EP0317750A2 - Method and device for the careful packaging of a product - Google Patents

Abstract

The process is used for the gentle packaging of a product whose consistency can be influenced by external influences. The product consists of a number of separable components that at least partially adhere to one another and deform easily under the influence of mechanical forces. The product is dammed up in a position of potential energy from which it is directed into a measuring container due to its gravity. After it has been filled, the measuring container is pivoted and, in its pivoted position, emptied into a packaging unit below it due to the gravity of the product.

The device for the gentle packaging of a product whose consistency can be influenced by external influences has at least one measuring container movably mounted in a housing. The measuring container has an inlet cross-section which, after movement of the measuring container, faces as an outlet cross-section of a packaging unit to be filled. The inlet cross-section is arranged immediately below a conveyor shaft. The product is dammed up within the conveyor shaft with a potential energy sufficient for filling the measuring container.

Description

The invention relates to a method for the gentle packaging of a product which can be influenced in its consistency by external influences and which consists of a number of separable components which at least partially adhere to one another and deform easily under the influence of mechanical forces. In addition, the invention relates to a device for the gentle packaging of a product that can be easily influenced in its consistency by external influences, with a measuring container movably mounted in a housing, which has a filling opening which, after a movement of the measuring container, faces a packaging unit to be filled as a filling opening.

Such methods and devices have a considerable need, which increases rapidly with the spread of ready meals. Insofar as these products have components between which a lubricant favors their displacement with one another, devices can be used which have been developed in the recent past and with which positive experiences have since been gained. However, as soon as such a lubricant, for example sauces or liquids, is missing between the individual components, there is a great risk that the sliding behavior of the individual components will be so bad that there will be a jam at some point in a packaging device, under which the product flows away forms a cavity. This cavity can very often only be removed by manual intervention, so that such packaging methods and devices are very time-consuming and costly.

In addition, attempts have been made to act mechanically on the individual components by means of forces. There is a risk that the consistency of the individual components will be greatly changed, so that they lose their natural appearance. Such problems arise, for example, when packaging dry peas, which very often are completely deformed when they are acted upon with the aid of mechanical forces in order to keep them flowing during the packaging process.

The object of the present invention is therefore to improve a method of the type mentioned in the introduction in such a way that it enables fully automatic packaging of the product.

This object is achieved in that the product is accumulated in a position of potential energy, from which it is directed due to its gravity into a measuring container which pivots after its filling and in its pivoted position due to the gravity of the product in a standing under it Packaging unit is emptied.

This method has the great advantage that it does not have to exert any force on the product to be packaged. The product, once set in motion, is kept in motion by carefully dosed measures until it has been filled into the packaging unit. This prevents congestion from occurring during the packaging process, from which it is difficult to put the product back into a product stream. The consistency of the product carefully placed in the product stream is not damaged and can still be measured very precisely and packed in the intended individual quantities.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the size of the measuring container is adapted to that of the packaging unit. In this way it is possible to fill different packaging units with the amount of product intended for them; The product moving in the direction of the measuring container does not need to be influenced in any other way than only with the aid of the pivotable measuring container, which measures the amount that is packaged within the packaging unit in a very careful and gentle manner from the product supplied to it can be. If necessary, a weak gas pressure can accelerate the movement of the product.

Devices for such gentle treatment of the product have not been available up to now. The existing devices frequently led to malfunctions, which as a rule could only be eliminated by manually intervening in the product stream. This resulted in many disadvantages, which resulted in particular from the fact that the filling times were extended considerably and the product could only be packed after a previous manual touch. However, packaging that is independent of human intervention is desirable.

Another object of the present invention is therefore to improve a device of the type mentioned in the introduction so that the product to be packaged can be packaged without having to manually intervene in the product stream.

This object is achieved in that the filling opening is arranged immediately below a conveyor shaft in which the product is dammed up with a potential energy sufficient for filling the measuring container.

Such a device is able to pressurelessly place the product in a product stream which is capable of conveying the product to the packaging units without forces injuring its components. In addition, this device is relatively inexpensive. The dimensions of the individual quantities of the product to be packaged are possible without the individual components of the product having to be provided with a sliding layer which promotes their friction behavior. The product enters the measuring device solely due to its gravity, without having to act on the product by further forces. In the same way, the product is refilled from the measuring container towards the packaging units. No forces are exerted here either, which could result in deformation of the individual components. Even the gas that may be introduced to accelerate is not able to deform the product.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the measuring container is pivotally mounted in the housing. Due to the pivotable mounting of the measuring container, the individual movement processes can be controlled well and carried out quickly. In addition, even when pivoting the measuring container, there is no risk that individual components of the product get caught in a gap which is formed between the housing and the pivotable measuring container.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the product is gripped from a supply by a gripper and placed in a flowing product stream, which is fed to a comparative conveying element, from which it is guided without pressure through a conveying shaft into an allocating element, from which it is fed into a packaging unit is promoted.

This process loosens the product in the area of the stock to be packaged and puts it in a flowing product stream without having to act on the product with forces that change the consistency of the individual components. The product is kept in motion until it is filled into the packaging unit. Short interim storage is dimensioned so that the product cannot settle into the packaging unit until it is finally filled. In this way it is prevented that the individual components nestle tightly against one another and can only be brought to flow again with the aid of considerable acceleration forces.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the gripper is continuously moved in the direction of the supply. The continuity of the moving grippers means that the individual components of the product are always kept in motion while the gripper is moving, so that large accelerations and thus the application of large deforming forces are not necessary. The individual components are kept in the flow as long as the gripper moves.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, a gripper that grips the product is arranged in a supply of the product, in the effective area of which a conveying element is arranged, with the conveying end of which is connected to a conveying shaft that pressurelessly receives and passes the product, and at the end facing away from the conveying element an allocation element is provided, in the input side of which the conveyor shaft opens and on the output side a packaging unit to be filled with the product is provided.

Such a device is able to put the product largely without pressure into a product stream which is able to remove the product without its components to transport injuring forces to the packaging units. In addition, this device is relatively inexpensive. The individual components of the devices are matched to one another in such a way that the product conveyed remains in constant motion.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the gripper is provided with swiveling gripper arms, the swiveling range of which lies at least partially within the supply. These swiveling gripper arms are particularly gentle on the product supply. They can be positioned precisely so that they come into effect precisely at those points in the product stream where stagnations in the product stream occur most frequently and can be eliminated most poorly. In addition, the grippers can be driven in a structurally very simple manner. The gripper arms keep the individual components in motion until they are gripped by the conveying element and passed on by the latter.

Further details of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated, for example.

• Fig. 1: eine Systemskizze einer Vorrichtung,
• Fig. 2: eine Seitenansicht eines Gehäuses, in dem ein Greiferwerkzeug und ein Förderorgan gelagert sind,
• Fig. 3: einen Querschnitt durch ein Gehäuse, in dem Grei­ferwerkzeuge und Förderorgane gelagert sind, ent­sprechend der Schnittlinie III-III in Figur 2,
• Fig. 4: einen Längsschnitt durch eine Lagerung von Wellen eines Greiferwerkzeuges einerseits und eines Förderorgans andererseits,
• Fig. 5: einen Querschnitt durch ein Rohr entsprechend der Schnittlinie V-V in Figur 1,
• Fig. 6: einen Längsschnitt durch einen Förderschacht,
• Fig. 7: eine vergrößerte Darstellung eines Übergangs von einem Rohr in einen Förderschacht,
• Fig. 8: eine Systemskizze eines Reinigungssystems im Bereich der Greiferwerkzeuge des Förderorgans und des Förderschachts,
• Fig. 9: einen Längsschnitt durch einen Förderschacht mit einer Lockerungsvorrichtung,
• Fig. 10: einen Längsschnitt durch ein Zuteilorgan,
• Fig. 11: einen Längsschnitt durch einen Drehschieber,
• Fig. 12: einen Querschnitt durch einen oberen Teil eines Drehschiebers entsprechend der Schnittlinie XII-XII in Figur 11,
• Fig. 13: einen Querschnitt durch einen Drehschieber ent­sprechend der Schnittlinie XIII-XII in Figur 11,
• Fig. 14: eine Seitenansicht einer Stange mit einer ange­schweißten Wand eines Meßbehälters,
• Fig. 15: eine Draufsicht auf einen vorderen Teil einer Stange mit angeschweißter Wand und
• Fig. 16: einen Querschnitt durch ein Zuteilorgan entlang der Schnittlinie XVI-XVI in Fig. 10

The drawings show:

• 1: a system sketch of a device,
• 2: a side view of a housing in which a gripper tool and a conveying member are mounted,
• 3 shows a cross section through a housing in which gripper tools and conveying members are mounted, corresponding to section line III-III in FIG. 2,
• 4: a longitudinal section through a bearing of shafts of a gripper tool on the one hand and a conveying element on the other hand,
• 5: a cross section through a tube according to the section line VV in Figure 1,
• 6: a longitudinal section through a conveyor shaft,
• 7: an enlarged representation of a transition from a pipe into a conveyor shaft,
• 8: a system sketch of a cleaning system in the area of the gripper tools of the conveyor element and the conveyor shaft,
• 9: a longitudinal section through a conveyor shaft with a loosening device,
• 10: a longitudinal section through an allocation organ,
• 11: a longitudinal section through a rotary valve,
• 12: a cross section through an upper part of a rotary slide valve according to the section line XII-XII in FIG. 11,
• 13: a cross section through a rotary valve according to the section line XIII-XII in FIG. 11,
• 14: a side view of a rod with a welded-on wall of a measuring container,
• Fig. 15: a plan view of a front part of a rod with a welded wall and
• 16 shows a cross section through an allocation member along the section line XVI-XVI in FIG. 10

A possible device for carrying out the method according to the invention essentially consists of a gripper (1), a conveying member (2), a conveying shaft (3) and an allocating member (4). The gripper (1) which grips a product (6) with gripper arms (7) from a supply (5) is arranged in a direct operative connection with the conveyor element (2), to which it feeds the product (6) taken from the supply (5) . For this purpose, the gripper (1) can be designed as a shaft (8) which extends transversely to a flow direction (9) through an outlet (10) of a storage container (11). The shaft (8) runs through a cylindrical part (12) of the storage container (11), which directly adjoins funnel-shaped inclined walls (13) of the storage container (11) in the flow direction (9) of the product (6). The ends (14) of the gripper arms (7), which face away from the shaft (8), extend far into the region of the storage container (11), which is formed by the funnel-shaped inclined walls (13). On the other hand, the ends (14) lie immediately outside an effective range in which the conveying member (2) becomes effective.

The gripper arms (7) can be designed as hooks (15) or as screws (16). An arrangement is also expedient in which both hooks (15) and a worm (16) are attached to the shaft (8). Each hook (15) is attached to the shaft (8) with one of its ends (17). It opens tangentially into a surface (18) of the shaft (8) facing the end (14) and initially extends radially outward in the direction of a circular path which is concentric to the surface (18) and into which it opens. In the area of this circular path, the sheet forming the hook (15) describes an approximately circular ring, so that the end (14) of the gripper arm (7) lies in the area of the annular circular path above the end (17) connected to the shaft (8). The end (14) is advantageously transverse to Provide a straight edge (18) in the direction of the sheet. The sheet has a profile which is chamfered on its longitudinal edge (20) facing away from the shaft (8) in the form of a roof (21). The sheet of the gripper arm (7) runs in a plane that is perpendicular to a center line extending through the shaft (8).

Depending on the length of the shaft (8), several of these hooks (15) are arranged plane-parallel to one another at the same distance from one another. They are attached with their ends (17) in the longitudinal direction of the shaft (8) at approximately equal distances from one another on the surface (18), so that the ends (14) facing away from the shaft (8) in the direction of rotation of the shaft (8) are offset to the same extent from each other. In this way it is achieved that, with respect to an imaginary line of engagement extending through the supply (5), the product (5) loosens in the longitudinal direction of the shaft (8) at a time interval dependent on the speed of the shaft (8) and the conveying member (2 ) is fed. This therefore works with a mode of operation coordinated with the speed of the shaft (8) always in a partial supply of approximately the same size that is fed to it, without a cavity being formed between the gripper (1) and the conveying member (2) within the product (6) .

The hooks (15) are expediently distributed only over a rear part (22) of the gripper (1) in the conveying direction of the conveying member (2), while in a front part (23) of the gripper (1) adjoining the rear part (2) ) a gripper arm (7) designed as a screw (16) is fastened. This screw (16) can be provided in a part of the conveying member (2) which is separated from the gripper (1) by a cover (24). In the area of this cover (24), the product (6) loosened by the gripper (1) is not picked up by the conveyor element (2).

The worm (16) is fastened with its front end (25) to a front end (26) of the shaft (8) facing away from the hook (15). It is designed in the form of a sheet metal which winds around the shaft (8) in the area of the cover (24) on approximately one third of the entire wavelength. The worm (16) has an outer diameter (27) facing away from the shaft (8), the distance from the shaft (8) corresponding to that which the ends (14) of the shaft (8) maintain. The worm (16) with its outer edge (28) runs on this outer diameter (7), while an inner edge (29) which runs parallel to the outer edge (28) faces the surface (18) of the shaft (8) and is approximately uniform Distance surrounds. The screw (16) has an incline, with the aid of which the product (6) loosened from it from the supply (5) is transported in the direction of the hooks (15). The shaft (8) has a direction of rotation in which the hooks (15) with their longitudinal edges (20) facing away from the shaft (8) push the product (6) in the direction of flow (8). The hooks (15) and the worm (16) thus initially meet in the direction of rotation of the shaft (8) with their longitudinal edge (20) or outer edge (27) on the product (6), on the contact of which both the hooks (15) and the screw (16) in the region of its ends (14 or 30) facing away from the shaft (8) detach the product (6) from the supply (5). The worm (16) can be fastened with its inner edge (29) to the surface (18) of the shaft (8). However, it is also conceivable that there is no contact between the inner edge (29) and the surface (18) supporting the worm (16), but rather that the worm (16) winds freely around the surface (18) of the shaft (8) is.

The conveying element (2) is designed as a screw conveyor (31), in which a screw (33) winds around a shaft (32). This screw (33) has in the direction of rotation of the shaft (32) a slope that transports the product (6) out of the outlet (10) of the storage container (11). The This slope increases continuously for all worm threads (34) forming the worm (33). The shaft (32) extends approximately parallel to the shaft (8) through the cylindrical part (12) of the storage container (11) and is arranged in the flow direction (9) of the product (6) below the shaft (8). Both shafts (8 and 32) are overhung in a wall (35) forming the cylindrical part (12). Bearing housings (36, 37) are fastened to this wall (35), in each of which a shaft (8, 32) with its shaft ends (38, 39) is overhung. The stub shafts (38, 39) taper in the direction of the shafts (8, 32) in the form of cones (40, 41) which are mounted in correspondingly conical bearing points (42, 43). The cones (40, 41) can be pulled out of these bearing points (42, 43) in the direction of the further ends (44, 45) facing away from the shafts (8, 32), so that an annular space between the cones (40, 41) on the one hand and the bearing points (42, 43) on the other. A cleaning liquid can be flushed through this annular space, which arises when the shafts (8, 32) are in the extended state, and is flushed into the annular space through cleaning openings (46, 47). These cleaning openings (46, 47) are provided in the bearing housings (36, 37) and open on the one hand into a cleaning system (48) and on the other hand in the area of the conical bearing points (42, 43) within the bearing housings (36, 37).

The screw (33) has an outer diameter (49) which is constant over the entire length of the conveying element (2) and lies directly below an action line which is described by the ends (14) of the hooks (15). This outer diameter (49) describes an arc (50) in the direction of rotation of the shaft (32). This runs with a slight play on an inner wall (51) of a tube (52) which surrounds the screw (33) in the form of a housing. This tube (52) runs coaxially to the shaft (32) from the cylindrical part (12) of the storage container (11) in Direction to the conveyor shaft (3). It is fastened in a wall (53) which lies opposite the wall (35) and forms the outlet (10) of the storage container (11) with it. In the area of the cylindrical part (12), the tube (52) has an end (54) to which the cover (24) extends. Between this end (54) and the wall (35) opposite it, the tube (52) is provided with a recess (55), in the area of which the tube (52) only has a lower shell (56 facing away from the gripper (1) ) extends. This lower shell (56) is connected to the storage container (11) via funnel-shaped walls (57, 58, 59, 60) that extend in the longitudinal direction of the shafts (8, 32). These walls (57, 58, 59, 60) form in their lower shells (56) the upper regions facing away from a housing (61, 62), along the walls of which the gripper arms (7) move.

In the longitudinal direction of the shafts (8, 32), the recess (55) extends over a region of the screw (33) within which the screw (33) is fed with the product (6) by the gripper arms (7). The screw (16), which conveys the product (6) from the area of the cover (24) in the direction of the recess (55), ensures that the gripper (1) is sufficiently filled in the region of the recess (55).

The tube (52) is provided with a calibration (63) along its entire length, which extends through its inner wall (51). This calibration (63) directs a product stream moving in the direction of the conveyor shaft (3). For this purpose it consists of trains (64) which extend in the longitudinal direction of the tube (52) and of which a number which is based on the cross section of the tube (52) is evenly distributed on the inner wall (51). A field (65) is formed between two adjacent trains (64). The trains (64) he extend in the form of a sawtooth into a wall (65) forming the tube (52). This sawtooth has a tip (66) which extends furthest into the wall (65). This tip (66) is connected via a long flank (67) and a short flank (68) to two adjacent pressure peaks (69, 70). In the area of these pressure peaks (69, 70), pressure edges extend over the length of the tube (52), which extend in the longitudinal direction of the tube (52) and form an abutment on which the product (6) conveyed within the tube (52) extends ) supports. In this way, the pressure edges running in the area of the pressure peaks (69, 70) prevent the product (6) from building up inside the tube (52) without being conveyed further by the screw (33).

Ventilation bores (71) arranged in the tube (52) serve the same purpose, through which a quantity of air can escape, which can build up between the individual components during the conveyance of the product (6). This venting of the tube (52) ensures that the product is conveyed in regular filling from the screw (33) in the direction of the conveyor shaft (3).

In addition, the worm (33) is designed with a wing profile (72) which tapers in the form of a cone (73) from the shaft (32) in the direction of the wall (65) of the tube (52). In this way it is ensured that a transport space (74) formed between two adjacent wing profiles (72) has walls (75, 76) which are inclined in opposite directions. In this way, the transport space (74) has a smaller cross section in the area of the shaft (32) than in the area of the outer diameter (59) of the screw (33). This design of the transport space (74) encourages the product (6) consisting of individual components (77) to emerge from the transport space (74) in the direction of the conveyor shaft (3).

The tube (52) is bent at its end (78) facing away from the storage container (11) at right angles from its horizontal extension in the form of a bend (79) in the direction of the conveyor shaft (3) extending in the vertical direction. It is possible that the curvature (79) is also attached to the conveyor shaft (3). Immediately behind the bend (79), the conveyor shaft (3) widens in the form of a cone (80). For this purpose, at least two mutually opposite walls (81, 82) are arranged in such a way that they are closest to each other in the region of the curvature (79) and continuously move away from one another in the direction of the allocating member (4). The conveyor shaft (3) has its largest cross-section in the area of the dispensing circuit (4). The ratio in which the cross-section increases in the direction of the metering element (4) depends on a pitch angle (83), the size of which is selected depending on the consistency of the product (6). The more the individual components (77) of the product (6) tend to build up within the conveyor shaft (3), the greater the pitch angle (83) must be dimensioned.

A measuring section (84) is arranged inside the conveyor shaft (2). This measuring section (84) essentially consists of a sensor (85) which is oriented in the direction of a wall (86) surrounding the conveyor shaft (3). A receiver (87) is assigned to this sensor (85) on a side of the conveyor shaft (3) opposite it. A measuring section (88) extends between the sensor (85) and the receiver (87), through which the product (6) moves in the direction of the metering member (4). The sensor (85) can, for example, emit light beams (89) which are received by the receiver (87) designed as a photocell. The light rays (89) penetrate the walls (81, 82) of the conveyor shaft (3) made of a transparent material, for example plexiglass.

As soon as the receiver (87) receives a signal due to insufficient filling of the conveyor shaft (3), it switches on the conveyor element (2) so that it conveys the product (6) into the conveyor shaft (3). As soon as the product (6) is so high within the conveyor shaft (3) that it prevents the light rays (89) from passing in the direction of the receiver (87), a switching pulse is triggered which switches off the conveyor element (2). The measuring section (84) is expediently located at a point on the conveyor shaft (3), the height of which is measured by the metering member (4) such that the content of this part of the conveyor shaft (3) is sufficient to surround a measuring chamber (90) of the metering channel (4th ) to fill. As soon as the product (6) has emerged from the conveyor shaft (3) onto the measuring chamber (90), the receiver (87) switches on the conveyor element (2) so that new product (6) is filled into the conveyor shaft (3). Any, primarily contactless, pulse generator can be considered as sensors (85).

In order to be able to guarantee a flowing filling from the conveyor shaft (3) in the direction of the measuring chamber (90), a quantity of product (5) is accumulated in the conveyor shaft (3) which is sufficient to ensure that after each emptying of the measuring chamber (90) to be able to replenish them quickly. For this reason, the conveyor (2) is controlled so that it is always in operation, so that the product (6) conveyed by the conveyor (2) is constantly in motion and is prevented from forming a jam. For this purpose, a maximum measuring section (91) is provided in the area of the conveyor shaft (3) in addition to the measuring section (88), which in turn is equipped with a sensor (92) and a receiver (92) assigned to it. This maximum measuring section (91) is arranged inside the conveyor shaft (3) in the direction of the conveyor member (2) above the measuring section (88). The receiver (93) of the maximum measuring section (91) triggers a switching pulse, as soon as the product (6) prevents the rays from the sensor (92) from passing towards the receiver (93). This switching pulse switches off the conveyor element (2).

When the conveyor element (2) is switched off, the product (6) is removed from the conveyor shaft (3) in the direction of the metering element (4). As soon as a quantity of product has been removed from the conveyor shaft (3), which is sufficient to release the measuring section (80), a switching pulse emitted by the receiver (87) switches the conveyor element (2) on again, so that the conveyor shaft (3) again is filled to the maximum measuring distance (93).

As a rule, the metering device (4) can maintain its conveying speed in order to replace the amount of product (6) measured by the measuring chamber (90). The measuring sections (88, 91) are only intended to control the metering device (4) in the event of an irregular mode of operation.

The metering device (4) consists essentially of two slides which are approximately plane-parallel, of which the inlet slider (94) controls an inlet (95) and an outlet slider (96) controls an outlet (97) from the measuring chamber (90). The two slides (94, 96) extend transversely to the direction (98) of the product (6) conveyed through the conveyor shaft (3). A drive (99) is assigned to the input slide (94) and a drive (100) is assigned to the output slide (96). The inlet slide (94) faces the conveyor shaft (3), the outlet slide (96) faces a packaging unit (101) to be filled, which is filled below an outlet opening (102) in the measuring chamber (90) which can be closed by the outlet slide (96). The packaging unit (101) can be transported on a conveyor (103) which extends below the measuring chamber (90) in the direction of the outlet opening (102) and can be removed again after it has been filled. Several packaging units (104, 105) can be arranged one behind the other on the conveyor (103).

After the conveyor (103) has transported the packaging unit (101) under the exit opening (102), the drive (100) of the exit slide (96) is actuated. It opens the outlet opening (102) so that the product (6) falls from the measuring chamber (90) into the packaging unit (101) due to its gravity. The emptying of the measuring chamber (90) is favored by the fact that it widens conically from the inlet (95) towards the outlet (97).

After the measuring chamber (90) has been emptied, the outlet slide (96) closes the outlet opening (102). In the immediate connection thereafter, the drive (99) opens the inlet (95) so that the product (6) can flow from the conveyor shaft (3) into the measuring chamber (90). After this has been filled, the inlet (95) is closed again with the aid of the inlet slide (94). The measuring chamber (90) can now be emptied again via the outlet opening (102).

Due to the removal of the product (6) from the conveyor shaft (3) in the direction of the measuring chamber (90), the receiver (93) is released for the radiation emitted by the sensor (92). The incident rays trigger a switching pulse in the receiver (93), which sets the conveyor element (2) in motion. This conveys new product (6) from the stock (5) in the direction out of the conveyor shaft (3). As soon as this is filled up to the maximum measuring distance (91), the passage of the rays emitted by the sensor (92) in the direction of the receiver (93) is prevented, so that the latter emits a further signal which is suitable for stopping the conveying member (2) .

However, it is also possible to put the conveyor element (2) into operation only when a switching pulse is triggered in the receiver (87) due to the beams emitted by the sensor (85). At this moment, the minimum amount of product (6) accumulated in the conveyor shaft (3) falls below, so that the conveyor is filled shaft (3) with the aid of the product (6) conveyed by the conveying element (2) is necessary. The conveying speed of the conveying member (2) can be determined so that the product stream entering the conveying shaft (3) fills the conveying shaft (3) up to just before the maximum measuring distance (91) before the product shaft (3) in the conveying shaft (3) Direction towards the measuring chamber (90) is removed. In this way, continuous operation of the conveying element (2) is ensured, which fills the conveying shaft (3) up to the maximum measuring distance (91), while the product (6) is filled into the packaging unit (101) via the measuring chamber (90) becomes.

A measuring container (104) can, however, also be formed in a rotary slide valve (105) which is pivotably mounted in a housing (106). The housing (106) and the rotary slide valve (105) have a common longitudinal axis (107) which extends essentially in the horizontal direction. The housing (106) has a circular cross section of its interior (108). The design of the interior (108) is adapted to the rotary valve (105), the outer walls (109) of which also have a circular cross section.

The housing (106) has an inlet opening (111) and an outlet opening (112) opposite it at two diametrical locations on its walls (110). The conveyor (103) extends below the outlet opening (112), on which a packaging unit (101) is located in the region of the outlet opening (112).

In contrast, the conveyor shaft (3) is connected to the inlet opening (111), in which the sensors (85 and 92) are mounted above the inlet opening (111).

The measuring container (104) is designed as a recess formed in the rotary slide valve (105), which is provided in the vertical direction immediately below the inlet opening (111). The measuring container (104) has a bottom (113) opposite the inlet opening (111), which is connected via side walls (114, 115) to an approximately circular inlet cross section (116) through which the product (6) is filled into the measuring container (104) . The side walls (114) accordingly extend in the form of a half-shell through the rotary slide valve (105) and open into the bottom (113) in the form of a relatively large radius (117). This floor (113) runs approximately on the center line (107).

The side wall (115) opposite the side wall (114) is designed to be movable in the longitudinal direction of the rotary valve (105). It represents a front end of a piston (118) which is slidably mounted in a guide (119) extending in the longitudinal direction through the rotary valve (105). This guide (119) has a semicircular cross section (120), on the walls of which a piston rod (121) connected to the piston (118) is mounted. This piston rod can have an approximately square cross section (122), the corners (123, 124) of which are rounded and slide on the guide (119). However, it is also possible to adapt the cross section of the piston rod (121) to that of the guide (118). The piston rod (121) protrudes from the housing (106) with its end (125) facing away from the piston (118). At this end (125) it is provided with a coupling (126) which can be designed in the form of a blind hole. Via this coupling (126) the piston rod (121) is connected to a drive which can move the piston (118) in the longitudinal direction of the housing (106). By displacing the piston (118), the side wall (115) can be displaced in the direction of the opposite side wall (114), thus reducing the volume of the measuring container (104) or increasing it in the opposite direction.

For this purpose, the piston (118) is designed in the region of the side wall (115) in the form of a circular arc (127) which adapts to the circular cross section of the measuring container (104). The piston (118) extends in the transverse direction of the rotary valve (105) over a semicircular segment along the walls of the interior (108). In the area of the center line (107) the movable side wall (115) opens into the measuring container (104) with a radius (128) that corresponds to the radius (117).

The piston (118) can be connected to the piston rod (121) in any way, for example by welds (129, 130). These welds (129, 130) have an arcuate surface that is easily accessible for cleaning.

The rotary slide valve (105) protrudes from the housing (106) with its end (131) facing away from the measuring container (104). In the area of the end (131), the rotary slide valve (105) is provided with a coupling (132) to which a rotary drive, not shown, is coupled, for example via a pinion (133). With the help of this pinion (133), the rotary slide valve (105) can be pivoted about the center line (107) within the housing (106). The end (125) of the piston rod (121) protrudes in the area of the pinion (133) out of the ENend (131) of the rotary valve (105).

The rotary slide valve (105) is delimited at its end (134) facing away from the end (131) by a circular wall, which is opposite a corresponding end wall (135) of the housing (106). A free space (136) is provided between the end (134) of the rotary valve (105) and the end wall (135) as soon as the rotary valve (105) with its measuring container (104) below the inlet opening (111) inside the housing (106) Working position is. In this free space (136) an inlet connection (137) protrudes, which is connected to a compressed gas system, not shown. Nitrogen, which is suitable for acting as a preservative on the product (6) packed in the packaging units (101), is preferably used as the compressed gas.

A channel extends from the free space (136) through the rotary slide valve (105) and initially runs parallel to the central axis (107) in a lower part of the rotary slide valve (105) facing away from the measuring container (104). This channel (138) is deflected at right angles within the rotary valve (105) towards the bottom (113), into which it opens with a distribution funnel (139). Through this channel (138) the compressed gas, which fills the free space (136) via the inlet connection (137), can be introduced into the measuring container (104) as soon as it is in the pivoted state of the rotary valve (105) in the direction of the outlet opening (112 ) points. In order to promote the purging of the product with the aid of the compressed gas, baffles can be arranged in the distribution funnel (139), which guide the compressed gas along the walls of the measuring container (104) so that it detaches the product from the walls and in the direction of the Exhaust opening (112) promotes. In this way it is achieved that the product (6) is completely emptied in the direction of the packaging unit (101). In addition, the cross section of the measuring container (104) tapers from the inlet cross section (116) towards the bottom (113) in a funnel shape, so that this design of the measuring container (104) also promotes its emptying towards the packaging unit (101).

Before the filling operation is started, the volume of the measuring container (104) is first set to the capacity of a packaging unit (101). This definition takes place in such a way that the piston (118) is displaced in the direction of the side wall (114) in accordance with the filling volume required in each case. If the product (6) is to be filled into very small packaging units (101), a rotary slide (105) can be pushed into the housing (106), in which the measuring container (104) does not extend to the center line (107), but instead in which the bottom (113) in the non-pivoted state of the Rotary slide valve (105) extends on a plane which lies between the central axis (107) and the inlet cross section (116). The piston (118) must also be designed in accordance with the rotary slide valve (105) then used.

Then the product (6) begins to be conveyed through the conveyor shaft (3) in the direction of the inlet opening (111). As soon as the measuring container (104) is filled, the rotary slide (115) is pivoted through 180 °, so that the inlet cross section (116) is adjacent to the outlet opening (112). The product (6) accumulated in the measuring container (104) then exits through this in the direction of the packaging unit (101) located below the outlet opening (112).

If a remaining stock of the product (6) cannot be removed from the measuring container (104), a compressed gas can be introduced into the measuring container (104) through the channel (138). This compressed gas pushes the remaining product (6) out of the measuring container (104) into the packaging unit (101).

In the meantime, the conveyor element (2) has conveyed further product (5) into the conveyor shaft (3). This jams above the pivoted rotary valve (105) to the measuring section (88). As soon as the rotary slide valve (105) has returned to its non-pivoted position, the product (6) stowed in the conveyor shaft (3) falls into the measuring container (104) until it is filled. After the measuring container (104) has been filled, the rotary slide valve (105) together with the piston (118) is pivoted again in the direction of the outlet opening (112), so that the product (6) can recently accumulate in the conveyor shaft (3). If, in exceptional cases, the product (6) accumulates in the conveyor shaft (3) to a height that reaches the maximum measuring distance (91), the conveyor element (2) is stopped by a measuring pulse emitted by the receiver (93).

As an additional safety measure, a loosening device (140) can be provided in the conveyor shaft (3). This extends as a rod-shaped structure, for example a tube in the longitudinal direction through the conveyor shaft (3), for example parallel to its central axis (141). This loosening device (140) projects with its lower end (142) into the conveyor shaft (3) to just above the inlet opening (111). At this point, the lower end (142) is bent at right angles in the form of a hook (143) and extends transversely to the direction of the conveyor shaft (3). The loosening device (140) protrudes from the conveyor shaft (3) at its end facing away from the inlet opening (111) with a connecting piece (143). This connector (143) is pivotally connected to a rotary drive (144) so that the loosening device (140) can be pivoted about its central axis within the conveyor shaft (3). When swiveling, the hook (142) carries out swiveling movements which are suitable for releasing a product jam in the lower end of the conveyor shaft (3). In addition, the loosening device (140) in the form of a tube can be connected to a pressurized gas container (145). The pressurized gas, for example nitrogen, in the pressurized gas container (145) is flushed into the conveyor shaft (3) during the movement of the loosening device (140), so that this pressurized gas is also suitable for releasing congestion within the conveyor shaft (3). In addition, the pressurized gas formed as nitrogen exerts a preserving effect within the packaging unit (101) by displacing corresponding amounts of oxygen.

A wiper (157) can be connected to the loosening device (140) and is guided along an inner wall of the conveyor shaft (3) when the loosening device (140) is pivoted about its central axis. The scraper (157) branches off from the loosening device (140) with a development (158) in the direction of the inner wall.

All parts of the device can be interconnected within a cleaning system (48). That Reini The delivery system (48) consists of pipes that open into a detergent tank (148) via a pump (147). The cleaning agent (149) collects in this cleaning agent tank (148). The piping of the cleaning system (48) opens not only into the cleaning openings (46, 47) of the bearing housing (36, 37), but also into corresponding connecting pieces (149, 150) which open into the interior (108) of the housing (106). In this way, the rotary slide valve (105) can be included in the cleaning system (48). For this purpose it is conical and tapers from its end (131) towards the end (134). In a corresponding manner, the interior (108) has walls that taper conically in the direction of the end wall (135), on which the rotary slide valve (105) with its outer wall (109) is mounted. In its operating position, the outer wall (109) is guided on all sides on the wall (110). For the purpose of cleaning, the rotary slide valve (105) is pulled out of the housing (106) towards its end (131) to such an extent that there is a gap between the wall (110) and the outer wall (109). The cleaning liquid (149) is flushed through this gap and enters the interior (108) through the connecting pieces (149, 150). The cleaning fluid (149) enters the cleaning system (48) in an outlet connection (not shown) and collects in the cleaning agent tank (148). In addition, outlet openings (151) are also provided in the area of the storage container (11), so that the cleaning liquid (149) can also be flushed through this.

In order to be able to ensure that the piston (118) is properly flushed around in a cleaning position assumed by it and on the other hand to have a tight seal of the piston (118) on its guideway (152), this guideway (152) has in the direction of the piston ( 118) executed movement a changing profile. During the guideway (152) in the entire area in which the piston (118) with its towards the measuring container (104) The front side forms a side wall (115) of the measuring container (104), the piston (118) has a boundary surface (153) which is adapted to the guideway (152) and is guided therein, the guideway (152) has outside this area in the direction of the end ( 131) of the rotary valve (105), a profile in which the radii are narrower than those of the boundary surface (153). In this way, the piston (118) lifts out of the guideway (152) when it is moved into this area. The radii of the piston (118), which are larger in relation to the radii of the guide track (152), are supported on the side walls of the guide track (152), so that cleaning fluid (149) can be washed around the piston (118) on all sides. The exact guidance of the piston rod (121) takes place in a sliding bushing (154) which in the area of the coupling (132) slidably receives the part of the piston rod (121) protruding from the end (131) of the rotary valve (105).

To prevent the detergent from building up in the housing (61, 62) during the rinsing process so that the screw conveyor (31) and possibly also the gripper (1) are completely immersed in the cleaning liquid (149), the housing (61, 62) Level holes (155) provided. Through these level bores (155), the cleaning liquid (149) enters the cleaning system (48), for example into the cleaning agent tank (148), via a pipe (156). The level bores (155) in the housing (61, 62) are installed at a height at which the level of the cleaning agent in the housing (61, 62) must be maintained in order to hold the gripper (1) and the screw conveyor (31 ) to be uncovered by cleaning agents. This ensures that both the gripper (1) and the screw conveyor (31) are not shielded by the cleaning agent from the access of the cleaning agent jets emerging from the outlet openings (151).

Claims (100)

1. A method for the gentle packaging of a product which can be influenced by its external consistency and which consists of a number of separable components which at least partially adhere to one another and deform slightly under the influence of mechanical forces, characterized in that the product (6) in a position of potential energy is dammed up, from which it is guided by its gravity into a measuring container (104), which pivots after it has been filled and, in its pivoted position, is emptied into a packaging unit (101) under it due to the gravity of the product (6) becomes. 2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the measuring container (104) is varied in the size of its volume. 3. The method according to claim 1 and 2, characterized in that the product (6) from a supply (5) is gripped by a gripper (1) and placed in a flowing product stream which is fed to a comparative conveying member (2) from which it is guided through a conveyor shaft (3) without pressure into an allocation member (4) from which it is conveyed into a packaging unit (101). 4. The method according to claim 1 to 3, characterized in that the product stream emerging from the conveying member (2) is fed in free fall to the allocating member (4). 5. The method according to claim 1 to 4, characterized in that the gripper (1) is continuously moved in the direction of the stock (5). 6. The method according to claim 1 to 4, characterized in that the gripper (1) is moved discontinuously in the direction of the stock (5). 7. The method according to claim 1 to 6, characterized in that the product (6) by the gripper (1) is set in a large number of individual movements which is made more uniform in the direction of the conveying member (2). 8. The method according to claim 1 to 7, characterized in that the product (6) is divided by the individual movements into mutually different partial streams, at least some of which are directed in mutually different directions before they are combined in the conveying member (2) to form the product stream . 9. The method according to claim 1 to 8, characterized in that the gripper (1) gripper arms (7) in the supply (5) are pivoted. 10. The method according to claim 1 to 9, characterized in that the gripper arms (7) are pivoted by a rotating shaft (8). 11. The method according to claim 1 to 10, characterized in that the product (6) is gripped by the gripper arms (7) in one rotating area of the shaft (8) and in another rotating area of the shaft (8) is fed to the conveying member (2) . 12. The method according to claim 1 to 11, characterized in that the product stream supplied by the gripper (1) to the conveying member (2) is adapted in density to the conveying speed of the conveying member (2). 13. The method according to claim 1 to 12, characterized in that the product (5) from the metering member (4) is introduced discontinuously into the packaging unit (101) and in the conveying direction in front of the metering member (4) in a storage space until it is introduced into the allocation organ (4) is dammed up. 14. The method according to claim 1 to 13, characterized in that the product (6) pent up in the storage space is limited to an amount flowing to the metering member (4) in free fall. 15. The method according to claim 1 to 14, characterized in that the amount of product (6) stowed in the storage space is approximately limited to a fill quantity which can be accommodated by the allocation member (4). 16. The method according to claim 1 to 15, characterized in that the limitation of the pent-up amount in the storage space is carried out by a control of the conveyor member (2). 17. The method according to claim 1 to 16, characterized in that a control for the product flow conveyed by the gripper (1) is provided for controlling the product flow conveyed by the conveying member (2). 18. The method according to claim 1 to 16, characterized in that both the gripper (1) and the conveying member (2) are controlled by the amount of product flow stowed in the storage space. 19. The method according to claim 1 to 18, characterized in that an amount corresponding to the packaging unit (101) of the product stream is measured by the metering member (2) and the packaging unit (101) is fed without pressure. 20. The method according to claim 1 to 19, characterized in that the components are held in single movement by the conveyor member (2). 21. The method according to claim 1 to 20, characterized in that the product (6) is shaken and thereby loosened in the stock (5). 22. Device for the gentle packaging of a product which can be influenced in its consistency by external influences, with at least one measuring container movably mounted in a housing, which has an inlet cross section which, after movement of the measuring container, faces as an outlet cross section to a packaging unit to be filled, characterized in that Inlet cross section (116) is arranged immediately below a conveyor shaft (3) in which the product (6) is dammed up with a potential energy sufficient for filling the measuring container (104). 23. The device according to claim 22, characterized in that the measuring container (104) in the housing (106) is pivotally mounted. 24. The device according to claim 22 and 23, characterized in that the measuring container (104) is formed in a rotary slide valve (105) and has an inlet cross-section (116) with which it through an appropriate in the housing (106) provided inlet opening (111) communicates with the conveyor shaft (3) and through an outlet opening (112) with the packaging unit (101). 25. The apparatus of claim 22 and 23, characterized in that at least two measuring containers (104) on the rotary valve (105) are formed concentrically to the central axis. 26. The apparatus according to claim 22 and 25, characterized in that the measuring container (104) has a variable in size volume. 27. The apparatus according to claim 26, characterized in that the measuring container (104) is provided with side walls (114, 115), of which at least one is movably mounted to change the volume of the measuring container (104). 28. The apparatus of claim 26 and 27, characterized in that the movable side wall (115) is movably mounted in the longitudinal direction of the rotary valve (105). 29. The device according to claim 26 to 28, characterized in that the movable side wall (115) on a in the rotary valve (105) slidably mounted piston rod (121) is fixed and limits the measuring container (104) on its side facing the piston rod (121) . 30. The device according to claim 26 to 29, characterized in that the movable side wall (115) in the region of the piston rod (121) slides in a guide (119) and that between the movable side wall (115) and the The remaining side wall (114) of the measuring container (104) is provided with a tight play preventing the penetration of the product (6), and that outside the measuring container (104) in a cleaning position there is a wide play favoring the penetration of cleaning fluid. 31. The device according to claim 30, characterized in that the movable side wall (115) is formed on a piston (118) which is guided in a guideway (152) with its outer boundary surfaces (153) and the guideway (152) in the area of the measuring container (104) has a different profile than in the area of the cleaning position. 32. Apparatus according to claim 30 to 31, characterized in that the guide track (152) and the boundary surface (153) have roundings, the radii of which correspond to one another in the region of the measuring container (104), while the radius of the guide track (152) is in Towards the cleaning position increasingly reduced. 33. Apparatus according to claim 29 to 32, characterized in that the piston rod (121) is displaceably mounted in a sliding bush (154) which is fixed in a rear end (131) of the rotary slide valve (105) facing away from the measuring container (104). 34. Apparatus according to claim 22 to 33, characterized in that the measuring container (104) tapers conically in the direction of its lowest point. 35. Apparatus according to claim 34, characterized in that the measuring container (104) is designed in the form of a hemisphere. 36. Apparatus according to claim 27 to 35, characterized in that, depending on the quality of the product to be filled (6), a rotary valve (105) suitable for this is provided with a measuring container (104) adapted to the product (6). 37. Apparatus according to claim 22 to 36, characterized in that within the measuring container (104) an opening opening is provided in the interior thereof. 38. Apparatus according to claim 37, characterized in that the blow-out opening is connected to a blow-out means via a channel (138) extending through the rotary valve (105). 39. Apparatus according to claim 37 to 38, characterized in that the channel (138) opens into a free space (136) in which a pressure built up by the blowing agent is provided. 40. Apparatus according to claim 39, characterized in that the free space (136) at a rear end (131) facing away from the front end (134) of the rotary valve (105) is provided, which is adjacent to the measuring container (104) and between the and an adjacent front end wall (135) of the housing (106), the free space (136) is formed. 41. Apparatus according to claim 37 to 40, characterized in that the blow-out opening is provided at the lowest point of the measuring container (104), in which it is separated from the blow-out means, while in the pivoted position of the rotary valve (105) at the highest point of the measuring container (104) is provided and acted upon by the blowing agent. 42. Apparatus according to claim 37 to 41, characterized in that baffles are provided in the blow-out opening for distributing the blow-out medium over the entire interior of the measuring container (104). 43. Apparatus according to claim 42, characterized in that the blow-out means directed by the guide plates is directed onto the side walls (114, 115) of the measuring container (104). 44. Apparatus according to claim 38 to 43, characterized in that a gas is provided as the blowing agent. 45. Apparatus according to claim 44, characterized in that nitrogen is provided as gas. 46. Apparatus according to claim 22 to 45, characterized in that in the longitudinal direction of the conveyor shaft (3) a loosening device (140) is guided, with its end facing the measuring container (104) (142) in the region of the inlet opening (111) of the housing (106) ends. 47. Apparatus according to claim 46, characterized in that the end (142) is angled transversely to the direction of the conveyor shaft (3) and is pivotally mounted within the conveyor shaft (3). 48. Device according to claim 46 and 47, characterized in that the loosening device (140) is designed as a tube flushed with the blow-out agent. 49. Apparatus according to claim 46 to 48, characterized in that the loosening device (140) is arranged eccentrically to the center line (141) of the conveyor shaft (3). 50. Apparatus according to claim 22 to 46, characterized in that a stripper (157) is attached to the loosening device (140), which is parallel to the direction of Conveying shaft (3) is guided on the wall. 51. Apparatus according to claim 24 to 50, characterized in that the rotary slide valve (105) is movably mounted in the longitudinal direction in the housing (106). 52. Apparatus according to claim 51, characterized in that the rotary slide valve (105) is provided at its rear end (131) with a drive which is displaceable in its longitudinal direction. 53. Apparatus according to claim 51 and 52, characterized in that the rotary slide valve (105) within the housing (106) is slidably mounted on cylindrical pieces of wall (110) which extend in the direction of the rear end (131) of the rotary slide valve (105 ) expand conically. 54. Apparatus according to claim 51 to 53, characterized in that in the area of the housing (106) enclosed conically enlarged interior (108) drawn rotary valve (105) is surrounded on all sides by a washing area, through which a washing agent flows. 55. Apparatus according to claim 54, characterized in that the washing compartment is connected to the cleaning system (48) via connecting pieces (149, 50). 56. Apparatus according to claim 54 and 55, characterized in that one of the connecting pieces (149, 150) opens into the free space (136). 57. Apparatus according to claim 22 to 56, characterized in that in a stock (5) of the product (6) a gripper (1) gripping the product (6) is arranged, in the effective area of which a conveying member (2) is arranged, with the end of which is connected to a conveying shaft (3) which receives and passes on the product (6) without pressure, at the end of which there is provided an organ (4) which receives the product (6) without pressure, into the inlet side of which the conveying shaft (3) opens and at which A packaging unit (101) to be filled with the product (6) is provided on the output side. 58. Device according to claim 57, characterized in that the gripper (1) is provided with pivotable gripper arms (7), the pivoting range of which lies at least partially within the supply (5). 59. Apparatus according to claim 57 and 58, characterized in that the gripper arms (7) are fastened to a shaft (8), the rotation region of which on the one hand faces the supply (5) and on the other hand the conveying member (2). 60. Apparatus according to claim 57 to 59, characterized in that at least one gripper arm (7) is designed as a hook (15) which is fastened with one of its ends (17) to the shaft (8) and the other end (17) protrudes into the supply (5) in one rotating area of the shaft (8) and is directly adjacent to the conveying element (2) in the other rotating area of the shaft (8). 61. Apparatus according to claim 57 to 60, characterized in that the hook (15) is designed as a curved plate which opens tangentially into the shaft (8) and wraps around it at an angle of approximately 180 °. 62. Apparatus according to claim 61, characterized in that the sheet metal spans a plane which is perpendicular to a center line extending through the shaft (8). 63. Apparatus according to claim 61 and 62, characterized in that the sheet is flat and is chamfered on its outer longitudinal edge (20) facing away from the shaft (8) in the form of a roof (21). 64. Apparatus according to claim 61 to 63, characterized in that the sheet is cut off smoothly at its end (14) facing away from the shaft (8). 65. Apparatus according to claim 58 to 64, characterized in that at least one gripper arm (7) is designed as a sheet which is bent in the form of a worm (16) and is attached to the shaft (8) with at least one end (25). 66. Apparatus according to claim 58 to 64, characterized in that at least one gripper arm (7) is designed as a helically bent sheet which is attached to the shaft (8) along an inner edge (29) facing the shaft (8). 67. Apparatus according to claim 65 and 66, characterized in that the sheet with its outer edge (28) facing away from the shaft (8) extends on an outer diameter (27) which corresponds to the maximum length of the gripper arms (7). 68. Apparatus according to claim 59 to 67, characterized in that the shaft (8) is arranged with its longitudinal axis transverse to the direction of the product to be conveyed (6). 69. Apparatus according to claim 68, characterized in that the shaft (8) extends in the horizontal direction through an outlet (10) of a reservoir (11) receiving the supply (5). 70. Apparatus according to claim 68 to 69, characterized in that the storage container (11) in the direction of the outlet (10) has funnel-shaped tapered walls (13), the outlet (10) facing ends in the region of the maximum length of the gripper arms (7) lie. 71. Apparatus according to claim 60 to 70, characterized in that the hook (15) with its longitudinal edge (20) facing away from the shaft (8) presses the product (6) in the direction of the conveying member (2). 72. Apparatus according to claim 71, characterized in that the hook (15) in the direction of rotation initially has a pressure point acting on the product (6) in the region of its articulation on the shaft (8), which, when the shaft (8) rotates, moves into Direction towards an end (17) of the hook (15) facing away from the shaft (8). 73. Apparatus according to claim 59 to 72, characterized in that in the direction of the product (6) conveyed away from the conveying member (2) at the front on the shaft (8), a worm (16) and subsequently hooks (15) are attached to it. 74. Apparatus according to claim 59 to 73, characterized in that the diameter (27) of the screw (16) is approximately the same size as the diameter of the hooks (15). 75. Apparatus according to claim 57 to 74, characterized in that the conveying member (2) is designed as a screw conveyor (31). 76. Apparatus according to claim 75, characterized in that the screw conveyor (37) extends coaxially to the shaft (8) of the gripper (1). 77. Apparatus according to claim 75 and 76, characterized in that the screw conveyor (31) has an outer diameter (49) which directly adjoins that of the gripper (1). 78. Apparatus according to claim 75 to 77, characterized in that the screw conveyor (31) is arranged in a housing (61, 62) which at least on one side encloses the screw conveyor (31) with a lower switch (56). 79. Apparatus according to claim 78, characterized in that the lower switch (56) is opposite a straight funnel-shaped wall (57,58,59,60). 80. Apparatus according to claim 57 to 79, characterized in that at least one shaft (8) provided with grippers (1) and a screw conveyor (37) are rotatably mounted in a housing (61, 62). 81. Apparatus according to claim 80, characterized in that the screw conveyor (31) and the shaft (8) are overhung in one of their ends in bearing housings (36, 37). 82. Apparatus according to claim 80 and 81, characterized in that the bearing housings (36, 37) in the longitudinal direction of the shaft (8) or the screw conveyor (31) have displaceable shaft ends (38, 39) which are conical and in conical bearing points ( 42,43) are stored. 83. Apparatus according to claim 82, characterized in that the stub shafts (38, 39) are slidably mounted in the inserted positions in the bearing points (42, 43) and in an extended position are surrounded by a cleaning chamber through which a detergent flows. 84. Apparatus according to claim 83, characterized in that the cleaning chamber is connected to a cleaning system (48) containing the pressurized cleaning agent, which opens into the housing (61, 62) via outlet openings (151). 85. Apparatus according to claim 83 to 84, characterized in that from the outlet openings (151) emerging detergent jets are aligned with the gripper (1) and the conveying member (2). 86. Device according to claim 83 to 85, characterized in that level bores (155) are provided in the housing (61, 62), which are connected to a detergent tank (148) provided for the detergent via pipes (156), and the level bores ( 155) are in the region of a level of detergent which extends below a horizon swept by the spray of spray. 87. Apparatus according to claim 57 to 86, characterized in that the screw conveyor (31) outside the storage container (11) extends through a tube (52) surrounding it, at the end of which (78) facing away from the storage container (11) it in the Conveying shaft (3) opens out. 88. Device according to claim 87, characterized in that the tube (52) on its inner wall (51) facing the screw conveyor (31) has a calibration (63) guiding the product flow. 89. Apparatus according to claim 88, characterized in that the calibration (63) consists of trains (64) which extend parallel to the longitudinal direction of the tube (52) through this and two trains (64) each enclose a field between them. 90. Apparatus according to claim 89, characterized in that the trains (64) are designed in their cross-section as teeth which protrude into the inner wall (65) and are evenly spaced over the inner wall (65) and in that each field in cross-section is formed as an arcuate connecting line connecting two teeth, which extends from a tip (66) of the one tooth which projects furthest into the inner wall (65) to a tip (66) of the adjacent tooth which projects most from the inner wall. 91. Apparatus according to claim 75 to 90, characterized in that the tube (52) in its wall (65) vent holes (71) are provided for venting air cushions enclosed between the product (6). 92. Apparatus according to claim 75 to 91, characterized in that the screw conveyor (31) has a screw (33) whose wing profile (72) tapers conically from the shaft (32) in the direction of the tube (52). 93. Apparatus according to claim 57 to 92, characterized in that the conveyor shaft (3) has a cross-section which widens conically in the direction of the metering member (4). 94. Apparatus according to claim 93, characterized in that a measuring section (88) is provided directly in the direction of fall in front of the metering member (4) for measuring a quantity of product stuck in front of the metering member (4). 95. Apparatus according to claim 94, characterized in that the measuring section (88) consists of at least one sensor (85) which is oriented at a predetermined point of the conveyor shaft (3) in the effective direction on its interior and on a filling of the conveyor shaft ( 3) Indicative fill indicator is aligned. 96. Apparatus according to claim 95, characterized in that a storage space in the conveyor shaft (3) is provided between the measuring section (88) and the metering member (4), the content of which corresponds to at least one filling of the metering member (4). 97. Apparatus according to claim 95 to 96, characterized in that a maximum measuring distance (91) is provided in the direction of fall before the measuring section (88) at an uppermost level not to be exceeded by the pent-up product (6). 98. Device according to claim 95 to 97, characterized in that the measuring section (88) is connected to an on switch and the maximum measuring section (91) is connected to an off switch of the conveying member (2). 99. Apparatus for carrying out the method according to claim 1 to 20, characterized in that the metering member (4) consists of a measuring chamber (90) adjoining the conveyor shaft (3) in the direction of the packaging unit (101), both with respect to the Conveying shaft (3) and also in relation to the packaging unit (101) each have a slide (94, 96) as a closure member. 100. Apparatus according to claim 99, characterized in that the slide (94,96) as an input slide (94) closing the measuring chamber (90) with respect to the conveyor shaft (3) is opened when the measuring chamber (90) is being filled and is closed when it is emptied while an outlet slide (96) arranged opposite it is open when emptying and closed when filling.

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