CONVEYING DEVICE

Abstract

A method and a device for transferring piece good (S, S.sub.v, S.sub.n) accurate in phase, delivered by a delivery device along a conveying direction (x) and the respective functional length (Lf) and a moment of delivery (t1) of the respective piece good (S, S.sub.v, S.sub.n) being detected at or upstream of a transfer section of the delivery device. The delivered piece good (S, S.sub.v, S.sub.n) is transferred from the transfer section of the delivery device accurately in cycle to a distancing device, which includes distancing conveyors along the conveying direction (x). The speed of each of the distancing conveyors is individually controlled by a transfer section of the distancing device for the transfer of the piece good (S) accurate in phase. The respective piece good (S, S.sub.v, S.sub.n) is transferred from the transfer section of the spacing conveyor to a discharge device accurate in phase.

Claims

1. A method for transferring piece good (S, S.sub.v, S.sub.n) accurate in phase to a discharge device (1.4) arranged along a longitudinal axis (L.sub.A), comprising the following steps: delivering of the piece good (S, S.sub.v, S.sub.n) by a delivery device (1.2) along a conveying direction (x) of the delivery device (1.2); determining a virtual length (V.sub.L) and a virtual width (V.sub.B) as well as a moment of delivery (t.sub.1) of the respective piece good (S, S.sub.v, S.sub.n) by a first sensor (2.1) at a transfer section (1.2.1) or upstream of the transfer section (1.2.1) of the delivery device (1.2), whereby the virtual length (V.sub.L) being detected parallel to the longitudinal axis (L.sub.A) of the discharge device (1.4) and the virtual width (V.sub.B) being detected perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (L.sub.A) of the discharge device (1.4); calculating a virtual layout of the respective piece good (S, S.sub.v, S.sub.n) in the form of a virtual rectangle (V.sub.R), which is minimized to the virtual length (V.sub.L) and the virtual width (V.sub.B) in such a way that the respective piece good (S, S.sub.v, S.sub.n) is completely enclosed by the virtual rectangle (V.sub.R); transferring the delivered piece good (S, S.sub.v, S.sub.n) accurate in cycle piece good from the transfer section (1.2.1) of the delivery device (1.2) to a distancing device (1.3), which comprises a plurality of distancing conveyors (1.3.1), which are arranged successively along a conveying direction of the distancing device (1.3); controlling the speed of each of the distancing conveyors (1.3.1) of the plurality of distancing conveyors (1.3.1) for transferring the piece good (S, S.sub.v, S.sub.n) accurate in phase from a transfer section (1.3.2) of the distancing device (1.3); transferring the respective piece good (S, S.sub.v, S.sub.n) accurate in phase from the transfer section (1.3.2) of the spacing conveyor (1.3) to a discharge device (1.4).

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the virtual rectangle (V.sub.R) is aligned parallel to the longitudinal axis (L.sub.A) of the discharge device (1.4), irrespective of the actual alignment of the respective piece good (S, S.sub.v, S.sub.n) on the delivery device (1.2).

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein a virtual center point (V.sub.M) of the virtual rectangle (V.sub.R) is calculated and, based on the moment of delivery (t.sub.1) and the position of the virtual center point (V.sub.M) on the delivery device (1.2), the speed of the plurality of distancing conveyors (1.3.1) is controlled such that at the transfer section (1.3.2) of the distancing device (1.3) the respective piece good (S, S.sub.v, S.sub.n) is transferred to the discharge device (1.4) accurate in phase.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the speed of the respective distancing conveyor (1.3.1) of the plurality of distancing conveyors (1.3.1) is controlled by the control unit (2) such that the virtual center point (V.sub.M) is transferred to an assigned delivery place (1.4.2) of the discharge device (1.4) accurate in phase in such a way that the virtual center point (V.sub.M), and thus the respective piece good (S, S.sub.v, S.sub.n), comes to lie essentially centrally with respect to the longitudinal axis (L.sub.A) of the discharge device (1.4) on the assigned delivery place (1.4.2).

5. The method according to claim 3, wherein on the discharge device (1.4), upstream of the transfer section (1.3.2) of the distancing device (1.3), delivery places (1.4.2) on the discharge device (1.4) are monitored and a respective piece good (S, S.sub.v, S.sub.n) is already assigned to an unoccupied delivery place (1.4.2), or a conveyor tray, on the delivery device (1.2), by the control unit (2).

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the delivery places (1.4.2) are monitored by a further sensor (2.2) and the delivery device (1.2) and the distancing conveyors (1.3.1) are operated in a stop-and-go mode in such a way that the piece good (S, S.sub.v, S.sub.n) is transferred to the assigned delivery place (1.4.2) on the discharge device (1.4) accurate in phase.

7. The method according to claim 4, wherein the length of the respective virtual rectangle (V.sub.R) is determined and: a. if the virtual length (V.sub.L) is shorter than the length (L.sub.S) of a delivery place (1.4.2), the virtual center point (V.sub.M) is transferred essentially centrally phase accurate to the assigned delivery place (1.4.2) along the longitudinal axis (L.sub.A) of the discharge device (1.4), or b. if the virtual length (V.sub.L) is longer than the length (L.sub.S) of a delivery place (1.4.2), the virtual center point (V.sub.M) is transferred phase accurate essentially centrally between two successive delivery places (1.4.2) along the longitudinal axis (L.sub.A) of the discharge device (1.4).

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the actual layout of the respective piece good (S, S.sub.v, S.sub.n) is detected by an optical sensor (2.1), preferably a light grid, or laser grid, and the virtual layout of the respective piece good (S, S.sub.v, S.sub.n) is calculated by the control unit (2).

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the piece good (S, S.sub.v, S.sub.n) is placed on the delivery device (1.2) in such a way that it is already aligned on the delivery device (1.2) parallel to the longitudinal axis (L.sub.A) of the discharge device (1.4).

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the piece good (S, S.sub.v, S.sub.n) is transferred discontinuously to the delivery device (1.2) by at least one feeding device (1.1) in such a way that the respective piece good (S, S.sub.v, S.sub.n) is transferred to the delivery device (1.2) within a delivery cycle (A) and comes to rest on the delivery device (1.2).

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the feeding device (1.1) comprises a plurality of belt conveyors (1.1.1), whereby on each of the plurality of belt conveyors (1.1.1) piece good (S, S.sub.v, S.sub.n) of only one certain size category (G.sub.1, G.sub.2) and/or a product category is provided, so that a pattern of piece good (S, S.sub.v, S.sub.n) of different size categories (G.sub.1, G.sub.2) and/or product categories is achieved by an alternating transfer of piece good (S, S.sub.v, S.sub.n) to the delivery device (1.2).

12. The method according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of distancing devices (1.3) are angled with respect to the longitudinal axis (L.sub.A) of the discharge device (1.4) and are arranged adjacent to the discharge device (1.4) with an offset relative to one another along the longitudinal axis (L.sub.A).

13. The method according to claim 1, wherein the discharge device (1.4) is a tray conveyor (1.4.1) with a plurality of discharge places as conveyor trays (1.4.2) and the respective piece good (S, S.sub.v, S.sub.n) is transferred accurately in phase at the transfer section (1.3.2) of the spacing conveyor (1.3) to one of the conveyor trays (1.4.2) of the plurality of conveyor trays (1.4.2).

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the respective piece good (S, S.sub.v, S.sub.n) is aligned within the cycle by the plurality of distancing conveyors (1.3.1) of the distancing device (1.3) in such a way that it comes to lie within the phase of the respective conveyor tray (1.4.2) when it is transferred to the respective conveyor tray (1.4.2).

15. The method according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of distancing conveyors (1.3.1) of the distancing device (1.3) are accelerated or decelerated such that the velocity profile of the respective piece good (S, S.sub.v, S.sub.n) corresponds to a polynomial equation of fifth order.

16. The method according to claim 1, wherein at least two adjacent distancing conveyors (1.3.1) of the plurality of distancing conveyors (1.3.1) are at least temporarily coupled by the control system to form a virtual distancing conveyor when the functional length (L.sub.f) of the piece good (S, S.sub.v, S.sub.n) exceeds the length of one of the at least two distancing conveyors (1.3.1) along the conveying direction (x.sub.1) of the distancing conveyor (1.3.1).

17. A conveying system (1) for carrying out the method according to claim 1, comprising a delivery device (1.2) for delivering the piece good (S, S.sub.v, S.sub.n) along a conveying direction (x) of the delivery device (1.2), a control unit (2) which is interconnected to at least one first sensor (2.1) for determining a virtual length (V.sub.L) and a virtual width (V.sub.B) as well as a moment of delivery (t1) of the respective piece good (S, S.sub.v, S.sub.n) at or before a transfer section (1.2.1) of the delivery device (1.2), wherein the transfer section (1.2.1) of the delivery device (1.2) is configured to transfer the delivered piece good (S, S.sub.v, S.sub.n) to a distancing device (1.3), which comprises a plurality of distancing conveyors (1.3.1) along the conveying direction (x.sub.1), whereby the speed of each of the distancing conveyors (1.3.1) of the plurality of distancing conveyors (1.3.1) being controllable for the phase accurate transfer of the piece good (S, S.sub.v, S.sub.n) from a transfer section (1.3.2) of the distancing device (1.3) to a discharge device (1.4), whereby the control unit (2) is configured to calculate a virtual layout of the respective piece good (S, S.sub.v, S.sub.n) in the form of a virtual rectangle (V.sub.R) and the virtual rectangle (V.sub.R) is aligned parallel to the longitudinal axis (L.sub.A) of the discharge device (1.4) independently of the actual orientation of the respective piece good (S, S.sub.v, S.sub.n).

18. A control unit (2) for controlling a conveying system (1) for transferring piece good (S, S.sub.v, S.sub.n) accurate in phase, the control unit (2) being configured for, a. receiving geometrical information (D) of a first sensor (2.1) which is configured to detect the functional length (L.sub.f) and the functional width (L.sub.B) and/or a virtual layout as well as the moment of delivery (t.sub.1) of the respective piece good (S, S.sub.v, S.sub.n) at or upstream of a transfer section (1.2.1) of the delivery device (1.2); b. receiving occupancy data (B) in order to determine unoccupied transport spaces, preferably in the form of trays n, on the discharge device (1.4) upstream of a transfer section (1.3.2) of the distancing device (1.3); c. transferring control signals (E) to each of the plurality of distancing conveyors (1.3.1) of the distancing device (1.3) to control the speed thereof, wherein d. the control unit (2) calculates, based on the geometry information (D) detected by the first sensor (2.1) the virtual layout of the respective piece good (S, S.sub.v, S.sub.n) in the form of a virtual rectangle (V.sub.R), which is minimized to the virtual length (V.sub.L) and the virtual width (V.sub.B), wherein the respective piece good (S, S.sub.v, S.sub.n) is completely enclosed by the virtual rectangle (V.sub.R) and, controls based on the virtual rectangle (V.sub.R) and the moment of delivery (t1) the plurality of distancing conveyors (1.3.1) by the control signals (E) in such a way that the respective piece good (S, S.sub.v, S.sub.n) can be transferred accurate in phase to the assigned delivery place (1.4.2) on the discharge device (1.4).

19. The control unit (2) according to claim 18, wherein the control unit (2) is configured to constantly align the virtual rectangle (V.sub.R) in such a way that it is aligned parallel to the longitudinal axis (L.sub.A) of the discharge device (1.4), irrespective of the actual alignment of the respective piece good (S, S.sub.v, S.sub.n) on the delivery device (1.2).

20. The control unit (2) according to claim 18, wherein the control unit (2) is configured to receive the occupancy data (B) from a second sensor (2.2) which detects unoccupied delivery places (1.4.2) on a discharge device (1.4) upstream of a transfer section (1.3.2) of the distancing device (1.3) or to determine unoccupied delivery places (1.4.2) on the basis of an occupancy plan of the discharge device (1.4).

21. The control unit (2) according to claim 18, wherein the control unit (2) is configured to calculate a virtual center point (V.sub.M) of the virtual rectangle (V.sub.R) and, based on the moment of delivery (t.sub.1) and the virtual center point (V.sub.M), to calculate the position of the respective piece good (S, S.sub.v, S.sub.n) on the delivery device (1.2) and thereby control the speed of the plurality of distancing conveyors (1.3.1) in such a way that at the transfer section (1.3.2) of the distancing device (1.3) the respective piece good (S, S.sub.v, S.sub.n) is transferred accurate in phase to a delivery place (1.4.2) of the discharge device (1.4).

22. The control unit (2) according to claim 18, wherein the control unit (2) is configured to dynamically control the speed of the plurality of distancing conveyors (1.3.1) in such a way that the virtual center point (V.sub.M) is transferred to the assigned delivery place (1.4.2) of the discharge device (1.4) in such a way that the virtual center point (V.sub.M) and thus the respective piece good (S, S.sub.v, S.sub.n) comes to rest essentially centrally with respect to the longitudinal axis (L.sub.A) of the discharge device (1.4) on the assigned delivery place (1.4.2).

23. The control unit (2) according to claim 20, wherein the control unit (2) is configured to assign a respective piece good (S, S.sub.v, S.sub.n) to an unoccupied delivery place (1.4.2) on the discharge device (1.4), or a tray, already on the delivery device (1.2) based on the occupancy data (B) of the second sensor (2.2).

24. The control unit (2) according to claim 23, wherein the control unit (2) is configured to operate the delivery device (1.2) and the distancing conveyors (1.3.1) in a stop-and-go mode in order to transfer the piece good (S, S.sub.v, S.sub.n) in each case to the assigned unoccupied delivery place (1.4.2) on the discharge device (1.4).

25. The control unit (2) according to claim 18, wherein the control unit (2) is configured to calculate, based on the geometrical information (D) of the first sensor (2.1), whether the virtual length (V.sub.L) falls below or exceeds the length (L.sub.S) of a delivery place (1.4.2) and based thereon: a. to transfer the respective piece good (S, S.sub.v, S.sub.n) along the longitudinal axis (L.sub.A) of the discharge device (1.4) essentially centrally to the assigned delivery place (1.4.2) if the virtual length (V.sub.L) is less than the length (L.sub.S) of a delivery place (1.4.2), or b. to transfer the respective piece good (S, S.sub.v, S.sub.n) along the longitudinal axis (L.sub.A) of the discharge device (1.4) essentially centrally between two successive delivery places (1.4.2) If the virtual length (V.sub.L) exceeds the length (L.sub.S) of a delivery place (1.4.2).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0079] Aspects of the disclosure are explained in more detail with reference to the embodiments shown in the following figures and the associated descriptions.

[0080] FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of an embodiment of the conveying system;

[0081] FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of an embodiment of a distancing device and a discharge device;

[0082] FIG. 3 shows a schematic view of an embodiment of a delivery device and a distancing device;

[0083] FIG. 4a shows a schematic view of an embodiment of the feeding device for the conveying system;

[0084] FIG. 4b shows a schematic view of a second embodiment of the feeding device for the conveying system;

[0085] FIG. 4c shows a schematic view of a third embodiment of the feeding device for the conveying system;

[0086] FIG. 5 shows a schematic view of an embodiment of a discharge device for the conveying system;

[0087] FIG. 6 shows a schematic view of another embodiment of the conveying system;

[0088] FIG. 7 shows a schematic view of the speed profiles of the distancing device of the embodiment of the conveying system according to FIG. 6;

[0089] FIG. 8 shows a schematic view of a further embodiment of the conveying system with several distancing devices;

[0090] FIG. 9 shows a schematic view of the determination of the functional length and width along the conveying direction of the delivery device;

[0091] FIG. 10A shows a schematic view of the calculation of the virtual rectangle parallel to the longitudinal axis of the discharge device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0092] FIG. 1 shows the transfer of piece good S, S.sub.v, S.sub.n to a discharge device 1.4 accurately in phase. The schematic view shows an embodiment of the conveying system 1. The piece good S, S.sub.v, S.sub.n, in the form of packages, is provided on a feeding device 1.1. The shown embodiment of the feeding device 1.1 comprises a plurality of belt conveyors 1.1.1, wherein only piece good S, S.sub.v, S.sub.n of a certain size category G.sub.1, G.sub.2 is provided on each of the plurality of belt conveyors 1.1.1. Depending on the application of the conveying system 1, in addition to loading the discharge device 1.4 as completely as possible, loading should also be achieved in a predefined sequence.

[0093] In the embodiment shown, two smaller items of piece good G.sub.2 and one larger item of piece good G.sub.1 are fed alternately, preferably alternately. In this case, a predefined product sequence is achieved by alternately loading the delivery device 1.2. For this purpose, the plurality of belt conveyors 1.1.1 of the delivery device 1.1 is controlled by the control unit 2 in a predefined pattern in such a way that the respective piece good S, S.sub.v, S.sub.n is transferred to the delivery cycle A.sub.t on the delivery device 1.2 provided for this purpose.

[0094] By alternately transferring piece good S, S.sub.v, S.sub.n to the delivery device 1.2, a pattern of piece good S, S.sub.v, S.sub.n of different size categories G.sub.1, G.sub.2 is achieved. In the embodiment shown, the plurality of belt conveyors 1.1.1 of the delivery device 1.1 are arranged in a herringbone pattern and offset from one another along the conveying direction x adjacent to the delivery device 1.2.

[0095] FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of the distancing device 1.3 with three distancing conveyors 1.3.1 in the form of individually driven belt conveyors 1.3.3, as well as an infeed belt 1.3.4 arranged downstream and adjacent thereto in the conveying direction. Typically, the individual belt conveyors 1.3.3 have a length along the conveying direction x of 300 mm to 1000 mm, preferably 500 mm or 600 mm. A typical width, perpendicular to the conveying direction x, of the belt conveyors 1.3.3 is also 300 mm to 1000 mm. The belt conveyors 1.3.3 are configured to convey piece good S, S.sub.v, S.sub.n with a weight of 0.05 kg to about 25 kg, preferably 0.1 kg to 12 kg. The discharge device 1.4 shown is a tray conveyor 1.4.1 with a plurality of conveyor trays 1.4.2. If a short piece good S, S.sub.v, S.sub.n lies off-center in the cycle T, this can, in extreme cases, lead to this piece good S, S.sub.v, S.sub.n coming to rest between two conveyor trays 1.4.2 during the actual transfer to the discharge device 1.4, as described above. In typical applications, the tray conveyor 1.4.1 is operated at a speed of 0.5 m/s to 2.5 m/s, preferably at a speed of 0.8 m/s to 1.2 m/s. This is to be understood that around 8000 to 10000 items of piece good S, S.sub.v, S.sub.n can be conveyed or processed per hour.

[0096] The infeed conveyor 1.3.4 shown is usually an additional belt conveyor 1.3.3, which is arranged downstream in the conveying direction x, adjacent to the plurality of distancing conveyors 1.3.1. The shown infeed conveyor 1.3.4 is height-adjustable and typically has an essentially identical speed as the downstream discharge device 1.4. The height adjustability of the infeed conveyor 1.3.4 increases the flexibility of the distancing device 1.3 and makes it possible to operate various versions of discharge devices 1.4.

[0097] In the embodiment shown, piece good S, S.sub.v, S.sub.n, is transferred from the transfer section 1.2.1 of the delivery device 1.2 to the distancing device 1.3 by the infeed conveyor 1.3.4. The shown distancing conveyors 1.3.1 are arranged collinear to each other along the conveying direction x.

[0098] In the embodiment shown, these are individual belt conveyors 1.3.3, each of which comprises its own drive and control unit. This allows for each of the plurality of distancing conveyors 1.3.1 to be driven individually and accelerated or decelerated independently of the adjacent distancing conveyors 1.3.1. By each of the belt conveyors 1.3.3 shown, a deviation of the delivery cycle A from the cycle T of the work cycle of up to 20% can be corrected.

[0099] In the embodiment shown, the cycle T of the work cycle is set by the tray conveyor 1.4.1 as the clocking device. In the embodiment shown, the tray conveyor 1.4.1 typically represents the cycle generator for the entire conveying system 1 due to its inertia and continuous conveying and therefore defines the work cycle for the entire conveying system 1. In the embodiment shown, the cycle T is to be understood as the length L.sub.S of a conveyor tray 1.4.2 along the conveying direction x plus the distance A.sub.S between the conveyor tray 1.4.2 and the following conveyor tray 1.4.2 along the conveying direction x.

[0100] The delivery cycle A.sub.t, on the other hand, is to be understood as the cycle of the delivered piece good S, S.sub.v, S.sub.n. In the embodiment shown, the delivery cycle A.sub.t corresponds to the functional length L.sub.f of a piece good S, S.sub.v, S.sub.n along the conveying direction x plus the distance A of the piece good S, S.sub.v, S.sub.n to the following piece good S, S.sub.v, S.sub.n along the conveying direction x. Ideally, the delivery cycle A.sub.t already corresponds to the cycle T of the work cycle. However, this is not always possible due to the different sizes G.sub.1, G.sub.2 and the dimensions of the delivered piece good S, S.sub.v, S.sub.n, as well as an economical process control, as provision accurate in cycle would lead to too much control effort.

[0101] To correct the deviation of the delivery cycle A.sub.t from the cycle T by a maximum of 20%, the shown piece good S, S.sub.v, S.sub.n is aligned within the cycle T by the plurality of distancing conveyors 1.3.1 of the distancing device 1.3 in such a way that it comes to rest within the phase of the respective conveyor tray 1.4.2 when it is transferred to the respective conveyor tray 1.4.2. In order to now align a piece good S, S.sub.v, S.sub.n transferred from the transfer section 1.2.1 of the delivery device 1.2 to the distancing device 1.3 within the cycle T and bring it into the correct phase position, the speed of each of the distancing conveyors 1.3.1 of the plurality of distancing conveyors 1.3.1 for transferring the piece good S, S.sub.v, S.sub.n accurate in phase can be controlled by a transfer section 1.3.2 of the distancing device 1.3.

[0102] The delivered piece good S, S.sub.v, S.sub.n usually has a functional length L.sub.f of essentially 15% to 70% of the cycle length of cycle T. A.sub.S a result, short piece good S, S.sub.v, S.sub.n in particular can come to rest off-center in the cycle T. The discharge device 1.4 is usually a tray conveyor 1.4.1 with a plurality of conveyor trays 1.4.2. If a short piece good S, S.sub.v, S.sub.n is arranged off-center in cycle T, this can, in extreme cases, lead to this piece good S, S.sub.v, S.sub.n coming to rest between two conveyor trays during the actual transfer to the discharge device 1.4, as described above.

[0103] In typical applications, the tray conveyor 1.4.1 is operated at a speed of 0.5 m/s to 2.5 m/s, preferably at a speed of 0.8 m/s to 1.2 m/s. This is to be understood that around 8000 to 10000 items of piece good can be conveyed or processed per hour.

[0104] In order to avoid inaccurate transfer, the distancing device 1.3 comprises, in a preferred embodiment, a plurality of distancing conveyors 1.3.1 in the form of individually driven belt conveyors 1.3.3 for transferring the respective piece good S, S.sub.v, S.sub.n from the transfer section of the distancing conveyor 1.3.1 to a discharge device 1.4 accurate in phase. Good results for aligning accurate in phase can be achieved, if the plurality of distancing conveyors 1.3.1 comprises 3 to 5 distancing conveyors 1.3.1, each of which has a length that essentially corresponds to the length of a cycle T. These are configured to align the piece good S, S.sub.v, S.sub.n, which has already been delivered accurate in cycle, within the cycle T so that it is also within the phase specified by the discharge device 1.4.

[0105] In the case of a tray conveyor 1.4.1, it is possible for the respective piece good S, S.sub.v, S.sub.n to be transferred at the transfer section of the spacing conveyor 1.3.1 by the infeed conveyor 1.3.4 to one of the conveyor trays of the plurality of conveyor trays accurate in phase.

[0106] FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of the conveying system 1 with a delivery device 1.2 that can be accelerated or decelerated. Thus, when varying the speed of the downstream steps, usually the discharge device 1.4, the speed of the delivery device 1.2 can be adjusted to its speed in order to ensure that the delivery cycle A.sub.t does not deviate by more than 20% from the cycle T within the work cycle.

[0107] The conveying system 1 shown comprises a control unit 2 with a sensor 2.1 for detecting a respective functional length L.sub.f and a moment of delivery t.sub.1 of the respective piece good S, S.sub.v, S.sub.n. Since delivery accurate in cycle is not sufficient to ensure that the piece good S, S.sub.v, S.sub.n can actually be transferred to the downstream discharge device 1.4 in an accurate position, FIG. 3 schematically shows how the transfer is also achieved by the distancing device 1.3 accurate in phase.

[0108] The piece good S, S.sub.v, S.sub.n is delivered along the conveying direction x by the delivery device 1.2 shown. The delivery device 1.2 shown is a belt conveyor 1.2.2. In a preferred embodiment, a sensor 2.1 is arranged upstream or in the area of the transfer section 1.2.1 of the delivery device 1.2 and is communicatively connected to a control unit 2.

[0109] By a sensor 2.1 of the control unit 2, the respective moment of delivery T.sub.1 is determined and by data transmitted from the sensor 2.1 to the control unit 2, the control unit 2 controls the respective speed of the plurality of belt conveyors 1.3.3 of the distancing device 1.3.

[0110] For the control unit 2 of the distancing device 1.3, which is arranged adjacent to the delivery device 1.2 downstream along the conveying direction, the respective functional length L.sub.f and a moment of delivery of the respective piece good S, S.sub.v, S.sub.n at or upstream of a transfer section of the delivery device 1.2 are detected.

[0111] The functional length L.sub.f of a piece good S, S, S.sub.vn is to be understood here as the length of the piece good S, S.sub.v, S.sub.n, along the conveying direction. If, for example, a piece good S, S.sub.v, S.sub.n, in the embodiment shown a square or rectangular package lies diagonally on the delivery device 1.2, the functional length L.sub.f corresponds to the diagonal length of the package measured along a straight line parallel to the conveying direction. Based on the respective functional length L.sub.f and the detected moment of delivery of the respective piece good S, S.sub.v, S.sub.n, a common speed profile can be created for each piece good S, S.sub.v, S.sub.n for the plurality of distancing conveyors 1.3.1 by a control unit 2, so that the respective piece good S, S.sub.v, S.sub.n is transferred to the respective conveyor axis at the transfer section of the distancing conveyor 1.3.1 accurate in phase.

[0112] A.sub.S already defined above, a cycle T within the work cycle in the case of a tray conveyor 1.4.1 as a cycle generator is defined as the length L.sub.S of a conveyor tray 1.4.2 along the conveying direction x plus the distance A.sub.S of the conveyor tray 1.4.2 to the following conveyor tray 1.4.2 along the conveying direction x. In extreme cases, a piece good S, S.sub.v, S.sub.n with a very small functional length L.sub.f, although it is delivered within the cycle T and thus accurate in cycle, may not come to rest within the intended conveyor tray 1.4.2 when it is transferred to the discharge device 1.4, but at the distance A.sub.S of the conveyor tray 1.4.2 to the following conveyor tray 1.4.2, i.e. between two conveyor trays 1.4.2.

[0113] A.sub.S already stated above noted, piece good S, S.sub.v, S.sub.n of different sizes G.sub.1, G.sub.2 is usually conveyed. In order to adjust the conveying system x to the respective piece good S, S.sub.v, S.sub.n, the respective functional length L.sub.f and the moment of delivery t.sub.1 of the respective piece good S, S.sub.v, S.sub.n are determined by the control unit 2 with the sensor 2.1. The functional length L.sub.f of the respective piece good S, S.sub.v, S.sub.n is to be understood here as the length of the piece good S, S.sub.v, S.sub.n along the conveying direction x. If, for example, a square or rectangular piece good S, S.sub.v, S.sub.n lies diagonally on the delivery device 1.2, the functional length Le corresponds to the diagonal of the piece good S, S.sub.v, S.sub.n measured along a straight line parallel to the conveying direction x.

[0114] The distancing device 1.3 is also suitable for transporting piece good S, S.sub.v, S.sub.n with a functional length that L.sub.f exceeds the length of a distancing conveyor 1.3.1 or a conveyor tray. In this case, the accurate alignment of the piece good S, S.sub.v, S.sub.n within the cycle T is even more crucial.

[0115] In the case of a tray conveyor 1.4.1, a piece good S, S, S.sub.vn with a functional length L.sub.f that exceeds the length L.sub.S of a conveyor tray does not come to rest within the conveyor tray, but on two conveyor trays. In order to enable piece good S, S.sub.v, S.sub.n with a functional length L.sub.f which exceeds the length L.sub.S of a conveyor tray to come to rest on two consecutive conveyor trays, the piece good S, S.sub.v, S.sub.n can be aligned by the plurality of distancing conveyors 1.3.1 of the distancing device 1.3 in such a way that it comes to rest within the two phases of the two consecutive conveyor trays during transfer to two consecutive conveyor trays.

[0116] For this purpose, at least two adjacent distancing conveyors 1.3.1 of the plurality of distancing conveyors 1.3.1 can be at least temporarily coupled by the control system to form a virtual distancing conveyor 1.3.1 if the functional length L.sub.f of the piece good S, S.sub.v, S.sub.n exceeds the length of the shorter of the at least two distancing conveyors 1.3.1 along the conveying direction.

[0117] In order to transfer piece good S, S.sub.v, S.sub.n to two consecutive conveyor trays 1.4.2 in a secure position, the consecutive conveyor trays 1.4.2 form a double cycle and a common phase. To transfer the piece good S, S.sub.v, S.sub.n in a double cycle, two adjacent distancing conveyors 1.3.1 of the plurality of distancing conveyors 1.3.1 are at least temporarily coupled by the control system to form a virtual distancing conveyor 1.3.1. In this context, temporary is to be understood that only those distancing conveyors 1.3.1 on which at least part of the corresponding piece good S, S.sub.v, S.sub.n rests are coupled to form a virtual distancing conveyor 1.3.1.

[0118] This is to be understood that the virtual distancing conveyor 1.3.1 moves along the conveying direction. A virtual belt is formed by the control unit 2 when the functional length of the piece good S, S.sub.v, S.sub.n exceeds the length of the shorter of the at least two distancing conveyors 1.3.1 along the conveying direction.

[0119] FIGS. 4a to 4c show embodiments of the feeding device 1.1, whereby the piece good S, S.sub.v, S.sub.n is pre-positioned on the feeding device 1.1 by templates 3. Depending on the size and design of the feeding stations, as well as the design of the conveying system 1, the templates 3 can be either physical templates or visual templates. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4a, the template 3 is a physical template in the form of a stop 3.1 and/or a frame. Physical templates 3 are particularly suitable for stop and go operation due to their simple design. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4b, the stencil 3 is an optical stencil in the form of a light grid 3.2. This is projected onto the feeding device 1.1. Alternatively, the template 3 can also be a laser grid 3.3 as shown in FIG. 4c. The advantage of optical templates 3 is that they can be guided along with the movement of the conveyor belt.

[0120] FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of the conveying system 1 comprising a discharge device 1.5. The ejection device 1.5 shown comprises a first 1.5.1 and a second 1.5.2 ejection unit, which are arranged along the conveying direction x between the delivery device 1.2 and the distancing device 1.3. Usually, however, the first 1.5.1 and a second 1.5.2 ejection unit are not directly physically coupled, but there is a distance between the delivery device 1.2 and the ejection device 1.5, as well as between the ejection device 1.5 and the distancing device 1.3. If problems occur, the conveying direction x of the ejection device 1.5 can be reversed. In this way, the piece good S, S.sub.v, S.sub.n already located on the distancing device 1.3 can be returned to the ejection device 1.5 and ejected by this device.

[0121] In order to be able to eject piece good S, S.sub.v, S.sub.n along the conveying direction x, the first ejection unit 1.5.1 comprises a stationary end 1.5.1.1 arranged adjacent to the delivery device 1.2 and a movable end 1.5.1.2 arranged downstream of it. The movable end 1.5.1.2 enables the ejection unit 1.5 to be shortened along the conveying direction x, whereby a gap can be generated along the conveying direction x. Analogous to the first ejection unit 1.5.1, the second ejection unit 1.5.2 comprises a movable end 1.5.2.2 arranged downstream adjacent to the first ejection unit 1.5.1 and a stationary end 1.5.2.1 arranged downstream thereof adjacent to the distancing device 1.3.

[0122] The closed state is defined as the state in which the respective movable ends 1.5.1.2, 1.5.2.2 are arranged substantially adjacent to each other. Typically, in the closed state, a distance of 2 mm-50 mm, preferably 5 mm-20 mm, remains between the movable end 1.5.1.2 of the first ejection unit 1.5.1 and the movable end 1.5.2.2 of the second ejection unit 1.5.2. Conversely, the open state is defined as the state in which the two movable ends 1.5.1.2, 1.5.2.2 are moved in the direction of the respective stationary end 1.5.1.1, 1.5.2.1 and are further apart with respect to each other than in the closed state.

[0123] FIG. 6 shows a schematic representation of a further embodiment of the conveying system 1. The conveying system 1 is configured to enable the transfer of piece good S, S.sub.v, S.sub.n to a discharge device 1.4 accurate in phase. In the schematic representation of the conveying system 1 shown, the piece good S, S.sub.v, S.sub.n in the form of packages, is provided on a delivery device 1.2.

[0124] Depending on the use of the conveying system 1, in addition to loading the discharge device 1.4 as completely as possible, loading should also be achieved in a predefined sequence. The discharge device 1.4 shown is arranged along a longitudinal axis L.sub.A and determines the speed and the cycle of the conveying system 1. The piece good S, S.sub.v, S.sub.n is conveyed by the delivery device 1.2 along a conveying direction x of the delivery device 1.2. The delivery device 1.2 and/or the distancing device 1.3 can be arranged parallel or, as in the embodiment shown, at an angle to the longitudinal axis L.sub.A of the discharge device 1.4.

[0125] Geometrical information D of the respective piece good S, S.sub.v, S.sub.n is recorded by a first sensor 2.1 in order to be able to determine a virtual length V.sub.L and a virtual width VB as well as a moment of delivery t.sub.1 of the respective piece good S, S.sub.v, S.sub.n by the control unit 2. A.sub.S shown in FIG. 6, the geometrical information D of the respective piece good S, S.sub.v, S.sub.n is recorded upstream of the transfer section 1.2.1 of the delivery device 1.2. The virtual length V.sub.L is recorded parallel to the longitudinal axis L.sub.A of the discharge device 1.4 and the virtual width V.sub.B is recorded perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L.sub.A of the discharge device 1.4. If the first sensor 2.1, as in the embodiment shown in the form of an optical sensor, for example in the form of a light grid, is not arranged parallel to the longitudinal axis L.sub.A of the discharge device 1.4, the functional length L.sub.f detected along the conveying direction x of the delivery device 1.2 is converted into the virtual length V.sub.L and a functional width Bf detected perpendicular thereto is converted into the virtual width V.sub.B, for example by a coordinate transformation.

[0126] Based on the recorded virtual length V.sub.L and the virtual width V.sub.B a virtual layout of the respective piece good S, S.sub.v, S.sub.n is calculated in the form of a virtual rectangle V.sub.R, which is minimized to the virtual length V.sub.L and the virtual width V.sub.B. The virtual rectangle V.sub.R is approximated to the respective piece good so that the piece good S, S.sub.v, S.sub.n is completely enclosed by the virtual rectangle V.sub.R, preferably approximated in such a way that it is just barely enclosed.

[0127] The respective piece good S, S.sub.v, S.sub.n is already transferred in a clocked manner from the transfer section 1.2.1 of the delivery device 1.2 to the distancing device 1.3, which comprises a plurality of distancing conveyors 1.3.1, which are arranged in succession along a conveying direction x.sub.1 of the distancing device 1.3. The speed of each of the distancing conveyors 1.3.1 of the plurality of distancing conveyors 1.3.1 is controlled by the control unit 2 in order to transfer the respective piece good S, S.sub.v, S.sub.n from a transfer section 1.3.2 of the distancing device 1.3 to the discharge device 1.4 with accurate in phase.

[0128] In order to be able to transfer the respective piece good S, S.sub.v, S.sub.n aligned, it is already placed on the delivery device 1.2 aligned parallel to the longitudinal axis L.sub.A of the discharge device 1.4 in the embodiment shown. Therefore, the virtual rectangle V.sub.R is always aligned in such a way that it is parallel to the longitudinal axis L.sub.A of the discharge device 1.4, regardless of the actual orientation of the respective piece good S, S.sub.v, S.sub.n.

[0129] To minimize the control effort, a virtual center point V.sub.M of the virtual rectangle V.sub.R is calculated and, based on the moment of delivery t.sub.1 and the position of the virtual center point V.sub.M on the delivery device 1.2, the speed of each of the plurality of distancing conveyors 1.3.1 is controlled in such a way that the respective piece good S, S.sub.v, S.sub.n is transferred to the discharge device 1.4 at the transfer section 1.3.2 of the distancing device 1.3 accurate in phase.

[0130] The control of the speed of each of the plurality of distancing conveyors 1.3.1 is controlled by the control unit 2 shown, so that the virtual center point V.sub.M is transferred to the assigned delivery place 1.4.2 of the discharge device 1.4 such that the virtual center point V.sub.M and thus the respective piece good S, S.sub.v, S.sub.n comes to rest essentially centrally with respect to the longitudinal axis L.sub.A of the discharge device 1.4 on the assigned delivery place 1.4.2 an d therefore accurate in phase.

[0131] To prevent already occupied delivery places 1.4.2 from being occupied twice, the delivery places 1.4.2 on the discharge device 1.4 can be monitored by a second sensor 2.2 and a respective piece good S, S.sub.v, S.sub.n can already be assigned to an unoccupied delivery place 1.4.2, preferably a conveyor tray, on the delivery device 1.2 by the control unit 2. Here, the delivery places 1.4.2 can be monitored by the further sensor 2.2 and the delivery device 1.2 and/or the distancing conveyors 1.3.1 can be operated in stop-and-go mode so that the piece good S, S.sub.v, S.sub.n can each be transferred to a free delivery place 1.4.2 on the discharge device 1.4.

[0132] FIG. 7 shows a schematic representation of the speed profiles of the respective piece good S, S.sub.v, S.sub.n on the distancing device 1.3 of the conveying system 1. The virtual length V.sub.L is determined based on the geometrical information D of the first sensor 2.1 and if the virtual length V.sub.L falls below the length L.sub.S of a delivery place 1.4.2, the distancing conveyors 1.3.1 are controlled in such a way that the virtual center point V.sub.M comes to lie essentially centrally on the assigned delivery place 1.4.2 during transfer accurate in phase.

[0133] If the virtual length V.sub.L exceeds the length L.sub.S of a delivery place 1.4.2, the distancing conveyors 1.3.1 are controlled in such a way that the virtual center point V.sub.M comes to lie essentially centrally between two successive conveyor trays 1.4.2 during phase transfer accurate in phase. The actual layout of the respective piece good S, S.sub.v, S.sub.n is detected by the first sensor 2.1 in the form of a light grid and the virtual layout of the respective piece good S, S.sub.v, S.sub.n is calculated by the control unit 2.

[0134] The individual speed control of the distancing conveyors 1.3.1 ensures that the respective piece good S, S.sub.v, S.sub.n is aligned within the cycle in such a way that it comes to rest within the phase of the conveyor tray 1.4.2 when it is transferred to the conveyor tray 1.4.2. The plurality of distancing conveyors 1.3.1 of the distancing device 1.3 are accelerated or decelerated in such a way that the velocity profile of the respective piece good S, S.sub.v, S.sub.n corresponds to a higher order, preferably fifth order, polynomial equation.

[0135] At least two adjacent distancing conveyors 1.3.1 of the plurality of distancing conveyors 1.3.1 can be at least temporarily coupled by the control system to form a virtual distancing conveyor if the functional length L.sub.f of the piece good S, S.sub.v, S.sub.n exceeds the length of one of the distancing conveyors 1.3.1 along the conveying direction x..sub.1

[0136] FIG. 8 shows a schematic representation of a further embodiment of the conveying system 1 with several distancing devices 1.3. Depending on the design of the conveying system 1, several distancing devices 1.3 can load a discharge device 1.4. Therefore, some of the delivery places 1.4.2 on the discharge device 1.4 may already be occupied. A.sub.S can be seen in FIG. 8, the piece good items S, S.sub.v, S.sub.n are each placed on the delivery device 1.2 so that they are already aligned on the delivery device 1.2 and the respective distancing device 1.3 parallel to the longitudinal axis L.sub.A of the discharge device 1.4.

[0137] In the embodiment shown, the distancing device 1.3 comprises a plurality of distancing conveyors 1.3.1, wherein only one piece good S, S.sub.v, S.sub.n is provided on each of the plurality of distancing conveyors 1.3.1. If only piece good S, S.sub.v, S.sub.n of a certain size category G.sub.1, G.sub.2 and/or a product category is provided on each distancing device 1.3, a pattern of piece good S, S.sub.v, S.sub.n of different size categories G.sub.1, G.sub.2 and/or product categories can be achieved by an alternating transfer of piece good S, S.sub.v, S.sub.n to the discharge device 1.4.

[0138] The distancing devices 1.3 are angled with respect to the longitudinal axis L.sub.A of the discharge device 1.4 and are arranged adjacent to the discharge device 1.4 with an offset to each other along the longitudinal axis L.sub.A. The speeds of the individual distancing conveyors 1.3.1 of the distancing devices 1.3 are controlled in such a way that the respective piece good S, S.sub.v, S.sub.n at the transfer section 1.3.2 of the respective distancing conveyor 1.3 is transferred to a delivery place 1.4.2, in the embodiment shown of the discharge device 1.4 in the form of conveyor trays 1.4.2, accurate in phase.

[0139] FIG. 9 shows a schematic representation of the detection of the functional length L.sub.f and the functional width B.sub.f along the conveying direction x of the delivery device 1.2. The functional length L.sub.f and functional width B.sub.f are detected by a first sensor 2.1 in the form of a light grid. The functional length L.sub.f corresponds to the measured length of a respective piece good S, S.sub.v, S.sub.n along the conveying direction x of the delivery device 1.2. The functional width B.sub.f is measured orthogonally to this; this corresponds to the measured width of the respective piece good S, S.sub.v, S.sub.n perpendicular to the conveying direction x of the delivery device 1.2.

[0140] In the case that the delivery device 1.2 is arranged parallel to the discharge device 1.4, the functional length L.sub.f corresponds to the virtual length V.sub.L and the functional width B.sub.f corresponds to the virtual width V.sub.B. In the embodiment shown, the distancing device 1.3 is arranged at an angle to the discharge device 1.4. Since the virtual rectangle V.sub.R is always mathematically aligned parallel to the longitudinal axis L.sub.A of the discharge device 1.4, the functional length L.sub.f and the functional width B.sub.f is converted. The virtual rectangle V.sub.R is always rotated by the angle with respect to the conveying direction x of the delivery device 1.2, which corresponds to the angle enclosed by the distancing conveyor 1.3 and the discharge device 1.4.

[0141] FIG. 10 shows a schematic representation of the calculation of the virtual rectangle, aligned parallel to the longitudinal axis L.sub.A of the discharge device 1.4. By a first sensor 2.1, a virtual length V.sub.L and a virtual width V.sub.B as well as a moment of delivery t.sub.1 of the respective piece good S, S.sub.v, S.sub.n are detected at or, as shown in FIG. 6, upstream of the transfer section 1.2.1 of the delivery device 1.2. The virtual length V.sub.L is detected parallel to the longitudinal axis L.sub.A of the discharge device 1.4 and the virtual width V.sub.B is detected perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L.sub.A of the discharge device 1.4. If the first sensor 2.1, as in the embodiment shown in the form of a light grid, is not arranged parallel to the longitudinal axis L.sub.A of the discharge device 1.4, the functional length L.sub.f detected along the conveying direction x of the delivery device 1.2 is converted into the virtual length V.sub.L and a functional width B.sub.f detected perpendicular thereto is converted into the virtual width V.sub.B, preferably by a coordinate transformation.

[0142] Based on the recorded virtual length V.sub.L and the virtual width V.sub.B, a virtual layout of the respective piece good S, S.sub.v, S.sub.n is calculated in the form of a virtual rectangle V.sub.R, which is minimized to the virtual length V.sub.L and the virtual width V.sub.B. The virtual rectangle V.sub.R is approximated to the piece good in such a way that the respective piece good S, S.sub.v, S.sub.n is completely enclosed by the virtual rectangle V.sub.R, preferably approximated in such a way that it is just barely enclosed.