Device for processing containers in a filling system

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (1) for treating containers (6) in a filling system, for example a beverage filling system, comprising a plurality of suspensions (10) which can be rotated about a central axis of rotation (2) and which each comprise a treatment part (30) for providing at least one treatment that can be applied to the containers (6), the treatment part (30) comprises, for example, a tool receptacle and / or a holding device for holding the container (6), at least one treatment part (30) being arranged on its suspension (10) with at least one degree of freedom with respect to its suspension (10).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus for processing containers in filling equipment, such as beverage filling equipment. Background Technology

[0002] In the field of filling equipment, especially beverage filling equipment, it is known to distribute container handling to individual units, with these units arranged sequentially along a transport path. Typically, the handling units are constructed using a rotary structure. Handling initially involves transporting containers through each handling unit, a process that is constrained by transport in at least some units. This latter process is also known as "transversternen" (transverse star-shaped components). Handling may also include cleaning, filling, or sealing the containers.

[0003] In processing units employing a rotary structure, the processing units that handle containers are typically rigidly mounted on a rotary transport unit. This rigid arrangement prevents flexible adaptation of the distance or separation between processing units. Therefore, production using these systems is flexible only to a limited extent.

[0004] To improve flexibility in this regard, a processing apparatus has been conceived in which the transport elements of the rotary device can move independently of each other along their transport tracks. In other words, in such a processing apparatus, the transport elements positioned therebetween can move at least partially independently of the adjacent transport elements within a boundary defined by the adjacent transport elements. Such a rotary device is known from DE102017101331A1. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Based on known prior art, the object of the present invention is to provide an improved apparatus for handling containers in filling equipment, such as beverage filling equipment.

[0006] This objective is achieved by an apparatus having the features of claim 1 for processing containers in a filling machine, such as a beverage filling machine. Advantageous improvements arise from the dependent claims, the description, and the drawings.

[0007] Accordingly, an apparatus for processing containers in a filling device, such as a beverage filling device, is proposed, comprising a plurality of suspensions rotatable about a central axis of rotation, each suspension comprising a processing component for providing at least one processing that can be applied to the container, the processing component including, for example, a tool storage portion and / or a holding device for holding the container.

[0008] At least one processing component is arranged on its suspension with at least one degree of freedom relative to its suspension.

[0009] Therefore, the device can be more precisely adapted to the specific application. Furthermore, it can be used in applications where conventional devices based on existing technologies cannot be used due to a lack of additional degrees of freedom. For example, tools rigidly arranged on the handling components, such as sliders or gripping arms, cannot grip between conveyed containers. The additional degrees of freedom further allow for a reduction in the size of the equipment including the device.

[0010] Therefore, the proposed device has a significantly wider range of applications compared to conventional devices. According to one embodiment, the additional degree of freedom can be the pivoting motion of a processing component, specifically a tool, which interacts alone or with tools in adjacent suspensions to grasp a container. This additional pivoting motion can be generated, for example, by a fixed guide cam, such as a guide cam configured as a cam disk, and a guide roller coupled to the processing component and operating thereon. The guide roller can then be mounted on the processing component to be moved by levers. Accordingly, the angular position of the processing component can be largely freely chosen.

[0011] Such a device, which includes additional degrees of freedom for its processing components, can be used when containers are being transported at irregular intervals on a conveyor belt, and these containers are to be removed from the device, more precisely, from the conveyor belt, and any containers are to be transferred to a subsequent device for further processing. With conventional devices having rigid processing components, it may be difficult to insert into any small gaps between two containers. By providing additional degrees of freedom for the processing components, specifically specifying the angular and / or radial position of their tool tips, they can be precisely inserted into the gaps between two containers.

[0012] In addition to the advantageous rotational motion around the longitudinal axis, i.e., parallel to the central axis of rotation, as described above, other motions achieving at least one degree of freedom can be envisioned, such as cam-controlled translational motion in the radial direction. In this way, the bolts or grippers of the processing component can, for example, be moved out and in.

[0013] Preferably, each second processing component may be arranged on its suspension with at least one degree of freedom relative to its suspension, and a corresponding other processing component may be rigidly arranged on its suspension.

[0014] This arrangement achieves a mechanically simple device, as each suspension pair now has a handling component with additional degrees of freedom and a conventional handling component. This results in high flexibility, but only half of the suspensions must be equipped with a handling component with additional degrees of freedom.

[0015] In another preferred design, each processing component is arranged on its suspension with at least one degree of freedom relative to its suspension. This provides a fully flexible arrangement in which the processing component can be operated with another degree of freedom independent of the movement of the corresponding suspension.

[0016] According to one embodiment, a linear stator is provided, arranged concentrically with a central axis of rotation. Here, each suspension can be connected to a drive slide arranged on the linear stator, such that each suspension can rotate independently about the central axis of rotation by the movement of its drive slide on the linear stator. Since the components of the linear stator can be individually controlled or energized in a manner known per se, the control of each drive slide can be performed independently of the other drive slides in a simple manner.

[0017] The above-described embodiment, using a circular linear stator and a drive slide moving thereon, achieves individual control of each individual suspension. However, each drive slide has a limited circumferential extension, which prevents it from exceeding the minimum distance between suspensions. Consequently, especially in this highly advantageous embodiment where effective and personalized control of the suspension is possible, in conventional designs, the outer ends of the suspensions are too far apart for the respective application. This limitation can be overcome and a flexible and usable device can be provided by the additional degrees of freedom proposed herein.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the processing component is pivotally arranged on the suspension, optionally about at least one pivot axis, optionally about two or three pivot axes that may be arranged, for example, orthogonal to each other. Furthermore, optionally, the pivot axis of the processing component is horizontal and / or tangentially circumferentially relative to the axis of rotation. Alternatively or additionally, the pivot axis of the processing component is oriented perpendicularly to and / or parallel to the axis of rotation.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the processing component is displaceably arranged on the suspension, for example, at least along one, optionally two, or three displacement directions that may optionally be orthogonal to each other. Furthermore, optionally, the displacement direction of the processing component is radially oriented to the axis of rotation, and / or parallel to the axis of rotation, and / or the processing component can be displaced along a cam track.

[0020] The handling components can also be displaced and pivotally arranged on the suspension.

[0021] According to one embodiment, at least one movement can be controllably configured about a central rotation axis by at least one degree of freedom of the processing component, which is at least partially independent of the motion control of the suspension and generally independent of the motion control of the slide component.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the movement of the processing component is configured, at least partially independently, in a cam-controlled manner by at least one degree of freedom of the processing component. For example, a guide roller or guide slide may be coupled to the processing component. The guide roller or guide slide may be coupled to a guide cam at least via a specified angular segment in the circumferential direction relative to the axis of rotation. Therefore, the position of the processing component relative to its degree of freedom can be precisely specified, for example, with respect to the angular position of the suspension.

[0023] According to one embodiment, at least one movement of the processing component is controllable such that, as the suspension (typically a drive slide) moves circumferentially through a designated angular segment, the processing segment of the processing component, such as the interaction segment, can remain substantially in the same position relative to the circumferential direction. In other words, the device can be configured such that the circumferential velocity of the processing segment of the processing component comes to a substantially complete stop, at least for a short time. This allows for special handling of the container, such as particularly gentle handling or transfer of the container, or other particularly precise handling.

[0024] According to one embodiment, the processing unit may include at least one gripping arm and / or gripping device for gripping a container. This allows for, for example, the transport of the container, by sliding or gripping and holding the container during transport by a suspension. Optionally, at least one gripping arm or gripping device includes an interaction section that contacts the container to grip it, wherein, optionally, the interaction section may be arranged spaced apart from an optional pivot axis of the processing unit.

[0025] According to one embodiment, each suspension can typically be configured independently of at least one other suspension via its sliding component, optionally controllably along a circular linear stator for all other suspensions.

[0026] According to one embodiment, the movement of the processing component is constituted by a control unit that is independent of the circular linear stator, wherein the control unit is configured, for example, mechanically and / or includes the aforementioned guide cam.

[0027] According to one embodiment, each suspension includes at least one suspension arm extending at least between a bearing disposed radially inward relative to the axis of rotation and a drive slide disposed radially outward relative to the bearing. The suspension may, for example, each include two suspension arms. A first suspension arm may represent an upper suspension arm, and a second suspension arm may represent a lower suspension arm. Attached Figure Description

[0028] Other preferred embodiments of the invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

[0029] Figure 1A perspective view of an apparatus for handling containers in a filling facility is shown schematically.

[0030] Figure 2 Schematic illustration Figure 1 A top view of the device;

[0031] Figure 3 Schematic illustration Figure 1 Detailed view of the device;

[0032] Figure 4 Schematic illustration Figure 3 Another view of the details;

[0033] Figure 5 A schematic top view of an apparatus for handling containers in a filling facility is shown; and

[0034] Figure 6 Schematic illustration Figure 5 Another top view of the device. Detailed Implementation

[0035] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments are described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Identical, similar, or equivalent elements in different figures are labeled with the same reference numerals, and repeated descriptions of these elements are omitted to avoid redundancy.

[0036] exist Figure 1 The diagram schematically shows a device 1 configured and arranged to process containers in a filling apparatus, more specifically in a beverage filling apparatus.

[0037] The device 1 includes a plurality of suspensions 10 rotatable about a central rotation axis 2, each of which includes a processing component 30 for providing at least one treatment that can be applied to a container, the processing component 30 including, for example, a tool storage part and / or a holding device for holding the container.

[0038] The device 1 includes a circular linear stator 20 arranged concentrically with a central axis of rotation 2. Each suspension 10 is connected to a drive slide 11 arranged on the linear stator 20, or in other words, each suspension 10 includes a drive slide 11. Thus, each suspension 10 can rotate individually about the central axis of rotation 2 by the movement of its drive slide 11 on the linear stator 20, as indicated by the arrow indicated by reference numeral 21. In other words, each suspension 10 can be moved or controlled independently of the other suspensions 10 along the circular linear stator 20 by its slide component 11.

[0039] Each suspension 10 includes a suspension arm 12 extending between a bearing 13 disposed radially inward of the anti-rotation base 3 of the device 1 relative to the axis of rotation 2, and a drive slide 11 disposed radially outward of the bearing 13. Since the suspension 10 is supported about the central axis of rotation 2, the device 1 has a gyrator structure.

[0040] Each suspension 10 includes a processing component 30. According to this embodiment, each processing component includes a gripping arm 31 for gripping a container (not shown). According to this embodiment, each suspension 10 has exactly one gripping arm 31, wherein each gripping arm 31 faces two adjacent suspensions 10, which have interacting sections 32, and each gripping arm 31 contacts the container using these interacting sections 32 to perform gripping. These two suspensions 10 form a pair of suspensions, which can interact together as a holding device for holding the container.

[0041] The container can be gripped by moving the suspension 10 and thus the pair of gripping arms 31 of the suspension 10 toward each other. That is, the retaining device is closed. The container can be released by moving the suspension 10 and thus the pair of gripping arms 31 of the suspension 10 away from each other, i.e., the retaining device is opened.

[0042] The device 1 includes a conveying direction 5, along which the container is conveyed from the container receiving section to the container output section (both are not shown).

[0043] As in Figures 2 to 4 As detailed in the description, the processing component 30 of each suspension 10 is arranged on the suspension 10 with at least one degree of freedom relative to the suspension 10.

[0044] Some or all of the handling components 30 of the suspension 10 may optionally be configured radially displaceable relative to the central axis of rotation 2 with respect to the suspension 10, specifically the drive slide 11, as schematically shown. Figure 1 Top view of device 1 Figure 2 As can be seen from this, the radial movement direction 33 of the processing component 30 is represented by two exemplary representations in the suspension 10.

[0045] Alternatively or additionally, at least some of the processing components 30 may be pivotally arranged on their respective suspensions 10, as illustrated in the details of a pair of suspensions 10. Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown.

[0046] According to this embodiment, optionally for a pair of suspensions that together perform holding or gripping of the container, along the conveying direction 5 in... Figure 3 and Figure 4The rear suspension handling component 30, indicated by reference numeral "10" in the accompanying drawings, is pivotally arranged on its suspension 10 about a pivot axis 34 oriented parallel to the central axis of rotation 2, i.e., vertically oriented here. Alternatively, the handling components 10 of all suspensions 10 may also be pivotally configured. Advantageously, the handling component 10 of the front suspension 10 (when viewed along the transport direction 5 in this pair of suspensions) Figure 3 and Figure 4 (As shown on the left) can be pivotally configured opposite to the processing component 10 of the rear suspension 10'.

[0047] exist Figure 3 In the diagram, the handling component 30 of the suspension 10' is shown in the "zero position," where the handling component 30 is not deflected from its base position, or in other words, the zero position. Figure 4 In the diagram, the handling component 30 of the suspension 10' is shown in a pivot position, in which the handling component 30 is pivotally positioned relative to the zero position about a specified pivot angle 35.

[0048] Figure 5 This schematically illustrates a top view of an apparatus 1 for processing containers 6 in a filling apparatus, such as a beverage filling apparatus, according to another embodiment. The apparatus 1 is substantially the same as... Figure 1 The device 1 corresponds to or is similar to Figure 1 The device 1 is constructed as follows. The process involves conveying container 6. Container 6 is supplied to device 1 by container supply unit 8 on container receiving unit 7.

[0049] In order to bring the gripping device 36, specifically its gripping arm, arranged on the processing unit 30 of the suspension 10 between two adjacent containers 6 so as to gently take over the containers 6 on the container receiving part 7, the processing unit 30 is pivotally arranged on the relevant suspension 10 about a pivot axis 34 oriented parallel to the axis of rotation.

[0050] The position of the processing unit 30 is specified by a control unit (not shown here) for controlling the movement of the processing unit 30 and for specifying the position of the processing unit 30.

[0051] With the container receiving section 7 positioned forward along the conveying direction 5, the processing member 10 pivots along the conveying direction 5 within a specified angle section 9, starting from a specified angle position indicating the beginning of the angle section 9, until the processing member reaches a specified maximum pivot angle, for example, approximately in the middle of the angle section 9. This pivot angle is then maintained until the processing member 30 pivots again within the specified angle section 9 from another specified angle position, thereby achieving the aforementioned gripping device 36 gripping between the containers 6.

[0052] Alternatively, the pivoting motion can begin at the start of the angled section 9, and the pivot angle can be increased until the processing component 30 approximately contacts the container 6 to be transported at a specific point in time or angular position. The pivot angle can then be reduced again.

[0053] In order to transport the grasped container 6, the processing unit 30 is repositioned to the zero position in the current situation.

[0054] Figure 6 Schematic illustration based on Figure 5 The top view of device 1 illustrates the pivot control of the processing unit 30. For clarity, only the two suspensions 10 are shown here.

[0055] The device 1 includes a control unit 40 for controlling the movement of the processing unit 30. The control unit 40 includes a guide cam 41, anti-rotationally arranged on the base 3, which engages with a guide roller 42 arranged on the processing unit 30 via a lever 37. More specifically, the guide roller 42 rolls via the guide cam 41 in a designated angle segment 9. Since the guide cam 41 extends radially outward relative to the guide roller 42 without experiencing an offset from the pitch circle 43, the guide roller 42 moves continuously radially outward and then returns to its original position in the angle segment 9. (As in...) Figure 6 In the case of suspension 10, the handling component 10 is pivoted from zero position along the pivot direction about the pivot axis 34 by lever 37 at a pivot angle 35, which is specified by the shape of the guide cam 41.

[0056] The processing component 30 can be biased to a zero position, for example, by means of a magnet or spring element (not shown). Alternatively or additionally, the guide cam can also be configured as a disc or ring, and the position of the processing component 30 is always specified by the guide cam 41.

[0057] In the current case, the control unit 40 is configured mechanically. However, the control unit 40 may also be configured at least partially electronically, for example digitally, hydraulically, and / or pneumatically.

[0058] Optionally, the control unit 40 can be implemented in an adjustable manner. In an embodiment with a rotating guide cam 41, the guide cam 41 can be rotatably implemented about the rotation axis 2 to perform adjustment. Therefore, the position of the guide cam 41 relative to the circumference of the device 1 where it applies the angle 35 can be changed. Then, the guide cam 41 rotates once to adjust to the desired position and is then fixed again.

[0059] Optionally, the guide cam 41 can be supported radially adjustable. This allows for changing the amount of pivot angle 35 of the processing component 30. Here, to perform the adjustment of the guide cam 41, the guide cam 41 is displaced radially accordingly, and then the guide cam 41 is fixed again.

[0060] Optionally, the control unit 40 may be configured such that, in a designated angular segment that may correspond to, but is not limited to, angular segment 9, at least one processing segment of the processing member 10, such as the interaction segment 32, may remain substantially in the same position relative to the circumferential direction of the rotation axis 2. In other words, the circumferential speed of the processing segment comes to a substantially complete stop for at least a short period of time.

[0061] In this embodiment, this can be performed, for example, in another angled section 9', where a processing unit 50, such as a labeling unit, may be optionally provided. To apply the label, the container 6, conveyed by the suspension 10, is held in the same position by pivoting the processing component 30 first in one direction and then in another direction relative to the pivot axis 34. Accordingly, the container can be held at a specific angular position 51 of the processing unit 50 for a specified time, which may correspond to the processing time of the processing unit 50.

[0062] In the device 1, the movement of the processing unit 30 can be controlled at least partially independently of the motion control of the associated suspension 10. The motion control of the suspension 10 is performed by the linear stator 20 and the drive slide 11. The motion control of the processing unit 30 is performed by the control unit 40.

[0063] Where applicable, all individual features shown in the embodiments may be combined and / or interchanged without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0064] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0065] 1 device

[0066] 2. Central axis of rotation

[0067] 3. Base frame

[0068] 5. Conveying direction

[0069] 6 containers

[0070] 7. Container Storage Section

[0071] 8. Container Supply Department

[0072] 9 Specify angle segment

[0073] 10 Suspension

[0074] 11 Drive slide

[0075] 12 suspension arms

[0076] 13 bearings

[0077] 20 Linear Stator

[0078] 21. Drive the movement of the slide.

[0079] 30 Processing Components

[0080] 31 Gripper Arm

[0081] 32 Interaction Section

[0082] 33. Direction of movement

[0083] 34 Pivot axis

[0084] 35° pivot angle

[0085] 36. Gripping device

[0086] 37 Lever

[0087] 40 Control Unit

[0088] 41 Guide Cam

[0089] 42 guide rollers

[0090] 43 pitch circle

[0091] 50 processing units

[0092] 51. Angular position of the processing unit

Claims

1. An apparatus (1) for processing a container (6) in a filling device, such as a beverage filling device, comprising a plurality of suspensions (10) rotatable about a central rotation axis (2), each suspension (10) comprising a processing component (30) for providing at least one processing that can be applied to the container (6), the processing component (30) comprising, for example, a tool receiving portion and / or a holding device for holding the container (6), Its features are, At least one processing component (30) is arranged on its suspension (10) with at least one degree of freedom relative to its suspension (10).

2. The apparatus (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, Each second processing component (30) is arranged on its suspension (10) with at least one degree of freedom relative to its suspension (10), and the corresponding other processing component (30) is rigidly arranged on its suspension (10).

3. The apparatus (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, Each processing component (30) is arranged on its suspension (10) with at least one degree of freedom relative to its suspension (10).

4. The apparatus (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, A linear stator (20) is provided, which is concentric with the central axis of rotation (2), and each suspension (10) is connected to a drive slide (11) arranged on the linear stator (20), such that each suspension (10) rotates individually about the central axis of rotation (2) by the movement of its drive slide (11) on the linear stator (20).

5. The apparatus (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The processing component (30) is pivotally arranged on the suspension (10), optionally at least around a pivot axis (35), optionally two or three pivot axes (35) optionally arranged orthogonally to each other, wherein, optionally, the pivot axis (35) of the processing component (30) is horizontal and / or tangential to the circumferential direction relative to the rotation axis (2), and / or the pivot axis (35) of the processing component (30) is perpendicular to and / or parallel to the rotation axis (2).

6. The apparatus (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The processing component (30) is displaceably arranged on the suspension (10), optionally along at least one, optionally two or three optional displacement directions (33) arranged orthogonally to each other, wherein, optionally, the displacement direction (33) of the processing component (30) is radially oriented to the rotation axis (2), and / or the displacement direction (33) is parallel to the rotation axis (2), and / or the processing component (30) can be displaced along the cam track.

7. The apparatus (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, At least one movement can be controlled by at least one degree of freedom of the processing unit (30) at least partially independent of the motion control of the suspension (10), and optionally independent of the motion control of the drive slide (11).

8. The apparatus (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The movement of the processing component (30) is configured at least partially independently in a cam-controlled manner by at least one degree of freedom of the processing component (30), wherein, optionally, a guide roller (42) or a guide slide is coupled to the processing component (30), wherein the guide roller (42) or the guide slide is coupled to the guide cam (41) at least through a designated angle segment (9) in the circumferential direction relative to the axis of rotation (2).

9. The apparatus (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The at least one movement of the processing component (30) is controllable such that when the suspension (10), optionally the drive slide (11), moves along the circumferential direction through the specified angle segment (9), the processing segment of the processing component (30), for example the interaction segment (32), can remain substantially in the same position relative to the circumferential direction.

10. The apparatus (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The processing component (30) includes at least one gripping arm (31) and / or gripping device (36) for gripping the container (6), wherein, optionally, the at least one gripping arm (31) or the gripping device (36) has an interaction section (32) by which the gripping arm (31) or the gripping device (36) contacts the container (6) for gripping, wherein, optionally, the interaction section (32) is arranged spaced apart from an optional pivot axis (35) of the processing component (30).

11. The apparatus (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, Each suspension (10) may optionally be controlled independently of at least one other suspension (10), optionally for all other suspensions (10), and optionally along the circular linear stator (20) via its drive slide (11).

12. The apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 9, characterized in that, The movement of the processing component (30) is constituted by a control unit (40) set independently of the circular linear stator (20), wherein the control unit (40) is configured, for example, mechanically and / or includes a guide cam (41).

13. The apparatus (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, Each of the suspensions (10) includes at least one suspension arm (12) extending at least between a bearing (13) disposed radially inward relative to the axis of rotation (2) and a drive slide (11) disposed radially outward of the bearing (13), wherein each of the suspensions (10) includes, for example, two suspension arms (12).

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