SORTING DEVICE AND FEED RAIL FOR PLASTIC PREFORMS

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for producing plastic containers. It is known that so-called plastic preforms are first heated and then, in a heated state, formed into plastic containers. Typically, plastic preforms, for example starting from a loose material, are first sorted and then fed in a sorted state to a heating device. In the prior art, preform feed rails are used, which represent the remaining element between, for example, a sorting device, such as a roller sorter, and a blow molding machine, for example, the furnace of the blow molding machine. Generic devices and methods are described in the patents DE102009016593A1, EP2604411A1, US2003 / 164280A1, US2008 / 196998A1, and DE20308513U1.

[0002] It is therefore known in the prior art that different plastic preforms should be processed using a single machine. Depending on the plastic preforms to be processed, the spacing, for example, of the support bars of these transport devices, the height of any hold-down device, and, if present, the opening widths of a guide for the plastic preforms must be adjusted. In the prior art, this adjustment is performed using manually operated adjustment units. In some cases, adjustment units or individual adjustment units are used for each fastening or suspension point of these elements. Up to 21 adjustment units can be installed in one feed rail.

[0003] On a feed rail known from the applicant's internal prior art, the adjustment units described in the prior art must be individually adjusted manually to the required values. With a fully equipped feed rail, manual adjustment work on up to 21 adjustment units is necessary, sometimes even in several steps. This is very time-consuming, and the settings require a great deal of care to ensure reliable operation. Due to the decentralized arrangement of the adjustment units along the feed rail, they are not always easily accessible. While it is sometimes possible to work standing on the ground, in other cases a ladder with several steps is required, and in other cases it is necessary to bend over a railing, for example on the platform of a roller sorter, to reach the units. This creates additional accident risks.

[0004] In addition, a state-of-the-art roller sorter aligns and lines up the plastic preforms from a loose bulk material into a regular arrangement. The aligned plastic preforms are then fed to a blow molding machine via the discharge assembly and feed rail. Roller sorters require a roller spacing and, for example, a kicker wheel or guide tongue to be specifically defined and adjusted for each plastic preform geometry.

[0005] In the current state of the art, these settings are made manually. A roller sorter is known from the internal state of the art in which the adjustment of the roller spacing is unilateral, meaning that only one of the rollers is moved, which can be achieved, for example, using a handwheel and a counter. The mechanical movement of an adjusting wheel is transmitted, for example, via a main shaft to trapezoidal spindles of linear units. Especially on machines with multiple plastic preforms, manual adjustments lead to incorrect values, which negatively impact restart behavior and production after a changeover. Furthermore, the changeover activities require working time.

[0006] The present invention is therefore based on the object of simplifying such conversions of a corresponding device and, preferably, also of making them more precise. These objects are achieved according to the invention by the subject matter of the independent patent claims. Advantageous embodiments and further developments are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

[0007] A device according to the invention for transporting plastic preforms has a sorting device which is suitable and intended for sorting plastic preforms and which transports the plastic preforms in a predetermined transport direction. Furthermore, a transport device is provided which is arranged downstream of the sorting device in the transport direction, wherein this transport device has a first carrier rail for carrying the plastic preforms and a second carrier rail for carrying the plastic preforms, and the plastic preforms can be transported between this first carrier rail and the second carrier rail. These carrier rails extend along the transport direction, wherein the sorting device has two spaced-apart rollers between which the plastic preforms can be guided.

[0008] According to the invention, the device has an adjustment mechanism for adjusting at least one lateral distance between these support rails, wherein this adjustment mechanism has a plurality of adjustment units which are arranged one behind the other along the transport direction, wherein these adjustment units each enable an adjustment of the lateral distance and wherein these adjustment units are coupled to one another, in particular mechanically, in such a way that the adjustment units can be adjusted together. In this way, it is possible to centrally change, for example, the distance between these two support rails. In this way, it is possible to convert the device to different plastic preforms. It is possible, for example, for this adjustment mechanism to have a spindle drive or a rack and pinion or similar mechanical elements.

[0009] However, it would also be conceivable for each of the adjustment units to have its own drive and for these drives to be jointly controlled. This would create a control-side coupling between the drives and thus also between the adjustment units.

[0010] In a further advantageous embodiment, the adjustment units are coupled to one another by means of at least one mechanical coupling device.

[0011] In a further advantageous embodiment, the coupling device comprises at least one rod-like body that is rotatable or displaceable along its longitudinal direction. These are advantageously rotatable coupling rods that can advantageously act on the individual adjustment units, for example via gearing. In this way, for example, a central adjustment unit or a central adjustment device can change several adjustment units simultaneously and in the same way. These adjustment units can preferably comprise gear mechanisms that can be driven by a central shaft. This gear mechanism can, for example, comprise a bevel gear.

[0012] In a further advantageous embodiment, the device comprises a drive device for driving the adjustment units. For example, one or, if appropriate, several central motors can be provided, which can effect the adjustment of several adjustment units.

[0013] It is proposed that the individual adjustment units of a plastic preform feed rail be replaced by a central adjustment. For example, mechanical adjustment units can be installed at the suspension points of the support rails, a hold-down device, or possibly also a guide for the plastic preforms. These mechanical adjustment units are preferably coupled to one another and can then be adjusted from a central point. The mechanical adjustment units are preferably designed as linear units, and adjustment is particularly preferably carried out mechanically, for example via a spindle drive. Other designs, such as racks or the like, are also conceivable.

[0014] The adjustment units can be coupled mechanically for each functional element (support bar, hold-down device or guide device), for example with a through shaft.

[0015] This allows a maximum of five adjustment units to be set at an easily accessible point on a feed rail. This point can be located, for example, at the top or bottom of the rail.

[0016] Additionally, a centralized electric motor adjustment can be provided, for example, at two, three, four, or five points. Optionally, it would also be conceivable to provide decentralized, compact electric motor adjustment units, whose coupling and synchronization are preferably carried out via a system control system.

[0017] The approach proposed here can significantly reduce the time required for manual adjustment by consolidating the adjustment units (e.g., from a maximum of 25 to 5). This still allows for optional automatic adjustment.

[0018] In a further advantageous embodiment, the transport device has a hold-down element that extends at least partially along the transport direction and is preferably also adjustable by the adjustment mechanism. Here, too, it would be possible for multiple adjustment units to act on this hold-down element, and for these adjustment units to be adjusted centrally.

[0019] In a further advantageous embodiment, the transport device has guide elements for guiding the bodies of the plastic preforms. These can be, for example, guide rails, which are particularly preferably arranged below the support strips. These guide elements can preferably also be adjustable by the adjustment mechanism. Here, too, it is possible for the adjustment mechanism to act on these guide elements via several adjustment units.

[0020] In another preferred embodiment, the support rails, the guide elements, and the hold-down element are individually adjustable. However, central adjustment is also possible and preferred.

[0021] In a further advantageous embodiment, the lateral spacing of the above-mentioned rollers of the sorting device is also variable. A drive, in particular a motorized, hydraulic, pneumatic, and / or magnetic drive, can preferably be provided, by means of which this spacing can be varied. The lateral spacing is understood, in particular, to be a distance between the two axes of rotation of these rollers.

[0022] In a further advantageous embodiment, the transport device is suitable and intended for horizontally transporting a plastic preform to be transported, in particular between the sorting device and a heating device. Preferably, the transport device is suitable and intended for picking up and / or receiving plastic preforms from the sorting device, in particular from the roller sorter, and transporting them in a horizontal transport direction, at least in sections and preferably as far as a heating device, in particular a furnace. Preferably, the transport direction in which the transport device transports the plastic preforms extends horizontally.

[0023] The transport device preferably has an application device which is suitable and intended to apply a fluid medium and in particular compressed air to the plastic preforms to be transported (in particular on an outer wall of the plastic preform to be transported, preferably viewed in the transport direction) and thereby transport the plastic preforms to be transported. The plastic preforms are preferably accelerated and / or moved along the transport direction by the application of a fluid medium, in particular compressed air. The application device preferably has a plurality of transport nozzles through which the fluid medium, in particular compressed air, by means of which a plastic preform to be transported is applied, exits.

[0024] Preferably, the first support rail for supporting the plastic preforms and / or the second support rail for supporting the plastic preforms is / are arranged (in particular exclusively) in a (common) horizontal plane. Preferably, the first support rail and / or the second support rail, and in particular all support rails of the transport device, do not form a gradient. Preferably, the feed region, at which the transport device receives a plastic preform to be transported (in particular from the sorting device), is arranged in the same horizontal plane as a discharge region of the transport device, at which the transported plastic preform is discharged from the transport device and, in particular, transferred to a heating device.

[0025] The transport device is preferably a horizontal conveyor device, which is arranged in particular in the transport direction, preferably directly, downstream of the sorting device and / or in an outlet area of the sorting device, and which preferably receives plastic preforms from the sorting device. The horizontal conveyor device is preferably arranged upstream of a heating device, as viewed in the transport direction, and in particular, the plastic preforms transported by the transport device are transferred (directly) to the heating device.

[0026] Preferably, the transport of the preforms or the plastic preforms between the sorting device, which is designed in particular as a roller sorter, and a heating device, which is designed in particular as an oven, takes place horizontally, wherein the preforms or the plastic preforms are preferably moved by exposure to compressed air.

[0027] It should be noted that the embodiments described below can be combined with the embodiments above, in particular to facilitate the overall operation of the devices described here.

[0028] The present invention is further directed to a method for transporting plastic preforms, wherein the plastic preforms are sorted by means of a sorting device, are transported by a transport device arranged downstream of the sorting device in the transport direction and wherein this transport device has a first carrier rail for carrying the plastic preforms and a second carrier rail for carrying the plastic preforms and the plastic preforms are transported between this first carrier rail and this second carrier rail and wherein these carrier rails extend along the transport direction, wherein the sorting device preferably has two rollers spaced apart from one another, between which the plastic preforms are transported.

[0029] According to the invention, the device has an adjustment mechanism for adjusting at least one lateral distance of these support rails, wherein this adjustment mechanism has a plurality of adjustment units which are arranged one behind the other along the transport device, wherein these adjustment units each enable an adjustment of the lateral distance (ie a distance which is perpendicular to the longitudinal directions of the respective elements) and wherein the adjustment units are mechanically coupled to one another in such a way that the adjustment units can be adjusted together.

[0030] Therefore, an at least partially centralized adjustment of the adjustment units and thus also of the said support bars is also proposed in terms of the process.

[0031] The plastic preforms, in particular the plastic preforms to be transported by the transport device, are preferably transported horizontally. The plastic preforms are preferably transported horizontally following the sorting device, at least in sections, and preferably between the sorting device, which is in particular designed as a roller sorter, and a heating device, which is preferably designed as an oven and which particularly preferably heats the plastic preforms before and in particular for their expansion into plastic containers.

[0032] Preferably, the plastic preforms transported by the transport device are subjected to a fluid medium, in particular during their horizontal transport, and in particular to compressed air. Preferably, the plastic preforms are moved by being subjected to compressed air, and in particular this brings about transport in the horizontal transport direction. Preferably, the plastic preforms to be transported by the transport device are accelerated with compressed air, in particular exclusively with compressed air, and particularly preferably, this moves them away from the sorting device, in particular from an outlet region of the sorting device in the transport direction (in particular horizontally), preferably to a heating device (in particular a furnace). Preferably, at least one region of a plastic preform is transported between the sorting device and the heating device (exclusively) in a horizontal plane.

[0033] As mentioned above, the device according to the invention also includes a sorting device, particularly in the form of a so-called roller sorter. Changing the roller sorter is also sometimes complex.

[0034] The present invention is therefore further directed to a device for transporting plastic preforms with a sorting device which is suitable and intended for sorting plastic preforms and which transports the plastic preforms in a predetermined transport direction and with a transport device arranged downstream of the sorting device in the transport direction, wherein this transport device has a first carrier rail for carrying the plastic preforms and a second carrier rail for carrying the plastic preforms, and the plastic preforms can be transported between this first carrier rail and this second carrier rail, wherein these carrier rails extend along the transport direction and wherein the sorting device has two rollers spaced apart from one another, between which the plastic preforms can be guided.Advantageously, these two rollers are each rotatable with respect to their longitudinal direction. According to the invention, the device comprises an adjustment mechanism for adjusting at least one lateral distance between the support rails, and the rollers of the sorting device are also adjustable relative to one another. The sorting device preferably comprises a drive device for adjusting the rollers.

[0035] Furthermore, it is particularly preferred that the lateral spacing of these rollers can be changed. This change in spacing can occur, in particular, in response to a different type of plastic preform.

[0036] It is conceivable that only the position of one roller is changed. Preferably, the distance between the two rollers is changed evenly, meaning that the rollers preferably remain parallel to each other before and after a changeover. Thus, a parallel displacement of the rollers relative to each other preferably occurs.

[0037] In a further advantageous embodiment, the drive device has a motor drive. It is therefore proposed that the adjustment of at least one and preferably both rollers be motorized.

[0038] In the current state of the art, these adjustments must be performed manually. Typically, the roller spacing is adjusted unilaterally, meaning only one roller is moved, preferably using a handwheel and a counter. A mechanical movement of an adjusting wheel can be transmitted to the trapezoidal spindles and linear units via a main shaft. Particularly in machines with multiple types of plastic preforms to be processed, these manual adjustments in the applicant's internal state of the art lead to incorrect values, which negatively impact the restart behavior and production after a changeover process.

[0039] In addition, these adjustment activities require working time. Therefore, within the scope of this invention, it is proposed that the distance between the rollers be continuously adjusted, particularly via a motor drive. For example, a rotating movement of a drive shaft for mechanical transmission elements such as bevel gears, a main shaft, or spindle units can be transferred to a linear unit, on whose movable carriages the roller displacements of the sorting rollers are arranged.

[0040] To implement this described function, the use of various linear units, such as recirculating conical bearings, trapezoidal bearings, plain bearings, etc., is also conceivable. In addition, a variety of well-known elements from drive technology can be used, such as toothed belts, rotating shafts with bevel gears, racks, motorized or pneumatic drives, and the like.

[0041] In addition, it would also be conceivable to provide individually driven linear units that are coupled in terms of control technology, in particular to ensure synchronous running and parallelism of the rollers.

[0042] The described automatic roller adjustment offers the advantage of reducing manual processes and improving ergonomics during product changeovers. This prevents errors and significantly improves the reproducibility of the preform-specific roller spacing settings.

[0043] Especially in conjunction with an automatically adjustable feed rail and a changeover package, automatic roller adjustment is also conceivable, thus leading to effective product changeover. Preferably, both the configuration described above and the configuration described here can be used to achieve automated or semi-automated changeover to different plastic preforms. In addition, the error-free, reproducible settings enable a rapid restart of production without lengthy system setup and settling phases.

[0044] The invention is also particularly conceivable in conjunction with higher-level control systems. In a further preferred embodiment, it is also conceivable for the adjustment of the rollers of the roller sorters and / or the above-described feed rails for the plastic preforms to be motorized and / or pneumatically controlled. In addition, a recipe-dependent adjustment can also be performed.

[0045] In a further advantageous embodiment, the device has a control unit which enables a particularly recipe-dependent adjustment of the feed rails for the plastic preforms, the rollers of the roller sorter and, if necessary, a change of a set of fittings between the roller sorter and the feed rail for the plastic preforms.

[0046] It would also be conceivable to provide a (fully) automatic changeover of the individual components, i.e. both the rollers and the subsequent transport device.

[0047] In a further advantageous embodiment, the device comprises a bearing device by means of which at least one roller is mounted such that this roller can be displaced perpendicular to its longitudinal direction. Preferably, the roller can also be displaced perpendicular to its axis of rotation.

[0048] In a further preferred embodiment, both rollers can be movable. This would make it possible to maintain a transport path for the plastic preforms while simultaneously changing the spacing between the rollers, for example, to process plastic preforms with larger or smaller cross-sections.

[0049] In a further preferred embodiment, the device has an outlet mechanism for ejecting individual plastic preforms from their transport path. For example, a so-called kicker wheel can be provided, which ejects incorrectly oriented plastic preforms from the transport path. In a further preferred embodiment, the positioning of this ejection mechanism is also adjustable, and in particular, can be adjusted to different geometries of the plastic preforms.

[0050] In a further advantageous embodiment, an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the rollers and an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the guide rails are coupled to one another. This coupling can also be implemented electronically, for example, via a control device. However, a mechanical coupling would also be conceivable. In this preferred embodiment, a complete conversion of the entire sorting and transport process can be achieved together.

[0051] In a further advantageous embodiment, the drive device for adjusting the rollers has coupling elements and / or force transmission elements which are selected from a group of coupling elements and / or force transmission elements which includes trapezoidal spindles, main shafts, bevel gears, spindle units, recirculating ball bearing guides, trapezoidal guides, plain bearings, rotating shafts and the like.

[0052] In a further advantageous embodiment, the transport device is suitable and intended for horizontally transporting a plastic preform to be transported, in particular between the sorting device and a heating device. Preferably, the transport device is suitable and intended for picking up and / or receiving plastic preforms from the sorting device, in particular from the roller sorter, and transporting them in a horizontal transport direction, at least in sections and preferably as far as a heating device, in particular a furnace. Preferably, the transport direction in which the transport device transports the plastic preforms extends horizontally.

[0053] The transport device preferably has an application device which is suitable and intended to apply a fluid medium and in particular compressed air to the plastic preforms to be transported (in particular on an outer wall of the plastic preform to be transported, preferably viewed in the transport direction) and thereby transport the plastic preforms to be transported. The plastic preforms are preferably accelerated and / or moved along the transport direction by the application of a fluid medium, in particular compressed air. The application device preferably has a plurality of transport nozzles through which the fluid medium, in particular compressed air, by means of which a plastic preform to be transported is applied, exits.

[0054] Preferably, the first support rail for supporting the plastic preforms and / or the second support rail for supporting the plastic preforms is / are arranged (in particular exclusively) in a (common) horizontal plane. Preferably, the first support rail and / or the second support rail, and in particular all support rails of the transport device, do not form a gradient. Preferably, the feed region, at which the transport device receives a plastic preform to be transported (in particular from the sorting device), is arranged in the same horizontal plane as a discharge region of the transport device, at which the transported plastic preform is discharged from the transport device and, in particular, transferred to a heating device.

[0055] The transport device is preferably a horizontal conveyor device, which is arranged in particular in the transport direction, preferably directly, downstream of the sorting device and / or in an outlet area of the sorting device, and which preferably receives plastic preforms from the sorting device. The horizontal conveyor device is preferably arranged upstream of a heating device, as viewed in the transport direction, and in particular, the plastic preforms transported by the transport device are transferred (directly) to the heating device.

[0056] Preferably, the transport of the preforms or the plastic preforms between the sorting device, which is designed in particular as a roller sorter, and a heating device, which is designed in particular as an oven, takes place horizontally, wherein the preforms or the plastic preforms are preferably moved by exposure to compressed air.

[0057] The present invention is further directed to a method for transporting plastic preforms, wherein the plastic preforms are sorted by a sorting device and transported by a transport device arranged downstream of the sorting device in the transport direction, wherein this transport device has a first carrier rail for carrying the plastic preforms and a second carrier rail for carrying the plastic preforms and the plastic preforms are transported between this first carrier rail and this second carrier rail, wherein these carrier rails extend along the transport direction, wherein the sorting device has two rollers spaced apart from one another, between which the plastic preforms are transported.

[0058] According to the invention, the device comprises an adjustment mechanism for adjusting at least one lateral distance between these support rails, and the lateral distance between the rollers is changed at least temporarily, in particular with the aid of a drive device. Therefore, it is also proposed in the method that a driven or motorized change in the distance between the rollers be carried out.

[0059] The plastic preforms, in particular the plastic preforms to be transported by the transport device, are preferably transported horizontally. The plastic preforms are preferably transported horizontally following the sorting device, at least in sections, and preferably between the sorting device, which is in particular designed as a roller sorter, and a heating device, which is preferably designed as an oven and which particularly preferably heats the plastic preforms before and in particular for their expansion into plastic containers.

[0060] Preferably, the plastic preforms transported by the transport device are subjected to a fluid medium, in particular during their horizontal transport, and in particular to compressed air. Preferably, the plastic preforms are moved by being subjected to compressed air, and in particular this brings about transport in the horizontal transport direction. Preferably, the plastic preforms to be transported by the transport device are accelerated with compressed air, in particular exclusively with compressed air, and particularly preferably, this moves them away from the sorting device, in particular from an outlet region of the sorting device in the transport direction (in particular horizontally), preferably to a heating device (in particular a furnace). Preferably, at least one region of a plastic preform is transported between the sorting device and the heating device (exclusively) in a horizontal plane.

[0061] Further advantages and embodiments can be seen in the attached drawings: Showing:

[0062] Fig. 1a, 1bTwo representations of a transport device according to the prior art; Fig. 2A representation of a transport device according to the invention with manual adjustment option; Fig. 3A representation of a transport device according to the invention with motorized adjustment option; Fig. 4A sectional view of the Figure 3 shown transport device; Fig. 5A further representation of a transport device according to the invention; Fig. 6A sectional view of the in Figure 5shown transport device; Fig. 7A representation of an actuator for a transport device according to the invention; Fig. 8A partial representation of a sorting device; Fig. 9A further partial representation of a sorting device; Fig. 10A representation of a device for forming plastic preforms into plastic containers with a device according to the invention.

[0063] The Figures 1a and 1b show two representations of a transport device for transporting plastic preforms according to the prior art. It can be seen here that the device has a plurality of adjustment units 182, 184, 186. These each have several actuators 120, which allow separate adjustment at different points. This makes the entire adjustment process relatively complex.

[0064] Figure 1b shows a sectional view of the Figure 1aThe device shown here also shows the guide rails 182, 184 as well as the hold-down element 186. These elements must be adjusted separately. This results in a relatively high level of effort in the prior art for adapting to different geometries of plastic preforms.

[0065] Figure 2 shows a transport device according to the invention. Here, too, adjustment units 82, 84, 86 are provided, which are arranged one behind the other in the transport direction T of the plastic preforms. Reference numeral 8 denotes an adjusting device as a whole. This adjusting device has a total of four manually operable actuating elements. Using these actuating elements, various settings can be made, for example, the guide strips 42, 44 can be moved, or lower guide rails can be moved, or the position of a hold-down element can be adjusted.

[0066] Reference numerals 12 refer to coupling elements that connect the individual adjustment units 82, 84, and 86 to one another. In this way, all adjustment units 82, 84, and 86, or the suspension points thereon, for example, of the guide rails 42 and 44, can be adjusted jointly by means of the actuating elements.

[0067] Figure 3 shows a further embodiment of a transport device according to the invention. Instead of the actuating elements 85, motor drives 87 are provided, each of which is coupled to the coupling elements 12. These motors can thus perform motorized adjustment of the individual elements of the transport device 4.

[0068] In addition, a control device 80 (shown only schematically) can be provided, which coordinates the individual motors 87 with one another. In this way, for example, a new recipe can be selected fully automatically or new plastic preforms can be entered. Based on this recipe, the individual motors 87 can be automatically controlled and perform a complete adjustment of all guide elements, i.e., for example, the guide rails 42 and 44 as well as the hold-down element.

[0069] Figure 4shows a further illustration of a device according to the invention. Here, the two support rails 42 and 44 are again visible. It can be seen that these guide rails 42 and 44 are adjustable by means of drives, for example, they can be moved in the horizontal direction H in order to achieve adjustment to different geometries of plastic preforms. The hold-down element 46 can be adjusted in particular in the vertical direction V in order to also achieve adaptation to different thread heights of the plastic preforms, for example.

[0070] Reference numerals 47 and 48 indicate guide elements for guiding the base body of the plastic preforms. Reference numerals 72, 74, and 76 denote linkage means, via which, for example, a shaft can be linked, in order to achieve a spindle drive that effects the actual adjustment of the guide elements. Figure 4In the embodiment shown, it is possible for the guide element 48 or its movement to be coupled to the movement of the support rail 44. However, separate control would be possible.

[0071] Figure 5 shows a further embodiment of a transport device according to the invention. Here, too, the three adjustment units 82, 84, and 86 can be seen, which are coupled to one another via a rod 12. Reference numeral 8 denotes the adjustment mechanism, with which all adjustment units 82, 84, and 86, or the respective support rails and guide elements, can be centrally adjusted.

[0072] Figure 6 shows a sectional view of the Figure 5shown transport device. Here, too, the rails 42 and 44 are visible. Reference numeral 73 denotes a rotatable actuating element, which drives a gear 75, which in turn drives a gear 78 and another gear 77. A spindle drive is coupled to the gear 77, with which the transverse movement of the support rails 42 can ultimately be achieved. A corresponding movement of the guide element 47 can be achieved via a further actuating element.

[0073] Accordingly, as in Figure 6 shown, a vertical movement of the hold-down element 46 can be accomplished.

[0074] As mentioned above, the rod or the rotatable rod 12 can be fastened via the respective gear wheels and in this way, as mentioned above, several adjustment units can be operated simultaneously.

[0075] Figure 7shows a detailed representation of an actuator 90. The gear 77, which drives a shaft 94, is visible. Reference numeral 98 designates a spindle drive, which ultimately effects the horizontal adjustment of, for example, the support rail 42 or 44. Reference numeral 96 designates a corresponding support of this spindle drive.

[0076] Figure 8 shows a representation of a part of the sorting device, in particular one of the rotatable rollers 22. This rotatable roller can be displaced laterally, i.e., perpendicular to its direction of rotation, by means of an adjustment unit 28. Reference numeral 14, in turn, designates a rotatable shaft responsible for this adjustment. Reference numeral 34 designates a connecting element with which sections of this shaft can be connected to one another.

[0077] Reference numeral 30 denotes, in its entirety, the adjusting element with which the roller 22 can be displaced. For this purpose, the roller 22 can be arranged on a carriage, which in turn is arranged so as to be displaceable, for example, in a horizontal direction relative to a support. A spindle drive (not shown in detail) can also be provided here to effect this adjustment.

[0078] Reference numeral 35 denotes an actuating element, such as a rotatable wheel, with which the adjustment can be accomplished centrally. This actuating element 35 can, for example, act on both the support or element 30 and the support or element 32, thus enabling parallel displacement of the entire roller.

[0079] At the Figure 9 The actual adjustment is carried out according to the device shown in Figure 8shown. Instead of an actuating element 35, however, a motor drive 29 is provided here, which in turn causes the shaft 14 to rotate and thus adjusts the entire roller.

[0080] Figure 10shows a representation of an apparatus according to the invention for treating plastic preforms. The plastic preforms are first sorted and transported using the apparatus 1 according to the invention. Reference numeral 19 denotes an infeed device which spaces the plastic preforms and thus feeds them in this spaced-apart state to a heating device 50. This heating device also has a transport device which transports the plastic preforms 10 and, in particular, past heating elements 53 and 54 in order to heat them. The heating device is followed by a further transport device 60, such as a transfer star, which ultimately feeds the plastic preforms to a device for forming plastic preforms into plastic containers. Reference numeral 18 denotes a temperature measuring device which determines an inlet temperature of the plastic preforms.

[0081] As shown here, the sorting device 2 has two rollers 22 and 24 which are arranged parallel to each other and between which the plastic preforms can be conveyed. List of reference symbols

[0082] 1 Device 2 Sorting device 4 Transport device 8 Adjusting device 10 Plastic preforms 12 Coupling elements 12 Rotating rod 14 Rotating shaft 18 Temperature measuring device 19 Infeed device 22 Rotating rollers 24 Roller 28 Adjusting unit 29 Motor drive 30 Adjusting element 32 Element 34 Connecting element 35 Actuating element 42 Guide bar, support rail 44 Guide bar, support rail 46 Hold-down element 47 Guide element 48 Guide element 50 Heating device 53 Heating element 54 Heating element 60 Transport device 72 Linkage means 73 Rotatable actuating element 74 Linkage means 75 Gear 76 Linkage means 77 Gear 78 Gear 80 Control device 82 Actuating unit 84 Actuating unit 85 Actuating elements 86 Actuating unit 87 Motors 94Shaft 96Spindle drive support 98Spindle drive 120Actuators 182Actuator; guide rail 184Actuator; guide rail 186Actuator;Hold-down element TTransport direction of the plastic preforms Hhorizontal direction Vvertical direction;

Claims

1. Apparatus (1) for transporting plastic preforms, having a sorting device (2) which is suitable and intended for sorting plastic preforms and which transports the plastic preforms (10) in a predetermined transport direction, and having a transport device (4) arranged after the sorting device (2) in the transport direction, wherein said transport device (4) comprises a first support rail (42) for carrying the plastic preforms (10) and a second support rail (44) for carrying the plastic preforms (10), and the plastic preforms (10) are transportable between said first support rail (42) and said second support rail (44), wherein said support rails (42, 44) extending in transport direction, wherein the sorting device having two rollers (22, 24) which are spaced apart from one another and between which the plastic preforms (10) can be guided, wherein the apparatus (1) has an adjustment mechanism (8) for adjusting at least one lateral spacing of these support rails (42, 44), wherein the adjustment of the support rails and / or an adjustment of the rollers of the roller sorter is carried out motor-driven and / or pneumatic, characterised in that the apparatus (1) has a control unit which enables a recipe depending adjustment of the support rails and the rollers of the roller sorter fully automatically and the support rails (42, 44), guiding elements (47, 48) for guiding the preform bodies and a downholder element (46) are adjustable individually.

2. Apparatus (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the adjustment mechanism comprising several adjustment units (82, 84, 86), which are arranged one behind the other along the transport direction, wherein these adjustment units (82, 84, 86) each enable adjustment of the lateral spacing and wherein these adjustment units (82, 84, 86) are mechanically coupled to one another in such a way that the adjustment units (82, 84, 86) can be adjusted together.

3. Apparatus (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the adjusment units (82, 84, 86) are coupled to each other by at least one mechanical coupling device.

4. Apparatus (1) according to the previous claim, characterised in that the coupling device (12) comprises at least one rod-like body which is rotatable and / or displaceable along its longitudinal direction.

5. Apparatus (1) according to claim 3, characterised in that the motorised drives (87) are each coupled with the coupling devices.

6. Apparatus (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the apparatus has a drive device for driving the adjustment units.

7. Apparatus (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the downholder element (46) extends at least in sections along the transport direction (T) and is preferably also adjustable by the adjustment mechanism.

8. Apparatus (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the guide elements (47, 48) are also adjustable by the adjustment mechanism.

9. Apparatus (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a distance between the two rollers (22, 24) of the sorting device is also adjustable.

10. Method for transporting plastic preforms, wherein the plastic preforms being sorted by a sorting device (2) and transported by a transport device (4) arranged downstream of the sorting device (2) in the transport direction, wherein said transport device (4) comprises a first support rail (42) for carrying the plastic preforms (10) and a second support rail (44) for carrying the plastic preforms (10), and the plastic preforms (10) are transported between said first support rail (42) and said second support rail (44), wherein said support rails (42, 44) extending along the transport direction, wherein the sorting device comprises two rollers (22, 24) spaced from each other between which the plastic preforms (10) are transported, wherein the apparatus (1) comprises an adjustmest mechanism (8) for adjusting at least one lateral spacing of these support rails (42, 44), wherein the adjustment of the support rails and / or an adjustment of the rollers of the roller sorter is carried out motor-driven and / or pneumatic, characterised in that a control unit is provided which enables a recipe depending adjustment of the support rails and the rollers of the roller sorter fully automatically and the support rails (42, 44), guiding elements (47, 48) for guiding the preform bodies and a downholder element (46) are adjustable individually.