EP1400452B1 - Method and apparatus for packaging plate-like workpieces - Google Patents

Description

Technical area

The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for packaging plate-shaped workpieces, which are combined into workpiece stacks and introduced into a package.

State of the art

Various methods for packaging plate-shaped workpieces or workpiece stacks formed therefrom are known in the prior art. In a first method, a packaging board is provided at the end of a conveying path on which the plate-shaped workpieces are conveyed, in which the workpieces are conveyed directly and individually one above the other. The workpieces fall depending on the degree of filling of the packaging by different drop heights in the carton, which can lead to insufficient alignment of the workpieces and possibly damage to the workpieces or the carton. In addition, this procedure is relatively time consuming and clock-dependent. As soon as a carton with the desired number of workpieces is filled, it must be transported out of the filling position and it must be transported an empty carton in the filling position. During this period, no workpieces may be conveyed from the conveyor line to the filling position. This means that the distance between the workpieces on the conveyor line is relatively large must be such that the packaging capacity of the device (expressed, for example, as packaged workpieces per minute) is limited.

In another known method, the workpieces are combined into stacks and slid on an inclined conveyor line inserted into a prepared box. There is the risk that during insertion of the cardboard, in particular its side wall, is damaged by the impact of the workpiece stack. The same applies to the workpieces themselves. In addition, no satisfactory alignment of the workpieces is achieved.

As an alternative to obliquely conveying in the workpiece stack, it is also known to introduce the stack of workpieces into a provided carton via a funnel or to put the carton over a stack provided, in which case a tilting of the carton and the workpiece stack often occurs, in particular in the latter method. Overall, it can be stated in all known processes that they have an unsatisfactory packaging capacity or
Have packing speed.

Further, US-A-3 479 795 discloses a device according to the preamble of claim 6.

Presentation of the invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide a method and an apparatus for packaging plate-shaped workpieces, which allow an increased packaging capacity or increased packaging speed.

This object is achieved by the method for packaging plate-shaped workpieces according to claim 1 and the apparatus for packaging plate-shaped workpieces according to claim 6.

The present invention is based on the idea that the collecting and aligning of the plate-shaped workpieces on the one hand and the insertion of the workpieces in a package on the other hand done spatially and temporally decoupled.

Accordingly, the advantages achieved by the method according to the invention and the device according to the invention are, for example, that an extremely high packaging capacity or packaging speed is made possible. By decoupling the collecting and aligning of the workpieces on the one hand and the insertion of the workpieces in a package on the other hand it is ensured that the packaging process itself as well as the infeeding and outfeeding of the packaging, the collection and alignment of the workpieces not in time or clockwise or in 'other ways restrict. This ensures that continuously a very high number of workpieces can be conveyed by means of a conveyor line. This not only allows a higher than in the prior art increased packaging capacity or packaging speed, but also a trouble-free flow of the packaging process, which also contributes to a consistently high effective packaging capacity or packaging speed.

According to a development of the method according to the invention, the picking up and simultaneous alignment of the at least one workpiece stack take place simultaneously with the alignment of the provided packaging with respect to the workpiece stack. As a result, a parallelization of said method steps is achieved, which allows a considerable time savings and thus a further increase in the packaging capacity or packaging speed.

As will become apparent from the following description of the device according to the invention, it is according to a Development of the method according to the invention preferably that the at least one stack of workpieces is placed for insertion into the package on a movable in the direction of insertion device, which preferably passes through openings in the packaging. This loading or lifting device allows, in particular when it passes through the openings in the packaging, a smooth insertion of the at least one stack of workpieces in the packaging, which increases the reliability and freedom from interference of the packaging process and at the same time contributes to a further increase in packaging capacity. This idea is further developed in the method according to the invention in that the package is spread apart when inserting the at least one stack of workpieces, which disturbances of the process flow, which could occur, for example, by tilting the workpiece stack when inserted into the package, largely avoided.

In order to avoid mutual tilting of the same when inserting a plurality of workpiece stacks, it is preferred according to a further development of the method according to the invention that before inserting the workpiece stacks into the packaging, a separating element is inserted between adjacent workpiece stacks. In this way, for the first time, a reliable and rapid insertion of a plurality of workpiece stacks into a package is provided. The insertion of a plurality of workpiece stacks can be advantageous in numerous situations, for example in order to be able to continue to use a specific packaging with changing workpiece dimensions. Also, it is useful, for example, in elongated workpieces, such as boards and the like, to bring these together side by side in a package to reduce the number of packaging units and to give the packaging a squat, easier to handle form. The insertion of a separating strip between the adjacent workpiece stacks ultimately prevents damage during insertion of the workpieces and during transport of the filled packaging units.

With regard to the configuration of the device according to the invention, it is provided that the alignment station has a first gripping device, which can be moved between the collecting position and the packaging position. It is further provided that by means of the first gripping device, the at least one stack of workpieces from the collecting station is receivable, while at the same time is alignable. Accordingly, the gripping device according to the invention fulfills a number of tasks with a single constructive element, namely picking up the at least one stack of workpieces from the collecting station, aligning the at least one stack of workpieces and finally moving the at least one stack of workpieces into the packaging position. In this way, the device according to the invention obtains a simple construction, which nevertheless can perform a large number of functions.

In particular, in order to perform the recording and simultaneous alignment of the at least one workpiece stack simultaneously with the alignment of the provided packaging with respect to the at least one workpiece stack, it is provided in the device according to the invention that the alignment station additionally comprises a second gripping device, by means of which the introduced packaging movable and in particular with respect to the at least one stack of workpieces can be aligned.

In order to suitably fulfill the said functions of the first and second gripping devices, they are preferably formed in each case by opposing, U-shaped devices, in particular by a pair of pliers. The pair of pliers may be formed in a variety of ways, provided a gripping and aligning the at least one stack of workpieces or the packaging is possible. However, a configuration has proved to be particularly advantageous which is designed in such a way that the pair of pliers themselves has a substantially unchangeable shape, and the gripping and alignment takes place in that the pliers are moved towards the end of the at least one workpiece stack or the packaging. For this purpose, it is expedient that the surfaces of the pair of pliers, which come to rest with the at least one stack of workpieces, taper slightly in the direction of contact in order to ensure secure gripping and alignment.

With regard to the bringing about and maintaining of an aligned state between the at least one workpiece stack and the packaging, it is preferred according to an embodiment of the device according to the invention that the first and second gripping devices, in particular the first and second pair of pliers, are in fixed positional relationship to one another, and in particular can be moved together. This ensures that with the approach of the gripping devices to the at least one workpiece stack or the packaging a defined, aligned state is brought about, which remains unchanged until the gripping devices release the at least one workpiece stack or the packaging again.

A decisive factor for trouble-free and time-saving packaging of the workpieces is the introduction of the at least one workpiece stack into the packaging itself. In order to avoid possible tilting of the at least one workpiece stack on the packaging, it is preferred according to a further development of the device according to the invention that the first gripping device comprises means for introducing the at least one stack of workpieces in the packaging. It has proved to be particularly advantageous that the device for insertion through pivotable expansion straps is formed, which are preferably provided on the first pair of pliers. As soon as the at least one stack of workpieces to be packaged and the packaging for the insertion are ready to be swung out, these expansion tabs can be swung out to abut against and spread open the edge portions of the packaging, thereby avoiding jamming of the at least one stack of workpieces on the packaging.

A rapid, cyclic packaging process also requires that the stacks of workpieces brought into a package be quickly conveyed out of the packaging position in order not to hinder the further course of the process. For this purpose, the alignment station, according to a development of the device according to the invention, a third gripping device, in particular a third pair of pliers, which is movable between the collection position and an output position. This third gripping device makes it possible for a packaging filled with at least one workpiece stack to be picked up immediately after the packaging process and moved into the dispensing position, where it does not disturb the subsequent packaging process. In order to simplify the control of the third gripping device or to completely dispense with such, and at the same time automatically achieve a vote of the working cycle of the third gripping device on the first and second gripping device, it is inventively preferred that the third gripping device with the first and / or second gripping device is coupled.

According to the invention, the packaging process itself can be further simplified and accelerated by the packaging station having a lifting device by means of which the at least one stack of workpieces can be moved in the packaging position and, in particular, inserted into the packaging. As a result, at least the first and optionally also the second gripping device of relieves additional process tasks, and the linear process of the at least one stack of workpieces into the packaging can be efficiently performed by a separate lifting device, which contributes to a further acceleration and improvement of the reliability of the process. It is particularly preferred that the lifting device is formed by plunger or telescopic bolt, which are linearly extendable.

In order to improve the handling of a plurality of workpiece stacks, it is provided according to a development of the device according to the invention that the first gripping device has at least one further pair of pliers, which is preferably coupled to the first pair of pliers. In this way, the individual workpiece stacks can each be picked up, aligned and moved by means of a corresponding pair of pliers. It is particularly preferred that the at least one further pair of pliers to the first pair of pliers to and from this wegfahrbar. In this way, the distance between the individual workpiece stacks can be varied, for example, to bring them into the desired arrangement for the packaging and possibly clamp separating elements between the workpiece stacks.

In order to enable a rapid and trouble-free introduction of separating elements between the individual workpiece stacks, it is preferred according to a development of the device according to the invention that the device further comprises a separating element means for introducing at least one separating element, in particular a strip of cardboard or the like, between adjacent workpiece stacks. Taking into account the extremely fast work cycle, which is made possible by the device according to the invention, only a very short time interval remains for the introduction of the separating element. By means of the separating element device according to the invention, it is ensured that the efficiency and operational safety of the device are met temporal bottlenecks when inserting the separating elements is not affected.

Against this background, it is preferred according to the invention that the separating element device has a device for cutting the separating elements and / or expanding cheeks for holding or releasing a separating element. This allows a fully automatic and rapid operation of the device.

Brief description of the drawings

Fig. 1

schematically shows the rough process of a preferred embodiment of the method for packaging plate-shaped workpieces;

Fig. 2 to Fig. 8

show schematically each a side view of a first preferred embodiment of the inventive apparatus for packaging plate-shaped workpieces, the figures each illustrate different steps of the inventive method for packaging plate-shaped workpieces;

Fig. 9

shows schematically a front view and a side view of a workpiece stack which is received in an embodiment of a gripping device according to the invention;

Fig. 10

shows schematically a front view and a side view of a workpiece stack, which is stored from a gripping device according to the present invention in a package;

11 to FIG. 18

each show schematically a side view of a second preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention for packaging plate-shaped workpieces, the figures each illustrating different steps of the method according to the invention for packaging plate-shaped workpieces.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The basic sequence of an embodiment of the method according to the invention is shown schematically in FIG. 1 by means of a flow chart. In step A, a check of the workpieces with regard to quality features such as surface finish, dimensions, etc. is first carried out. In method step B, workpieces of inferior quality (second choice) are discharged based on the workpiece inspection and stored in step B '. Those workpieces which have a sufficient quality are collected in process step C and combined into workpiece stacks. Parallel to this, a packaging box is conveyed laterally in method step B '. The packaging board was previously removed from a cardboard stack, folded with a suitable device and placed in a cardboard buffer. Subsequently, the formed tool stack is inserted into method step D in the packaging box, and the package formed in this way is transported out in step E.

With reference to Figures 2 to 8, a first embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention for the packaging of plate-shaped workpieces is described below, which for carrying out the process steps C, C ', D and G shown schematically in FIG. 1 capable and suitable. The apparatus 1 initially comprises a conveyor 8, for example a conveyor belt or a roller conveyor, for conveying plate-shaped workpieces 2 into a collecting station 10. The collecting station 10 has a stop 12, for example a plate or vertical support, for the movement of the plate-shaped workpieces 2 in FIG to stop a collective item. In the collecting position, the workpieces 2 rest on down-clocking supports 14, wherein the supports 14 change their height with each workpiece 2 arriving in the collection position such that a further workpiece 2 can be deposited on a workpiece stack 4 in the collection position by the conveyor 8.

The down-clocking pads 14 may be formed, for example, by bolts that are driven and controlled by a chain or belt drive so that they change their height in cycles. It is particularly advantageous in this case to use at least two sets of alternating bolts which can alternately receive workpiece stacks 4, so that bolts are always available for receiving workpieces 2 in the collecting position.

In addition, the packaging device 1 according to the invention comprises an alignment station 20, which has a first gripping device 22 and a second gripping device 24.

The gripping devices are each formed in the present embodiment by opposing, U-shaped pliers, wherein the pliers legs are substantially horizontal and the open sides of the U-shape of mating pairs of pliers facing each other. In addition, the two pliers of a pair of pliers in one direction, to the plane of Figures 2 to 8 is substantially perpendicular, each individually or jointly movable.

The first pair of pliers 22 and the second pair of pliers 24 are arranged one above the other and coupled to each other so that they have a defined alignment with each other. The inner contours of the U-shaped pliers are matched in the case of the first pair of pliers 22 on the workpiece stack 4 to be packaged and in the case of the second pair of pliers 24 on the packaging board 6. The pairs of pliers are capable of receiving a stack of workpieces 4 and a packaging cardboard 6, respectively, by moving at least one pair of pliers substantially perpendicularly to the plane of the drawing of FIGS. In addition, the first pair of pliers 22 is configured such that when picking up a workpiece stack 4 at the same time an alignment of the individual workpieces 2 of the workpiece stack 4 takes place to each other. This can be achieved, for example, by the fact that the inner wall of the U-shaped tong profile tapers or narrows in the direction of the closed side of the profile.

Furthermore, the first gripping device or the first pair of pliers 22 is equipped with a device for inserting a workpiece stack 4 in a packaging box 6, which is formed in the present embodiment by spreading tabs 28 which are pivotally mounted on the legs of the first pair of pliers 22. The expansion tabs 28 are preferably attached to the first pair of pliers 22 so that they can spread apart a lying below the first pair of pliers 22 packaging carton 6 during pivoting.

Furthermore, the alignment station comprises a third gripping device 26, which is also formed in the present embodiment by a pair of pliers, which in principle has the same properties as the second pair of pliers 24. The third pair of pliers 26 is connected to the first Pair of pliers 22 and / or the second pair of pliers 24 coupled so that it tracks the movements of the same simultaneously. In addition, the three gripping devices are not only mutually displaceable substantially perpendicular to the plane of Figures 2 to 4, but also in a direction in which the workpiece stack 4 and the packaging board 6 are to be moved from the collection position to a packaging position, this direction in the present Embodiment parallel to the direction of the conveyor belt 8 is located.

The packaging device 1 further comprises a packaging station 30 having a lifting device 32 and a device 34 for moving the packaging box 6. The lifting device 32 is formed in the present embodiment by vertically arranged telescopic bolts, which have at their upper end a storage surface which is vertically movable. The device 34 for moving the packaging cartons 6 may be a separate lifting device, but is preferably formed integrally by the second pair of tongs 24. Accordingly, the second pair of pliers 24 is then vertically movable.

The packing station 30 is adjoined by a further conveyor belt 38 for conveying out filled packaging carton 6 '.

The sequence of the method according to the invention using the packaging device 1 described above will be described below with reference to FIGS. 2 to 8.

As can be seen in Fig. 2, to be packaged by the conveyor belt 8, plate-shaped workpieces 2 are conveyed to the collection station 10, where they meet the stop 12, to be subsequently collected on the workpiece stack 4. The workpiece stack 4 rests on the down-clocking pads 14, the height of which in cycles is set that the conveyor belt 8 can promote more plate-shaped workpieces 2 on the workpiece stack 4.

For elongate workpieces, such as floor elements, it is preferred, in view of the capacity of the packaging apparatus, that the workpieces 2 on the conveyor belt 8 be substantially perpendicular to their longitudinal direction, i. be conveyed in the transverse direction.

As soon as the workpiece stack 4 comprises a desired number of plate-shaped workpieces 2 to be packed, for example 6 in the present exemplary embodiment, the supports 14 supporting the respective workpiece stack 4 are shut down and further supports 14 'are provided on which a further workpiece stack 4 can be collected (see Fig. 3). In this way it is ensured that by means of the conveyor belt 8 continuously workpieces 2 can be conveyed into the collecting station 10, which is for a continuous process flow and thus the total capacity and speed of the packaging device is of utmost importance. At the same time, although not explicitly shown in Fig. 3, at the latest with the lowering of the pads 14, a packaging board 6 is conveyed to a position below the workpiece stack 4, with an accurate positioning or orientation of the packaging board 6 with respect to the workpiece stack 4 to this Time has not arrived yet.

As can be seen in FIG. 4, in a further method step the stack of workpieces 4 waiting on the shut-down supports 14 and the packaging board 6 provided underneath are received by the first pair of clamps 22 and the second pair of clamps 24, respectively. In this case - thanks to the design and arrangement of the pair of pliers - the workpieces 2 of the workpiece stack 4 with each other aligned and the packaging board 6 aligned to the workpiece stack 4. Subsequently, the pairs of pliers 22 and 24, which are coupled together as stated above, are moved together from the collecting position to a packaging position, which lies to the right of the collecting position in the embodiment shown in Figures 2 and 4.

Fig. 5 illustrates the further procedure. On the one hand, the method steps shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 are repeated in the collecting position. At the same time takes place in the packaging position, a transfer of the workpiece stack 4 and the packaging box 6 of the pairs of pliers 22 and 24 to the lifting device 32 and the device 34 for moving the packaging. More specifically, the packaging board 6 and the workpiece stack 4 are in the packaging position over the lifting device 32 so that the lifting device 32 can be extended vertically, thereby passing through corresponding openings 36 in the bottom of the packaging carton 6 and with its bearing surface on the underside of the workpiece stack 4 comes to the plant. At substantially the same time, the packaging board 6 is taken over by the vertically movable device 34 for moving the packaging. Subsequently, the workpiece stack 4 and the packaging board 6 are released from the ferrule pairs 22 and 24, so that the state shown in Fig. 5 is reached.

Now, the actual packaging process is carried out, in which the lifting device 32, which carries the workpiece stack 4, is lowered in such a way that the workpiece stack 4 is deposited in the packaging board 6. Additionally or alternatively, it is also possible that the means 34 for moving the packaging is moved vertically to perform the deposition of the workpiece stack 4 in the packaging box 6, so that finally the state shown in Fig. 6 is achieved, in which a Workpieces filled packaging box 6 'is provided.

The phase of introducing the workpiece stack 4 into the packaging board 6 is shown in more detail in Figures 9 and 10, in particular with regard to the means 28 for inserting the workpiece stack 4 in the packaging box 6. As already explained above, the means 28 for Insertion formed in the present embodiment by spreading tabs 28 which are pivotally mounted on the first pair of pliers 22. During insertion of the workpiece stack 4 into the packaging carton 6, or shortly before, the expansion tabs 28 are pivoted such that they come to rest on the upper inner edge of the carton 6 and spread this. In the further course of the packaging process, they thus not only prevent tilting of the workpiece stack 4 at the edges of the packaging carton 6, but also effectively form a funnel, through which the workpiece stack 4 is securely guided into the packaging carton 6.

As can be seen from FIG. 7, in the next method step, the three pairs of pliers 22, 24 and 26 are moved in such a way that the first and second pair of pliers 22, 24 reach the collecting position and the third pair of pliers 26 reach the packaging position. The first and the second pair of pliers 22, 24 then carry out the method steps explained in connection with FIGS. 4 to 6. At the same time, the third pair of pliers 26 picks up the packaging board 6 'which is ready in the packaging position and is filled with workpieces.

Finally, as shown in Fig. 8, in a further process step corresponding to that shown in Fig. 5 with respect to the first and second pair of pliers 22, 24, the filled package 6 'is moved from the packaging position to the further conveyor belt 38 , with which the filled packaging cardboard 6 'finally from the Packaging device 1 is discharged. This completes the packaging process.

A second preferred embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention for packaging plate-shaped workpieces will now be described with reference to FIGS. 11 to 18. The device shown in FIGS. 11 to 18 corresponds in principle to the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 to 8, but has been supplemented according to the invention such that it is particularly suitable for packaging a plurality of, in particular two, workpiece stacks into a packaging carton. The same or corresponding components are denoted by the same reference numerals in FIGS. 11 to 18 and 2 to 8, respectively, and a renewed description of these components is therefore omitted.

In the second embodiment shown, the first gripping device comprises, in addition to the first pair of pliers 22, a further pair of pliers 23 which is coupled to the first pair of pliers 22 and can be moved toward and away from the first pair of pliers 22. In addition, in the second embodiment, the device 1 has a separating element device 40, which serves for introducing at least one separating element 42, in particular a strip of cardboard or the like, between adjacent workpiece stacks.

In principle, the separating element device 40 may be any device capable of receiving a desired separating element 42 and rapidly introducing it into a gap between two adjacent workpiece stacks 4, 4 '. It has proved to be advantageous that the separator element 40 has expansion cheeks, in which the separating element is conveyed, held and finally released at the desired time and place, so that the separating element 42 is delivered to a gap between adjacent workpiece stack. The further pair of pliers 23 corresponds in principle to its construction The first pair of pliers 22 and is in particular also equipped with the previously described device for insertion in the form of swiveling expansion tabs 28.

As additional functionality, the separator means 40 comprises means for cutting the separator members 42 to the desired length, whereby the separator means 40 can be fed with a continuous strand of separator material, which is then quickly and individually adapted to the particular requirements and finally introduced.

In the second embodiment, the device 1 is capable of simultaneously introducing a plurality of workpiece stacks 4, 4 'into a packaging carton 6 or the like, this additional possibility being achieved with the described, relatively simple design measures. The operation of the device according to the invention in the second embodiment and the method according to the invention will be described below with reference to Figures 11 to 18.

As can be seen in FIG. 11, plate-shaped workpieces 2 to be packaged by means of the conveyor belt 8 are conveyed to the collecting station 10, where they encounter the stop 12, in order subsequently to be collected on the workpiece stack 4. The workpiece stack 4 is based on the down-clocking supports 14, whose height is set in cycles such that the conveyor belt 8 can promote further plate-shaped workpieces 2 on the workpiece stack 4.

As soon as the workpiece stack 4 comprises a desired number of plate-shaped workpieces 2 to be packaged, for example 6 in the present exemplary embodiment, the supports 14 bearing the workpiece stack 4 are shut down and further supports are produced 14 'are provided on which a further workpiece stack 4' can be collected (see Fig. 12). In this way it is ensured that by means of the conveyor belt 8 continuously workpieces 2 can be conveyed into the collecting station 10, which is for a continuous process sequence and thus the total capacity and speed of the packaging device is of utmost importance.

As can be seen in FIG. 13, in a further method step the formed workpiece stacks 4 and 4 'are arranged side by side by means of a device, not shown, while simultaneously a further workpiece stack 4 "is formed on the now released pads 14.

Subsequently, the waiting workpiece stacks 4 and 4 'as well as a package box 6 standing underneath are received by the pairs of clamps 22, 23, 24. In this case - thanks to the design and arrangement of the ferrule pairs and analogous to the first embodiment - the workpieces 2 of the respective workpiece stack 4, 4 'aligned with each other and the packaging board 6 with respect to the workpiece stack 4, 4' aligned. Subsequently, the pairs of ferrules 22, 23, 24, which are coupled together as stated above, are moved together from the collection position to a packaging position, which lies to the right of the collection position in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 11 to 18 (FIG. 15).

Fig. 16 illustrates the further procedure. On the one hand, the process steps shown in FIGS. 11 to 13 repeat themselves in the collecting position. At the same time, in the packaging position, the transfer of the workpiece stacks 4, 4 'and the packaging carton 6 from the pairs of clamps 22, 23, 24 to the lifting device 32 and the device 34 for the process of packaging initiated. More specifically, the packaging box 6 and the Workpiece stack 4, 4 'in the packaging position on the lifting device 32 so that the lifting device 32 can be extended vertically, thereby passing through corresponding openings 36 in the bottom of the packaging carton 6 and with its bearing surface on the underside of the two workpiece stacks 4, 4' Plant comes. At substantially the same time, the packaging board 6 is taken over by the vertically movable device 34 for moving the packaging. Subsequently, by means of the separating element device 40, a separating element 42 is introduced into the gap between the workpiece stacks 4 and 4 '.

As can be seen in FIG. 17, the workpiece stacks 4, 4 'are now moved towards one another by means of the pairs of pliers 22, 23 such that the gap between the workpiece stacks 4, 4' largely closes and the separating element 42 between the workpiece stacks 4, 4 'is trapped.

Now, the actual packaging process is performed, which also takes place analogously to the first embodiment. During the introduction of the workpiece stacks 4, 4 'into the packaging board 6, the workpiece stacks 4, 4' are held laterally by the pairs of pliers 22, 23 until their stability is ensured by the packaging board 6. In addition, in this embodiment, the embodiment explained in detail above for the insertion of workpiece stacks in the packaging board 6 in the form of Spreizlaschen 28, which are pivotally mounted on the pairs of pliers 22, 23 is used. The funnel formed by the spreading tabs 28 also contributes to the fact that the workpiece stacks 4, 4 'can be introduced stably and without tilting into the packaging carton.

Finally, as also described in detail in connection with the first embodiment, a new work cycle is started and the filled packaging board 6 'finally by means of a in Fig. 11 to 18 not shown further pair of pliers from the packaging position to the further conveyor belt 38 moves and finally discharged from the packaging device 1 (Fig. 18).

The plate-shaped workpieces can, of course, be any objects, for example floor elements, furniture parts, sheets or the like.

In addition, it should be noted that the device according to the invention and the method according to the invention are not limited to a specific number or arrangement of workpiece stacks within the packaging. Accordingly, the separating elements according to the invention can be provided in any number and arrangement, for example in the longitudinal direction and / or in the transverse direction of the package.

Claims (17)

1. Method for packing plate-like workpieces (2) comprising the steps:

   - supply of at least one stack of workpieces (4, 4') to be packed comprising at least one inwardly conveyed workpiece (2) in a collecting position;

   - pick-up and simultaneous alignment of the at least single stack of workpieces (4, 4') in the collecting position by means of a first gripping device (22, 23);

   - movement of the at least single stack of workpieces (4, 4') into a packing position and simultaneous supply of at least one other stack of workpieces (4, 4') to be packed in the collecting position;

   - alignment of a supplied packing unit (6) with respect to the at least single stack of workpieces (4, 4') by means of a second gripping device (24);

   - movement of the packing unit (6) into a packing position;

   - movement of the at least single stack of workpieces (4, 4') and/or the packing unit (6) in such a way that the at least single stack of workpieces (4, 4') is put into the packing unit (6);

   - outward conveyance of the packed, at least single stack of workpieces (4, 4').
2. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that the pick-up and simultaneous alignment of the at least single stack of workpieces (4, 4') ensues simultaneously with the alignment of the supplied packing unit (6) with respect to the at least single stack of workpieces (4, 4').
3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that for putting it into the packing unit (6) the at least single stack of workpieces (4, 4') is deposited on a device (40) capable of moving in the insertion direction which device preferably grips through openings (36) in the packing unit (6).
4. Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that while inserting the at least single stack of workpieces (4, 4') the packing unit (6) is propped open by means of an inserting device, in particular spreading brackets (28).
5. Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that prior to putting the at least single stack of workpieces (4, 4') into the packing unit (6) a dividing element is inserted in each case between neighbouring stacks of workpieces (4, 4').
6. Device (1) for packing plate-like workpieces (2) comprising:

   - a collecting station (10) for supplying at least one stack of workpieces (4, 4') to be packed comprising at least one inwardly conveyed workpiece (2) in a collecting position;

   - an aligning station (20) for aligning the at least single stack of workpieces (4, 4') and for moving the at least single stack of workpieces (4, 4') into a packing position;

   - a packing station (30) for packing the at least single stack of workpieces (4, 4') comprising at least one device (32) for moving the at least single stack of workpieces (4, 4') or a device (34) for moving a packing unit (6),

   characterised in that
   the aligning station (20) comprises a first gripping device (22, 23) which is movable between the collecting position and the packing position, wherein
   by means of the first gripping device (22, 23) the at least single stack of workpieces (4, 4') can be picked up from the collecting station (10) and aligned, and
   the aligning station (20) comprises a second gripping device (24) by means of which an inwardly conveyed packing unit (6) can be moved into a packing position and be aligned with respect to the at least single stack of workpieces (4, 4').
7. Device according to claim 6, characterised in that the at least single stack of workpieces (4, 4') can simultaneously be picked up and aligned by means of the first gripping device (22, 23).
8. Device according to claim 6 or 7, characterised in that the first (22, 23) and/or the second (24) gripping device are each formed by oppositely situated, U-shaped devices, in particular by a pair of tongs.
9. Device according to claim 8, characterised in that the first (22, 23) and the second (24) gripping device, in particular the first and the second pair of tongs, are in a fixed positional relationship with respect to one another, and in particular are jointly movable.
10. Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that it comprises a device for introducing (28) the at least single stack of workpieces (4, 4') into the packing unit (6).
11. Device according to claim 10, characterised in that the device for introducing (28) is formed by pivotable spreading brackets which in particular are provided on the first gripping device (22), preferably on the first pair of tongs (22).
12. Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the aligning station (20) comprises a third gripping device (26), in particular a third pair of tongs, which is movable between the collecting position and an issuing position, and is preferably coupled to the first (22, 23) and/or second (24) gripping device.
13. Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the packing station (30) comprises a lifting device (32) by means of which the at least single stack of workpieces (4, 4') is movable in the packing position and in particular can be put into the packing unit (6).
14. Device according to claim 13, characterised in that the lifting device (32) is formed by plungers or telescopic props which are linearly extendable.
15. Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the first gripping device comprises at least one other pair of tongs (23), which is preferably coupled to the first pair of tongs (22), and in particular is movable towards the first pair of tongs (22) and away from the latter.
16. Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that it further comprises a dividing element device (40) for introducing at least one dividing element (42), in particular a strip made of cardboard or the like, between neighbouring stacks of workpieces (4, 4').
17. Device according to claim 16, characterised in that the dividing element device (40) comprises a device for cutting out the dividing elements (42) and/or spreading plates for holding or releasing a dividing element.

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