Packaging arrangement with transport device

Abstract

The invention is related to a packaging arrangement, comprising a transport device for transporting products in a first position oriented in a production direction, and for selectively rotating the products into a different position relative to the production direction.

1 - 13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . A packaging arrangement comprising a transport device for transporting products, the transport device being arranged upstream in relation to a production direction before a closing station of a packaging machine and adapted for transporting the products in a first orientation relative to the production direction, and for selectively rotating the products into a second orientation relative to the production direction. 
     
     
         15 . The packaging arrangement according to  claim 14 , wherein the transport device is adapted for rotating the products into a second orientation of 45°, 90° or 180° relative to the production direction. 
     
     
         16 . The packaging arrangement according to  claim 14 , wherein the transport device is adapted for transporting the products along a generally horizontal axis and rotating the products around a generally vertical axis. 
     
     
         17 . The packaging arrangement according  claim 14 , wherein the transport device comprises at least two transport belts. 
     
     
         18 . The packaging arrangement according to  claim 14 , wherein the transport device comprises four transport belts. 
     
     
         19 . The packaging arrangement according to  claim 18 , wherein the transport device comprises two transport belts each arranged orthogonally to two further transport belts in a common transport plane. 
     
     
         20 . The packaging arrangement according to  claim 19 , wherein the transport device comprises two transport belts, which have a common orientation, and additionally two transport belts arranged to either side of the first transport belts. 
     
     
         21 . The packaging arrangement according to  claim 17 , wherein at least one of the transport belts of the transport device is reversible in its transport direction. 
     
     
         22 . The packaging arrangement according  claim 17 , wherein the transport belts are drivable by means of servo-motors. 
     
     
         23 . The packaging arrangement according to  claim 17 , wherein all transport belts are arranged within or at the circumference of a circle. 
     
     
         24 . The packaging arrangement according  claim 17 , wherein the transport belts are rotatable together by 45°, 90° and/or 180°. 
     
     
         25 . The packaging arrangement according to  claim 14 , wherein the transport device comprises a rotary disk, a rotary cross or a rotary polygon. 
     
     
         26 . A method for operating a packaging arrangement that includes a transport device for transporting products, the transport device being arranged upstream in a relation to a product direction before a closing station of a packaging machine, the method including the steps of rotating the transport device between at least four positions in order to transport products selectively without or with a change in their orientation relative to a production direction along the transport device. 
     
     
         27 . The method according to  claim 26  wherein the transport device includes a supply belt, at least two transport belts, and an intermediate belt, wherein the supply belt is located upstream from the at least two transport belts, and the intermediate belt is located downstream from the at least two transport belts, and wherein the method further includes the steps of accepting products from the supply belt onto one of the at least two transport belts while simultaneously delivering products from another of the at least two transport belts to the intermediate belt. 
     
     
         28 . The method according to  claim 27  further including the step of rotating the product by 90° from its orientation on the supply belt when the product is received by one of the at least two transport belts from the supply belt.