Roller sorter directlink

Abstract

The invention relates to an apparatus for supplying plastic preforms to a shaping device for shaping plastic preforms, comprising a transport device for transporting plastic preforms, wherein the transport device comprises two rotatable and mutually parallel rolls, between which the plastic preforms can be guided, wherein the transport device comprises a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion of the transport device comprises a sorting device for sorting plastic, which sorting device is suitable and intended to bring the plastic preforms into a specified orientation, wherein the second portion of the transport device is arranged downstream of the first portion of the transport device in the transport direction, wherein the second portion of the transport device comprises a holding-down device, which extends at least partly along the transport path in the region of the second portion and is suitable and intended to determine a vertical position of the plastic preforms with respect to the transport device. According to the invention, the two rotatable and mutually parallel rolls each extend over the entire first and second portion of the transport device and / or the holding-down device is arranged above the two rotatable and mutually parallel rolls.

Description

[0001] DirectLink roller sorter

[0002] Description

[0003] The present invention relates to an apparatus for producing plastic containers and, in particular, to an apparatus for feeding plastic preforms to a blow molding machine for producing plastic containers.

[0004] It is known that the plastic preforms are first heated and then formed into plastic containers in this heated state. Typically, plastic preforms, for example, starting from a loose material (silo), are first sorted and then fed to a heating device in a sorted state. In the prior art, preform feed rails are used for this purpose, representing the remaining element between, for example, a sorting device such as a roller sorter and a blow molding machine, for example, the blow molding machine's furnace.

[0005] Since the plastic preforms are transported via the preform feed rails by gravity, the device for feeding the plastic preforms must be arranged on a specially designed elevated platform next to the machine. Such an arrangement involves considerable technical and financial effort. Furthermore, the feed devices known from the prior art take up a very large area. Maintenance work is often complex due to the size and, above all, the elevated arrangement. Furthermore, the transition from a roller sorter to the preform feed rails is a point prone to failure.

[0006] Therefore, the present invention has the object of providing a device for feeding plastic preforms which, compared to the prior art, involves less technical effort, enables a lower arrangement of the feeding device and takes up less space.

[0007] This object is achieved according to the invention by a device and a method according to the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments and further developments are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0008] A device according to the invention for feeding plastic preforms to a forming device for forming plastic preforms into plastic containers comprises a transport device for transporting plastic preforms along a predetermined transport path. The transport device comprises two rotatable rollers arranged parallel to one another, between which the plastic preforms can be guided. Furthermore, the transport device comprises a first section and a second section, the first section of the transport device comprising a sorting device for sorting plastics, which is suitable and intended for bringing the plastic preforms into a predetermined orientation.The second section of the transport device is arranged downstream of the first section of the transport device in the transport direction, wherein the second section of the transport device has a hold-down device which extends at least partially along the transport path in the region of the second section and is suitable and intended to determine a height position of the plastic preforms with respect to the transport device.

[0009] According to the invention, the two rotatable rollers arranged parallel to one another each extend over the entire first and second section of the transport device and / or the hold-down device is arranged above the two rotatable rollers arranged parallel to one another. Compared to the solutions known from the prior art, this offers the advantage that the device for feeding plastic preforms can be provided as a complete (pre-assembled) module. Furthermore, the use of a feed rail, which feeds the plastic preforms to the forming station using gravity and serves as a buffer zone, can be completely dispensed with. In this case, it is conceivable to modify an embodiment of a roller sorter known from the applicant's internal prior art, for example, with a length of 6 meters.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment, the transport device has two rollers arranged parallel to one another, between which the plastic preforms can be guided. The rollers are preferably rotatable about their own axes and particularly preferably rotatable in opposite directions to one another. The rollers are preferably adjustable and particularly preferably the distance between the rollers is (arbitrarily) adjustable. This offers the advantage that the transport device can be adapted to different types of plastic preforms, in particular to plastic preforms with different geometric dimensions. In an advantageous embodiment, a position of the two rotatable rollers arranged parallel to one another can be adapted to a geometric size of the plastic preforms.

[0011] In a further preferred embodiment, an adjustment of the distance between the rollers can be performed centrally, and this adjustment is preferably performed manually or automatically. It is possible for only the position of one roller to be adjusted to adjust the distance; however, it would also be conceivable for the positions of both rollers to be adjusted in a similar manner. In this way, a position of a geometric center between the two rollers can be maintained during the adjustment.

[0012] In an advantageous embodiment, the transport device has at least two sections. The two rollers preferably extend continuously through both sections of the transport device and particularly preferably through the entire transport device. The two rollers are preferably each manufactured as a single piece. A feed belt is preferably arranged upstream of the device for feeding plastic preforms, via which feed belt individual plastic preforms can be fed from a storage container (silo) in a loose and random state. Preferably, part of the first section of the transport device corresponds to a sorting device, in particular a roller sorter, which is suitable and intended for bringing the plastic preforms into a predetermined orientation.By rotating the two rollers in opposite directions, the sorting device enables the plastic preforms to be aligned in such a way that the opening of the plastic preforms points upwards (opposite to the direction towards the center of the earth).

[0013] In an advantageous embodiment, the device is arranged at an angle of at least 3°, preferably at least 4°, preferably at least 5°, preferably at least 6°, preferably at least 7° and preferably 8° relative to a horizontal plane and / or the device is arranged at an angle of at most 20°, preferably at most 18°, preferably at most 16°, preferably at most 14°, preferably at most 12°, preferably at most 10° and preferably at most 9° relative to the horizontal plane.

[0014] In a further preferred embodiment, the transport of the plastic preforms is carried out exclusively by the downhill force which occurs in the area of ​​the rollers

[0015] In an advantageous embodiment, the transport device has an air supply device which is suitable and intended to transport plastic preforms by means of an air stream.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment, an air supply device is provided which is suitable and intended to remove incorrectly sorted plastic preforms from the transport path.

[0017] In a further preferred embodiment, an air supply device is provided which serves to at least temporarily convey the plastic preforms, in particular during start-up operation.

[0018] Preferably, the or an air supply device has a plurality of nozzles along the transport device, over which the plastic preforms can be moved by means of an air stream (in the transport direction). Due to the arrangement between two counter-rotating rollers and a sloping arrangement of the transport device, the plastic preforms can be easily moved by the air supply. Preferably, the nozzles are controllable, or the intensity of the air discharge (pressure, flow rate, volume, and the like) is controllable and preferably adaptable to different types of plastic preforms. Preferably, the position of the nozzles is controllable and particularly preferably adaptable to a geometric size of the plastic preforms.

[0019] Furthermore, it is conceivable that an air supply device is provided above the transport path of the plastic preforms, for example in the region of a hold-down device and / or that an air supply device is arranged below the sorting rollers.

[0020] In an advantageous embodiment, the first section of the transport device has an ejection device, which is arranged downstream of the sorting device in the transport direction and is suitable and intended for removing and in particular ejecting incorrectly oriented plastic preforms from the transport path. For example, a so-called kicker wheel can be provided, which removes incorrectly oriented plastic preforms from the transport path. In a preferred embodiment, the positioning of the ejection device is adjustable and, in particular, can be adjusted to different geometries of the plastic preforms. The ejection device is preferably arranged above the transport path (above the two rollers) such that plastic preforms which are located above a predetermined and preferably adjustable height position can be removed by the ejection device.

[0021] In an advantageous embodiment, the second section of the transport device has a rotary segment which is suitable and intended to arrange the plastic preforms in a wedge-free manner.

[0022] In a further advantageous embodiment, the second section of the transport device has a device which is suitable and intended to discharge the sorted plastic preforms guided by the upper hold-down device.

[0023] In a preferred embodiment, the second section of the transport device has a hold-down device which is suitable and intended to determine a height position of the (transported) plastic preforms with respect to the transport device. The plastic preforms are transported by rotating the two rollers in opposite directions while simultaneously applying compressed air in the transport direction. Since the plastic preforms sit loosely between the two rollers and these are not fixed (for example) by holding devices, the transported plastic preforms are not all at the same height, for example with respect to a plane of the rollers. Therefore, a hold-down device is provided which serves as an upper stop and keeps the plastic preforms at a constant height.This offers the advantage that the plastic preforms can be better fed to the sawtooth star of the subsequent forming station.

[0024] In an advantageous embodiment, the hold-down device is adjustable in a height position and preferably adaptable to a geometric size of the plastic preforms.

[0025] In an advantageous embodiment, a separating device is arranged downstream of the transport device in the transport direction, which preferably has an inlet barrier and a feed-in starwheel. The separating device is arranged directly downstream of the two rotatable rollers of the transport device, which are arranged parallel to one another. In this context, "directly" means that there is no further component, in particular no discharge rail, between the separating device and the two rollers of the transport device.

[0026] This offers the advantage that the plastic preforms can be transferred directly from the roller sorter to the separating device and a feed rail - as required in the state of the art - can be completely dispensed with.

[0027] The separating device preferably comprises a single-feed starwheel, which is designed as a sawtooth starwheel and is suitable and intended for separating plastic preforms that are transported adjacent to one another from the roller sorting system and feeding them to the furnace. The separating device preferably comprises an inlet barrier, which is suitable and intended for controlling the feed of adjacent plastic preforms to the separating device.

[0028] In an advantageous embodiment, the plastic preforms can be transferred directly from the two rotatable rollers arranged parallel to one another to the separating device and preferably to the inlet barrier.

[0029] The present invention is further directed to a system for forming plastic preforms into plastic containers, comprising a transport device for transporting plastic preforms along a predetermined transport path, wherein the transport device comprises two rotatable rollers arranged parallel to one another. Furthermore, the system comprises a furnace for heating the plastic preforms and a separating device for individually feeding plastic preforms to the furnace. The separating device comprises an inlet barrier and a feed star and is arranged between the transport device and the furnace in the transport direction.

[0030] According to the invention, the plastic preforms can be transferred directly from the two rotatable rollers arranged parallel to one another to the separating device and preferably to the inlet barrier. In this context, "directly" means that the two rotatable rollers arranged parallel to one another are directly adjacent to the inlet barrier, and no other component, in particular no discharge rail, is located between them.

[0031] A plant according to the invention for forming plastic preforms into plastic containers preferably has a previously described device for feeding plastic preforms according to any advantageous embodiment, whereby all features described in connection with the device are also considered to be disclosed for the plant.

[0032] The present invention is further directed to a method for feeding plastic preforms to a forming device for forming plastic preforms into plastic containers with a transport device for transporting plastic preforms along a predetermined transport path (and / or wherein a transport device transports the plastic preforms along a predetermined transport path, wherein the transport device has two rotatable rollers arranged parallel to one another, between which the plastic preforms are guided.Furthermore, the transport device has a first section and a second section, wherein the first section of the transport device has a sorting device for sorting plastics, which brings the plastic preforms into a predetermined orientation, wherein the second section of the transport device is arranged after the first section of the transport device in the transport direction, wherein the second section of the transport device has a hold-down device which extends at least in sections along the transport path in the region of the second section and determines a height position of the plastic preforms in relation to the transport device.

[0033] According to the invention, the two rotatable rollers arranged parallel to one another each extend over the entire first and second section of the transport device and / or the hold-down device is arranged above the two rotatable rollers arranged parallel to one another.

[0034] In a preferred method, the plastic preforms are fed to the device via a feed belt, wherein the individual plastic preforms are removed from a storage container (silo) in a loose and random state. Preferably, the transport device has two rollers, each of which extends over the entire transport device and is preferably formed in one piece. Preferably, the transport device has two sections, wherein the plastic preforms are transported one after the other through the first section and then through the second section. Preferably, the plastic preforms are fed to the first section of the transport device by the feed belt. Preferably, the first section of the transport device has a sorting device, which is preferably designed as a roller sorter. Preferably, the two rollers are arranged parallel to one another and particularly preferably rotate in opposite directions.By rotating the two rollers in opposite directions, the transported plastic preforms are aligned such that their elongated body is positioned between the rollers and the head region of the plastic preforms is positioned above the two rollers. Preferably, the plastic preforms sit loosely between the two rollers. In an advantageous method, a separating device is arranged downstream of the transport device in the transport direction. This separating device preferably has an inlet barrier and a feed-in starwheel, with plastic preforms being transferred directly from the two rotatable rollers arranged parallel to one another to the separating device.

[0035] Preferably, the transport device comprises an air supply device that transports the plastic preforms by means of an air stream. In an advantageous method, the plastic preforms are transported by means of an air stream.

[0036] Preferably, a plurality of nozzles are arranged along the transport device such that applying compressed air to the plastic preforms causes them to move in the transport direction. Preferably, the transport device is arranged at an angle of 8° to a horizontal plane, which facilitates transport of the plastic preforms driven by applying compressed air to the plastic preforms.

[0037] Preferably, an ejection device is arranged in the first section of the transport device downstream of the sorting device in the transport direction. This ejection device can be used to remove incorrectly oriented plastic preforms from the transport path. The ejection device is designed in the form of a kicker wheel arranged above the two rollers. The kicker wheel is preferably arranged such that plastic preforms that protrude beyond a predetermined and preferably adjustable height above the transport device are removed by the kicker wheel. In an advantageous method, incorrectly oriented plastic preforms are removed.

[0038] The second section of the transport device preferably has a rotating segment which arranges the plastic preforms in a wedge-free manner. The second section of the transport device preferably has a hold-down device which holds the plastic preforms at a predetermined and particularly preferably adjustable height in relation to the transport device or the two rollers of the transport device. In an advantageous method, the hold-down device is adjustable in a height position and preferably adaptable to a geometric size of the plastic preforms. In a preferred embodiment, the second section of the transport device opens into an inlet region of the downstream forming device, wherein the inlet region is preferably designed as an inlet barrier which controls the feeding of the plastic preforms.Preferably, the plastic preforms are transferred to a sawtooth star in the area of ​​the inlet barrier, which feeds the plastic preforms to a subsequent oven for heating the plastic preforms.

[0039] Furthermore, the present invention is directed to a method for operating a system for forming plastic preforms into plastic containers, comprising a transport device which transports the plastic preforms along a predetermined transport path, wherein the transport device has two rotatable rollers arranged parallel to one another. Furthermore, an oven for heating the plastic preforms and / or an oven which heats the plastic preforms and a separating device for individually feeding plastic preforms to the oven (and / or a separating device which individually feeds the plastic preforms to the oven) are provided, wherein the separating device has an inlet barrier and an infeed starwheel, wherein the separating device is arranged between the transport device and the oven in the transport direction.

[0040] According to the invention, the plastic preforms are transferred directly from the two rotatable rollers of the transport device, which are arranged parallel to each other, to the inlet barrier.

[0041] A method according to the invention for operating the system preferably includes a previously described method for feeding plastic preforms in any desired embodiment, whereby all features described in connection with methods for feeding plastic preforms can also be considered as disclosed for the method for operating the system.

[0042] Further advantages and embodiments can be seen from the attached drawings.

[0043] Showing:

[0044] Fig. 1 shows a device for feeding plastic preforms. Figure 1 shows a device for feeding plastic preforms. First, plastic preforms 10 are filled into a storage container (silo) (not shown) and fed to the device via a suitable conveyor (not shown) and a feed belt 20. The device 1 has two rollers 30, which are arranged parallel to each other and rotate in opposite directions.

[0045] In a first area A (sorting device) of the transport device (first section), the plastic preforms 10, which are fed in a random manner via a feed belt 20, are aligned by the two counter-rotating rollers in such a way that the mouth of the plastic preforms 10 points upwards (essentially opposite to the direction to the center of the earth).

[0046] All plastic preforms 10 that cannot be aligned in this way preferably fall sideways and can be fed back to area A via a transport device (not shown). Area A is followed by area B, which is assigned to a subsequent ejection device 40. The ejection device 40 can be designed as a kicker wheel, which ejects incorrectly oriented plastic preforms from the transport path.

[0047] Areas A and B represent the first section of the transport device. Following the ejection device 40 is area C, which contains a rotating segment that eliminates any possible jamming of the plastic preforms 10. This is followed by area D, which opens into the transition area (inlet barrier 60) to the sawtooth star 70, via which the plastic preforms can be fed to the forming station and, more precisely, to the furnace 80 for heating the plastic preforms.

[0048] Areas C and D represent the second section of the transport device. In the second section of the transport device, a hold-down device is arranged which holds the plastic preforms 10 transported in areas C and D at a constant height. The applicant reserves the right to claim all features disclosed in the application documents as essential to the invention, provided that they are new individually or in combination compared to the prior art. It is further pointed out that the individual figures also describe features which may be advantageous in themselves. The person skilled in the art will immediately recognize that a specific feature described in a figure may also be advantageous without the adoption of further features from this figure. Furthermore, the person skilled in the art will recognize that advantages may also arise from a combination of several features shown in individual or different figures.

[0049] List of reference symbols

[0050] 1 device

[0051] 10 plastic preform

[0052] 20 feed belt 30 roll

[0053] 40 Ejection device

[0054] 50 hold-down device

[0055] 60 Inlet barrier

[0056] 70 Sawtooth star 80 Oven

[0057] A Area A

[0058] B Area B

[0059] C Area C

[0060] D Area D

Claims

Claims: Device for feeding plastic preforms (10) to a forming device for forming plastic preforms into plastic containers, with a transport device for transporting plastic preforms along a predetermined transport path, wherein the transport device has two rotatable and parallel rollers (30) between which the plastic preforms can be guided, wherein the transport device has a first section (A, B) and a second section (C, D), wherein the first section of the transport device has a sorting device for sorting plastics, which is suitable and intended to bring the plastic preforms into a predetermined orientation, wherein the second section of the transport device is arranged downstream of the first section of the transport device in the transport direction.wherein the second section of the transport device comprises a hold-down device (50) which extends at least section by section along the transport path in the area of ​​the second section and is suitable and intended to determine a height position of the plastic preforms with respect to the transport device, characterized in that the two rotatable and parallel rollers each extend over the entire first and second sections of the transport device and / or the hold-down device is arranged above the two rotatable and parallel rollers. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that a singulation device (70) is arranged downstream of the transport device in the transport direction, which preferably comprises an infeed stop (60) and an infeed star wheel.wherein the singulation device is arranged immediately after the two rotatable and parallel rollers of the transport device. Device according to a preceding claim, characterized in that the plastic preforms can be transferred directly from the two rotatable and parallel rollers to the singulation device (70) and preferably to the infeed barrier. Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first section of the transport device has an ejection device (B) which is arranged in the transport direction in a region of the sorting device and / or after the sorting device and is suitable and intended to remove incorrectly oriented plastic preforms from the transport path.Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second section of the transport device has a rotary segment which is suitable and intended for arranging the plastic preforms without wedges and / or the second section has a device which is suitable and intended for ejecting the sorted plastic preforms guided by the upper hold-down device.Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device is arranged at an angle of at least 3°, preferably at least 4°, preferably at least 5°, preferably at least 6°, preferably at least 7° and preferably 8° relative to a horizontal plane and / or the device is arranged at an angle of at most 20°, preferably at most 18°, preferably at most 16°, preferably at most 14°, preferably at most 12°, preferably at most 10° and preferably at most 9° relative to the horizontal plane. A device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the position and, in particular, the distance between the two rotatable and parallel rollers can be adjusted to the geometric size of the plastic preforms. A device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the distance between the rollers can be adjusted centrally and this adjustment can be performed manually or automatically. A device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the hold-down device is adjustable in a height position and preferably adaptable to the geometric size of the plastic preforms. A device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the adjustment of the hold-down device is preferably performed centrally and / or this adjustment can be performed manually or automatically.A system for forming plastic preforms (10) into plastic containers, comprising a transport device for transporting the plastic preforms (10) along a predetermined transport path, wherein the transport device has two rotatable and parallel rollers (30), an oven (80) for heating the plastic preforms (30), and a singulation device (70) for singulating the plastic preforms (30) to the oven (80), wherein the singulation device (70) has an inlet stop (60) and a feed star, wherein the singulation device (70) is arranged in the transport direction between the transport device and the oven (80), characterized in that the plastic preforms (10) are fed directly from the two rotatable and parallel rollers (30). The plastic preforms (10) can be transferred from the rollers (30) of the transport device to the singulation device (70) and preferably to the inlet barrier (60). Method for feeding plastic preforms (10) to a forming device for forming plastic preforms (10) into plastic containers, wherein a transport device transports the plastic preforms (10) along a predetermined transport path, wherein the transport device has two rotatable rollers (30) arranged parallel to each other, between which the plastic preforms (10) are guided, wherein the transport device has a first section and a second section, wherein the first section of the transport device has a sorting device for sorting plastics, which brings the plastic preforms (10) into a predetermined orientation.wherein the second section of the transport device is arranged downstream of the first section of the transport device in the transport direction, wherein the second section of the transport device has a hold-down device which extends at least sectionally along the transport path in the area of ​​the second section and determines a height position of the plastic preforms (10) with respect to the transport device, characterized in that the two rotatable and parallel rollers (30) each extend over the entire first and second sections of the transport device and / or the hold-down device is arranged above the two rotatable and parallel rollers (30). Method according to claim 10, characterized in that a singulation device is arranged downstream of the transport device in the transport direction, which preferably has an infeed stop and an infeed star wheel.wherein plastic preforms are transferred directly from the two rotatable and parallel rollers to the singulation device. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, Misaligned plastic preforms are rejected. Method for operating a plant for forming plastic preforms (10) into plastic containers with a transport device which transports the plastic preforms along a predetermined transport path, wherein the The transport device comprises two rotatable and parallel rollers (30), an oven (80) for heating the plastic preforms and / or an oven (80) which heats the plastic preforms (10), and a singulation device for the singulation of plastic preforms (10) to the oven (80), wherein the singulation device has an infeed barrier and a feed star, wherein the singulation device is arranged in the transport direction between the transport device and the oven (80), characterized in that the plastic preforms (10) are transferred directly from the two rotatable and parallel rollers (30) of the transport device to the infeed barrier.

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