Packaging system for filling a collecting container with articles

Abstract

The invention relates to a packaging system and a method for filling a collecting container ( 12 ) with articles ( 7 ), whereby a guide device ( 9 ) changes a first spatial distribution of the articles into a second spatial distribution from the discharge position ( 8 ) into the collecting container ( 12 ).

1 . A packaging system for filling a collecting container with articles, the packaging system comprising:
 a gripper system including at least two gripper arms for simultaneously gripping a plurality of articles and for transporting the gripped articles from a working station to a discharge position, the gripper system defining a first spatial distribution of the articles during transportation of the articles; and   a guide device provided between the discharge position and the collecting container for guiding the articles from the discharge position to the collecting container, the guide device guiding the articles in such a manner that the articles pass into the collecting container in a second spatial distribution differing from the first spatial distribution.   
     
     
         2 . The packaging system according to  claim 1  wherein the guide device is static. 
     
     
         3 . The packaging system according to  claim 1  wherein the guide device comprises guide plates. 
     
     
         4 . The packaging system according to  claim 1  wherein the guide device is dynamic. 
     
     
         5 . The packaging system according to  claim 3  further comprising an actuating element for shifting the guide plates. 
     
     
         6 . The packaging system according to  claim 1  further comprising a receiving device for the collecting container. 
     
     
         7 . The packaging system according to  claim 1  further comprising at least one slide for receiving articles. 
     
     
         8 . The packaging system according to  claim 1  wherein the guide device comprises guide plates for guidance and/or support of a bottom side of each of the articles. 
     
     
         9 . A method for filling a collecting container with articles, the method comprising:
 transporting articles from a working station to a discharge position by means of a gripper system, the gripper system including at least two gripper arms that define a first spatial distribution of the articles during transportation;   releasing the articles at the discharge position by opening the gripper arms; and   passing the articles from the discharge position into a collecting container by means of a guide device, such that the articles in the collecting container assume a second spatial distribution, wherein the second spatial distribution in the collecting container differs from the first spatial distribution.   
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 9  wherein the articles pass by way of gravitationally-induced sliding on or in the guide device into the collecting container. 
     
     
         11 . The packaging system according to  claim 1  wherein the guide device comprises two guide plates that are spaced apart at a first distance proximate the discharge position and that are spaced apart at a second distance proximate the collecting container, and wherein the second distance is smaller than the first distance. 
     
     
         12 . The packaging system according to  claim 1  wherein the guide device comprises multiple guide plates that converge toward each other between the discharge position and the collecting container. 
     
     
         13 . The packaging system according to  claim 1  wherein the articles travel in a first direction toward the working station, and the guide device comprises multiple guide plates that each extend at an angle relative to the first direction between the discharge position and the collecting container, and multiple stop plates that are each positioned proximate an end of a respective guide plate. 
     
     
         14 . The packaging system according to  claim 13  wherein each guide plate is configured to contact a bottom surface of a respective article, and the stop plates are configured to stop lateral movement of the articles after passing from the guide plates. 
     
     
         15 . The packaging system according to  claim 7  wherein the at least one slide extends beneath the discharge position and is configured to receive one or more of the articles prior to the one or more articles being passed into the collecting container.