Beverage filling system for filling containers

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for processing at least one container (6), preferably a beverage filling system (9) for filling and / or closing a container (6), comprising a processing carousel rotating about an axis of rotation (30) having, arranged in the peripheral region of the processing carousel, at least one processing unit for processing the container (6) to be processed, and a container holder (11) arranged on the processing carousel and assigned to the processing unit, for holding the container (6) during processing with the processing unit. A container transfer receptacle (10) which is linked to the container holder (11) and is radially movable with respect to the axis of rotation (30), for receiving the container (6) to be processed from an upstream treatment carousel and / or for transferring the processed container (6) to a downstream processing carousel is provided.

Description

Technical area

[0001] The invention relates to a beverage filling plant with a device for filling and closing containers. State of the art

[0002] In beverage filling plants with a conventional sequence of sequential container treatment carousels, the containers to be treated are typically transported between the carousels by means of transport starwheels. For example, containers to be filled are filled with the filling product in a filler carousel in a rotary filler, and the filled containers are then closed in a capper carousel in a downstream rotary capper. The transfer of the filled containers between the filler carousel and the capper carousel takes place by means of one or more transport starwheels, which increases the use of materials and resources, the required floor space, and the investment costs.

[0003] In high-capacity systems, the transfer of containers from a filler carousel to a filler discharge starwheel and / or from a conveyor starwheel to a capper carousel can result in the product spilling out due to the load changes occurring between the container and the product contained therein, or the sudden change in the centrifugal forces acting on the product. This undesirable behavior occurs particularly in conveyor starwheels with diameters that are smaller than the diameters of the filler carousel and capper carousel to ensure the desired compactness of the system.

[0004] The interposition of transport starwheels also results in additional redirections and transfers of the containers between different rotary conveyors in the container path, which lead to a change in the direction of the forces acting on the filling product at each redirection and transfer, thus creating a tendency for sloshing. These redirections and transfers can also lead to increased material stress on the containers, which can manifest as unwanted scratches or dull spots on the finished container.

[0005] US 2010 / 0077703 A1 describes a method and device for positioning containers in a container processing installation. EP 2 179 960 A1 describes a device for transporting containers with a rotatable carrier and gripping elements movable relative to the carrier. US 2010 / 0294622 A1 describes a beverage filling system in which the containers are transferred directly from the filler carousel to the capper carousel.

[0006] EP 3 199 490 A1 is prior art according to Article 54(3) EPC and describes a beverage filling plant according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0007] DE 10 2005 008 685 A1 describes a method and a device for blow molding containers. Description of the invention

[0008] Based on the known prior art, it is an object of the invention to provide a further improved beverage filling plant.

[0009] First, a device for treating at least one container will be described in general, comprising a treatment carousel rotating about a rotation axis with at least one treatment unit arranged in the peripheral region of the carousel for treating the container to be treated and a container holder arranged on the treatment carousel and associated with the treatment unit for holding the container during treatment with the treatment unit, wherein a container transfer receptacle associated with the container holder and radially movable with respect to the rotation axis is provided for receiving the container to be treated from an upstream treatment carousel and / or for transferring the then treated container to a downstream treatment carousel.

[0010] Because a container transfer receptacle assigned to the container holder for receiving and / or transferring the container to be treated is arranged on the carousel so as to be radially movable with respect to a rotation axis of the carousel, a container held by a container holder of an upstream treatment carousel can be removed from its container holder by the container transfer receptacle and transferred directly to its own container holder. The container transfer receptacle can also move the respective container out of its own container holder and then transfer it to a downstream treatment carousel. There is therefore no need for an additional transfer device, for example a transfer star, connected between the treatment carousels. This makes it possible to reduce the number of necessary deflections of the filled but not yet sealed containers, thus reducing the tendency for sloshing.Furthermore, the number of container transfers between different transport systems can be reduced, which can result in reduced material stress on the containers and thus improved container quality. In particular, this can reduce the occurrence of dull spots and scratches on the container walls of the finished containers.

[0011] By eliminating the need for intermediate transport stars, the entire system can be constructed in a more compact, cost-effective and energy-efficient manner.

[0012] Due to the direct transfer between the treatment carousels, a direct transfer or takeover takes place between the treatment carousels, but the smallest necessary diameter is defined by their performance. Accordingly, the direct transfer between the two treatment carousels also allows the resulting centrifugal forces to be reduced to the maximum level defined by the system's performance.

[0013] Because the container transfer holder is arranged radially displaceably on the treatment carousel, it can be moved from its position below the treatment unit, so that the orbit or radius along which the container held by the container transfer holder moves can be changed by moving the container transfer holder. This can prevent or mitigate sudden and / or impact-like changes in the movement of the container that occur during container transport. Consequently, the risk of spillage, with the associated contamination of the container opening and / or the container exterior, as well as the device and / or parts of the system incorporating the device, can be prevented or reduced.

[0014] The radial mobility of the container transfer holder also allows collisions between the treatment units of the treatment carousels to be avoided by appropriately controlling the radial position when receiving or transferring the containers to be treated. The two treatment carousels can be set up at an appropriate distance from each other, and the transfer or transfer takes place via the container transfer holder.

[0015] Furthermore, this arrangement allows for a compact system design, as a transport star wheel for transferring the container from the treatment carousel, from which the container to be treated is taken or to which the treated container is transferred, is eliminated. Furthermore, this ensures that the container can be easily moved into the correct position beneath the treatment unit for treatment. In particular, a more gentle transfer of the containers to be treated and / or treated containers is achieved.

[0016] By radially extending the container transfer holder, the radius of the container transfer holder rotating around the rotation axis of the respective treatment carousel is increased, so that the centrifugal forces acting on the container in this rotation angle range of the treatment carousel are reduced and thus a correspondingly gentle transfer of the container can be achieved.

[0017] The container to be treated can thus be picked up by the container transfer holder at a position radially outside the regular pitch circle of the treatment carousel, and the container transfer holder can then be radially retracted onto the pitch circle of the treatment carousel. After treatment, the now-treated container can be transferred to a subsequent transport device, preferably supported by a further radial displacement of the container transfer holder to a position radially outside the pitch circle of the treatment carousel.

[0018] In particular, if another treatment carousel, from which the containers to be treated are taken over or to which the treated containers are transferred, has a different pitch circle diameter than the first treatment carousel, an intermediate transport starwheel is not required, allowing the entire system to be designed more compactly. In addition, the containers are transferred gently because the movable container transfer holder can create a larger radius at the container transfer point. This means that the radii of the two pitch circles involved are adjusted to one another during the transfer. This means that the treatment carousel can, for example, have a relatively small pitch circle diameter, while at the same time providing a large radius during the transfer and reducing radial acceleration on the container.If the device is one that accepts open containers, for example if the treatment unit is designed as a closing head, the risk of spillage can be reduced and at the same time a compact system can be provided.

[0019] Furthermore, this allows for a larger radius compared to a regular pitch diameter of the treatment carousel, which acts virtually linearly. In this transition area, the container can be subjected to an intermediate treatment, for example, by dripping nitrogen into the headspace of the filled container before sealing.

[0020] The transfer of the respective container from an upstream treatment carousel to a downstream treatment carousel via the device on the treatment carousel can be achieved accordingly, resulting in a transfer between three consecutive treatment carousels. The respective treatment carousels can provide a wide variety of treatment options, which the container to be treated then passes through one after the other.

[0021] In the respective treatment carousel, at least one of the treatment options pivoting, rotating, labeling, shrinking, blow molding, stretch blow molding, opening, dome cutting, cleaning, sterilizing, activating, rinsing (gaseous and / or liquid), overflowing, warming, heating, cooling, blowing out, flame-treating, removing electrostatic charge, pre-filling, final filling, pre-closing with pre-closure, closing, placing a first closure part and / or placing a second closure part can be provided as a treatment option.

[0022] Preferably, the container transfer receptacle is movable into a radially extended position for receiving the container to be treated from the upstream treatment carousel, and into a radially retracted position for transferring the container to be treated to the container holder. In this way, direct transfer of the containers from an upstream treatment carousel can be achieved. In such an arrangement, the container transfer receptacle is typically arranged on a rotary sealer.

[0023] Preferably, the container transfer receptacle is movable from a radially retracted position such that the treated container can be transferred from the container holder to the container transfer receptacle, and the container transfer receptacle can be moved into a radially extended position to transfer the treated container to the downstream treatment carousel. In such an arrangement, the container transfer receptacle is typically arranged on a rotary filler.

[0024] In a preferred embodiment, the container picked up by the container transfer receptacle is transferred from the container transfer receptacle to the container holder when the container transfer receptacle is in the radially retracted position. The container transfer receptacle is thus solely intended for transferring the container to or from the container holder. Any forces acting on the container during treatment by the treatment unit are thus absorbed by the container holder. The container transfer unit can therefore be of simple construction, since it only has to hold the container during the transfer and does not have to support any treatment forces.

[0025] In a further preferred embodiment, the container transfer receptacle is arranged above the container holder or below the container holder, as viewed in the direction of the rotation axis. This allows the container holder and the container holder to each receive or hold the container at the same location. The container holder of the treatment carousel and the container holder of the upstream or downstream treatment carousel are preferably arranged at the same height, so that no additional forces are exerted on the container by a lifting movement, thus further reducing the tendency to sloshing.

[0026] It is particularly advantageous if the container transfer receptacle is designed such that the container is supported on the container holder and / or the container support by means of a preferably annular protrusion arranged on a container neck of the container, preferably in the form of a container support ring or a retaining ring. This ensures that the container is always in a designated or predetermined position with regard to its height level, in other words, its position relative to the direction of the rotation axis.

[0027] In a preferred embodiment, the container holder can be arranged on the treatment carousel such that the height of the container to be treated is the same as the height at which the container to be treated was before being transferred to the container transfer receptacle. Height here refers to the distance of the container from a level floor on which a system incorporating the device is arranged. This ensures that the container to be treated is always in the correct treatment position.

[0028] In a preferred embodiment, the container transfer receptacle has securing means, preferably spikes, an undercut, and / or a friction-increasing material, to provide anti-slip protection when holding the container. This allows a container to be held securely despite the forces occurring during transfer. The spikes can also prevent the container from slipping out due to the centrifugal forces that occur. The securing means come into contact with or engage, for example, a support ring of the container.

[0029] Alternatively, other means for preventing slipping and / or twisting may be provided, for example in the form of a clamping and / or clamping device.

[0030] In a further preferred embodiment, the container transfer receptacle has at least one elevation for at least partially supporting the container, wherein preferably at least one recess is provided for receiving the elevation. Because the container transfer receptacle has the at least one elevation on which the container to be treated or the container being treated is partially supported, it can be prevented that the container to be treated or the container being treated from slipping downwards during acceptance or transfer. In other words, the container can be guided at a constant height without lifting movements and in particular without unwanted or uncontrolled lifting movements. Furthermore, it can be ensured that the area of the container which is provided for holding the container by the container holder remains free.

[0031] A further advantageous preferred embodiment is achieved if the container holder has a recess for accommodating the at least one elevation. This ensures that the container is always correctly aligned without hindrance from the elevation until it is transferred to the container holder, and that it is transferred in this correct alignment by the container transfer receptacle.

[0032] In a preferred embodiment, the guide has a rotationally fixed cam curve, and the container transfer receptacle has a control element that engages with the guide. This allows for automatic retraction and extension of the container transfer receptacle along the guide without separate electrical and / or pneumatic actuation. Furthermore, because the guide has a cam curve, a gradual and continuous radial position change of the container transfer receptacle, which adjusts according to the cam curve, can be provided without jerks or shocks. Due to the rotation of the carrier, the container transfer receptacle assumes a radial position corresponding to the shape of the cam curve, whereby the position of the container transfer receptacle can be changed relative to the angle of rotation of the treatment carousel.A cam curve is understood to be a curve with a round basic shape that has a changed radius in at least one area, whereby the resulting curve has no kinks and / or edges in its course.

[0033] Alternatively, the displacement of the container transfer holder can also be achieved by other means, for example hydraulically, pneumatically, by means of electric actuators and / or by means of an additional joint and / or a mechanism consisting of a piston and a cylinder.

[0034] The control element allows the container transfer holder to precisely follow the guide without friction and / or clamping effects hindering the movement of the container transfer holder. The control element can preferably be provided as a recess into which the guide engages, as a roller in contact with the guide, and / or by means of a lever arm connected to the container transfer holder.

[0035] Preferably, the control element is arranged in a radially inner region of the container transfer holder with respect to the rotation axis of the treatment carousel, thus opposite the radially outer region in which the container is held.

[0036] In a preferred embodiment, the container transfer holder is also displaceable in the direction of the rotation axis of the treatment carousel – i.e., in the up and / or down direction. This makes it possible to adjust the height at which the container is held, i.e., the distance of the container from the floor on which the device is arranged, according to the requirements of the system. If there is a height difference between the container holder and a transfer station from which the container transfer holder receives the container to be treated, this height difference can be compensated by moving the container transfer holder in the direction of the rotation axis, and the container to be filled can be transferred from the transfer station to the container holder.Furthermore, the container can be brought to the treatment unit, if necessary also directly, held by the container transfer holder, for example if the treatment unit cannot be moved in the direction of the rotation axis of the treatment carousel.

[0037] To enable particularly secure holding of the container, among other things, the container transfer holder and / or the container holder can be switchable between an open position and a closed position for holding the container. Preferably, the position of the container transfer holder and / or the container holder can be controlled by a control element, preferably a switching cam.

[0038] In a preferred embodiment, the treatment unit is provided as a closing head for closing the container, preferably for closing the container with a screw cap, or the treatment unit is provided as a filling device for filling the container. A transport star, which would be required to transfer the containers to be closed, since the pitch circle diameter of a filling device is considerably larger than the pitch circle diameter of the treatment carousel with the closing head, can thus be omitted, which not only reduces the installation space of the system but also reduces the dwell time of a container in the system.

[0039] The above-mentioned object is achieved with a beverage filling system having the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments emerge from the subclaims.

[0040] Accordingly, a beverage filling system for filling containers with a filling product is proposed, comprising a filler carousel for filling containers to be filled and a closer carousel for closing filled containers, wherein the filler carousel and the closer carousel are arranged at a distance from one another, wherein the filler carousel has, on its peripheral region, treatment units in the form of filling elements with container holders assigned to them in each case for holding the containers to be filled during filling, and wherein the closer carousel has, on its peripheral region, treatment units in the form of closing elements with container holders assigned to them in each case for holding the filled containers during closing.According to the invention, in the peripheral region of the filler carousel and / or the closer carousel, a container transfer receptacle is arranged which is assigned to each container holder and is radially movable with respect to the axis of rotation for receiving the filled container from the filler carousel and / or for transferring the filled container to the closer carousel, wherein a rotationally fixed control cam is provided for controlling the radial position of the container transfer receptacle when the filler carousel and / or closer carousel is rotating, and the container transfer receptacle has a control element which engages with the control cam.

[0041] The advantageous features, embodiments and effects described above with regard to the device are analogous for such a beverage filling plant.

[0042] In particular, if the filler carousel and the capper carousel have different pitch circle diameters, a gentle transfer or receipt of containers between the treatment carousels can be ensured, as the radially movable container transfer holder can create a large radius at the container transfer point. This aligns the radii of the two pitch circles involved in the treatment carousels during transfer or receipt.

[0043] Furthermore, this ensures that both the direct transfer and the processing of the containers are carried out safely, without collisions between parts of the two carousels. In the transfer position, the container holder is in the radially extended position, and in the processing position, the container holder is in the radially retracted position.

[0044] In particular, if an intermediate treatment is provided on the filling carousel after filling the container, for example, the dripping of nitrogen into the head space of the filled container, a further improved filling result can be achieved, since the path traveled by the container between a nitrogen dripping unit for dripping the nitrogen and the capping head can be particularly short. For the same dosage amount, correspondingly less nitrogen evaporates or escapes from the head area of the container with a shorter path, so that a correspondingly higher internal pressure builds up in the container after sealing.

[0045] In a further preferred embodiment, a container holder of the closing carousel and a container holder for receiving the container of the filling carousel are arranged at a common height level. This ensures that the container does not have to undergo a height adjustment during transfer from the container holder to the container holder, thus further reducing the risk of spillage of the filling product contained in the filled, unsealed container.

[0046] If, according to a further preferred embodiment, the container is supported on the container holder and / or the container holder via a preferably annular shape arranged on the container neck, preferably a container support ring or a securing ring, it can be ensured that the container is always in an intended or predetermined position with regard to its height level, in other words its position with regard to the direction of the axis of rotation. Short description of the characters

[0047] Preferred further embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail in the following description of the figures. In the figures: Figure 1 schematically shows a plan view of a beverage filling plant for filling schematically shown containers to be filled with a filling product, wherein a rotary filler and a downstream rotary sealer are provided for the subsequent sealing of the filled containers and a container transfer holder is shown in a radially extended position; Figure 2 schematically shows the rotary sealer from Figure 1 , wherein the container transfer holder is in a radially retracted position; Figure 3 schematically shows a sectional view of a portion of the beverage filling plant along the section line AA from Figure 1 ; Figure 4 schematically shows a sectional view of a portion of the capping carousel along the section line BB from Figure 2 ; Figure 5 schematically shows a plan view of a part of the beverage filling plant according to Figure 1, wherein the container transfer holder is in a radially extended position; Figure 6 schematically shows a plan view of a portion of the beverage filling plant according to Figure 1 , wherein the container transfer receptacle is in the radially retracted position; and Figure 7 schematically shows a perspective detailed sectional view of a beverage filling plant in a further embodiment. Detailed description of preferred embodiments

[0048] Preferred embodiments are described below with reference to the figures. Identical, similar, or equivalent elements are designated by identical reference numerals. To avoid redundancies, some of these elements are omitted from the following description.

[0049] Figure 1shows a schematic plan view of a beverage filling system 9 for filling schematically shown containers 6, wherein a rotary filler 2 is provided for filling the containers 6 to be filled with a filling product and a downstream rotary closer 3 is provided for subsequently closing the then filled containers 6 with a container closure.

[0050] The rotary filler 2 has a treatment carousel in the form of a filler carousel 7 rotating about a rotation axis 20, on the peripheral area of which at least one container holder 74 for receiving the containers 6 to be filled during filling, as well as at least one filling element assigned to the container holder 74 (not shown in this figure) for filling the containers 6 to be filled are arranged.

[0051] The rotary closer 3 has a treatment carousel in the form of a closer carousel 8 rotating about a rotation axis 30, on the peripheral area of which at least one container holder 11 for receiving the filled containers 6 during closing, as well as at least one closing member (not shown in this figure) assigned to the container holder 11 for closing the filled containers 6 with a container closure are arranged.

[0052] The filler carousel 7 is arranged at a distance from the closer carousel 8, so that the filler pitch circle 70 of the filler carousel 7 and the closer pitch circle 80 of the closer carousel 8 neither intersect nor touch each other. Viewed in the transport direction of the containers 6, a container inlet 72 is located upstream of the filler carousel 7, from which the containers 6 to be filled are transferred from an upstream station to the container holder of the filler carousel 7. The container inlet 72 can be provided, for example, in the form of a transfer star or a conveyor belt.

[0053] A container transfer receptacle 10 is provided to transfer the filled containers 6 from the filler carousel 7 to the closer carousel 8. In the exemplary embodiments shown in the figures, the container transfer receptacle 10 is arranged on the closer carousel 8 in order to receive the filled containers 6 from the filler carousel 7. In further exemplary embodiments not shown, the container transfer receptacle 10 can also be arranged on the filler carousel 7, and the filled containers 6 are transferred to the closer carousel 8. In further embodiments not shown, container transfer receptacles 10 can also be arranged on both the filler carousel 7 and the closer carousel 8, and the filled containers are taken over by a transfer from the container transfer receptacle 10 arranged on the filler carousel 7 to the container transfer receptacle 10 arranged on the closer carousel 8.

[0054] In this way, a transfer of the container 6 between treatment carousels can be achieved, which provide different treatment options. In addition to the filling and closing options already mentioned, the respective treatment carousel can, for example, provide at least one of the following treatment options: pivoting, rotating, labeling, shrinking, blow molding, stretch blow molding, opening, dome cutting, cleaning, sterilizing, activating, rinsing (gaseous and / or liquid), overflowing, warming, heating, cooling, blowing out, flame-treating, removing electrostatic charge, pre-filling, final filling, pre-closing with a pre-closure, applying a first closure part, and / or applying a second closure part.

[0055] The container transfer holder 10 shown in the exemplary embodiment and provided on the closer carousel 8 is radially displaceable with respect to the rotation axis 30 in order to remove a filled container 6 from its container holder 74 on the filler carousel 7 and then to transfer it to the container holder 11 in the closer carousel 8 in order to subsequently enable a closing process.

[0056] In the illustrated embodiment, the radial position of the container transfer receptacle 10 is controlled by a control element 16 arranged on the container transfer receptacle 10, which communicates with a control cam 15 arranged in a rotationally fixed manner on the rotary closer 3. The control cam 15 is designed in the form of a cam curve, so that the radial position of the container transfer receptacle 10 can be changed continuously and without jerky movements, thereby preventing the filling product contained in the unsealed, filled container 6 from spilling over.

[0057] The container transfer holder 10 is located in the Figure 1shown position in a radially extended position in which it touches or intersects the filler pitch circle 70 and can receive the filled container 6 from the filler carousel 7. Since the filler carousel 7 and the closer carousel 8 rotate in opposite directions, the container 6 to be transferred is gently released from the container holder 74 of the filler carousel 7 during the transfer and is received by the container transfer holder 10.

[0058] To guide the container transfer holder 10 in the radial direction with respect to the rotation axis 30 of the closer carousel 8, a container transfer holder guide in the form of a, for example, in the Figures 3 and 4shown sliding bearing 17 is provided on the closer carousel 8. Furthermore, the container holder 11 is designed and arranged on the closer carousel 8 in such a way that the containers 6 to be closed can be taken over by the container transfer holder 10 when the latter is in a radially retracted position (see Figure 4). By means of an outer guide 84 arranged radially on the outside concentrically to the closer carousel 8, the container 6 is pressed into the container holder 11 during the closing process in order to prevent the container 6 from slipping or twisting and to ensure that the central position of the container 6 with respect to the closing head 5 arranged above it is maintained. Viewed in the transport direction of the containers 6, a container outlet 82 adjoins the treatment area of the closer carousel 8 having the outer guide 84. The container outlet 82 is linear in the embodiment shown. Alternatively, the container outlet 82 can also be provided in a different form, for example as an additional treatment carousel for further processing the containers 6, preferably for labeling the containers 6, or in the form of a transport star.

[0059] In Figure 2 is schematically the rotary closer 3 from Figure 1 shown, wherein the container transfer holder 10 is in a radially retracted position. The container transfer holder 10 has been moved in advance, after the transfer of the container 6 from the filler carousel 7, via the control cam 15 into the radially retracted position, so that the container transfer holder 10 is now located below the container holder 11 and the container 6 is held by the container holder 11. The outer guide 84 presses the container 6 into the container holder 11 to prevent the container 6 from slipping or twisting and to ensure that the central position of the container 6 is maintained with respect to the closing head arranged above it, not shown here.

[0060] Figure 3 shows a schematic sectional view of the beverage filling plant 9 from Figure 1 along the section line AA of the Figure 1at the moment of transfer of the filled container 6 from the filler carousel 7 to the closer carousel 8. The container 6 previously filled by means of the filling element 4 of the filler carousel 7 is still held in the container holder 74 of the filler carousel 7, wherein the container 6 is supported on the container holder 74 via a container support ring 60 arranged on the container neck 62.

[0061] The container transfer holder 10 of the closing carousel 8 is located in Figure 3in the radially extended position, so that it is displaced radially outward relative to the closing head 5 and the container holder 11 arranged concentrically below it. Since the container transfer holder 10 is in the radially extended position, it also grips the container 6 and holds it below the container holder 74. To prevent the container 6 from slipping downward after the transfer and to enable transfer at the same height, the container transfer holder 10 has a raised portion 13 on which the container support ring 60 is supported during and after the transfer.

[0062] The container holder 74 of the filler carousel 7 and the container holder 11 of the closer carousel 8 are arranged at a common height level, so that the container 6 does not experience any height offset when the container 6 is transferred from the container holder 74 to the container holder 11.

[0063] Since the container transfer receptacle 10 is arranged below the container holder 11, the container 6 is held by the container holders 74, 11 at the same height position of the container neck 62 of the container 6 below the container support ring 60, wherein the container 6 with the container support ring 60 rests on the container holders 74, 11 - especially during the respective treatments, i.e. in particular during filling in the filler carousel 7 and during closing in the closer carousel 8. As a result, the container 6 is transferred directly from the rotary filler 2 to the rotary closer 3 by means of the container transfer receptacle 10, and the respectively treated container 6 is held by the container holders 11 and 74 at the same height position of the container neck 62. The container holder 74 and the container holder 11 can thus be constructed particularly simply and, for example, identically.

[0064] The container transfer receptacle 10 is positively guided by a control element 16 in the form of a roller guided in a groove of the control cam 15 and held in the radially extended position for transferring the container. The fact that the control cam 15 is arranged below the closer carousel 8 allows for easy access to the closing head 5 and a simple structure of the closer carousel 8. Alternatively, the control cam 15 can also be arranged radially inside and / or above the container transfer receptacle 10 or the closer carousel 8.

[0065] Figure 4 shows schematically a sectional view of the capping carousel 8 from Figure 2 along the section line BB of the Figure 4. The control cam 15 has moved the container holder 10 into the radially retracted position, so that the container 6 is now positioned concentrically below the closing head 5 and held by the container holder 11. The container support ring 60 is in contact with spikes 12 arranged on the container holder 11, which prevent twisting and slipping of the container 6 during the closing process and support the torque applied to the container 6 when screwing on a container closure or rolling up a roll-on closure.

[0066] By means of the outer guide 84, the container 6 is secured radially outwardly with respect to its position relative to the rotation axis 30 of the treatment carousel 2 and is pressed into the container transfer receptacle 11.

[0067] Figure 5 shows a schematic plan view of a part of the beverage filling plant 9 according to Figure 1, wherein the container transfer receptacle 10 is in a transfer position, thus in the radially extended position. This position essentially corresponds to the Figure 1 and Figure 3 shown position of the container transfer holder 10.

[0068] The receiving areas of the container transfer receptacle 10 arranged on the closer carousel 8 and the container holder 74 arranged on the filler carousel 7, in which the container (not shown here) is received, are aligned. Since the container transfer receptacle 10 is in the radially extended position, it is displaced radially outward at a distance from the container holder 11 arranged on the closer carousel 8. The container transfer receptacle 10 has clamp arms 100 for holding the container, each of which has a raised portion 13. Alternatively, a raised portion 13 can also be arranged on only one of the clamp arms 100. The raised portion 13 can also be provided in other forms, such as, for example, an extension arm arranged centrally between the clamps on the container transfer receptacle 10.

[0069] Figure 6 shows a schematic plan view of a part of the beverage filling plant 9 according to Figure 2 , wherein the container transfer receptacle 10 is in the treatment position, hence in the radially retracted position. Here, the receiving area of the container transfer receptacle 10 and the receiving area of the container holder 11 are aligned. A recess 14 provided on the container holder 11 ensures that the container transfer receptacle 10 can be displaced radially inward into the radially retracted position without the elevations 13 colliding with the container holder 11.

[0070] Figure 7 is shown schematically a perspective detail sectional view of a beverage filling plant 9 in a further embodiment, wherein the structure is essentially that of the beverage filling plant 9 from Figure 1In this exemplary embodiment, the containers 6 to be treated do not have a container support ring 60. In this case, a retaining ring 64 formed on the container 6 is used to support the container on the container holder 11 and the container holder 74, behind which a tamper-evident band of the container closure later engages when the container 6 is closed. Consequently, the container holder 74 and the container holder 11 each hold the container 6 directly below the retaining ring 64 and thus each at the same location on the container 6.

[0071] In contrast to the device 1 from Figure 1 is in the Figure 7In the embodiment shown, the container transfer receptacle 10, shown here in the radially retracted position, is arranged above the container holder 11. The container transfer receptacle 10 further has two clamp arms 100 adjustable between an open position and a closed position, the position of which is controlled by the switching of a switching cam 18.

[0072] The clamp arms 100 are located in the Figure 7shown illustration in the closed position. By actuating the control cam by means of an actuating element (not shown) of the rotary closer 3, the clamp arms 100 are pivoted into the open position and the container 6 is thus released, so that the container 6 is then held only by the container holder 11. The closing head 5 can then be moved downwards onto the container 6 or its mouth area in order to then close the container 6 with a container closure. Neither the closing head nor the container closure to be applied or applied to the container 6 is in danger of colliding with the clamp arms 100 pivoted outwards into the open position.

[0073] In the Figure 7In the embodiment shown, the rotary filler 2 also has a switchable container holder 74. For this purpose, two holding arms 740 of the container holder 74 are pivotally arranged on the filler carousel 7. To hold the container 6, the holding arms 740 are actuated by an actuating unit provided on the rotary filler 2, not shown in the figure, from the Figure 7 shown open position into a closed position. The holding arms 740 then grip the container 6 at the container neck 62 below the retaining ring 64, so that the container 6 is supported on the holding arms 740 by means of the retaining ring 64.

[0074] When the container 6 held in the container holder 74 of the filler carousel 7 is transferred to the container holder 11 of the capper carousel 8, the container transfer receptacle 10, which is in the open position, is moved by the control cam 15 into the radially extended position so that the container holder 74 and the container transfer receptacle 10 are aligned, as described above. One of the clamp arms 100 is then located on each side of the neck of the container 6, so that the container 6 can be gripped by the holding arms from opposite sides. The container transfer receptacle 10 is then switched to the closed position by switching the switching cam 18, so that the clamp arms 100 of the container transfer receptacle 10 grip the container 6 above the retaining ring 64.Subsequently, the holding arms 740 of the container holder 74 are pivoted away from the container 6 so that the container holder 74 is in the open position. The container 6 is then held solely by the container transfer holder 10. The container transfer holder 10 is then moved into the radially retracted position so that it is aligned with the container holder 11, with the container 6 then being pressed into the container holder 11. Subsequently, the container transfer holder 10 is switched to the open position so that the clamping arms 100 are disengaged from the container 6 and the container 6 is held only by the container holder 11 during the closing process. The transfer of the container 6 from the rotary filler 2 to the rotary closer 3 thus takes place directly and without the interposition of another separate transfer star.

[0075] Alternatively, the clamp arms 100 of the container transfer holder 10 can also remain closed during the closing process, for example to provide additional

[0076] Torque support is provided. In this embodiment, the clamp arms 100 of the container transfer holder 10 are then opened only during or after the closing process.

[0077] The container transfer holder 10 can also be used for the subsequent transfer of the then closed containers 6 to a subsequent transport device, for example for transferring the closed containers 6 to a transport star or a conveyor belt. List of reference symbols

[0078] 10Container transfer holder 100Clamp arm 11Container holder 12Spikes 13Elevation 14Recess 15Guide 16Control element 17Plain bearing 18Switching cam 2Rotary filler 20Rotation axis 3Rotary capper 30Rotation axis 4Filling element 5Capping head 6Container 60Container support ring 62Container neck 64Retaining ring 7Filler carousel 70Filler pitch circle 72Container inlet 74Container holder 740Holding arm 8Capping carousel 80Capping pitch circle 82Container outlet 84External guide 9Beverage filling system A-ASection line B-BSection line

Claims

1. Beverage filling system (9) for filling containers (6) with a filling product, comprising a filler carousel (7) for filling containers (6) that are to be filled and a capper carousel (8) for closing filled containers (6), wherein the filler carousel (7) and the capper carousel (8) are spaced apart from each other, wherein the filler carousel (7) has in its peripheral region treatment units in the form of filling elements with in each case their assigned container holders (74) for holding the containers to be filled during filling, and wherein the capper carousel (8) has in its peripheral region treatment units in the form of closing elements with in each case their assigned container holders (11) for holding the filled containers during closing, wherein in the peripheral region of the filler carousel (7) and / or the capper carousel (8) a container transfer receptacle (10) is assigned to each container holder (11, 74) and is disposed such that it is radially displaceable with respect to the axis of rotation (30), for receiving the filled container (6) from the filler carousel (7) and / or for transferring the filled container (6) to the capper carousel (8), characterized in that a non-rotatable control guide (15) is provided for controlling the radial position of the container transfer receptacle (10) when the treatment carousel (7) and / or the capper carousel (8) rotates, and the container transfer receptacle (10) has a control element (16) that is engaged with the control guide (15).

2. Beverage filling system (9) according to claim 1, characterized in that a container holder (11) of the capper carousel (8) and a container holder (74) of the filler carousel (7) are disposed at the same height.

3. Beverage filling system (9) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the container (6) is supported on the container holder (11, 74) by means of a protuberance, preferably annular, preferably a container support ring (60) or a security ring (64), disposed on the container neck (62).

4. Beverage filling system (9) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the container holder (11, 74) and / or the container transfer receptacle (10) can be switched between an open position and a closed position.

5. Beverage filling system (9) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the container transfer receptacle (10) can be displaced to a radially extended position for reception of the container (6) to be treated from the upstream treatment carousel, and can be displaced to a radially retracted position for the transfer of the container (6) to be treated to the container holder (11).

6. Beverage filling system (9) according to one of claims 1-4, characterized in that the container transfer receptacle (10) can be displaced from a radially retracted position such that the treated container (6) can be transferred from the container holder (11) to the container transfer receptacle (10), and the container transfer receptacle (10) can be displaced to a radially extended position to transfer the treated container (6) to the downstream treatment carousel.

7. Beverage filling system (9) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the container transfer receptacle (10) is configured such that a container (6) that is held within is transferred from the container transfer receptacle (10) to the container holder (11) in the radially retracted position of the container transfer receptacle (10).

8. Beverage filling system (9) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the container transfer receptacle (10) is disposed above the container holder (11) or below the container holder (11), viewed in the direction of the axis of rotation (30), wherein preferably the container holder (11) is at the same level as a container holder (74) of the upstream and / or downstream carousel.

9. Beverage filling system (9) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the container transfer receptacle (10) has securing means, preferably spikes (12), at least one indentation, at least one friction-enhancing material, to provide security against slipping when the container (6) is held.

10. Beverage filling system (9) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the container transfer receptacle (10) has at least one raised element (13) for at least partially supporting the container (6), wherein the container holder (11) preferably has a recess (14) for accommodating the at least one raised element (13).

11. Beverage filling system (9) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control guide (15) has a cam curve, wherein the container transfer receptacle (10) preferably enables tangential handover and / or receipt of the container.

12. Beverage filling system (9) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the container transfer receptacle (10) is displaceable in the direction of the axis of rotation (30) of the treatment carousel.

13. Beverage filling system (9) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the container transfer receptacle (10) and / or the container holder (11) is switchable between an open position for receiving or taking the container (6) and a closed position for holding the container (6), wherein the position of the container transfer receptacle (10) and / or the container holder (11) can preferably be controlled by means of a control element, preferably a switching cam (18).

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