EP4112486A1 - Packaging magazine for a manipulator and packaging system for making containers - Google Patents

Abstract

A packaging magazine (3, 3') for a manipulator is disclosed. The packaging magazine (3, 3') comprises a first cassette (5, 5'), via which first cassette (5, 5') packaging means (12) can be accommodated as a first lying or standing stack. The packaging magazine (3, 3') further comprises a second cassette (7, 7') via which second cassette (7, 7') supplements (14) for the packaging means (12) can be accommodated as a second standing or lying stack. The supplements (14) are designed in such a way that the supplements (14) can be brought together with the packaging means (12) to jointly provide a given packaging. The supplements (14) can be carrying handles (14'). The packaging means (12) can be formed by flat packaging blanks (12).

Description

The present invention relates to a packaging magazine for a manipulator and a packaging system for producing packs. The present invention also relates to a method for producing containers.

In order to pack articles, already formed collections of articles can be transported on a horizontal conveyor and then combined via packaging, so that the articles combined via a respective packaging thereby form a respective bundle. Trays are known, for example, on which articles are placed and which then hold the respective articles together. Packaging is also known which consists of strapping or other packaging elements, such as a cardboard box, into which several articles are inserted.

Since in practice the consumption of packaging material should be kept as low as possible, bundles or multipacks are also known in which several articles are held together by a flat packaging blank, which flat packaging blank forms a number of openings. A respective article or a respective beverage container passes through each of the openings with its upper part. The articles are held together in a positive and/or non-positive manner via such a packaging blank and form a respective multipack. For example, such multipacks are known which comprise four, six or eight articles. The flat packaging blanks can be formed in particular from cardboard or from cellulose-containing materials.

A respective opening of such a packaging blank, into which an article is to be pressed, has a smaller maximum cross-sectional diameter than the respective article. In order to press several articles into a respective flat packaging blank, a respective defined force is applied to the respective flat packaging blank.

In order to form a complete packaging, packaging means, which can be formed, for example, by such a packaging blank or by a cardboard box, are often provided with supplements in practice. It can for example, that a carrying handle is arranged on a packaging means in order to be able to better handle several articles combined into one container via a packaging means. If the packaging is a cardboard box, a compartment can be added to the cardboard box, if necessary, which divides the cardboard box into several chambers. Up until now, packaging materials and supplements have been stored in separate magazines. In systems known from the prior art, several handling robots remove packaging means and supplements from several magazines and bring the packaging means and supplements together at a later point in time in order to form the complete packaging from a respective packaging means and a respective supplement, with which several articles are packed will. In order to be able to produce containers in this way, the entire packaging system has a structure with large dimensions. In addition, a large number of process steps are necessary for the production of such a bundle in order to be able to form the complete packaging and then to combine the respective articles with the completely formed packaging.

The object of the invention is to provide a possibility that at least partially improves the production of bundles that include a packaging blank with an addition with regard to the disadvantages described.

The above object is solved by the subjects comprising the features in the independent claims. Further advantageous configurations are described by the dependent claims.

The invention relates to a packaging magazine for a manipulator. The packaging magazine comprises a first cassette, via which first cassette packaging means can be accommodated as the first lying or standing stack. The packaging magazine also includes a second cassette, via which the second cassette supplements for the packaging means can be accommodated as a second lying or standing stack. The supplements and the packaging means are designed in such a way that a respective supplement can be brought together with a respective packaging means for jointly providing a respective predetermined packaging.

Since the packaging magazine can thus accommodate both packaging means and corresponding supplements for the packaging means together, the structure of a packaging system which such a packaging magazine includes, be kept very compact. With such a packaging system, separate magazines for the provision of packaging materials and supplements can even be completely dispensed with.

The packaging magazine can be designed as a packaging module which may have a frame structure on which the first cassette and the second cassette are each arranged and/or within which the first cassette and the second cassette are each completely accommodated. The frame construction can form an outer periphery of the packaging magazine or define an outer periphery of the packaging magazine.

The first cassette can define, provide and/or form a storage area within which storage area packaging means can be accommodated as the first lying or standing stack. The second cassette can also define, provide and/or form a storage area within which storage area supplements for the packaging means can be accommodated as a second lying or standing stack.

The packaging magazine can also include at least one coupling means, via which an AGV or an automated guided vehicle can receive the packaging magazine in such a way that the packaging magazine can be transported via the AGV or the automated guided vehicle along a predetermined transport route.

It may be that the first cassette comprises a first transport device for moving a first stack of packaging means, which is received in a standing or lying position, along a first transport direction. The first transport device can be designed as a horizontal conveyor device, via which a horizontally received stack of packaging means can be moved along a horizontal first transport direction. In this case, the first transport device can comprise a revolvingly driven conveyor belt, which revolvingly driven conveyor belt is designed to move a first stack of packaging means, which is received lying by the first cassette, along the horizontally running first transport direction.

As an alternative to this, the first transport device can be designed as a lifting device, via which a stack of packaging means, which has been picked up in a standing position, can be moved along a first transport direction running vertically. Here can the first transport device or the lifting device comprise a platform which can be raised and lowered and which is designed to move a first stack of packaging means, which is picked up by the platform in a standing position, along the perpendicular first transport direction.

Furthermore, the second cassette of the packaging magazine can comprise a second transport device for moving a second stack of supplements for the packaging means, which is accommodated in a standing or lying position, along a second transport direction, which second transport direction runs parallel to the first transport direction. The second transport device can be embodied as a further horizontal conveyor device, via which a stack of supplements for the packaging means, picked up lying down, can be moved along a horizontally running second transport direction, which horizontally running second transport direction runs parallel to the horizontally running first transport direction.

In this case, the second transport device can comprise a further circulatingly driven conveyor belt, which further circulatingly driven conveyor belt is designed to move a second stack of supplements for the packaging means, which is received horizontally by the second cassette, along the horizontally running second transporting direction, which horizontally running second transporting direction is parallel to the horizontal running first transport direction is oriented.

As an alternative to this, the second transport device can be designed as a further lifting device, via which a stack of supplements for the packaging means, picked up in a standing position, can be moved along a vertical second transport direction, which vertical second transport direction is oriented parallel to the vertical first transport direction. In this case, the second transport device or the further lifting device can comprise a further platform that can be raised and lowered, which is designed to move a second stack of supplements for the packaging means, which is held upright by the platform that can be raised and lowered, along a vertical second transport direction, which is vertical running second transport direction is oriented parallel to the perpendicular first transport direction.

The packaging means, which can be accommodated via the first cassette as the first lying or standing stack, can optionally be flat packaging blanks be formed, which have a plurality of openings for receiving a respective article. The supplements for the packaging means, which can be accommodated as a second standing or lying stack via the second cassette, can optionally be designed as carrying handles, which can be arranged on the flat packaging blanks.

As an alternative to this, the packaging means, which can be accommodated via the first cassette as the first lying or standing stack, can be designed as cardboard boxes, which are each designed to accommodate a plurality of articles. The supplements for the packaging means, which can be accommodated as a second standing or lying stack via the second cassette, can be designed as compartments which divide a respective cardboard box into several chambers for accommodating several articles by bringing them together with the respective cardboard box.

The invention also relates to a packaging system for producing bundles. A component of the packaging system is at least one packaging magazine as described above. In various embodiments, it can be the case that the packaging system includes exactly one packaging magazine according to an exemplary embodiment of the preceding description.

The packaging system also includes at least one manipulator, which is used to remove packaging means and supplements for the packaging means from the at least one packaging magazine, to assemble a respective removed packaging means and a respective removed supplement for the respective packaging means to form a predetermined packaging, and to pack a plurality of articles is formed via a respective predetermined packaging.

The at least one manipulator can be designed and/or can be controlled via a control device of the packaging system in such a way that the at least one manipulator can have at least one packaging means and at least one supplement for a respective packaging means from the same or from exactly one specific packaging magazine according to one exemplary embodiment can be found in the above description.

In various embodiments, the at least one manipulator can be formed by at least one portal system. It can also be the case that the at least one manipulator is formed by at least one multi-axis robot.

In the packaging system, a specific manipulator is provided, which specific manipulator can remove both a packaging means and a supplement for the respective packaging means from the at least one packaging magazine to provide a given packaging.

The specific manipulator can also be designed to assemble a respective removed packaging means and a respective removed supplement for the respective packaging means to form a predetermined package. It is also conceivable that the specific manipulator is designed to pack a plurality of articles using a given packaging.

In practice, embodiments have proven themselves in which the packaging system comprises at least one additional manipulator, which includes at least one additional manipulator for assembling a respective removed packaging means and a respective removed supplement for the respective packaging means to form a predetermined package and for packaging a plurality of articles via one respective predetermined packaging is formed.

The specific manipulator can be designed to unfold packaging means, which can be received stacked over the first cassette of the at least one packaging magazine and folded together as a first standing or lying stack.

In particular, it may be that the specific manipulator is designed to jointly receive at least one packaging means and at least one supplement for the packaging means.

The packaging system can optionally include at least one tray. The specific manipulator can be designed to position a packaging means removed from the at least one packaging magazine and a supplement removed from the at least one packaging magazine on the at least one shelf. The packaging system can also include at least one additional manipulator, which has at least one additional manipulator for receiving a respective packaging means positioned on the at least one shelf and a supplement positioned on the at least one shelf and for providing a specified packaging by bringing the respective packaging means together with the respective supplement as be designed for packaging a respective combination of articles with the respective packaging.

The invention also relates to a method for producing containers. Features that have already been mentioned above for various embodiments of the packaging system or the packaging magazine can also be provided in the embodiments of the method according to the invention described below and are not mentioned several times.

Likewise, features described below for various embodiments of the method according to the invention can be provided in the previously mentioned embodiments of the packaging system according to the invention and the packaging magazine according to the invention, without being mentioned again. The packaging system can optionally be designed to carry out the embodiments of the method according to the invention described below.

One step of the method provides packaging means and supplements for the packaging means via at least one packaging magazine. The packaging magazine has a first cassette and a second cassette, via which first cassette packaging means are received as a first horizontal or vertical stack and via which second cassette supplements for the packaging means are recorded as a second vertical or horizontal stack.

In the method, at least one manipulator is also provided, which at least one manipulator removes packaging means and supplements from the at least one packaging magazine and brings a respective packaging means together with a respective supplement, resulting from a respective packaging means and a respective supplement for the respective packaging means a respective packaging is formed. The at least one manipulator then packs a respective combination of articles with a respective packaging.

In the method it is provided that a specific manipulator for forming a respective packaging removes both a respective packaging means and a respective supplement for the respective packaging means from the at least one packaging magazine. It can be the case here that the specific manipulator for forming a respective packaging removes both a respective packaging means and a respective supplement from the at least one packaging magazine at the same time or at least approximately at the same time.

In the method, the first cassette can have a first transport device, via which first transport device the first cassette provides packaging means to the specific manipulator, in that the first cassette pushes the first stack picked up lying flat along a horizontally oriented first transport direction via its first transport device. Furthermore, the second cassette can have a second transport device, via which second transport device the second cassette provides the specific manipulator with supplements for the packaging means, in that the second cassette uses its second transport device to push the second stack picked up lying flat along a horizontally oriented second transport direction, the second horizontal oriented transport direction runs parallel to the first horizontally oriented transport direction.

It is also possible for the first cassette to have a first transport device, via which first transport device the first cassette provides the specific manipulator with packaging means, in that the first cassette uses its first transport device to lift the first stack picked up in an upright position along a second, vertically oriented transport direction. Furthermore, the second cassette can have a second transport device, via which second transport device the second cassette provides the specific manipulator with supplements for the packaging means, in that the second cassette uses its second transport device to lift the second stack, which is picked up in an upright position, along a vertically oriented second transport direction, which is oriented vertically second transport direction runs parallel to the vertically oriented first transport direction.

It may be that the specific manipulator carries a respective packaging means taken from the at least one packaging magazine as well as a supplement taken for the respective packaging means from the at least one packaging magazine to form a respective package together along a predetermined transport path.

In the method, the packaging means, which are received via the first cassette as the first lying or standing stack, can be flat packaging blanks which have a plurality of openings for receiving a respective article. In such embodiments, the supplements for the packaging means, which are added as a second standing or lying stack via the second cassette, can be carrying handles are arranged on the flat packaging blanks to form a respective packaging.

As an alternative to this, it can be the case, for example, that the packaging means, which are accommodated via the first cassette as the first lying or standing stack, are cardboard boxes which are each designed to accommodate a plurality of articles. Furthermore, the supplements for the packaging means, which are accommodated as a second standing or lying stack via the second cassette, can be compartments which, by bringing them together with the cardboard boxes, divide a respective cardboard box into a number of chambers for accommodating a number of articles.

At least one shelf can be provided, with the specific manipulator positioning a respective packaging means removed from the at least one packaging magazine and a respective supplement for the respective packaging means removed from the at least one packaging magazine on the at least one shelf. In addition, at least one further manipulator can be provided, which at least one further manipulator receives a respective packaging means and a respective supplement for the respective packaging means from the at least one shelf and brings a respective packaging means together with a respective supplement, resulting in a respective packaging means and a respective Supplement for the respective packaging a respective packaging is formed. In addition, the at least one further manipulator can pack a respective combination of articles with a respective packaging.

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

Even if "schematic" representations and views are generally referred to in the context of the following description of the figures, 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 extracting enough information from the diagrammatic and abstract drawings to make it easier for him to understand the invention, without his understanding being impaired in any way by the drawn and possibly not exactly true-to-scale proportions .

The figures enable the person skilled in the art as a reader to better understand what is 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 packaging system according to the invention and the packaging magazine according to the invention to derive inventive ideas.

Figures 1A to 1C show a schematic representation of an embodiment of a packaging system according to the invention and an embodiment of a packaging magazine according to the invention and illustrate individual steps as can be provided in various embodiments of a method according to the invention.

Figures 2A to 2C show a schematic representation of a further embodiment of a packaging system according to the invention and another Embodiment of a packaging magazine according to the invention and illustrate individual steps as can be provided in various embodiments of a method according to the invention.

Figures 3A to 3C each show further aspects as can be provided in various embodiments of a packaging system according to the invention, a packaging magazine according to the invention and a method according to the invention.

4 shows individual steps in the flow chart, as they are carried out individually or according to the in 4 combination shown can be provided in various embodiments of a method according to the invention.

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 invention can be configured and do not represent any final limitation.

the Figure 1A shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of a packaging system 1 according to the invention. The packaging system 1 comprises two packaging magazines, which are referenced with numbers 3 and 3 'in Figure 1A are shown. Each of the packaging magazines 3 and 3' has a first cassette 5 or 5' and a second cassette 7 or 7'. The first cassettes 5 and 5' of the respective packaging magazine 3 or 3' define a respective storage area within which packaging blanks 12 (cf. Figures 3A to 3C ) are recorded in stacked form.

In various embodiments, it can be the case that the packaging blanks 12 are received as a lying stack over the respective first cassette 5 or 5′ of the respective packaging magazine 3 or 3′. In the present case, three standing stacks of packaging blanks 12 are stored in each cassette 5 or 5'.

The first cassettes 5 and 5' each comprise an in Figure 1A lifting device, not shown, via which the first cassettes 5 and 5' can lift a respective standing stack of packaging blanks 12. Such a lifting of a respective stack of packaging blanks 12 by means of a respective first Cassettes 5 and 5' are clocked and in each case after a removal of packaging blanks 12, which will be described below, via a first manipulator 23.

Each of the packaging magazines 3 and 3 also has a second cassette 7 or 7' in which additions 14 (cf. Figures 1B and 1C ) are included for the packaging blanks 12 as a second standing stack. The supplements 14 are each designed as a carrying handle 14' and are Figures 1B and 1C shown only schematically. In Figures 3A to 3C a detailed view of an embodiment for such an addition 14 or an embodiment for such a carrying handle 14' can be seen in each case. The respective second cassette 7 or 7′ also includes a lifting device, via which the respective second cassette 7 or 7′ can lift a respective stack of supplements 14 in a clocked manner.

As previously mentioned, the packaging system 1 comprises a first manipulator 23 and two further manipulators 25 and 27. The first manipulator 23 can be moved back and forth between the magazines 3 and 3' and a tray shown by reference numeral 50. In the present case, the first manipulator 23 is designed as a specific manipulator 24, which can remove both packaging means 12 and supplements 14 for the packaging means 12 from one of the magazines 3 or 3' within the scope of a work cycle.

A synopsis of Figures 1A to 1C illustrates an operation of the particular manipulator 24. How Figure 1C shows, the packaging magazines 3 and 3' have an identical structure, which is why in Figure 1C only one packaging magazine 3 or 3' is shown, the structure of the two packaging magazines 3 and 3' according to FIG Figure 1A the representation of the packaging magazine 3 or 3 'after Figure 1C is equivalent to.

The two packaging magazines 3 and 3 'according to Figure 1A accordingly each comprise a first cassette 5 or 5' and a second cassette 7 or 7'. The first cassettes 5 and 5' have each received three standing stacks of packaging means 12, with Figure 1C in each case a packaging means 12 arranged at the top of a respective stack can be seen.

The other packaging means 12 of the respective stack are located below the respective packaging means 12, which Figure 1C is shown and are therefore in Figure 1C not recognizable. The same applies to supplements 14, which are included in Figure 1C to be shown.

The second cassettes 7 and 7' have each accommodated three standing stacks of supplements 14, with in Figure 1C in each case one supplement 14 arranged at the top of the respective stack can be seen.

The other supplements 14 of a respective stack are located in the direction of the image below the respective supplement 14, which Figure 1C is shown and are therefore in Figure 1C not recognizable.

In one step, the first manipulator 23 or the specific manipulator 24 is moved in the direction of a magazine 3 or 3 ′ until the first manipulator 23 or the specific manipulator 24 reaches a transfer position suitable for receiving packaging blanks 12 and supplements 14 .

Out of Figure 1B it is clear that the first manipulator 23 or the specific manipulator 24 comprises a first carrying device 17 and a second carrying device 19 . If the first manipulator 23 or the specific manipulator 24 has reached the transfer position, the first manipulator 23 or the specific manipulator 24 accepts one packaging item 12 each from the three standing stacks of packaging items 12 via its first carrying device 17, up to three packaging items in the present case 12 are held over the specific manipulator 24 or until the present three packaging means 12 are fixed to the specific manipulator 24. In addition, the specified manipulator 24 receives one supplement 14 from the three stacks of supplements 14 held upright by the second cassette 7 or 7 ′ via its second carrying device 19 until the present three supplements 14 are held by the specified manipulator 24 .

The first manipulator 23 or the specific manipulator 24 is thus able to remove a plurality of packaging means 12 and a plurality of supplements 14 from a single magazine 3 or 3', and to carry the removed packaging means 12 and the supplements 14 taken together. The specified manipulator 24 is moved in the direction of a tray 50 together with the packaging means 12 received from the respective magazine 3 or 3' and together with the supplements 14 for the packaging means 12 received from the respective magazine 3 or 3'.

The first carrying device 17 and the second carrying device 19 can optionally each comprise a plurality of suction instruments with which the first carrying device 17 and the second support device 19 can detect packaging 12 and supplements 19 for the packaging 12 via negative pressure.

It is clear from the above description that the packaging magazines 3 and 3′ of the packaging system 1 each accommodate both packaging means 12 and supplements 14 for these packaging means 12 via a respective first cassette 5 or 5′ and a respective second cassette 7 or 7′ can. In addition, the specified manipulator 24 is able to remove both packaging means 12 and supplements 14 for the packaging means 12 from the respective magazine 3 or 3', and the removed packaging means 12 together with the removed supplements 14 together in the direction of a tray 50 to wear.

Separate magazines, which only receive packaging means 12 or only supplements 14 for the packaging means 12, and separate manipulators, which only remove packaging means 12 or only supplements 14 from such a respective magazine, are not provided in the packaging system 1 and are also not intended for the production of corresponding containers necessary. The packaging system 1 is therefore characterized by a compact and clear structure.

Packaging means 12, which in the present case are formed by flat packaging blanks 12', are stacked by the respective packaging magazine 3 or 3' and received in a collapsed orientation. As below Figure 3B described, can alternatively be provided that the flat packaging blanks 12 are flat and are stacked on top of each other without being folded here.

In the present case, the specified manipulator 24 is able to unfold a respective folded packaging means 12 or a respective folded flat packaging blank 12' during or after removal from the respective packaging magazine 3 or 3' and then to move it unfolded in the direction of storage 50 and set it down on shelf 50. Likewise, the supplements 14 for the packaging means 12, which supplements 14 are presently formed by carrying handles 14', are stacked and in a collapsed orientation are received by the respective packaging magazine 3 or 3'.

The specified manipulator 24 is also capable of unfolding a respective folded supplement 14 or a respective folded carrying handle 14' during or after removal from the respective packaging magazine 3 or 3' and then moving it unfolded in the direction of the shelf 50 and set down on shelf 50.

How out Figure 3C results, the packaging means 12 or the flat packaging blanks 12' can each form a plurality of openings 13 into which a plurality of articles 8 are inserted. An expansion matrix can be arranged in the area of the shelf 50 . If this is the case, the first manipulator 23 or the specific manipulator 24 can place the flat packaging blanks 12' carried up to that point on such an expansion matrix, with conically shaped mandrels entering the openings 13 and expanding the respective opening 13 or a cross section expand the respective opening 13 slightly.

As a result, a respective flat packaging blank 12' can be applied later to several articles 8 with little effort, since the openings 13 have already been stretched by means of the conically shaped mandrels or have been processed by means of the conically shaped mandrels for application to articles 8.

In the embodiment of a packaging system 1 according to Figures 1A to 1C the first manipulator 23 or the specific manipulator 24 does not itself apply packaging means 12 to a plurality of articles 8, but places the packaging means 12 removed from the respective packaging magazine 3 or 3' and the supplements removed from the respective packaging magazine 3 or 3' 14 on shelf 50.

Another manipulator, which in Figure 1A shown for reference with number 25, fetches the packaging means 12 and the supplements 14 from the shelf 50 and then moves the packaging means 12 and the supplements 14 in the direction of a horizontal conveyor 40. The further manipulator 25 is in the embodiment according to Figure 1A capable of bringing a respective packaging means 12 together with a respective supplement 14 and thereby creating a predetermined packaging 16 from a respective packaging means 12 and a respective supplement 14 (cf. Figures 3A and 3B ) to train.

In the embodiment according to Figures 1A to 1C the packaging means 12 are designed as flat packaging blanks 12'. Next, the additions 14 are each designed as a handle 14 '. The further manipulator 25 can bring the flat packaging blanks 12' together with the carrying handles 14', in that the further manipulator 25 firmly connects a respective carrying handle 14' to a respective flat packaging blank 12'. For example, the further manipulator 25 may firmly connect a respective carrying handle 14' to a respective flat packaging blank 12', in that the further manipulator 25 glues a respective flat packaging blank 12' to a respective carrying handle 14' or attaches them to one another by means of an adhesive connection .

It is also possible that the additional manipulator 25 firmly connects a respective carrying handle 14' to a respective flat packaging blank 12' by the additional manipulator 25 hanging a respective carrying handle 14' into a respective flat packaging blank 12' or by the additional manipulator 25 a respective carrying handle 14' and a respective flat packaging blank 12' hooked together.

On the horizontal conveying device 40, several combinations of articles 8, which are to be packed by means of a respective packaging 16, are moved one behind the other along the transport direction TR. A respective combination of articles 8 is spaced apart from a subsequent combination of articles 8 in the transport direction TR. For this purpose, the further manipulator 27 designated by the reference numeral 27 receives a plurality of articles 8 from an infeed 30 and places a plurality of articles 8 on the horizontal conveyor device 40 as a respective combination of articles 8 . Articles 8 are also moved along the transport direction TR via the feed 30 and thereby reach a working area of the further manipulator 27.

The further manipulator 25, which has formed a respective packaging 16 by bringing together a respective packaging means 12 with a respective supplement 14, is able to pack a respective assembly of articles 8 with a respective packaging 16. Figures 3A and 3B reveal such a packaging 16 which is formed from a flat packaging blank 12' and from a carrying handle 14' connected to the flat packaging blank 12'.

The further manipulator 25 packs the individual articles 8 of a respective assembly located on the horizontal conveyor 40 by the further manipulator 25 placing a respective packaging 16 on a respective assembly and thereby inserting the articles 8 of a respective assembly into the openings 13 of the flat packaging blank 12' . All articles 8 of a respective composition are then held firmly together by a respective packaging 16, which consists of a flat packaging blank 12' and a carrying handle 14' connected to the respective flat packaging blank 12'. The Article 8 together with the respective packaging 16 form a bundle, as exemplified in the Figures 3A and 3B is shown at reference number 60.

In the embodiment according to FIG Figures 1A to 1C each designed as a portal system. In further embodiments, the first manipulator 23 or the specific manipulator 24, the further manipulator 25 and/or the further manipulator 27 can also be formed by a respective industrial robot or articulated-arm robot or by further handling devices.

the Figures 2A to 2C show a schematic representation of a further embodiment of a packaging system 1 according to the invention and a further embodiment of a packaging magazine 3 according to the invention and illustrate individual steps as they occur in various embodiments of a method 100 according to the invention (cf. 4 ) can be provided.

The embodiment of a packaging system 1 according to Figures 2A to 2C differs from the embodiment of a packaging system 1 accordingly Figures 1A to 1C being that in the embodiment after Figures 2A to 2C exactly one packaging magazine 3 is provided, whereas the embodiment of a packaging system 1 according to Figures 1A to 1C comprises exactly two packaging magazines 3 and 3'.

the Figure 2C shows the structure of the packaging magazine 3, as for the embodiment of a packaging system 1 according to Figure 2A is used. The packaging magazine 3 comprises two first cassettes 5 and two second cassettes 7. Each of the first cassettes 5 has exactly three stacks of packaging means 12 standing recorded. In addition, each of the second cassettes 7 has received exactly three stacks of supplements 14 for the packaging means 12.

Two first cassettes 5 and 5' and two second cassettes 7 and 7', which in the embodiment according to FIG Figures 1A to 1C are provided by two packaging magazines 3 and 3 ', in the embodiment of a packaging magazine 3 after Figures 2A to 2C provided by exactly one packaging magazine 3.

In the embodiment according to Figures 1A to 1C there is the possibility that one of the two packaging magazines 3 or 3' is assigned to the first manipulator 23 or the specific manipulator 24 over a certain period of time, from which the first manipulator 23 or the specific manipulator 24 intermittently releases packaging means 12 and Supplements 14 for the packaging 12 removes. If the supply of packaging means 12 and/or supplements 14 in one of the two packaging magazines 3 or 3' has been used up, the respective packaging magazine 3 or 3', in which there is still a sufficient supply of packaging means 12 and supplements 14 is located.

A packaging operation for the packaging system 1 therefore does not have to be interrupted if the supply of packaging means 12 and/or supplements 14 in one of the two packaging magazines 3 or 3' is exhausted or running out. An empty packaging magazine 3 or 3' can be filled, while the first manipulator 23 or the specific manipulator 24 removes packaging blanks 12 and supplements 14 from a further packaging magazine 3 or 3', which still stores a supply of packaging means 12 and supplements 14 Has.

If the supply of packaging means 12 and/or supplements 14 for the packaging means 12 in this packaging magazine 3 or 3' is also exhausted, it is possible to switch back to the other packaging magazine 3 or 3' that has already been refilled and which is assigned to the first manipulator 23 or assigned to the specific manipulator 24 for the removal of packaging means 12 and supplements 14 for the packaging means 12.

In practice, it may be that an empty packaging magazine 3 or 3' is filled with packaging means 12 and/or supplements 14, while the empty packaging magazine 3 or 3' is in its respective position in the Packaging system 1 remains or is not removed from the packaging system 1.

As an alternative to this, it can be provided that an empty packaging magazine 3 or 3' is removed from the packaging system 1 and replaced by a new, already filled packaging magazine 3 or 3'. It has proven itself here if the packaging system 1 comprises an AGV or driverless transport vehicle (not shown), which removes an empty packaging magazine 3 or 3' from the packaging system 1 and replaces it with a new or filled packaging magazine 3 or 3'.

The embodiment of a packaging system 1 according to Figures 2A to 2C is characterized compared to the embodiment of a packaging system 1 Figures 1A to 1C with a simple structure. In the case of the embodiment of a packaging system 1 is sufficient Figures 2A to 2C already a packaging magazine 3 in order to be able to supply the first manipulator 23 or the specific manipulator 24 with packaging means 12 and supplements 14 for the packaging means 12 for a longer period of time.

Both in the embodiment of a packaging system 1 after Figures 1A to 1C as well as in the embodiment of a packaging system 1 according to Figures 2A to 2C the packaging magazines 3 and 3' can each be constructed in modules and possibly have a supporting frame structure on which the first cassettes 5 and 5' and the second cassettes 7 and 7' of the respective packaging magazine 3 and 3' are arranged.

the Figures 3A to 3C each show further aspects as they are in various embodiments of a packaging system 1 according to the invention, a packaging magazine 3 or 3′ according to the invention and a method 100 according to the invention (cf. 4 ) can each be provided.

the Figures 3A and 3B can here in each case an already finished container 60 recognize which by means of in the Figures 2A to 2B each shown horizontal conveyor 40 can be moved in the direction of further processing, such as a packing and palletizing station. The bundles 60 of Figures 3A and 3B relate to different embodiments. This is how the container 60 is made according to the embodiment Figure 3A of several articles 8, which are formed by beverage containers 9 and a packaging 16, which holds the articles 8 formed by beverage containers 9 together.

The packaging 16 consists of a packaging means 12, which in the present case is a flat packaging blank 12', and a supplement 14 for the packaging means 12, which supplement 14 relates to a carrying handle 14'. The carrying handle 14' is in this case fixed to the flat packaging blank 12'. The flat packaging blank 12 'after Figure 3A was positioned folded up in a packaging magazine 3 or 3' and then removed from the packaging magazine 3 or 3' by means of a first manipulator 23 or by means of a specific manipulator 24 and unfolded.

If the container 60 according to the embodiment Figure 3A carried via the carrying handle 14', the carrying handle 14 can transfer no or only a very small force in the horizontal direction to the flat packaging blank 12'. In contrast, the container 60 is characterized by the embodiment Figure 3B compared to the container 60 after Figure 3A with better stability. The packaging 16, with which the also in Figure 3B Articles 8 formed by drinks containers 9 are held together also consists of a flat packaging blank 12' and an addition 14 or a carrying handle 14', which is arranged on the flat packaging blank 12'.

The manufacture or formation of the packaging 16 takes place as previously described in relation to the embodiments Figures 1A to 1C as Figures 2A to 2C already mentioned, by means of a further manipulator 25, which brings the carrying handle 14' and the flat packaging blank 12' together for this purpose. The flat packaging blank 12 'of the embodiment Figure 3B is flat and is stored in a stacked form by a respective second cassette 7 or 7' of a respective packaging magazine 3 or 3' without being collapsed or folded.

A first manipulator 23 or a specific manipulator 24 (cf. Figures 1A, 1B 2A and 2B) can remove such a respective flat packaging blank 12' from a respective packaging magazine 3 or 3' without having to unfold the respective removed flat packaging blank 12' to form a packaging 16. A packaging 16, which a flat packaging blank 12 'according to Figure 3B comprises, has compared to a packaging 16, which has a flat packaging blank 12 'according to Figure 3A includes, other benefits.

The carrying handle 14' is also included in the packaging Figure 3B firmly connected to the flat packaging blank 12'. If the container 60 via the carrying handle 14 ' worn, the carrying handle 14' can introduce a force in the horizontal direction onto the flat packaging blank 12'. The container 60 according to the embodiment Figure 3B is therefore characterized by high stability.

In Figure 3C a packaging means 12 and a supplement 14 for the packaging means 12 can be seen again in detail, which packaging means 12 and which supplement 14 are used in a packaging system 1 (cf. Figure 1A and 2A ) can be brought together to form a package 16 from a respective packaging means 12 and a respective supplement 14. The packaging means 12 is in turn designed as a flat packaging blank 12'. The supplement 14 for the packaging means 12 is in turn a carrying handle 14'.

The packaging means 12 comprises a plurality of openings 13, it being possible for a respective article 8, formed by a beverage container 9, to be inserted into a respective opening 13. Since the flat packaging blank 12' in the present case has exactly four openings 13, exactly four articles 8 formed by beverage containers 9 can be combined to form a container 60 by means of the flat packaging blank 12'. The flat packaging blank 12' and the carrying handle 14' are in Figure 3C each formed by cardboard, but can also be formed by plastic or other materials in other embodiments.

the 4 shows individual steps in the flow chart, as they are carried out individually or according to the in 4 shown combination can be provided in various embodiments of a method 100 according to the invention.

In the first method step 110, a certain manipulator 24 removes packaging means 12 and supplements 14 for the packaging means 12 from a packaging magazine 3 or 3' and carries the removed packaging means 12 and the removed supplements 14 together to a tray 50, on which the specified manipulator 24 is both the packaging means 12 as well as the supplements 14 for the packaging means 12 are stored. Such a removal of packaging means 12 and supplements 14 from a packaging magazine 3 or 3' takes place at the specific manipulator 24 in step 110 as part of a work cycle.

In the second step 120, which follows the first step, another manipulator 25 accepts the packaging means 12 and the supplements 14 from the shelf 50 and brings the received packaging means 12 with the received supplements together, so that a respective Packaging means 12 forms a predetermined packaging 16 with a respective supplement thereon.

Step 120 is followed by the third method step 130. In step 130, this further manipulator packs 25 assemblies of articles 8 with the packaging 16 that has already been formed 12 'is part of the package 16 already formed. The articles 8 of a respective combination are then connected to one another by means of the packaging 16 and form a bundle 60 together with the respective packaging 16 .

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 list

1

packaging system

3

magazine

3'

magazine

5

first cassette (magazine 3)

5'

first cassette (magazine 3')

7

second cassette (magazine 3)

7'

second cassette (magazine 3')

8th

article

9

beverage container

12

packaging materials

12'

flat packaging blank

13

opening

14

Addition

14'

carrying handle

15

Base

16

Packaging

17

first carrying device

19

second carrying device

23

first manipulator

24

certain manipulator

25

another manipulator

27

another manipulator

30

feeding

40

horizontal conveyor

50

filing

60

container

100

procedure

110

first procedural step, first step

120

second step, second step

130

third step, third step

TR

transport direction

Claims (11)

Packaging magazine (3, 3') for a manipulator (23), which packaging magazine (3, 3') comprises a first cassette (5, 5'), over which first cassette (5, 5') packaging means (12) lie first or standing stack can be accommodated, the packaging magazine (3, 3'), characterized by a second cassette (7, 7'), over which second cassette (7, 7') supplements (14) for the packaging means (12) lie second or a standing stack can be accommodated, the supplements (14) and the packaging means (12) being designed in such a way that a respective supplement (14) can be brought together with a respective packaging means (12) to jointly provide a respective predetermined packaging (16). Packaging magazine according to Claim 1, in which the first cassette (5, 5') comprises a first transport device for moving a first stack of packaging means (12), which is received in a standing or lying position, along a first transport direction, and in which the second cassette (7, 7') a second transport device for moving a second stack of supplements (14) for the packaging means (12), which is received standing or lying down, along a second transport direction, the first transport direction and the second transport direction running parallel to one another. Packaging magazine according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, in which a) the packaging means (12) which can be accommodated via the first cassette (5, 5') as the first lying or standing stack are designed as flat packaging blanks (12') which have a plurality of Have openings (13) for receiving a respective article (8) and in which the supplements (14) for the packaging means (12), which can be received as a second standing or lying stack via the second cassette (7, 7'), as carrying handles (14') which can be arranged on the flat packaging blanks (12') and/or in which b) the packaging means (12) which over the first cassette (5, 5') as the first lying or standing stack are receivable, are designed as cardboard boxes, which are each designed to hold several articles (8) and in which the supplements (14) for the packaging means (12), which as a second standing or lying stack over d The second cassette (7, 7') can be accommodated as compartments are formed, which subdivide a respective cardboard box by bringing it together with the respective cardboard box in a plurality of chambers for accommodating a plurality of articles (8). Packaging system for producing bundles (60) with - At least one packaging magazine (3, 3 ') according to any one of claims 1 to 3 and with - at least one manipulator (23, 25) which is used to remove packaging means (12) and supplements (14) for the packaging means (12) from the at least one packaging magazine (3, 3'), to bring together a respective removed packaging means (12 ) and a respective removed supplement (14) for the respective packaging means (12) for a given packaging (16) and for packaging a plurality of articles (8) via a respective given packaging (16), the packaging system characterized by
a specific manipulator (24), which uses a specific manipulator (24) to provide a given packaging (60), both a packaging means (12) and a supplement (14) for the respective packaging means (12) from the at least one packaging magazine (3 , 3') can be inferred. Packaging system according to Claim 4, in which the specific manipulator (24) is designed to receive at least one packaging means (12) and at least one supplement (14) for the packaging means (12) together. Packaging system according to Claim 4 or Claim 5, with at least one shelf (50), the specific manipulator (24) for positioning a packaging means (12) taken from the at least one packaging magazine (3, 3') and a packaging means (12) taken from the at least one packaging magazine ( 3, 3') removed supplement (14) is formed on the at least one shelf (50), and which packaging system comprises at least one further manipulator (25), which comprises at least one further manipulator (25) for receiving a respective one on the at least one shelf (50) positioned packaging means (12) as well as a supplement (14) positioned on the at least one shelf (50) and for providing a predetermined packaging (16) by bringing the respective packaging means (12) together with the respective supplement (14) and for Packaging a respective compilation of articles (8) with the respective packaging (16) is formed. Method (100) for producing containers (60), the method comprising the following steps: - Providing packaging means (12) and supplements (14) for the packaging means (12) via at least one packaging magazine (3, 3'), which has at least one packaging magazine (3, 3'), a first cassette (5, 5') and has a second cassette (7, 7'), via which first cassette (5, 5') packaging means (12) are accommodated as the first lying or standing stack and via which second cassette supplements (14) for the packaging means (12) as the second standing or lying stacks are included, with - at least one manipulator (23, 25) is provided, which removes at least one manipulator (23, 25) packaging means (12) and supplements (14) from the at least one packaging magazine (3, 3') and a respective packaging means (12) with it a respective supplement (14), from which a respective packaging (16) is formed as a result of a respective packaging means (12) and a respective supplement (14) for the respective packaging means (12), and wherein the at least one manipulator (23, 25) a respective combination of articles is packaged with a respective packaging (16), the method characterized in that a specific manipulator (24) is provided, which specific manipulator (24) for forming a respective package (16) contains both a respective packaging means (12) and also a respective supplement (14) for the respective packaging means (12) from the at least one packaging magazine (3, 3'). The method of claim 7, wherein - the first cassette (5, 5') has a first transport device, via which first transport device the first cassette (5, 5') provides the specific manipulator (24) with packaging means (12), in that the first cassette (5, 5') pushes or lifts the first vertically or horizontally recorded stack along a first transport direction via its first transport device, and wherein - the second cassette (7, 7') has a second transport device, via which second transport device the second cassette (7, 7') provides the specific manipulator (24) with supplements (14) for the packaging means (12) by the second cassette (7, 7') pushes or lifts the second stack picked up vertically or horizontally along a second transport direction via its second transport device, which second transport direction runs parallel to the first transport direction. Method according to Claim 7 or Claim 8, in which the specific manipulator (24) removes a respective packaging means (12) taken from the at least one packaging magazine (3, 3') and one for the respective packaging means (12) from the at least one packaging magazine (3 , 3') removed complement (14) to form a respective package (16) carries together along a predetermined movement route. A method according to any one of claims 7 to 9, in which a) the packaging means (12), which are received via the first cassette (5, 5') as the first lying or standing stack, are flat packaging blanks (12') which have a plurality of openings (13) for receiving a respective Article (8), and in which the supplements (14) for the packaging means (12), which are added as a second standing or lying stack via the second cassette (7, 7'), are carrying handles (14') is, which are arranged on the flat packaging blanks (12') to form a respective packaging (16) via the at least one manipulator (23, 25), or in which method b) the packaging means (12), which are received via the first cassette (5, 5') as the first lying or standing stack, are cardboard boxes which are each designed to hold a plurality of articles (8), and which Method, the supplements (14) for the packaging means (12), which are received as a second standing or lying stack via the second cassette (7, 7'), are compartments which are moved via the at least one manipulator (23, 25 ) divide a respective cardboard box into several chambers for receiving several articles (8) by bringing them together with the cardboard boxes. Method according to one of Claims 7 to 10, in which at least one storage area (50) is provided, with the specific manipulator (24) taking a respective packaging means (12) from the at least one packaging magazine (3, 3') and a respective one from the supplement (14) for the respective packaging means (12) taken from at least one packaging magazine (3, 3') is positioned on the at least one shelf (50), and at least one further manipulator (25) is provided, which at least one further manipulator (25 ) receives a respective packaging means (12) and a respective supplement (14) for the packaging means (12) from the at least one shelf (50), brings a respective packaging means (12) together with a respective supplement (14), resulting in a respective Packaging means (12) and a respective supplement (14) for the respective packaging means (12) a respective packaging (16) is formed and wherein the least ns another manipulator (25) packs a respective combination of articles (8) with a respective packaging (16).

Images