Deflection device for diverting containers

Abstract

A deflection device for deflecting containers (100), comprising: - a first transport star (2), - a second transport star (3), - a first discharge (7) and a second discharge (8), - a first lateral guide arrangement (4) and a second lateral guide arrangement (5), - wherein the first lateral guide arrangement (4) is movable on a first travel line (V1) and the second lateral guide arrangement (5) is movable on a second travel line (V2), wherein the first travel line (V1) of the first lateral guide arrangement (4) and the second travel line (V2) of the second lateral guide arrangement (5) overlap, and - a control unit (6) for controlling the first lateral guide arrangement (4) and the second lateral guide arrangement (5), - wherein the control unit (6) is configured to move the first lateral guide arrangement (4) and the second lateral guide arrangement (5) so that the containers (100) are deflected to the first discharge (7).when the first lateral guide arrangement (4) has moved, and the containers (100) have been deflected to the second outlet (8), when the second lateral guide arrangement (5) has moved.

Description

State of the art The present invention relates to a deflection device for diverting containers in a transport line. The invention further relates to a filling machine or a sealing machine, particularly for pharmaceutical goods, which includes such a deflection device. Transport devices are used, for example, in automated conveying and filling systems. In the medical field, vials, ampoules, bottles, etc., are transported. It is particularly important to ensure that damaged or incompletely filled containers (rejects) are not transported further but are removed. Prior art uses vacuum wheels, wheels with an integrated lifting cylinder for each object, or ejection fingers in a screw or wheel. After checking whether a product is defective or rejects, the rejects are fed to a reject discharge, while the defective products are transported further. However, the described devices can have disadvantages under certain circumstances. From DE 10 2009 000 496 A1, for example, a transport device is known in which an ejection finger is provided on a transport star to eject rejects radially towards the transport star. However, this device is only suitable for containers up to certain diameter ranges. Furthermore, the rotational speed of the transport star in this device is limited. Additionally, only discharge primarily into a reject channel is possible, and transfer to, for example, another transport star. When using ejection fingers or wheels with integrated lifting cylinders, the containers can also be damaged by the force exerted on them. Moreover, the ejection fingers or lifting cylinders must be actuated individually for each container. When using vacuum or negative pressure, variations in object tolerances or other factors can lead to problems.Proper contact of the suction lip with the container is not always guaranteed on the surface of the object. Furthermore, vacuum losses can occur due to long lines. Undesirable air turbulence can also arise, which can cause problems, especially in applications within isolated rooms (isolators). Additionally, the vacuum lines must be decontaminated in isolator applications. Since these devices typically contain a large number of components in an area near the containers, rinsing the containers in these areas is also difficult. Further deflection devices are known from JP S5 699 123 A, DE 6 008 905 T2 and US 6 131 720 A. Disclosure of the invention In contrast, the deflection device according to the invention for deflecting containers with the features of claim 1 has the advantage that it enables the deflection of containers using a simple design solution, thus eliminating the disadvantages of known devices. Furthermore, the deflection device according to the invention can be used to branch containers for a defective ejection, a magazine changeover, or in-process control. Gentle transport of the containers is also ensured, making the deflection device according to the invention particularly suitable for use in the pharmaceutical sector with fragile containers such as glass containers. Moreover, a large number of containers can be deflected by actuating the deflection device only once, which significantly speeds up the transport of the containers.According to the invention, this is achieved by the deflection device comprising a first transport star, a second transport star, a first discharge, a second discharge, a first lateral guide arrangement, and a second lateral guide arrangement. The first lateral guide arrangement is movable along a first travel path, and the second lateral guide arrangement is movable along a second travel path, with the first travel path of the first lateral guide arrangement and the second travel path of the second lateral guide arrangement intersecting. Furthermore, according to the invention, a control unit is provided for controlling the first lateral guide arrangement and the second lateral guide arrangement. According to the invention, the control unit is configured to move the first lateral guide arrangement and the second lateral guide arrangement.The containers are deflected to the first outlet when the first lateral guide assembly has moved, and to the second outlet when the second lateral guide assembly has moved. Due to the two lateral guide assemblies, sorting the containers into the first or second outlet can be carried out without any reduction in speed. This ensures smooth and consistent deflection. The deflection device according to the invention also offers the advantage that no vacuum or negative pressure is required. This, in conjunction with the few components of the deflection device according to the invention, results in simple and time-saving cleaning of the device. This is particularly advantageous for toxic products and applications in an isolator. A further advantage of the deflection device according to the invention is that the containers are not only deflected but also guided.The deflection device according to the invention is a type of switch with a switch point in a transport track. A switch point is the point in the transport track at which the containers begin to be deflected into the first or second outlet. The dependent claims describe preferred embodiments of the invention. Preferably, the first travel path is designed as a first partial circular path and the second travel path as a second partial circular path. This enables a smooth, particularly quiet and easy-to-control movement of the side guides. The first partial circular path is preferably designed concentrically with the first transport star, and the second partial circular path is designed concentrically with the second transport star. This simplifies the design of the deflection device and its control system. Furthermore, it allows for very quick verification of the deflection device's correct operation. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first side guide arrangement comprises exactly a first side guide and a third side guide, and the second side guide arrangement comprises exactly a second side guide and a fourth side guide. Preferably, the side guides are identical in construction. The first and third side guides are preferably movable relative to each other. Likewise, the second and fourth side guides are preferably movable relative to each other. This ensures flexibility in deflecting the containers. Advantageously, both side guides of the first side guide arrangement and / or both side guides of the second side guide arrangement are movable. This offers even greater flexibility and adaptability of the deflection device according to the invention to the respective requirements. Particularly preferably, all side guides of the first side guide arrangement and the second side guide arrangement are movable. Alternatively, it is possible for only one of the side guides of the first and / or second side guide assembly to be movable, while the other side guide assembly is fixed relative to the deflection device. This can be advantageous in certain applications where simpler control of the side guides is desired. Furthermore, preferably the first and third side guides are movable in opposite directions relative to the conveying direction of the containers. Similarly, the second and fourth side guides are movable in opposite directions relative to the conveying direction of the containers. The first and third side guides converge towards each other, as do the second and fourth side guides. This allows the side guides to be arranged at the same height relative to the transport stars, which can result in a smaller deflection device. According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, in an extended position, the side guides of the first side guide arrangement are positioned so close to one another that a first distance between the first side guide and the third side guide in the direction of the first travel path is at least smaller than a maximum dimension of the containers in the conveying direction. Similarly, in an extended position, the side guides of the second side guide arrangement are positioned so close to one another that a second distance between the second side guide and the fourth side guide in the direction of the second travel path is at least smaller than a maximum dimension of the containers in the conveying direction.The extended position corresponds to the first extended position of the side guides of the first side guide assembly when they are in their retracted position, or to the second extended position of the side guides of the second side guide assembly when they are in their retracted position. The first extended position corresponds to a first position and the second extended position to a second position of the deflection device. If the containers have a cylindrical shape or a cylindrical shape in an area of ​​the containers that is in contact with the side guides, the first distance and the second distance are preferably at least smaller than a diameter of the containers. The first distance is particularly preferred to be equal to the second distance. This simplifies the control of the side guides. Since the side guides are only approximated to each other in the extended position, a complicated control or regulation of an end position of the side guides can be dispensed with. The predefined first and second distances ensure that the containers are conveyed without the risk of them passing through the gap between the side guides. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first distance and / or the second distance are zero. This means that the side guides of the first side guide arrangement are in contact with each other and / or the side guides of the second side guide arrangement are in contact with each other. Particularly preferred is the first distance and the second distance being equal to zero. This ensures continuous deflection and guidance of the containers under all circumstances. According to the invention, the first travel line of the first lateral guide arrangement and the second travel line of the second lateral guide arrangement overlap. This makes it possible to reduce the size of the deflection device. Preferably, all side guides each have a finger-like section. This ensures stable guidance of the containers and a compact design for the deflection device. Furthermore, the reduced mass of the moving parts of the deflection device minimizes inertial forces that occur when starting or stopping the movement of the side guides. This results in reliable and smooth operation, as well as a longer service life for the deflection device. Preferably, the first and third side guides, and the second and fourth side guides are driven either in pairs or individually. Servo motors are preferably used for this purpose. For the most compact design possible, the side guides are driven in pairs. Driving each side guide individually simplifies the control of each one. In order to adapt the deflection device to different requirements and / or different container sizes, the travel distance and the starting position of the side guides of the first side guide arrangement in relation to the first transport star and / or the second side guide arrangement in relation to the second transport star can be changed. In particular, the side guides of the first side guide arrangement are each designed and arranged with one of the side guides of the second side guide arrangement in such a way that the side guides travel an equal distance in pairs. The present invention further relates to a filling machine or a capping machine, particularly for pharmaceutical goods, which includes a deflection device according to the invention. The advantages described with regard to the deflection device according to the invention are also present here. In addition to manufacturing a new filling machine or a capping machine with the deflection device according to the invention, it is also possible to easily retrofit an existing filling machine or capping machine with the deflection device according to the invention. Brief description of the drawings Preferred embodiments of the invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, where identical or functionally equivalent parts are designated by the same reference numeral. In the drawings: Fig. 1 is a simplified, schematic top view of a deflection device for deflecting containers according to a first embodiment of the invention in a neutral position; Fig. 2 is a schematic top view of the deflection device of Fig. 1 in a first position; Fig. 3 is a schematic top view of the deflection device of Fig. 1 in a second position; Fig. 4 is a simplified, schematic top view of a deflection device according to a second embodiment of the invention in a neutral position; Fig. 5 is a schematic top view of the deflection device of Fig. 4 in a first position; Fig. 6 is a simplified front view of the deflection device of Fig. 5; Fig. 8 is a simplified front view of the deflection device of Fig. 1.Figure 7 shows a top view of the deflection device of Fig. 4 in a second position, and Figure 8 shows a simplified front view of the deflection device of Fig. 7. Preferred embodiments of the invention With reference to Fig. 1, Fig. 2 to Fig. 3, a deflecting device 1 for deflecting containers 100 of a filling machine 10 or a closing machine not shown in detail is described below according to a first embodiment. As can be seen from Figures 1, 2 to 3, the deflecting device 1 for deflecting containers 100 comprises a first transport star 2 and a second transport star 3. The first transport star 2 and the second transport star 3 are each designed as a transport wheel with receiving areas 9 for receiving containers 100. The first transport star 2 has a first star radius R1 and a first star center Z1, and the second transport star 3 has a second star radius R2 and a second star center Z2 (Figure 1). The containers 100 are cylindrical vials and have a container radius r and a container diameter 2*r, respectively (Figure 1). Furthermore, the deflection device 1 comprises a first lateral guide arrangement 4 and a second lateral guide arrangement 5. The first lateral guide arrangement 4 is movable on a first travel line V1, wherein the second lateral guide arrangement 5 is movable on a second travel line V2 (Fig. 1 ). Preferably, the first travel path V1 is designed as a first partial circular path K1 and the second travel path V2 as a second partial circular path K2 ( Fig. 1 ). Advantageously, the first partial circular orbit K1 is concentric with the first transport star 3. Preferably, the first rotation radius Rv1 corresponds to the sum of the first star radius R1 and the container diameter 2*r measured from the first star center Z1, plus a safety margin (Fig. 1). The second partial circular orbit K2 is preferably formed concentrically with the second transport star 4. Here, a second trajectory radius Rv2 is preferably equal to the sum of the second star radius R2 and the container diameter 2*r of the second star center Z2 plus a safety margin (Fig. 1). Thus, the side guide arrangements 4, 5 provide not only a deflection function but also lateral guidance for the containers 100. The first travel line V1 and the second travel line V2 overlap, thus enabling a compact design of the deflection device 1. In this embodiment, the first side guide arrangement 4 has a first side guide 40. Similarly, the second side guide arrangement 5 has a second side guide 50. The side guides 40, 50 each include a finger-like section 41, 51. The presence of this finger-like section in the side guides 40, 50 further reduces the size of the deflection device 1. Furthermore, the finger-like sections 41, 51 ensure stable and gentle guidance of the containers 100. In addition, the compact size of the side guides reduces inertial effects when starting or stopping a movement of the side guides. A first finger-like area 41 of the first side guide 40 has a first guide surface 42 and a first end surface 43 at one end. Furthermore, a second guide surface 52 and a second end surface 53 are provided on a second finger-like area 51 of the second side guide 50. Furthermore, the deflection device 1 comprises a first outlet 7, which is provided by the first transport star 2, and a second outlet 8, which is provided on the second transport star 3. A control unit 6 is preferably provided to control the first side guide arrangement 4 and the second side guide arrangement 5. The control unit 6 is configured to move the first side guide arrangement 4 and the second side guide arrangement 5. Fig. 1 shows a neutral position N of the deflection device 1, in which neither the first side guide assembly 4 nor the second side guide assembly 5 has moved. In Fig. 2, the deflection device 1 is in a first position P1. In this position, the first side guide assembly 4 is in a first extended position, in which the containers 100, which are conveyed in a conveying direction F (Fig. 1), are deflected to the first outlet 7. The second side guide assembly 5 remains in the same position as in the neutral position of the deflection device 1 in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 illustrates a second position P2 of the deflection device 1. In this position, the containers 100 are branched to the second outlet 8, with the second side guide assembly 5 in a second extended position. Each side guide assembly preferably has its own drive in the form of a servo motor. Thus, the first side guide assembly 4 is driven by a first drive 11 and the second side guide assembly 5 by a second drive 12. This results in simpler control of the side guide assemblies 4 and 5. The first side guide arrangement 4 and the second side guide arrangement 5 not only enable a quick deflection of the containers 100 to the first outlet 7 or second outlet 8, but also ensure gentle guidance of the containers 100 in the outlets 7, 8. The containers 100 are guided in the first outlet 7 via the first guide surface 42 of the first side guide 4, past which the containers 100 are guided. The containers 100 are then conveyed further by the first transport star 2. In the second outlet 8, the containers 100 are guided along the second guide surface 52 of the second side guide 5 and conveyed further by the second transport star 3. Furthermore, it is preferably provided that a travel path on the first travel line V1 and an initial position of the first lateral guide 40 of the first lateral guide arrangement 4 with respect to the transport star 2 are changeable. Advantageously, a travel path on the second travel line V2 and an initial position of the second lateral guide 50 of the second lateral guide arrangement 5 with respect to the second transport star 3 are also changeable. The initial position is understood to be the position of the lateral guides 40, 50 in the neutral position N of the deflection device 1. The changeability of the initial position of the lateral guides 40, 50 essentially consists in the fact that the first travel radius Rv1 and the second travel radius Rv2 can be changed. The deflection device 1 according to the invention can preferably be used for separating defective goods, e.g., in the pharmaceutical sector. For example, the first outlet 7 can be designed as a good outlet into which the defect-free containers 100 are directed and further processed. The second outlet 8 can serve as a reject outlet into which defective containers 100 are conveyed. The decision as to which container is good or bad can be made by a monitoring device (not shown). The deflection device 1 according to the invention can be used at various points in the filling machine 10 or the sealing machine. Besides the purpose of rejecting defective containers 100, the deflection device 1 can, for example, serve to distinguish containers with specific features. For instance, containers with stoppers or crimped containers can be sorted. Another possible application of the deflection device 1 according to the invention is that the receiving areas 9 can be switched without interrupting the conveying of the containers 100. The containers 100 can be deflected to one of the outlets 7, 8 and conveyed further by the corresponding transport star 2, 3, while the receiving areas 9 are switched at the other transport star 3, 2. Furthermore, the containers 100 can be directed to one of the outlets 7, 8 for the purpose of in-process control, so that the control can take place. The deflection device 1 serves as a switch with a switching point W in the filling machine 10 or capping machine (Fig. 1). Switching point W is the point at which the deflection of a container 100 begins either into the first outlet 7 or the second outlet 8. The deflection device 1 according to the invention offers the advantages of fast and smooth deflection and gentle guidance of the containers 100. The design effort required for this is minimal. Furthermore, the deflection device is wash-down capable, which facilitates rinsing the containers from the outside in applications with toxic products. In the following, with reference to Figs. 4, 5, 6, 7 to 8, a deflecting device 1 for deflecting containers 100 according to a second embodiment is described in detail. Figure 4 shows the deflection device 1 in a neutral position N. Figures 5 and 6 show the deflection device 1 in a first position P1, in which only the first side guide assembly 4 is extended (first extended position of the first side guide assembly 4). A second position P2 of the deflection device 1, in which only the second side guide assembly 5 is in an extended position (second extended position of the second side guide assembly 5), is shown in Figures 7 and 8. The second embodiment of the invention differs fundamentally from the first embodiment in that two side guides are provided for the first side guide arrangement 4 and two side guides for the second side guide arrangement 5. In particular, the first side guide arrangement 4 and the second side guide arrangement 5 each have exactly two side guides. Accordingly, the first side guide arrangement 4 includes a third side guide 44 in addition to the first side guide 40, and the second side guide arrangement 5 includes a fourth side guide 54 in addition to the second side guide 50. For example, the third side guide 44 and the fourth side guide 54 can be arranged in front of the first side guide 40 and the second side guide 50 with reference to the conveying direction F. Preferably, the third side guide 44 and the fourth side guide 54 are arranged in the neutral position N of the deflection device 1 such that a switching point W lies between the third side guide 44 and the fourth side guide 54 (Fig. 4). Preferably, the third side guide 44 and the fourth side guide 54 are arranged such that they allow the containers 100 to be guided even before they are deflected. The first side guide 40 and the third side guide 44 can be moved relative to each other, while the second side guide 50 and the fourth side guide 54 can also be moved relative to each other. It is particularly preferred that both side guides 40, 44 of the first side guide arrangement 4 and both side guides 50, 54 of the second side guide arrangement 5 are movable. One possible alternative is that only one of the side guides 40, 44 of the first side guide arrangement 4 and / or only one of the side guides 50, 54 of the second side guide arrangement 5 can be moved. The side guides 40, 44 are preferably movable on the same travel path, the first travel path V1. The fourth side guide 54, like the second side guide 50, is preferably movable on the second travel path V2. Preferably, the first side guide 40 and the third side guide 44 are movable in opposite directions. Likewise, the second side guide 50 and the fourth side guide 54 can be moved in opposite directions. The side guides 40 and 44 of the first side guide arrangement 4 can move towards each other. The same applies to the side guides 50 and 54 of the second side guide arrangement 5. Thus, and due to the relative arrangement of the side guides, the first side guide 40 and the second side guide 50 can be operated sequentially when conveying the containers 100 begins. Similarly, to end the conveying process, the third side guide 44 and the fourth side guide 54 can be moved back to their neutral position N in front of the first side guide 40 and the third side guide. In the first position of the deflection device 1 (Figs. 5 and 6), the side guides 40, 44 of the first side guide arrangement 4 are advantageously in contact with each other. This also applies in the second position P2 of the deflection device 1 (Figs. 7 and 8) for the side guides 50, 54 of the second side guide arrangement 5. When the side guides are retracted, as shown, for example, in Fig. 5, a gap may exist between the side guide of the first side guide arrangement or the second side guide arrangement, which is the first to be arranged in the conveying direction F, and the container to be deflected. This depends on the size of the containers. After the side guides are retracted, both side guides of the first side guide arrangement or the second side guide arrangement can be moved against the conveying direction F. This results in continuous side guidance of the containers. Thus, in the first position P1, the first distance d1 (Fig. 4) between the first side guide 40 and the third side guide 44 in the direction of the first travel line V1 is zero, and a second distance d2 (Fig. 4) between the second side guide 50 and the fourth side guide 54 in the direction of the second travel line V2 is zero in the second position P2 (Figs. 5 and 7). Therefore, in the first position P1, the first side guide 40 and the third side guide 44 form a continuous side guide (Fig. 5). Likewise, in the second position P2, the second side guide 50 and the fourth side guide 54 serve as a single side guide (Fig. 7). In both the first position P1 and the second position P2 of the deflection device 1, the switch point W lies between the third lateral guide 44 and the fourth lateral guide 54. Like the first side guide 40 and the second side guide 50, the third side guide 44 and the fourth side guide 54 each have a finger-like area 45, 55. Each of the finger-like areas 45, 55 has a guide surface 46, 56 and an end surface 47, 57. The contact of the first lateral guide 40 with the third lateral guide 44 is achieved via the first end surface 43 of the first finger-like area 41 and a third end surface 45 of a third finger-like area 45 of the third lateral guide 44. In the first position P1, the first end surface 43 and the third end surface 47 are parallel to each other and abutting each other. In the second position P2, the second end surface 53 of the second finger-like area 51 of the second lateral guide 50 and a fourth end surface 57 of a fourth finger-like area 55 of the fourth lateral guide 54 are abutting each other and parallel to each other. To achieve the simplest possible control, the side guides 40, 44 of the first side guide arrangement 4 are preferably driven by the first drive 11. It is further provided that the second side guide 50 and the fourth side guide 54 of the second side guide arrangement 5 are moved by the second drive 11. Alternatively, all side guides 40, 44, 50, 54 can be driven individually. The ability to change the travel path and / or the starting position of the side guides as described in the first embodiment is preferably also given here for all side guides 40, 44, 50, 54. In addition to the advantages described in relation to the first embodiment of the invention, the deflection device 1 according to the second embodiment has a high degree of flexibility and adaptability to different applications through the use of two side guides per side guide arrangement.

Claims

A deflection device for deflecting containers (100), comprising: - a first transport star (2), - a second transport star (3), - a first discharge (7) and a second discharge (8), - a first lateral guide arrangement (4) and a second lateral guide arrangement (5), - wherein the first lateral guide arrangement (4) is movable on a first travel line (V1) and the second lateral guide arrangement (5) is movable on a second travel line (V2), wherein the first travel line (V1) of the first lateral guide arrangement (4) and the second travel line (V2) of the second lateral guide arrangement (5) overlap, and - a control unit (6) for controlling the first lateral guide arrangement (4) and the second lateral guide arrangement (5), - wherein the control unit (6) is configured to move the first lateral guide arrangement (4) and the second lateral guide arrangement (5) so that the containers (100) are deflected to the first discharge (7).when the first lateral guide arrangement (4) has moved, and the containers (100) have been deflected to the second outlet (8), when the second lateral guide arrangement (5) has moved. Deflection device according to claim 1, characterized in that the first travel line (V1) is a first partial circular path (K1) and the second travel line (V2) is a second partial circular path (K2). Deflection device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first lateral guide arrangement (4) comprises exactly a first lateral guide (40) and a third lateral guide (44), and the second lateral guide arrangement (5) comprises exactly a second lateral guide (50) and a fourth lateral guide (54). Deflection device according to claim 3, characterized in that the first side guide (40) and the third side guide (44) are movable relative to each other, and the second side guide (50) and the fourth side guide (54) are movable relative to each other. Deflection device according to claim 4, characterized in that both side guides (40, 44) of the first side guide arrangement (4) and / or both side guides (50, 54) of the second side guide arrangement (5) are movable. Deflection device according to claim 5, characterized in that the first side guide (40) and the third side guide (44) are movable in opposite directions, and the second side guide (50) and the fourth side guide (54) are movable in opposite directions. Deflection device according to one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that in an extended position the side guides (40, 44) of the first side guide arrangement (4) are such that the side guides (50, 54) of the second side guide arrangement (5) are such that a first distance (d1) between the first side guide (4) and the third side guide in the direction of the first travel line (V1), and a second distance (d2) between the second side guide (50) and the fourth side guide (54) in the direction of the second travel line (V2) is each at least smaller than a maximum dimension of the containers (100) in a conveying direction (F) of the containers (100). Deflection device according to claim 7, characterized in that the first distance (d1) and / or the second distance (d2) are zero. Deflection device according to one of claims 3 to 8, characterized in that all side guides (40, 44, 50, 54) each have a finger-like area (41, 45, 51, 55). Deflection device according to one of claims 3 to 9, characterized in that the first side guide (40) and the third side guide (44), and the second side guide (50) and the fourth side guide (54) are driven in pairs or individually. Deflection device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a travel path to be covered and an initial position of the side guides (40, 44) of the first side guide arrangement (4) and / or the side guides (50, 54) of the second side guide arrangement (5) are changeable with respect to the transport stars (2, 3). Filling machine or capping machine, in particular for pharmaceutical goods, comprising a deflection device (1) according to one of the preceding claims.

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