Device for guiding containers and star wheel conveyor

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (1) for guiding containers (101) conveyed by a star wheel (103) in a star wheel conveyor (100), preferably for guiding beverage containers (101) in a star wheel conveyor (100) in a beverage filling plant, the adjusting device comprises at least two adjusting parts (16) which are arranged at a distance from each other in a circumferential direction (210) relative to a central axis (200) and are each displaceable in a radial direction (220) relative to the central axis (200); and a control section (18) which can be displaced in the circumferential direction (210) and which is coupled to the adjusting part (16) in such a way that a displacement of the control section (18) in the circumferential direction (210) causes a displacement of the adjusting part (16) in the radial direction (220); wherein a guide strip segment (4) is arranged on each radially inner end of the adjusting part (16), and wherein the guide strip segments (4) together form a segmented guide strip (6) for providing an outer guide path for the container (101) to be conveyed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a device for guiding containers conveyed by a star wheel in a star wheel conveyor, for example for guiding beverage containers in a star wheel conveyor in a beverage filling device, and a star wheel conveyor for conveying containers, for example for conveying beverage containers in a beverage filling device. Background Art

[0002] In beverage filling plants, star wheel conveyors are often used in automatic processing lines, for example at the end of a production line, in order to sort the filled and closed containers in specified cycles.

[0003] In order to be able to specify the cycle, ie the conveying frequency of the containers or the distance between two consecutive containers, the star wheel conveyor comprises a plurality of container receptacles arranged evenly distributed over the circumference on the conveyor wheel, in which the containers to be conveyed are received during transport by the star wheel conveyor.

[0004] In principle, two fundamentally different types of star wheel conveyors must be distinguished here with regard to the nature of their container receivers, namely container receivers in the form of grippers on the one hand and container receivers in the form of recesses on the other hand.

[0005] The first type of star-wheel conveyor has container receiving sections, which can be configured as active or passive clamps. These clamps clamp the container to be conveyed by actively or passively pivoting two clamping arms that can be pivoted to each other between an open position and a closed position during the conveying operation of the star-wheel conveyor, i.e. during the conveying of the container to be conveyed, during the connection of the container and the transfer of the container. The open position allows the container to be held to be introduced into the clamp and the container to be removed from the clamp accordingly. In the closed position, the clamp fixes the container in a specified position in the clamp so that it can be conveyed. Here, the container is held in place on the star-wheel conveyor by clamping via the clamp. The transfer between the open position and the closed position of the clamping arm is either carried out actively, i.e. controlled by a corresponding control device, or passively, by overcoming the bias of the clamping arm to push the container into the clamp. Therefore, during the conveying operation of the star wheel conveyor, the clamp undergoes a change in the position of its clamping arm when the container to be conveyed is taken over into the clamp by a device arranged upstream of the star wheel conveyor in the container conveying direction in the device and when the container conveyed by the star wheel conveyor is transferred from the clamp to a device arranged downstream of the star wheel conveyor, at least from an open position to a closed position when taking over, and from a closed position to an open position when transferring.

[0006] Such a conveyor configured with a clamp for clamping a container can be known, for example, from EP2093169A1. This disclosure relates in particular to a second group of star-wheel conveyors which do not include a clamp but rather a recess. "Recesses" can be understood here as container receptacles which, unlike the aforementioned clamps, do not undergo movement between different positions during the conveying operation of the star-wheel conveyor. On the contrary, the recesses are preset during the equipment process and remain in a rigid, fixed position during the actual operation of the star-wheel conveyor and the filling device comprising the star-wheel conveyor. Therefore, the recesses provide a constant storage space during the conveying operation, in which the container to be conveyed is at least partially stored, and in this case, it will not be clamped by the clamping arm due to position changes as in the case of the clamp.

[0007] In order to be able to convey the containers in the conveying direction, the pockets comprise pocket arms pointing backwards, as viewed in the conveying direction, which push the container to be conveyed, as viewed in the conveying direction, from behind when the conveying wheel comprising the pocket rotates in the conveying direction. The containers, if necessary in interaction with guide elements arranged radially outwards with respect to the axis of rotation of the conveying wheel, are either pushed by a rigid base plate of the star-wheel conveyor, or the star-wheel conveyor comprises a rotatable base plate on which the conveyed container rests with its container bottom. In order to limit the pocket at the front, as viewed in the conveying direction, the pocket can comprise a further pocket arm.

[0008] Widely used is this star wheel conveyor, which has a basically disc-shaped conveying wheel, which has a plurality of recesses evenly spaced from each other and arranged on the circumference. The conveying wheel of this star wheel conveyor usually includes at least one pair of disc-shaped plates, which can rotate relative to each other around the central rotation axis of the conveying wheel in the refitting mode. Rigid protrusions pointing radially outward are arranged on these plates, and these protrusions each constitute the recess arm of the recess. The protrusion of one plate always constitutes the recess arm on one side of each recess, for example, always constitutes the rearward recess arm, and the protrusion of another plate always constitutes the recess arm on the other side of each recess, for example, always constitutes the front side recess arm accordingly. By rotating these plates relative to each other, the width of the recess can be preset in the refitting mode. This device can be known from EP3152 138B1.

[0009] Furthermore, a device is known from WO 2005 / 030616 A2, in which the pocket arms are arranged pivotably on a pair of disks of a conveying wheel via a gear transmission.

[0010] In order to prevent the container conveyed in the pocket from moving out of the pocket during conveying, a device for guiding the container is usually arranged on the outside of the star wheel conveyor relative to the pocket, which device is also called a container external guide, and the device includes a circular arc-shaped guide rail arranged on a specified pitch circle relative to the rotation axis of the rotary conveyor including the pocket. Here, such a device is known, in which the distance of the guide rail to the rotation axis can be changed. Such a device can be known, for example, from US8418836B2. In such a device, the flexible guide rail can be deformed so that an approximate circular arc shape can be provided more or less at different radii of the guide rail relative to the rotation axis. Summary of the invention

[0011] Starting from the known prior art, the object of the present invention is to provide an improved device for guiding containers conveyed by a star wheel in a star wheel conveyor, preferably for guiding beverage containers in a star wheel conveyor in a beverage filling plant, and an improved star wheel conveyor.

[0012] This object is achieved by a device for guiding containers conveyed by a star wheel in a star wheel conveyor, preferably for guiding beverage containers in a star wheel conveyor in a beverage filling plant, having the features of claim 1. Advantageous developments result from the dependent claims, the description and the drawings.

[0013] Therefore, a device is proposed for guiding containers conveyed by a star wheel in a star wheel conveyor on the radial outside relative to the star wheel, preferably for guiding beverage containers in a star wheel conveyor of a beverage filling device, which comprises: a plurality of adjustment parts which are arranged spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction relative to a central axis and are each displaceable in the radial direction relative to the central axis; and a control section which is displaceable in the circumferential direction and is coupled to the adjustment section so that displacement of the control section in the circumferential direction causes displacement of the adjustment section in the radial direction.

[0014] Guide strip segments are arranged at the radially inner ends of the adjustment sections, wherein the guide strip segments together form a segmented guide strip for providing an outer guide path for the container to be transported.

[0015] As a result, the guide slats can be arranged at different radii or pitch circle diameters relative to the central axis of rotation of the star wheel conveyor, without the guide slats or their guide slat segments having to be deformed elastically or even plastically. As a result, no forces and stresses are absorbed in the device either, which compensate for the reset forces present due to the elastic deformation of the guide slats. As a result, the forces required for adjusting the position of the guide slat segments are also lower than in conventional devices of the prior art. As a result, the proposed device can be designed compactly and with relatively low material usage, has a simple structure, and can be used over a relatively long service life without causing damage to the parts of the device.

[0016] The central axis may be the central axis of rotation of a star wheel of the star wheel conveyor comprising a plurality of pockets for receiving containers.

[0017] The segmented guide strip can be at least partially designed to be essentially arc-shaped, optionally to be circular arc-shaped. In other words, the guide strip segments can be arranged relative to one another in such a way that the segmented guide strip essentially has an arc shape that essentially corresponds to the movement path of the container conveyed and guided by the device, which is specified by the star wheel of the star wheel conveyor, which includes the recesses.

[0018] The term "substantially arcuate" is to be understood to mean that the individual guide strip segments, more particularly the guide surfaces of the individual guide strip segments, can have a fixed radius of curvature which differs from the curvature of the arcuate shape of the segmented guide strip extension. However, the segmented guide strip can provide a guide path for the containers to be transported which has only negligibly small irregularities in its course relative to the radius of the guide path relative to the central axis.

[0019] The guide strip can be a continuous segmented guide strip. In other words, there is no gap or distance between adjacent guide strip segments in the circumferential direction relative to the central axis, ie along the guide path provided by the segmented guide strip.

[0020] According to one embodiment, adjacent guide strip segments can overlap in the circumferential direction. Thus, it can be ensured, for example, that the segmented guide strip is continuous, ie there is no distance between adjacent guide strip segments. Furthermore, the overlapping parts of adjacent guide strip segments can be used to couple these guide strip segments.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the segmented guide strip can be moved between a specified radially inner position and a specified radially outer position relative to the center axis by displacement of the adjustment portion.

[0022] At a radially inner position, the segmented guide strip may be arranged substantially on an inner radius relative to the central axis, and at a radially outer position, the segmented guide strip may be arranged substantially on an outer radius greater than the inner radius.

[0023] In order to be able to stably guide the container along the guide path provided by the segmented guide strip, the guide strip segments can be arranged on their associated adjustment sections in a rotationally fixed manner at least about an axis defined by the radial direction.

[0024] Alternatively or additionally, the guide strip segments can be arranged at least in the circumferential direction in a non-displaceable manner relative to the central axis.

[0025] The term "rotationally fixed" is to be understood here as meaning that a component is fixed against rotation relative to the part on which it is arranged. Thus, the component does not rotate relative to the part to which it is fastened "rotationally fixed". If the "rotational fixedness" is given relative to a specific geometric axis, the component in question at least does not rotate relative to this axis. If no axis is explicitly given, i.e. the giving of a specific axis is missing, the part is generally considered to be rotationally fixed. Thus, a rotational movement of the component relative to the part to which it is fastened "rotationally fixed" is not possible at all. The component therefore has no rotational freedom compared to the part.

[0026] Similarly, "resistance to displacement" may be understood as meaning that one component is fixed relative to another part to prevent displacement, ie, has no translational freedom.

[0027] An arrangement of components described as “resistant to displacement and rotation” therefore corresponds to a rigid fastening without any degrees of freedom.

[0028] According to one embodiment, the guide strip segments can be configured to be displaceable relative to each other, for example at least in the circumferential direction. It has proven advantageous that, optionally, when the adjustment part is displaced in the radial direction, the guide strip segments also undergo a displacement relative to each other in a direction parallel to the circumferential direction.

[0029] According to one embodiment, at least two guide strip segments adjacent in the circumferential direction can be coupled to each other, for example, displaceably coupled. The guide strip segments can be displaceably coupled, for example, in the circumferential direction. The coupling can be designed so that a spring element arranged on one of the coupled guide strip segments, for example, configured as a guide pin, engages with a slot element arranged on another of the coupled guide strip segments, for example, extending in the displacement direction, for example, in the circumferential direction, and can, for example, be configured as an elongated hole slot. In particular, when it is provided that a plurality of or even all guide strip segments are coupled to their adjacent guide strip segments, each guide strip segment can have a spring element on a first side in the circumferential direction relative to the center axis and a slot element on the other side. On the one hand, all guide strip segments can thus be constructed identically. On the other hand, all guide strip segments can thus be coupled to their adjacent segments present in the circumferential direction.

[0030] According to one embodiment, the guide strip segment can have a specified curvature on its radial inner portion. Here, the radius of curvature of the radial inner portion can correspond to the radius of the radial outer position, which is referred to as the "second radius" above. Alternatively, the radius of curvature can also correspond to another radius, such as the radius of the radial inner position or a position between the radial inner position and the radial outer position, such as the radius of a radial center position centered relative to this position.

[0031] According to one embodiment, the adjustment parts can be guided on a guide element arranged on the control section. Here, the guide element can provide a guide curve between a first point located on a first radius relative to the center axis and a second point located on a second radius smaller than the first radius and arranged offset from the first point in the circumferential direction. Optionally, the guide element can include a key or a guide groove or be configured as a key or a guide groove.

[0032] According to one embodiment, the key of the guide element may comprise a width perpendicular to the guide curve, which width increases from the first point to the second point. The key may, for example, be configured such that the base of the trapezoid is located at the first point and the second point and the waist extends along the guide curve, i.e. between the first point and the second point. Alternatively or additionally, the key may be configured as an arc. Furthermore, alternatively or additionally, the key may engage with a corresponding groove arranged on the adjustment part, wherein, optionally, the groove may comprise a side surface that is arched outwardly relative to the adjustment part, i.e. a side surface that is convex relative to the adjustment part.

[0033] According to one embodiment, the adjustment part can be supported displaceably in the radial direction, for example supported on the base body in a rotationally fixed and displaceable manner about an axis defined by the radial direction.

[0034] Alternatively or additionally, the control section can be mounted on the base body so as to be displaceable in the circumferential direction.

[0035] According to one embodiment, the adjustment section can be designed to be telescopic. As a possible embodiment, the adjustment section can each include a radially outer adjustment part and a radially inner adjustment part, wherein the adjustment parts can be displaced relative to each other in the radial direction, wherein, for example, guide strip segments are arranged on the radially inner adjustment part. The adjustment section can be designed so that the radially inner adjustment part undergoes a displacement in the radial direction by a displacement of the control segment in the circumferential direction. The adjustment parts can optionally be designed to be rotationally fixed relative to each other with respect to an axis defined by the radial direction. Thus, the adjustment parts can be fixed against rotation relative to each other about the radial direction or an axis defined by the radial direction.

[0036] According to one embodiment, the device may include a coupling mechanism for coupling with another device arranged adjacent in the circumferential direction for guiding containers conveyed by the star wheel in the star wheel conveyor. The coupling mechanism may be configured to couple a control segment of the device with another control segment of another device so that the coupled control segments can be displaced together in the circumferential direction.

[0037] The coupling mechanism can include a coupling rod, wherein the coupling mechanism, for example, includes a first rod having a thread in a first rotational direction coupled to the control segment, the first rod being coupled to a second rod having a thread in a second rotational direction oriented opposite to the first rotational direction via a connecting nut, wherein the second rod is configured to be coupled to another control segment of another device. Thus, two devices can be arranged one after the other in a circumferential direction in a simple manner in order to correspondingly increase the total guide path length for the container provided by the combined device, wherein, by coupling the control segments via the coupling mechanism, only an actuation unit for controlling the position of only one of the control segments has to be provided in order to move all control segments simultaneously.

[0038] According to one embodiment, the device may comprise an actuating unit for adjusting the position of the control segment relative to the adjusting part, wherein, for example, the actuating unit and the control segment may engage via a toothing. The actuating unit may optionally comprise a manually operable drive and / or an automatic drive, such as an electric motor.

[0039] According to one embodiment, the device may include a height adjustment device for adjusting the height position of the device. The actuating unit may, for example, include a shaft element that is displaceable relative to a drive pinion of the actuating unit along a rotation axis of the drive pinion oriented in the height direction and is rotationally fixedly connected to the drive pinion.

[0040] This object is also achieved by a star wheel conveyor for conveying containers, preferably for conveying beverage containers in a beverage filling plant, having the features of claim 15. Advantageous developments result from the dependent claims as well as from the description and the drawings.

[0041] Therefore, a star wheel conveyor for conveying containers, for example for conveying beverage containers in a beverage filling device, is proposed, which comprises: a conveying wheel part rotatable around a central axis, the conveying wheel part having a plurality of recesses pointing outwardly relative to the central axis for at least partially accommodating the containers to be conveyed; and at least one device according to any of the preceding embodiments.

[0042] The central axis represents the rotational axis of the conveyor wheel section or coincides with the rotational axis.

[0043] The advantages and effects described herein with respect to the device are similarly applicable to the star wheel conveyor, and vice versa, the advantages and effects described herein with respect to the star wheel conveyor are similarly applicable to the device. Therefore, repeated description of the same content is omitted to avoid redundancy.

[0044] According to one embodiment, a plurality of devices can be arranged side by side in a circumferential direction relative to the central axis. The control segments of adjacent devices can optionally be coupled to each other. Alternatively or additionally, the outer guide strip segments of adjacent devices when viewed in the circumferential direction can be coupled to each other. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0045] Other preferred embodiments of the present invention are described in more detail by the following description of the accompanying drawings. In the accompanying drawings:

[0046] Figure 1 Schematically shows a top view of a star wheel conveyor for conveying containers in a beverage filling plant;

[0047] Figure 2 Schematically shows Figure 1 A three-dimensional side view of a sub-area of ​​a star wheel conveyor;

[0048] Figure 3 Schematic diagram showing the Figure 1 A three-dimensional side view of a device for conveying containers on a star wheel conveyor;

[0049] Figure 4 Schematic diagram showing the coupling Figure 1 A top view of a coupling mechanism of two devices of a star wheel conveyor arranged adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction;

[0050] Figure 5 Schematically shows Figure 3 A three-dimensional cross-sectional view of the device;

[0051] Figure 6 Schematically shows Figure 5 A view of an adjustment member of the device; and

[0052] Figure 7 Schematically shows Figure 3 A perspective side view of the radially inner part of a sub-region of the device 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0053] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments are described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Here, the same reference numerals are attached to the same, similar or functionally identical elements in the accompanying drawings, and the repeated description of these elements is partially omitted to avoid redundancy.

[0054] Figure 1 Schematically shows a top view of a star wheel conveyor 100 for conveying containers 101 in a beverage filling plant (not shown). The star wheel conveyor 100 comprises a conveying wheel part 103 rotatable about a central axis 200, which has a plurality of recesses 104 arranged on its circumference and directed radially outward relative to the central axis 200 for at least partially receiving one of the containers 101 to be conveyed.

[0055] Arranged radially outside the conveying wheel section 103 with respect to the central axis 200 are a plurality of devices 1 , 1 ′ for guiding containers 101 conveyed by the conveying wheel section 103 representing a star wheel in the star wheel conveyor 100 through a specified angular section with respect to the central axis 200 .

[0056] The plurality of devices 1, 1' are each configured for guiding a container 101 on the radially outer side relative to the star wheel portion 103 and each and together represent a container outer guide 110 for guiding a container 101 on the radially outer side relative to the star wheel portion 103. In other words, the devices 1, 1' represent an outer guide for the container 101.

[0057] A plurality of devices 1 , 1 ′ are arranged next to each other or one after the other relative to the central axis 200 in a conveying direction 211 of the containers 101 and are coupled to one another via a coupling mechanism 2 , which is explained in more detail below.

[0058] The devices 1 are constructed essentially identically. Each of the devices 1 comprises a plurality of guide strip segments 4 arranged in a circumferential direction 210, ie arranged side by side or one after the other (see Figure 2 ). Furthermore, the star wheel conveyor 100 comprises a device 1 ′ which corresponds in its structure essentially to the device 1 , wherein their guide strip segments are arranged not in a circumferential direction 210 but in a direction 212 tangential to the central axis 200 .

[0059] Adjacent guide strip segments 4 each partially overlap when viewed in the conveying direction 211 or in the circumferential direction 210 , as will be explained in more detail below. The outer guide strip segments 4 of adjacent devices 1 , 1 ′ are also coupled to one another.

[0060] The guide strip segments 4 form segmented guide strips 6 for providing a guide path for the containers 101 to be transported, along which the containers 101 are transported in the transport direction 211 .

[0061] At the container supply 105, the containers 101 to be conveyed are fed to the star wheel conveyor 100. At the container transfer 106, the containers 101 conveyed by the star wheel conveyor 100 are transferred to a device (not shown here) of the beverage filling plant following the star wheel conveyor 200 in the conveying direction 211.

[0062] Since the guide strip segments 4 of the device 1 are arranged in the circumferential direction 210, their segmented guide strips 6 are each designed in an arc shape. The segmented guide strips 6 of the device 1 'are linear in shape. Therefore, the combined segmented guide strip 6 composed of the guide strips 6 of all devices 1, 1 'is partially arc-shaped and partially linear.

[0063] Figure 2 Schematically shows Figure 1 A perspective side view of the device 1 of the star wheel conveyor 100 .

[0064] The guide strip segments 4 can be moved perpendicularly to the provided guide path so that their position can be changed relative to the center axis 200. The guide strip segments 4 of the device 1 can each be changed in their position relative to the center axis 200 in a radial direction 220.

[0065] Each device 1 comprises a housing 8 in which most of the components required for moving the guide strip segments 4 are accommodated. A coupling mechanism 2 for coupling two adjacent devices 1, 1' extends between the two adjacent devices 1, 1'. For sealing against the environment, the coupling mechanism 2 comprises a seal, which in the present case is designed as a bellows 10 fastened to the two coupled devices 1, 1'.

[0066] The housing 8 is arranged on a frame 12 which is attached to a height adjustment device (not shown here) at a designated attachment area 14. By means of the height adjustment device, the height level of the segmented guide slats 6 can be varied in a direction parallel to the center axis 200. Here, a higher height level compared to the outlet level corresponds to a deviation from the outlet level in the direction of gravity.

[0067] Figure 3 Shows Figure 1 and Figure 2 A star wheel conveyor device 1, wherein the upper side of the housing is concealed.

[0068] The device 1 includes: a plurality of adjustment parts 16 arranged spaced apart from each other in a circumferential direction 210 relative to a center axis 200 and each displaceable in a radial direction relative to the center axis 200; and a control segment 18 displaceable in a circumferential direction 210, the control segment 18 being coupled to the adjustment part 16 in such a way that a displacement of the control segment 18 in the circumferential direction 210 causes a displacement of the adjustment part 16 in a radial direction 220.

[0069] The displacement direction of one of the adjustment parts 16 is indicated by the movement arrow with reference 221 .

[0070] A guide strip segment 4 is arranged at each radially inner end of the adjustment section 16 .

[0071] By means of the displacement of the adjustment portion 16 , the segmented guide strip 6 can be moved relative to the centre axis 200 between a prescribed radially inner position and a prescribed radially outer position.

[0072] According to this alternative, at a radially inner position, the segmented guide strip 6 is located substantially on an inner radius relative to the central axis 200. At a radially outer position, the segmented guide strip 6 is located substantially on an outer radius greater than the inner radius. Figure 3 The segmented guide strips 6 are shown in a radially inner position.

[0073] In the present case, the guide strip segment 4 is arranged in a rotationally and displacement-proof manner on its associated adjustment section 16. The guide strip segment 4 can be screwed, glued and / or welded, for example.

[0074] from Figure 2 As can be seen in FIG. 1 , at least one device 1 comprises an actuating unit 20 for adjusting the position of the control segment 18 relative to the adjusting portion 16. The actuating unit 20 and the control segment 18 are connected by a toothed section 22 (see FIG. Figure 3 The gear wheel 24 of the toothed section 22 can be driven via the shaft element 26 .

[0075] from Figure 2 It can be seen again that the shaft element 26 is coupled in a rotationally fixed manner to a drive pinion 27 , which in turn meshes with a drive spindle 28 of an automatic drive 30 of the actuating unit 20 , which can optionally be designed as an electric motor here.

[0076] The drive 30 is arranged at a fixed height position. In order to achieve different height levels of the segmented guide strip 6 , the shaft element 26 can be displaced relative to the drive pinion 27 in the longitudinal direction of the shaft element 26 .

[0077] exist Figure 4Schematically shown in FIG. 2 is a top view in the direction of the central axis 200 of one of the coupling means 2 for coupling two devices 1 arranged adjacently in the circumferential direction 210 , wherein the bellows 10 is concealed.

[0078] The coupling device 2 is designed to couple the control segment 18 of the device 1 to another control segment 18 of another device 1 , so that the coupled control segments 19 can be displaced together in the circumferential direction 210 .

[0079] According to this alternative embodiment, the coupling mechanism 2 comprises a coupling rod 32, which comprises a first rod 34 having a thread in a first rotational direction coupled to one control section 18 and a second rod 36 having a thread in a second rotational direction oriented opposite to the first rotational direction coupled to the other control section 18. The two rods 34, 36 point toward each other with their ends comprising the thread and are coupled to each other via a connecting nut 38.

[0080] The levers 34 , 36 are each mounted on their respective control section 18 so as to be rotatable about an axis 40 oriented parallel to the central axis 200 .

[0081] Figure 5 The schematic diagram shows the height of the adjustment section 16 perpendicular to the circumferential direction 210. Figure 3 A three-dimensional cross-sectional view of the device 1.

[0082] The adjustment part 16 , more precisely its fastening region 44 , is supported displaceably in the radial direction 220 on a base body 42 , which here represents the housing underside, to which the associated guide strip segment 4 is fastened.

[0083] For sealing against the environment, a bellows 55 is arranged between the base body 42 and the fastening region 44 .

[0084] The control section 18 is supported on the base body 42 so as to be displaceable in a circumferential direction 210 .

[0085] According to this alternative embodiment, the adjustment part 16 is designed to be telescopic. The adjustment parts 16 each include a radially outer adjustment part 46 and a radially inner adjustment part 48, which can be displaced relative to each other in the radial direction 220. The associated guide strip segment 4 is arranged on the radially inner adjustment part 48. The adjustment parts 46, 48 are designed to be rotationally fixed relative to each other relative to the axis 222 defined by the radial direction 220.

[0086] To provide rotation resistance, the radially outer adjustment component 46 has a polygonal cross-sectional profile. According to this example, the radially outer adjustment component 46 is a square profile beam. The radially outer adjustment component 46 is guided in a radial direction 220 in a correspondingly shaped housing 50 in the radially inner adjustment component 48 .

[0087] The radially outer adjustment element 46 is firmly connected to the base body 42 on a radially outer side 52 of the adjustment part 16. On a radially inner side 54 of the adjustment part 16, the radially inner adjustment element 48 is displaceably guided relative to the base body 42 in a radial direction 220.

[0088] In the present case, the control segment 18 is coupled to the radially inner adjusting part 48 in such a way that, by a displacement of the control segment 18 in the circumferential direction 210 , the radially inner adjusting part 48 undergoes a displacement in the radial direction 20 .

[0089] The adjustment part 16 and its radially inner adjustment component 48 according to this embodiment are both guided on a guide element 60 arranged on the control section 18. Here, the guide element 60 is optionally designed as a key 62, which engages with a groove 64 provided on the radially inner adjustment component 48. The groove 64 comprises a side surface 65 which is curved outwardly relative to the adjustment part 16.

[0090] Figure 6 Schematically shows Figure 5 A view of the adjustment portion 16 of the device 1 along a direction parallel to the central axis 200 .

[0091] The guide element 60 designed as a key 62 provides a guide curve 68 between a first point 72 located on a first radius relative to the center axis 200 and a second point 70 located on a second radius smaller than the first radius and arranged offset from the first point 72 in the circumferential direction 210 .

[0092] The key 62 has a width 74 perpendicular to the guide curve 68, which increases from the first point 72 to the second point 70. Therefore, the width 74' at the radially outer first point 72 is smaller than the width 74" of the key 62 at the radially inner second point 70 by a specified amount. Here, the key 62 is optionally configured as a trapezoid. However, the key 62 can also be configured as an arc.

[0093] The changing width 74 along the guide curve 68 and the outwardly curved side surface 65 of the slot are provided to ensure that the slot 64 and the key 62 are coupled to each other substantially without play or in a manner that does not exceed a specified maximum play at any position of the control segment 18 relative to the adjustment portion 16. This is caused by the changing angle enclosed by the axis 222 and the guide curve 68 as the control segment 18 is displaced relative to the adjustment portion 16.

[0094] The guide strip segments 4 each have a specified curvature on their radially inner portion 80 , wherein here optionally a radius of curvature 82 of the radially inner portion 80 corresponds to a second radius corresponding to a radially outer position.

[0095] Figure 7 Schematically shows Figure 3 1 , which illustrates a perspective side view of the radially inner side of a sub-region of the device 1 , with the aid of which the coupling of the guide strip segments 4 to one another is explained.

[0096] from Figure 2 and Figure 3 It can already be seen that adjacent guide strip segments 4 overlap in the circumferential direction 210 . To this end, each guide strip segment 4 has an overlapping section 90 on both sides in the circumferential direction 210 , which overlaps at least partially with a correspondingly formed overlapping section 90 of an adjacent guide strip segment 5 in the circumferential direction 210 .

[0097] In the overlapping section 90, adjacent guide strip segments 4 are coupled to each other in a circumferential direction 210 so as to be displaceable in the circumferential direction 210. For this purpose, a spring element arranged on one of the coupled guide strip segments 4, which is designed here as a guide pin 94, engages with a slot element arranged on the other of the coupled guide strip segments 3, which extends in the circumferential direction 210 and is in the form of an elongated slot 92.

[0098] The guide strip segments 4 can thus be displaced relative to one another in the circumferential direction 210 , wherein, when the adjustment section 16 is displaced in the radial direction 220 , the guide strip segments 4 experience a displacement relative to one another in a direction parallel to the circumferential direction 210 .

[0099] By coupling the guide strip segments 4 at their two ends with the respectively adjacent guide strip segments 4 when viewed in the circumferential direction 210, it is achieved that the ends do not protrude radially inwards relative to the central axis 200. As a result, the segmented guide strip 6 can provide guidance of the containers 101 along the conveying direction 211 without the containers 101 being subjected to impacts during the transfer from one guide strip segment 4 to the next.

[0100] Where applicable, all individual features shown in the exemplary embodiments may be combined with one another and / or exchanged without departing from the scope of the present invention. Description of reference numerals: 1 Device 2 Coupling mechanism 4 Guide slat segments 6-segment guide slats 8 Housing 12 Framework 14 Attachment area 16 Adjustment section 18 Control segment 20 Actuation unit 22 teeth 24 Gear 26 Shaft elements 27 Drive pinion 28 Drive screw 30 Drive 32 Coupling rod 34 First Shot 36 Second shot 38 Connecting nut 40 Axis 42 Matrix 44 Fastening area 46 Radial external adjustment component 48 Radial internal adjustment components 50 Storage 52 radial outer side 54 radial inner part 55 Bellows 60 Guide element 62 keys 64 slots 68 Guide Curve 70 Second point 72 First Point 74 Key Width 80 radial inner part 82 Radius of curvature 90 Overlapping sections 92 Long hole slot 94 Guide pin 100 Star wheel conveyor 101 Container 103 conveyor wheel part 104 Concave 105 Container supply unit 106 Container Transfer Department 110 Container external guide 200 Center axis 210 Circumferential direction 211 Conveying direction 212 Tangential direction 220 Radial direction 221 Displacement direction of the adjustment part 222 Axis defined by radial direction

Claims

1. A device (1) for guiding containers (101) conveyed by a star wheel (103) in a star wheel conveyor (100), preferably for guiding beverage containers (101) in a star wheel conveyor (100) in a beverage filling plant, comprising: at least two adjusting parts (16) arranged spaced apart from each other in a circumferential direction (210) relative to a central axis (200) and each displaceable in a radial direction (220) relative to the central axis (200); and a control section (18) displaceable in a circumferential direction (210), the control section (18) being coupled to the adjusting part (16) in such a way that a displacement of the control section (18) in a circumferential direction (210) causes a displacement of the adjusting part (16) in a radial direction (220); It is characterized in that guide strip segments (4) are arranged on the radial inner ends of the adjustment parts (16), wherein the guide strip segments (4) together constitute a segmented guide strip (6) for providing an external guide path for the container (101) to be transported.

2. The device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that The adjacent guide strip segments (4) each overlap in the circumferential direction.

3. The device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that By displacement of the adjustment portion (16), the segmented guide slat (6) can be moved between a specified radial inner position and a specified radial outer position relative to the center axis (200), wherein, preferably, at the radial inner position, the segmented guide slat (6) is basically arranged on an inner radius relative to the center rotation axis (200), and at the radial outer position, the segmented guide slat (6) is basically arranged on an outer radius greater than the inner radius.

4. The device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The guide strip segment (4) is arranged on its associated adjustment part (16) in a rotationally fixed manner at least about an axis defined by a radial direction (220) and / or in a displacement-fixed manner at least in a circumferential direction (210).

5. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The guide strip segments (4) are preferably displaceable relative to each other in a circumferential direction (210), wherein preferably, when the adjustment portion (16) is displaced in a radial direction (220), the guide strip segments (4) undergo a displacement relative to each other in a direction parallel to the circumferential direction (210).

6. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that At least two guide strip segments (4) adjacent in a circumferential direction (210) are coupled to each other, preferably displaceably coupled, particularly preferably displaceably coupled in a circumferential direction (210), wherein preferably a spring element, preferably a guide pin (94) arranged on one of the coupled guide strip segments (4) engages with a slot element, preferably a long hole slot (92) arranged on the other of the coupled guide strip segments (4) and extending preferably in a displacement direction, preferably in a circumferential direction (210).

7. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The guide strip segment (4) has a specified curvature on its radial inner portion (80), wherein, preferably, the radius of curvature (82) of the radial inner portion (80) corresponds to the second radius of the radial outer position or the first radius of the radial inner position, or the radius of a position between the radial inner position and the radial outer position, preferably the radius of a radial center position centered between the radial inner position and the radial outer position.

8. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The adjustment parts (16) are all guided by a guide element (60) arranged on the control section (18), wherein, preferably, the guide element (60) provides a guide curve (68) between a first point (72) located on a first radius relative to the center axis (200) and a second point (70) located on a second radius smaller than the first radius and arranged offset from the first point (72) in a circumferential direction (210), wherein, preferably, the guide element (60) includes a key (62) or a guide groove.

9. Device (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that The key (62) comprises a width (74) perpendicular to the guide curve, the width (74) increasing from the first point (72) to the second point (70), wherein the key (60) is preferably configured as a trapezoid, and / or the key (62) is configured as an arc, and / or the key (62) engages with a corresponding groove (64) arranged on the adjustment part (16), wherein, preferably, the groove (64) comprises a side surface (65) that is arched outwardly relative to the adjustment part (16).

10. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The adjustment part (16) is supported displaceably in a radial direction (220), preferably supported on a base body (42) in a rotationally fixed and displaceable manner around an axis (222) defined by the radial direction (220), and / or the control section (18) is supported displaceably in a circumferential direction (210) on the base body (42).

11. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The adjustment part (16) is designed to be telescopic, wherein preferably, the adjustment part (16) comprises a radially outer adjustment part (46) and a radially inner adjustment part (48), wherein the adjustment parts (46, 48) can be displaced relative to each other in a radial direction (220), wherein preferably, the guide strip segment (4) is arranged on the radially inner adjustment part (48), wherein, by displacement of the control segment (18) in a circumferential direction (210), the radially inner adjustment part (48) undergoes a displacement in a radial direction (220), and / or preferably, the adjustment parts (16) are designed to be non-rotatable relative to each other with respect to an axis (222) defined by the radial direction (220).

12. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The device (1) further comprises a coupling mechanism (2) for coupling with another device (1) arranged adjacently in a circumferential direction (210) for guiding a container (101) conveyed by a star wheel (103) in a star wheel conveyor (100), wherein, preferably, the coupling mechanism (2) is configured to couple the control segment (18) with the other control segment (18) of the other device (1) so that the coupled control segments (18) can be displaced together in a circumferential direction (210), wherein, preferably, the coupling mechanism (2) comprises a coupling rod (32), wherein the coupling mechanism (2) preferably comprises a first rod (34) having a thread in a first rotational direction coupled to the control segment (18), the first rod (34) being coupled to a second rod (36) having a thread in a second rotational direction oriented opposite to the first rotational direction via a connecting nut (38), wherein the second rod (36) is configured to be coupled to the control segment (18) of the other device (1).

13. Device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that The device (1) comprises an actuating unit (20) for adjusting the position of the control section (18) relative to the adjusting part (16), wherein the actuating unit (20) and the control section (18) are preferably engaged via a toothing (22), wherein the actuating unit (20) comprises a manually operable drive (30) and / or an automatic drive (30), preferably an electric motor.

14. Device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that The device (1) comprises a height adjustment device for adjusting the height position of the device (1), wherein, preferably, the actuating unit (20) comprises an axle element (26) which is displaceable relative to a drive pinion (27) of the actuating unit (20) along a rotation axis of the drive pinion (27) oriented in the height direction and is non-rotatably connected to the drive pinion (27).

15. A star wheel conveyor (100) for conveying containers (101), preferably for conveying beverage containers (101) in a beverage filling plant, comprising a conveying wheel part (103) rotatable about a central axis (200), the conveying wheel part (103) having a plurality of recesses (104) pointing outwards relative to the central axis (100) for at least partially receiving the containers (101) to be conveyed, characterized in that Comprising at least one device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.

16. Star wheel conveyor (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that A plurality of devices (1) are arranged side by side in a circumferential direction (210) relative to the central axis (200), wherein preferably, the control segments (18) of adjacent devices (2) are coupled to each other and / or the corresponding outer guide strip segments (4) of adjacent devices (1) are coupled to each other.

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