Container treatment machine and system comprising the container treatment machine

Abstract

Container treatment machine (50), comprising a stator (12) and a rotor (14) rotatably mounted about an axis of rotation (16) relative to the stator (12), wherein the stator (12) has at least one upwardly open channel (18) for receiving a liquid, which extends completely about the axis of rotation (16), and the rotor (14) has at least one wall (20) projecting from above into the channel (18), which extends completely along the channel (18) about the axis of rotation (16), and a plurality of treatment stations (42), characterized in that the channel (18) has at least one channel bottom section (22) which is inclined along an extension direction (24) about the axis of rotation (16) to a horizontal plane (44).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a container treatment machine and a system comprising the container treatment machine.

[0002] Container treatment machines for treating containers, particularly plastic containers, can have a stator and a rotor, the rotor rotating relative to the stator about an axis of rotation. Treatment stations for the containers can be arranged on the rotor. The container treatment machine can be located, in particular, in a cleanroom to allow the containers to be treated under aseptic conditions. The treatment can include, for example, filling the container with a liquid or sealing the container.

[0003] As known, for example, from DE 20 2010 013 681 U1, a hydraulic seal or liquid barrier can be arranged between the rotor and the stator to seal the cleanroom in which the tank treatment machine is located from, for example, the interior of the tank treatment machine. In this document, the hydraulic seal has an open annular channel attached to the stator and filled with liquid. The rotor includes an annular wall that extends from above into the annular channel and into the liquid. The wall is immersed in the liquid along its entire length along the channel and, together with the liquid, forms a barrier between the rotor and the stator for the cleanroom. When the rotor rotates, the wall is rotated within the liquid in the channel. The liquid level can be controlled via an inlet and an outlet.To clean the seal, the fluid must be drained, which results in a certain amount of maintenance.

[0004] Container treatment machines according to the preamble of claim 1 are also known from the publications DE 10 2008 056 242 A1 and DE 10 2021 121 177 A1.

[0005] The object of the invention is to provide a container treatment machine that is easy to maintain and thus provides a reduction in maintenance costs.

[0006] The problem is solved by the features of the independent claims. Advantageous further developments are the subject of the dependent claims and the following description.

[0007] The container treatment machine according to the invention comprises a stator and a rotor rotatably mounted about an axis of rotation relative to the stator, wherein the stator has at least one upwardly open channel for receiving a liquid, which extends completely around the axis of rotation, and the rotor has at least one wall projecting downwards into the channel, which extends completely along the channel around the axis of rotation, and a plurality of treatment stations. Furthermore, it is provided that the channel has at least one channel bottom section which is inclined to a horizontal plane along a direction of extension about the axis of rotation.

[0008] When the channel is filled with a liquid, the channel and the wall together with the liquid form a hydraulic seal between the stator and the rotor.

[0009] The invention provides a container treatment machine in which liquid flows along the channel bottom section in a downward-sloping direction determined by the incline, particularly as soon as the channel's fill level is below a certain height. The channel can be filled with liquid to a level such that the wall along the entire length of the channel is at least partially below the fill level and therefore immersed in the liquid along its entire extent. When the liquid is drained, it automatically flows downwards along the channel bottom section. This allows the liquid to collect downstream of the channel bottom section without the need for maintenance personnel to transport or collect it.The distance between the channel floor and the surface of the liquid, which extends along the horizontal plane, thus varies along the channel's rotation around its axis. Advantageously, the channel floor can have a highest point and a lowest point along its direction of extension.

[0010] The liquid then flows along the channel in one direction, from the highest point to the lowest point, and collects there when the channel is emptied, once the liquid level falls below the highest point. This facilitates and speeds up the emptying of the container treatment machine's channel and prevents the liquid from being completely removed. This reduces maintenance and saves costs.

[0011] For a circular channel, the direction of extension around the axis of rotation is understood to be the direction in which a cross-section of the channel radial to the axis of rotation would move along the channel when rotated around the axis of rotation. For non-circular channels, the direction of extension is understood to be a direction analogous to the explanation given above.

[0012] Furthermore, a liquid outlet of the tank treatment machine can be located behind the channel bottom section, viewed along the direction of extension in the downward-pointing direction determined by the inclination. If the liquid outlet is recessed into the channel bottom, the edge of the liquid outlet and / or the transition from the liquid outlet to the channel bottom can be located outside the channel bottom section.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the channel can have a channel bottom which contains the channel bottom section and extends around the axis of rotation in a plane inclined to the horizontal plane.

[0014] The entire channel floor can thus be arranged on a plane inclined relative to the horizontal plane. If the channel is annular, it has a highest point and a lowest point, which are preferably diametrically opposed. A cross-section of the channel floor that is radial with respect to the axis of rotation would, when the cross-section is rotated about the axis of rotation, run along a plane inclined to the horizontal plane.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the channel can have a channel base containing the channel base section and extending along a helix in the direction of extension. The helix can extend around the axis of rotation, moving downwards or upwards in an axial direction as it rotates around the axis. A highest point and a lowest point of the channel can then be arranged directly adjacent to each other in a top view of the channel. For example, a step can be arranged in the channel base between the highest point and the lowest point.

[0016] It is also conceivable that the canal floor has different angles of inclination to the horizontal plane at different positions.

[0017] The channel bottom section can, for example, have the lowest point, with the container treatment machine further featuring a liquid outlet located at this lowest point. When the channel is emptied, the liquid automatically flows towards the liquid outlet, thus automatically emptying the channel as soon as the liquid is drained.

[0018] Furthermore, the inclination of the channel floor to the horizontal plane may be greater near the liquid outlet than along the channel at a greater distance from the liquid outlet.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the channel can be designed as a trough, preferably inclined relative to the horizontal plane. The channel bottom section can then be located between the highest and lowest points of the trough. Furthermore, an inclined trough can be provided without significant effort. It may only be necessary to adapt the shape of the trough to the shape of the wall so that the wall can rotate within the trough around the axis of rotation. For this purpose, when using an annular wall, the trough can, for example, be elliptical so that it forms an annular projection on the horizontal plane when inclined.

[0020] Furthermore, the channel can, for example, be designed as a milled groove whose milling depth increases along its direction of travel. This assumes that the groove is milled into a plate whose surface is horizontal. By milling the groove with a depth that increases along its direction of travel, a channel wall is automatically created that is high enough for the channel to hold sufficient liquid, allowing the entire wall of the channel to be immersed in the liquid. The groove can, for example, be milled into a plate along a helical path.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the multitude of treatment stations can be arranged, preferably equidistantly, around the circumference of the rotor.

[0022] The container treatment machine can be designed in particular as a filling machine, preferably aseptic.

[0023] The invention further relates to a system for manufacturing and treating containers, comprising at least one container treatment machine designed according to the preceding description.

[0024] The advantages, effects, and further developments of the system derive from the advantages, effects, and further developments of the container treatment machine described above. To avoid repetition, reference is therefore made to the preceding description in this regard.

[0025] The invention is described below with reference to exemplary embodiments and the accompanying drawing. The drawing shows: Fig. 1 a schematic representation of a container treatment machine according to a first embodiment; Fig. 2 a schematic representation of a container treatment machine according to a second embodiment; Fig. 3 a schematic cross-sectional representation of the container treatment machine along the extension direction in side view; Fig. 4a-c a schematic cross-sectional view of a container treatment machine according to a third embodiment; and Fig. 5 a schematic representation of a plant for the manufacture and treatment of containers.

[0026] Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a container treatment machine 50. The diagram depicts a top view of the container treatment machine 50. The container treatment machine 50 comprises a stator 12 and a rotor 14, which is rotatably mounted about a pivot axis 16 relative to the stator 12. A plurality of container treatment stations 42 can be attached to the rotor 14. Preferably, the container treatment stations 42 are arranged equidistantly around the circumference of the rotor 14.

[0027] The stator 12 has a channel 18 that extends completely around the axis of rotation 16. The channel 18 is open at the top. During operation of the container treatment machine 50, the channel 18 is filled with a liquid.

[0028] The rotor 14 has a wall 20 that also extends completely around the axis of rotation 16. The wall 20 projects downwards into the channel 18, with the wall 20 being immersed in the channel 18 and in contact with the fluid around its entire circumference around the axis of rotation 16, forming a closed contact surface between the fluid and the wall 20 around the axis of rotation 16. The channel 18 and the wall 20, together with the fluid, form a hydraulic seal between the stator 12 and the rotor 14.

[0029] Both the channel 18 and the wall 20 can extend in a ring-shaped or circular shape around the axis of rotation 16.

[0030] Channel 18 has at least one channel bottom section 22 that extends along the direction of extension 24 of channel 18 about the axis of rotation 16. The channel bottom section 22 is inclined at an angle 36 to the horizontal plane 44 along a direction of extension 24 about the axis of rotation 16, such that the channel bottom section 22 intersects the horizontal plane 44. This is illustrated by example in Fig. Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view of channel section 22 from a horizontal direction oriented perpendicular to the direction of extension. Liquid located at the bottom of channel section 22 thus flows obliquely downwards along the direction of extension of the channel bottom 30 around the axis of rotation in the direction determined by the inclination. This direction can be described as downstream. The opposite direction can be described as upstream.

[0031] Furthermore, it shows Fig. 3, that a liquid level 38 can be so high that the wall 20, which is immersed in the channel 18, can be immersed in the liquid over its entire circumference around the axis of rotation 16. A low-lying area 26 of the channel bottom section 22 then has a greater distance to the liquid level 38, measured orthogonally to the liquid level 38, than a high-lying area 28 of the channel bottom section 22.

[0032] In the Fig. In the first embodiment shown in Figure 1, the channel floor 30 of the channel 18 extends in its entirety in a plane inclined to the horizontal plane 44. In this example, the channel floor 30 is positioned lower on the left side of the figure than on the right side. In this embodiment, the channel 18 can be formed by a tilted channel.

[0033] Alternatively, in this embodiment, the channel 18 can be formed by a groove whose milling depth varies around its circumference. Starting from the highest point, the groove can be milled progressively deeper along the direction of extension of the channel 18 until the lowest point is reached. From there, the groove can be milled again along the direction of extension with a decreasing milling depth until it reaches the highest point.

[0034] Downstream of the channel bottom section 22, the channel 18 can have a liquid outlet 32. In this embodiment, the liquid outlet 32 ​​is formed in the channel bottom 30. Upstream of the channel bottom section 22, the channel 18 can have a liquid inlet 34. In this embodiment, the liquid inlet 34 is arranged on the stator 12 diametrically opposite the liquid outlet 32.

[0035] For example, in this embodiment, two channel bottom sections 22 can extend on both sides of the liquid inlet 34 to the liquid outlet 32. The lower sections 26 of both channel bottom sections 22 can be located at the liquid outlet 32, and the higher sections 28 of both channel bottom sections 22 can be located at the liquid inlet 34. The liquid inlet 34 is thus located at the highest point of the channel bottom 30. Furthermore, the liquid outlet 32 ​​is located at the lowest point of the channel bottom 30.

[0036] The liquid thus flows automatically from the liquid inlet 34 along the channel 18 to the liquid outlet 32. When the channel 18 is emptied, the liquid automatically collects at the liquid outlet 32, so that the channel 18 can be emptied without much effort.

[0037] In Fig. Figure 2 shows another embodiment of the container treatment machine 50. In this embodiment, the channel section 22 can extend along the entire length of the channel 18, so that the channel floor 30 extends helically around the axis of rotation 16. Both the highest and lowest points of the channel floor 30 are located on the left side of the figure. The liquid inlet 34 can be located at the highest point of the channel floor 30. The liquid outlet 32 ​​can be located at the lowest point of the channel floor 30. In this embodiment, the liquid outlet 32 ​​and the liquid inlet 34 are located directly next to each other. A step 40 can be arranged in the channel floor 30 between the liquid outlet 32 ​​and the liquid inlet 34, bridging the height difference between the highest and lowest points of the channel 18.

[0038] In this embodiment, the channel 18 can, for example, be formed by a groove milled into a plate. The milling depth of the groove increases in the direction of extension 24, such that a first end of the groove is positioned higher than the opposite end of the groove in the direction of extension.

[0039] In the Fig. 4a, Fig. 4b and Fig. Figure 4c shows another embodiment of the container treatment machine 50.

[0040] Fig. Figure 4a shows a longitudinal section along axis 16 through a container treatment machine 50. On the left in the Fig. Figure 4a shows channel 18 at its highest point. On the right side of the figure, channel 18 is shown at its lowest point and with the liquid outlet 32.

[0041] As in Fig. 4b in a detailed presentation of the Fig. As shown in Figure 4a, in this third embodiment the liquid outlet 32 ​​is not located on the channel floor 30, but on a wall of the channel 18. However, the liquid outlet 32 ​​is adjacent to the channel floor 30, so that liquid can flow from the channel floor 30 into the liquid outlet 32. The liquid outlet 32 ​​can therefore be flush with the channel floor 30 at the edge of an inlet opening.

[0042] Fig. 4c shows a further detailed representation from Fig. 4a, which shows the section through the container treatment machine 50 such that the section is arranged in an angular position immediately next to the fluid outlet 32.

[0043] The in the Fig. 4b and Fig. Lines 46 and 48 shown in Figure 4c illustrate the difference in elevation between the canal bottom sections shown on the left and right, respectively. In the left area of ​​the Fig. 4b and Fig. 4c, the channel floor is located significantly closer to the wall 20 at its highest point than in the right part of the Fig. 4b and Fig. 4c.

[0044] This allows liquid, which in this embodiment is located in the left section of the channel 18, to automatically flow to the right section of the channel 18. The channel bottom section 22 can be arranged between the two sections shown. Furthermore, the lower section 26 of the channel bottom section 22 can also be located at the right section of the channel 18. Fig. be arranged, wherein the elevated area 28 of the channel floor section 22 then extends into the left section of the channel 18. Fig. 4b and Fig. It can be arranged in 4c.

[0045] The features of the embodiment described above can be combined in any way. That is, in the first two embodiments, the liquid outlet 32 ​​can be located either in the channel floor 30 or in a wall of the channel 18. The same applies to the liquid inlet 34.

[0046] Fig. Figure 5 schematically shows a system 60 for manufacturing and treating containers. The system 60 comprises at least one container treatment machine 50, which is designed according to the invention, in particular according to the embodiments listed above.

[0047] The system 60 can also include a container manufacturing machine, for example a stretch blow molding machine, in which preforms are stretched into containers. The manufactured containers can then be transported to the container treatment machine 50 by means of a transport device.

[0048] The container handling machine 50 can, for example, be a filling machine or a sealing machine. Furthermore, the container handling machine 50 can, for example, be designed for aseptic applications.

[0049] The examples described above do not in any way limit the invention. Rather, the invention can be modified in numerous ways. All features of the invention described above can be essential to the invention, either alone or in combination. Reference symbol list 12 Stator 14 Rotor 16 axis of rotation 18-channel 20 wall 22 Canal bottom section 24 Direction of extension 26 deep-arranged area 28 high-level area 30 canal bottom 32 Liquid outlet 34 Liquid inlet 36 angles 38 liquid levels 40th level 42 Container treatment station 44 Horizontal Line 46 Line 48 50 container treatment machine 60 plant

Claims

Container treatment machine (50), comprising a stator (12) and a rotor (14) rotatably mounted about an axis of rotation (16) relative to the stator (12), wherein the stator (12) has at least one upwardly open channel (18) for receiving a liquid, which extends completely about the axis of rotation (16), and the rotor (14) has at least one wall (20) projecting from above into the channel (18), which extends completely along the channel (18) about the axis of rotation (16), and a plurality of treatment stations (42), characterized in that the channel (18) has at least one channel bottom section (22) which is inclined along an extension direction (24) about the axis of rotation (16) to a horizontal plane (44). Container treatment machine (50) according to claim 1, characterized in that the channel (18) has a channel floor (30) which contains the channel floor section (22) and extends around the axis of rotation (16) in a plane inclined to a horizontal plane (44). Container treatment machine (50) according to claim 1, characterized in that the channel (18) has a channel bottom (30) which contains the channel bottom section (22) and extends along a helix along the direction of extension (24). Container treatment machine (50) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the channel bottom section (22) has a lowest point of the channel (18), wherein the container treatment machine (50) further has a liquid outlet (32) which is arranged on the channel bottom section (22). Container treatment machine (50) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the channel (18) is designed as a milled groove, the milling depth of which increases along the extension direction (24). Container treatment machine (50) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plurality of treatment stations (42) are arranged, preferably equidistantly, distributed over the circumference of the rotor (14). Container treatment machine (50) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the container treatment machine (50) is designed as a filling machine, preferably as an aseptic filling machine. Plant (60) for manufacturing and treating, in particular for manufacturing and filling, containers, comprising at least one container treatment machine (50) designed according to one of the preceding claims.

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