US 12,234,101 B2
Transport device and method for distributing a plurality of similarly shaped and dimensioned articles
Thomas Hensel, Aying (DE); Martin Bauer, Nussdorf am Inn (DE); Herbert Spindler, Niedermoosen (DE); Juergen Werner, Bruckmuehl (DE); and Marcus Seidl, Kienberg (DE)
Assigned to Krones Aktiengesellschaft, Neutraubling (DE)
Appl. No. 18/010,345
Filed by Krones Aktiengesellschaft, Neutraubling (DE)
PCT Filed Jun. 9, 2021, PCT No. PCT/EP2021/065420
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Dec. 14, 2022,
PCT Pub. No. WO2022/022879, PCT Pub. Date Feb. 3, 2022.
Claims priority of application No. 10 2020 120 336.5 (DE), filed on Jul. 31, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2023/0339695 A1, Oct. 26, 2023
Int. Cl. B65G 43/08 (2006.01); B65G 47/14 (2006.01); B65G 47/71 (2006.01); B65G 47/76 (2006.01); B65G 47/82 (2006.01)
CPC B65G 43/08 (2013.01) [B65G 47/1492 (2013.01); B65G 47/71 (2013.01); B65G 47/766 (2013.01); B65G 47/82 (2013.01); B65G 2203/0241 (2013.01); B65G 2203/042 (2013.01)] 14 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A transport device (1) comprising:
an infeed (2) for conveying a plurality of similarly shaped and dimensioned articles (10) in a mass flow,
a distribution section (3) located downstream of the infeed (2),
a row transport (4), wherein the distribution section (3) leads into the row transport (4), where the plurality of articles (10) are conveyed onwards in at least two parallel rows (5), which rows (5) are separated from one another by one or more lane plates (26) in the row transport (4);
at least one sensor device (6, 8, 11) assigned to the infeed (2), to the distribution section (3), or to the rows (5) for detecting and monitoring the mass flow within the infeed (2), within the distribution section (3), or within the rows (5), which at least one sensor device (6, 8, 11) is coupled in terms of signals to a motor-driven actuator (14) assigned to the distribution section (3),
wherein, in the event of detected gaps, or interruptions, or in the event of a detected termination of the mass flow within the infeed (2), within the distribution section (3), or within the rows (5), the actuator (14) moves a movable steering device (16) adjoining the mass flow at least on one side.