ROTATIONSPUSHER

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for treating containers, in particular for transporting and discharging containers.

[0002] In current technology, it is not uncommon to directly couple a bottling line with a blow molding machine. However, since in some cases the blow molding machine produces a significantly higher output of finished bottles than the bottling line can process, it may be necessary to reduce the output of the blow molding machine. Such regulation of the entire blow molding system is technically very complex.

[0003] One method to reduce the number of bottles produced would be to remove, for example, every second or every third plastic preform after the oven in the blow molding machine for one oven length, whereby usually more than 100 containers per hour are removed.

[0004] To enable such a high-frequency ejection of the plastic preforms, specially designed ejection devices are required. Devices known in the prior art, for example, those of a mechanical nature (plungers), are presumably no longer capable of switching so quickly and continuously. Pneumatic ejection devices would be fast enough, but do not generate enough force to enable ejection. A device that discloses the preamble of claim 1 is shown in WO 2020 / 115421 A1.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a device for treating containers, in particular a discharge device, which fulfills the aforementioned criteria. This objective is achieved with a device according to claim 1. The idea is that a discharge device rotates in and out on a rotary drive depending on whether a container is to be discharged.

[0006] In an inventive device for treating containers with a transport device, the containers are transported along a predetermined transport path, wherein the transport device has a movable carrier on which a plurality of holding devices for holding the containers are arranged. The transported containers each have longitudinal directions, wherein the longitudinal directions of the containers transported by the transport device are aligned parallel to each other and preferably the containers are equidistantly spaced apart from each other.

[0007] The device according to the invention comprises a discharge device which is suitable and intended for diverting individual containers from the transport path, wherein the discharge device includes a discharge element which has at least one contact area which contacts the containers in order to divert them from the transport path. According to the invention, the discharge element is pivotable with respect to a predetermined pivot axis, wherein this pivot axis is arranged substantially parallel to the longitudinal directions of the containers.

[0008] Preferably, the transported containers are plastic preforms for the production of plastic bottles, in particular PET bottles, which have a shell surface, a mouth opening, a thread, and preferably a support ring. The present invention is not limited to plastic preforms and is also applicable to already blow-molded bottles or other containers. The transport device comprises a movable carrier which has a plurality of holding devices. The containers are preferably arranged upright in these holding devices with their mouths pointing upwards, and are clamped laterally, in particular by two clamps, the two clamps preferably being connected via a common pivot axis.The individual holding devices and thus also the containers held by them are preferably equidistant from one another, wherein the longitudinal directions (L) of the containers are aligned parallel to each other and preferably perpendicular to the transport direction.

[0009] The transport device preferably has a circular, rotationally symmetrical, or circular-segment-shaped transport path, although linear transport systems are not excluded. The transported containers and the pivot axes of the holding devices preferably rotate around a common geometric center on concentric circles, with the pivot axes arranged on a circular path closer to the center. The clamps of the holding devices are advantageously designed such that a segment of the container's lateral surfaces is contacted in the area of ​​the clamps on the side facing the center, advantageously leaving the radially outward-facing area of ​​the lateral surfaces free.

[0010] An ejection device according to the invention comprises a rotatably mounted, pivotable ejection unit, wherein the pivot axis is arranged substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the containers to be transported. The ejection unit is pivotable about the pivot axis, which is preferably arranged stationary within the circular transport path of the containers relative to the transport device.

[0011] The discharge device has at least one contact area which, after the discharge device pivots into the path of movement of the containers, touches them, thereby releasing the container from the clamp and diverting it outwards from the transport path. The contact preferably occurs as close as possible below the clamps to achieve optimal force transmission without significant tilting of the containers. The contact is located no more than 15 mm, preferably no more than 10 mm, and most preferably no more than 5 mm from the underside of the clamps.

[0012] In an advantageous embodiment of the device according to the invention, it comprises a drive unit for driving the discharge device. This drive unit includes a rotary motor, preferably a DC motor, asynchronous motor, or stepper motor, or, most preferably, a synchronous motor, and preferably a rotary encoder. The drive unit is preferably installed under the indexing star of the blow molding machine. Since the drive unit and the discharge device can constitute a hazard, they are preferably integrated into a safety architecture. In this context, an immediate shutdown of the drive and discharge device upon opening a protective cover or upon actuation of an emergency stop switch would be conceivable.

[0013] In a further advantageous embodiment of the device according to the invention, the drive unit of the discharge device can be operated at a variable speed, which is particularly controllable depending on control signals. It would be conceivable for an upstream inspection unit to identify defective containers and generate signals for the subsequent discharge of the corresponding containers. It is also conceivable that the discharge device is activated in response to such signals. Furthermore, it would be conceivable for the discharge device to be started in response to such a signal and accelerated from a stationary position, or for the speed of the already rotating discharge device to be changed.

[0014] In a further advantageous embodiment of the device according to the invention, the discharge device has at least one wing and / or the contact area has at least two different geometries. The discharge device can be understood as a body that is fixedly connected to the pivot axis and rotates about / with it. Such a body, comprising at least one wing, could be designed as a rotationally symmetric body and / or as a body extending only in a radial direction. In this context, different geometries refer to the surface contours of the discharge device. The discharge device is shaped such that the resulting force, which arises from the relative movement of the container and the discharge device with respect to each other, runs almost parallel to the clamp axis.It is conceivable that the path of movement of the discharge device relative to the center of the container is adjusted differently depending on the container's diameter. The discharge device can have a varying number of vanes, thus enabling different strategies for diverting the contents from the containers.

[0015] The inventive discharge device is subject to high demands with regard to very fast reaction capability, acceleration of the discharge device, switching capability, etc., which cannot be met by other discharge systems currently known in the prior art.

[0016] In order to enable such a high angular acceleration of the discharge device, the moment of inertia of the discharge device in an advantageous embodiment of the device according to the invention should be less than 5 kg / cm 2< , preferably less than 3 kg / cm 2< and particularly preferably less than 2 kg / cm 2< .

[0017] The high demands placed on the dynamics of the drive system typically correlate with a reduced maximum torque. To achieve the torque required for diverting containers from the transport path, especially when handling larger containers, it would be conceivable to adapt the geometry of the diverting device accordingly.

[0018] In an advantageous embodiment of the device according to the invention, the discharge device has a geometry that actively supports the discharge of the containers. This could be achieved by a corresponding geometry in the contact area of ​​the discharge device, in which the container to be discharged exerts a force on the discharge device and, in a sense, levers itself out of the holding device, more precisely out of the clamps.

[0019] To keep the drive torque and inertia low, in an advantageous embodiment of the device according to the invention, the diameter of the discharge device is less than 125 mm, particularly preferably less than 100 mm and / or greater than 50 mm, and particularly preferably greater than 75 mm. In this context, the diameter is understood as the line connecting the two points furthest apart, the hypothetical connecting line passing through the center of the discharge device and the pivot axis.

[0020] To meet the described requirements regarding the moment of inertia of the discharge device while still achieving a rigid and torsionally stable construction, it is conceivable to apply lightweight design principles or 3D printing methods. In an advantageous embodiment of the device according to the invention, the discharge device has recesses and / or cavities. The discharge device is preferably made of plastic or a low-density material, wherein the density is less than 3 g / cm³, preferably less than 2 g / cm³, and particularly preferably less than 1 g / cm³.

[0021] In an advantageous embodiment of the device according to the invention, the discharge device has exactly one wing and preferably the contact area has a first geometry for the dynamic discharge of containers and a second geometry for the static discharge of containers.

[0022] In a further advantageous embodiment of the device according to the invention, the discharge device has a parking position, i.e. a position in which the wings can remain.

[0023] It would be conceivable for the ejection device to initially be in a stationary parked position. In response to a signal to eject a container, the ejection device can be accelerated to perform a movement sequence synchronized with the container's motion. In this process, the first geometry of the contact area engages the container to be ejected, thereby (dynamically) pushing it out of the clamp of the transport device's holding mechanism.

[0024] If the subsequent container is not to be ejected, the ejection device can continue its rotation smoothly in a continuous motion and return to the parked position after a full rotation. However, if the subsequent container is also to be ejected, the ejection device can decelerate significantly after the preceding dynamic ejection of the container, so that the second geometry of the contact area engages the container to be ejected and (statically) pushes it out of the clamp of the transport device's holding device. If every second container is to be ejected, it would be conceivable for the ejection device to rotate in a motion sequence synchronized with the movement of the containers, with the first geometry of the contact area dynamically ejecting every second container. In this case, the parked position would simply be passed over.

[0025] In a further advantageous embodiment of the device according to the invention, the discharge device has at least two, preferably at least three, and particularly preferably at least four wings and / or is moved continuously. The discharge device would rotate at a speed synchronized with the movement of the containers. If no container is to be discharged, the movement of the discharge device would be designed such that the wings of the discharge device only cross the transport path of the containers between them, and no contact with the containers occurs.

[0026] If a container is to be diverted, the speed of the diverting device can be increased or decreased, whereby a further wing hits the subsequent container to be diverted, or the previous wing remains on the transport path and hits the container to be diverted, pushing it out of the clamp of the holding device.

[0027] Should the next container not be discharged, the speed would be reduced again to return to the synchronized initial movement. Individual discharge of the containers would be very easy through a simple variation of the speed.

[0028] In a further advantageous embodiment of the device according to the invention, the discharge direction is arranged tangentially to the transport direction or is at an acute angle to the transport direction, so that discharge can take place in a radial direction.

[0029] In a further advantageous embodiment of the device according to the invention, the discharge device is controllable via a connecting rod and a rotary motor connected thereto. In such an embodiment, the discharge device would be rotatably mounted on the pivot axis but would not be driven by it. Instead, the discharge device would be connected to a spaced-apart rotary motor via a connecting rod and would be controlled by it. Preferably, a DC motor, asynchronous motor, or stepper motor, or particularly preferably a synchronous motor, could be used as the rotary motor.

[0030] By using such a connecting rod, an increased force could be applied to the containers, and the removal of the containers, especially larger and / or heavier containers, could be facilitated.

[0031] In a further advantageous embodiment of the device according to the invention, the pivot axis of the discharge device is aseptically mounted. It is conceivable that the transport and discharge of the containers should take place under sterile, aseptic conditions in a cleanroom. For reasons of economy, it would be advantageous to keep such a cleanroom as small as possible and for only the discharge device to be located within the sterile space, while the associated drive unit would be located outside the sterile space. In this case, only the pivot axis would need to pass through the cleanroom boundaries.

[0032] An ejection device according to the invention, which is suitable and intended for diverting individual containers from a transport path, comprises an ejection device having at least one contact area that contacts the containers in order to divert them from the transport path, and a drive device for driving the ejection device. The ejection device is pivotable about a predetermined pivot axis, and this pivot axis is arranged substantially parallel to the longitudinal directions of the containers.

[0033] Further advantages and embodiments can be seen from the attached drawings: Fig. 1a,b A schematic representation of a device according to the invention for treating containers and their transport device; Fig. 2a-c A schematic representation of an advantageous embodiment of the device according to the invention; Fig. 3a-c A schematic representation of an advantageous embodiment of the device according to the invention; Fig. 4 A schematic representation of an advantageous embodiment of a discharge device according to the invention; and Fig. 5 A schematic representation of an advantageous embodiment of the device according to the invention.

[0034] Fig. 1a,b Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a device 1 according to the invention for treating containers 10 (containers 11 to be discharged, intact containers 12). A transport device 2 is provided, for example, with a circular or circular segment-shaped transport path and a plurality of holding devices 22. A detailed view of the holding device 22 is also shown, in which a container 10 is held by two clamps 24a, b.

[0035] The two clamps 24a, b are preferably connected to each other via a common pivot axis 26 and clamp the containers 10 such that the clamp axis 27 (dashed line) points radially outwards. When the discharge device (not shown) encounters a container 11 to be discharged, a force acts on it which corresponds approximately to the direction of the clamp axis 27 (see drawing), whereby the container 11 is slightly pushed out of the clamp.

[0036] Fig. 2a-c Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of an advantageous embodiment of the device 1 according to the invention, comprising a transport device 2 and a discharge device 4, wherein the discharge device 41 has a wing 44 which rotates about the pivot axis 43. The contact area 42 has a first geometry 45 (here outer contour) for dynamic discharge and a second geometry 46 (here outer contour) for static discharge of the containers. Sub-figures a to c show various operating states of the discharge device 4. Figur 2a The discharge device 41 is shown in a stationary parked position. Figur 2b The figure shows the discharge device 41 in a pivoted position, with the first geometry 45 of the contact area 42 meeting the container 11 to be discharged. Figur 2c The figure shows the discharge device 41 in a delayed position, with the second geometry 46 of the contact area 42 meeting the container to be discharged.

[0037] Initially, the discharge device 41 is in a stationary parked position ( Fig. 2a If a container 11 is to be discharged, the discharge device 41 accelerates (initiated by control signal) and the first geometry 45 strikes the container 11 ( Fig. 2b ), thereby diverting it from the transport path. If the next container 12 is not to be diverted, the diversion device 41 returns to its parked position and can be reactivated if necessary.

[0038] If the next container 11 is also to be diverted, the diverting device 41 can be decelerated or braked, causing it to remain in the transport path and for the second geometry 46 of the contact area 42 to touch the container 11 and divert it from the transport path. If every second container 11 is to be diverted, it would be conceivable for the diverting device 41 to rotate at a speed synchronized with the movement of the containers, and for the first geometry 45 of the contact area 42 to encounter every second container 11 and divert it from the transport path.

[0039] Fig. 3a-c Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a further advantageous embodiment of the device 1 according to the invention, comprising a transport device 2 and a discharge device 4, wherein the discharge device 41 has three wings 44 which rotate about the pivot axis 43. Sub-figures a to c show various operating states of the discharge device 4.

[0040] Figur 3a shows a state in which the discharge device 41 and the transport device 2 are synchronized and a wing 44 is arranged substantially centrally between two containers 10. Figur 3b shows a state in which the discharge device 41 is accelerated and a further wing 44 approaches a container 11 to be discharged. Figur 3c shows a state in which the in Figur 3b The approaching wing 44 has already exited container 11.

[0041] In an operation where no containers 12 are to be discharged, the discharge device 41 rotates - preferably at a speed synchronized to the movement of the containers - in such a way that the wings always cross the transport path between two containers and the containers pass the discharge device 41 in the area of ​​its recesses ( Fig. 3a If a container 11 is to be diverted, the speed of the diverting device increases (in response to a control signal), causing a vane 44 to approach the container 11 to be diverted ( Fig. 3b ) and directs this out of the transport path ( Fig. 3c Alternatively, the speed of the discharge device can be reduced, causing a wing 44 to remain on the transport path for a longer period of time, and an incoming container 11 to collide with it and thus be discharged.

[0042] If the subsequent container 12 is not to be discharged, the speed of the discharge device is first reduced (lower speed than in the initial state) or increased (higher speed than in the initial state) and shortly thereafter returned to the initial speed. If, instead, the subsequent container 11 is to be discharged, the discharge device 41 rotates at the initial speed without any intermediate deceleration.

[0043] Fig. 4 Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a further advantageous embodiment of the device 1 according to the invention, comprising a transport device 2 and a discharge device 41, which has three wings 44 and an actively supporting geometry 47 of the contact area 42. If a container 11 to be discharged comes into contact with the actively supporting geometry 47 of the discharge device 41, a force acts on the wing 44.

[0044] Since this assembly is rigidly connected to the pivot axis and the associated drive mechanism, and this entire structure therefore has a much higher mass than the container (an equivalent model would be an elastic impact of a ball against a house wall), a net force acts on the container in exactly the opposite direction. Because the container is only held rather loosely in the clamps of the holding device, the force acting upon it releases it from these clamps and diverts it from the transport path.

[0045] Fig. 5 Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of an advantageous embodiment of the device 1 according to the invention, comprising a transport device 2 and a discharge device 4, wherein the discharge device 41 has a wing 44 which rotates about the pivot axis 43. The discharge device 41 is connected to a connecting rod 48 and is controlled via this rod.

[0046] The applicant reserves the right to claim all features disclosed in the application documents as essential to the invention, provided they are novel individually or in combination compared to the prior art. It is further noted that the individual figures also describe features which may be advantageous on their own. A person skilled in the art will immediately recognize that a particular feature described in a figure may be advantageous even without incorporating other features from that figure. Furthermore, a person skilled in the art will recognize that advantages may also arise from a combination of several features shown in individual or different figures. Bezugszeichenliste

[0047] 1 Device 10 Container 11 Container to be discharged 12 Intact container 2 Transport device 22 Holding device 24a,b Clamp 26 Swivel axis 27 Clamp axis 4 Discharge device 41 Discharge device 42 Contact area 43 Swivel axis 44 Wing 45 First geometry 46 Second geometry 47 Actively supporting geometry 48 Connecting rod

Claims

1. Apparatus (1) for treating containers (10) with a transport device (2) which transports the containers (10) along a predetermined transport path, wherein the transport device (2) has a movable carrier on which a plurality of holding devices (22) are arranged for holding the containers (10), wherein the containers (10) each have longitudinal directions (L), wherein the longitudinal directions of the containers (10) transported by the transport device (2) are aligned parallel to one another and the containers (10) are spaced equidistant from one another, with a discharge apparatus (4) which is suitable and intended to discharge individual containers (10) from the transport path, wherein the discharge apparatus (4) has a discharge device (41) which has at least one contact area (42) which contacts the containers (10) in order to discharge them from the transport path, characterized in that the discharge device (41) is pivotable about a predetermined pivot axis (43) and this pivot axis (43) is arranged substantially parallel to the longitudinal directions of the containers (10).

2. Apparatus (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the apparatus (1) has a drive device for driving the discharge device (41), and this drive device has a rotary motor, preferably a direct current motor, asynchronous motor or stepper motor, or particularly preferably a synchronous motor, and preferably a rotary encoder.

3. Apparatus (1) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the drive device of the discharge apparatus (4) can be operated at a variable speed, which can be controlled in particular in dependence of signals.

4. Apparatus (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the discharge device (41) has at least one wing (44) and / or the contact area (42) has at least two different geometries.

5. Apparatus (1) according to one of claims 1 or 4, characterized in that the moment of inertia of the discharge device (41) is less than 5 kg / cm2, preferably less than 3 kg / cm2 and particularly preferably less than 2 kg / cm2.

6. Apparatus (1) according to one of claims 1, 4 or 5, characterized in that the contact area (42) of the discharge device (41) has a geometry which actively supports the discharge of the containers (10).

7. Apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 1, 4 to 6, characterized in that the diameter of the discharge device (41) is less than 125 mm, particularly preferably less than 100 mm, greater than 50 mm and particularly preferably greater than 75 mm.

8. Apparatus (1) according to one of claims 1 or 4 to 7, characterized in that the discharge device (41) has recesses and / or hollow structures.

9. Apparatus (1) according to one of claims 1 or 4 to 8, characterized in that the discharge device (41) has exactly one wing (44) and the contact area (42) has a first geometry (45) for dynamically discharging containers (10) and a second geometry (46) for statically discharging containers (10).

10. Apparatus (1) according to one of claims 1 or 4 to 9, characterized in that the discharge device (41) has a parking position.

11. Apparatus (1) according to one of claims 1 or 4 to 8, characterized in that the discharge device (41) has exactly three wings (44) and / or is continuously movable.

12. Apparatus (1) according to one of claims 1 or 4 to 11, characterized in that the discharge direction is arranged tangentially to the transport direction or at an acute angle to the transport direction.

13. Apparatus (1) according to one of claims 1, 4 to 8 or 10 to 12, characterized in that the discharge device (41) can be controlled via a connecting rod (47) and a rotary motor connected thereto.

14. Apparatus (1) according to one of claims 1 or 4 to 13, characterized in that the pivot axis (43) of the discharge device (41) is mounted aseptically.