WO2015075145A1

WO2015075145A1 - Feed device for the automatic shifting of objects by means of a guide element, construction set, and method for mounting a feed device

Info

Publication number: WO2015075145A1
Application number: PCT/EP2014/075197
Authority: WO
Inventors: Georg Hachmann
Original assignee: Inventory Systems Gmbh
Priority date: 2013-11-21
Filing date: 2014-11-20
Publication date: 2015-05-28
Also published as: AU2014351841A1; AU2014351841B2; DE212014000219U1; US20160286983A1

Abstract

The invention relates in particular to a feed device for automatically shifting objects, in particular goods or packages of goods, wherein the automatic shifting of objects is done with the support of gravity force, and/or the feed device (V2) comprises a driven feed unit (2) for this purpose in order to shift a plurality of objects arranged successively along a guide track in the direction of an extraction area (E), from which an object can be removed as intended. According to a first aspect of the invention, at least one guide element (6a, 6b, 6', 6*) produced separately and already mounted to the functional feed device (V2) is provided, which has a longitudinally extended sliding surface (600, 600', 601*, 602*, 603*) extending substantially parallel to the guide track, which defines at least part of the placement surface, and along which the objects to be moved by the feed unit (2) can be shifted.

Description

Feed device for the automatic displacement of objects with guide element and kit and method for mounting a

feeder

description

The present invention relates to a feed device according to the preamble of claim 1 and a kit and a method for assembling a feed device.

Feed devices for the automated moving of objects, in particular goods or packaged goods, on a footprint or on a shelf hook z. B. a shelf use especially in retail use. For reasons of clarity, products offered for sale are usually ranked one after the other. In order to prevent that a gap is permanently created by a purchased or removed product, the goods or packaged goods move automatically forward due to an inclined position of the footprint and / or feed units in the form of product feeds are used. These feed units are usually arranged behind the last product of the series and provided with a drive, which has, for example, a tensioned and wound strip spring, so that after the removal of a product, the resulting gap is closed by feeding the subsequent products.

In particular, when using such feed devices with driven feed units in retail is a special attention in addition to the attractive presentation of the individual products on a backup of the respective products against theft. It is known on the one hand to electronically monitor the removal of goods and based on an atypical sampling frequency - if z .B. a variety of items is taken within a very short time - to conclude a possible theft attempt.

Previously commercially available feed devices are regularly suitable only for light goods, such as cigarettes or razor blades, which are pushed via a feed unit to a front edge of the respective shelf. Such facilities are becoming increasingly popular, as this can give the impression of fully stocked shelves without employees having to manually prefer the goods. Furthermore, shelves with such feed devices can be arranged more closely one above the other, since above the respective goods no gripping area for advancing the goods has to be provided.

In practice, however, previously known feed devices fail when the items to be moved are heavier and / or larger and in particular have a circular cylindrical shape, as is the case with (beverage) bottles, for example. Thus, for example, it is observed here that during a displacement, in particular by a feed unit, the goods are displaced laterally and pressed against a lateral divider, so that this shifts. As an alternative, although it is known to provide inclined rolling rails, by means of which the respective goods are conveyed by gravity to the front edge of a shelf. However, these slanted rolling rails require an increased space requirement. In addition, such systems with rolling bars are relatively complex and expensive.

In US Pat. No. 7,497,342 B2 or US Pat. No. 7,628,282 B2, a feed device is combined with rolling strips. About the feed device is to be achieved that even with larger and heavier goods without inclination of the rolling rails bearing shelf and a removal of the foremost goods in a row readily behind it goods are nachgefördert and a resulting removal gap is automatically closed. The focus here is on the use of rolling rails but is regularly associated with relatively high costs and unwanted noise in the Nachförderung of goods.

On this basis, the object of the present invention is to improve a feed device for a gravity-assisted displacement of objects and / or with a driven feed unit in a simple and cost-effective manner, so that a shift of heavier and / or larger as well as bulkier objects can hereby be effected reliably can. This object is achieved both with the feed device of claims 1 and 4 and with the kit of claim 16 and the mounting method of claim 22.

The starting point here is in each case a feed device for the automatic displacement of objects, in particular goods or product packaging, wherein the automatic displacement of objects in the feed device is gravity assisted and / or the feed device comprises a driven feed unit, usually in the form of a goods slide, to several To move a footprint of the feed device successively arranged objects along a guideway in the direction of a removal area at which an object can be removed as intended. A removal area here is usually formed on a front edge of a shelf, so that a foremost object can be easily removed by a potential buyer.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided at least one guide element mounted separately and mounted on the already functioning feed device, which has a longitudinally extending sliding surface running essentially parallel to the guide path, which defines at least part of the support surface and along which the objects to be displaced are displaced by the feed unit. Consequently, a preassembled guide element is provided which can only optionally be combined with the feed device in order to be able to widen the feed device by the at least one guide element and, if necessary, be able to adapt the footprint for a specific use in a simple manner.

By virtue of the fact that the guide element provided in its use is designed and intended to define via its sliding surface at least a part of the footprint on which the objects to be moved are arranged and along which they are displaced, the material of the guide element can be used to release the adhesive effect during operation. and sliding friction can be varied slightly depending on the application. Thus, the functioning feed device with the driven feed unit, for example without the use of a guide element, can apply a sufficient adjusting force for a specific first type of objects to be moved, each individually a certain maximum weight and / or one Do not exceed maximum size. By using a guide element with a particularly smooth surface, the same feed device can be developed according to the invention, so that the displacement of a second type of objects is possible, each having a higher weight and / or larger. In contrast, the adjusting force applied by the feed unit does not have to be adapted and, in particular, not increased. The feed device and the at least one guide element are thus preferably designed so that the feed device is fully functional even without the guide element, but can be equipped if necessary with the guide element. It can also be provided that several different guide elements are selected as needed and can be mounted on the feed device.

A sliding surface is preferably formed on the guide element by a smooth surface. This means that the sliding surface is designed such that a coefficient of friction for the objects arranged on the sliding surface is less than 0.5, preferably less than 0.4. In one embodiment variant, a friction coefficient of less than 0.25 can be achieved with the sliding surface of the guide element.

It is of course dependent on the intended use of the feed device and in particular the packaging or outer material of the objects to be moved, which coefficient of friction can be achieved with the guide element. For example, the material for the sliding surface of the guide member is selected so that the above-mentioned ranges for a coefficient of friction to be moved (metallic) cans, bottles made of glass or bottles made of plastic (especially PET) can be achieved. In one embodiment, for example, good sliding friction properties have been achieved with a sliding surface of polyacetal (also referred to as polyoxymethylene, POM for short), and this in particular with a feed device for glass and plastic bottles. In a development, the guide element has at least two sliding surfaces as part of a common footprint, which are separated from each other by at least one recess, for example in the form of a longitudinal groove. Alternatively or additionally, two guide surfaces can be provided on a guide element that are spatially separated from each other by a recess, each of which forms part of two different shelves. Such a guide element thus forms, for example, on two sides of a lateral wall, on the two shelves with each of a feed device are separated from each other, each having a sliding surface, along which objects are slidable under low friction.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, which is readily combinable with the first-mentioned aspect, at least one guide element is provided in a feed device along which the objects to be displaced are displaceable and which at least one elongate sliding surface extending substantially parallel to the guide path which defines at least a portion of the footprint. In this case, the at least one sliding surface is convexly curved and / or is formed so that an object arranged thereon according to this object can abut on at least one section of the sliding surface only in a punctiform or linear manner.

By displacing the objects to be displaced along a convexly curved sliding surface, the contact surface on the guide element for the objects to be displaced is minimized. The static friction and sliding friction is thus reduced by a correspondingly formed guide element and a feed device with a feed device can also be used for the displacement of larger and heavier objects, without the need for a larger adjustment force would have to be applied.

The same applies in principle to a sliding surface, which allows only a linear or punctiform contact with the object to be moved. Here, at least a part of the sliding surface may be defined by at least one serrated projection or at least one protruding edge of the guide element. In one exemplary embodiment, the guide element forms on its upper side facing the objects to be displaced several rows of serrations arranged one behind the other and one behind the other, which define with their tips a sliding surface on which the objects to be displaced are placed. The tips of these prongs can in this case also be executed in particular rounded due to the production.

The prongs of a guide element are preferably spaced apart and arranged such that an article can not dip into a gap between the prongs and cant over it. For example, individual adjacent prongs can be arranged correspondingly offset from one another for this purpose. Projections for forming a sliding surface with a substantially only punctiform or linear contact with an object arranged thereon can also be triangular or trapezoidal in cross section. A line-shaped contact is present in particular when the width of the sliding surface provided by the projection is less than or equal to 1/10, 1/15 or 1/20 of the width of one (underside of the objects intended to be positioned thereon.

A convexly curved sliding surface can be formed, for example, by a circular-cylindrical section of a guide element.

In preferred embodiments, the guide element is elongate, for example rod-shaped, in particular designed as a sliding and / or round rod. In this way, the guide element can preferably extend along almost the entire adjustment path which the feed unit would cover when all objects are removed from a maximally equipped feed device. In this way, the adhesive and sliding friction acting along the guideway can be easily adapted to the respective application by the guide element and, if necessary, altered by removal and / or replacement of the guide element. In one embodiment, a guide element is formed on a lateral wall of the feed device. In this way, a goods separator or a divider can integrate the guide element which, for example, is retrofitted to the already functioning feed device. Alternatively, the guide element may have a holder for supporting a lateral wall of the feed device. Such a guide element thus forms not only a part of the footprint with good or - compared to previously conventional feed devices - improved sliding properties, but also integrates an additional function by a side wall, for example, as a goods separator or compartment divider, is held. In one exemplary embodiment, a holder of the guide element has a holding groove and at least one support section adjacent thereto. In the retaining groove, the lateral wall is held and supported transversely to its longitudinal extension via the adjacent thereto supporting portion, so that the support portion in particular counteracts a deflection of the wall. The guide element can be produced in particular in the aforementioned embodiment variant, but also in other variants in the form of a profile rail and / or by extrusion. In order to simplify the assembly of the guide element and, if appropriate, its replacement, the guide element can be plugged into the feed device and / or mounted without tools. In this context, the guide element can, for example, be plugged without tools into the already functioning feed device in order to adapt the geometry of the footprint to the desired application and / or to adapt the roughness of the footprint along which the objects must be moved. For example, at least one separate holding element is provided, to which the guide element is inserted and via which the guide element is held on a component of the feed device. Alternatively or additionally, the guide element itself can form at least one holding element, via which the guide element is held on a component of the feed device. For a connection of the guide element to a component of the feed device, it is understood that a holding element formed thereon can be combined with a separate and, for example, attached holding element. For example, a holding element formed on the guide element can be formed on a lower side of the guide element as a plug-in pin, via which the guide element can be positively connected to a component of the feed device, eg with a lateral wall, a support member for a lateral wall or a housing of the feed device, on which the feed unit is mounted displaceably.

In this case, a support component is understood as meaning a component which supports a lateral wall transversely to its longitudinal extension and thus regularly transversely to the guide track for the objects to be displaced. The support member thus counteracts a deflection of the lateral wall. Frequently, it is also additionally prevented via such a support component that the lateral wall is undesirably displaced transversely to its longitudinal extension, in particular by the feed unit and the goods to be moved by it. For this purpose, such a support member, which is then usually formed in the form of a rail, attached to an end face on a front and / or rear mounting rail of a store shelf. In a development, in turn, the holding element itself can be plugged into a component of the already functional feed device to hold the subsequently mounted guide element thereto. Such a holding element can thus have, for example, two spatially separate sections in order to be able to plug the guide element onto the holding element and, on the other hand, to be able to plug the holding element with the guide element already fixed thereto to a component of the already preassembled and fully functional feed device. In one embodiment, the attachment of the guide element takes place on a lateral wall of the feed device. A side wall may overhang a series of items to be moved across the track and sever a number of items to be moved, for example from an adjacent row within the same shelf. A lateral wall can accordingly be formed, for example, by a commercially available divider or divider.

In one embodiment, at least two laterally mountable and / or in each case one in cross-section convex curved sliding surface defining guide elements are provided, between which an adjustment path for the feed unit runs. In such an embodiment variant, for example, two guide elements are elongated and mounted substantially parallel to each other on the feed device, so that between these centrally the adjustment path of the feed unit runs. The objects to be moved thus rest on sliding surfaces of - with reference to the adjustment path of the feed unit - outside guide elements, while the feed unit essentially centrally applies its adjusting force for moving the objects on the respective rearmost object of the series.

A feed device can also have at least two guide elements on one and the same side next to an adjustment path for the feed unit. In this case, the guide elements can in particular be arranged in rows next to each other and / or connected to each other. A connection between the at least two guide elements can then be realized here via at least one additional holding element. In a further development, at least two guide elements are provided on each side of the adjustment path for the feed unit. Thus, in one variant, a pair of (identical or mutually different) guide elements are right and left Adjustment path arranged. A pair of guide elements can in this case be connected to one another by at least one separately mountable additional holding element. In this case, a further guide element can be fixed to an already arranged on one side of the adjustment guide element via an additional holding element and thereby a further guide element can be retrofitted if necessary.

An additional holding element is preferably designed such that a guide element can be plugged thereon, in particular can be clipped and / or, conversely, the additional holding element can be plugged into a guide element, in particular can be clipped. In one embodiment variant, the additional holding element is designed in the manner of a preferably symmetrical double clip with two adjacent holding sections which are interconnected by a web for one guide element each.

The guide element has, for example, a retrofittable sliding and / or round rod which forms a sliding surface on its outer surface. The round rod can be made of a plastic material and / or of a metallic material.

Another aspect of the present invention is the provision of a kit for mounting a feed device, in particular for a feed device according to the first and / or second aspect of the present invention.

An inventive kit comprises at least one preassembled feed module that defines the guideway and / or the driven feed unit, and at least one separately prepared and with the feed module such combinable guide element that either a feed device without guide element or a feed device with guide element can be mounted. In this case, the guide element has at least one, substantially parallel to the guide track extending, elongate sliding surface which defines at least a portion of the footprint and along which are the objects to be moved, e.g. by gravity and / or by the feed unit, are displaceable when the guide element is combined with the feed module.

By means of a kit according to the invention thus feed devices of different types are produced in a simple manner, at least one feed device without guide element (type A) and a feed device with at least one guide element (type B). By providing guidance elements, which are geometrically designed differently and / or have different smooth surfaces to provide a sliding surface, with a kit according to the invention also more than two types of feed devices can be produced.

It can be provided that the feed module already has a footprint on which lie in a feed device without guide element objects and slidably moved, and the kit with the at least one guide element is designed such that at a feed device with guide element, the objects on the guide element abut and be moved to it (and not at the footprint of the feed module). In this way, the feed module with its (integrated) footprint can be designed and provided, for example, for the displacement of lighter objects, such as cigarette packs or cosmetic articles. For the adjustment of heavier and larger objects, such as (beverage) bottles, the feed module is combined with at least one guide element by means of which the resistance to an adjustment resisting force is reduced when the items to be moved are placed thereon. In this way, the same feed module for the displacement of different heavy objects can be used without this a drive of the feed unit would have to be changed. The maximum applied by the feed unit adjustment remains unchanged. As a result of the selected modular approach, feed devices for different applications can be provided by a simple combination of a feed module with different guide elements each defining a footprint for the articles to be moved.

In one embodiment variant, the kit additionally has at least one lateral wall, over which a row of objects arranged on the placement surface is bounded along the guideway. The guide element is then preferably mounted on this side wall if necessary.

Furthermore, it may be advantageous if the kit has at least one mounting strip on which a plurality of feed devices can be fixed next to one another, and in each case at least a part of the components of the kit for a single feed device can be plugged into the mounting strip. In this way, by means of a kit several feed devices with or without guide element without tools on a mounting rail or on several mounting rails be put together. In this case, in particular a guide element can be plugged into a mounting strip or a plurality of mounting strips, preferably be clipped. This is not only inexpensive, but also facilitates delivery and installation of the individual feed devices. Thus, for example, several feed devices for a shelf can be mounted by means of a kit on site.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to an assembly method for a feed device. Here, on the basis of the above-explained basic idea, a preassembled feed module, which defines the guide track and / or has a driven feed unit, and at least one separately produced guide element are provided. As part of the assembly process according to the invention is now optional

a feed device mounted without guide element or

a feed device with guide element mounted by the guide element is combined with the feed module, in which case the guide element has at least one substantially parallel to the guide track extending, elongated sliding surface which defines a part of the footprint in the feed device and along which the objects to be moved the guide element are displaceable.

Consequently, it is also provided here that different types of feed devices are provided on the basis of a single feed module by this already fully functional feed module including the drive for the feed unit if necessary with at least one guide element or a set of different guide elements (guide elements of different types) combined , In the case of a plurality of guide elements which can be combined with the feed module, preferably a displacement of objects arranged thereon is counteracted by different resistance forces and in particular frictional forces, depending on which guide elements or guide element types are used.

A further aspect of the present invention resides in the use of a support component-preferably manufactured separately and mountable on a lateral wall of a feed device-as a guide element for a feed device. The support member originally serves only to support a lateral wall, which is responsible for the separation of two compartments of a shop shelf is provided. A support member used as a guide element in turn additionally defines a part of the footprint, so that the objects to be moved at least partially disposed on the support member as intended and are displaced by the feed unit on the support member along. Thus, it is already known to connect partitions or divider to feed devices with additional support components, usually in the form of flat rails, to prevent them from being borrowed by the items to be moved or laterally displaced. However, portions of these rails have not heretofore been used to define a portion of the footprint on which the items are to be positioned and along which the items are to be moved. However, these rails are made for example of a suitable plastic material or modified accordingly so that they have sliding surfaces, you can also be used to provide a portion of the footprint. In a feed device according to the invention, it is of course possible that this has alarm means to detect a removal frequency of objects removed at the removal area and to close atypical sampling patterns, as described for example in WO 2006/061 009 A1, to a shoplifting. Alternatively or in addition to such electronic alarm means, a feed device according to the invention can of course also be provided with electronic inventory detection means to determine the existence of the objects still on a footprint and transmit, for example, to a central computer-aided detection device. Further advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent in the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the figures.

Hereby show:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a feed device of the

State of the art;

Fig. 2 shows a first embodiment of an inventive

Feed device which has been mounted from a kit according to the invention and a method according to the invention; Fig. 3A in an enlarged scale, a guide member of the

Feed device of Figure 2 with a holding element for securing the guide element; Fig. 3B on an enlarged scale an alternative embodiment of a

Holding member;

Fig. 3C detail and in perspective view another

Embodiment of a feed device, with two guide elements on different longitudinal sides of a

Module housing are mounted;

Fig. 4 in an enlarged scale an embodiment of a

An additional holding element for connecting a pair of guide elements in the form of round rods

Fig. 5 in an individual representation of a guide element for another

Embodiment variant in which the guide element integrates a holder for a lateral wall of the feed device;

6 is a detail representation of a support member in the form of a rail for the side wall of another embodiment, are subsequently mounted in the guide rails to the rail; 7A-7B in an individual view two further variants of a guide element with a holder for a lateral wall and two convex sliding surfaces;

8A-8B in an individual view two further variants of a guide element with a holder for a lateral wall and sliding surfaces, which are formed by edges of a concave portion;

9A-9B in an individual view two further variant of a guide element with a holder for a lateral wall and sliding surfaces which are formed by serrated projections. 1 shows a perspective view of a feed device V ^* from the prior art, in which a feed module in the form of a goods slide module 1 ^* is pushed onto two mutually parallel mounting strips L1 and L2. About the mounting rails L1 and L2 a plurality of feed devices V ^* can be arranged side by side in a simple manner. In this case, a feed unit respectively provided on a feed device V ^* in the form of a goods slide 2 ^* successively arranged objects, such as goods or packaging, moves in a direction X each to a removal area E at the front edge of a shelf.

The goods slide module 1 ^* defines a footprint 10 ^* , at which the goods slide 2 ^* along a guide 12 ^{* is} guided longitudinally displaceable. On the footprint 10 ^* arranged goods or goods packaging can be moved by the product pusher 2 ^* automatically in the direction of the removal area E as soon as a foremost goods or goods packaging is removed. The goods slide 2 ^{* is driven in the} present case via a drive element in the form of a leaf spring 3 ^* . The leaf spring 3 ^* pulls the Pusher 2 ^* toward the removal region E. Instead of the leaf spring 3 ^* can of course also an alternative drive element provided to automatically shift the Pusher 2 ^* in the displacement direction X as soon as a foremost product or product packaging is removed from the footprint 10 ^* . In this way, gaps resulting from a removal of goods or product packaging are automatically closed by the goods slide 2 ^* and it is always in the removal area E, a product or product packaging ready for removal.

The footprint 10 ^* is laterally bounded by a substantially perpendicular thereto extending side wall 1 1 a ^* . This side wall 1 1 a ^* separates a series of goods or packaged goods, which are arranged displaceably on the footprint 10 ^* , of adjacent goods or packaged goods.

In order to prevent that a foremost product or product packaging from the removal area E is pushed out by the goods slide 2 ^* , a not shown in the figure 1 stop element is provided. This acting as a stopper stop element can be inserted into mounting holes 13 ^* on the footprint 10 ^* . Although the feed device V ^* shown in FIG. 1 is particularly well-suited for the displacement of goods or packagings arranged behind one another and is distinguished by a cost-effective and reliable mode of operation, it can be disadvantageous in certain applications. So it has been found that just for the displacement of larger and heavier objects, such. B. beverage bottles, a faultless feeding is not readily possible if at the removal area E a foremost object is removed. The product slider 2 ^* acting on the rearmost object does not readily impart the necessary adjustment force, so that, if necessary, the drive of the product slider 2 ^* must be changed. Furthermore, it may happen that the adjusting force is discharged laterally, in particular in the case of beverage bottles with a circular-cylindrical geometry. After removing a frontmost beverage bottle then subsequent bottles of beverage are not nachgeschoben to the front edge of the shelf, but may be pressed against the side wall 1 1 a ^* .

These disadvantages are avoided with the inventive design of a feed device, as shown by way of example in Figure 2.

Here, Figure 2 shows a feed device V2, in which an already functional and provided with separately mountable side walls 1 1 a and 1 1 b Warenschiebermodul 1 was supplemented with two additional guide elements in the form of rods 6a and 6b. Here, the goods slide module 1, for the displacement of lighter goods or packaging goods such. As cigarette packs or toiletries. By supplemented rods 6 a and 6 b are hereby but also many times heavier, consecutively arranged objects, such. B. beverage bottles, automatically displaced.

The goods slide module 1 comprises a module housing 12, on which a goods slide 2 is mounted longitudinally displaceable. A drive of the product pusher 2 may include here, for example, a (not shown in the figure 2) leaf spring. The module housing 12 defines on its upper side, along which the goods slide 2 is moved, a footprint 10 on which objects, in particular goods or packaging goods can be arranged one behind the other. A series of goods or packaged goods is moved in the direction of a removal area E delimited by a stop element 130 via the driven goods slide 2 as soon as a foremost product or goods packaging has been removed from the removal area E. To this particular, a straight line To ensure displacement of the goods or packaged goods arranged one behind the other, the goods slide module 1 is supplemented by the two opposite side walls 11a and 11b. The goods slide module 1 thus extends between these two side walls 1 1 a and 1 1 b, so that arranged on the footprint 10 goods or goods packaging are laterally bounded in each case by a side wall 1 1 a or 1 1 b.

The two side walls 1 1 a and 1 1 b are presently formed by commercially available partitions and are each fixed to a front and at a rear end via a respective fastener in the form of a mounting clip 1 1 1 or 1 12 on a mounting rail L1 or L2. The two mounting rails L1 and L2 are parallel to each other, so that the side walls 1 1 a and 1 1 b and an adjustment of the goods slide perpendicular to the two mounting strips L1 and L2 extends. Furthermore, the goods slide module 1 is clipped on a front end on the mounting rail L2 and at a rear end on the mounting rail L1.

Within the module housing 12, a printed circuit board 4 is also provided. About this circuit board 4, for example, a single removal and a removal frequency can be detected electronically. This can, for example, be referred acoustically or visually to a removal and / or upon detection of an atypical sampling frequency -. B. a removal of many goods in a short time - closed on a possible shoplifting and an alarm signal are triggered.

In the present case with the goods slide module 1 without adjustment of the drive and the slide 2 and larger and heavier items such. B. beverage bottles to move reliably in the direction of the stop element 130, the feed device V2, the two mutually parallel rods 6a and 6b. The two rods 6a and 6b are arranged so that extends centrally between them the goods slide module 1 with the product pusher 2. The individual round rods 6a and 6b are in the present case made of a plastic material and have a comparatively smooth outer surface ßere, so that, for example, when in contact with a beverage bottle made of glass or plastic, eg a PET beverage bottle, a significantly lower coefficient of friction than between Preferably, a corresponding coefficient of friction is preferably below 0.4 or even below 0.25. In this way, a beverage bottle can easily be displaced along the longitudinal axis of a round bar 6a or 6b. The round bars 6a, 6b In the present case, they are each designed as full molds and as sliding rods with a circular cross section. For material and weight reduction but these could of course also be made hollow. In the present case, the round rods 6a and 6b are inserted into a recess or gap between a side wall 11a or 11b provided for this purpose on the advancing device V2 and the goods slide module 1. Alternatively, a suitable channel-shaped recess may be formed as a bearing for a guide element on the module housing 12, preferably on its upper side, in which, if required, a guide element, such as a round rod 6a or 6b can be used.

The round bars 6a and 6b are dimensioned and arranged in the feed device V2 so that they protrude with their outer surface over the footprint 10 of the goods slide module 1. The round rods 6a and 6b are therefore designed and arranged here so that they define a footprint in the feed device V2, which is increased relative to the footprint 10 of the goods slide module 1. In this way, an object placed in the feed device V2 no longer rubs against the footprint 10, but rests only on the lateral surfaces of the round rods 6a and 6b designed as sliding surfaces 600. A placed in the advancing device V2 object is thus with its underside on the rods 6a and 6b, but not on the footprint 10. An applied by the product slider 2 adjusting force is thus sufficient for the movement of heavier objects, such. B. (beverage) bottles made of glass or plastic. The respective object or a series of objects arranged one behind the other is readily displaceable by the goods slide 2 in the direction of the removal region E, even if the articles individually a significantly higher weight, of z. B. 0.5 to 1, 5 kg. The outer circumferential surface of the circular cylindrical rods 6a and 6b thus each forms a sliding surface 600, along which objects placed along in the advancing device V2 can be displaced under sliding friction that is significantly reduced relative to the support surface 10 of the goods slide module 1.

The round rods 6a and 6b are also clipped in this embodiment in a simple manner to the feed device V2. As can be seen in the enlarged view of FIG. 3A in conjunction with FIG. 2, retaining elements in the form of separately mountable retaining clips 62.1 and 62.2 are provided here in order to fasten the round rods 6a and 6b to a respective side wall 11a or 11b and to hold. A retaining clip 62.1 or 62.2 in this case has in each case a semicircular in cross section holding portion 620, in which a round rod 6a or 6b can be clipped.

At a subsequent to this holding portion 620 for the respective round bar 6a or 6b, web-like mounting portion 621, the fixation or connection to the respective side wall 1 1 a or 1 1 b. It can be provided that the attachment portion 621 is inserted into a recess on the underside of the respective side wall 1 1 a or 1 1 b. Alternatively, the attachment portion 621 may be formed on an inner side of the respective side wall 11a or 11b facing the goods slide module 1, so that each side wall 11a or 11b forms the retaining clips 62.1, 62.2 and, if required, a round rod 6a or 6b can be clipped to the respective side wall 1 1 a or 1 1 b.

The retaining clips 62.1 and 62.2 are in any case designed so that they bridge a gap between the side wall 1 1 a or 1 1 b and the goods slide module 1 and a thereto defined round bar 6a or 6b within a space between the side wall 1 1 a or 1 1 b and goods slide module 1 extends and lies with a part of its outer lateral surface / sliding surface 600 above the footprint 10 of the goods slide module 1.

FIG. 3B shows a perspective view of an alternative variant for a retaining clip 62 for fastening a round rod 6a or 6b to a side wall 11a or 11b. Instead of a web-like protruding fastening portion 621, a second channel-like holding portion 622 is provided here in addition to the holding portion 620 provided for the clipping of the round rod 6a or 6b. This second holding section 622 can be attached (from below) to the side wall 11a or 11b, so that a lower edge of the respective side wall 11a or 11b is gripped by the holding section 622. About the holding portion 622 of the retaining clip 62 can thus be easily and without tools attached to a side wall 1 1 a or 1 1 b. Further, the retaining clip 62 is formed so that it can be used for both the left and the right side wall 1 1 a or 1 1 b to hold a round bar 6a or 6b thereto.

A further embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 3C, in which two round bars 6a, 6b are each held on the module housing 12 of the goods slide module 1 via at least one - preferably at least two - holding clip (s) 62. Each rod 6a or 6b is in this case on a longitudinal side of the module housing 12th arranged and clipped into a holding portion 620 of the respective retaining clips 62 and held positively thereto. The retaining clips 62 are preferably arranged substantially symmetrically to the longitudinal axis of the module housing 12. Consequently, the round rods 6a and 6b arranged on both sides of the longitudinal axis are fixed via the retaining clips 62 to identical regions of the module housing 12, but on different longitudinal sides.

Each of the retaining clips 62 has a fastening section 623, via which the respective retaining clip 62 is inserted on one side of the module housing 12. A fastening section 623 may in this case be configured analogously to a retaining section 622 of a retaining clip 62 of FIG. 3B. In this way, fastening of the retaining clip 62-with or without the round rod 6a or 6b already mounted thereon-can take place in that the fastening section 623 is attached from below to the module housing 12 and an edge web projecting downwardly therefrom. Alternatively, the attachment portion 623 may be formed with two laterally projecting legs, so that the attachment portion 623 can be inserted transversely to the longitudinal direction of a laterally projecting web of the module housing 12 in the manner of a clamp or clip. In principle, it can be provided, moreover, that a retaining clip 62 is designed so that it can optionally be plugged onto a side wall 1 1 a, 1 1 b or the module housing 12.

Although not shown in the figures, a guide member, such as a round bar 6a or 6b, alternatively or in addition to the attachment shown on a side wall 1 1 a or 1 1 b on a mounting rail L1, L2 or on both mounting rails L1 and L2 be set , For example, here at the ends of the respective guide element holding elements analogous to the retaining clips 1 1 1 and 1 12 attached or formed, via which a guide member can be clipped to a mounting strip L1 or L2 respectively.

From a kit with a single goods pusher module 1 and slidable fixed thereto 2 and several pairs of different guide elements of the rods 6a and 6b and two side walls 1 1 a and 1 1 b can thus be depending on the desired field of application in a simple manner different types of feed devices V2 assemble. In this case, different sets of round rods may be kept in reserve, which deviates from the illustrated round bars 6a and 6b, from another (Plastic) material produced and / or coated differently and / or have a different surface roughness.

Due to the illustrated modular design, a feed device V2 can be easily adjusted without tools to different applications, so that different and different sized consecutively arranged objects can be moved automatically in constant quality and reliability without altering the consistent Warenschiebermodul 1, resulting stocking gaps close automatically and, if necessary, electronically, d. h., In particular, acoustically and / or visually perceptible to point out goods removal.

With suitable holding elements such as the illustrated retaining clips 62, 62.1 and 62.2 also guide elements, such as the rods 6a or 6b, in a simple manner to commercial goods separator or side walls 1 1 a and 1 1 b mounted and optionally "retrofitted".

FIG. 4 also shows, on an enlarged scale, an additional retaining element in the form of a double clip 7. The axisymmetric double clip 7 has two interconnected via a connecting web 70 holding portions 71 a, 71 b for each round rod 6 a or 6 b. A round rod 6a or 6b can thus be clipped into a holding section 71a or 71b so that a round bar 6a or 6b is encompassed by the respective holding section 71a or 71b and held thereon in a form-fitting manner. About the double clip 7, two round rods 6a, 6b are arranged in a row next to each other and connected to each other. A pair of round rods 6a, 6b connected in this way is then positioned on one and the same (left or right) side of the feed module 1 and thus the adjustment path of the goods feed 2. As a result, a larger sliding surface can be provided for the objects to be moved. In one embodiment, two round rods 6a, 6b, which are interconnected via a double clip 7 or several double clips 7, are provided on both sides of the goods slide module 1, for example. The round bars 6a, 6 are held together in pairs and as well as on an adjacent side wall 1 1 a or 1 1 b and / or at least on a mounting strip L1, L2; this in each case preferably over quickly produced clip connections. A plurality of rows of round bars 6a, 6b can be connected to one another and held to one another via a plurality of double clips 7 arranged one after the other along a longitudinal extension direction of a round bar 6a or 6b and rotated relative to one another by 180 °.

FIG. 5 shows a detail of a guide element 6 'for a further embodiment, in which the guide element 6' is designed in the manner of a profile rail and additionally integrates a holder for a side wall 11 of the feed device. The holder is thereby formed by a central holding groove 61 'and two adjacent thereto support portions 61 1 a' and 61 1 b '. The guide element 6 'can be easily clipped with the retaining groove 61' from below to the side wall 1 1. In the assembled state, consequently, a lower edge of the side wall 1 1 is inserted into the retaining groove 61 ', so that it is bordered between the two support portions 61 1 a' and 61 1 b '. Such is the support sections 61 1 a 'and 61 1 b' prevents bending of the side wall 1 1 at lateral load. In addition, an attachment of the guide element 6 'to one or both mounting strips L1, L2 can more effectively prevent an undesired lateral displacement of the side wall during operation of the feed device. The guide member 6 'with the holder 61', 61 1 a ', 61 1 b' is made of a plastic material such that on both sides of the side wall 1 1 extending portions of the guide member 6 'good objects can slide along and thus in combination with preferably over the feed device to be moved objects, such as Bottles, a low coefficient of sliding friction results. By the retaining groove 61 'while the guide member 6' is divided into two sliding portions 6a 'and 6b', each associated with a feed device and can form part of a footprint on one side of the side wall. In the present case, each sliding region 6a 'and 6b' comprises two sliding surfaces 600 'separated from one another by an outer U-shaped longitudinal groove 61a' or 61b ', respectively. A narrow outer sliding surface 600 'is in each case formed by the upper side of an edge section 612a' or 612b 'and by a multiple wider equal area 600' from an upper side of a support section 61 1 a 'or 61 1 b'. By the recess on a sliding portion 6a 'or 6b' in the form of a longitudinal groove 61a 'or 61b', the contact surface for the objects to be moved and thus the friction is minimized.

In one embodiment, instead of a continuous longitudinal groove 61 a 'or 61 b' in each case an elongated slide on a sliding portion 6 a 'and 6 b' is provided. In this way, the entire guide element 6 'does not have to be produced from a material with good sliding properties, but only an area with improved sliding properties is specifically designed for this purpose. Such a slideway can then also have a convexly curved sliding surface (see also FIGS. 7A and 7B).

Furthermore, a support component in the form of a profile rail 6 "for the side wall 11 of a further embodiment variant is shown in detail in FIG. 6, in which guide elements in the form of the round rods 6a and 6b are subsequently mounted on the profile rail 6". In this case, the profiled rail 6 "is configured substantially identically to the guide element 6 'of FIG. 5, but no sliding surfaces are provided on the upper sides of the support and edge sections 61 1 a', 61 1 b '; 612a', 612b '.

The rail 6 "is here initially exclusively the support of the side wall 1 1 against lateral deflection and optionally also prevents unwanted lateral displacement of the side wall 1 1 in the operation of the feed device when the rail 6" is also attached to the mounting rails L1 and L2 frontally , The respectively provided longitudinal groove 61a 'or 61b' now serves as a predefined attachment point, on which a separate guide element, such as a round rod 6a or 6b, can be fixed in order to subsequently retrofit the profile rail 6 "with a sliding surface 600 be provided that the upper sides of the support and edge portions 61 1 a 'and 612 a' or 61 1 b 'and 612 b' lie on one side of the side wall with proper installation of the feed device below a footprint on which to move objects along However, a guide element, such as a round rod 6a or 6b, attached to the rail 6 "intended, its sliding surface 600 is at the level of the original footprint or above this, so that the sliding surface 600 in each case at least a portion of the footprint for the objects to be moved Are defined. Without a guide element mounted thereon, therefore, in this embodiment, the goods or packagings to be moved do not touch the profiled rail 6 "and in particular are not located on the upper sides of the support and edge sections 61 1 a 'and 612a' or 61 1 b 'and 612b'. Only by mounting at least one additional guide element 6a or 6b on the profile rail 6 "is provided by this part of the footprint, so that to be moved goods or packages of goods can be arranged as intended. The connection of a guide element, such as, for example, the round rods 6a, 6b shown as an example in FIG. 6, can again take place via at least one separately produced retaining element inserted onto the respective guide element and the profile rail 6. Alternatively or additionally, the guide element itself can be inserted Holding element, preferably with a form-fitting region, be formed over which the guide element is positively and / or frictionally connected to the rail 6 ". For example, may be formed on the lateral surface of a round rod 6a or 6b, a radially projecting pin, which is in the longitudinal groove 61 a 'or 61 b' plugged and held therein form-fitting.

FIGS. 7A-7B, 8A-8B and 9A-9B show, in a further development of the exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 5 and 6, two further variants of a guide element 6 ^* with a holder 61 ', 61 1 a', 61 in a sectional view and in a single representation 1 b 'shown for a lateral wall in different widths.

In the variants of FIGS. 7A-7B, sliding surfaces 601 ^{* are formed} on both sides of the retaining groove 61 'by a convexly curved region of the support section 61 1 a' or 61 1 b '.

In the variants of FIGS. 8A-8B, sliding surfaces 602 ^{* are} each formed by upper and opposite edges 64.1 ^* and 64.2 ^{* of} a concavely arched section. The two opposite edges 64.1 ^* and 64.2 ^* are spatially separated from each other by a groove or throat 61 ^* .

In analogy to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 6, the concavely curved section of FIGS. 8A-8B could alternatively be formed as a separate component with the two edges 64.1 ^* and 64.2 ^* exposed to the top side and then mounted as a guide element on a profile rail 6 ".

On a guide element 6 ^* of FIGS. 8A-8B and an identically designed profile rail 6 ", it is also possible to define form-fit regions via the recesses in the form of the groove or groove 61 ^* (in analogy to the longitudinal groove 61a 'or 61b') For example, a round bar 6a or 6b can be clipped into the grooves 61 ^* In the variants of FIGS. 9A-9B, the guide element 6 ^{* forms a} plurality of rows of juxtaposed and consecutive teeth 63 ^* whose tips are one Sliding surface 603 ^* or at least make up a section thereof Instead of individual, one behind the other arranged teeth 63 ^* could also be provided only a cross-sectionally triangular and / or tapered, elongated projection. Thus, in one embodiment, a sliding surface 603 ^{* could be formed} on a longitudinal side of the retaining groove 61 'by a single cross-sectionally triangular elongated projection or a plurality of such and adjacent projections.

An advantage in the embodiment variants of FIGS. 8A-8B and 9A-9B is that a product or a product package can come into contact with the sliding surfaces 602 ^* and 603 ^* defined here only in a linear or punctiform manner or can abut only linearly or punctiformly thereon. As a result, the frictional forces, which counteract a displacement of a resting thereon goods or goods packaging, further reduced.

In particular, in the embodiments of Figures 2, 5, 6, 7A-7B, 8A-8B and 9A-9B, it is obviously not mandatory that a driven feed unit in the form of a goods slide is provided for the automatic displacement of objects in the direction of a removal area , Rather, embodiments are also possible in which the automatic displacement is only gravity-assisted and exclusively gravity-driven. In this case, in particular by the use of the respective guide element 6a, 6b; 6 'or 6 ^* and inclination of the footprint to the horizontal ensures that objects move automatically in the direction of the removal area E as soon as a foremost item in a row is removed at the removal area E.

* * * * *

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1, 1 ^* goods slide module (feed module)

10, 10 ^* footprint

111, 112 fixing clip (fixing element)

11a ^* Sidewall

11, 11 a, 11 b sidewall

12 module housing

12 ^* leadership

13 ^* mounting hole

130 stop element

2, 2 ^* goods feed (feed unit)

3 ^* leaf spring (drive element)

4 circuit board

6 ', 6 ^* guide element

6 "rail (supporting component)

600, 600 ', 601 ^* , 602 ^* , 603 ^* sliding surface

61 'holding

61 ^* throat (recess)

61a ', 61b' longitudinal groove (recess)

611a ', 611b' support section

612a ', 612b' edge section

62, 62.1, 62.2 retaining clip (retaining element)

620, 622 holding section

621, 623 attachment section

63 ^* Zacke (lead)

64.1 ^* , 64.2 ^* edge

6a, 6b round rod (guide element)

6a ', 6b' sliding area

7 double clip (additional holding element)

70 connecting bridge

71a, 71b holding section

E withdrawal area

L1, L2 mounting strip

V ^* , V2 feed device

X shift direction

Claims

claims

Feed device for the automatic displacement of objects, in particular goods or product packaging, the automatic displacement of objects is gravity assisted and / or the feed device (V2) for this purpose a driven feed unit (2) to several at a footprint of the feed device (V2) arranged one behind the other Move objects along a guideway in the direction of a removal area (E), on which an object can be removed as intended, characterized by at least one separately produced and to the already functioning feed device (V2) mounted guide element (6a, 6b, 6 ', 6 ^* ), which has a longitudinally extending sliding surface (600, 600 ', 601 ^* , 602 ^* , 603 ^* ) running essentially parallel to the guide track, which defines at least a part of the footprint and along which the objects to be moved are moved by the feed unit (2 ) displaceable are.

Feed device according to claim 1, characterized in that the guide element (6a, 6b; 6 ', 6 ^* ) is rod-shaped, in particular designed as a sliding and / or round rod and / or the at least one sliding surface (600, 600', 601 ^* , 602 ^* , 603 ^* ) is elongated.

Feed device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the guide element (6 ') has at least two sliding surfaces (600', 601 ^* , 602 ^* , 603 ^* ) which are defined by at least one recess (61a ', 61b', 61st) ^* ) are separated from each other.

Feed device for the automatic displacement of objects, in particular according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the automatic displacement of objects is gravity-assisted and / or the feed device (V2) for this purpose comprises a driven feed unit (2) to several at a footprint of the feed device ( V2) to move objects arranged one behind the other along a guideway in the direction of a removal region (E), at which an article can be removed as intended, characterized by at least one guide element (6a, 6b; 6 ') along which the objects to be displaced are displaceable and the at least one longitudinally extending sliding surface (600, 600', 601 ^* , 602 ^* , 603 ^*) running essentially parallel to the guide track ), which defines at least a portion of the footprint, wherein

- The at least one sliding surface (600, 600 ') is convexly curved and / or

- The at least one sliding surface (601 ^* , 602 ^* , 603 ^* ) is formed so that an object intended for this purpose on at least a portion of the sliding surface (601 ^* , 602 ^* , 603 ^* ) can lie only punctiform or linear.

Feed device according to claim 4, characterized in that at least a part of the sliding surface (601 ^* , 602 ^* , 603 ^* ) by at least one in cross-section jagged projection (63 ^* ) or at least one projecting edge (64.1 ^* , 64.2 ^* ) of the guide element ( 6 ^* ) is defined in order to enable only a punctiform or linear contact with an object arranged thereon in accordance therewith.

Feed device according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the guide element (6a, 6b; 6 '; 6 ^* ) is formed on a lateral wall (11a, 11b) of the feed device (V2) or a holder (61 ', 61 1 a', 61 1 b ') for the support of a lateral wall (1 1) of the feed device (V2).

Feed device according to claim 6, characterized in that a holder (61 ', 61 1 a', 61 1 b ') of the guide element (6', 6 ^* ) has a retaining groove (61 ') in which the lateral wall (1 1 ) and at least one on the retaining groove (61 ') adjacent support portion (61 1 a', 61 1 b ') of the holder (61', 61 1 a ', 61 1 b') is supported transversely to its longitudinal extent.

Feed device according to one of the preceding Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the guide element (6a, 6b; 6 '; 6 ^* ) is plugged into the feed device (V2) and / or mounted without tools.

Feed device according to claim 8, characterized in that the guide element (6a, 6b) forms at least one holding element and / or at least one separate holding element (62, 62.1, 62.2) is provided, to which the guide element (6a, 6b) is inserted, and the guide element (6a, 6b) at least one holding element (62, 62.1, 62.2) on a component (1 1, 1 1 a, 1 1 b, 6 ") of the feed device (V2) is held.

10. Feed device according to claim 9, characterized in that the separate holding element (62, 62.1, 62.2) to a component (1 1, 1 1 a, 1 1 b, 6 ") of the already functioning feed device (V2) is inserted to to hold the subsequently mounted guide element (6a, 6b) thereto.

1 1. Feed device according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the guide element (6a, 6b) via the holding element (62, 62.1, 62.2)

on a lateral wall (1 1 a, 1 1 b) of the feed device (V2) and / or - on a support member (6 ") for supporting a lateral wall (1 1) of the feed device (V2) and / or

on a housing (12) of the feed device (V2)

is held.

12. Feed device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that

- At least two guide elements (6a, 6b) are provided, between which an adjustment path for the feed unit (2) extends, and / or

- At least two guide elements (6a, 6b) are provided on one and the same side next to an adjustment for the feed unit (2).

13. Feed device according to claim 12, characterized in that at least two elongated guide elements (6a, 6b) are arranged in rows next to each other on one and the same side next to an adjustment and / or provided on one and the same side of the adjustment guide elements (6a, 6b ) are interconnected.

14. Feed device according to claim 13, characterized in that at least one additional holding element (7) is provided for connecting the at least two guide elements (6a, 6b).

15. Feed device according to claim 14, characterized in that a guide element (6a, 6b) is held on the additional holding element (7) via a clip connection. 16. Kit for mounting a feed device, in particular for a feed device according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 15, wherein the feed device (V2) for the automatic displacement of objects, is provided and the automatic displacement of objects is gravity assisted and / or the feed device (V2) for this purpose comprises a driven feed unit (2) for displacing a plurality of objects arranged one behind the other along a guide path in a direction of a removal region (E) on a footprint of the feed device (V2), at which an article can be removed as intended, characterized the kit comprises at least the following: a preassembled feed module (1) which defines the guideway and / or has the driven feed unit (2), and

at least one separately produced guide element (6a, 6b, 6 ', 6 ^* ) which can be combined in such a way with the feed module (1) that optionally a feed device without guide element (6a, 6b; 6'; 6 ^* ) or a feed device (V2) with guide element (6a, 6b; 6 '; 6 ^* ), wherein the guide element (6a, 6b; 6'; 6 ^* ) has at least one longitudinally extending sliding surface (600, 600 ', 601 ^* ) running essentially parallel to the guide track. , 602 ^* , 603 ^* ), which defines at least a portion of the footprint, and the objects to be moved from the feed unit (2) on the sliding surface (600, 600 ', 601 ^* , 602 ^* , 603 ^* ) of the guide element (6a , 6b, 6 ', 6 ^* ) are displaceable along, when the guide element (6a, 6b, 6', 6 ^* ) is combined with the feed module (1). 17. A kit according to claim 16, characterized in that the feed module (V2) has a footprint (10) on which at a feed device without guide element (6a, 6b; 6 '; 6 ^* ) abut objects and slidably and the kit with the at least one guide element (6a, 6b) is designed such that, in the case of a feed device (V2) with guide element (6a, 6b; 6 '; 6 ^* ), the objects on the guide element (6a, 6b; '; 6 ^* ) and are displaceable to this.

18. Kit according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that the kit additionally comprises at least one lateral wall (1 1 a, 1 1 b), over which a number of arranged on the footprint objects along the guideway is bounded.

19. Kit according to claim 18, characterized in that the guide element (6a, 6b, 6 ', 6 ^* ) to the lateral wall (1 1 a, 1 1 b) is mountable.

20. Kit according to claim 16 or 19, characterized in that the guide element (6a, 6b, 6 ', 6 ^* ) to a housing (12) of the feed module (1) can be mounted.

21. Kit according to one of claims 16 to 20, characterized in that the kit comprises at least one mounting strip (L1, L2) on which a plurality of feed devices (V2) can be fixed side by side, and in each case at least a part of the components of the kit for a single feed device ( V2) to the mounting strip (L1, L2) can be plugged.

22. A method for assembling a feed device, in particular for a feed device according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 15, wherein the

Feed device (V2) for the automatic displacement of objects, is provided and the automatic displacement of objects is gravity assisted and / or the feed device (V2) for this purpose a driven feed unit (2) to several at a footprint of the feed device (V2) arranged one behind the other Move objects along a guideway in the direction of a removal area (E) on which an object can be removed as intended, characterized in that

- A preassembled feed module (1) which defines the guideway and / or the driven feed unit (2), and - At least one separately prepared guide element (6a, 6b, 6 ', 6 ^* ) with at least one substantially parallel to the guide track extending, elongated sliding surface (600, 600', 601 ^* , 602 ^* , 603 ^* ) are provided, and optionally

- An advancing device without guide element (6a, 6b, 6 ', 6 ^* ) is mounted or

- a feed device (V2) with guide element (6a, 6b, 6 ', 6 ^* ) is mounted by the guide element (6a, 6b, 6', 6 ^* ) is combined with the feed module (1), in which case the guide element ( 6a, 6b, 6 ', 6 ^* ) in the feed device (V2) defines a part of the footprint and the objects to be moved on the sliding surface (600, 600', 601 ^* , 602 ^* , 603 ^* ) of the guide element (6a, 6b ; 6 '; 6 ^* ) are slidable along.