Transport device for transporting at least one product, in particular for forming rows and/or groups of products
A transport device for transporting at least one product ( 12 a; 12 b ), with at least one guide unit ( 14 a; 14 b ), with at least one conveyor unit ( 16 a; 16 b ), which has at least one continuous conveyor unit ( 18 a; 18 b ) mounted movably relative to the guide unit ( 14 a; 14 b ), which comprises at least one movably mounted conveyor element ( 20 a; 20 b ), and at least one further movably mounted conveyor element ( 22 a; 22 b ), which are connected to each other to form the continuous conveyor unit ( 18 a; 18 b ) and are at least jointly movable relative to the guide unit ( 14 a; 14 b ), and with at least one conveyor drive unit ( 24 a; 24 b ) for driving the continuous conveyor unit ( 18 a; 18 b ) relative to the guide unit ( 14 a; 14 b ), in particular for driving the continuous conveyor unit ( 18 a; 18 b ) in rotation about the guide unit ( 14 a; 14 b ).
1. A transport device for transporting product ( 12 a ; 12 b ), the transport device comprising
at least one guide unit ( 14 a ; 14 b ),
at least one conveyor unit ( 16 a ; 16 b ), which has at least one continuous conveyor unit ( 18 a ; 18 b ) mounted movably relative to the guide unit ( 14 a ; 14 b ), the at least one continuous conveyor unit ( 18 a , 18 b ) configured to transport the products along a main transport direction ( 50 a , 50 b ) and including at least one movably mounted conveyor element ( 20 a ; 20 b ) and at least one further movably mounted conveyor element ( 22 a ; 22 b ), wherein the conveyor elements are connected to each other to form the continuous conveyor unit ( 18 a ; 18 b ) and are at least jointly movable relative to the guide unit ( 14 a ; 14 b ),
at least one conveyor drive unit ( 24 a ; 24 b ) for driving the continuous conveyor unit ( 18 a ; 18 b ) relative to the guide unit ( 14 a ; 14 b ), and
at least one individual drive unit ( 26 a ; 26 b ) which is provided at least to individually drive at least the at least one conveyor element ( 20 a ; 20 b ) and/or the at least one further conveyor element ( 22 a ; 22 b ), wherein the individual drive unit ( 26 a , 26 b ) includes at least one actuator ( 78 a , 78 b , 48 a , 48 b ) for driving the at least one conveyor element ( 20 a , 20 b ) and/or the at least one further conveyor element ( 22 a , 22 b ) so as to adjust a spacing between the products along the main transport direction ( 50 a , 50 b ), wherein the at least one conveyor element ( 20 a , 20 b ) and/or the at least one further conveyor element ( 22 a , 22 b ) each extend along an axis that is perpendicular to the main transport direction ( 50 a , 50 b ) of the continuous conveyor unit ( 18 a , 18 b ).
2. The transport device according to claim 1 , characterized in that the at least one conveyor element ( 20 a ; 20 b ) is assigned to a conveyor group ( 30 a ; 30 b ) of the continuous conveyor unit ( 18 a ; 18 b ), and the at least one further conveyor element ( 22 a ; 22 b ) is assigned to a further conveyor group ( 32 a ; 32 b ) of the continuous conveyor unit ( 18 a ; 18 b ), wherein the individual drive unit ( 26 a ; 26 b ) is provided at least to individually drive the conveyor group ( 30 a ; 30 b ) and/or the further conveyor group ( 32 a ; 32 b ).
3. The transport device according to claim 1 , characterized in that the individual drive unit ( 26 a ; 26 b ) has at least one form-fit and/or force-fit drive element ( 34 a , 36 a ; 34 b , 36 b ) which, in order to drive the at least one conveyor element ( 20 a ; 20 b ) and/or the at least one further conveyor element ( 22 a ; 22 b ), interacts with the at least one conveyor element ( 20 a ; 20 b ) and/or with the at least one further conveyor element ( 22 a ; 22 b ).
4. The transport device according to claim 3 , characterized in that the form-fit and/or force-fit drive element ( 34 a , 36 a ; 34 b , 36 b ) is a toothed belt.
5. The transport device according to claim 3 , characterized in that the individual drive unit ( 26 a ; 26 b ) has at least one drive element ( 38 a , 40 a , 42 a , 44 a ; 38 b , 40 b , 42 b , 44 b ) which is arranged on the at least one conveyor element ( 20 a ; 20 b ) or on the at least one further conveyor element ( 22 a ; 22 b ).
6. The transport device according to claim 5 , characterized in that the at least one drive element ( 38 a , 40 a , 42 a , 44 a ; 38 b , 40 b , 42 b , 44 b ) is a toothed element, which is provided to interact with a form-fit and/or force-fit drive element ( 34 a , 36 a ; 34 b , 36 b ) of the individual drive unit ( 26 a ; 26 b ).
7. The transport device according to claim 1 , characterized in that the individual drive unit ( 26 a ; 26 b ) has at least one coupling unit ( 46 a ; 46 b ) which is provided to move at least one drive element ( 38 a , 40 a , 42 a , 44 a ; 38 b , 40 b , 42 b , 44 b ) of the individual drive unit ( 26 a ; 26 b ) and/or a form-fit and/or force-fit drive element ( 34 a , 36 a ; 34 b , 36 b ) of the individual drive unit ( 26 a ; 26 b ) for coupling them to each other or for uncoupling them.
8. The transport device according to claim 1 , characterized in that the individual drive unit ( 26 a ; 26 b ) is arranged at least partially on two mutually remote sides of the at least one conveyor element ( 20 a ; 20 b ) and/or of the at least one further conveyor element ( 22 a ; 22 b ).
9. The transport device at least according to claim 1 , characterized in that the actuator of the individual drive unit is one of an electric motor ( 78 a , 78 b ) or a magnetic drive element ( 48 a ; 48 b ), which interacts with the at least one conveyor element ( 20 a ; 20 b ) and/or with the at least one further conveyor element ( 22 a ; 22 b ) in order to drive the at least one conveyor element ( 20 a ; 20 b ) and/or the at least one further conveyor element ( 22 a ; 22 b ).
10. The transport device according to claim 1 , characterized by at least one vacuum unit ( 28 a ; 28 b ) for generating an underpressure in order to draw the at least one product ( 12 a ; 12 b ) in a direction of the at least one conveyor element ( 20 a ; 20 b ) and/or the at least one further conveyor element ( 22 a ; 22 b ).
11. The transport device according to claim 1 , characterized in that the at least one conveyor element ( 20 a ; 20 b ) and/or the at least one further conveyor element ( 22 a ; 22 b ) have/has a maximum circumferential surface extent along a direction extending transversely with respect to the main transport direction ( 50 a ; 50 b ) of the continuous conveyor unit ( 18 a ; 18 b ), which maximum circumferential surface extent corresponds at least substantially to a maximum transverse extent ( 54 a ; 54 b ) of the continuous conveyor unit ( 18 a ; 18 b ).
12. A method for transporting products ( 12 a ; 12 b ) along a main transport direction ( 50 a , 50 b ), wherein, in at least one method step, at least one conveyor element ( 20 a ; 20 b ) is driven and rotated about an axis that is perpendicular to the main transport direction ( 50 a , 50 b ) by means of an individual drive unit ( 26 a ; 26 b ) with a rotational speed and/or a rotational direction ( 56 a , 58 a ; 56 b , 58 b ) which differs from a rotational speed and/or a rotational direction ( 56 a , 58 a ; 56 b , 58 b ) of at least one further conveyor element ( 22 a ; 22 b ), wherein the at least one further conveyor element ( 22 a , 22 b ) additionally is driven about an axis that is perpendicular to the main transport direction ( 50 a , 50 b ).
13. The method according to claim 12 , characterized in that, in at least one method step, the at least one conveyor element ( 20 a ; 20 b ) and the at least one further conveyor element ( 22 a ; 22 b ) are driven in opposite rotational directions ( 56 a , 58 a ; 56 b , 58 b ) by means of the individual drive unit ( 26 a ; 26 b ), such that a spacing between the products along the main transport direction ( 50 a , 50 b ) is adjusted.
14. The method according to claim 12 , characterized in that, in at least one method step, a rotational movement of the at least one conveyor element ( 20 a ; 20 b ) and of the at least one further conveyor element ( 22 a ; 22 b ), generated by means of the individual drive unit ( 26 a ; 26 b ), superposes a driving movement, generated by means of a conveyor drive unit ( 24 a ; 24 b ), of the continuous conveyor unit ( 18 a ; 18 b ) relative to the guide unit ( 14 a ; 14 b ).
15. A transport device for forming rows and/or groups of products ( 12 a ; 12 b ), the transport device comprising
at least one guide unit ( 14 a ; 14 b ),
at least one conveyor unit ( 16 a ; 16 b ), which has at least one continuous conveyor unit ( 18 a ; 18 b ) mounted movably relative to the guide unit ( 14 a ; 14 b ), wherein the continuous conveyor unit is an endless conveyor roller transport belt that moves the products along a main transport direction ( 50 a , 50 b ), and which includes at least one movably mounted conveyor element ( 20 a ; 20 b ), wherein the at least one movably mounted conveyor element is a conveyor roller, and wherein the continuous conveyor unit further includes at least one further movably mounted conveyor element ( 22 a ; 22 b ), wherein the at least one further movably mounted conveyor element is a further conveyor roller, wherein the conveyor elements are connected to each other to form the continuous conveyor unit ( 18 a ; 18 b ) and are at least jointly movable relative to the guide unit ( 14 a ; 14 b ),
at least one conveyor drive unit ( 24 a ; 24 b ) for driving the continuous conveyor unit ( 18 a ; 18 b ) in rotation about the guide unit ( 14 a ; 14 b ), and
at least one individual drive unit ( 26 a ; 26 b ) which is provided at least to individually drive at least the at least one conveyor element ( 20 a ; 20 b ) and/or the at least one further conveyor element ( 22 a ; 22 b ), in addition to driving of the continuous conveyor unit ( 18 a ; 18 b ) relative to the guide unit ( 14 a ; 14 b ), wherein the individual drive unit ( 26 a , 26 b ) includes at least one electric motor ( 78 a , 78 b ) for driving the at least one conveyor element ( 20 a , 20 b ) and/or the at least one further conveyor element ( 22 a , 22 b ) so as to adjust a spacing between the products along the main transport direction ( 50 a , 50 b ), wherein the at least one conveyor element ( 20 a , 20 b ) and/or the at least one further conveyor element ( 22 a , 22 b ) each extend along and rotate about an axis that is perpendicular to the main transport direction ( 50 a , 50 b ) of the continuous conveyor unit ( 18 a , 18 b ).
16. The transport device according to claim 5 , characterized in that the at least one drive element ( 38 a , 40 a , 42 a , 44 a ; 38 b , 40 b , 42 b , 44 b ) is a toothed wheel, which is provided to interact with a form-fit and/or force-fit drive element ( 34 a , 36 a ; 34 b , 36 b ) of the individual drive unit ( 26 a ; 26 b ).
17. A method for forming rows and/or groups of products ( 12 a; 12 b ) using a transport device according to claim 1 , wherein, in at least one method step, the at least one conveyor element ( 20 a ; 20 b ) is driven by means of the individual drive unit ( 26 a ; 26 b ) with a rotational speed and/or a rotational direction ( 56 a , 58 a ; 56 b , 58 b ) which differs from a rotational speed and/or a rotational direction ( 56 a , 58 a ; 56 b , 58 b ) of the at least one further conveyor element ( 22 a ; 22 b ), so as to adjust the spacing between the products along the main transport direction 50 a , 50 b ).
18. The method according to claim 17 , characterized in that, in at least one method step, the at least one conveyor element ( 20 a ; 20 b ) and the at least one further conveyor element ( 22 a ; 22 b ) are driven in opposite rotational directions ( 56 a , 58 a ; 56 b , 58 b ) by means of the individual drive unit ( 26 a ; 26 b ).
19. The method according to claim 17 , wherein, in at least one method step, a rotational movement of the at least one conveyor element ( 20 a ; 20 b ) and of the at least one further conveyor element ( 22 a ; 22 b ), generated by means of the individual drive unit ( 26 a ; 26 b ), superposes a driving movement, generated by means of a conveyor drive unit ( 24 a ; 24 b ), of the continuous conveyor unit ( 18 a ; 18 b ) relative to the guide unit ( 14 a ; 14 b ).
20. The method according to claim 12 , wherein, in the at least one method step, the at least one conveyor element ( 20 a ; 20 b ) is driven and rotated about the axis by means of the individual drive unit ( 26 a ; 26 b ) with a rotational speed which differs from a rotational speed of the at least one further conveyor element ( 22 a ; 22 b ).
21. The method according to claim 17 , wherein, in the at least one method step, the at least one conveyor element ( 20 a ; 20 b ) is driven and rotated about the axis by means of the individual drive unit ( 26 a ; 26 b ) with a rotational speed which differs from a rotational speed of at least one further conveyor element ( 22 a ; 22 b ).
22. The transport device according to claim 3 , wherein the at least one form-fit and/or force-fit drive element ( 34 a , 36 a ; 34 b , 36 b ) is a form-fit drive element.