Product stacking device

Abstract

The invention relates to a product stacking device for forming product stacks (12 a-k) of product groups (14 a-k) consisting of products (16 a-k), which lie flatly and/or are brought into a shingled product arrangement (64 a-k), during a transportation movement (28 a-k). The product stacking device includes at least two stack contact surfaces (20 a-k), which are provided in order to form the product stack (12 a-k) by reducing a spacing (24 a-k) between the stack contact surfaces (20 a-k), the stack contact surfaces lying opposite one another in a product group direction (26 a-k).

Claims

1. A product stacking device for forming product stacks (12a-k) of product groups (14a-k) consisting of products (16a-k), each of which includes a primary face defined as the largest face of the product, the device comprising at least two stop means (18a-k) mounted on a common conveyor with stack contact surfaces (20a-k), which are configured to form a product stack (12a-k) on a product support surface of the common conveyor by a reduction of a spacing (24a-k) between the stack contact surfaces (20a-k), the stack contact surfaces lying opposite one another in a product group direction (26a-k), wherein at least one of the stop means is provided for spacing the product groups of the delivered products apart from one another, and wherein the device is 1) operable to form a product stack configured such that the primary faces of the products are oriented at 0 degrees relative to the product support surface and 2) operable to form a product stack configured such that the primary faces of the products are oriented at 90 degrees relative to the product support surface.

2. The product stacking device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the at least two stop means (18a-k) is formed by at least one of a driver (30a-k) and a counter holder (32a-e; g-k).

3. The product stacking device according to claim 1, further including at least one bearing unit (36a-c; f-j) by means of which at least one of the at least two stop means (18a-c; f-k) is rotatably mounted about at least one degree of freedom (38a-c; f-k).

4. The product stacking device according to claim 3, further including at least one drive unit (46a-h) configured to drive the at least one of the at least two stop means (18a-h) in the at least one degree of freedom (38a-c; f-h and 44a-h).

5. The product stacking device according to claim 1, further including at least one bearing unit (40a-h) by means of which at least one of the at least two stop means (18a-h) is mounted in a translationally movable manner at least along a working section (42a-h) in at least one degree of freedom (44a-h).

6. The product stacking device according to claim 5, further including at least one drive unit (46a-h) configured to drive the at least one stop means (18a-h) in the at least one degree of freedom (38a-c; f-h and 44a-h).

7. The product stacking device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the at least two stop means (18e-f; h) has stack contact surfaces (20e-f; h) on two sides (48e-f; h and 50e-f; h) lying opposite one another in the product group direction (26e-f; h).

8. The product stacking device according to claim 1, further including at least one linkage configured to move the stop means.

9. The product stacking device according to claim 1, further including at least one electrical and/or electronic control unit (54b; d-h) configured to control position and speed of the at least two stop means.

10. The product stacking device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the at least two stop means is formed by a lateral guide placed at an angle in relation to the transportation movement.

11. The product stacking device according to claim 1, wherein an input belt (62k) is configured to push the product groups (14k) resting on the input belt (62k) with the transportation movement (28k) against stop means (18k) that are moving slower in relation to said transportation movement (28k).

12. A method for forming at least one horizontal or vertical product stack (12a-k) with a product stacking device (10a-k) according to claim 1, the method comprising forming the at least one product stack (12a-k) by reducing the spacing (24a-k) between the stack contact surfaces (20a-k) of the at least two stop means (18a-k), said stack contact surfaces lying opposite one another in the product group direction (26a-k).

13. A delivery device for delivering products (16a-k) to a packaging process, comprising a product stacking device (10a-k) according to claim 1.

14. A product stacking device for forming product stacks of product groups consisting of products, which lie flatly and/or are brought into a shingled product arrangement, during a transportation movement, comprising at least two stop means with stack contact surfaces, which are configured to form a product stack by a reduction of a spacing between the stack contact surfaces, the stack contact surfaces lying opposite one another in a product group direction, wherein at least one of the at least two stop means is formed by a lateral guide placed at an angle in relation to the transportation movement.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Further advantages ensue from the following description of the drawings. Exemplary embodiments of the invention are depicted in the drawings. The drawings, the description and the claims contain numerous features in combination. The person skilled in the art will also expediently consider the features in isolation and put them together to form further useful combinations.

(2) In the Drawings:

(3) FIG. 1 shows a schematic depiction of a delivery device comprising a product stacking device in a first exemplary embodiment;

(4) FIG. 2 shows a schematic depiction of a delivery device comprising a product stacking device in a second exemplary embodiment;

(5) FIG. 3 shows a schematic depiction of a delivery device comprising a product stacking device in a third exemplary embodiment;

(6) FIG. 4 shows a schematic depiction of a section of a delivery device comprising a product stacking device in a fourth exemplary embodiment;

(7) FIG. 5 shows a schematic depiction of a delivery device comprising a product stacking device in a fifth exemplary embodiment;

(8) FIG. 6 shows a schematic depiction of a delivery device comprising a product stacking device in a sixth exemplary embodiment;

(9) FIG. 7 shows a schematic depiction of a delivery device comprising a product stacking device in a seventh exemplary embodiment;

(10) FIG. 8 shows a schematic depiction of a delivery device comprising a product stacking device in an eighth exemplary embodiment,

(11) FIG. 9 shows a schematic depiction of a delivery device comprising a product stacking device in a ninth exemplary embodiment;

(12) FIG. 10 shows a schematic depiction of a packaging machine comprising the product stacking device of the first exemplary embodiment;

(13) FIG. 11 shows a schematic depiction of a delivery device comprising a product stacking device in a tenth exemplary embodiment; and

(14) FIG. 12 shows a schematic depiction of a delivery device comprising a product stacking device in an eleventh exemplary embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(15) FIG. 1 shows a product stacking device 10a for forming product stacks 12a of product groups 14a consisting of products 16a delivered lying flat during a transportation movement 28a, said stacking device comprising stop means 18a with stack contact surfaces 20a which are provided in order to form the product stack 12a. The product stacking device 10a has a merging unit 22a which is provided for forming the product stack 12a by reducing a spacing 24a between stack contact surfaces 20a of two stop means 18a, said stock contact surfaces lying opposite one another in the product group direction 26a. The product stacking device 10a is part of a delivery device 34a of a packaging machine 110a (FIG. 10). In the example shown, a web of products 16a is delivered to the product stacking device 10a. In an extension of the exemplary embodiment depicted here, a multi-web embodiment is also possible in which a plurality of webs of products 16a is supplied in parallel in order to form a plurality of product stacks 12a in juxtaposition. As a result, the stop means 18a can simultaneously form a plurality of product stacks 12a disposed adjacent to one another, or a plurality of stop means 18a can be provided side by side.

(16) The products 16a are placed via a feed belt 58a in a delivery direction 60a onto an input belt 62a so as to lie flatly. In so doing, product groups 14a are formed in a shingled product arrangement 64a. The stop means 18a are formed by drivers 30a and counter holders 32a of the delivery device 34a. The drivers 30a and the counter holders 32a are mounted on a circulating chain 66a and are moved along a transport route 68a in the direction of conveyance 70a. The feed belt 58a can be designed as a so-called “pullnose” belt in which a belt end 72a is movable in the delivery direction 60a in order to facilitate a formation of gaps between the product groups 14a. Different solutions are known here to the person skilled in the art.

(17) The drivers 30a are provided to push the product groups 14a resting on the product support 74a in the direction of conveyance 70a towards a packaging machine at the end of the transport route 68a, said packaging machine not being depicted in detail here. The drivers 30a are retractably mounted on the chain 66a in a direction perpendicular to the direction of conveyance 70a; thus enabling said drivers to be lowered by means of a link control, which is not depicted here in detail, under the product support 74a in the area of the feed belt 58a as a result of a pivoting movement. After a product group 14a has been formed with a desired number of products 16a, the driver 30a is raised, so that said driver can transport the product group 14a, which is supported on the product support 74a on the basis of a weight force 76a, by means of a positive locking connection. The product group 14a has initially the shingled product arrangement 64a in the product group direction 26a, which is parallel to the direction of conveyance 70a, at a shingle angle 78a between primary surfaces 106a of the products 16a and the product support 74a of less than 45°. The counter holders 32a are provided to support the product groups 14a resting on the product support 74a against the direction of conveyance 70a. Drivers 30a and counter holders 32a form stop means 18a of the product stacking device 10a and touch the product groups 14a with stack contact surfaces 20a.

(18) Bearing units 36a mount the stop means 18a designed as counter holders 32a on the chain 66a so as to be rotatable about one degree of freedom 38a. The product support 74a comprises a bearing unit 40a which mounts the stop means 18a in a translationally movable manner along a working section 42a that corresponds to the transport route 68a in one degree of freedom 44a along the direction of conveyance 70a. A drive unit 46a drives the chain 66a. The stop means 18a designed as drivers 30a are driven by the chain 66a in the translational degree of freedom in the direction of conveyance. Due to the movement of the drive unit 46a, a link control 52a moves the stop means 18a designed as counter holders 32a in the degree of freedom 38a in a pivoting movement 80a.

(19) The stop means 18a with the link control 52a and the bearing units 36a and 40a are part of the merging unit 22a. The pivoting movement 80a causes a reduction in the spacing between the stack contact surfaces 20a of the driver 30a and the counter holder 32a, said stack contact surfaces lying opposite one another in the product group direction 26a. The product groups 14a are, starting from the shingled product arrangement 64a, raised to a horizontal product stack 12a. Drivers 30a and counter holders 32a are now moved synchronously in the direction of conveyance 70a and transfer the product stacks 12a to a packaging process of the packaging machine at the end of the transport route 68a. In a variant which is not depicted here in detail, the counter holders 32, relative to the chain 66a, are additionally movably mounted translationally in the direction of conveyance 70a against a spring force or by means of a drive that can be controlled in an open-loop or closed-loop system. A product stack length 90a can thus be additionally adapted.

(20) The following description and the drawings of further exemplary embodiments are substantially limited to the differences between the exemplary embodiments, wherein, with regard to identically denoted components, in particular to components having the same reference signs, reference can basically be made to drawings and/or the description of the other exemplary embodiments. In order to differentiate the exemplary embodiments, the letters b to k are placed behind the reference numerals in the further exemplary embodiments instead of the letter “a” of the first exemplary embodiment.

(21) FIG. 2 shows a product stacking device 10b for forming product stacks 12b of product groups 14b consisting of products 16b delivered lying flat during a transportation movement 28b, comprising stop means 18b with stack contact surfaces 20b which are provided for forming the product stack 12b in a second exemplary embodiment.

(22) The product stacking device 10b differs from the first exemplary embodiment particularly by virtue of the fact that the stop means 18b designed as drivers 30b and counter holders 32b of a delivery device 34b are disposed on conveying elements 82b which can be individually driven in a position-controlled and speed-controlled manner by means of a drive unit 46b formed from a linear motor system 84b. The conveying elements 82b each comprise a secondary part 86b of the linear motor system 84b. Instead of a chain, the delivery device 34b contains a primary part 88b disposed along a circumferential path and comprising electromagnets that can be individually actuated. An electronic control unit 54b individually controls position and speed of the conveying elements 82b. The control unit 54b forms with the linear motor system 84b and the conveying elements 82b comprising the stop means 18b a merging unit 22b. The control unit 54b controls position and speed of the stop means 18b during the transportation movement 28b to a packaging process in such a way that a spacing 24b between stack contact surfaces 20b of at least two stop means 18b is reduced, said stack contact surfaces lying opposite one another in a product group direction 26b. In so doing, the counter holders 32b are mounted on the conveying elements 82b by means of bearing units 36b so as to be rotatable about one degree of freedom. A pivoting movement 80b is controlled by a link control 52b independently of a position along a transport route 68b. The spacing 24b is determined by a superimposition of the pivoting movement 80b as well as by the relative positions of the stop means 18b with respect to each other which are controlled by the control unit 54b. Starting from a shingled product arrangement 64b, the product group 14b can be raised to a horizontal product stack 12b by combining the pivoting movement 80b with a translation of the stop means 18b in the direction of conveyance 70b. Different product stack lengths 90b can be set by the control unit 54b without a mechanical format changeover or a modification of the product stack device 10b. It is also possible that product stacks 12b that are successive in the direction of conveyance 70b have different product stack lengths 90b.

(23) In a third exemplary embodiment, FIG. 3 shows a product stacking device 10c for forming product stacks 12c of product groups 14c consisting of products 16c delivered lying flat during a transportation movement 28c, comprising stop means 18c with stack contact surfaces 20c which are provided for forming the product stacks 12c. The product stacking device 10c differs from the product stacking device 10a of the first exemplary embodiment particularly by virtue of the fact that drivers 30c and counter holders 32c of a delivery device 34c are rotatably mounted on bearing units 36c in one degree of freedom 38c on a chain 66c. A movement about the degree of freedom 38c of the drivers 30c and the counter holders 32c is controlled via a link control 52c. Drivers 30c, counter holders 32c and link control 52c are part of a merging unit 22c. A shingle angle 78c of the product groups 14c is influenced by the counter holders 32c. The counter holders 32c tilt up with respect to a weight force 76c along a transport route 68c during product stacking; thus enabling the shingle angle to increase. The drivers 30c are likewise raised along the transport route 68c until drivers 30c and counter holders 32c are perpendicular to a direction of conveyance 70c. A spacing 24c between stack contact surfaces 20c of the stop means 18c designed as drivers 30c and counter holders 32c, said stack contact surfaces lying opposite one another in a product group direction 26c, is reduced such that horizontal product stacks 12c are formed. The product stacks 12c are formed in a particularly product protective manner as a result of the drivers 30c and counter holders 32c being simultaneously raised.

(24) In a fourth exemplary embodiment, FIG. 4 shows a product stacking device 10d for forming product stacks 12d of product groups 14d consisting of products 16d delivered in a shingled product arrangement 64d during a transportation movement 28d, comprising stop means 18d with stack contact surfaces 20d which are provided for forming the product stacks.

(25) The product stacking device 10d differs from the second exemplary embodiment particularly in that the stop means 18d designed as drivers 30d and counter holders 32d are moved in a translation superimposed on the transportation movement 28d in and/or opposite to a direction of conveyance 70d for the purpose of reducing a spacing 24d between stack contact surfaces 20d which lie opposite one another in a product group direction 26d. Drivers 30d and counter holders 32d are part of a merging unit 22d. A bearing unit, which facilitates a pivoting movement, can be omitted. The design is particularly simple and cost effective.

(26) In a fifth exemplary embodiment, FIG. 5 shows a product stacking device 10e for forming product stacks 12e of product groups 14e consisting of products 16e delivered lying flat during a transportation movement 28e, comprising stop means 18e with stack contact surfaces 20e which are provided for forming the product stacks 12e.

(27) The product stacking device 10e differs from the second exemplary embodiment particularly by the fact that the stop means 18e have stack contact surfaces 20e on two sides lying opposite one another in a product group direction 26e. The product stacking device 10e is provided for forming vertical product stacks 12e. A stop means 18e simultaneously assumes the function of a driver 30e of a product group 14e and a counter holder 32e of a succeeding product group 14e moving against a direction of conveyance 70e. The number of stop means 18e is reduced in relation to the preceding exemplary embodiments.

(28) Prior to stacking, the product 102e of the delivered product group 14e which is last in the direction of conveyance 70e lies flatly in each case on an input belt 62e, while further products 104e of the product group 14e are disposed in a shingled product arrangement 64e. The shingled further products 104e are directly or indirectly supported on the last product 102e. If a spacing 24e between stack contact surfaces 20e lying opposite one another in the product group direction 26e is reduced, the further products 104e are pushed onto the last product 102e; thus enabling a vertical product stack 12e to form. The stop means 18e driven by a drive unit 46e together with a control unit 54e provided for controlling the position and speed of the stop means 18e belong to a merging unit 22e. The drive unit 46e is designed as a linear motor system 84e as in the second exemplary embodiment and is provided to individually drive the stop means 18e.

(29) In a sixth exemplary embodiment, FIG. 6 shows a product stacking device 10f for forming product stacks 12f of product groups 14f consisting of products 16f delivered lying flat during a transportation movement 28f, comprising stop means 18f with stack contact surfaces 20f that are provided for forming the product stacks 12f.

(30) The product stacking device 10f differs from the fifth exemplary embodiment in particular in that the stop means 18f on bearing units 36f are rotatably mounted on conveying elements 82f. The forming of product stacks 12f is supported by an additional pivot movement 80f and takes place in a very product protective manner. The pivoting movement 80f is controlled by a link control 52f as a function of a position of the stop means 18f along a transport route 68f. A linear motor system 84f serves to provide an independent open-loop and closed-loop control of speed and position of the stop means 18f by means of a control unit 54f. The stop means 18f, the link control 52f, the bearing units 36f and a drive unit 46f designed as a linear motor system 84f are parts of a merging unit 22f. At the end of the transport route 68f, the product stacks 12f are encased in a film tube 108f during a packaging process of a packaging machine 110f. Individual packages comprising respectively one product stack 12f are formed from the film tube 108f by a sealing unit which is not depicted here in detail.

(31) In a sixth exemplary embodiment, FIG. 7 shows a product stacking device 10g for forming product stacks 12g of product groups 14g consisting of products 16g delivered lying flat during a transportation movement 28g, comprising stop means 18g with stack contact surfaces 20g that are provided for forming the product stacks 12g.

(32) The product stack device 10g differs from the first exemplary embodiment particularly in that the stop means 18g designed as counter holders 32g are rotatably mounted about a bearing unit 36g, wherein the bearing unit 36g in the depicted example is disposed opposite to a weight force 76g above the product groups 14g. It is also conceivable in an alternative configuration for at least one bearing unit of stop means to be disposed next to the product groups 14g in relation to the transportation movement or below said product groups 14g in relation to the weight force 76g. The stop means 18g are disposed on a wheel 92g which is mounted on the bearing unit 36g so as to be rotatable about a rotational axis 94g. Stop means 18g designed as drivers 30g push the product groups 14g in a direction of conveyance 70g against one of the counter holders 32g. The counter holder 32g is oriented at this point in time in the direction of the weight force 76g perpendicularly downward. A spacing 24g between stack contact surfaces 20g of the counter holders 32g and drivers 30g, said stack contact surfaces lying opposite one another in the product group direction 26g, is reduced so that a product stack 12g is formed from the product group 14g. The counter holder 32g is subsequently moved away from the product stack 12g by means of a pivoting movement 80g about the bearing unit 36g; thus enabling the driver 30g to further transport the product stack 12g underneath the counter holder 32g in the direction of conveyance 70g. A next counter holder 32g for forming a next product stack 12g is subsequently oriented downwards. In the example shown, four counter holders 32g are disposed on the wheel 92g, wherein respectively two counter holders 32g lying opposite one another are jointly driven. Successive counter holders 32g around the wheel 92g can be independently driven; thus enabling the counter holders 32g of two successive product groups 14g to be synchronized with said product groups 14g independently of one another. The movements of the drivers 30g and the counter holders 32g which are driven by a circulating chain are synchronized by a control unit 54g. The stop means 18g and the control unit 54g are part of a merging unit 22g.

(33) In an eighth exemplary embodiment, FIG. 8 shows a product stacking device 10h for forming product stacks 12h of product groups 14h consisting of products 16h delivered lying flat during a transportation movement 28h, comprising stop means 18h with stack contact surfaces 20h which are provided for forming the product stacks 12h.

(34) The product stacking device 10h differs from the first exemplary embodiment particularly in that a shingle angle 78h of a shingled product arrangement 64h generated from the products 16h delivered lying flat is secured by stop wedges 96h. The stop wedges 96h are disposed on a side of the stop means which faces away from a direction of conveyance 70h, said stop means being configured as drivers 30h. At one end of the product group 14h in the direction of conveyance 70h, a stop means 18h embodied as a support element 98h supports the product group 14h which initially rests on the stop wedge 96h (FIG. 8-I). The drivers 30h comprising the stop wedges 96h and the support element 98h are part of a merging unit 22h. The stop wedge 96h is moved away in the direction of conveyance 70h jointly with the product stack 12h which follows in the direction of conveyance 70h. The product group 12h is moved by the driver 30h following the same likewise in the direction of conveyance 70h against the support element 98h, so that a spacing 24h between stack contact surfaces 20h of the support element 98h and the driver 30h is reduced and the product group 14h is tilted upwards (FIG. 8-11). A counter holder 32h pivotably mounted about one degree of freedom 38h on a bearing unit 36h on a delivery device 34h is pivoted against the product group 14h and tilts the product stack 12h further up by reducing the spacing 24h between the stack contact surfaces 20h of the counter holder 32h and the driver 30h, said stack contact surfaces lying opposite one another in a product group direction 26h, until a product stack 12h is formed. The support element 98h is moved against a weight force 76h away from a product support 74h upwards and away from the product stack 12h (FIG. 8-III). The drivers 30h and the counter holders 32h jointly transport the product stack 12h in the direction of a packaging process.

(35) In a ninth exemplary embodiment, FIG. 9 shows a product stack device 10i for forming product stacks of product groups 14i consisting of products 16i delivered in a shingled product arrangement 64i during a transportation movement 28i, comprising stop means 18i with stack contact surfaces 20i which are provided for forming the product stacks 12i.

(36) A merging unit 22i contains two stop means 16i designed as lateral guides 56i comprising circulating conveyor belts and a delivery device 34i comprising a crossbar chain 100i. The product groups 14i are transported on the crossbar chain 100i having a product group direction 26i that is transverse to a direction of conveyance 70i. One of the lateral guides 56i is mounted on the delivery device 34i at such an angle in relation to the transportation movement 28i that a spacing 24i in the product group direction 26i between the stack contact surfaces 20i is reduced in the delivery direction 60i, whereas the other lateral guide 56i is mounted on the delivery device 34i parallel to the direction of conveyance 70i. Due to the spacing 24i being reduced, the product groups 14l are pushed together during transport in the direction of conveyance 70i to form a horizontal product stack 12i.

(37) In a tenth exemplary embodiment, FIG. 11 shows a product stacking device 10j for forming product stacks 12j of product groups 14j consisting of products 16j delivered lying flat during a transportation movement 28j by means of a merging unit 22j comprising stop means 18j with stack contact surfaces 20j which are provided in order to form the product stacks 12j by reducing a spacing 24j between stack contact surfaces 20j which lie opposite one another in a product group direction. The product stacking device 10j differs from the first exemplary embodiment particularly by the fact that stop means 18j designed as drivers 30j are provided for spacing the product groups 14j of the delivered products 16j apart from one another. The stop means 18j can, for example, be driven by a circulating chain or a linear motor system. The product stacking device 10j of this exemplary embodiment is provided to form horizontal product stacks 12j. It would likewise be possible to use the particular features of this exemplary embodiment for a product stacking device for forming vertical product stacks. The products 16j are delivered flat via a feed belt 58j in a delivery direction 60j onto an input belt 62j. The feed belt 58j is configured as a double belt comprising two parallel belts, which are spaced apart from one another. After a certain number of products 16j have accumulated, which are to form a product stack 12j, one of the drivers 30j is guided in each case between two products 16j lying on the feed belt 58j and thereby separates two successive product groups 14j. In order to guide the drivers 30j between the products 16j, said drivers are rotatably mounted in one degree of freedom 38j by means of bearing units 36j and are actuated via a link control 52j in such a manner that said drivers in each case tilt up perpendicularly to the transportation movement at a location whereat they are to be guided between the products. As an alternative to the link control 52j, provision could, for example, also be made for a servomotorical actuation. A formation of gaps between product groups 14j using a means configured separately from the merging unit 22j, such as a pullnose belt as in the first exemplary embodiment, can thus be omitted. A spacing between stack contact surfaces 20j of the driver 30j and a second stop means 18j designed as a counter holder 32j is subsequently in each case reduced in order to form the product stack 12j. In order to achieve this end, the rotatably mounted counter holders 32j are pivoted by means of the link control 52j in opposition to the transportation movement 28j against the drivers 30j.

(38) In an eleventh exemplary embodiment, FIG. 12 shows a product stacking device for forming product stacks 12k of product groups 14k consisting of products 16k which are delivered lying flat during a transportation movement, comprising a merging unit 22k having stop means 18k with stack contact surfaces 20k which are provided in order to form the product stacks 12k. The product stacking device 10k of this exemplary embodiment is provided for forming horizontal product stacks 12k. It would also be possible to analogously use the particular features of this exemplary embodiment for a product stacking device for forming vertical product stacks. The product stack device differs from the first exemplary embodiment particularly by virtue of the fact that an input belt 62k is provided, in a first step of forming the product stacks, to push the product groups 14k lying on the input belt 62k with the transportation movement 28k against stop means 18k which are designed as counter holders 32 and are slower moving in relation to the transportation movement 28k. The stop means 18k can, for example, be driven by a circulating chain or a linear motor system. The products 16k are delivered lying flat via a feed belt 58k in a delivery direction 60k onto the input belt 62k. The input belt 62k is configured as a double belt comprising two parallel belts which are spaced apart from one another; thus enabling the stop means 18k to be guided through the input belt 62k in the area of the spacing. The stop means 18k are designed as drivers 30k and counter holders 32k which are rotatably mounted about one degree of freedom 38k that is perpendicular to the transportation movement 28k and are actuated via a link control 52k. As an alternative to the link control 52k, provision could, for example, also be made for a servomotorical actuation. In a first step, the counter holders 32k are inclined in the direction of the transportation movement 28k and move slower in said direction of the transportation movement 28k than the input belt 62k; thus enabling the products 16k of respectively one product group 14k delivered from the feed belt 58k onto the input belt 62k to be pushed against a counter holder 32k and to form shingled product arrangements 64k. A shingle angle 78k of the product groups 14k becomes increasingly steeper as a result of the difference in speed between the input belt 62k and the counter holder 32k. In a second step II, the holders 32k are placed perpendicularly to the transportation movement 28k, and the drivers are laid at the end of the respective product group 14k which is opposite to the transportation movement by means of a tilting operation. In a step III, the drivers 30k are arranged perpendicularly to the transportation movement 28k and thus the product stacks are formed by reducing a spacing 24k between stack contact surfaces 20k of the drivers 30k and the counter holders 32k, said stack contact surfaces lying opposite one another in a product group direction 26k. Drivers 30k and counter holders 32k now move synchronously in the direction of the transportation movement 28k in order to further transport the product stacks 12k.