) for which standard container crates (A ', B', C ', D') in the crate crate delivery device (2) sorted into individual outlets (11, 12, 13, 14) and / or
in that the adjusting device (5) is designed to remove a plurality of standard containers (A; B; C; D) of one type, in particular simultaneously, from at least one of the outlets (11, 12, 13, 14) and to a corresponding plurality predetermined positions within at least one standard container box (A ';B'; C ';D') intended for the respective type of standard container (A; B; C; D), the plurality of standard containers (A; B; C; D) corresponds in particular to the number or an integral multiple of the number of standard containers (A; B; C; D) which fit next to one another in the longitudinal or transverse direction of the standard container crates into the standard container crates. Transfer station according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized,
that the transport device (6) comprises a buffer zone (15) in which supplied standard container (A; B; C; D) are initially unsorted collectable, wherein
the transport device (6) has a separating device (16) by means of which the standard containers (A; B; C; D) collected in the buffer zone (15) can subsequently be separated and forwarded one at a time. Transfer station according to claim 7,
characterized,
that the buffer zone (15) is provided as a collecting table (15), in particular as equipped with a slip / conveyor belt collecting table, formed and / or
in that the separating device (16) is designed as a guard rail guide (16) tapering to the width of a standard container (A; B; C; D) on the collecting table. Transfer station according to one of claims 7 or 8,
characterized,
is that the recognition unit (3) of the buffer zone (15) and / or the separating device (16) in the transport direction downstream of the transport device (6). Transfer station according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized,
in that a control device (20) is provided which has a memory (21) and which is designed to: To read information about the type of standard container (A; B; C; D) from the recognition unit (3); - store, update and retrieve current information on already occupied positions within the standard container crates (A ';B'; C ';D') held in the crate crate provision device (2) in the memory (21); a standard container (A; B; C; D) recognized by the recognition unit (3) as a function of the information on its type and the positions already occupied in the standard container box (A ';B'; C '; D) determined for this type ') assign a free position within this standard container box; and - to control the setting unit (5) and / or the transport device (6) according to the displacement of the standard container (A; B; C; D) to its assigned position. Transfer station according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized,
in that the container crate provision device (2) has at least one removal device (30) which is designed, in particular as a function of the information stored in the store (21), standard container crates ((B; C; D) filled completely with standard containers (A; A ';B'; C ';D') to be transported away automatically. Automatic reverse vending machine (50) for returnable returnable bottles (A; B; C; D)
with an input device (51) for individually introducing returnable returnable bottles,
with a transport device (6 '),
with a bottle scanning unit (3 ')
with a transfer station (1) according to one of the preceding claims. Automatic reverse vending machine according to claim 12,
characterized,
in that the recognition unit (3) simultaneously forms the bottle scanning unit (3 ').

Images