DE102023124934A1 - Separating device and method for separating - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a singling device, connected between conveyor belts of different numbers and speeds, for transporting containers and/or container bundles in a transport direction, for picking up and depositing the containers and/or container bundles, wherein the singling device compensates for speed differences of the containers and/or container bundles in the transport direction between the conveyor belts arranged downstream and upstream with respect to the singling device, and the singling device comprises, at least in the transport direction, a variable picking and depositing position for picking up and depositing containers and/or container bundles. The invention also comprises a system comprising such a singling device and a plurality of conveyor belts, wherein the conveyor belts arranged downstream with respect to the singling device have at least the same transport capacity as the conveyor belts arranged upstream with respect to the singling device. The invention further comprises methods for separating containers and/or container bundles which are provided on conveyor belts which differ in number and conveying speed from the conveyor belts which transport the containers and/or container bundles away, the method comprising: picking up the containers and/or container bundles from providing conveyor belts in a variable position in the transport direction, depositing the containers and/or container bundles on transporting conveyor belts in a variable position in the transport direction, compensating for speed differences between the providing and transporting conveyor belts.

Description

The present invention relates to a separating device and a method for separating containers and/or container bundles.

In bottling plants, especially beverage bottling plants, the production flow is divided among parallel processing machines and then reconvened. Multiple parallel conveyor belts are often used for this purpose. If the production flow is divided among multiple parallel conveyor belts, the conveyor speed of the individual belts must be adjusted so that downstream conveyor belts have the same conveying capacity. For example, one conveyor belt can convey the same number of containers and/or container packs as two conveyor belts operating at half speed.

Systems are known from the state of the art in which the containers are accelerated to the speed of the target belt on additional mass conveyors.

However, this requires a lot of space in the production hall, as the speed adjustment takes place via various belts and transfers, meaning the containers are accelerated slightly with each belt transition. Furthermore, the system and conveyor belts must be designed for the specific application, depending on the geometry and process stability of the containers.

Based on this, the present invention is based on the object of proposing a method and a device which enable the separation of containers and/or container bundles between conveyor belts of different numbers and speeds in a space-saving and flexible manner.

According to the invention, this object is achieved with a separating device according to claim 1.

The features of claim 1 propose that the separating device designed to pick up and deposit the containers and/or container bundles compensate for the speed difference between the conveyor belts. The separating device can pick up and deposit the containers and/or container bundles in a variable position in the transport direction.

Therefore, the separating device according to the invention enables the successive picking up of containers and/or container bundles arriving in parallel, which are then accelerated to the speed of the downstream conveyor belts and deposited. Due to the variable picking and depositing position of the containers and/or container bundles in the transport direction, the distance the containers and/or container bundles move during the displacement of a parallel-positioned container and/or container bundle can be compensated. This allows the product flow (in the form of containers and/or container bundles) to be separated flexibly and in a space-saving manner.

In a further embodiment, the singling device can be designed such that the speed of the singling device is adapted to the speed of the containers and/or container bundles to be picked up, or the singling device can be designed such that the speed of the containers and/or container bundles is adapted to the speed of the respective conveyor belt on which the containers and/or container bundles are deposited before depositing.

This ensures a consistent product flow and/or consistent movement of the containers and/or container packs. Shaking, tipping, or twisting of the containers and/or container packs due to the abrupt acceleration caused by the speed difference during picking or setting down without adjusting the speed can be prevented.

In a further embodiment, the separating device can have a variable pick-up and deposit position in two dimensions for picking up and depositing containers and/or container bundles. This allows the containers and/or container bundles to be picked up and deposited in different positions, allowing the conveyor belts to be flexibly positioned within the space.

In a further embodiment, the maximum distance between the variable pick-up and deposit positions for picking up or depositing containers and/or container bundles of the separating device in the transport direction can be at least 0.5 m, in particular at least 1 m. This allows containers transported in parallel to be successively picked up or deposited successively in parallel, even at faster transport speeds.

In a further embodiment, the separating device can have a gripper for guiding and securing the containers against rotation and/or container bundles. This allows the containers and/or container bundles to be gripped in such a way that they do not tip or twist during the acceleration process.

The object is also achieved by a system comprising a singling device according to one of claims 1 to 6 and a plurality of conveyor belts, wherein the conveyor belts arranged downstream with respect to the singling device have at least the same transport capacity as the conveyor belts arranged upstream with respect to the singling device.

With such a system, containers and/or container packs can be transported and separated in a space-saving and flexible manner, as differences in position and speed can be compensated.

In a further embodiment, the number of conveyor belts located downstream of the separating device can be fewer than the number of conveyor belts located upstream of the separating device. The containers and/or container bundles can thus be deposited and transported on a small number of conveyor belts in an energy- and space-saving manner.

In a further embodiment, the number of conveyor belts located upstream of the singulating device can be fewer than the number of conveyor belts located downstream of the singulating device. The containers and/or container bundles can thus be placed and transported on different conveyor belts for processing, such as labeling or filling. This object is also achieved by a method according to claim 10.

In a further embodiment, the system may comprise a singulation device with at least two robot kinematics and, in particular, at least two conveyor belts upstream and at least three conveyor belts downstream of the singulation device (10). This allows the container throughput of the system to be increased.

With the features of claim 10, it is proposed that when picking up and putting down the containers and/or container packs, the speed difference between the conveyor belts is compensated, wherein the containers and/or container packs are picked up and put down in a variable position in the transport direction.

Therefore, the method according to the invention enables the successive picking up of containers and/or container bundles arriving in parallel, which are then accelerated to the speed of the downstream conveyor belts and deposited. Due to the variable picking and depositing position of the containers and/or container bundles in the transport direction, the distance the containers and/or container bundles move during the displacement of a parallel-positioned container and/or container bundle can be compensated. This allows the product flow (in the form of containers and/or container bundles) to be separated flexibly and in a space-saving manner.

In a further embodiment, the speed when picking up the containers and/or container packs can be adapted to the speed of the containers and/or packs to be picked up, or the speed when depositing the containers and/or container packs can be adapted to the speed of the conveyor belt on which the containers and/or container packs are to be deposited.

This ensures a consistent product flow or smooth movement of the containers and/or container packs. Shaking, tipping, or twisting of the containers and/or container packs due to the abrupt acceleration caused by the speed difference during picking up or setting down without an adjusted speed can be prevented.

In a further embodiment, the position for picking up and placing the containers can be variable in two dimensions. This allows the containers and/or container bundles to be picked up and placed in different positions, allowing the conveyor belts to be positioned flexibly within the space.

In a further embodiment, the containers and/or container bundles can be picked up or deposited within a variable range of at least 0.5 m, in particular at least 1 m. Thus, containers transported in parallel can be successively picked up or deposited in parallel, even at faster transport speeds.

• 1A zeigt eine Vereinzelungsvorrichtung gemäß einem ersten Ausführungsbeispiel zu einem ersten Zeitpunkt.
• 1B zeigt die Vereinzelungsvorrichtung gemäß einem ersten Ausführungsbeispiel zu einem zweiten Zeitpunkt.
• 2A zeigt eine Vereinzelungsvorrichtung gemäß einem zweiten Ausführungsbeispiel zu einem ersten Zeitpunkt.
• 2B zeigt eine Vereinzelungsvorrichtung gemäß einem zweiten Ausführungsbeispiel zu einem zweiten Zeitpunkt.

In the following, the invention is explained in more detail with reference to the figures.

• 1A shows a separating device according to a first embodiment at a first time.
• 1B shows the separating device according to a first embodiment at a second time.
• 2A shows a separating device according to a second embodiment at a first time.
• 2B shows a separating device according to a second embodiment at a second time.

In the following, the conveyor belts positioned upstream of the separating device are also referred to as incoming conveyor belts and the conveyor belts positioned downstream of the separating device are also referred to as outgoing conveyor belts.

1A shows a first embodiment of the singling device 1 and an incoming conveyor belt 2, which transports containers 3 in the form of container bundles 5, each comprising four containers 3, to the singling device 1. However, embodiments are also possible in which the containers 3 are picked up individually or in which a different number of containers 3 are combined to form container bundles 5.

The separating device 1 picks up the container packs 5 all at once and distributes the container packs 5 onto the outgoing conveyor belts 4A to 4E. Several, for example up to nine, outgoing and/or incoming conveyor belts are also conceivable. The outgoing conveyor belts 4A to 4E have, in particular, a speed of 20% of the speed of the incoming conveyor belt 2. The combined conveying capacity of the five outgoing conveyor belts 4A to 4E thus corresponds to the conveying capacity of the incoming conveyor belt 2. However, embodiments are also conceivable in which the sum of the conveying capacity of the outgoing conveyor belts 4A to 4E exceeds the conveying capacity of the incoming conveyor belt 2. Likewise, embodiments are possible in which the speed of the individual outgoing conveyor belts 4A to 4E differs. Furthermore, depending on the requirements of the production plant, combinations of several incoming conveyor belts and several outgoing conveyor belts are conceivable.

To pick up the container packs 5, the separating device 1 can comprise a gripper (not shown). The gripper can in particular be designed such that the containers 3 or container packs 5 do not twist and grips the containers 3 and/or container packs 5 in such a way that the acceleration forces of the separating device 1 can be transmitted to the containers 3 and/or container packs 5. For this purpose, the gripper is designed with one or more elastic elements, preferably made of a rubber material. These elastic elements are compressed when the container is gripped and adapt to the contour of the container, thereby increasing the contact surface and thus the frictional force. In the illustrated embodiment, the containers 3 and/or container packs 5 are variably placed on the outgoing conveyor belts 4A to 4E both in the transport direction X and in the direction Y orthogonal thereto. However, embodiments are also conceivable in which the individual outgoing conveyor belts 4A to 4E are arranged one behind the other in the X direction, rather than in the Y direction. The robot kinematics of the separation device can be designed as a delta robot, also called a tripod (not shown). Due to their high dynamics, delta robots enable acceleration or synchronization to the respective speed of the incoming/outgoing conveyor belt. Furthermore, a fast cycle sequence (short cycle time) is possible at high belt speeds. Furthermore, a large work area can be covered.

• Die Behälter 3 und/oder Behältergebinde 5 werden auf dem einlaufenden Transportband 2 zur Vereinzelungsvorrichtung 1 transportiert. Die Vereinzelungsvorrichtung 1 nimmt die einlaufenden Behälter 3 und/oder Behältergebinde 5 auf und beschleunigt diese auf die Geschwindigkeit der jeweils auslaufenden Bänder 4A bis 4E. Insbesondere kann die Vereinzelungsvorrichtung 1 die Behältergebinde 5 auf die Geschwindigkeit des jeweiligen auslaufenden Transportbandes 4A bis 4E beschleunigen. Daraufhin setzt die Vereinzelungsvorrichtung 1 die Behältergebinde 5 mit der jeweiligen Transportgeschwindigkeit des jeweiligen Transportbandes 4A bis 4E auf das jeweilige Transportband 4A bis 4E ab. Überdies ist es durch die variable Positionierung der Behältergebinde 5 in Transportrichtung X möglich, sukzessive einzelne Behältergebinde 5 auf die einzelnen auslaufenden Transportbänder 4A bis 4E aufzuteilen, sodass diese dennoch parallel nebeneinander auf den einzelnen Transportbändern 4A bis 4E transportiert werden. Bei einer Ausführungsform ist es aber auch möglich, einzelne Transportbänder zu deaktivieren. Beispielswiese werden 4A,4B, 4E aktiv mit Behältern versorgt und 4C und 4D nicht. Überdies sind auch mehrere, beispielsweise bis zu neun, auslaufende und/oder einlaufende Transportbänder denkbar.

With the described separation device, the process can be carried out as follows:

• The containers 3 and/or container packs 5 are transported on the incoming conveyor belt 2 to the separating device 1. The separating device 1 receives the incoming containers 3 and/or container packs 5 and accelerates them to the speed of the respective outgoing conveyor belts 4A to 4E. In particular, the separating device 1 can accelerate the container packs 5 to the speed of the respective outgoing conveyor belt 4A to 4E. The separating device 1 then deposits the container packs 5 onto the respective conveyor belt 4A to 4E at the respective transport speed of the respective conveyor belt 4A to 4E. Furthermore, the variable positioning of the container packs 5 in the transport direction X makes it possible to successively distribute individual container packs 5 onto the individual outgoing conveyor belts 4A to 4E, so that they are still transported parallel to one another on the individual conveyor belts 4A to 4E. In one embodiment, however, it is also possible to deactivate individual conveyor belts. For example, 4A, 4B, and 4E are actively supplied with containers, while 4C and 4D are not. Furthermore, several, for example up to nine, outgoing and/or incoming conveyor belts are also conceivable.

1B shows the separating device 1 according to the first embodiment, which with respect to the illustration in 1A is time-delayed. During the duration of a picking and placing process of a container bundle 5, the remaining container bundles 5 have moved further on the outgoing conveyor belts 4A to 4E by the distance Δs1. By variable positioning of the containers and/or container bundles 3 in the direction of movement X, the distance difference Δs1 resulting from the time offset can now be compensated, so that the container bundles 5 that are placed at a later point in time on a parallel outgoing conveyor belt 4A can also be placed parallel to the other container bundles 5.

In particular, with a separating device 1 which can deposit container packs 5 in a variable range of at least 0.5 m, in particular at least 1 m, it is possible to ensure a flexible and parallel positioning of the container packs 5 on the outgoing belts 4A to 4E even at faster transport speeds of the individual conveyor belts.

Additionally, the container bundles 5 can also be displaced in the Y direction by the separating device 1 and deposited on the respective target conveyor belt. However, embodiments are also conceivable in which the transported conveyor belts 4A to 4E are arranged one behind the other in the X direction. This can further increase the flexibility of the separation process. This is particularly advantageous in production systems with different containers 3 and/or container bundles 5, which are processed, for example, by different labeling or filling systems.

In the 1A and 1B a recording of the container bundles 5 is shown in sequence (from top to bottom), however, the parallel blocks of container bundles 5 do not have to be recorded one after the other, but can be recorded in any order.

2A and 2B show a separating device 10 according to a second embodiment. Between the representations of the 2A and 2B There is a time offset. The outgoing conveyor belt 14 can have a transport capacity of at least the sum of the individual incoming conveyor belts 12A to 12E. Therefore, the transport speed of the outgoing conveyor belt 14 is at least the sum of the speeds of the individual incoming conveyor belts 12A to 12E. Embodiments are also conceivable in which the transport speed of the outgoing conveyor belt 14 exceeds the sum of the individual transport speeds of the individual incoming conveyor belts 12A to 12E. It is also possible for the individual incoming conveyor belts 12A to 12E to differ in their transport speed.

The incoming conveyor belts 14A to 14E convey the containers 13 and/or container bundles 15 to the separating device 10. In the embodiment shown, a container bundle 15 consists of four containers 13. However, embodiments are also possible in which the containers 13 are picked up individually or in which a different number of containers 13 are combined to form container bundles 15.

As already mentioned, the speed of the outgoing conveyor belt 14 is increased relative to a single incoming belt 12A to 12E. Therefore, the container bundle 15 is accelerated by the separating device 10 before it is deposited on the outgoing conveyor belt 14. This prevents tipping or shaking of the container bundles 15. As shown in exemplary embodiment two, the containers can be transported in individual parallel groups on the incoming conveyor belts 12A to 12E to the separating device 10.

While a container bundle 15 is transferred to the outgoing conveyor belt 14, the incoming conveyor belts 12A to 12E continue to move, whereby the container bundles 15 are transported further in the direction of the separating device 10. The 12A to 12E illustrate the transport path of the incoming conveyor belts 12A to 12E between the times of the respective picking up (gripping) of a container unit 15. Since the separating device 10 is designed in such a way that the picking up of container units 15 in a variable transport position X is possible, the individual container units 15 can be picked up one after the other in different X positions by the individual incoming conveyor belts 12A to 12E and placed on the outgoing conveyor belt 14 after they have been accelerated to the respective target speed of the outgoing conveyor belt 14.

Combining several incoming conveyor belts 12A to 12E into one outgoing conveyor belt 14 is suitable for packaging different containers 13 into mixed container bundles 15 and/or for packaging the containers 13 after individual process steps which have taken place on the individual incoming conveyor belts 12A to 12E. The separating device 10 can also be designed such that the container bundles 15 in the Y direction (lateral direction), which is orthogonal to the transport direction X. This further increases the separation flexibility, allowing the separation device 10 to be easily integrated into complex production systems.

As in the 2A and 2B As shown, the parallel blocks of container bundles 15 do not have to be picked up one after the other, but can be picked up in any order.

Claims (15)

Separating device, connected between conveyor belts (2, 4A-4E, 12A-12E, 14) of different numbers and speeds, for transporting containers (3, 13) and/or container bundles (5, 15) in a transport direction (X), for picking up and depositing the containers (3, 13) and/or container bundles (5, 15), wherein the separating device (1, 10) compensates for speed differences of the containers (3, 13) and/or container bundles (5, 15) in the transport direction (X) between the conveyor belts (2, 4A-4E, 12A-12E, 14) arranged downstream and upstream with respect to the separating device (1, 10), and the separating device (1, 10) has a variable picking and depositing position for picking up or depositing containers (3, 13), at least in the transport direction. and/or container packages (5, 15). Separation device according to Claim 1 , wherein the separating device (1, 10) is designed such that the speed of the separating device (1, 10) is adapted to the speed of the containers (3, 13) and/or container bundles (5, 15) to be picked up. Separation device according to Claim 1 or 2 , wherein the separating device (1, 10) is designed such that the speed of the containers (3, 13) and/or container packs (5, 15) is adapted before depositing to the speed of the respective conveyor belt (4A-4E, 14) on which the containers (3, 13) and/or container packs (5, 15) are deposited. Separating device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the separating device (1, 10) has a variable receiving and depositing position in two dimensions for receiving or depositing containers (3, 13) and/or container bundles (5, 15). Separating device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the maximum distance between the variable receiving and depositing position for receiving or depositing containers (3, 13) and/or container bundles (5, 15) of the separating device (1, 10) in the transport direction (X) is at least 0.5 m, in particular at least 1 m. Separating device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the separating device (1, 10) comprises a gripper for guiding and securing against rotation of the containers (3, 13) and/or container bundles (5, 15). System comprising a singling device according to one of the preceding claims and a plurality of conveyor belts (2, 4A-4E, 12A-12E, 14), wherein the conveyor belts (4A-4E, 14) arranged downstream with respect to the singling device (1, 10) have at least the same transport capacity as the conveyor belts (2, 12A-12E) arranged upstream with respect to the singling device (1, 10). System according to Claim 7 , wherein the number of conveyor belts (14) located downstream of the singling device (10) is less than the number of conveyor belts (12A-12B) located upstream of the singling device (10). System according to Claim 7 , wherein the number of conveyor belts (2) located upstream of the singling device (1) is less than the number of conveyor belts (4A-4E) located downstream of the singling device (1). System according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a separating device (10) with at least two robot kinematics and in particular at least two conveyor belts upstream and at least three conveyor belts downstream of the separating device (10). Method for separating containers (3, 13) and/or container bundles (5, 15) which are provided on conveyor belts (2, 12A-12E) which differ in number and conveying speed from the conveyor belts (4A-4E, 14) which transport the containers (3, 13) and/or container bundles (5, 15), the method comprising: - picking up the containers (3, 13) and/or container bundles (5, 15) from providing conveyor belts (2, 12A-12E) in a variable position in the transport direction (X), - depositing the containers (3, 13) and/or container bundles (5, 15) on transporting conveyor belts (4A-4E, 14) in a variable position in the transport direction (X), - compensating for speed differences between the supply and removal conveyor belts (2, 4A-4E, 12A-12E, 14). Procedure according to Claim 11 , wherein the speed when picking up the containers (3, 13) and/or container bundles (5, 15) is adapted to the speed of the containers (3, 13) and/or container bundles (5, 15) to be picked up. Procedure according to Claim 11 or 12 , wherein the speed when depositing the containers (3, 13) and/or container packs (5, 15) is adapted to the speed of the conveyor belt (4A-4E, 14) on which the containers (3, 13) and/or container packs (5, 15) are to be deposited. Method according to one of the Claims 11 until 13 , wherein the position for picking up and placing down the containers (3, 13) and/or container bundles (5, 15) is variable in two dimensions. Method according to one of the Claims 11 until 14 , wherein the containers (3, 13) and/or container bundles (5, 15) are picked up or deposited in a variable area of at least 0.5m, in particular at least 1m.

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