WO2023117563A1

WO2023117563A1 - Packaging apparatus and packaging method for transferring articles in outer packaging units

Info

Publication number: WO2023117563A1
Application number: PCT/EP2022/085504
Authority: WO
Inventors: Martin Dietersberger; Markus Gabler; Tobias GUT; Jens Losert; Herbert Spindler; Thomas Stadler; Christian Westermeier
Original assignee: Krones Aktiengesellschaft
Priority date: 2021-12-22
Filing date: 2022-12-13
Publication date: 2023-06-29
Also published as: DE102021134267A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a packaging method and to a packaging apparatus (1) for the packaging or outer packaging (25) of article groups (22). In the method, articles (23) are transferred into outer packaging units (25) moving in succession along a conveyor path (30) in a transport direction (TR), which outer packaging units (25) each accommodate at least one article group (22) formed from multiple articles (23) and inserted together into each outer packaging unit (25). The outer packaging units (25) are moved along the conveyor path (30) continuously and largely without spacing and, before reaching a loading region (5), which adjoins the conveyor path (30) or forms a portion of the conveyor path (30) and in which the outer packaging units (25) each receive the article groups (22), at least pairs of or groups of multiple outer packaging units (25) moving in succession are spaced apart from one another in the transport direction (TR). The two, three or more outer packaging units (25) spaced apart from one another are then brought into the loading region (5) together, maintaining the spacing in the transport direction (TR) between them and are each loaded with article groups (22) there.

Description

Packaging device and packaging method for transferring articles into outer packaging

The present invention relates to a packaging device and a packaging method for transferring articles into outer packaging, which outer packaging is moved one behind the other along a conveyor path in a transport direction, with the features of the independent claims.

For the purpose of transport and for better manageability on the way from production to trade and distribution to retail, which addresses and supplies the end customer, similar items, such as those provided by beverage containers, are grouped and in handy Bundles of four, six or more items or containers combined. Since such bundles usually contain no more than six or eight items of the same type and it is often desirable to combine a larger number of items or beverage containers in manageable units, suitable outer packaging can be used for such purposes, e.g. cardboard boxes or storage boxes with compartments or the like. Can be formed.

While in the case of smaller packaging units or bundles, the articles or beverage containers combined therein can be wrapped, e.g. by means of strapping and/or shrink-wrap packaging and can be combined and packaged in this way into bundles of four, six or more containers, such types of packaging are hardly suitable for larger groupings of articles with larger sizes Number of items, so that the cardboard outer packaging or packaging boxes mentioned are preferably used for this. This outer packaging formed, for example, by a beverage menu or beverage crates can be grouped, palletized, stacked and packaged into larger units in the same way as is the case with strapped or shrink-wrapped packages.

Since outer packaging made of thin but sufficiently stable cardboard can usually only be recycled in terms of material and is hardly suitable for a deposit-based recycling system due to pronounced aging behavior and significant wear and tear throughout its handling, a comparatively high volume of waste can generally be expected for cardboard outer packaging . In contrast, crate packaging with the stable plastic crates usually used can easily go through numerous loading and consumption cycles, since they can be used several times due to their mechanical robustness and can be refilled again and again after a washing and cleaning process. For this reason, not only standard sizes of containers have prevailed, particularly in the field of handling and distribution of beverage containers, but also beverage crates standardized in size, whose return and repeated circulation is facilitated by very common and easy-to-use deposit systems.

Since relatively high machine performance is desired not only when bottling beverages, but also in the further handling of such articles, in their grouping and in their combination in outer packaging, all of these handling and process steps mentioned take place at high speed and in automated processes within bottling and/or packaging machines. This also applies, for example, to the assembly of outer packaging such as beverage crates with prepared article groups.

The automated loading of outer packaging with groups of articles, such as beverage crates or cartons with beverage containers, is usually discontinuous, since in such cases the outer packaging or beverage crates, which are typically transported in the uninterrupted product flow by means of conveyor belts or other horizontal conveying devices, have to be stopped for each loading process, even if they are otherwise process can be transported with continuous conveying speed.

The packaging machines set up for the automated loading of the outer packaging with groups of articles usually require a brief standstill of the outer packaging for precise loading, at least for the actual process of inserting the group of articles. Such a discontinuous assembly naturally has the disadvantage of a comparatively low output, since the conveyance of the outer packaging or crates has to be stopped again and again in order to insert the articles or containers there with the desired precision.

The prior art proposes various approaches for reducing these disadvantageous delays, for example by means of a quasi-continuous conveyance of outer packaging while it is being fitted with articles, which is described in WO 96/32323 or in GB 836632, for example. Handling and packaging devices and methods for repackaging groups of articles are disclosed by WO 2020/001800 A1 and WO 2020/001801 A1. The devices described here and the proposed packaging methods should make it possible to reduce disruptive discontinuities in the conveyance or, ideally, even to avoid them entirely. In order to achieve this, a controllable restraining device is assigned to the conveyor line for the outer packaging to be fitted with groups of articles, with the help of which the outer packaging to be fitted with articles is held back at least in phases before or during the loading process or is delayed in relation to the transport speed of the outer packaging running in front.

With all such packaging modules, which are formed in particular by interacting conveyor devices for transporting the outer packaging and handling devices located within their reach for equipping the outer packaging with article groups, a continuous flow of the conveying and assembly processes is striven for, which not least contributes to a smooth flow of articles and thus can reduce the risk of disturbances in the flow. Since many machines that do not have a separate handling device, such as a handling robot, have the outer packaging in the required alignment for the insertion process of the article groupings, the continuous conveying process of the outer packaging is called into question.

In view of the deficiencies and disadvantages that can be identified in the known prior art, it can be regarded as the primary objective of the invention to provide a packaging device that is as compact as possible for packaging groups of articles, each with a defined number of articles in a defined arrangement in relation to one another, in outer packaging that is comparatively low space requirement for the machine installation enables smooth machine operation and a high throughput of articles to be packaged.

A related further object of the invention is to offer a corresponding packaging method which can offer a high packaging throughput using relatively few handling steps in a compact space. These objects of the invention are achieved with the subject matter of the independent claims. Further advantageous configurations and variants can be found in the respective dependent claims.

In order to achieve at least some of the above-mentioned goals, the present invention proposes a packaging method for transferring articles into outer packaging that is moved one after the other along a conveying path in a transport direction, having the features of the independent method claim.

The articles, also referred to as piece goods or primary packaging in the present context, are grouped into several groups before being transferred to the provided outer packaging and in this grouped arrangement are each used together in one of the outer packaging provided. The articles also referred to as primary packaging in the present context, which can be formed, for example, by liquid containers, bottles, cans or the like, in particular of the same type, are thus combined as groups of several individual primary packaging by means of secondary packaging and/or in secondary packaging and thus form the secondary packaging units or bundles.

The outer packaging, also referred to as secondary packaging in the present context, can be formed, for example, by boxes open on one side, by cartons or the like, which are each prepared to accommodate an article group formed from a plurality of primary packaging or articles. In order to continue to maintain the grouped arrangement after insertion into the outer packaging, a compartment in the form of transverse struts, transverse walls, lattice struts or the like dividing the interior space can be contained, inserted or anchored in the outer packaging.

The term “secondary packaging means” or “secondary packaging” used here can in principle mean film packaging, shrink film packaging or several primary packaging sheets or the like holding together on their upper sides. However, the secondary packaging means can also be formed, for example, by so-called baskets or carrier frames or the like, which are able to accommodate a defined number of primary packages. Secondary packaging primarily means outer packaging that, for example as beverage crates, contains a defined number of items or primary packaging can record to be able to transport them and handle them more easily.

As part of the packaging method according to the invention, it is provided that the outer packaging or the secondary packaging provided for accommodating the groups of articles is initially moved continuously and largely without spacing along the conveyor section mentioned. This can be done either in one row or in multiple rows, for example in two or more conveyor lines running in parallel.

The conveying path of the packaging device is divided into several conveying sections which follow one another in the transport direction of the outer packaging and which are to be explained in detail below. The conveyor sections can each include their own conveyors. However, conveying devices that extend beyond a conveying section can also be used in some areas.

The conveying line thus comprises at least one section, generally referred to here as an assembly area or as an assembly position, in which the article groups are each inserted into the outer packaging prepared for this, for which a suitable handling tool or an assembly device can generally be used. Such an assembly device can be formed, for example, by a suction gripper guided on a portal, which suction gripper is able to take over and pick up a complete article grouping from an article feeder, to transfer it to a storage position of the outer packaging and after insertion into the outer packaging the article grouping release in order to include a new article grouping for further assembly of an empty outer packaging.

Before reaching the loading position or the loading area, the outer packaging, which is initially transported one after the other along the conveyor line, is spaced at a defined distance from one another assembly position or in the assembly area are to be filled or assembled simultaneously with one article group each. The spacing is therefore carried out in pairs or in groups of several consecutively moved and consecutive outer packaging in the transport direction, with the number of each other to spaced outer packaging based on the number of article groups used there at the same time.

After the distances required for equipping the outer packaging with a suitable number of articles or primary packaging have been created, the two, three or more outer packagings that are spaced apart from one another can be brought together into the assembly area, while maintaining the previously created distances in the transport direction, and loaded with groups of articles there .

In the present context, the area or section of the conveyor line in which the required distances between the outer packaging transported one after the other are produced should also be referred to as the delay position or as a delay area or as a cycle formation area, because there individual outer packaging is delayed in a way compared to the respective preceding outer packaging be that a desired delay and thus the desired distances between the outer packaging are produced. The delay area, referred to as this here, precedes the loading position or the loading area in the direction of transport.

For example, the method can provide that a manipulator for creating the distances between the outer packaging moved one behind the other on the conveyor line has manipulation devices that act laterally on the outer packaging and/or engage in its conveyor line, by means of which the outer packaging that has not yet reached the loading position or the Have reached placement area, fixed and moved in the desired manner. In particular, there is a complaint about the outer packaging from each other in the default position or in the default area by means of lateral interventions. This is possible, for example, by means of manipulation devices acting on the outer packaging on one or both sides.

Manipulation devices acting on both sides can, for example, be mutually adjustable gripping devices, clamping jaws or the like.

Be manipulation devices that are capable of accelerating or decelerating the outer packaging in relation to the conveying flow of the subsequent outer packaging and to produce the desired delay between the successively conveyed outer packaging. Manipulating devices acting on one side can be formed, for example, by suction devices acting on one side on the side surfaces of the outer packaging, which are able to accelerate or decelerate the outer packaging in relation to the conveying flow of the following outer packaging and to create the desired delay between the successively conveyed outer packaging. In particular, the suction devices act on side surfaces of the outer packaging that are aligned parallel to the direction of transport. The suction devices are designed to be movable on one side in some areas along the conveying path for the outer packaging in order to produce the desired separation between the outer packaging in the transport direction. In particular, the number of suction devices corresponds in each case to the number of outer packaging provided for a subsequent joint filling with articles.

Further holding devices acting on the outer packaging on one side can, for example, engage in openings in the outer packaging and hold them in this way. Provision can also preferably be made for these manipulation devices, which grip the outer packaging on both sides, to be moved in an oscillating motion along the conveying path between the default position or the default area and a delivery position or a delivery area or delivery section upstream of the default position or the default area in the transport direction. In this way it can be ensured that the outer packaging can remain connected to and during the spacing of individual or multiple outer packagings conveyed one behind the other in the transport direction in the continuous conveying process and neither change their conveying direction nor have to leave their conveying path. The outer packaging that was previously transported in direct succession can also remain aligned with one another in the delay area, even if they are now being transported further in the conveying direction with defined distances from one another.

An embodiment will be described below as an example based on the formation of an assembly cycle comprising three outer packaging. The three outer packages are picked up at the same time by the manipulator's manipulation devices. In particular, it is provided that when the assembly cycle is being formed, the three outer packages detected at the same time are moved at least briefly at a higher speed than the following outer packages in order to create a distance from the following outer packages. This increased speed is generated in particular by the fact that the Briefly move manipulation devices at a higher speed than the transport speed of the outer packaging.

Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the manipulation devices with the gripped outer packaging have a speed difference relative to one another in order to form an additional distance between the three outer packaging gripped together by the manipulation devices of the manipulator during the movement in the transport direction. In particular, the manipulation device arranged foremost in the transport direction, together with the detected outer packaging, has a higher speed than the following, central manipulation device with outer packaging.

Correspondingly, the central manipulation device with outer packaging has a higher speed than the manipulation device with outer packaging that follows in the direction of transport. In this way, the spacing of the assembly cycle from the following outer packaging and the spacing between the outer packaging within the assembly cycle are formed at the same time.

According to a further variant of the method according to the invention, it makes sense for the respective spacing of the outer packaging that follows one another in the transport direction to correspond to distances in a direction parallel to the transport direction of the outer packaging of the gripping units of an assembly device that are activated at the same time for transferring and inserting the article groups into the outer packaging.

One of the most important reasons why the outer packaging should be transported further at the distances mentioned in the direction of transport before it is loaded with items is that it is loaded with an item grouping at the same time. If each individual outer packaging is individually equipped with one article group, the distance to preceding or subsequent outer packaging is irrelevant. However, in the interest of the highest possible packaging speed, it makes sense to equip several provided outer packagings with similar article groups at the same time. For this purpose, however, it is usually not sufficient to have the outer packaging next to each other without further measures and to equip them with groups of articles. The assembly devices formed by suitable handling devices, which ensure that a defined number of grouped articles can be inserted into each of the outer packaging in the assembly position, are normally designed in such a way that each article grouping is picked up by a gripper head equipped for this purpose, transferred to the assembly position and can be placed there in the outer packaging that is available.

As such gripping devices or gripper heads, arrangements of suction grippers have proven themselves, for example, which are able to simultaneously pick up larger groups of articles by means of suction cups subjected to negative pressure, in which the articles can be formed by bottles, cans or other containers that contain liquid beverages in particular as primary packaging can.

Since these gripper heads take up a certain amount of space on all sides in order to be able to work with them without colliding, it is normally not intended that adjacent groups of articles can be gripped without lateral spacing and handled using separate gripper heads. For this reason, a sufficient lateral distance must be provided, which allows several groups of articles to be picked up at the same time with the synchronously controllable gripper heads of an assembly device and inserted into the outer packaging that is ready. These lateral distances sensibly correspond to the distances produced between the successively conveyed outer packages.

It should be pointed out at this point that it is not decisive for the implementation of the method according to the invention whether the outer packaging is stopped at least briefly while it is being loaded with the article groups that are used there by means of the synchronously controllable gripper heads and whether it is stopped while it is being used on the conveyor line stand still. Although this may be the case, the loading devices with the two, three or more synchronously controllable gripper heads arranged parallel to one another are quite capable of equipping continuously moving outer packaging with article groups in the same way as stationary ones.

The gripper heads can be synchronized with the outer packaging moving in the transport direction, so that they move at the same conveying speed with the outer packaging at least during the actual assembly and insertion process, so that they can be moved back again after the article groups have been set down. If the loading process is to be carried out while the outer packaging is being conveyed, without the outer packaging being stopped, there is a corresponding movement control of the loading devices with their gripper heads, which has an oscillating movement component parallel to the transport direction of the outer packaging. This oscillating movement component is necessary in order to repeatedly compensate for the conveying progress of the outer packaging moving on with each new assembly process with groups of articles by a corresponding return stroke movement of the gripper heads counter to the transport direction.

Furthermore, in order to achieve the above-mentioned goals or at least partial aspects of these goals, the present invention proposes a packaging device for packaging groups of articles, each with a defined number of articles in a defined arrangement relative to one another, in outer packaging.

According to the invention it is provided that this packaging device comprises a conveyor line for the supply of outer packaging that is moved continuously and largely without spacing one behind the other and an assembly area that adjoins the conveyor line in the transport direction or forms a section of the conveyor line. At least one loading device is assigned to the loading area for the transfer of individual or simultaneously several article groups into the respective outer packaging.

In addition, this packaging device according to the invention comprises a manipulator, which is assigned to the conveying line and is arranged upstream of the assembly area in the transport direction, which is designed and capable of spacing the outer packaging conveyed on the conveying line at least in pairs or in groups of several outer packagings moved one behind the other in the transport direction.

In the case of the packaging device, the assembly device can in particular have two or more gripping units for each gripping of prepared groups of articles, which are designed and equipped to grasp at least two groups of articles at the same time and to be able to transfer and insert them into a ready outer packaging in the assembly area. Since these two or more gripping units of the loading device normally have defined distances from one another in a direction parallel to the transport direction of the conveyor section, it is possible to load a plurality of outer packagings at the same time with the respective article groups due to the usually synchronously working gripping units, it is necessary to place the outer packaging at suitable distances from one another.

In order to align the design-related distances between the gripping units and the useful distances between the outer packaging, it is useful in the packaging device according to the invention to provide for the distances between the gripping units to correspond to the distances between the outer packaging that can be produced using the manipulator.

In the case of the packaging device, it can also be provided that the manipulator can be activated to create the distances between the outer packagings moved one behind the other on the conveying path in a delay area or cycle formation area upstream of the loading area in the transport direction. The loading area of the packaging device is arranged downstream of the delay area or cycle formation area in the direction of transport.

In particular, it can be provided that the manipulator for creating the distances between the outer packagings moved one behind the other on the conveyor line has manipulation devices that act laterally on the outer packagings and/or engage in their conveyor line, by means of which the outer packagings can be fixed and moved in the desired manner.

In the case of these manipulation devices, which act on the outer packaging on both sides, it makes sense if they can be moved in an oscillating movement along the conveyor section between the delay area and a staging area upstream of the delay area in the transport direction, in order to, after each completed assembly cycle, use the outer packaging complete with groups of articles and after their Onward transport in the direction of transport to be able to bring subsequent outer packaging into the distances required for interaction with the assembly device.

The following explanations again summarize some aspects of the invention previously explained in different embodiment variants, specify some aspects, but should not be seen in contradiction to the statements already made, but in synopsis, in case of doubt possibly as more specific embodiment variants and/or modifications. As already mentioned several times above, the packaging device according to the invention can be used for packaging or repackaging groups of articles, with these groups of articles each having a defined number of articles are or will be formed. The articles, also referred to as primary packaging in the present context, are formed, for example, by liquid containers, bottles, cans or the like, in particular of the same type.

The articles are preferably grouped into groups before they are transferred to the provided outer packaging and, in this grouped article arrangement or group of articles, are each used together in one of the outer packaging provided. In particular, the article groups are used in boxes, which preferably have dividing compartments, which assign the articles to defined places within the outer packaging. This outer packaging can also be referred to as secondary packaging in general or in the present context.

The packaging device normally comprises an infeed module and a packaging module arranged downstream of the infeed module in the transport or processing direction. The packaging module can also be subdivided into a clock generation area and an assembly area.

The infeed module can include at least one conveyor section for feeding in outer packaging. In particular, the conveyor line is a crate infeed for crates that serve as outer packaging. The outer packaging is preferably initially moved continuously and largely without spacing on the conveying path. This can be done either in one row or in multiple rows, for example in two or more conveyor lines running in parallel.

The packaging module preferably comprises an assembly area which follows the conveyor line in the transport direction or forms a section of the conveyor line and to which at least one assembly device can be assigned for transferring individual or simultaneously several article groups into the respective outer packaging.

Furthermore, the packaging device preferably comprises a manipulator assigned to the conveying path and upstream of the loading area in the transport direction, which is designed to space the outer packaging conveyed there at least in pairs or in groups of several outer packagings moved one behind the other in the transport direction. In particular, a defined number of two, three or more consecutively transported outer packaging, which in the assembly area simultaneously with one Article group to be filled or equipped, each complained about. The spacing is therefore carried out in pairs or in groups of several successively moving outer packagings in the transport direction, with the number of outer packagings to be spaced apart depending on the number of article groups used there at the same time.

The manipulator used here can be activated in order to create the distances between the outer packaging that is moved one behind the other on the conveyor line in a delay area that is upstream of the assembly area in the transport direction. In the present context, the delay area is also referred to as the clock generation area.

The packaging device comprises a manipulator for creating the distances and a conveyor device for the onward transport of the cycled outer packaging. Optionally, the manipulator can be designed as a box clamping device.

In addition, it can be provided that the conveyor device and the box inlet are formed by a continuous conveyor belt. However, an alternative embodiment can also provide that the crate infeed and the conveyor device are formed by aligned conveyor belts that follow one another in the transport direction. A further embodiment can provide for the design of the conveying device as a so-called cycle chain. Such a cycle chain comprises, in particular, a plurality of box receptacles spaced apart from one another. A defined distance is formed between the box receptacles, which corresponds to the distances to be set between the clocked boxes of an assembly cycle.

In the given case, the cycle chain to be used optionally is assigned to both the cycle generation area and the assembly area of the packaging module and preferably has a first length in the cycle generation area that corresponds to a second length of the cycle chain in the assembly area within the packaging module.

The manipulator can, for example, have manipulation devices that act laterally on the outer packaging and/or engage in its conveying path, by means of which the outer packaging can be fixed and moved in the desired manner. In particular, the box clamping device optionally forming the manipulator designed to be movable parallel to the cycle chain in the cycle formation area and parallel to a crate feed in a defined direction, ie, for example, in the transport direction and counter to the defined direction or transport direction. The box clamping device is equipped with a plurality of clamping units, which can also be moved within the box clamping device in the previously defined direction or transport direction and counter to the defined direction or transport direction.

In particular, manipulation devices are provided that act on the outer packaging on both sides and can be moved in an oscillating motion along the conveying path between the cycle-forming area and a staging area upstream of the cycle-forming area in the transport direction.

The manipulation devices can be formed, for example, by mutually deliverable clamping units, gripping devices, clamping jaws or the like, which are capable of accelerating the outer packaging relative to the conveying flow of the following outer packaging and producing the desired delay between the successively conveyed outer packaging.

Alternatively, manipulation devices can be provided both in combination with a cycle formation chain and in combination with another conveyor device, which only act on one side of the outer packaging. Suitable for this purpose are, for example, suction devices that act on one side of the outer packaging and are designed to be movable in some areas on one side along the conveyor section and/or the conveyor device in order to create the desired division between the outer packaging in the transport direction. In particular, the number of suction devices to be optionally provided corresponds in each case to the number of outer packaging provided for a subsequent joint filling with articles.

A further embodiment can provide that the manipulation devices are held, for example by other suitable holding devices acting on one side of the outer packaging, in order to form a delay in the desired manner and thus a desired division between adjacent outer packaging. For example, holding devices can be provided which engage in openings in the outer packaging and hold them in this way, etc.

The crate clamping device can accommodate a closed package of several incoming crates. For example, the crate clamping device can pick up a package of three crates arriving end to end and in a defined direction of movement or move in the direction of transport in the direction of the packaging module. In particular, during the movement of the three boxes gripped by the box clamping device, these three boxes can be moved at least briefly at a higher speed than the following boxes in order to create a distance to the following boxes.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the clamping units of the crate clamping device have a speed difference relative to each other in order to form a distance between the three crates gripped together by the crate clamping unit during movement in the transport direction. In particular, the clamping unit arranged first in the transport direction has a higher speed than the following, central clamping unit. Correspondingly, the middle clamping unit has a higher speed than the clamping unit that follows in the direction of transport.

Before the crates are released or set down in the cycle formation area at the intervals specified by the cycle chain, the crates are brought into the desired division by corresponding movement of the clamping units, whereby an arrangement of cycled crates is formed.

Since, due to the process, there may be small distances in the inflow of the boxes, which can make it difficult to bring the boxes into the correct division in relation to each other, it can be provided that the boxes are driven against a stop element provided for this purpose before they are gripped by the box clamping device and are backed up in the process be closed, which may result in process-related gaps. In order not to have to stop the continuous feed of the boxes for this purpose, it can be provided that the stop element is moved at least in some areas at a slightly lower speed than the boxes in the transport direction.

After the defined number of crates has been gripped by the crate clamping device, the stop element can be moved up, down or to the side out of the transport path of the crates in the transport direction, so that they can be moved further in the transport direction without hindrance and can be inserted into the cycle chain.

Optionally, it can be provided that the conveyor section is formed by two or more parallel conveyor belts, between which parallel conveyor belts in each case are spaced apart. The stop element or a stop element can therefore be arranged between the conveyor belts, so that it protrudes upwards beyond the conveying plane formed by the conveyor belts. After the crates of a cycle have been detected by the manipulator, the stop element descends downwards, so that the crates detected by the manipulator can now be moved at increased speed in the transport direction in the direction of the assembly area.

Alternatively, it can be provided that the stop element is arranged, for example, directly above the transport surface and that the crates gripped by the crate clamping device are additionally slightly lifted by this and thereby lifted over the stop element. The boxes are then lowered again accordingly when they are inserted into the cycle chain.

Furthermore, the packaging device can have an article feed, via which articles, for example bottles, are fed. The articles are preferably supplied in an orderly manner, for example guided in aisles.

In the packaging module, groups of articles are picked up by a loading device with a correspondingly designed gripping device in the loading area and inserted into the clocked boxes. For this purpose, the two, three or more outer packages that are spaced apart from one another are brought together into the assembly area, while maintaining the previously created distances in the transport direction, and are each equipped there with groups of articles.

In particular, it can be provided that the loading device has two or more gripping units for the respective detection of prepared article groups. In this way, at least two groups of items can be recorded at the same time and each transferred to a ready outer packaging in the assembly area and used. The two or more gripping units preferably each have defined or adjustable distances in a direction parallel to the transport direction of the conveyor section, these distances between the gripping units corresponding to the distances between the outer packaging produced by the manipulator.

For example, three groups of articles are detected by the gripping device, each group of articles comprising six bottles. The article groups gripped by the gripping device are spaced apart from one another during the transfer from the article feed to the clocked boxes and in particular to one of the clocked boxes brought appropriate division and used in the clocked boxes. The cycled boxes equipped with article groups in this way can then be transported away from the packaging module in the transport direction and fed to further handling, which is not detailed here, however.

Furthermore, it can be provided that a magazine for baskets or the like is assigned to the loading area, which can be provided for the purpose of dividing the articles to be placed in these into further subgroups within the clocked boxes. For example, the boxes can be equipped without partitions. In this case, before the articles are inserted, baskets or compartments, for example, are first inserted into the clocked boxes, which are removed from the magazine by a suitable handling device.

If necessary, the baskets or partitions are provided in a space-saving form in the magazine and must first be brought into a corresponding form before being inserted into the clocked boxes. For this purpose, the handling device can have suitable means in order to first unfold the baskets or compartments or the like, for example when transferring them in the direction of the clocked boxes, and bring them into the desired shape.

While the cycled crates are being filled in the assembly area, the crate clamping device moves in the opposite direction to the defined direction or in the opposite direction to the transport direction in order to grip another group comprising three crates before the crates enter the packaging module and divide them accordingly in the cycle formation area. For this purpose, the clamping units still have to be brought into the appropriate arrangement so that this can be guaranteed.

The advantages here are that no separate module is required for producing the division of the crates, since the cycle chain can be easily integrated into the packaging module. By producing the division in a defined direction or in the transport direction of the boxes, space is saved for the entire packaging device, since the footprint of the packaging device can be chosen to be smaller. The arrangement of clock chain and crate clamping device is in particular significantly more cost-effective than a corresponding arrangement of the crates, for example using a robot or another handling device known from the prior art. One of the most important reasons why the outer packaging should be transported further at the distances mentioned in the direction of transport before it is loaded with articles is the described simultaneous loading of two or more outer packagings, each with an article grouping.

The loading devices are normally designed in such a way that each group of articles can be picked up by a gripper head equipped for this purpose, transferred to the loading position or the loading area and placed there in the outer packaging that is available. Such gripping devices or gripper heads have proven themselves, for example, arrangements of suction grippers that are able to simultaneously pick up larger groups of articles by means of suction cups that are subjected to negative pressure, in which the articles can be formed by bottles, cans or other containers that contain liquid beverages in particular as primary packaging can.

Since these gripper heads take up a certain amount of space on all sides in order to be able to work with them without colliding, it is normally not intended that adjacent groups of articles can be gripped without lateral spacing and handled using separate gripper heads. For this reason, a sufficient lateral distance must be provided between the outer packaging to be loaded at the same time. These lateral distances sensibly correspond to the distances between the successively conveyed outer packages produced in the cycle formation area.

Typically, the outer packaging can be continuously moved further in its transport direction while it is being fitted with groups of articles. Optionally, however, provision can also be made for the transport of the outer packaging to be stopped at least briefly, so that it stands still while the article groups are being inserted in the loading area.

According to a further embodiment of the packaging device, it can be provided that the boxes filled with article groups in the loading area are transferred by a removal device to another cycle chain, which is arranged parallel to the first cycle chain but has a conveying direction opposite to it. With such an arrangement, the length of the packaging device can be reduced, particularly when space is limited. Instead of the counter-moving or circulating cycle chains mentioned, normal conveyor belts can also be provided for transporting the outer packaging or the outer packaging equipped with articles.

The manipulation devices used can act on the outer packaging on both sides or on one side and can be formed in particular by clamping devices, holding devices, suction devices or the like.

It should be expressly mentioned at this point that all aspects and design variants that have been explained in connection with the device according to the invention equally relate to or can be partial aspects of the method according to the invention. Therefore, if certain aspects and/or connections and/or effects are mentioned at one point in the description or also in the definition of claims for the device according to the invention, this applies equally to the method according to the invention. The same applies in reverse, so that all aspects and design variants that have been explained in connection with the method according to the invention equally relate to or can be partial aspects of the device according to the invention. Therefore, if certain aspects and/or connections and/or effects are mentioned at one point in the description or also in the claim definitions for the method according to the invention, this applies equally to the device according to the invention.

In the following, exemplary embodiments are intended to explain the invention and its advantages in more detail with reference to the attached figures. The proportions of the individual elements to one another in the figures do not always correspond to the real proportions, since some forms are shown in simplified form and other forms are shown enlarged in relation to other elements for better illustration.

Figures 1 to 3 shows a first embodiment of a packaging device.

4 shows a further embodiment of a packaging device.

Identical reference symbols are used for elements of the invention that are the same or have the same effect. Furthermore, for the sake of clarity, only reference symbols are shown in the individual figures that are necessary for the description of the respective figure. The illustrated embodiments only represent examples of how the device according to the invention or the method according to the invention can be designed and do not represent any final limitation. The schematic top views of FIGS. 1 to 3 show a first embodiment of a packaging device 1 for packaging or repackaging groups of articles 22. The groups of articles 22 are each formed by a defined number of articles 23. FIG. The articles 23, also referred to as primary packaging in the present context, are formed, for example, by liquid containers, bottles 21, cans or the like, in particular of the same type (cf. FIG. 3).

The articles 23 are grouped into several before they are transferred to the provided outer packaging 25 and in this grouped arrangement of articles or article group 22 are used together in one of the outer packaging 25 provided. In particular, the article groups 22 are used in boxes 20 which preferably have dividing compartments which assign the articles 23 to defined places within the outer packaging 25 . In the present context, the outer packaging 25 is also referred to as secondary packaging.

The packaging device 1 comprises an infeed module 2 and a packaging module 3. The packaging module 3 is further subdivided into a cycle formation area 4 and an assembly area 5.

The feed module 2 comprises at least one conveyor line 30 for feeding outer packaging 25. In particular, the conveyor line 30 is a crate feed 9 for crates 20. The outer packaging 25 is preferably initially moved continuously and largely without spacing on the conveyor line 30. This can be done either in one row or in multiple rows, e.g. in two or more parallel conveyor sections 30.

The packaging module 3 comprises an assembly area 5 which adjoins the conveyor line 30 in the transport direction TR or forms a section of the conveyor line 30, to which at least one assembly device 11 for transferring individual or simultaneously several article groups 22 into the respective outer packaging 25 is assigned.

Furthermore, the packaging device 1 comprises a manipulator 31 assigned to the conveyor section 30 and arranged upstream of the loading area 5 in the transport direction TR, which is designed to space the outer packaging 25 conveyed there at least in pairs or in groups of a plurality of outer packaging 25 moved one behind the other in the transport direction TR. In particular, a defined number of two, three or more outer packages 25 transported one behind the other, which are to be filled or fitted simultaneously with a respective article group 22 in the loading area 5, are each objected to. The spacing is therefore carried out in pairs or in groups of several outer packages 25 moving one after the other in the transport direction TR, with the number of outer packages 25 to be spaced apart depending on the number of article groups 22 used there at the same time.

The manipulator 31 can be activated in order to create the distances between the outer packaging 25 moved one behind the other on the conveyor section 30 in a delay area upstream of the loading area 5 in the transport direction TR. The delay area is also referred to below as clock generation area 4 .

The packaging device 1 comprises a manipulator 31 for creating the distances and a conveyor device 17 for the onward transport of the cycled outer packaging 25 . According to the embodiment shown here, the manipulator 31 is designed as a box clamping device 6 .

An embodiment can provide that the conveyor device 17 and the box inlet 9 are formed by a continuous conveyor belt 18 . An alternative embodiment can provide that the box inlet 9 and the conveyor 17 are formed by aligned conveyor belts.

A further embodiment, as shown in particular in FIGS. A cycle chain 7 includes, in particular, spaced-apart box receptacles 26. A defined distance A is formed between the box receptacles 26, which corresponds to the distances to be set between the clocked boxes 20 of an assembly cycle.

The cycle chain 7 is assigned to both the cycle formation area 4 and the assembly area 5 of the packaging module 3 and preferably has a first length L4 in the cycle formation area 4, which first length L4 corresponds to a second length L5 of the cycle chain 7 in the assembly area 5 within the packaging module 3.

According to one embodiment, the manipulator 31 includes elements that engage laterally on the outer packaging 25 and/or in its conveying path 30 Manipulation devices 32, by means of which the outer packaging 25 can be fixed and moved in the desired manner.

In particular, the box clamping device 6 forming the manipulator 31 is designed to be movable parallel to the clock chain 7 in the clock formation area 4 and parallel to a box feed 9 in the X direction XR or in the transport direction TR and counter to the X direction XR or transport direction TR. The box clamping device 6 is equipped with a plurality of clamping units 8, which can also be moved within the box clamping device 6 in the X direction XR or transport direction TR and counter to the X direction XR or transport direction TR.

In particular, manipulation devices 32 are provided which engage on both sides of the outer packaging 25 and can be moved in an oscillating motion along the conveyor section 30 between the cycle formation area 4 and a staging area 16 upstream of the cycle formation area 4 in the transport direction TR.

The manipulation devices 32 can be formed, for example, by mutually advanceable clamping units 8, gripping devices, clamping jaws or the like, which are able to accelerate the outer packaging 25 in relation to the conveying flow of the following outer packaging 25 and to produce the desired delay between the successively conveyed outer packaging 25 .

Alternatively, both in combination with a cycle formation chain 7 and in combination with another conveyor device 17, manipulation devices 32 can be provided, which act on the outer packaging 25 on only one side.

Suitable for this purpose are, for example, suction devices that act on one side of the outer packaging 25 and are designed to be movable in some areas on one side along the conveyor section 30 and/or the conveyor device 17 in order to produce the desired division between the outer packaging 25 in the transport direction TR. In particular, the number of suction devices corresponds in each case to the number of outer packaging 25 provided for a subsequent joint filling with articles.

A further embodiment can provide that the manipulation devices 32 are held, for example by other suitable holding devices acting on one side of the outer packaging 25, in order to correspondingly delay and thus achieve a desired division between adjacent form outer packaging. For example, holding devices can be provided which engage in openings in the outer packaging 25 and hold them in this way, etc. The mode of operation of the manipulator 31, which is explained below with reference to a box clamping device 6, can be adapted by a person skilled in the art in a corresponding manner to other suitable manipulators 31 equipped with corresponding manipulation devices 32 be transmitted.

The crate clamping device 6 can accommodate a closed package of several incoming crates 20 . In particular, the crate clamping device 6 shown in FIG. 1 can pick up a package of three crates 20 arriving end to end and move them in the X direction XR or transport direction TR in the direction of the packaging module 3 .

In particular, when the three boxes 20 gripped by the box clamping device 6 are moved, these three boxes 20 can be moved at least briefly at a higher speed than the following boxes 20 in order to create a distance to the following boxes.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the clamping units 8 of the crate clamping device 6 have a speed difference relative to one another in order to form a distance between the three crates 20 jointly gripped by the crate clamping unit 6 during movement in the transport direction TR. In particular, the clamping unit 8-1 arranged first in the transport direction TR has a higher speed than the following, central clamping unit 8-2. Correspondingly, the central clamping unit 8-2 has a higher speed than the clamping unit 8-3 following in the transport direction TR (FIG. 2).

Before the boxes 20 are released or set down in the clock formation area 4 at the intervals specified by the clock chain 7, the boxes 20 are brought into the desired division by corresponding movement of the clamping units 8 (FIG. 2). In this case, an arrangement of clocked boxes is formed, which are identified below with the reference numeral 20* (FIG. 2).

Since there may be small distances in the infeed of the boxes 20 due to the process, which would make it difficult to divide them correctly, it can be provided that the boxes 20 are driven against a stop element 10 before being detected by the box clamping device 6 and are thereby accumulated be closed, which may result in process-related gaps. In order not to have to stop the continuous feed of the boxes 20 for this purpose, it can be provided that the stop element 10 is moved at least in some areas at a slightly lower speed than the boxes 20 in the transport direction.

After the defined number of crates 20 has been gripped by the crate clamping device 6, the stop element 10 can be moved upwards, downwards or to the side out of the transport path of the crates 20 in the transport direction TR, so that they continue to move unhindered in the transport direction TR and into the Clock chain 7 can be used.

According to one embodiment, it can be provided that the conveyor section 30 is formed by two or more parallel conveyor belts, between which parallel conveyor belts there is a distance in each case. The or a stop element 10 is arranged between the conveyor belts and protrudes upwards beyond the conveying plane formed by the conveyor belts. After the crates 20 of a cycle have been picked up by the manipulator 31, the stop element 10 descends downwards so that the crates 20 picked up by the manipulator 31 can now be moved at increased speed in the transport direction TR in the direction of the loading area 5.

Alternatively, it can be provided that the stop element 10 is arranged, for example, directly above the transport surface and that the crates 20 gripped by the crate clamping device 6 are additionally slightly lifted by this and thereby lifted over the stop element 10 . The boxes 20 are then lowered again accordingly when they are inserted into the cycle chain 7 .

Furthermore, the packaging device 1 comprises an article feed 15, via which articles 23, for example bottles 21 (cf. FIG. 3), are fed. The articles 23 are preferably supplied in an orderly manner, for example guided in aisles.

In the packaging module 3, article groups 22 are detected in the loading area 5 by a loading device 11 with a correspondingly designed gripping device 12 and inserted into the clocked boxes 20*.

For this purpose, the two, three or more outer packages 25 spaced apart from one another are brought together into the loading area 5 while maintaining the previously created distances in the transport direction TR and loaded there with article groups 22 in each case. In particular, provision is made for the loading device 11 to have two or more gripping units for the respective grasping of prepared article groups 22 . In this way, at least two groups of articles 22 can be detected at the same time and each transferred into a ready outer packaging 25 in the assembly area 5 and used.

The two or more gripping units preferably each have defined or adjustable distances in a direction parallel to the transport direction TR of the conveyor section 30, with these distances between the gripping units corresponding to the distances between the outer packaging 25 produced by the manipulator 31.

For example, three groups of articles 22 are grasped by the gripping device 12 , with each group of articles 22 including six bottles 21 . The groups of articles 22 gripped by the gripping device 12 are spaced apart from one another during the transfer from the article infeed 15 to the clocked boxes 20* and, in particular, brought to a division corresponding to the clocked boxes 20* and inserted into the clocked boxes 20* (FIG. 3).

The cycled boxes 20* equipped in this way with article groups 22 are then transported away from the packaging module 3 in the transport direction TR and fed to further handling (not shown).

Furthermore, provision can be made for the loading area 5 to be assigned a magazine 13 for baskets or the like, which can be provided for dividing the articles to be placed into further subgroups within the cycled boxes 20*.

For example, the boxes 20 can be provided without partitions. In this case, before the articles are inserted, baskets or partitions, for example, are first inserted into the clocked boxes 20*, which are removed from the magazine 13 by a suitable handling device 14.

If necessary, the baskets or compartments are provided in a space-saving form in the magazine 13 and must first be brought into a corresponding form before being inserted into the clocked boxes 20*. For this purpose, the handling device 14 can have suitable means in order to first unfold the baskets or compartments or the like, for example when transferring them in the direction of the clocked boxes 20*, and bring them into the desired shape. While the indexed boxes 20* are being filled in the loading area 5, the box clamping device 6 moves in the opposite direction to the X direction XR or transport direction TR (Fig. 3) in order to separate another group comprising three boxes 20 to detect and bring accordingly in the clock generation area 4 on division. For this purpose, the clamping units 8 still have to be brought into the appropriate arrangement according to FIG.

The advantages here are that no separate module is required for producing the division of the boxes 20 since the cycle chain 7 can be easily integrated into the packaging module 3 . The production of the division in an X-direction or transport direction TR of the boxes 20 results in space savings for the entire packaging device 1 since the footprint of the packaging device 1 is smaller. The arrangement of clock chain 7 and crate clamping device 6 is in particular significantly more cost-effective than a corresponding arrangement of crates 20, for example via a robot or another handling device known from the prior art.

One of the most important reasons why the outer packaging should be transported further at the distances mentioned in the transport direction TR before it is loaded with articles 23 is the described simultaneous loading of two or more outer packaging 25, each with an article grouping 22.

The loading devices 11 are normally designed in such a way that each article group 22 can be picked up by a gripper head equipped for this purpose, transferred to the loading position or the loading area 5 and deposited there in the outer packaging 25 that is ready.

Arrangements of suction grippers, for example, have proven themselves as such gripping devices or gripper heads, which are able to simultaneously pick up larger groups of articles 22 by means of vacuum-loaded suction bells, in which the articles 23 can be formed by bottles 21, cans or other containers that serve as primary packaging in particular may contain liquid beverages.

Since these gripper heads take up a certain amount of space on all sides in order to be able to work with them without colliding, it is normally not provided that adjacent article groups 22 can be gripped without lateral spacing and handled by means of separate gripper heads. For this reason, a sufficient lateral distance between the outer packaging to be loaded at the same time is 25 to foresee. These lateral distances sensibly correspond to the distances between the successively conveyed outer packages 25 produced in the cycle formation area 4 .

The outer packaging 25 is preferably moved continuously further in the transport direction TR while it is being fitted with groups of articles 22 . However, provision can also be made for the transport of the outer packaging 25 to be stopped at least briefly, so that it is stationary while the article groups 22 are being inserted in the assembly area 5 .

The schematic top view of Fig. 4 shows another embodiment of a packaging device 1. In this case, the boxes filled with groups of articles in the loading area 5 are transferred by a removal device 35 to another cycle chain 36, which is arranged parallel to the cycle chain 7 but has an opposite conveying direction FR .

With such an arrangement, the length of the packaging device 1 can be reduced, particularly when the space available is limited.

Instead of a timing chain 7 and/or a timing chain 36, normal conveyor belts can also be provided for transporting the outer packaging 25 or the outer packaging 25 loaded with articles.

The manipulation devices 32 can act on the outer packaging on both sides or on one side and can be formed in particular by clamping devices, holding devices, suction devices or the like.

The embodiments, examples and variants of the preceding paragraphs, the claims or the following description and figures, including their different views or respective individual features, can be used independently of one another or in any combination. Features described in connection with one embodiment are applicable to all embodiments unless the features are incompatible.

Even if in connection with the above description of the figures "schematic" representations and views are generally spoken of, this in no way means that the representations of the figures and their description are to be of secondary importance with regard to the disclosure of the invention. The person skilled in the art is quite capable of deriving from the diagrammatically and abstractly drawn representations enough information to make it easier for him to understand the invention without his understanding being impaired in any way by the dimensions of the outer packaging and/or parts of the device or other drawn elements that are drawn and may not be exactly to scale. The figures enable the person skilled in the art as a reader to derive a better understanding of the inventive concept formulated more generally and/or more abstractly in the claims and in the general part of the description on the basis of the more specifically explained implementations of the method according to the invention and the more specifically explained mode of operation of the device according to the invention.

The invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment. However, it will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that modifications or variations can be made to the invention without departing from the scope of the following claims.

Reference character list

1 packaging device

2 inlet module

3 packaging module

4 clock generation area

5 assembly area

6 box clamping device

7 clock chain

8 clamping unit

8-1 clamping unit

8-2 clamp unit

8-3 clamp unit

9 box inlet

10 stop element

11 placement device

12 gripping device

13 magazine

14 handling device

15 Article Inflow

16 staging area

17 conveyor

18 conveyor belt

20 boxes

20* clocked box

21 bottles

22 item group

23 items

25 outer packaging

26 box pickup

30 conveyor line

31 manipulator

32 manipulation devices

35 extraction device

36 clock chain

A distance

FR conveying direction L4 first length

L5 second length

TR transport direction

XR X direction

Claims

Claims Packaging method for transferring articles (23) into outer packaging (25) which is moved one after the other along a conveyor section (30) in a transport direction (TR) and which is in each case formed from a plurality of articles (23) and is used together in a respective outer packaging (25). Include item group (22) _T

- The outer packaging (25) being moved continuously and largely without spacing along the conveying path (30) and

- Before reaching an assembly area (5) which is connected to the conveyor line (30) or forms a section of the conveyor line (30), in which the outer packaging (25) accommodates the article groups (22), at least in pairs or in groups of several moving ones behind the other outer packaging (25) are each spaced apart from one another in the transport direction (TR),

- After which the two, three or more spaced-apart outer packaging (25) while maintaining the distances in the transport direction (TR) from each other brought together in the assembly area (5) and there are each equipped with article groups (22). Method according to Claim 1, in which the outer packaging (25) is spaced apart from one another in a delay area (4) arranged upstream of the assembly area (5) in the transport direction (TR). Method according to Claim 2, in which the spacing of the outer packaging (25) from one another in the delay area (4) takes place by means of lateral interventions, in particular by means of manipulation devices (32) acting on one side or both sides of the outer packaging (25). Method according to Claim 3, in which a manipulator (31) has manipulation devices ( 32), by means of which the outer packaging (25), which has not yet reached the loading area (5), is fixed and moved in the desired manner. Method according to Claim 3 or 4, in which the manipulation devices (32) acting on both sides of the outer packaging (25) move in an oscillating motion along the conveyor section (30) between the delay area (4) and a delay area (4) upstream in the transport direction (TR). Staging area (16) are moved. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 5, in which the respective spacings of the outer packaging (25) which follow one another in the transport direction (TR) correspond to spacings of gripping units of an assembly device (11 ) correspond. Packaging device (1) for packaging or repackaging (25) groups of articles (22), each with a defined number of articles (23) in a defined arrangement relative to one another in outer packaging (25), which packaging device (1) comprises at least:

- a conveyor section (30) for the supply of outer packaging (25) which is moved continuously and largely without spacing one behind the other,

- an assembly area (5) that follows the conveyor line (30) in the transport direction (TR) or forms a section of the conveyor line (30), the at least one assembly device (11) for transferring individual or simultaneously several article groups (22) into the respective outer packaging (25) is assigned,

- a manipulator (31) assigned to the conveyor section (30) and upstream of the assembly area (5) in the transport direction (TR), which is designed to move the outer packaging (25) there at least in pairs or in groups of several outer packagings (25) moved one behind the other to be spaced from each other in the transport direction (TR). Packaging device (1) according to Claim 7, in which the assembly device (11) has two or more gripping units for each gripping of prepared article groups (22), which grip at least two article groups (22) at the same time and place them in a ready outer packaging (25) in the assembly area (5) can be transferred and used, with the two or more gripping units each having defined distances in a direction parallel to the transport direction (TR) of the conveyor section (30), and with these distances between the gripping units being the distances that can be produced using the manipulator (31). of the outer packaging (25) correspond to each other.

9. Packaging device (1) according to Claim 7 or 8, in which the manipulator (31) for producing the distances between the outer packaging (25) moved one behind the other on the conveyor section (30) is arranged upstream of the loading area (5) in the transport direction (TR). Delay area (4) can be activated.

10. Packaging device (1) according to one of Claims 7 to 9, in which the manipulator (31) for producing the distances between the outer packaging (25) moved one behind the other on the conveyor line (30) acts laterally on the outer packaging (25) and/or has manipulation devices (32) engaging in the conveying section (30) by means of which the outer packaging (25) can be fixed and moved in the desired manner.

11. Packaging device (1) according to claim 10, in which the manipulation devices (32) acting on both sides of the outer packaging (25) move in an oscillating motion along the conveying path (30) between the delay area (4) and one of the delay area (4) in the transport direction ( TR) upstream staging area (16) can be moved.