Method and device for grouping packages

A method for grouping packages into a predefined package group, the method comprising

• providing a conveyor device formed of a plurality conveyors, the conveyors being individually controllable, being arranged behind one another, and having an inlet-side end and a discharge-side end;
• delivering the packages one after another to the conveyor device at its inlet-side end;
• carrying out a control algorithm when at least one package of the package group which is to be formed is present on the conveyor device, the control algorithm comprising following steps:
• interpolating and/or detecting the position and/or the speed of each individual package on the conveyor device;
• determining a target speed for each individual package on the conveyor device dependent on the detected and/or interpolated position and/or speed of the package for forming the predefined package group;
• determining a target speed of the individual conveyors for attaining the target speed of the respective package for adjusting a predefined spacing interval to the preceding and/or following package at the discharge-side end of the conveyor device;
• and
• controlling the speed of the individual conveyors to the respective target speed of the conveyor which has been determined in each case, in order to achieve the grouping of the packages to the predefined package group without any accumulation pressure.

A device for grouping packages to form a predefined package group, comprising:

• a conveyor device having a plurality of conveyors, said conveyors being individually controllable and arranged behind one another, with an inlet-side end and a discharge-side end;
• a control device for the individual controlling of the conveyors for the grouping of the packages without any accumulation pressure, said control device being configured to carry out a control algorithm, with which the position and/or the speed of the packages on the conveyor device are interpolated and/or detected;
• said control device being configured to:
• determine a target speed of each individual package on the conveyor device based on detected and/or interpolated position and/or speed of the package for forming a predefined package group,
• determine a target speed of the individual conveyors for attaining the target speed of the respective package, to adjust a predefined spacing interval to the preceding and/or following package at the discharge-side end of the conveyor device, and
• control the speed of the individual conveyors to the respective determined target speed of the conveyor to achieve grouping of the packages to form the predefined package group without any accumulation pressure.