Device for positioning and/or orienting one or more adjustable directing components for guiding articles in a transport system

Abstract

Disclosed is a device (1) for positioning one or more adjustable directing components for guiding articles in a transport system. One or more of the directing components are coupled to at least one first output (7a to 7g) of a transmission arrangement (11) and can be positioned via the at least one first output (7a to 7g). One or more further directing components are coupled to at least one second output (7a to 7g) of the transmission (11) and coupled via at least one second output (7a to 7g) of the transmission (11) and can be positioned via the at least one second output (7a to 7g). The device (1) further comprises a control actuator (17), which can be selectively and mechanically brought into an operative connection with the at least one first output (7a to 7g) and/or with the at least one second output (7a to 7g).

Claims

1. A device (1) for positioning and/or orienting one or more adjustable directing components (3, 4, 5, 6) for steering and/or guiding articles (8) in a transport system (10), comprising: one or more directing components (3, 4, 5, 6) coupled to at least one first output (7a to 7g) of a transmission arrangement (11) and positionable and/or orientable via the at least one first output (7a to 7g) one or more further directing components (3, 4, 5, 6) coupled to at least one second output (7a to 7g) of the transmission arrangement (11) and positionable and/or orientable via the at least one second output (7a to 7g); and a control actuator (17), wherein the control actuator (17) is selectively and mechanically connected and disconnected from the at least one first output (7a to 7g) and/or from the at least one second output (7a to 7g) via a central drive shaft (18), wherein the central drive shaft (18) is rotationally drivable via the control actuator (17), to orient and/or position the one or more directing components (3, 4, 5, 6) or the one or more further directing components (3, 4, 5, 6) coupled with the respective first or second output (7a to 7g).

2. The device (1) of claim 1, wherein the drive shaft (18), or the control actuator (17) together with the drive shaft (18), is selectively brought into an operative connection with the at least one first output (7a to 7g) and/or with the at least one second output (7a to 7g) by a shift of the drive shaft (18) that is aligned with the direction (V, V′) of a longitudinal axis of the drive shaft (18).

3. The device (1) of claim 2, wherein the drive shaft (18), or the control actuator (17) together with the drive shaft (18), are coupled to a guide carriage (20) of a linear guiding means, wherein guide carriage (20) is movable in relation to a housing (22).

4. The device (1) of claim 3, wherein the linear guiding means comprises teeth (53) extending sectionwise along the drive shaft (18) and being shiftable together with the drive shaft (18), wherein teeth (53) are designed to be non-rotational and are in engagement with one or more of the outputs (7a to 7g) that are not mechanically brought into an operative connection with the control actuator (17).

5. The device (1) of claim 4, wherein the shift of the drive shaft (18), or the shift of the control actuator (17) together with the drive shaft (18), is carried out by a further actuator (28).

6. The device (1) of claim 5, wherein the further actuator (28) is stationarily connected to the housing (22).

7. The device (1) of claim 6, in which the at least one first output (7a to 7g) and/or the at least one second output (7a to 7g) each form a reception for the drive shaft (18), through which reception the drive shaft (18) enters or passes in the instance of an operative connection with the respective output (7a to 7g).

8. The device (1) of claim 7, wherein the reception of the at least one first output (7a to 7g) and the reception of the at least one second output (7a to 7g) are arranged in such a manner that they are aligned with each other.

9. The device (1) of claim 8, wherein the at least one first output (7a to 7g) and/or the at least one second output (7a to 7g) are rotationally drivable by the drive shaft (18) and each have internal teeth (35), which, for the mechanical operative connection, is brought into engagement with corresponding counterteeth (33) of the central drive shaft (18) and/or with corresponding counterteeth (33) of one or more input means (31) mounted on the drive shaft (18).

10. The device (1) of claim 9, wherein the drive shaft (18) forms corresponding counterteeth (33) at least in one first partial section and at least in one second partial section along its longitudinal axis, or in which at least two input means (31′) are mounted in different positions on the drive shaft (18).

11. The device (1) of claim 10, wherein the at least one first output (7a to 7g) and the at least one second output (7a to 7g) are designed to be rotationally independent of each other and have a common rotational axis (R), which rotational axis (R) runs essentially in the longitudinal direction of the drive shaft (18).

12. The device (1) of claim 11, wherein at least two outputs (7a to 7g) are arranged adjacent to each other and, for independent rotational movement, are directly brought into a connection with their respectively adjacent output (7a to 7g) via one or more axial bearings (15).

13. The device (1) of claim 12, wherein the control actuator (17) and/or the further actuator (18) comprises servomotors and/or stepper motors.

14. The device (1) of claim 13, wherein the at least one first output (7a to 7g) and/or the at least one second output (7a to 7g) are coupled with the one or more directing components (3, 4, 5, 6), respectively, via one or more flexible cable elements.

15. The device (1) of claim 13, further comprising at least one third output (7a to 7g) and/or a plurality of further outputs (7a to 7g), wherein each are coupled with one or more further directing components (3, 4, 5, 6) and with which the control actuator (17) is mechanically brought into an operative connection for orienting and/or positioning the one or more directing components (3, 4, 5, 6) coupled with the respective output (7a to 7g).

16. The device (1) of claim 15, further comprising constituent parts to form a packaging facility for articles and/or a filling facility for articles (8) designed as containers (9) with a liquid medium.

17. The device (1) of claim 4 wherein the teeth (53) are in engagement with all of the outputs (7a to 7g).

18. The device (1) of claim 12, wherein all outputs (7a to 7g) are arranged adjacent to each other.

19. The device (1) of claim 14 wherein the one or more flexible cable elements comprise a Bowden cable (51), a cable pull (49), or a chain (45).

20. The device (1) of claim 1 wherein the one or more directing components (3, 4, 5, 6) are independently positionable and/or orientable from the one or more further directing components (3, 4, 5, 6).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

(1) FIG. 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional illustration of an embodiment of a device 1 according to the invention.

(2) FIG. 2 shows a schematic top view of an embodiment of a transport system with the appropriate directing components, for which the orienting by means of the device according to the invention can be effected.

(3) FIGS. 3A to 3C each show a transmission arrangement as can be employed for an embodiment of a device according to the invention.

(4) FIG. 4 shows a cross section through a transmission arrangement according to the FIGS. 3A to 3C as can be employed for an embodiment of a device according to the invention.

(5) FIG. 5 shows a further exemplary embodiment of a transmission arrangement as can be employed for an embodiment of a device according to the invention.

(6) FIG. 6 shows a plurality of gear wheel mechanisms as can be provided for connecting one or more outputs to the respective one or more directing components.

(7) FIG. 7 show a plurality of flexible cable elements as can be provided for coupling one or a plurality of the outputs to one or a plurality of the directing components.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(8) The same or equivalent elements of the invention are designated by identical reference characters. Furthermore and for the sake of clarity, only the reference characters relevant for describing the respective figure are provided. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples of the device according to the invention, while indicating preferred embodiments, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

(9) FIG. 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional illustration of an embodiment of a device 1 according to the invention. The device 1 is provided for selectively positioning directing components 3, 4, 5, and 6 of a transport system 10, which directing components 3, 4, 5, and 6 are provided for guiding articles 8 along their respective transport path T1, T2, or T3 (cf. FIG. 2).

(10) In the embodiment shown, each of the directing components 3, 3′, 3″, and 3′″ as well as 4, 4′, 4″, and 4′″ and 5, 5′, 5″, and 5′″ as well as 6, 6′, 6″, and 6′″ is respectively coupled with an own output 7a to 7g and is thus adjustable via the respectively assigned output 7a to 7g. For the purpose of clarity, the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 only comprises seven illustrated outputs 7a to 7g. In practice, however, embodiments can be employed in which more or less than seven outputs 7a to 7g are present. Up to 25 outputs 7a to 7g can be present, for instance.

(11) It is also possible that a plurality of directing components 3, 4, 5, 6 are each coupled with one of the outputs 7a to 7g. For instance, two first directing components 3 and 3′ (cf. FIG. 2) can be coupled to a first output 7a, while two further first directing components 3″ and 3′″ are coupled to a second output 7b.

(12) All outputs 7a to 7g can rotate about the common rotational axis R independently of each other and upon mechanical operative connection with the control actuator 17.

(13) For the selective mechanical operative connection, the control actuator 17 is in connection with a drive shaft 18, which can be driven rotatably about the rotational axis R via the control actuator 17. Also illustrated is an input means 31, which is connected to the drive shaft 18 in a torque-proof manner and mounted on the drive shaft 18, and which is designed as a gear wheel with external teeth 33 in the present illustrations (cf. FIGS. 3 to 5). The input means 31 or the drive shaft 18 mounted on the gear wheel can be selectively and form-lockingly brought into engagement with one of the outputs 7a to 7g.

(14) For the independent rotational movement about the rotational axis R, the outputs 7a to 7g are in connection with their respectively adjacent outputs 7a to 7g, each via an axial bearing 15. The axial bearings 15 and the outputs 7a to 7g as well as the drive shaft 18, together with the input means 31 mounted on the drive shaft 18, form the transmission arrangement 11. The rotational axis R extends in the longitudinal direction L of the drive shaft 18.

(15) For the purpose of changing the engagement of the input means 31 to one of the further outputs 7a to 7g or for the purpose of establishing selective operative connection with one of the further outputs 7a to 7g, the control actuator 17 is shiftable together with the drive shaft 18 in and against the longitudinal direction L of the drive shaft 18. For this purpose, the control actuator 17 and the drive shaft 18 are in connection with a carriage 20, which, together with a housing 22, forms a linear guiding means. The carriage 20 is moved together with the drive shaft 18 and the control actuator 17 relative to the housing 22 and is brought into a connection with the housing 22 via slide bearings 24 for this purpose. Although not illustrated in FIG. 1, it is conceivable and further disclosed in FIG. 3C that non-rotational teeth 53 are in connection with the linear guiding means, which non-rotational teeth 53 are shiftable together with the drive shaft 18 and via the control actuator 17 in and against the longitudinal direction L. In this context, the non-rotational teeth 53 can be in a form-locking engagement with all outputs 7a to 7g that are brought into an engagement with the input means 31, with the respective outputs 7a to 7g being held non-rotationally in their respective actual position via the teeth 53. The slide bearing 24 can, for instance, be designed as hollow shaft and have external teeth that cannot be rotated together with the drive shaft 18. It is conceivable in this context that, prior to changing the engagement of the input means 31 with one of the outputs 7a to 7g to one of the further outputs 7a to 7g, a flush alignment of the input means 31 with its external teeth 33 (cf. FIG. 3) is established under consideration of the non-rotational teeth 53.

(16) As is also discernible from FIG. 1, the housing 22 is formed by a first housing section 23a and a second housing section 23b, with the transmission arrangement 11 being arranged between the two housing sections 23a and 23b.

(17) The shifting of the carriage 20 and of the control actuator 17 together with its drive shaft 18 is effected via a further actuator 28 in the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 1. The further actuator 28 and the control actuator 17 take the form of servomotors or stepper motors. The further actuator 28 is arranged in a stationary position at the housing 3 or rather at the first housing section 23a.

(18) In order to move the carriage 20, the further actuator 28 is brought into connection with the control actuator 17 via a lift pin 29. The further actuator 28 can move the lift pin 29 in its longitudinal direction and also in the longitudinal direction L of the drive shaft 18. The drive shaft 28 and the lift pin 29 can thus be aligned with each other.

(19) In FIG. 1, the control actuator 17 is mechanically brought into an operative connection with the output 7d via the drive shaft 18 such that the adjustment of the one or more directing components coupled with the output 7d would now be possible upon actuating the control actuator 17 and the resulting rotation of the drive shaft 18 together with the input means 31 mounted torque-proofly on the drive shaft 18. If this is supposed to be followed up, for example, by the adjustment of one or more further directing components 3, 4, 5, 6, which are, for example, coupled with the output 7c, then it would be necessary to first shift the carriage 20 and the control actuator 17 arranged on the carriage 20, together with the drive shaft 18 and the input means 31, by a defined distance in the longitudinal direction L of the drive shaft 18 by means of the actuator 28 and the lift pin 29. Provided that the drive shaft 18 or one or more input means 31 mounted on the drive shaft 18 are in a mechanical and form-locking connection with the output 7c as a result of the shift, an adjustment of the one or more directing components 3, 4, 5, or 6 coupled with the output 7c could be carried out on actuating the control actuator 17.

(20) While not clearly discernible form FIG. 1, the following figures nevertheless show that the outputs 7a to 7g are designed as driven shafts, which are flush aligned with the drive shaft 18.

(21) If the input means 31 or the drive shaft 18 is mechanically brought into an operative connection with one of the outputs 7a to 7g, the respective output 7a to 7g rotates together with the drive shaft 18 at a homogeneous frequency when the control actuator 17 is actuated.

(22) Also discernible is a control unit S, which is in connection with the control actuator 17 and with the further actuator 28, and the functional principle of which will be explained in more detail in the following description for FIG. 4.

(23) FIG. 2 shows a schematic top view of an embodiment of a transport system 10 with the appropriate directing components 3, 4, 5, and 6, for which the orienting by means of the device 1 according to the invention can be effected. Within the transport system 10 of FIG. 2, articles 8 are being transported in the transport direction TR. One or more packaging apparatuses (not illustrated here) and/or one or more filling apparatuses (not illustrated here), for instance, can be present in the range of the transport system 10, which apparatuses apply packaging material to the articles 8 or to the containers 9 or fill them with a liquid medium.

(24) The transport is carried out via a horizontal conveying device H along the entire transport route, with the articles 8 or the containers 9 standing upright on the horizontal conveying device H.

(25) The articles 8 of transport path T1 and the articles 8 of transport path T2 both have an identical article geometry or an identical article diameter. For this reason, the articles 8 or containers 9 in the transport path T3 resulting from the first transport path T1 and from the second transport path T2 are also of the same article geometry.

(26) In the present instance, the relative distances D1, D2, and D3 of the respective directing components 3, 4, 5, and 6 are selected such that the articles 8 or the containers 9 can be transported in the respective transport path T1, T2, and T3 without jamming or toppling.

(27) Under consideration of the first section E1 of the transport system 10, the relative distance of two first directing components 3 and 3′ corresponds to slightly more than the maximum diameter of the articles 8 or containers 9 being transported between the directing components 3 and 3′. As already mentioned above, the articles 8 or containers 9 to be transported between the further first directing components 3″ and 3′″ are identically designed with regard to the maximum article diameter, such that: D1≈D2. Consequently, the relative distance of the directing components 4 and 4′ as well as 4″ and 4′″ and also 5 and 5′ as well as 5″ and 5′″ is designed identical to the relative distance of the directing components 3 and 3′ due to the common forming transport path T1 and T2.

(28) As in each case two articles 8 are transported next to each other in the transport path T3, and as jamming as well as toppling of the articles 9 is still to be prevented, it is possible to moreover determine the following for the distance of the directing components 6 and 6′: D3≈D1+D2.

(29) If further articles 8 or containers 9 are to be transported after the performed transport, which articles 8 or containers 9 have a larger or smaller maximum diameter than the articles illustrated in FIG. 2, it is necessary to adjust the relative distance of the respective two directing components 3, 4, 5, and 6 that pairwisely guide the articles 8 or containers 9 along the respective section E1, E2, E3, and E4, in order to prevent jamming or toppling of the respective articles 8 or containers 9.

(30) Under consideration of the two directing components 3 and 3′ of the first section E1, it can be provided, for example, that only the directing component 3′ is coupled with an output 7a to 7g and that the relative distance of the two directing components 3 and 3′ can be increased or decreased via the above described control actuator 17 (cf. FIG. 1) under actuation of the respective output 7a to 7g.

(31) It can also be provided that both the directing component 3′ and the directing component 3 are respectively coupled with an own output 7a to 7g and that the relative distance of the two directing components 3 and 3′ is adjusted simultaneously or consecutively by mechanically bringing the control actuator 17 into an operative connection with the respective outputs 7a to 7g.

(32) For the purpose of clarification it should furthermore be noted that both the directing component 3 and the directing component 3′ can be coupled with a common output 7a to 7g, with the directing components 3 and 3′ being synchronously adjusted, or the relative distance of the directing components 3 and 3′ being synchronously increased or decreased, under mechanical operative connection of the respective output 7a to 7g with the control actuator 17. In each case, only one control actuator 17 is necessary for adjusting the transport system 10 and its directing components 3, 4, 5, and 6 to different article diameters, which control actuator 17 can perform the positioning of the directing components 3, 4, 5, and 6 under selective operative connection with the respective outputs 7a to 7g in such a manner that the articles 8 or containers 9 can be transported along the sections E1 to E4 without toppling or jamming.

(33) As additionally shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of first directing components 3″ and 3′″ of the first section E1, a plurality of second directing components 4″ and 4′″ of the second section E2, and a plurality of third directing components 5″ and 5′″ of the third section E3 can form a common transport path T2. For this purpose, the relative distance between the two first directing components 3″ and 3′″ is formed identical to the relative distance of the two second directing components 4″ and 4′″ identical to the relative distance of the two third directing components 5″ and 5′″. The identical distances are also retained after adjustment of the transport system 10 and its directing component 3, 4, 5, and 6 to further articles 8 with decreased or increased maximum article diameters.

(34) FIGS. 3A to 3C each show a transmission arrangement 11 or 11′ or 11″ as can be employed for an embodiment of a device 1 (cf. FIG. 1) according to the invention.

(35) As already previously described for the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1, the transmission arrangement 11 or 11′ or 11″ is each composed of a drive shaft 18, one or more input means 31 mounted on the drive shaft 18, and a plurality of outputs 7a to 7g, the outputs 7a to 7c of which are illustrated in the FIGS. 3B and 3C. The illustration of the outputs 7d to 7g was omitted in the FIGS. 3B and 3C for the purpose of clarity. FIG. 3A shows only the output 7a.

(36) The input means 31 each take the form of gear wheels and they each have external teeth 33. It is also discernible from the FIGS. 3A to 3C that the outputs 7a to 7c are designed as driven shafts and each have internal teeth 35 (cf. also FIG. 4) formed to correspond to the external teeth 33 of the input means 31.

(37) The outputs 7a to 7c or the driven shafts, respectively, are aligned with the drive shaft 18 such that the drive shaft 18 can be passed through the outputs 7a to 7c or through the driven shafts, respectively.

(38) As the drive shaft 18 is coupled with the control actuator 17 (cf. FIG. 1), the reception of the input means 31 in the one or more outputs 7a to 7c results in a form lock between the external teeth 33 or 33′ of the respective input means 31 and the corresponding internal teeth 35 of the respective output 7a to 7c. A mechanical operative connection between the control actuator 17 and the one or more respective outputs 7a to 7c is produced with a form lock.

(39) As is discernible from the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 3B, only one input means 31 is mounted on the drive shaft 18, which input means 31 can be consecutively brought into an engagement with respectively one of the outputs 7a to 7c or with respectively internal teeth 33 of the outputs 7a to 7c. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3B, the one or more directing components 3, 4, 5, or 6 coupled with an output 7a to 7c are therefore each adjustable.

(40) In FIG. 3C, an exemplary embodiment for a transmission arrangement 11″ is moreover discernible, for which non-rotational teeth 53 is illustrated, which is designed to be shiftable together with the drive shaft 18 in the longitudinal direction of the drive shaft 18 or in the direction of the arrows V and V′. The non-rotational teeth 53 is, however, not torque-proofly connected with the drive shaft 18, so that no rotation of the non-rotational teeth 53 results from a rotation of the drive shaft 18. The non-rotational teeth 53 can be in connection with the drive shaft 18 via the radial bearing 26 (cf. FIG. 1), for instance. As previously mentioned in describing the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 1, the non-rotational teeth 53 can be in engagement with all outputs 7a to 7g that are not brought into engagement with the external teeth 33 of the one or more input means 31. An unintentional rotation of one or more outputs 7a to 7g and a concurrent unintentional adjustment of directing component 3, 4, 5, and/or 6 can be ruled out in this embodiment.

(41) Not illustrated in FIG. 3C, but additionally conceivable is that the non-rotational teeth 53 are designed as a gear wheel system, which immediately adjoins the one or more input means, in the present instance the input means 31, on both sides. The gear wheel system can thus be brought into engagement with one of the first outputs 7a to 7c and with at least one of the second outputs 7a to 7c when the drive shaft 18 is shifted in the longitudinal direction or in the direction of the arrows V and V′ and a transition from one of the first outputs 7a to 7c to one of the second outputs 7a to 7c occurs. An unintentional rotation of the first of the outputs 7a to 7c and/or of the second of the outputs 7a to 7c during the transition can be ruled out due to the engagement of the non-rotational gear wheel system.

(42) A further advantageous effect resulting from the embodiment according to FIG. 3C is to be found in the fact that the respective outputs 7a to 7c with their internal teeth 35 are flush aligned due to the engagement of the outputs 7a to 7c with the non-rotational teeth 53. The input means 31 can thus be passed through the outputs 7a to 7g by means of a movement of the drive shaft 18 in the longitudinal direction or in the direction of the arrows V and V′ without a previous rotation of the drive shaft 18 for orienting the external teeth 33 having to be carried out.

(43) FIG. 4 shows a cross section through a transmission arrangement 11, 11′, or 11″ according to the FIGS. 3A to 3C as can be employed for an embodiment of a device 1 according to the invention.

(44) Discernible from the cross section in FIG. 4, too, are the drive shaft 18, the input means 31 that is torque-proofly connected with the drive shaft 18 and mounted on the drive shaft 18 with external teeth 33 and the output 7a that is designed as shaft.

(45) In FIG. 4, the input means 31 with its external teeth 33 are brought into a form-locking engagement with the output 7a and its internal teeth 35.

(46) The control unit S from FIG. 1 is symbolically rendered once again. If it is intended to disconnect the form-locking engagement of the input means 31 with the output 7a by shifting the drive shaft 18 along its longitudinal direction V or V′ (cf. FIG. 3C) and to establish a form-locking engagement of the input means 31 with one of the further outputs 7b to 7g, the external teeth 33 of the input means 31 and the internal teeth 35 of the respective output 7b to 7g have to be oriented to each other such that a form-locking engagement of the internal teeth 35 with the external teeth 35 can be established by shifting the drive shaft 18 in its longitudinal direction V or V′.

(47) The control unit S therefore has the task of performing a rotation of the respective output 7a to 7g under an mechanical operative connection of the control actuator 17 with one of the outputs 7a to 7g or under engagement of the input means 31 with one of the outputs 7a to 7g, as the case may be, such that, after the performed rotation, the engagement of the input means 31 with the respective output 7a to 7g is disconnected and the input means 31 can be brought into engagement with one or more of the outputs 7a to 7g by a longitudinal shift of the drive shaft 18. For this purpose, the control unit S is coupled with the control actuator 17 and with the further actuator 18, which carries out the longitudinal shift of the drive shaft 18.

(48) The respective outputs 7a to 7g that are not in engagement with the input means 31 can have a predefined orientation, which is predetermined by their engagement with the non-rotational teeth 53 (cf. FIG. 3C).

(49) FIG. 5 shows a further exemplary embodiment of a transmission arrangement 11 as can be employed for an embodiment of a device 1 according to the invention. Compared to the transmission arrangements 11, 11′, and 11″ shown in the FIG. 3, the transmission 11 designed as planetary transmission 12 in FIG. 5 in some cases offers the advantage of a possible transmission of high torques.

(50) Furthermore and for the purpose of clarity, only one output 7a is illustrated in FIG. 5. It is clear to the addressed expert, however, that in an embodiment of a transmission arrangement 11 as shown in FIG. 5, a plurality of further outputs 7c to 7g can also be present, which can be brought into engagement with the input means 31 or with further input means 31 mounted on the drive shaft 18 and torque-proofly connected with the drive shaft 18 by a longitudinal shift of the drive shaft 18.

(51) The planetary transmission 12 comprises a plurality of further gear wheels 37, 37′, and 37″, via which the input means 31 mounted on the drive shaft 18 is coupled with the output 7a for the purpose of torque transmission.

(52) FIG. 6 shows a plurality of gear wheel mechanisms 16, 16′, 16″, 16′″ as can be provided for connecting one or more outputs 7a to 7g with the respective one or more directing components 3, 4, 5, and/or 6.

(53) The outputs 7a to 7g (cf. FIGS. 1 and 3) can have external teeth, for example, which is brought into engagement with external teeth of a first gear wheel 39, 39′, 39″, or 39′″ of the respective gear wheel mechanism 16, 16′, 16″, or 16′″.

(54) The first gear wheel 39, 39′, 39″, or 39′″ can be coupled to a further gear wheel 41, 41′, 41″, or 41′″, which is torque-proofly connected with a further shaft 14, 14′, 14″, or 14′″.

(55) Flexible cable elements (cf. FIG. 7), for instance, can be coupled to the shaft 14, 14′, 14″, or 14′″, which cable elements are in connection with the respective directing components 3, 4, 5, or 6.

(56) FIG. 7 show a plurality of flexible cable elements as can be provided for coupling one or a plurality of the outputs to one or a plurality of the directing components 3, 4, 5, 6.

(57) A sprocket wheel 43 is thus illustrated in FIG. 7, which sprocket wheel is in connection with one or more directing components 3, 4, 5, or 6 via a chain 45. The sprocket wheel 43 has a recess 47, into which, for instance, the further shaft 14 illustrated in FIG. 6 can engage and be torque-proofly connected with the sprocket wheel 43.

(58) The reference characters 49 and 51 of the FIGS. 7B and 7C refer to a cable drum and to a Bowden cable. Additionally or alternatively to the sprocket wheel 43 shown in FIG. 7A, a cable drum 49 and/or a Bowden cable can also be in connection with a further shaft 14 and the respective directing components 3, 4, 5, or 6 in other embodiments of the present invention.

(59) It is clear for the addressed expert that the flexible cable elements as shown in the FIG. 7 represent only an exemplary possibility of coupling outputs 7a to 7g with directing components 3, 4, 5, or 6. Moreover, further alternative or additional mechanisms can be provided in practice, which are known and thus not explicitly mentioned here.

(60) 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

(61) 1 Device 3 Directing component 4 Directing component 5 Directing component 6 Directing component 7 Output 8 Article 9 Container 10 Transport system 12 Planetary transmission 14 Further shaft 15 Axial bearing 16 Gear wheel mechanism 17 Control actuator 18 Drive shaft 20 Carriage 22 Housing 23 Housing section 24 Slide bearing 26 Radial bearing 28 Further actuator 29 Lift pin 31 Input means 33 External teeth 35 Internal teeth 37 Gear wheel 39 First gear wheel 41 Further gear wheel 43 Sprocket wheel 47 Recess 49 Cable Drum 51 Bowden Cable 53 Non-rotational teeth E Section L Longitudinal direction R Rotational axis S Control device T1 Transport path T2 Transport path T3 Transport path V Shifting direction