Receptacle grouping system and method for operating a receptacle grouping system

A receptacle grouping system, comprising:

• a stock storage device,
• receptacles being arranged in the stock storage device in a delivery configuration in which different sub-quantities of the receptacles have a first distance from each other that corresponds to the delivery configuration, the receptacles including filled receptacles and unfilled receptacles,
• a transport device for transporting the receptacles,
• wherein the receptacles are arranged in a receptacle carrier, along a transport path, the receptacles being arranged in the receptacle carrier in a machine configuration in which the different sub-quantities of receptacles have a second distance from each other that corresponds to the machine configuration and that is different from the first distance corresponding to the delivery configuration,
• wherein, as viewed along the transport path, at least one loading area is provided, the at least one loading area having a loading device configured for at least one selected from the group consisting of (i) loading the receptacle carrier with the unfilled receptacles and (ii) unloading the filled receptacles from the receptacle carrier,
• wherein the receptacle grouping system has a conversion device configured for at least one selected from the group consisting of (i) supplying the unfilled receptacles from a receptacle stock into a conversion area and (ii) discharging the filled receptacles from the conversion area into a stock container,
• wherein the receptacles are arranged in the conversion area in the delivery configuration,
• wherein the conversion area and the at least one loading area are spaced apart from each other across at least one adaptation area,
• wherein the configuration of the receptacles is alterable, between the delivery configuration and the machine configuration,
• wherein, in the at least one adaptation area, at least one stator and at least two movers are provided, the at least one stator and the at least two movers being electromagnetically coupled to the stator,
• wherein the movers are drivable to move independently of each other relative to a drive surface,
• wherein a receiving means for receiving one of the sub-quantities of the receptacles is provided, the receiving means being arranged on a respective upper side of a mover, and
• wherein the receptacles being are selectively convertible to the machine configuration or to the delivery configuration by alteration of the distance between the movers.