CN108202999B - Method and device for transferring stackable stacks to associated pallets - Google Patents

Abstract

Method and device for transferring stackable stacks to associated pallets. The apparatus comprises: a supply section via which a stackable bed having a plurality of goods can be supplied; a loading station comprising a first loading unit and a second loading unit, the first loading unit being configured for accommodating a fully stackable pallet, the fully accommodated stackable pallet being further directable from the first loading unit onto the second loading unit in part, such that the pallet is carried by both the first loading unit and the second loading unit; a conveying unit which can take the supplied stackable stratification from the supply section and can transfer it onto the first loading unit. The first loading unit and the second loading unit can increase the relative distance between each other in order to lay down the commonly loaded stackable stacking layer. Furthermore, the transport unit can be moved up and down in the vertical direction in order to at least partially compensate for a height level which is formed between the first loading unit of the loading station and the supply.

Description

Method and device for transferring stackable stacks to associated pallets

Technical Field

The invention relates to a method and a device for transferring stackable pallets to associated pallets.

Background

To stack an entire stack of articles, the articles generally first pass through a grouping station where the transported articles are combined into a stackable stack. These stackable stacks are then transferred from the supply station to the loading station. The loading station then places the layers of articles in the desired locations. The place is mostly formed by a stacking position and a tray located thereon, on which a layer of goods can be placed. The providing station and the grouping station are mostly one unit and directly coupled to each other.

The supply station, like the grouping station, comprises a docking surface or docking plane, on which the items are grouped and grouped into tiers. The loading station likewise comprises a pallet plane on which the respective stackable stacking layer can be placed for transfer to the respective associated pallet. A large number of variants are known to the person skilled in the art for the design of the bracketing plane, such as for example a louvered cartridge (Jalousiegreiferkopf) or the like. This stacking method is carried out using a stacking device known from the prior art in such a way that the articles are first combined into a stackable stack by means of a grouping device and then transferred from a supply station or station to a loading station. For this purpose, it is possible for a loading station, such as, for example, a louvered gripper arranged on a lifting mechanism or a robot, to be directly adjacent to the supply point, so that a layer-by-layer transfer of the articles into the loading station can be achieved. In this case, the louvered cartridges or the loading stations remain in place until the buildup is completely transferred from the supply station to the loading station. If the accumulation of items is located completely in the loading station, the loading station positions the accumulation of items on the desired output location, mostly on a tray provided on the stacking site, by means of a horizontal and vertical movement. The same procedure is then repeated until the desired number of tiers are placed on the pallet.

Thus, for example, EP 1321396 a1 discloses a palletizing installation in which the articles are pushed in an unscrambled manner in the lateral direction by a horizontal conveyor and are grouped there before they are transferred in complete stacks onto a lifting device. The lifting device or the transport platform serves here as a height compensation between the grouping station and a loading station, which stacks the layers one above the other and places them on the pallet with the aid of the roller bottoms to be opened. This document also discloses that the transfer platform cannot accommodate and transfer a certain number of article rows necessary for forming a complete article accumulation layer in a single movement phase. The advantage is to be seen here in that, due to the small design of the conveying platform and the incomplete lifting of the entire stack, only a small amount of weight has to be lifted and therefore less energy consumption occurs than when lifting the loading station.

In order to be able to transfer stackable stacks to pallets, the device according to the EP publication requires a high time consumption. In practice, a device is desirable with which stackable stacks can be transferred onto pallets with high throughput.

Disclosure of Invention

The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a generic device and a generic method which make it possible to transfer stackable stacks to individually associated pallets with high throughput. The device should have a simple structure and, in addition, the method should be simple to put into practice.

The invention relates to a method for transferring stackable pallets to associated pallets. Within the scope of the first step, a stackable bed with a plurality of goods is provided. In this case, it is possible to orient the goods in a defined manner with respect to one another by means of rotation and/or displacement, as a result of which a stackable bed of goods is created or produced. A stackable compartment made up of goods can thus be created or produced in the grouping station. It is thus possible to provide or supply individual stackable layers on the grouping table of the grouping station. The grouping table can form a horizontal parking surface, on which the respective stackable packing units are provided.

For example, the goods which are transferred to the associated pallet as part of a stackable stack within the scope of the invention can each be designed as a plurality of beverage containers which are assembled to form a respective multi-pack package. The cargo can also be constructed as a plurality of tanks, respectively, assembled via at least one respective peripheral packaging. Beverage containers configured as an integral part of a multi-pack or cans assembled via at least one peripheral pack can optionally rest on a floor or pallet (Tray).

Furthermore, the provided stackable buildup is extracted by the transfer unit and transferred by the transfer unit to a first loading unit which is configured as a component of the loading station. The first loading unit fully accommodates the stackable buildup.

In order to avoid unintentional tipping of the individual goods of the stackable bed provided during the extraction by the conveyor unit, in practice the following embodiments have proven suitable: in this case, the bracketing plane formed by the conveying unit is located at least approximately at the same vertical level with respect to the vertical level of the horizontal parking surface of the grouping table providing stackable stacking when the provided stackable stacking is extracted. Furthermore, the following embodiments have also proved suitable: in this case, the transfer unit has no or only a small horizontal spacing with respect to the grouping tables providing stackable layers when extracting the provided stackable layers. In this way, the risk of unintentional tipping of the individual goods of the palletizable tier during transfer from the grouping table onto the transport unit can also be kept low.

It is also possible for the bracketing planes formed by the transfer unit to be at least approximately at the same vertical level with respect to the vertical level of the parking surface of the first loading unit when the respective fully received stackable pallet is transferred onto the first loading unit. Furthermore, it is possible for the transfer units to have no or only a small horizontal spacing relative to the first loading unit when transferring the respective stackable stacking onto the first loading unit, in order to keep the risk of unintentional tipping of the individual goods of the stackable stacking when transferring onto the first loading unit low.

Furthermore, it is provided that the stackable buildup layers received by the first loading unit are moved in the direction of a second loading unit, which is part of the loading station, so that the stackable buildup layers received by the first loading unit are partially transferred to the second loading unit, which is part of the loading station, and are carried jointly by the first loading unit and the second loading unit.

In this case, it is possible for the first loading unit and the second loading unit to temporarily carry out a feed movement before the partial transfer of the palletized stack. The first and second loading units can reduce their relative distance from each other within the scope of the feed movement. In particular, it is possible for the first loading unit and the second loading unit to be moved toward one another within the scope of the feed movement until the first loading unit and the second loading unit come into contact with one another or until only a small distance or gap is formed between the first loading unit and the second loading unit. For the feed movement, the first loading unit and the second loading unit can be moved towards each other in the horizontal direction or with a horizontal direction component, respectively. In practice, the following embodiments have proven suitable: in this case, the first and second loading units are moved only in the horizontal direction or with a horizontal component in the region of the feed movement, wherein the movement of the first and second loading units in the vertical direction is temporarily stopped during the feed movement. By means of the feed movement, the first loading unit and the second loading unit can optionally be brought into a specific relative position. It can be provided that the stackable stacking is partially transferred from the first loading unit to the second loading unit, wherein the first loading unit and the second loading unit temporarily maintain their specific relative positioning during the transfer of the stackable stacking from the first loading unit to the second loading unit.

The first and second loading units then increase their relative spacing from one another, as a result of which stackable stacks jointly carried by the first and second loading units are laid down on the associated pallet. The first loading unit and the second loading unit can each form a docking plane, wherein the respective stackable stacking layer rests on the docking plane of the first loading unit and on the docking plane of the second loading unit during being jointly loaded. When the relative distance of the first loading unit relative to the second loading unit increases, the stackable stacking layer can move in a sliding manner on the bracketing plane of the first loading unit and on the bracketing plane of the second loading unit. Furthermore, the following embodiments have proven suitable: in which the stackable stratification loses its contact with the first loading unit and its contact with the second loading unit at least substantially simultaneously.

It is also provided that the conveyor unit guides the extracted stackable buildup in the vertical direction to a first loading unit, which is part of the loading station, for onward transfer. The following method is thus provided: characterized by a high throughput or by means of which it is possible to transfer stacked layers to trays in very high quantities per unit time.

The transport unit can be connected to or arranged on the lifting column, if necessary, and can be moved along the lifting column in the vertical direction upwards or downwards in order to guide the extracted stackable buildup to a first loading unit which is part of the loading station.

A control unit or a control and/or regulating unit can be provided which has information about the respective actual positioning of the first loading unit which is configured as a component of the loading station. In consideration of this information, the control unit or the control and/or regulating unit can optionally actuate the transport unit in order to lift or lower the palletized deposit in the vertical direction.

In a preferred embodiment, it is possible for the conveyor unit to pick up further stackable stacks and to reach the vertical level of the first loading unit at the latest immediately after the respective stackable stack has been completely lowered by the loading station. Advantageously, it is thereby possible to transfer further stackable layers from the transfer unit onto the first loading unit immediately after the stackable layers have been laid down. These embodiments are characterized by a high throughput in the case of transfer of stackable stacks to pallets.

It is also conceivable that the conveying unit and the first loading unit are temporarily moved jointly in the vertical direction during the transfer of the respective stackable stratification from the conveying unit onto the first loading unit. In particular, the first loading unit can be moved to a vertical height level which corresponds to the pallet or to the stack of a plurality of stackable stacks which has already been formed on the pallet, or which is located at a specific distance above the vertical height level of the pallet or above the stack of a plurality of stackable stacks which has already been formed on the pallet. Since the stackable beds must be brought to the following height levels for laying down: which corresponds at least to the height level of the pallet or at least to the height level of the stack of stackable stacks that has been formed on the pallet, these embodiments are furthermore characterized by a high throughput.

It is also conceivable that, after the complete transfer of the stackable stratification layer from the conveying unit onto the first loading unit, the conveying unit is moved in the direction of the provided further stackable stratification layer, wherein, during the movement of the conveying unit in the direction of the provided further stackable stratification layer, at least the first loading unit is temporarily moved to a vertical height level predetermined for depositing the stackable stratification layer, and/or the first loading unit and the second loading unit carry out the feed movement in a temporally overlapping manner with the movement of the conveying unit in the direction of the provided further stackable stratification layer. The following embodiments have proven suitable: in this case, the conveying unit moves in the direction of the additional stackable stacking provided immediately after the complete transfer of the stackable stacking onto the first loading unit and thereafter extracts the additional stackable stacking provided.

It is possible for the transport unit to guide the extracted additional stackable buildup in the vertical direction to the first loading unit, which is part of the loading station, temporarily during the feed movement and/or temporarily during the relative increase in the spacing of the first loading unit relative to the second loading element.

The following embodiments have proven suitable here: in this case, the conveying unit temporarily guides additional stackable pallets in the vertical direction to the first loading unit, which is configured as a component of the loading station, during the partial transfer of the stackable pallets from the first loading unit onto the second loading unit.

As already mentioned above, in a preferred embodiment it is possible for a plurality of goods of the respective stackable stacks to be constructed from a plurality of beverage containers which are assembled to form a multi-pack and filled, respectively.

It is furthermore conceivable for the method mentioned,

a) the first and second loading units increase their relative spacing from one another, as a result of which the stackable buildup layers jointly carried by the first and second loading units are laid down as the uppermost stackable buildup layer on the associated first pallet which already carries a plurality of stackable buildup layers and in which it is provided that,

b) the associated first pallet is replaced by a new pallet together with a plurality of stackable layers and the uppermost stackable layer which is lowered by the loading station, wherein the transfer unit together with the further stackable layers reaches the vertical level of the first loading unit which is provided for lowering the further stackable layers on the new pallet at the latest in time at the end of the replacement of the associated first pallet by the new pallet.

Since the transfer unit is then at a vertical level corresponding to the vertical level of the first loading unit for depositing the stackable stacks, the additional stackable stacks can be quickly and easily deposited as first stackable stacks on new pallets after the replacement of the associated first pallet by the new pallet.

In this case, it is also conceivable for additional stackable pallets to be transferred from the transfer unit to the first loading unit, wherein the additional stackable pallets are transferred at least in certain proportions, preferably completely, to the first loading unit of the loading station at the latest at the end of the replacement of the associated first pallet by a new pallet. After the replacement of the associated pallet by a further pallet, the first and second loading units can immediately perform a feed movement, after which the further stackable buildup moves in the direction of the second loading unit, is transferred or transferred in a certain proportion to the second loading unit and is carried jointly by the first and second loading units.

It is also possible for the conveying unit to be moved in the direction of a further stackable deposit immediately after the transfer of the stackable deposit onto the first loading unit, which is designed as a component of the loading station.

The invention also relates to a device for transferring stackable pallets to associated pallets. The features already mentioned above for the various embodiments of the method according to the invention can likewise be provided for the various embodiments of the device described below and are not mentioned too much. Furthermore, the features described below in relation to the apparatus can be provided, if desired, in various embodiments of the method already described above.

The device comprises a supply unit, via which a stackable stack having a plurality of goods can be supplied. The provider can be configured as a component of the packet station or as a packet station. Furthermore, the supply part can be designed as a horizontal stop surface for the respective stackable stacking.

Furthermore, a loading station comprising a first loading unit and a second loading unit is an integral part of the apparatus. The first loading unit is designed to accommodate a completely stackable packing. The first loading unit can form a bracketing plane on which a complete stackable packing can be accommodated. Furthermore, the completely received stackable stratification can be partially guided further from the first loading unit to the second loading unit, so that the stackable stratification is jointly carried by the first loading unit and the second loading unit. The loading station can comprise, for example, a push bar, by means of which the stackable buildup completely received by the first loading unit can be moved partially from the first loading unit onto the second loading unit.

The second loading unit can also form a bracketing plane. The volume of the cargo-oriented bracketing plane of the second loading unit can be configured to be smaller than the volume of the cargo-oriented bracketing plane of the first loading unit. The first loading unit and the second loading unit can be mechanically coupled to each other such that the first loading unit and the second loading unit cannot move relative to each other in a vertical direction.

The device also comprises a transfer unit which can pick up the stackable accumulation layers supplied by the supply and can transfer them onto the first loading unit. Wherein the following steps are set:

a) the first and second loading units can increase their relative spacing in order to deposit the jointly loaded stackable buildup layers, and

b) the conveying unit can be moved up and down in the vertical direction in order to at least partially compensate for a height level which is formed between the loading station and the supply.

In this case, it is possible for the movement of the transfer unit and the movement of the first loading unit to be coordinated with one another in such a way that the transfer unit reaches the vertical level of the first loading unit at the latest after the respective stackable buildup has been deposited by the loading station.

It is also possible for the movement of the transfer unit and the movement of the first loading unit to be coordinated with one another, so that the transfer unit and the first loading unit can be moved jointly and synchronously in the vertical direction temporarily during the transfer of the stackable stacks from the transfer unit onto the first loading unit.

Furthermore, the following embodiments have proven suitable: the first and second loading units are configured to perform a feed movement. The movement of the transfer unit and the movement of the first and second loading units of the loading station can be coordinated with one another in such a way that the transfer unit can be moved in a temporally overlapping manner with the feed movement in the direction of the supply, and/or at least the first loading unit and preferably the first and second loading units of the loading station can be moved in a temporally overlapping manner with the movement of the transfer unit in the direction of the supply to a vertical height level predetermined for depositing a stackable deposit.

It is also conceivable that the movement of the transfer unit and the movement of the first and second loading units are coordinated with one another, so that the transfer unit can temporarily pick up additional stackable stacks from the supply and/or move vertically in the direction of the first loading unit during the feed movement and/or temporarily during an increase in the relative spacing of the first loading unit with respect to the second loading unit.

It is also possible that the movement of the transfer unit and the movement of the first and second loading units are coordinated with one another, so that the transfer unit can temporarily move additional stackable laminae taken from the supply vertically in the direction of the first loading unit during their further guidance from the first loading unit onto the second loading unit.

It is also conceivable that the transfer unit is mechanically coupled to an upright stanchion, the transfer unit being movable up and down in the vertical direction along the upright.

The following embodiments have also proved suitable: the device comprises at least one pusher, which is designed to be movable in the horizontal direction and can move the stackable stacks against each other from the transfer unit to the first loading unit. In a further embodiment, the transfer unit can optionally provide an endless guided conveyor belt, by means of which the respective stackable buildup can be moved from the transfer unit onto the first loading unit.

It is furthermore possible that,

a) the first and second loading units can increase their relative spacing to one another in order to deposit the jointly loaded stackable buildup on the associated pallet, and in this case,

b) the device comprises a control and/or regulating unit connected to the conveying unit, wherein the conveying unit can be actuated by means of the control and/or regulating unit such that the conveying unit, together with the further stackable stacks received by the conveying unit, reaches the vertical height level of the first loading unit, which is provided for depositing the further stackable stacks on the new pallet, at the latest at the end of the replacement of the associated pallet with the stackable stacks already deposited thereon by the new pallet.

In a conceivable embodiment, the loading station is connected to a control and/or regulating unit, wherein the loading station can be actuated via the control and/or regulating unit such that the first loading unit of the loading station reaches a vertical height level provided for depositing a further stackable pallet on a new pallet at the latest at the end of the replacement of the associated pallet with the stackable pallet already deposited thereon by the new pallet.

It is also possible that the device comprises at least one means connected to the control and/or regulating unit for transferring the stackable deposit and the further stackable deposit, respectively, to the first loading unit of the loading station. At least one component can be actuated via the control and/or regulating unit in such a way that additional stackable pallets are transferred at the latest at the end of the replacement of the associated pallet by a new pallet, at least proportionally and preferably completely, by the at least one component onto the first loading unit. For example, it is conceivable for at least one component to be designed as a conveyor belt, which forms an integral part of the conveying unit and of the first loading unit. The at least one device can also have at least one pusher, by means of which the further stackable buildup can be completely moved from the transfer unit onto the first loading unit.

The invention further relates to a method and a device for temporally successive installation of a plurality of pallets with stackable pallets. The features already described above for the device for transferring stackable pallets to associated pallets can also be used for the device described below and are therefore not mentioned in any greater detail. The following features relating to the device or method for equipping a plurality of pallets in time sequence with stackable pallets can also be used in the device or method already described above and are not repeatedly mentioned for this reason.

Within the scope of the method, a stackable bed with a plurality of goods is provided. A further step provides for the provided stackable conglomerate to be extracted by the conveying unit and transferred from the conveying unit to a first loading unit which is configured as a component of the loading station. The first loading unit, which is designed as a component of the loading station, receives the stackable buildup completely and, as mentioned above, can have a capacity corresponding to at least one completely stackable buildup for this purpose.

Furthermore, a movement of the stackable stacking layer received by the first loading unit in the direction of a second loading unit, which is part of the loading station, is provided, so that the stackable stacking layer completely received by the first loading unit is partially transferred to the second loading unit, which is part of the loading station, and is carried jointly by the first loading unit and the second loading unit.

It is provided within the scope of the method that,

a) the first loading unit and the second loading unit increase the relative distance between each other, as a result of which the stackable buildup layers jointly carried by the first loading unit and the second loading unit are laid down as the uppermost stackable buildup layer on the associated first pallet which already carries a plurality of stackable buildup layers, and wherein it is provided that,

b) the associated first pallet is replaced by a new pallet together with a plurality of stackable layers and the uppermost stackable layer which is lowered by the loading station, wherein the transfer unit together with the further stackable layers reaches the vertical level of the first loading unit which is provided for lowering the further stackable layers on the new pallet at the latest in time at the end of the replacement of the associated first pallet by the new pallet.

Since the transfer unit is then at a vertical level corresponding to the vertical level of the first loading unit for depositing the stackable stacks, the additional stackable stacks can be quickly and easily deposited as a first stackable stack on a new pallet after the replacement of the associated first pallet by the new pallet. The transfer of the stackable buildup layer and the placing of the stackable buildup layer on the first stackable buildup layer already arranged on the new pallet can then be carried out according to the above description with regard to the method or the device for transferring the stackable buildup layer onto the associated pallet.

It is also conceivable that further stackable pallets are transferred from the transfer unit to the first loading unit, wherein the further stackable pallets are transferred at least in certain proportions, preferably completely, onto the first loading unit of the loading station at the latest at the end of the replacement of the associated first pallet by a new pallet. After the replacement of the associated pallet by a further pallet, the first and second loading units can immediately perform a feed movement, after which the further stackable buildup moves in the direction of the second loading unit, is transferred or transferred in a certain proportion to the second loading unit and is carried jointly by the first and second loading units.

It is also possible for the conveying unit to be moved in the direction of a further stackable deposit immediately after the transfer of the stackable deposit onto the first loading unit, which is designed as a component of the loading station.

The invention also relates to a device for providing a plurality of pallets with a stackable stacking system. The device comprises a supply via which a stackable bed with a plurality of goods can be supplied. Furthermore, the apparatus comprises a loading station comprising a first loading unit and a second loading unit. The first loading unit is designed to accommodate a complete stackable packing. Furthermore, the completely received stackable stratification can be partially guided further from the first loading unit to the second loading unit, so that the stackable stratification is jointly carried by the first loading unit and the second loading unit. The first and second loading units can then temporarily increase their relative spacing, which has the result that further stackable stacks, which are jointly carried by the first and second loading units, are laid down on the new pallet as first stackable stacks.

The device also has a transfer unit which can pick up the supplied stackable conglomerate from the supply and can transfer it to the first loading unit. It can be provided that,

a) the first and second loading units can increase their relative spacing in order to deposit the jointly loaded stackable buildup layers on the associated pallet, and

b) the device comprises a control and/or regulating unit connected to the conveying unit, wherein the conveying unit can be actuated by means of the control and/or regulating unit such that the conveying unit, together with the further stackable stacks received by the conveying unit, reaches the vertical level of the first loading unit, which is provided for depositing the further stackable stacks on the new pallet, at the latest at the end of the replacement of the associated pallet with the stackable stacks already deposited thereon by the new pallet.

In a conceivable embodiment, the loading station is connected to a control and/or regulating unit, wherein the loading station can be actuated via the control and/or regulating unit such that the first loading unit of the loading station reaches a vertical height level provided for depositing a further stackable layer on a new pallet at the latest at the end of the replacement of the associated pallet with the stackable layer already deposited thereon by the new pallet.

It is also possible that the device comprises at least one means connected to the control and/or regulating unit for transferring the stackable deposit and the further stackable deposit, respectively, to the first loading unit of the loading station. At least one component can be actuated via the control and/or regulating unit in such a way that additional stackable pallets are transferred at the latest at the end of the replacement of the associated pallet by a new pallet, at least proportionally and preferably completely, by the at least one component onto the first loading unit. For example, it is conceivable for at least one component to be designed as a conveyor belt, which forms an integral part of the conveying unit and of the first loading unit. The at least one device can also have at least one pusher, by means of which the further stackable buildup can be completely moved from the transfer unit onto the first loading unit.

Drawings

Embodiments of the invention and their advantages are explained in detail below with the aid of the figures. The dimensional relationships of the individual elements with respect to one another in the figures do not always correspond to the actual dimensional relationships, since some shapes are simplified and others are shown enlarged in comparison with others for better clarity. Wherein:

fig. 1 to 51 each show a schematic side view of how an embodiment of a device according to the invention can be constructed. Fig. 1 to 51 furthermore clearly illustrate the individual steps which can be provided, for example, in a conceivable embodiment of the method according to the invention;

fig. 52 shows a schematic side view of the embodiment from fig. 1 to 51 for clarity of illustration of further aspects;

fig. 53a, 53b show a transfer unit and a supply, which can be provided, for example, as a component of various embodiments of the device according to the invention or of the method according to the invention;

fig. 54 shows a schematic top view of a loading station which can be provided, for example, as a component of various embodiments of the device according to the invention or of the method according to the invention.

The same reference numerals are used for identical or functionally equivalent elements of the invention. For the sake of overview, reference numerals are only indicated in the individual figures, which are necessary for describing the individual figures. The embodiments shown are only examples of how the invention can be designed and are not ultimate limitations. Furthermore, the features described below are not to be understood in isolation for the described embodiments, but can be used in general association if necessary.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a device 1 which is designed for transferring stackable stacks 3 to associated trays 5 or with which a plurality of trays 5 can be equipped with stackable stacks 3. In the following embodiments of fig. 1 to 54, the apparatus 1 is configured as a stacker 2. Fig. 1 also shows, for example, in various embodiments, the situation that may occur when stacking is started or when transferring a plurality of stackable stacks 3 to an associated tray 5 is started.

The device 1 comprises a supply 4 which can be configured as a component of a grouping station or, if appropriate, as a grouping table and via which the stackable buildup layers 3 are fed. In the present embodiment of fig. 1 to 54, the stackable tier 3 comprises a plurality of beverage containers, which are assembled into a plurality of multi-pack packages. These multiple packs are arranged in a specific manner relative to one another and form a stackable pack 3 in a specific arrangement.

The supply section 4 or the grouping table supplies stackable stacks 3 at a specific vertical height level and is not adjustable in its vertical positioning or fixed in position in terms of its orientation.

The device 1 furthermore has a conveying unit 11 (see fig. 53a) which is arranged directly behind the supply 4 and has a docking plane for the respective stackable buildup 3. The transfer unit 11 includes a column 12a (see fig. 52) along which the bracketing plane of the transfer unit 11 can be raised or lowered in the vertical direction. The capacity of the conveyor unit 11 or of the bracketing plane provided by the conveyor unit 11 corresponds here to at least one completely stackable packet 3, so that the completely stackable packet 3 can be transferred directly from the supply 4 onto the conveyor unit 11. For this purpose, means 6 or push rods 16 (see fig. 52) are provided, the longitudinal axes of which extend in the direction of the drawing in fig. 1 and which, by means of a horizontal movement, completely push the respective stackable stacking layer 3 from the supply 4 onto the transfer unit 11. In order that the individual beverage containers or multi-pack packs of the individual stackable stacks 3 can maintain their relative arrangement with respect to one another, at least one guide rail can be provided, which extends at least in sections parallel to the direction of movement of the pusher 16. For reasons of clarity, at least one guide rail is not shown together in the figures of the present patent application and can be positioned in the region of the provision 4, if appropriate. The following embodiments have proven suitable here: in the region of the supply 4, two parallel guide rails are provided which are in contact with the stackable stacking layer 3 fed by the supply 4 and guide the respective stackable stacking layer 3 fed by the supply 4 to the transport unit 11 during the displacement.

The system 1 furthermore comprises a loading station 7 with a first loading unit 8 and a second loading unit 9. For the purpose of transferring the respective stackable stacking layer 3 to a pallet, which is indicated in the drawing by the numeral 5, the first loading unit 8 and the second loading unit 9 can be displaced relative to each other, as will be described in more detail below. The first loading unit 8 of the loading station 7 can accommodate a fully stackable buildup 3. The complete stackable buildup 3 can thus be transferred or pushed from the conveyor unit 11 onto the first loading unit 8, after which the complete stackable buildup 3 is transferred in time after the complete transfer to the pallet 5 by means of the loading station 7. As will also be described below, the stackable stacks 3, which are complete and are accommodated by the first loading unit 8, are partially delivered further from the first loading unit 8 onto the second loading unit 9, so that the respective stackable stacks 3 are jointly carried by the first loading unit 8 and the second loading unit 9. The capacity of the second loading unit 9 for the goods or multi-pack of a plurality of components of the respective stackable stacking unit 3 is therefore smaller than the capacity of the first loading unit 8 for the goods or multi-pack of a plurality of components of the respective stackable stacking unit 3.

Fig. 1 furthermore shows a control and/or regulating unit S, which is designed as a computer-assisted system and is connected to the transport unit 11 and to the loading station 7. The control and/or regulating unit S coordinates the vertical movement of the loading station 7 and the vertical movement of the transfer unit 11 with each other. The already mentioned push rods 16 or the actuators provided for moving the push rods 16 can also be connected to the control and/or regulating unit S, if necessary, wherein the push rods 16 are moved horizontally under the force of the control and/or regulating unit S in order to push the respective stackable stacking layer 3 from the supply 4 onto the transport unit 11.

Fig. 2 shows the steps of an embodiment of the device 1 from fig. 1 and of an embodiment of the method according to the invention following the situation according to fig. 1. As can be seen from an overview of fig. 1 and 2, the stackable buildup layer 3 is completely guided further from the supply 4 or from the grouping table onto the transport unit 11. In order to transfer the stackable stratification layer 3 from the supply 4 onto the conveying unit 11 as trouble-free as possible, the bracketing planes for the stackable stratification layer 3 or for the individual beverage containers of the stackable stratification layer 3, which are formed by the conveying unit 11, are at least approximately at the same vertical level relative to the resting surfaces for the individual beverage containers of the respective stackable stratification layer 3 or for the stackable stratification layer 3, which are formed by the supply 4. Furthermore, as can be best seen from an overview of fig. 1 and 2, the first loading unit 8 is adjacent to the transfer unit 11 during the transfer of the stackable buildup 3 from the supply 4 onto the transfer unit 11, or stays in the following position: in this case, the first loading unit 8 is directly adjacent to the transport unit 11 without or with a small spacing. The second loading unit 9 of the loading station 7 remains in its position according to fig. 1 without movement during the transfer of the stackable deposit 3 from the supply 4 onto the conveyor unit 11. As already mentioned above, the stackable buildup layers 3 can be moved from the supply 4 to the transfer unit 11, if necessary, by means of a push rod. The stackable packing layer 3 is in surface contact with a horizontal resting surface formed by the supply 4 and with a bracketing plane formed by the conveyor unit 11 in a sliding manner. The movement of the pusher 16, which is optionally formed as a component of the device 1, can be initiated by means of the control and/or regulating unit S in order to transfer or move the respective stackable stacking layer 3 from the supply 4 to the transfer unit 11.

Fig. 3 and 4 show the device 1 from the exemplary embodiment of fig. 1 and 2, and furthermore the movement of the stackable buildup 3 for complete transfer onto the first loading unit 8 of the loading station 7 can be seen. The capacity of the first loading unit 8, or of the bracketing plane formed by the first loading unit 8, is such that a complete stackable stacking layer 3 can be further transferred from the transfer unit 11 to the first loading unit 8. During the transfer of the respective stackable buildup 3 from the transfer unit 11 onto the first loading unit 8, the bracketing plane formed by the first loading unit 8 and the bracketing plane formed by the transfer unit 11 are also at least approximately at the same vertical height level. Furthermore, the overview of fig. 3 and 4 makes clear that during the transfer of the stackable stacking unit 3 from the transfer unit 11 onto the first loading unit 8, the second loading unit 9 has already moved horizontally in the direction of the first loading unit 8, while the first loading unit 8 remains in its position from fig. 1 to 3. Thus, the loading station 7 has initiated a feed movement for the first loading unit 8 and the second loading unit 9. The second loading unit 9 maintains a vertical height level until the stackable buildup layer 3 is completely transferred from the transfer unit 11 onto the first loading unit 8. Furthermore, the respective movements or feed movements of the first and second loading units 8, 9 can be preset by means of the control and/or regulating unit S.

In fig. 5, the second loading unit 9 continues its movement in the direction of the first loading unit 8 and is also lowered vertically jointly with the first loading unit 8, wherein the bracketing plane for beverage containers or multi-row packs of stackable tiers 3 constructed by the first loading unit 8 and the bracketing plane for beverage containers or multi-row packs of stackable tiers 3 constructed by the second loading unit 9 are each at least approximately at the same vertical level during lowering. Furthermore, the first loading unit 8 is separated from the transfer unit 11 and moves in the direction of the second loading unit 9. The relative distance of the first loading unit 8 with respect to the second loading unit 9 is thereby reduced. The first loading unit 8 and the second loading unit 9 or the loading station 7 therefore continue the feed movement that has already been initiated. As a result of the vertical lowering of the first and second loading units 8, 9, the first and second loading units 8, 9 together with the stackable buildup layers 3 completely received by the first loading unit 8 approach the tray 5 or move in the direction of the tray 5.

In fig. 6, the first loading unit 8 and the second loading unit 9 continue their vertical lowering movement and their advancing movement and thus their relative distances are further reduced, so that the first loading unit 8 and the second loading unit 9 come into surface contact with each other or a small distance or gap is formed between them. The feed movement of the first loading unit 8 and the second loading unit 9 ends in fig. 6.

During the vertical lowering movement of the loading station 7, the further stackable buildup layer 3a is transferred from the supply 4 onto the conveyor unit 11, so that the further stackable buildup layer 3a is completely received by the conveyor unit 11. Fig. 6 furthermore shows that the conveying unit 11 together with the further stackable buildup layer 3a initiates a vertical lowering movement, so that the first loading unit 8 together with the fully received stackable buildup layer 3, the second loading unit 9 and the conveying unit 11 together with the further stackable buildup layer 3a fully received by the conveying unit 11 are lowered in a temporally overlapping downward direction. As already mentioned above, the transfer of the further stackable conglomerate 3a from the supply 4 to the transfer unit 11 can also take place with the aid of at least one pusher 16 (see fig. 52), which via a horizontal movement moves the further stackable conglomerate 3a in a sliding manner from the horizontal resting surface formed by the supply 4 in the direction of the bracketing plane formed by the transfer unit 11. The horizontal rest plane formed by the supply 4 and the bracketing plane formed by the conveyor unit 11 are at least approximately at the same vertical level during the displacement of the further stackable stacking layer 3a from the supply 4 onto the conveyor unit 11.

Fig. 7 can see, for example, the steps that can follow the steps according to fig. 6. The conveying unit 11 and the further stackable buildup 3a received or carried by the conveying unit 11 continue its vertical lowering movement initiated in fig. 6. The loading station 7 or the first loading unit 8 and the second loading unit 9 also continue their vertical lowering movement in the direction of the pallet 5 and constantly maintain their relative spacing from one another, so that no or only a small distance or gap is formed between the first loading unit 8 and the second loading unit 9.

In this case, it is evident from an overview of fig. 6 and 7 that during the continuous vertical lowering movement of the first loading unit 8 and the second loading unit 9, the stackable buildup layers 3 received by the loading station 7 or carried by the loading station 7 are partially guided from the first loading unit 8 further onto the second loading unit 9 or are partially transferred from the first loading unit 8 onto the second loading unit 9. During the transfer from the first loading unit 8 to the second loading unit 9, the stackable stacking unit 3 is therefore moved in a temporally overlapping horizontal and vertical direction.

Fig. 8 shows the first loading unit 8 and the second loading unit 9 in the following positioning: in this positioning, the vertical lowering in the direction of the tray 5 is ended. In fig. 8, the first and second loading units 8, 9 have reached a vertical end position in which the loading station 7 or the first and second loading units 8, 9 can release the stackable buildup layers 3 jointly carried by the first and second loading units 8, 9. The stackable packing 3 is in the following orientation: in this orientation, the stackable conglomerate 3 is aligned with the pallet 5, or in this orientation, the stackable conglomerate 3 can be placed on the pallet 5 by means of a vertical movement only in the direction of the pallet 5, without the stackable conglomerate 3, after being placed, projecting beyond the lateral edge regions of the pallet 5.

The conveying unit 11 and the further stackable buildup 3a carried by the conveying unit 11 continue their vertical lowering movement further in fig. 8, so that in fig. 8 the bracketing plane formed by the conveying unit 11 and the bracketing plane formed by the first loading unit 8 are at the same vertical height level. The transfer unit 11 is in a waiting position in fig. 8 together with the further stackable buildup layers 3 a.

In this case, an overview of fig. 8, 9 and 10 shows the relative movement of the first loading unit 8 and the second loading unit 9 with respect to one another, by means of which the stackable buildup layers 3 jointly carried by the first loading unit 8 and the second loading unit 9 are released and placed on the pallet 5. In the region of the relative movement, the first and second loading units 8, 9 increase their relative spacing from one another and maintain their vertical height level, respectively, or do not rise or fall vertically in the region of the relative movement. The first loading unit 8 and the second loading unit 9 are thus moved horizontally or are moved horizontally apart from one another within the scope of the relative movement. In this case, the first loading unit 8 is moved in the direction of the transport unit 11, while the second loading unit 9 is moved in the opposite direction of the transport unit 11 or in the opposite direction to the first loading unit 8.

The spacing between the first loading unit 8 and the second loading unit 9 is increased so that the palletized tiers 3 lose their contact with the first loading unit 8 and the second loading unit 9 and are thereby placed on the tray 5. During the increase in the relative spacing of the first loading unit 8 and the second loading unit 9 from each other, the stackable stratification layers 3 are moved in a sliding manner on the respective bracketing planes formed by the first loading unit 8 and the second loading unit 9, and during the common loading by the first loading unit 8 and the second loading unit 9, the stackable stratification layers 3 rest on the bracketing planes of the first loading unit 8 and the second loading unit 9. Furthermore, during the relative distance increase, the push rods 16 (see fig. 54) come into surface contact with the respective stackable buildup 3 to be deposited on the opposite side.

The stackable collector 3 loses its contact with the first and second loading units 8, 9 at least substantially simultaneously. It can thereby be ensured that the stackable stacking 3 can be placed on the pallet 5 without the risk of undesired shifting and/or tipping of the individual goods or the multi-packs of the stackable stacking 3. Fig. 10 also shows that the first loading unit 8 is positioned immediately after losing its contact with the stackable buildup layer 3 as follows: in this case, the first loading unit 8 is not adjacent to the transport unit 11, or is adjacent to it with a small spacing, which is also in the waiting position already mentioned. The vertical height level of the bracketing plane formed by the first loading unit 8 and the vertical height level of the bracketing plane formed by the transfer unit 11 are at least approximately equal here. In this way, immediately after the stackable deposit 3 has been deposited on the pallet 5, a further stackable deposit 3a can be delivered to the first loading unit 8, as a result of which a high throughput can be achieved when stacking or when transferring the stackable deposit to the associated pallet 5.

Overview fig. 11 and 12 show further steps that can be provided, for example, in various embodiments of the method according to the invention. Therefore, the first loading unit 8, the second loading unit 9 and the transfer unit 11 are lifted in the vertical direction by the same number of courses. The bracketing planes of the first loading unit 8, of the second loading unit 9 and of the transfer unit 11 thus have an equivalent vertical height level during the lifting or during the vertical lifting movement.

During the vertical lifting, the additional stackable buildup layer 3a is moved from the conveyor unit 11 onto the first loading unit 8 or onto the bracketing plane formed by the first loading unit 8. The transport unit 11, the first loading unit 8 and the second loading unit 9 initially maintain their relative spacing from one another, or no horizontal movement takes place. As a result, the additional stackable buildup layer 3a is moved upwards in the vertical direction during the lifting and, superimposed on the vertical movement, is moved in the horizontal direction toward the pallet 5 or toward the first loading unit 8. A horizontal movement of the further stackable stacking unit 3a in the direction of the first loading unit 8 or the displacement of the further stackable stacking unit 3a onto the first loading unit 8 takes place until the further stackable stacking unit 3a is completely carried by the first loading unit 8 or completely transferred from the transfer unit 11 onto the first loading unit 8.

Fig. 13 shows that the conveying unit 11 is lifted in the vertical direction immediately after the complete transfer of the additional stackable buildup layer 3a onto the first loading unit 8 and is moved back in the direction of the supply section 4. In order to arrive at the supply section 4 as soon as possible in time for receiving the third stackable buildup 3b (see fig. 15), which has not yet been fed in fig. 11, it is possible for the transfer unit 11 to accelerate from the position according to fig. 12 and to move back in the direction of the supply section 4 at a speed which is increased compared to the speed of the joint movement of the first and second loading units 8 and 9 according to the overview fig. 11 and 12.

In order to deposit a further stackable deposit 3a, which is now completely transferred onto the first loading unit 8, on a stackable deposit 3 already on the pallet 5, the first loading unit 8 and the second loading unit 9 are raised according to fig. 14 beyond the vertical level of the stackable deposit 3 already deposited on the pallet 5 and carry out a feed movement, which overlaps in time with the vertical lift, in which the first loading unit 8 and the second loading unit 9 approach one another or in which the relative distance between the first loading unit 8 and the second loading unit 9 is reduced. In fig. 14, the transfer unit 11 has reached the supply section 4 and is oriented flush or aligned with respect to the supply section 4. A third stackable collection level 3b (see fig. 15), which has not yet been fed in fig. 14, can now be transferred from the supply 4 onto the transfer unit 11 for transfer onto the tray 5 or onto the uppermost further stackable collection level 3a, which has been laid down on the tray 5.

In fig. 15, the third stackable accumulation layer 3b has been pushed onto the transfer unit 11, wherein the transfer unit 11 completely accommodates the third stackable accumulation layer 3 b. With respect to fig. 14, the transfer unit 11 has already initiated a vertical lowering movement in fig. 15 and directed the third stackable accumulation layer 3b in the vertical direction towards the first loading unit 8. The overview fig. 14 and 15 also show that the first loading unit 8 and the second loading unit 9 approach or reduce their relative distance from one another in the region of the feed movement. The first and second loading units 8, 9 therefore continue uninterrupted the respective horizontal movement already configured in fig. 14, in which the first and second loading units 8, 9 approach one another, in order to reach the position according to fig. 15. The first loading unit 8 and the second loading unit 9 continue the feed movement or approach each other until the first loading unit 8 comes into contact with the second loading unit 9 or until a small distance or gap is formed between the first loading unit 8 and the second loading unit 9.

As can be seen from fig. 16, the first loading unit 8 and the second loading unit 9 end their feed movement. In fig. 16, the further stackable stacking layer 3a is moved from the first loading unit 8 in the direction of the second loading unit 9, so that the further stackable stacking layer 3a is carried proportionally by the second loading unit 9, or so that the further stackable stacking layer 3 is partially transferred to the second loading unit 9 and is carried jointly by the first loading unit 8 and the second loading unit 9. The vertical lowering movement initiated in fig. 15, in which the transfer unit 11 guides the third stackable stacking layer 3b to the first loading unit 8, continues in fig. 16 and also in fig. 17 below.

In fig. 17, the additional stackable stacking layer 3a is transferred from the first loading unit 8 partially onto the second loading unit 9. Fig. 17 shows that the additional stackable stacking layer 3a and the stackable stacking layer 3 that has been placed on the pallet 5 are aligned with each other. Thus, additional stackable layers 3a can be placed on a stackable layer 3 already on the pallet 5 by a vertical movement in the direction of the pallet 5 and then aligned flush or at least approximately flush with the stackable layer 3.

An overview of fig. 17 to 19 shows that a further stackable pallet 3a is placed on the stackable pallet 3 already on the pallet 5, and the relative movement of the first loading unit 8 and the second loading unit 9 with respect to one another can be seen here. In this case, the first loading unit 8 and the second loading unit 9 increase their relative distance from one another. Furthermore, the first and second loading units 8 and 9 each maintain their vertical height level, or do not vertically lift or lower, within the scope of the relative movement. In order to deposit a further stackable deposit 3a on the stackable deposit 3 which has been transferred onto the pallet 5, the first loading unit 8 is moved in the direction of the conveyor unit 11, while the second loading unit 9 is moved in the opposite direction to the conveyor unit 11 or in the opposite direction to the first loading unit 8.

The spacing between the first loading unit 8 and the second loading unit 9 is increased so that further stackable stacks 3a are placed flush or at least approximately flush on the stackable stacks 3 that have been transferred onto the tray 5. During the increase in the relative spacing of the first loading unit 8 with respect to the second loading unit 9, the further stackable stratification layers 3a move in a sliding manner on the respective bracketing planes formed by the first loading unit 8 and the second loading unit 9, the further stackable stratification layers 3a resting on the bracketing planes of the first loading unit 8 and the second loading unit 9 during being jointly loaded by the first loading unit 8 and the second loading unit 9.

The further stackable buildup layer 3a loses its contact with the first and second loading units 8, 9 at least approximately simultaneously. Fig. 19 also shows that the first loading unit 8 is located immediately after it has lost contact with the additional stackable buildup layer 3a as follows: in this case, the first loading unit 8 is adjacent to the transport unit 11 with no or little spacing. The vertical height level of the bracketing plane formed by the first loading unit 8 and the vertical height level of the bracketing plane formed by the transfer unit 11 are at least approximately equal here.

In fig. 20, the first loading unit 8 and the second loading unit 9 and the transfer unit 11 are lifted vertically by the same amount. Simultaneously with the vertical lifting, the third stackable pack 3b is moved from the transfer unit 11 onto the first loading unit 8. After the third stackable accumulation layer 3b has been completely transferred onto the first loading unit 8, the third stackable accumulation layer 3b is brought by means of the loading station 7 above the vertical level of the further stackable accumulation layer 3a already on the pallet 5, is oriented flush with respect to the further stackable accumulation layer 3a by being partially transferred onto the second loading station 9, and is subsequently placed in time onto the further stackable accumulation layer 3a already transferred onto the pallet 5 by the traveling separation of the first loading unit 8 and the second loading unit 9. After the third stackable accumulation layer 3b has been completely transferred onto the first loading unit 8, the transport unit 11 moves back in the direction of the supply 4 in order to extract or receive a fourth stackable accumulation layer 3c therefrom (see fig. 23). The steps according to fig. 20 to 26 therefore correspond to the steps according to fig. 12 to 19, so that reference is made to the previous description. Overview fig. 12 to 19 and 20 to 26 also show that the vertical height level of the stack formed from a plurality of stackable layers 3 on the pallet 5 rises gradually. In order to deposit the respective stackable layers 3 on the respective stackable layers 3 which are already configured as a constituent part of the stack at the top, the loading stations 7 must be brought above the respective height level of the stack and orient the respective stackable layers 3 to be deposited on the stack in alignment with respect to the other stackable layers 3 of the stack by partially transferring the respective stackable layers 3 from the first loading unit 8 onto the second loading unit 9. Fig. 27 and 28 again show a stackable deposit 3 or a fourth stackable deposit 3c, which is guided by means of a vertical lowering movement from the transfer unit 11 to the first loading unit 8 and is then completely transferred further to the first loading unit 8. The loading station 7 again lifts the stackable stacking layer 3 or the fourth stackable stacking layer 3c in the vertical direction (see fig. 28 to 30), so that the fourth stackable stacking layer 3c is guided over the stack of stackable stacking layers 3 that has been formed on the pallet 5, and the fourth stackable stacking layer 3c is aligned with respect to the stackable stacking layer 3 that has been transferred onto the stack (see fig. 31 and 32). Thereafter, a fourth stackable collection layer 3c is placed on the third stackable collection layer 3b already configured as a constituent of the stack by the relative movement of the first loading unit 8 with respect to the second loading unit 9 (see fig. 33 and 34), and is thereafter oriented flush with respect to the other stackable collection layers 3 of the stack.

In fig. 34, the stackable stacking layer 3 which was transferred last to the pallet 5 or the fourth stackable stacking layer 3c which is arranged uppermost in the stack is at a vertical height level which exceeds the vertical height level of the supply 4. In order to transfer a stackable conglomerate 3 from the situation according to fig. 34 onto a pallet 5 or onto a fourth stackable conglomerate 3c of the stack of stackable conglomerates 3 arranged on pallet 5, a fifth stackable conglomerate 3d, which is shown for the first time in fig. 31, must be lifted in the vertical direction relative to the supply 4 and brought above the vertical level of the stack of stackable conglomerates 3 on pallet 5.

For this purpose, overview fig. 32 and 33 show that during the movement or displacement from each other of the first loading unit 8 and the second loading unit 9 for depositing the fourth stackable buildup 3c, the transport unit 11 lifts the fifth stackable buildup 3d in the vertical direction. In fig. 33, the bracketing plane formed by the transfer unit 11 and the bracketing plane formed by the first loading unit 8 are at least approximately at the same vertical height level. Advantageously, the first loading unit 8 does not have to be lowered vertically in order to receive the fifth stackable tier 3d, since the fifth stackable tier 3d is already brought by means of the transfer unit 11 to a vertical level suitable for being pushed onto the first loading unit 8 during the deposition of the fourth stackable tier 3 c. This enables stacking with a high throughput.

Fig. 34 to 36 then show that, immediately after the fourth stackable layer 3c has been laid down on the stack, the transfer unit 11, the first loading unit 8 together with the fifth stackable layer 3d arranged completely on the first loading unit 8 and the second loading unit 9 are lifted in the vertical direction until the transfer unit 11, the first loading unit 8 together with the fifth stackable layer 3d arranged completely on the first loading unit 8 and the second loading unit 9 jointly reach a vertical level above the stack or above the fourth stackable layer 3c forming part of the stack. The transport unit 11 and the first and second loading units 8, 9 are moved in this case synchronously with respect to speed in the vertical direction. Simultaneously during the vertical movement, the fifth stackable pack 3d is moved completely from the transfer unit 11 onto the first loading unit 8. During the vertical movement of the first loading unit 8, the second loading unit 9 and the transfer unit 11, the fifth stackable buildup layer 3d is thus moved in the vertical and horizontal direction overlapping in time.

After the first loading unit 8, the second loading unit 9 and the transfer unit 11 have been moved above the vertical height level of the stacked or fourth stackable stacking layer 3c, the first loading unit 8 and the second loading unit 9 perform a feed movement according to fig. 37 and approach one another here until the first loading unit 8 and the second loading unit 9 come into contact with one another or until only a small distance or gap is formed between the first loading unit 8 and the second loading unit 9 according to fig. 38. Simultaneously with the feed movement, the transfer unit 11 is lowered in the vertical direction in order to extract or receive from the supply 4 the sixth stackable packet 3e (see fig. 38), which in fig. 37 has not yet been fed through the supply 4.

In fig. 38, the sixth stackable accumulation layer 3e fed by the supply 4 has been completely further transferred to the transfer unit 11. The first loading unit 8 and the second loading unit 9 of the loading station 7 perform their feed movement. The fifth stackable stacking layer 3d is partially moved onto the second loading unit 9 and is aligned with the stack of stackable stacking layers 3 already on the pallet 5.

Subsequently, the first loading unit 8 and the second loading unit 9 of the loading station execute a relative movement or a travel separation from each other according to fig. 39. Furthermore, the conveying unit 11 together with the sixth stackable accumulation layer 3e is moved downwards in the vertical direction or is lowered in the vertical direction.

In fig. 40, a fifth stackable collection layer 3d is placed on a fourth stackable collection layer 3c and is thus constructed as an integral part of the stack of stackable collection layers 3. The fifth stackable packing layer 3d is in this case designed as the uppermost stackable packing layer of the pallet 5 or as the uppermost stackable packing layer of the completely finished pallet 5. All stackable layers 3 and 3 to 3d specified for the pallet 5 have now been deposited on the pallet 5 by the device 1 or by the stacker 2. The stack or the stackable stacks 3 of the stack can be wrapped, if necessary, with a wrapping or stretch film, so that the stackable stacks 3 maintain their flush orientation with respect to one another during transport. Furthermore, the sixth stackable pack 3e is lowered in the vertical direction via the transfer unit 11 in fig. 40 and reaches a vertical end orientation in fig. 41. Furthermore, the first loading unit 8 and the second loading unit 9 are lowered in the vertical direction via fig. 42 and 43 and reach the vertical height level of the transport unit 11 in fig. 44. In fig. 44, furthermore, the trays 5 previously provided for transferring stackable layers 3 are transported away together with the stack of stackable layers 3 and replaced by new trays 5 a. From an overview of fig. 40 to 44 and fig. 45 to 51 following fig. 44, it is clear that the conveying unit 11 together with the sixth stackable layer 3e reaches, at the latest when the replacement of the pallet 5 by a new pallet 5a is finished, the vertical height level of the first loading unit 8, which is formed as a component of the loading station 7, which is provided for depositing the sixth stackable layer 3e on the new pallet 5 a. Fig. 44 to 47 furthermore show that the sixth stackable stacking layer 3e is immediately transferred from the transport unit 11 to the first loading unit 8 or pushed from the transport unit 11 to the first loading unit 8 after the replacement of the pallet 5 by a new pallet 5 a. Thus, the sixth stackable pallet 3e can be put down on the new pallet 5a in good time after the pallet 5 is replaced with the new pallet 5 a. For the sake of completeness, it is mentioned that the sixth stackable pack 3e can also be moved from the transfer unit 11 onto the first loading unit 8 according to fig. 40 to 44 before and/or during the replacement of the pallet 5 by a new pallet 5 a.

Preferably, the sixth stackable stacking layer 3e is pushed from the transfer unit 11 onto the first loading unit 8, so that the sixth stackable stacking layer 3e is completely accommodated by the first loading unit 8 at the latest after the replacement of the tray 5 by a new tray 5a has ended. The first loading unit 8 and the transfer unit 11 are at the vertical level of the first loading unit 8 set up for depositing the sixth stackable mat 3e on the new pallet 5a during the transfer of the sixth stackable mat 3e from the transfer unit 11 onto the first loading unit 8, and the vertical level of the first loading unit 8 set up for depositing the sixth stackable mat 3e is continuously maintained during the transfer of the sixth stackable mat 3e from the transfer unit 11 onto the first loading unit 8 until the sixth stackable mat 3e is completely accommodated by means of the first loading unit 8.

In the subsequent fig. 45 and 46, the sixth stackable pack 3e is completely moved from the transfer unit 11 onto the first loading unit 8. Immediately after this, the first loading unit 8 and the second loading unit 9 perform a feed movement in which the first loading unit 8 and the second loading unit 9 are each moved horizontally and in which the relative distance of the first loading unit 8 with respect to the second loading unit 9 is reduced. Fig. 47 furthermore shows that the conveying unit 11, after complete transfer or complete further guidance of the sixth stackable buildup 3e onto the first loading unit 8, is moved back in the direction of the supply 4 or is lifted vertically in the direction of the supply 4. As mentioned above, the transport unit 11 can be accelerated for this purpose.

In fig. 47 and 48, the first and second loading units 8, 9 perform a feed movement, so that the sixth stackable buildup layer 3e can be transferred to the second loading unit 9 and can be deposited thereafter on a new pallet 5 a. Furthermore, the conveying unit 11 is lifted in the vertical direction and reaches the vertical height level of the supply section 4 in fig. 48, in order to receive a seventh stackable buildup 3f from the supply section 4 (see fig. 49). As can be seen from fig. 50, the seventh stackable stacking layer 3f is guided in the vertical direction to the first loading unit 8 or is lowered vertically in the direction of the first loading unit 8. The first and second loading units 8, 9 perform a relative movement, overlapping in time, in order to deposit the sixth stackable deposit 3e on the new pallet 5 a.

As can be seen from fig. 51, the transport unit 11 is lowered further in the vertical direction, so that the transport unit 11 reaches the vertical height level of the first loading unit 8 shortly after the sixth stackable layer 3e has been deposited on the new pallet 5 a. The further stacking is carried out again in accordance with the previous description of fig. 10 to 43, so that reference is made to the steps described previously for fig. 10 to 43 in respect of the individual steps for continuing the method from fig. 51.

Fig. 52 shows a schematic side view of the embodiment from fig. 1 to 51 to illustrate further aspects. Fig. 52 shows a supply 4 which provides a horizontal resting surface for the respective stackable stacking 3 shown in the preceding figures and rests on the ground via a plurality of legs 18.

Furthermore, the transport unit 11 can be seen again, which comprises a support 12 a. A loading plate 22 is connected to the support 12a, which can pick up the complete stackable conglomerate 3 from the supply 4 and which can be lifted and lowered in the vertical direction along the support 12 a. The lifting and lowering movement of the loading plate 22 is brought about via a transmission means 23a, which transmission means 23a can be configured, for example, as a belt or chain and is driven via an actuator 14 a. The actuator 14a is suspended from the strut 12a or is mechanically coupled to the strut 12a, and may be configured as a servomotor, if appropriate. Furthermore, the actuator 14a is connected to the control and/or regulating unit S. The control and/or regulating unit S can thus operate the actuator 14a to cause a lifting movement or a lowering movement of the loading plate 22 via the transmission means 23 a. By means of a lifting or lowering movement, the respective stackable buildup 3 received by the loading plate 22 is guided in the vertical direction to the loading station 7 or to the first loading unit 8 of the loading station 7.

Further details of the loading station 7 in fig. 52 can also be seen. The loading station 7 further comprises a support 12b on which the first and second loading units 8, 9 are suspended, or to which the first and second loading units 8, 9 are mechanically coupled. The first loading unit 8 and the second loading unit 9 can be selectively lifted or lowered vertically via the transfer device 23 b. The transfer means 23b of the loading station 7 can be configured, for example, as a belt or a chain and is driven via the actuator 14 b. The actuator 14b of the loading station 7 is mechanically coupled to the mast 12b and is connected with the control and/or regulating unit S. The control and/or regulating unit S can thus actuate the actuator 14b of the loading station 7 in order to cause a common lifting or lowering movement of the first and second loading units 8, 9 via the transfer means 23 b. As already mentioned above, the first and second loading units 8, 9 can be moved relative to each other in order to deposit the respective stackable buildup layer 3 on the pallet 5. The relative movement of the first and second loading units 8, 9 takes place in a direction which is oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal extent of the column 12b which is part of the loading station 7.

Fig. 52 also shows a plurality of devices 6 via which individual stackable stacks 3 can be moved from the supply 4 onto the loading plate 22 of the transport unit 11, from the loading plate 22 of the transport unit 11 onto the first loading unit 8 and from the first loading unit 8 partially onto the second loading unit 9. The means 6 are each designed as a push rod 16, the respective longitudinal axis of which is oriented in the direction of the drawing in fig. 52.

Fig. 53a, 53b show a transport unit 11 and a supply section 4, which can be provided, for example, as a component of the device 1 according to the invention or of various embodiments of the method according to the invention. For reasons of clarity, the struts 12a of the transport unit 11 according to fig. 52 are not shown together in fig. 53 a. Fig. 53a again shows the loading plate 22 from fig. 52 and also the slide 32 via which the loading plate 22 of the transfer unit 11 is coupled to the column 12a already shown in fig. 52. During the lifting and lowering movement of the loading plate 22, the carriage 32 moves together with the loading plate 22 in the vertical direction along the longitudinal extent of the column 12 a.

Fig. 53b can again see the supply part 4. The supply section 4 provides a horizontal parking surface from which the transfer unit 11 extracts stackable buildup layers 3. The support 4 or the parking surface itself cannot be adjusted in its vertical position. Fig. 53b furthermore shows the support legs 18, via which the provider 4 rests on the ground. On both sides of the parking plane and obliquely or perpendicularly to the direction of movement of the individual goods, the supply section 4 comprises centering elements 36 in order to produce stackable stacks 3 from the respective pre-grouping of a plurality of goods or multi-packs by compacting the goods or multi-packs thereof.

Fig. 54 shows a schematic top view of a loading station 7, which can be provided, for example, as a component of the device 1 according to the invention or of various embodiments of the method according to the invention. Fig. 54 shows the column 12b already shown in fig. 52, along which the first loading unit 8 and the second loading unit 9 can be moved jointly in the vertical direction. Furthermore, an actuator 34 is shown, which can be embodied, for example, as a servomotor. By means of the actuator 34, the first loading unit 8 and the second loading unit 9 can be moved in the horizontal direction relative to each other.

In the region of the first loading unit 8 and in the region of the second loading unit 9, in each case a further actuator 35 is provided. Via a further actuator 35, the means 6 or the push rod 16 can be moved in order to move the respective stackable layers 3, which are completely accommodated by the first loading unit 8, partially onto the second loading unit 9, so that the respective stackable layers 3 are jointly carried by the first loading unit 8 and the second loading unit 9. In particular, the means 6 or the push rod 16 can be moved cyclically by means of the actuator 35, respectively. Both the actuator 34 and the further actuator 35 are connected to a control and/or regulating unit S. The control and/or regulating unit S can thus actuate the actuator 34 in order to bring about a relative movement of the first loading unit 8 with respect to the second loading unit 9 by means of the actuator 34. The control and/or regulating unit S can also actuate the two further actuators 35 in order to place the respective stackable stacks, which are completely carried by the first loading unit 8, partially on the second loading unit 9 or to move partially from the first loading unit 8 to the second loading unit 9, so that the respective stackable stacks 3 are jointly carried by the first loading unit 8 and the second loading unit 9.

The invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications or variations can be made to the present invention without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

List of reference numerals

1 apparatus

2 stacker

3 Stacking of layers

3a additional stackable packing

3b third stackable stratification

3c fourth stackable stratification

3d fifth stackable stratification

3e sixth stackable stratification

3f seventh stackable stratification

4 supply part

5 tray

6 device

5a novel tray

7 Loading station

8 first load unit

9 second load Unit

11 transfer unit

12a pillar (transfer unit 11)

12b column (Loading station 7)

14 driver

16 push rod

18 supporting legs

22 load plate

23a transfer device (transfer unit 11)

23b transfer devices (Loading station 7)

32 sliding seat

33 sliding seat

34 actuator

35 additional actuator

36 centering element

S control and/or regulating unit

Claims (17)

1. A method for transferring stackable laminae (3) onto associated trays (5), characterized in that it comprises the following steps:

-providing a stackable accumulation (3), said stackable accumulation (3) having a plurality of goods,

-extracting the provided stackable accumulation layers (3) by means of a transfer unit (11) and transferring the stackable accumulation layers (3) from the transfer unit (11) onto a first loading unit (8) configured as an integral part of a loading station (7), which completely accommodates the stackable accumulation layers (3),

-moving the stackable buildup (3) received by the first loading unit (8) in the direction of a second loading unit (9) configured as a component of a loading station (7) so that the stackable buildup (3) completely received by the first loading unit (8) is partially transferred onto the second loading unit (9) configured as a component of a loading station (7) and is jointly carried by the first loading unit (8) and the second loading unit (9), wherein,

a) the first loading unit (8) and the second loading unit (9) increase their relative spacing from one another, as a result of which stackable stacks (3) jointly carried by the first loading unit (8) and the second loading unit (9) are lowered on the associated pallet (5), and wherein provision is made,

b) the conveying unit (11) guides the extracted stackable buildup (3) in the vertical direction to the first loading unit (8) which is designed as a component of the loading station (7) for transfer,

wherein the conveying unit (11) extracts further stackable stacks (3a) and reaches the vertical height level of the first loading unit (8) at the latest immediately after the complete lowering of the stackable stacks (3) by the loading station (7), and wherein the conveying unit (11) and the first loading unit (8) are temporarily moved jointly in the vertical direction during the transfer of the stackable stacks (3) from the conveying unit (11) onto the first loading unit (8).

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that after the complete transfer of a stackable accumulation (3) from the transfer unit (11) onto the first loading unit (8), the transfer unit (11) is moved in the direction of the further stackable accumulation (3a) provided, wherein,

a) during the movement of the conveying unit (11) in the direction of the further stackable buildup (3a) provided, at least the first loading unit (8) is temporarily moved to a vertical height level predetermined for depositing the stackable buildup (3) and/or wherein,

b) the first loading unit (8) and the second loading unit (9) carry out a feed movement in a temporally overlapping manner with the movement of the transfer unit (11) in the direction of the further stackable buildup (3a) provided.

3. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the transfer unit (11) guides the extracted further stackable buildup (3a) temporarily during the feed movement and/or temporarily during the relative increase in the spacing of the first loading unit (8) with respect to the second loading unit (9) in the vertical direction to the first loading unit (8) which is configured as a constituent part of a loading station (7).

4. A method according to claim 3, characterised in that the transfer unit (11) temporarily guides the further stackable accumulation layer (3a) in vertical direction towards the first loading unit (8) configured as an integral part of the loading station (7) during the partial transfer of the stackable accumulation layer (3) from the first loading unit (8) onto the second loading unit (9).

5. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a plurality of goods of the stackable accumulation (3) is formed by a plurality of filled beverage containers assembled into a multi-pack package.

6. An apparatus (1) for transferring stackable laminae (3) onto an associated tray (5), characterized in that it comprises:

a supply (4) via which a stackable bed (3) with a plurality of goods can be fed,

-a loading station (7) comprising a first loading unit (8) and a second loading unit (9), wherein the first loading unit (8) is configured for accommodating a fully stackable accumulation (3), and wherein the fully accommodated stackable accumulation (3) is partially guidable from the first loading unit (8) further onto the second loading unit (9) such that the stackable accumulation (3) is jointly carried by the first loading unit (8) and the second loading unit (9), and the apparatus further comprises:

-a transfer unit (11) able to extract the fed stackable stratification layer (3) from the supply (4) and to transfer it onto the first loading unit (8), wherein,

a) the first loading unit (8) and the second loading unit (9) can increase their relative distance from one another in order to deposit the jointly supported stackable buildup (3), and wherein,

b) the conveying unit (11) can be moved up and down in the vertical direction in order to at least partially compensate for a height level formed between the first loading unit (8) of the loading station (7) and the supply unit (4),

wherein the movement of the transfer unit (11) and the movement of the first loading unit (8) are coordinated with one another such that the transfer unit (11) reaches the vertical height level of the first loading unit (8) at the latest after the stackable buildup (3) has been deposited by the loading station (7), and wherein the movement of the transfer unit (11) and the movement of the first loading unit (8) are coordinated with one another such that the transfer unit (11) and the first loading unit (8) can be moved in the vertical direction temporarily jointly and synchronously with respect to speed during the transfer of the stackable buildup (3) from the transfer unit (11) onto the first loading unit (8).

7. The apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that the first loading unit (8) and the second loading unit (9) are configured for carrying out a feed movement, and the movement of the transfer unit (11) and the movement of the loading station (7) are coordinated with each other such that the movement of the transfer unit (11) and the movement of the loading station (7) are coordinated with each other

a) The conveying unit (11) can be moved in the direction of the supply section (4) in a temporally overlapping manner with the feed movement,

b) at least the first loading unit (8) of the loading station (7) is moved to a vertical height level predetermined for depositing stackable layers (3) in a temporally overlapping manner with the movement of the transfer unit (11) in the direction of the supply (4).

8. The device according to claim 7, characterized in that the movement of the transfer unit (11) is coordinated with the movement of the first and second loading units (8, 9) such that the transfer unit (11) can temporarily extract additional stackable stacks (3a) from the supply (4) and/or move vertically in the direction of the first loading unit (8) during the feed movement and/or temporarily during an increase in the relative spacing of the first loading unit (8) with respect to the second loading unit (9).

9. An apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that the movement of the transfer unit (11) is coordinated with the movement of the first and second loading units (8, 9) such that the transfer unit (11) can temporarily move further stackable parcels (3a) extracted from the supply (4) vertically towards the first loading unit (8) during the further guidance of the stackable parcels (3) from the first loading unit (8) onto the second loading unit (9).

10. The apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that the transfer unit (11) is mechanically coupled to an upright post along which the transfer unit (11) can be moved up and down in a vertical direction.

11. The apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that it comprises at least one pusher which is configured in a movable manner in the horizontal direction and which is able to move the extracted stackable stratification (3) from the transfer unit (11) onto the first loading unit (8) while bearing on the extracted stackable stratification (3).

12. Method for temporally sequentially equipping a plurality of pallets (5) with stackable pallets (3), characterized in that it comprises the steps of:

-providing a stackable accumulation (3) with a plurality of goods,

-extracting the provided stackable buildup (3) by means of a transfer unit (11) and transferring the stackable buildup (3) from the transfer unit (11) onto a first loading unit (8) configured as an integral part of a loading station (7), which completely accommodates the stackable buildup (3),

-moving the stackable buildup (3) received by the first loading unit (8) in the direction of a second loading unit (9) configured as a component of the loading station (7) so that the stackable buildup (3) completely received by the first loading unit (8) is partially transferred onto the second loading unit (9) configured as a component of the loading station (7) and is jointly carried by the first loading unit (8) and the second loading unit (9), wherein,

a) the first loading unit (8) and the second loading unit (9) increase their relative spacing from one another, as a result of which stackable buildup layers (3) jointly carried by the first loading unit (8) and the second loading unit (9) are laid down on an associated first pallet (5) as the uppermost stackable buildup layer (3), the associated first pallet (5) already carrying a plurality of stackable buildup layers (3), and wherein provision is made,

b) the associated first pallet (5) together with the plurality of stackable layers (3) and the uppermost stackable layer (3) laid down by the loading station (7) is replaced by a new pallet (5a), wherein the transfer unit (11) together with the further stackable layers (3a) reaches, at the latest in terms of time, at the end of the replacement of the associated first pallet (5) by a new pallet (5a), the vertical level of the first loading unit (8) provided for laying down the further stackable layers (3a) on the new pallet (5a),

wherein the conveying unit (11) extracts further stackable stacks (3a) and reaches the vertical height level of the first loading unit (8) at the latest immediately after the complete lowering of the stackable stacks (3) by the loading station (7), and wherein the conveying unit (11) and the first loading unit (8) are temporarily moved jointly in the vertical direction during the transfer of the stackable stacks (3) from the conveying unit (11) onto the first loading unit (8).

13. Method according to claim 12, characterized in that the further stackable stratification (3a) is transferred from the transfer unit (11) onto the first loading unit (8), wherein the further stackable stratification (3a) is transferred at least proportionally onto the first loading unit (8) of the loading station (7) at the latest at the end of the replacement of the associated first pallet (5) by a new pallet (5 a).

14. Method according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the transfer unit (11) is moved in the direction of the further stackable accumulation layer (3a) immediately after the transfer of the stackable accumulation layer (3) onto the first loading unit (8) configured as an integral part of the loading station (7).

15. An apparatus (1) for equipping a plurality of trays (5) with stackable stacks (3), characterized in that it comprises:

a supply (4) via which a stackable bed (3) with a plurality of goods can be fed,

-a loading station (7) comprising a first loading unit (8) and a second loading unit (9), wherein the first loading unit (8) is configured for accommodating a fully stackable accumulation (3), and wherein the fully accommodated stackable accumulation (3) is partially guidable from the first loading unit (8) further onto the second loading unit (9) such that the stackable accumulation (3) is jointly carried by the first loading unit (8) and the second loading unit (9), and the apparatus further comprises:

-a transfer unit (11) able to extract a supply of stackable laminae (3) from the supply (4) and to transfer them onto the first loading unit (8), wherein,

a) the first loading unit (8) and the second loading unit (9) can increase the distance between them in order to deposit the jointly loaded stackable buildup layers (3) on the associated pallet (5), and wherein,

b) the device (1) comprises a control and/or regulating unit (S) which is connected to the conveying unit (11), wherein the conveying unit (11) can be actuated by means of the control and/or regulating unit (S) in such a way that the conveying unit (11) together with the further stackable layers (3a) received by the conveying unit (11) reaches the vertical level of the first loading unit (8) provided for depositing the further stackable layers (3a) on the new tray (5a) at the latest at the end of the replacement of the associated tray (5) with the stackable layer (3) already deposited thereon by the new tray (5a),

wherein the movement of the transfer unit (11) and the movement of the first loading unit (8) are coordinated with one another such that the transfer unit (11) reaches the vertical height level of the first loading unit (8) at the latest after the stackable buildup (3) has been deposited by the loading station (7), and wherein the movement of the transfer unit (11) and the movement of the first loading unit (8) are coordinated with one another such that the transfer unit (11) and the first loading unit (8) can be moved in the vertical direction temporarily jointly and synchronously with respect to speed during the transfer of the stackable buildup (3) from the transfer unit (11) onto the first loading unit (8).

16. The device according to claim 15 for equipping a plurality of trays (5) with stackable stacks (3), characterized in that the loading station (7) is connected to the control and/or regulating unit (S), wherein the loading station (7) can be actuated via the control and/or regulating unit (S) such that a first loading unit (8) of the loading station (7) reaches its vertical level provided for depositing the further stackable stacks (3a) on a new tray (5a) at the latest at the end of the replacement of an associated tray (5) with a stackable stack (3) already placed thereon by the new tray (5 a).

17. Apparatus according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that it comprises at least one means for transferring the stackable stratification (3) and the further stackable stratification (3a) to the first loading unit (8) of the loading station (7) in connection with the control and/or regulating unit (S), wherein the at least one means can be actuated via the control and/or regulating unit (S) such that the further stackable stratification (3a) is transferred at least proportionally by the at least one means to the first loading unit (8) at the latest at the end of the replacement of the associated pallet (5) by a new pallet (5 a).

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