APPARATUS FOR HANDLING ARTICLES AS WELL AS METHOD FOR EXCHANGING AT LEAST ONE TRANSPORT MODULE AND AT LEAST ONE WORK MODULE OF THE APPARATUS

Abstract

The invention relates to an apparatus (1) with at least two modules that are selectively transferable into a specific operating position (BL) for handling of individual articles or article sets. The apparatus (1) comprises at least one transport module (3) that moves individual articles or article sets with a first packaging type and at least one work module (5) that moves individual articles or article sets with a second, different, packaging type. The work module (5) can handle packaging material during the movement, with the packaging material being in contact with the individual articles or article sets. The apparatus (1) has an operating position (BL) and a waiting position (W1), into which operating position (BL) the transport module (3) or the work module (5) can be selectively inserted, and into which waiting position (W1) the transport module (3) is transferable by removing it from the specific operating position (BL).

Claims

1. An apparatus (1) with at least two modules being selectively transferable into an operating position (BL) for the particular handling of individual articles or article sets, comprising: at least one transport module (3) capable of moving individual articles or article sets having a first packaging type; at least one work module (5) capable of moving individual articles or article sets having a second packaging type that differs from the first packaging type, and the at least one work module (5) being able to handle packaging material with which the individual articles or article sets are in contact during the movement; a specific operating position (BL) and a waiting position (W1), into which specific operating position (BL) the at least one transport module (3) or the at least one work module (5) can be selectively inserted, and into which waiting position (W1) the at least one transport module (3) is transferable by means of being removed from the specific operating position (BL); and at least one transmission means (8) that: a) is mechanically coupled to the at least one transport module (3) and interacts with the at least one transport module (3) in the specific operating position (BL) for moving the individual articles or article sets, and b) can flexibly adapt its alignment along its circumferential course in each instance with a change of the at least one transport module (3) from the specific operating position (BL) into the waiting position (W1) and from the waiting position (W1) into the specific operating position (BL).

2. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein: a) the at least one transport module (3) can be independently removed from the specific operating position (BL) and transferred into the waiting position (W1), and it can independently inserted from the waiting position (W1) into the specific operating position (BL); and/or b) the at least one work module (5) can be independently transferred from the specific operating position (BL) into a further waiting position (W2), and it can be independently inserted from the further waiting position (W2) into the specific operating position (BL).

3. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising a horizontal movement plane for the individual articles or article sets, wherein the waiting position (W1), into which the at least one transport module (3) is transferable from the specific operating position (BL), is positioned above the horizontal movement plane, and/or wherein a waiting position (W2) that is formed for the at least one work module (5) is positioned below the horizontal movement plane.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein: the at least one transport module (3) comprises a transport surface that is horizontal and formed by at least one transfer plate (20), and a plurality of circumferentially guided transport elements being coupled to the at least one transmission means (8), wherein the plurality of circumferentially guided transport elements provides sliding movement of the individual articles or article sets across the horizontal transport surface.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the at least one transport module (3) comprising at least two guide walls (26) located opposite each other, wherein a distance between the at least two guide walls (26) can be adapted to set the width a transport lane for the individual articles or article sets.

6. The apparatus of claim, wherein the transport surface of the at least one transport module (3), is located above a horizontal conveying level formed for moving the articles or article sets when the at least one transport module (3) is in the waiting position (W1); and wherein the specific operating position (BL) being formed such that the each of the plurality of circumferentially guided transport elements moves and/or accompanies the individual articles or article sets along a section of the horizontal conveying level, with each of the plurality of circumferentially guided transport elements in contact preferably with the rear ends of the individual articles or article sets, when the at least one transport module (3) is inserted in the specific operating position (BL).

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the at least one work module (5) comprises a plurality of circumferentially guided folding fingers (7), wherein flaps belonging to packaging blanks in contact with the individual articles or with the article sets can be erected during movement of the particular individual articles or article sets.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising at least one guide member (22) that acts as deflection member (24) for the at least one transmission means (8), wherein the at least one guide member (22) can assume at least two different locations and/or positions that are coordinated to a change of the at least one transport module (3) from the specific operating position (BL) into the waiting position (W1) or from the waiting position (W1) into the specific operating position (BL).

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the at least one transmission means (8) comprises at least one circumferentially guided chain (9).

10. A method for exchanging at least one transport module (3) and at least one work module (5) for a specific operating position (BL), wherein individual articles or article sets, which are provided for a first packaging type, are moved along the at least one transport module (3) in the specific operating position (BL), and wherein the at least one work module (5) in the specific operating position (BL) moves individual articles or article sets, which are provided for a particular second packaging type that differs from the first packaging type, and which at least one work module (5) in the specific operating position (BL) handles packaging material temporally during the movement of the individual articles or article sets, with the packaging material being in contact with the individual articles or article sets, the method comprising following steps: removing the at least one transport module (3) inserted in the specific operating position (BL) from the specific operating position (BL), transferring the at least one transport module (3) removed from the specific operating position (BL) into a waiting position (W1), and inserting the at least one work module (5) into the specific operating position (BL), and, then, removing the at least one work module (5) that is inserted in the specific operating position (BL) from the specific operating position (BL) and inserting the at least one transport module (3) that is located in the waiting position (W1) into the specific operating position (BL), wherein, for the purpose of moving the individual articles or article sets, the at least one transport module (3) that is inserted in the specific operating position (BL) interacts with at least one transmission means (8), wherein, while removing the at least one transport module (3) from the specific operating position (BL) and while inserting the at least one transport module (3) from the waiting position (W1) into the specific operating position (BL), a) a mechanical connection is maintained, between the at least one transmission means (8) and the at least one transport module (3), and b) the at least one transmission means (8) adapts its alignment along its circumferential course.

11. The method as recited in claim 18, wherein: a) the at least one transport module (3) that is inserted in the specific operating position (BL) being independently removed by way of a working mechanism from the specific operating position (BL) and being transferred into the waiting position (W1), and with the at least one work module (5) being independently inserted into the specific operating position (BL), and/or, then, b) the at least one work module (5) that is inserted in the specific operating position (BL) being independently removed from the specific operating position (BL), and with the at least one transport module (3) that is located in the waiting position (W1) being independently inserted into the specific operating position (BL).

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the at least one transport module (3) that is inserted in the specific operating position (BL) is lifted upward while being removed from the specific operating position (BL) and thereby passing into the waiting position (W1), the waiting position (W1) being disposed above a horizontal movement plane formed for the individual articles or article sets, and/or wherein the at least one work module (5) that is inserted in the specific operating position (BL) is lowered downward while being removed from the specific operating position (BL) and thereby passing into a waiting position (W2), the waiting position (W2) being disposed below a horizontal movement plane formed for the individual articles or article sets.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the at least one transmission means (8) circumferentially drives a plurality of transport elements, said the plurality of transport elements moving the individual articles or article sets, in a sliding manner across a horizontal transport surface formed as part of the at least one transport module (3) that is inserted in the specific operating position (BL).

14. The method of claim 13, wherein, after transfer of the at least one transport module (3) into the waiting position (W1), the plurality of transport elements moves and/or accompanies individual articles or article sets along a horizontal conveying level, with the transport elements in contact with the rear ends of the individual articles or article sets.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the at least one work module (5) that is inserted in the specific operating position (BL) erecting, by a plurality of circumferentially guided folding fingers (7), flaps belonging to packaging blanks in contact with the individual articles or with the article sets, and moving the individual articles or article sets by the plurality of circumferentially guided folding fingers (7) while the flaps are being erected, wherein, during the movement by way of the plurality of circumferentially guided folding fingers (7), the individual articles or article sets are at least temporarily accompanied by an individual transport element that is in contact preferably with the rear ends of the individual articles or article sets.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising readjusting a position and/or location of a guide member (22), that is preferably formed as deflection member (24) for the at least one transmission means (8), when a change is being preformed of the at least one transport module (3) from the specific operating position (BL) into the waiting position (W1) and/or from the waiting position (W1) into the specific operating position (BL).

17. The apparatus (1) of claim 1, wherein the transmission means (8) comprises a plurality of individual links rotationally movably linked to each other.

18. The method of claim 10, wherein the transmission means (8) comprises a plurality of individual links rotationally movably linked to each other.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0039] In the following passages, the attached figures further illustrate exemplary embodiments of the invention and their advantages. The size ratios of the individual elements in the figures do not necessarily reflect the real size ratios. It is to be understood that in some instances various aspects of the invention may be shown exaggerated or enlarged in relation to other elements to facilitate an understanding of the invention.

[0040] FIG. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of an apparatus according to the invention.

[0041] FIG. 2 shows a further schematic perspective view of the embodiment of the apparatus from FIG. 1.

[0042] FIG. 3 shows a schematic side view of the embodiment of the apparatus from the FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0043] FIG. 4 shows a further schematic side view of the apparatus from the FIGS. 1 to 3 with further aspects being illustrated.

[0044] FIG. 5 shows a further schematic perspective view of the embodiment of the apparatus from the FIGS. 1 to 4, with the transport module in the specific operating position.

[0045] FIG. 6 shows a further schematic side view of the embodiment of the apparatus from the FIGS. 1 to 5, with the transport module in the specific operating position.

[0046] FIG. 7 shows a further schematic perspective view of the apparatus from the FIGS. 1 to 6, with the transport module in the specific operating position.

[0047] FIG. 8 shows the transport module of the apparatus of the exemplary embodiment from the FIGS. 1 to 7, with the transport module being discernible in the waiting position as well as in the specific operating position in FIG. 8.

[0048] FIG. 9 shows a schematic perspective view of a transport module such as can be provided for various embodiments of the apparatus according to the invention.

[0049] FIG. 10 shows a further schematic perspective view of the transport module from FIG. 9 with further aspects being illustrated.

[0050] FIG. 11 shows a schematic perspective view from below onto the transport module from FIGS. 9 and 10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0051] The same or equivalent elements of the invention are designated using identical reference characters. Furthermore and for the sake of clarity, only the reference characters relevant for describing the individual figures are provided. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating a preferred embodiment, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. It should also be noted that the features described below in connection with the FIGS. 1 to 11 are not intended to be restricted to the particular exemplary embodiment, but can be used in the general context.

[0052] FIG. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of an apparatus 1 according to the invention. The apparatus 1 is designed for packaging article sets of articles, which take the form of beverage containers, and which, for the purpose of clarity, are not illustrated in the figures of the present patent application. It is therefore possible by the apparatus 1 to apply a packaging material that is designed as a blank to a particular set of beverage containers. In particular, the apparatus 1 from FIG. 1 is designed for placing a particular set of beverage containers onto a blank of packaging material formed as tray or pad during a continuous or uninterrupted movement, as the case may be, of the particular set of beverage containers.

[0053] The apparatus 1 comprises a work module 5, which is located in an operating position BL in FIG. 1, by way of which work module 5 article sets can be moved, and which work module 5 can erect front and back flaps of trays assigned to a particular set of beverage containers by way of a multitude of circumferentially guided folding fingers 7 (cf. FIG. 3).

[0054] Two transmission means 8 oriented parallel to each other and each made from a plurality of individual links rotationally movably linked to each other take the form of a chain 9. A multitude of divider rods 13 is mechanically coupled to the transmission means 8 or chains 9, as the case may be, the divider rods 13 being circumferentially moved via the transmission means 8 or chains 9, as the case may be. In the area of an infeed 12, the divider rods 13 in this context come into surface contact with the rear end of a particular set of beverage containers and then push the particular set of beverage containers across the slide plate 15 toward the work module 5, which is in the operating position BL. When a particular set of beverage containers passes over from the slide plate 15 onto the work module 5, the particular divider rod 13 leaves the particular set of beverage containers in an upward direction. When passing over from the slide plate 15 onto the work module 5, the particular set of beverage containers furthermore moves onto a particular blank of packaging material, which is formed as tray in the instance of the work module 5 that is in the operating position BL. As already mentioned above, the blank of packaging material has front and back flaps that are folded upward during a continuous or uninterrupted transport, as the case may be, of the particular set of beverage containers standing upon the blank of packaging material or on the tray, as the case may be, by way of a multitude of folding fingers 7 (cf. FIG. 3) formed as a part of the work module 5. FIG. 1 thus illustrates that the sets of beverage containers can be moved by way of the divider rods 13 that are being circumferentially moved by way of the transmission means 8 or by way of the chain 9, as the case may be, when the work module 5 is in the specific operating position BL or when the work module 5 has been transferred into the specific operating position BL. The movement of the sets of beverage containers by way of the divider rods 13 is in this context limited to the area of the infeed 12.

[0055] For the sake of completeness, it should be noted that it is not imperative for the divider rods 13 to leave a particular set of beverage containers when it passes over from the slide plate 15 onto the work module 5. It is also conceivable that the divider rods 13 continue to accompany the sets of beverage containers after they have passed over onto the work module 5 or, as the case may be, that the divider rods 13 continue to remain in contact with the rear end of at least one beverage container of a particular set, where applicable. At the same time, erected front and back flaps of a blank of packaging material assigned to a particular set of beverage containers can be held in an erect orientation by way of the folding fingers 7.

[0056] A transport module that is exemplarily designated with the reference character 3 is moreover part of the apparatus 1. The transmission means 8 made from a plurality of individual links rotationally movably linked to each other or the chain 9, as the case may be, is mechanically coupled to the transport module 3. Furthermore, the transport module 3 in FIG. 1 is in a waiting position W1, in which the transport module 3 for moving the sets of beverage containers is not operating.

[0057] A further waiting position W2 is also indicated, which further waiting position W2 is below a transport level or conveying level, as the case may be, formed for the sets of beverage containers. In the further waiting position W2, the work module 5 can change from the specific operating position BL according to FIG. 1, as will be described below. The transport module 3 can also change from the waiting position W1, as will be described below, into the specific operating position BL, or it can be inserted into the specific operating position BL inserted, as the case may be. At least one actuator is operated via the control unit S for a change of the work module 5 from the specific operating position BL into the further waiting position W2 and vice versa, as well as for a change of the transport module 3 from the waiting position W1 into the specific operating position BL and vice versa. Each instance of changing or inserting, as the case may be, the work module 5 or the transport module 3, as the case may be, from the waiting position W1 or from the further waiting position W2, as the case may be, into the specific operating position BL, as well as each instance of changing the work module 5 or the transport module 3, as the case may be, from the specific operating position BL into the waiting position W1 or into the further waiting position W2, as the case may be, is therefore carried out automatically prompted by the control unit S with the help of at least one actuator, the actuator being in contact with the transport module 3 and the work module 5 or being coupled to the transport module 3 and the work module 5, as the case may be.

[0058] FIG. 2 shows a further schematic perspective view of the embodiment from FIG. 1 of an apparatus 1 according to the invention. The parallel alignment of the transmission means 8 that are made from a plurality of individual links rotationally movably linked to each other or the parallel alignment of the chains 9, as the case may be, is again discernible in FIG. 2. Furthermore, the transport module 3 in FIG. 2 is in the waiting position W1, whereas the work module 5 is disposed in the operating position BL.

[0059] FIG. 2 moreover shows a transfer plate 20 formed as part of the transport module 3 After the work module 5 has changed into the further waiting position W2 and after the transport module 3 has been transferred into the operating position BL, the sets of beverage containers can be pushed along the transfer plate 20 of the transport module 3 by the divider rods 13. When the transport module 3 is in the waiting position W1, the transfer plate 20 is disposed above a transport level or conveying level, as the case may be, formed for the sets of beverage containers such that in this context it is not provided that the sets of beverage containers move in surface contact with the transfer plate 20.

[0060] The transmission means 8 that is made from a plurality of individual links rotationally movably linked to each other or the chain 9, as the case may be, is thus mechanically coupled to the transport module 3, which mechanical coupling is formed both in the waiting position W1 and in the operating position BL, and continues to remain formed during the transfer of the transport module 3 from the waiting position W1 into the specific operating position BL and vice versa.

[0061] FIG. 3 shows a schematic side view of the embodiment of the apparatus 1 from the FIGS. 1 and 2. The transport module 3 continues to be disposed in the waiting position W1, whereas the work module 5 continues to be located in the specific operating position BL.

[0062] The plurality of circumferentially guided folding fingers 7 formed as part of the work module 5 is now discernible in FIG. 3, which folding fingers 7 erect front and back flaps of a particular planar packaging blank during a continuing movement of the particular set of beverage containers standing on the planar packaging blank.

[0063] In each instance of passing over from the infeed 12 or from the slide plate 15 onto the work module 5, a particular set of articles or of beverage containers, as the case may be, moves onto a particular blank. Each set of beverage containers is pushed with their rear ends in contact with a particular divider rod 13 (cf. FIGS. 1 and 2) across the infeed 12 or across the slide plate 15, as the case may be, until the particular set of beverage containers passes over onto the work module 5. After the set of beverages containers has passed over onto the work module 5, the circumferentially guided folding fingers 7 move the particular set of beverage containers together with their particular planar packaging blank or tray, as the case may be, and hold the erected flaps in an erected orientation during a movement along the work module 5. In practice, it is possible to apply an adhesive bond onto the particular planar packaging blank or onto the particular tray, as the case may be, temporally prior to erecting the front and back flaps so that the front and back flap of a particular planar packaging blank or of a particular tray, as the case may be, are fixed in a material-bonding manner after erecting.

[0064] From the presentation in FIG. 3 moreover follows that the article sets or sets of beverage containers, as the case may be, retain their horizontal level or, as the case may be, are neither lifted up in vertical direction nor lowered in vertical direction, in the course of their movement across the infeed 12 as well as across the work module 5 that is inserted in the operating position BL and is disposed subsequent to the infeed 12. The infeed 12 or the slide plate 15, as the case may be, and the work module 5 thus in each instance form a horizontal conveying level for sets of beverage containers, where the horizontal conveying level for sets of beverage containers formed by way of the infeed 12 or by way of the slide plate 15, as the case may be, and the horizontal conveying level for sets of beverage containers formed by way of the work module 5 are at an at least approximately identical vertical height level. The circulating movement of the folding fingers 7 formed as part of the work module 5 that is in the specific operating position BL and the circulating movement of the transmission means 8 or of the chain 9, as the case may be, are coordinated to each other by way of the control unit S.

[0065] FIG. 4 shows a further schematic side view of the apparatus 1 from the FIGS. 1 to 3 with further aspects being illustrated. In particular, FIG. 4 shows further details of the illustration in FIG. 3. Discernible in FIG. 4 in addition to the individual aspects from FIG. 3 is a guide member 22 for the transmission means 8 that is made from a plurality of individual links rotationally movably linked to each other or for the chain 9, as the case may be. The guide member 22 is formed as deflection member 24 and is mechanically in engagement with the transmission means 8 or with the chain 9, as the case may be.

[0066] FIGS. 4 and 6 in conjunction illustrate that the transport module 3 can change from the waiting position W1 into the operating position BL or, as the case may be, can be transferred from the waiting position W1 into the operating position BL. The transmission means 8 made from a plurality of individual links rotationally movably linked to each other or the chain 9, as the case may be, is mechanically coupled to the transport module 3. In the course of a change of the transport module 3 from the waiting position W1 into the specific operating position BL and from the specific operating position BL into the waiting position W1, the transport module 3 retains its mechanical connection to the transmission means 8 that is made from a plurality of individual links rotationally movably linked to each other or to the chain 9, as the case may be. FIGS. 4 and 6 in conjunction illustrate in particular that a circumferential course of the transmission means 8 that is made from a plurality of individual links rotationally movably linked to each other or of the chain 9, as the case may be, can flexibly adapt in each instance in the transfer from the specific operating position BL into the waiting position W1 and in the insertion from the waiting position W1 into the specific operating position BL.

[0067] The guide member 22 or the deflection member 24, as the case may be, as exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 4 can be position-adjusted while the transport module 3 is inserted into the specific operating position BL and while the transport module 3 is transferred from the specific operating position BL into the waiting position W1, with the position adjustment being prompted by the control unit S with the help of an actuator that is coupled to the control unit S; and the guide member 22 or deflection member 24, as the case may be, can in this context act upon the circumferential course of the transmission means 8 that is made from a plurality of individual links rotationally movably linked to each other or upon the circumferential course of the chain 9, as the case may be. In the exemplary embodiment from FIG. 4, the guide member 22 or the deflection member 24, as the case may be, is assigned a first specified position assumed by the guide member 22 or the deflection member 24, as the case may be, when the transport module 3 is inserted in the specific operating position BL, as well as being assigned a further specified position assumed by the guide member 22 or the deflection member 24, as the case may be, when the transport module 3 has been transferred into the waiting position W1. The specified position and the further specified position are offset in horizontal direction in relation to each other. Prompted by the control unit S, the guide member 22 or the deflection member 24, as the case may be, can thus be moved in horizontal direction for the purpose of acting upon the circumferential course of the transmission means 8 that is made from a plurality of individual links rotationally movably linked to each other or upon the circumferential course of the chain 9, as the case may be.

[0068] FIG. 5 shows a further schematic perspective view of the embodiment of an apparatus 1 from the FIGS. 1 to 4, with the transport module 3 in the specific operating position BL. From FIG. 5 it is moreover discernible that the work module 5 has been transferred into a waiting position W2 provided for the work module 5. The transfer is carried out independently, prompted by the control unit S, by way of a working mechanism not illustrated in the Figures of the present patent application. In order to transfer the work module 5 into the waiting position W2, the work module 5 is lowered in vertical direction below a conveying level for the article sets formed by the apparatus 1. As an alternative to transferring the work module 5 into the waiting position W2 provided for the work module 5, it is conceivable that the work module 5 is removed from the apparatus 1 and, where applicable, kept ready for being inserted again into the specific operating position BL.

[0069] FIG. 6 shows a further schematic side view of the embodiment of the apparatus 1 from the FIGS. 1 to 5, with the transport module 3 in the specific operating position BL. FIG. 6 and FIG. 3 in conjunction illustrate that the divider rods 13 that are mechanically coupled to the transmission means 8 or to the chains 9, as the case may be, can move sets of beverage containers in transport direction TR, with the divider rods 13 in contact with the rear ends of the sets of beverage containers both when the transport module 3 is inserted in the specific operating position BL and when the work module 5 is inserted in the specific operating position BL. If the work module 5 is inserted in the specific operating position BL, the divider rods 13 that are coupled to the transmission means 8 or to the chains 9, as the case may be, move sets of beverage containers across the slide plate 15, with the divider rods 13 in contact with the rear ends of the sets of beverage containers; and the divider rods 13 lose their contact with the particular article set when the particular set passes over from the slide plate 15 to the work module 5. If the transport module 3 instead of the work module 5 is inserted in the specific operating position BL, the divider rods 13 that are coupled to the transmission means 8 or to the chains 9, as the case may be, move the sets of beverage containers across the slide plate 15 with the divider rods 13 in contact with the rear ends of the sets of beverage containers, and then push the sets of beverage containers across the transfer plate 20 of the transport module 3, with the contact of the divider rod 13 with the rear end of the particular set of beverage containers being in this context continuously retained or not being undone, as the case may be.

[0070] FIG. 7 shows a further schematic perspective view of the apparatus 1 from the FIGS. 1 to 6, with the transport module 3 in the specific operating position BL. Two guide walls 26 oriented parallel to each other, with their longitudinal extent being in each instance oriented in transport direction TR, are part of the transport module 3. In order to transport or move, as the case may be, the sets of beverage containers in at least one row, the relative distance of the guide walls 26 in relation to each other can be specified and adapted with the help of an actuator that is in contact with a control unit S.

[0071] The slide plate 15 across which the sets of beverage containers are moved via the divider rods 13 at least approximately immediately follows the transfer plate 20 of the transport module 3 that is inserted in the specific operating position BL. Hereby, sets of beverage containers can pass over from the infeed 12 or from the slide plate 15, as the case may be, onto the work module 5 or onto the transfer plate 20, as the case may be, without unwanted tipping over in the process. By the divider rods 13 that are coupled to the transmission means 8 or to the chains 9, as the case may be, the sets of beverage containers are placed from the slide plate 15 onto the transfer plate 20 and then are moved in transport direction TR along the transport module 3 between the guide walls 26 that are located opposite each other

[0072] If the transport module 3 is in the specific operating position BL or if the transport module 3 has been inserted into the specific operating position BL, as the case may be, no blanks formed as packaging material will be introduced into a transport path of the sets of beverage containers between the infeed 12 or the slide plate 15, as the case may be, and the transport module 3 or the transfer plate 20, as the case may be. The sets of beverage containers are moved by the divider rods 13 along the transport module 3 or along the transfer plate 20, as the case may be, without in this context being in contact with a blank of packaging material or without in this context standing on a blank of packaging material, as the case may be. If the transport module 3 is in the specific operating position BL or if the transport module 3 is inserted in the specific operating position BL, as the case may be, it is provided that the sets of beverage containers leave the transfer plate 20 or lose their contact to the transfer plate 20 and in this context move onto a blank that takes the form of packaging material. The blank that takes the form of packaging material can be a pad that provides a standing surface for a particular set of beverage containers and that has no flaps being prepared for transfer into an erect orientation.

[0073] FIG. 8 shows the transport module 3 of the apparatus 1 of the exemplary embodiment from the FIGS. 1 to 7, with the transport module 3 being discernible in FIG. 8 in the waiting position W1 as well as in the specific operating position BL. FIG. 8 in this context shows that the specific operating position BL is offset both in horizontal direction and in vertical direction in relation to the waiting position W1. For inserting the transport module 3 that is disposed in the waiting position W1 into the specific operating position BL, the transport module 3 is therefore moved in horizontal direction and in vertical direction. In this context, the transmission means 8 or the chain 9, as the case may be, is in each instance in contact with the pulleys 17 that are formed as part of the transport module 3.

[0074] FIG. 9 shows a schematic perspective view of a transport module 3 such as can be provided for various embodiments of the apparatus 1 according to the invention. The transport module 3 comprises two central guide walls 26 that are stationary in their relative position to each other as well as two outer guide walls 26 of which the relative position to one another is actuator-adjustable. In this context, the outer guide walls 26 can be moved perpendicular to the transport direction TR.

[0075] FIG. 9 also shows a feed 34 for planar blanks of packaging material. The feed 34 is formed as part of the transport module 3. The blanks of packaging material that can be introduced into a transport path of the sets of beverage containers by the feed 34 are formed as pads and have no flaps that are prepared for transfer into an erect orientation. As already mentioned above, the sets of beverage containers are moved in surface contact with the transfer plate 20 in transport direction TR along the work module 5, then lose their surface contact with the transfer plate 20 and move onto a particular blank of packaging material or onto a particular pad, as the case may be. If the transport module 3 is in the specific operating position BL or if the transport module 3 is inserted in the specific operating position BL, as the case may be, a first section is thus provided, via which blanks of packaging material pass into the transport path of the sets of beverage containers. If the work module 5 is in the specific operating position BL or if the work module 5 is inserted in the specific operating position BL, as the case may be, a second section is provided, via which blanks of packaging material pass into the transport path of the sets of beverage containers. The first section and the second section are offset in relation to each other in transport direction TR or along the transport path of the article sets, as the case may be.

[0076] FIG. 10 shows a further schematic perspective view of the transport module 3 from FIG. 9 with further aspects being illustrated. Thus, the transmission means 8 that are made from a plurality of individual links rotationally movably linked to each other or the chains 9, as the case may be, to which the divider rods 13 are mechanically coupled, are once more discernible in FIG. 10. In FIG. 10, the transport module 3 is in the waiting position W1 (cf. FIG. 8) so that the pulleys 17 formed as part of the transport module 3 guide the transmission means 8 or the chain 9 downward, as the case may be.

[0077] FIG. 11 shows a schematic perspective view from below onto the transport module 3 from FIGS. 9 and 10. The feed 34 is shown again, via which feed 34 planar packaging blanks formed by a pad each can be introduced into the transport path of the sets of beverage containers. Moreover, a pulley 17 is illustrated again, which pulley 17 is in engagement with the transmission means 8 or with the chain 9, as the case may be, neither of which are illustrated in FIG. 11. FIG. 11 furthermore shows the guide walls 26 located opposite each other, the relative distance of which guide walls 26 to each other can be adapted for the purpose of adjusting a particular lane width for the particular sets of beverage containers.

[0078] The invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that numerous changes and modifications can be made to the preferred embodiments of the invention and that such changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is therefore intended that the appended claims cover all such equivalent variations as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

LIST OF REFERENCE CHARACTERS

[0079] 1 Apparatus

[0080] 3 Transport module

[0081] 5 Work module

[0082] 7 Folding finger

[0083] 8 Transmission means

[0084] 9 Chain

[0085] 12 Infeed

[0086] 13 Divider rod

[0087] 15 Slide plate

[0088] 17 Pulley

[0089] 20 Transfer plate

[0090] 22 Guide member

[0091] 24 Deflection member

[0092] 26 Guide wall

[0093] 34 Feed

[0094] BL Operating position

[0095] TR Transport direction

[0096] S Control unit

[0097] W1 Waiting position (transport module 3)

[0098] W2 Further waiting position (work module 5)