Device and method for de-stacking stacked articles

2:

• The device according to claim 1, wherein the separating elements of the plurality are mounted resiliently such that they are pressed radially inwards against the stack.

3:

• The device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality comprises at least three separating elements, wherein a maximum angular distance between adjacent separating elements is less than 180°.

4:

• The device according to claim 1, further comprising a guide within which the stack of articles to be de-stacked can be located.

5:

• The device according to claim 4, wherein the plurality of separating elements are arranged at one end of the guide.

6:

• The device according to claim 1, wherein the mechanism for moving the separating elements includes a sleeve, and the separating elements of the plurality are moved radially by movement of the mechanism along an axis of the stack.

7:

• The device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of separating elements are arranged transversely to a stack axis, circularly around the stack and radially oriented.

8:

• The device according to claim 1, wherein the device further comprises a carrier movable along an axis of the stack, and an article to be removed from the stack can be temporarily fixed by the carrier movable along the axis of the stack.

9:

• The device according to claim 8, wherein the carrier comprises a suction device for generating a negative pressure between a wall of the article to be removed and the carrier.

10:

• The device according to claim 9, wherein a flexible sealing ring is arranged on the carrier for sealing between the carrier and the article to be removed.

11:

• The device according to claim 9, wherein the carrier comprises two suction devices, which are designed in as coaxially arranged bellows suckers.

13:

• The method according to claim 12, wherein, during step d), the stack is repositioned with respect to the separating elements by falling and subsequently stopping the fall by a component.

14:

• The method according to claim 12, wherein the article to be de-stacked of the stack contacts with a carrier before step e).

15:

• The method according to claim 12, wherein the article to be separated is temporarily fixed by a carrier movable along an axis of the stack, and the article, while fixed to the carrier, is removed from the stack by the carrier within a range of motion moving away from the stack.

16:

• The method according to claim 12, wherein the article to be separated from the stack is temporarily fixed to the carrier by a negative pressure.

17:

• The device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality comprises at least four separating elements, wherein a maximum angular distance between adjacent separating elements is less than 180°.

18:

• The method according to claim 12, wherein the articles are cup-like capsules with a peripheral edge.

19:

• The method according to claim 12, wherein the repositioning of the plurality of the separating elements relative to the stack comprises dropping the stack onto a carrier.

20:

• The method according to claim 12, wherein the moving of the article lying at the end of the stack away from the stack comprises fixing and removing the article using a movable carrier.