Patent ID: 6209710
Filing Date: 2001-04-03
Classification: B65G

Abstract:
A method for conveying containers (1) in a hanging position, the containers (1) having a bottom and, substantially opposite to the bottom, an opening area with an open or closed opening, wherein the containers (1) are taken over by holding means (5) in a takeover area (U.1) to which takeover area the containers (1) are fed with the aid of a conveying force acting on a bottom area of the containers (1) in a container stream having a predetermined container feeding speed (v) and a predetermined distance (d) between the containers, wherein the containers are conveyed along a conveying path (FS) in a hanging position while being held by the holding means (5) in their opening area and wherein the containers (1) are separated from the holding means (5) in a delivery area (U.2), wherein, in the takeover area (U.1), the holding means (5) are introduced into the container stream along a descending curved path (7'), wherein at the end of the takeover area (U.1) the descending curved path (7') joins a container feeding path (8) tangentially, wherein on being introduced into the container stream, the holding means at the beginning have a speed (v') different from the container feeding speed (v) and are then decelerated or accelerated to reach the container feeding speed (v) and wherein feeding of the containers (1) and of the holding means (5) into the takeover area (U.1) is such that on reaching the container feeding speed, each holding means encircles a container (1) from upstream or from downstream, wherein the holding means (5) are conveyed into the takeover area (U.1) from above and along a path (7') curved towards the container stream and the position of the holding means (5) in the takeover area relative to the curved path (7') stays substantially unchanged; and,wherein, in the delivery area (U.2), the containers are delivered to a removing means (11) acting on the bottom area of the containers (1) and the holding means (5) are conveyed away along an upward curved path and manipulated in a manner depending upon a speed of the removing means relative to a speed of the containers, such that the operation of the holding means to deliver the container to the removing means is selected from the group consisting of:when the speed of the removing means is equal to the speed of the containers, turning the holding means about a vertical axis prior to reaching the delivery area;when the speed of the removing means is greater than the speed of the containers, the holding means are conveyed away upward when the containers have left the encircling of the holding means; and,when the speed of the removing means is less than the speed of the containers, the holding means is conveyed away by pivoting in a direction opposite to the conveying direction.