Conveying arrangement

The invention relates to a conveying arrangement comprising at least one mover (20) which has at least one permanent magnet (19) connected to the mover (20), said permanent magnet (19) cooperating with at least one coil plane (18) of a drive surface (13) to drive the mover (20) particularly without contact, and further comprising at least one conveying system (30, 38), preferably conveying products (32), characterized in that the conveying system (30, 38), preferably a conveyor belt, is arranged between the drive surface (13) and the mover (20).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention proceeds from a transportation device.

Transportation systems in which the transportation elements (so-called movers) are borne in an almost frictionless manner in the electromagnetic field are known. The adjustable electromagnetic forces are used both for the propulsion of the transportation elements as well as for the electromagnetic linear bearing or levitation across a flat and electrically excited transportation area (also referred to as the X-Y stator). Such a system is described in WO 2013/059934 A1.

A device and a method for transferring products by means of grippers are already known from EP 2441307 B1. The device comprises a linear motor having conveyed quantities that are guided in a displaceable manner on a guide, having a gripper arm for temporarily receiving products, wherein the guide is configured as a linear guided section. The conveyed quantities are displaceable in a reciprocating manner on the guided section in order for the products to be received and deposited, wherein in the case of products that in the conveying direction of the infeed conveyor belt are sequentially infed in one line, the infeed conveyor belt, the outfeed conveyor belt, and the guided section in at least one lateral overlap region are disposed beside one another in a parallel manner. In the case of products which in the conveying throughput of the infeed conveyor belt are infed beside one another in rows, the infeed conveyor belt is disposed so as to be perpendicular to the outfeed conveyor belt, and the outfeed conveyor belt and the guided section are disposed so as to be mutually parallel and so as to be disposed beside one another together with the infeed conveyor belt in at least one lateral overlap region.

A device of the generic type for grouping articles or containers is also known from DE 102011085724 A1.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

By contrast, the device according to the invention, has the advantage that the flexibility is further increased. This is achieved according to the invention in that the transportation system, preferably a transportation belt, is disposed between the propulsion surface and the mover. Specifically on account of this arrangement it becomes possible also for products that are infed in a non-organized manner to be able to be received in the desired manner by the mover and for said products to be grouped in a flexible manner by said mover. Moreover, the transportation system can also be utilized for transporting a mover per se, in particular in such regions which are not provided with a propulsion surface. Propulsion surfaces can thus be reduced under certain circumstances. On account thereof, the device is further reduced in terms of cost. Moreover, the movers could be shunted to a maintainance position or similar, for example.

Moreover, a change of format can be performed by pushing a button, so to speak, such that packaging steps or processing steps, respectively, can be provided in a targeted manner for each product individually. On account of the use of a so-called planar drive, the receiving and depositing paths of the mover that conveys the product can be predefined individually. An individual adaptation to the product streams or containers, respectively, can be performed by movers that are individually controllable. The product has to be handled only once even along different processing steps, such that further interfaces in terms of product handling can be dispensed with. The concept described contributes toward mechanical standardization since the same transportation system can be used for the most varied processing steps. System components that have been used to date can be dispensed with, contributing to a reduction in terms of cost. The transportation system is no longer dependent on individual guides or similar. The speed of the movers can also be individually controlled and thus be adapted to desired movement profiles of the further transportation systems. On account thereof, the speed of transportation can also be optimized. Moreover, a configuration of the propulsion surface that is free of gaps can be achieved, this facilitating cleaning capability.

A particularly compact construction can be achieved thanks to the proposed device. Only a small space is required since minimal handling of the products is required by virtue of the flexible movement paths of the movers. Moreover, various functions such as, for example, distributing, cycling, or grouping without interfaces, and the transfer of products can be implemented. Only good products are packaged. Bad products can be identified and be ejected by the movers. Moreover, the device is distinguished by a modular expandability. Moreover, a rapid format change becomes possible. The cleaning capability is likewise improved. Moreover, the supply of downstream machines can be performed in an optimal manner since it is possible for the desired product groupings to be performed in a particularly flexible manner. Infeed can moreover be performed in a non-contacting manner. The propulsion surface lies below the transportation system such that good accessibility and visibility in terms of the process or the products, respectively, can be maintained.

In one expedient refinement, at least one product detector or sensor, respectively, is provided in the region of the transportation system, preferably outside the propulsion surface. On account thereof, an identification of the position of the products to be moved can be carried out in a particularly simple manner. This is advantageous specifically in the case of products that are infed in a non-organized manner. Moreover, the product detector could also be used for other purposes such as, for example, quality control of the products, and would thus already be available anyway.

In one expedient refinement, it is provided that the mover approaches a specific position depending on the product detector or the sensor, respectively, so as to move the identified or sensed product, respectively. In conjunction with, for example, the speed of the transportation system a controller determines the position that is to be approached by the mover such that the product can thus be moved to the desired position in a reliable manner. The operational reliability and the accuracy of the device are thus enhanced.

In one expedient refinement it is provided that the mover is brought up to a speed which corresponds approximately to a speed of the transportation system. Particularly gentle product handling can thus be achieved in that an almost impact-free transfer or receipt, respectively, of the product can be implemented by the mover.

In one expedient refinement it is provided that the mover moves at least one product relative to the transportation system, preferably so as to provide said product with a change of direction and/or a rotation. The mover (or a plurality of movers, respectively) can thus dispose the products in a desired manner, for example in the form of rows and/or in specific groups, on the same transportation system on which the products have also been infed. Products which have been infed in a non-organized manner can thus be organized in a simple manner. On account thereof, the transfer of products that are now organized to further transportation systems can be carried out accurately in the desired manner while taking into account especially the downstream processing steps.

In one expedient refinement at least one further transportation system is provided so as to be adjacent to the transportation system and/or to the propulsion surface. As has already been stated above, organized infeeding to a further transportation system can thus be achieved in a particularly simple manner since now the mover does not only perform the organization of the products but also implements the transfer from the one transportation system to the next transportation system. The mover can thus assume further tasks.

In one expedient refinement it is provided that the mover moves the product onto the transportation system and/or onto the further transportation system and/or onto a buffer and/or onto a packaging material. Depending on the further processing steps desired, the mover selects in a flexible manner where the products are to be transferred to. In the case of the transfer onto a buffer, products can thus be temporarily stored in a particularly simple manner in order for said products to be returned to the further processing process at a suitable point in time. In the case of a transfer onto the packaging material, a packaging process could follow on a horizontal bag forming and filling machine, for example. The flexibility in terms of the arrangement is further increased.

In one expedient refinement it is provided that the mover upon transferring at least one product to the further transportation system reaches a region of the propulsion surface that is not covered by the transportation system. In one expedient refinement it can moreover be provided that the propulsion surface is configured such that the latter is not completely covered by the transportation system and/or by the further transportation system. This region of the propulsion surface can thus be used for returning the mover in a targeted manner in order for products to be received and/or dispensed again. Movers that are returned in this manner do not impede the transportation of the products on the further transportation system.

In one expedient refinement it is provided that the further transportation system is disposed between the propulsion surface and the mover. The mover can thus also move the products in a targeted manner in the region of the further transportation system, transfer said products to the desired grouping, or similar.

In one expedient refinement it is provided that the mover, in particular in a shunting manner, transfers the product from the one transportation system to the further transportation system. The mover in the case of this variant is configured in a particularly simple manner since said mover does not have to have an activation element which requires the product to be lifted. The activation element per se can also be rigidly connected to the mover, or can already be part of the mover per se, since a respective change of movement can be performed by way of the mover per se.

In one expedient refinement it is provided that the mover comprises at least one activation means which for transporting at least one product comes into contact with the latter. A corresponding activation means can be designed for the respective shape of the product in order for said product to be handled or gripped in a particularly gentle manner.

In one expedient refinement it is provided that at least one mover moves the product to a position which depends on a position of a product that has already been moved by a mover. It is thus possible for the mover to group the products in a desired manner, for example sequentially in rows or columns, respectively, or in similar arrangements.

In one expedient refinement it is provided that the mover in the region of the transportation system moves parallel with or counter to or obliquely to a transportation direction of the transportation system. The region of the transportation system for returning the mover to a position in which a new product is being received again can thus also be utilized.

In one expedient refinement it is provided that the direction of movement of the further transportation system is oriented so as to be parallel with and/or perpendicular to and/or at any arbitrary angle to the direction of movement of the transportation system. Depending on the specific application, the mover can infeed products in a targeted manner to suitably disposed transportation systems. On account thereof, the flexibility of the device is further increased.

In one expedient refinement the transportation system and/or the further transportation system are/is configured such that at least two products can be disposed beside one another in relation to the respective transportation direction. The movers can thus dispose the products in two or more columns, for example, which can be infed to parallel packaging processes.

In one expedient refinement it is provided that the mover moves at least two products. The output of the system is increased on account thereof. At least two movers are particularly preferably provided.

In one expedient refinement it is provided that the mover carries the at least one product in particular on the upper side of said mover. The handling of the products can be further simplified on account thereof, since the mover does not necessarily have to have activation means.

In one expedient refinement it is provided that the mover shunts at least one product onto a plane, without lateral guides being necessary. The measuring system can preferably identify the position of the product as well as the position of the mover in a continuous manner, and the mover can be actuated in such a manner that the product is conveyed in the desired direction.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the case of the exemplary embodiment according toFIG. 1, two movers20having dissimilar basic shapes are illustrated in an exemplary manner, specifically one substantially rectangular mover20, and one round mover20, respectively. An oval design embodiment or else an other design embodiment would also be conceivable. The carrier plate12, or the propulsion surface13, respectively, is composed of a plurality of individual parts, or tiles16, respectively. The tiles16are configured so as to be square or rectangular, respectively. The tiles16have a substantially planar surface and are constructed in layers. The tile16thus comprises a coil plane18, a sensor plane22, and a power electronics plane24. A bus system26which connects the tiles16to a central computer or processor (neither illustrated), respectively, is furthermore provided. Moreover, a voltage supply28having associated connectors, by way of which the power electronics plane24, or the coil plane18and/or the sensor plane22, respectively, can be supplied with power is provided.

The basic platform10defines the basic element. The necessary spatial design possibilities of the system are derived from the latter. The basic platform10is understood to be the system carrier or a machine frame, respectively. Said basic platform10has to have the required rigidity. The basic platform10can already receive control components and power electronics. The carrier plate12, or the propulsion surface13, respectively could optionally already also be a component part of the basic platform10. The basic platform10forms the base or the element for disposing further functional units. The basic platform10is furthermore the base or the element for disposing further transportation systems. The basic platform10is to be compatible with other basic platforms. The movers20which are movable relative to the propulsion surface13are disposed on the surface of the basic platform10, so as to be on the propulsion surface13. To this end, the propulsion surface13, or the carrier plate12, respectively, generates a propulsion force which acts on the mover20and sets the latter in the desired motion. The stationary propulsion surface13is preferably embodied so as to be planar. The mover20is actuated such that said mover20is displaceable and/or rotatable in at least two degrees of freedom. In particular, various stations can thus be approached in a flexible manner as will be described hereunder when the propulsion surface13interconnects said stations in a suitable manner.

The mover20defines the movable element of the device. The mover20serves for generating a relative movement in relation to the carrier plate12, or to the propulsion surface13, respectively, on the one hand. There is furthermore an interaction between the movers20or between the components of the movers. Furthermore, the mover20exerts a force on the carrier plate12, or on the propulsion surface13, respectively. To this end, the mover20for generating a magnetic field comprises at least one means, in particular at least one magnet, preferably a permanent magnet19, which interacts with coils18of the carrier plate12, or of the propulsion surface13, respectively, that generate a travelling field for generating movement. An air gap between the carrier plate12, or the propulsion surface13, respectively, and the mover20is formed herein such that a non-contacting movement of the mover20can be performed in relation to the propulsion surface13. The mover20can furthermore have means for identifying a position.

The mover20is illustrated in a perspective manner in a view ofFIG. 1. A lower side17of the mover20interacts with the carrier plate12, or the propulsion surface13, respectively. A plurality of permanent magnets19are disposed on the lower side17of the mover20. The magnetic fields of permanent magnets19that are disposed so as to be adjacent are dissimilar. The lower side17is composed of substantially four fields, each having a plurality of permanent magnets19. The central region of the lower side17does not have any permanent magnets19. Further alternative design embodiments which are incorporated in the disclosure of the present application are specified in WO 2013/059934 A1. The mover20is surrounded by a collision protection23, this being advantageous in the case of a multiplicity of moving movers20.

The carrier plate12, or the propulsion surface13, respectively, represents a multi-layered component according to illustration1. Said carrier plate12, or said propulsion surface13, respectively, has the following basic functions. On the one hand, said carrier plate12, or said propulsion surface13, respectively, comprises means for generating a relative movement in relation to the mover20. Moreover, a force which acts on the mover20is generated. Said carrier plate12, or said propulsion surface13, respectively, moreover comprises means for generating spacings (air gap) between the carrier plate12and the mover20. Moreover, the carrier plate12comprises means for identifying positions and means for transmitting items of information.

In the case of the exemplary embodiment according toFIG. 2, a transportation system30conveys products32to the acquisition range of the propulsion surface13. The transportation system30is disposed between the upper side of the propulsion surface13and the lower side of the movers20. A spacing36which is sufficiently large for receiving the transportation system30, or parts thereof, respectively, is formed between the lower side of the movers20and the upper side of the propulsion surface13. The transportation system30can be a transportation belt, for example. The mover20moreover has at least one activation means34. The activation means34is designed such that said activation means34can receive or contact, respectively, the products32that are infed from the transportation system30and can transfer or shunt, respectively, said products32to another location, as will be explained hereunder.

A first exemplary embodiment of a transportation device is illustrated in the plan view inFIG. 3. A multiplicity of products32are infed by way of the transportation system30. To this end, a plurality of products32can be disposed in a non-organized manner and/or beside one another (so as to be perpendicular to the transportation direction42of the transportation system30). At least the external part of the transportation system30is provided with a product detector40, or a sensor, respectively. To this end, the product detector40is installed so as to be stationary in relation to the transportation system30at a location which enables an unimpeded inspection of the products32. The product detector40aquires the position and/or the point in time at which the respective product32reaches the aquisition range of the product detector40. The product detector40is preferably disposed outside the propulsion surface13but could also be positioned within the propulsion surface13. However, it is essential that the position of the products32that are infed from the transportation system30is reliably identified such that respective movers20receive a respective product32when the latter reaches the detection range of the mover20having the associated propulsion surface13. The product detector40can also be used for checking the products32in terms of their proper state, so as to implement quality control. The improper products32could thus be ejected at a specified location by corresponding movers20.

In a first set of tasks, some of the infed products32are to be transferred from the transportation system30to a further transportation system38. To this end, the further transportation system38is disposed so as to be parallel with the transportation system30and to be directly adjacent to the latter. The transportation directions42,44of the transportation systems30,38are thus identical. The further transportation system38also at least partially covers the propulsion surface13and lies between the upper side of the propulsion surface13and the lower side of the movers20. In a first step, those products32that already lie on that periphery of the transportation system30that is adjacent to the further transportation system38are transferred by the movers20to the further transportation system38. Once the respective position of the outer product32has been transmitted by the product detector40to a controller (not illustrated), the latter computes therefrom a nominal position for the next mover20which receives the product32at said nominal position in that the associated activation means34of the mover20comes into contact with said product32. To this end, the appropriate mover20is accelerated to substantially the speed of the product32to be shunted. The mover20in terms of speed steadily approximates the speed of the product32. Said mover20then receives the product32in an almost impact-free manner. The mover20herein moves the activation means34such that the latter can receive the product32, or come into contact with the latter, respectively. The direction and/or the speed of the mover20are/is subsequently changed such that the product32to be shunted is transferred from the transportation system30to the further transportation system38. The mover20is synchronized with the speed of the further transportation system38. This further transportation system38could be operated at almost the same speed as the transportation system30; however, this is not required by virtue of the synchronization potential of the mover20.

Once the product32is located at the desired location in the further transportation system38, for example at the desired spacing from the preceding product32and/or in the desired row, the mover20decelerates in the manner such that the product32is released from the activation means34of the mover20. The mover20subsequently moves out of the acquisition range of the further transportation system38. The mover20, on that part of the propulsion surface13that is not covered by one of the transportation systems30,38, returns counter to the transportation directions42,44to the proximity of the starting region of the further transportation system38. The next product32to be shunted is approached there in the manner as has already been described. This procedure is repeated for each individual mover20for a multiplicity of products32to be shunted, as can be seen in the furtherFIGS. 4 and 5. It can be derived from these figures that rows of products32that are increasingly inward are transferred. However, this is possible only for as long as the propulsion surface13is still covered by the transportation system30.

The exemplary embodiment according toFIG. 6differs from that of the precedingFIGS. 3 to 5in that the further transportation system38is now disposed so as to be transverse to the transportation direction42of the transportation system30. Said further transportation system38is located so as to be parallel with the end side of the propulsion surface13. However, said further transportation system38does not cover the propulsion surface13. Rather, it is ensured by way of the corresponding shaping of the activation means34that the mover20can shunt the products32to the further transportation system38. The products32herein are initially shunted from the transportation system30directly onto the propulsion surface13. The mover20moves the respective product32in the direction of the end side of the propulsion surface13. There, the product32is preferably brought up to the same speed as that of the further transportation system38. Accordingly the speed of the product32and the speed of the further transportation system38approximately, the mover20shunts the product32onto the further transportation system38. The surface of the propulsion surface13and that of the transportation system38herein are particularly preferably at substantially the same height. The movers20, counter to the transportation direction42of the transportation system30, are subsequently returned back to a location which is adjacent to the periphery of the transportation system30. Alternatively, depending on the specific application, the propulsion surface can also only partially cover the further transportation system38.

The exemplary embodiment according toFIG. 7differs from that ofFIGS. 3 to 5only in that the products32on the further transportation system38are now disposed in two rows so as to be parallel with the transportation direction44, for example. The flexibility of the grouping or disposing of the products32, respectively, is thus further increased. Alternatively, two or a plurality of belts or transportation systems38, respectively, could also be provided, preferably one belt per product column.

The exemplary embodiment according toFIG. 8differs from that ofFIG. 6in that the activation means34is now configured such that one mover20can receive a plurality of products32simultaneously. Two products32which are received by a single mover20are now illustrated in an exemplary manner. To this end, the activation means is configured in a L-shaped manner, for example. However, there is no change in terms of the procedure in principle.

The exemplary embodiment according toFIG. 9differs from that ofFIGS. 3 to 5in that a buffer46is provided. Said buffer46can be a further transportation system which is a gain disposed between the propulsion surface13and the mover20. The buffer46in the exemplary embodiment is disposed so as to be parallel with the transportation system30, wherein the further transportation system38is disposed between the buffer46and the transportation system30. Said further transportation system38herein receives products32in a plurality of rows that are parallel with the transportation direction42. The movers20move the products32that are infed from the transportation system30by way of the further transportation system38onto the buffer46. Depending on the target position, the products32reach the desired rows of the buffer46. The buffered products32can optionally be transferred onto the further transportation system38at a later point in time.

The transportation systems30,38are preferably configured as transportation belts such as, for example, infeed belts or outfeed belts. On account of the transportation system30,38being disposed between the mover20and the transportation surface13, it becomes possible for the activation means34of the mover20, or else the mover20per se, to shunt products32from the transportation system30. Since there is a spacing36between the mover20and the propulsion surface13, the transportation system, or the belt of the transportation system,30,38, respectively, on which the products32are transported can run in this spacing36. A product detector40which is based on image monitoring, for example, acquires the location of the products32. The movers20are controlled in such a manner that the products32can be removed from the transportation system30in a targeted manner and be fed to further machines and/or transportation systems38. The arrangement is distinguished by particular flexibility. The transportation systems30,38can thus be selected and disposed so as to have dissimilar angles, so as to be parallel with the transportation direction42, or so as to have opposite transportation directions, or else so as to have dissimilar belt geometries. Movers20in conjunction with the propulsion surface13that is required for movement are employed only where the functions of the former are required. Comparatively long transportation paths can continue to be implemented using more cost-effective transportation systems30,38such as belts, chains, etc.

As has already been shown inFIG. 9, a product buffer function can also be implemented by way of the system. For example, if a downstream machine is stopped, the products32can be buffered on the buffer46, or the storage belt, respectively. Moreover, only individual products32can also be infed to the buffer46, or be removed from the buffer46in a targeted manner, respectively.

Specifically in the case of the products32being infed in a non-organized manner, the product detector40ensures that the position of a product32to be transferred can be accurately acquired and can be approached by the mover20in a targeted manner in order for said product32to be shunted. The speed of the transportation system30is also taken into account herein. The products32can thus be placed onto the transportation system30in a non-sorted and non-organized manner, since a targeted transfer is subsequently possible by way of the movers20. Moreover, arbitrary dissimilar possibilities of transferring products32, for example in groups, to dissimilar further transportation systems38or to further machines or other functions such as the buffer46can be implemented. The transportation system30,38could moreover also be utilized for transporting the mover20per se. Movers20being transported in this way could thus cover even further distances between a plurality of propulsion surfaces13, or be moved in a targeted manner to a specific location for the purpose of maintenance. The movers20conjointly with received products32could also be moved and be taken to a further processing station where the transferred mover20moves the received product32onward across a propulsion surface13that is located there.

In the case of the exemplary embodiment according toFIG. 10, the movers20carry the respective products32. The products32are again infed by way of the transportation system30. The movers20wait below that portion of the transportation system30that infeeds the products32, in order for the respective products32to be received. In the case of the exemplary embodiment according toFIG. 10, the transportation system30after the transfer point is deflected downward in a manner such that the movers20are also located above the same transportation system30which also infeeds the products32. Dispensing the product32onto the waiting mover20is performed at the deflection point. To this end, the upper side of the mover20can be configured in a suitable manner. Alternatively, activation means34which carry the products32in a suitable manner could also be provided. The same belt of the transportation system30is deflected such that the latter infeeds the products32, on the one hand, and is again disposed between the mover20and the propulsion surface13, on the other hand.

Alternatively to the illustration as inFIG. 11, it could be provided that the movers20are disposed above a further further transportation system30which is independent of the transportation system30′ which infeeds the products32. The transportation system30could moreover have a certain width such that a plurality of products32are infed so as to lie beside one another. Each mover20is synchronized and positioned below the transportation system30′, in a manner corresponding to the incoming product32, and receives the infed product32in a suitable manner. Depending on the specific application, the product32thus received can subsequently be infed to the further transportation system38.

The exemplary embodiment according toFIG. 12differs from that ofFIG. 11in that the transportation system30is disposed so as to be oblique. The movers20moreover have receptacle means such that the products32that are infed by way of the transportation system30′ cannot slip away, despite the oblique orientation of the movers20so as to be parallel with the transportation plane of the transportation system30. Moreover, a plurality of products32can also be put on a single mover20and be transported by the latter.

The exemplary embodiment according toFIG. 13differs from that ofFIG. 11in that a plurality of products32can be received by a single mover20. The products32to be received are stacked on top of one another, for example. The transportation system30is again disposed between the mover20and the propulsion surface13. Moreover, still further products32can be stacked or loaded, respectively, and be transported onward. The mover20, for example, can thus wait until the second or next product32, respectively, has also been received. Alternatively, the mover20could on each occasion also approach a new loading position and thus stack products32on top of one another.

The exemplary embodiment according toFIG. 14differs from that ofFIG. 11in that a plurality of products32can now be received in an oblique manner on a single mover20. To this end, the mover20has a support element that is preferably disposed in an oblique manner and receives the first infed product32. The further products32are infed subsequently in that the mover20successively approaches the next stowing position for the next product32.

Alternatively, the products32can also be transferred into a packaging material such as, for example, a film/foil which is provided in a suitable manner by the further transportation system38. The mover20thus transfers the products32into the packaging material, for example. The packaging material, thus also the products32transferred thereto, can be infed to further processing steps. This herein could be a bag forming and filling machine, for example, which in a manner known per se forms the packaging material to a tubular bag and thus packs the product32therein.

Alternatively, the movers20can be used merely such that the products32that are infed on the transportation system30are merely displaced or rearranged, respectively, on said transportation system30by the movers20. The movers20, specifically in the case of products32that are infed in a non-organized manner, serve for establishing organized groups and/or organized rows and/or organized product spacings on the transportation system30.

Arbitrary handling functions such as, for example, stacking or grouping, etc., can be carried out between the products32being removed or transferred from the transportation system30, respectively, and being dispensed to the further transportation system38and/or the buffer46.

When a plurality of products32are transported by a single mover20, the output increases at the same dynamics of the mover20. Moreover, flexibility is increased when the mover20is capable of transporting only one product32or entire groups of products32, depending on requirements. Accordingly, a mix of individual products and of groups becomes possible. Different groupings are also possible per se.

The device is a component part of a flexible transportation system for various applications in the field of transportation, in particular in packaging technology in the pharmaceutical or foodstuff sectors, for example. However, the use is not limited thereto.