Method and device for reporting disruption in the grouping of articles

Disclosed are a method for reporting disruption while simultaneously revealing the cause thereof and a device for performing such a method. During grouping, articles (01) from an incoming article flow are grouped upon a preparation surface (02) and are transported away after completion of the group in order to make space for a new grouping. During grouping, articles (01) are also detected by sensor in respect of their entry alignment and/or position in the article flow in order to subsequently bring them into a final alignment and final position corresponding to their arrangement in the grouping to be achieved. During grouping, the articles (01) located on the preparation surface (02) are also detected by sensor. The method involves the method steps of: - obtaining a real actual alignment and an actual position (03) of the articles (01) located on the preparation surface (02) with the aid of the sensor-detection of the articles (01) located on the preparation surface (02); - recognising incorrectly standing or fallen articles (05) by comparing the real actual alignment and actual position (03) of the articles (01) located on the preparation surface (02) with a desired alignment and a desired position to be achieved of the articles (01) in a grouping to be formed by then from the articles (01) located on the preparation surface (02); and - if it is recognised that one or a plurality of articles (05) are in a wrong position or in a wrong alignment: - transmission of a disruption report; and/or - interruption of the grouping; or - automatically solving the disruption by modifying the position and/or the alignment of the one or of the plurality of articles (05), which is or are in a wrong position.