Receiving device for receiving a container

Abstract

Receiving device (100) for receiving a container (109), wherein the receiving device (100) comprises a fixing device (111) for fixing the container (109) in the receiving device (100), wherein the fixing device (111) comprises at least two fixing elements (102), wherein the at least two fixing elements (102) are each rotatably mounted about a pivot point (103) and can be adjusted between an open and closed position, wherein in the closed position the at least two fixing elements (102) can each engage at a contact point (104) on a surface of the container (109), wherein a perpendicular projection (108) of the contact point (104) onto a first longitudinal axis (105) of the container (109) is closer to a reference point (107) of the first longitudinal axis (105) located at the level of an opening (110) of the container (109) than a perpendicular projection (108) of the contact point (108) onto a first longitudinal axis (105) of the container (109) is closer to a reference point (107) of the first longitudinal axis (105) located at the level of an opening (110) of the container (109) than a perpendicular projection (108) of the first longitudinal axis (105) is located at the level of an opening (110) of the container (109). Projection (106) of the pivot point (103) onto the first longitudinal axis (105).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a receiving device for receiving a container according to independent claim 1 and a method for receiving a container in a receiving device according to independent claim 9. State of the art

[0002] Pick-up devices for picking up containers are well known in the art. For example, EP2821151A1 discloses a device for transporting a container in a container cleaning system.

[0003] For example, it is known, particularly in the context of container cleaning systems, to accommodate the containers in special bottle cells in order to guide them through the container cleaning system in an orderly manner during the cleaning process. The bottle cells can include a securing device by means of which a container can be secured in the bottle cell. By securing the container in the bottle cell, it is possible to prevent the containers from falling out of the bottle cell during the cleaning process, from being pushed out of the bottle cell, or from damaging the bottles on machine elements.

[0004] During the cleaning process, the bottle cells with the containers are typically guided through different treatment zones and / or immersion baths and / or spray zones. Furthermore, the interior of a container accommodated in the bottle cell is cleaned in a spraying process using a spray jet directed at the container mouth. However, the force acting on the container by the spray jet can cause the container to be undesirably pushed out of the bottle cell. This undesirable effect can be prevented by securing the container in the bottle cell, e.g. using fixing levers. During treatment in the immersion baths, the bottle cells with the containers are guided past suction slots and, if necessary, additionally installed under-surge devices in order to remove the detached labels from the bottle cells using a defined flow.In this case, the bottles can be sucked in by the flow and cause the bottle to break. This effect can be prevented by securing the container in the bottle cell.

[0005] However, to thoroughly clean the interior of a container, it is desirable to inject the cleaning fluid into the container with the highest possible spray pressure. With bottle cells as known from the prior art, however, the problem arises that, despite being secured in the bottle cell, the containers can tip over or even be pushed out of the bottle cell or damaged at high spray pressures. This, in turn, can negatively impact the cleaning results of the containers and also lead to undesirable disruptions to the cleaning process. Technical task

[0006] Based on the prior art, the object of the present invention is to provide a receiving device for receiving containers, by means of which a secure fixation of the container in the receiving device can be ensured even at high injection pressures and mechanical influences. Solution

[0007] This object is achieved according to the invention by the receiving device for receiving a container according to independent claim 1 and the method for receiving a container in a receiving device according to independent claim 9. Preferred embodiments are covered in the dependent claims.

[0008] The receiving device according to the invention for receiving a container comprises a fixing device for fixing the container in the receiving device, wherein the fixing device comprises at least two fixing elements, the at least two fixing elements are each mounted so as to be rotatable about a pivot point and can be adjusted between an open and a closed position, wherein in the closed position, the at least two fixing elements can each engage at a contact point on a surface of the container and a perpendicular projection of the contact point onto a first longitudinal axis of the container is closer to a reference point of the first longitudinal axis located at the level of an opening of the container than a perpendicular projection of the pivot point onto the first longitudinal axis.

[0009] The receiving device can be, for example, a bottle cell or a bottle basket, such as those used in container cleaning systems. Typically, a plurality of bottle cells are arranged parallel to one another in a bottle cell carrier. A plurality of rows of container cells are arranged one behind the other in the transport direction. Arranging the container cells in this manner enables continuous transport of containers to be cleaned or treated through the container cleaning machine.

[0010] However, it can also be any other holding device that is suitable for holding a container.

[0011] A container is understood to be a container which has a cylindrical or conical shape (as viewed from the opening of the container) at least in a container region in which the at least two fixing elements can engage when the container is received in the receiving device. In a container region of the container in which the two fixing elements of the receiving device cannot engage when the container is received in the receiving device, the container can also have a shape that deviates from the conical or cylindrical shape.

[0012] If it is provided that a medium, for example a cleaning medium, can be introduced into the receiving device or a container in the receiving device, the receiving device can comprise an introduction opening for a cleaning medium, in the region of which the container can be positioned with its mouth. A longitudinal axis of the receiving device can extend from this introduction opening and can in particular coincide with the first longitudinal axis of the container. In this sense, it can be provided that a region of the fixing elements, which can come into contact with a container at the contact point, extends into the interior of the receiving device and the distance of this region from the introduction opening in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the receiving device in the closed position is smaller than the distance of the axis of rotation from the introduction opening in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the receiving device.

[0013] The container can be a plastic or glass bottle used in the beverage industry. However, it can also be any other type of container, such as a can, tube, or cup used in the healthcare, pharmaceutical, food, or beverage industries, or any other type of container suitable for holding a liquid or pasty medium.

[0014] An open position can be understood as an adjustment position of the two fixing elements in which a container can be inserted into the receiving device or removed from the receiving device. For example, the open position can be understood as an adjustment position in which the at least two fixing elements or at least one of the at least two fixing elements does not engage a surface of a container received in the receiving device, and the container can thus be inserted into the receiving device and / or removed from the receiving device.

[0015] The closed position, on the other hand, can be understood as an adjustment position in which the container can be secured in the receiving device by means of the at least two fixing elements. In the closed position, for example, a container held in the receiving device can be cleaned in a container cleaning system without the container being forced out of the receiving device by the forces acting on the container during the cleaning process.

[0016] The receiving device according to the invention can be used flexibly and enables a particularly secure fixation of a container. Because the vertical projection of the contact point onto a first longitudinal axis of the container is closer to a reference point of the first longitudinal axis located at the level of an opening of the container than a vertical projection of the pivot point onto the first longitudinal axis, it is possible to ensure that the container remains securely fixed in the receiving device even when subjected to a force directed opposite to a direction in which the container can be inserted into the receiving device.

[0017] Optionally, the angle of the fixing elements is selected such that the radius of the mouth area of ​​the container and the longitudinal axis of the container means that the fixing angle corresponds to the bisecting holding angle of the fixing element, thus preventing bottles with a large radius at the mouth from slipping.

[0018] If the holding device is used, for example, in a container cleaning system, a secure fixation of the container in the holding device can be guaranteed even at high injection pressures.

[0019] The fixing device may include a pre-tensioning device for pre-tensioning the at least two fixing elements into a rest position. This allows a well-defined rest position of the fixing elements to be specified and prevents unwanted movement of the fixing elements in the receiving device.

[0020] In a further development, the pretensioning device can pretension the at least two fixing elements opposite to a direction along which the container can be inserted into the receiving device. This can ensure that the fixing elements are deflected from the rest position when a container is inserted into the receiving device, and the container is securely fixed in the receiving device due to a restoring force exerted by the pretensioned fixing elements and the resulting torque of the fixing elements acting on the container surface at the contact points.

[0021] In a further development of the two preceding embodiments, the pretensioning device can comprise at least two torsion springs, with each of the at least two fixing elements being assigned a torsion spring for pretensioning the fixing elements. Using torsion springs, the pretensioning device can be designed particularly compactly while simultaneously achieving a sufficiently strong pretension of the at least two fixing elements.

[0022] It can further be provided that the at least two fixing elements are designed as one-sided levers and are arranged in the radial direction around a second longitudinal axis of the receiving device, wherein an axis of rotation of the fixing elements passing through the pivot point runs perpendicular to the first longitudinal axis of the container. In this case, "perpendicular" means that the axis of rotation passing through the pivot point and the first longitudinal axis enclose an angle in the range of 85° to 95° with each other. Consequently, the axis of rotation and the first longitudinal axis of the container do not necessarily have to run exactly perpendicular to each other, but can also deviate from the exactly perpendicular orientation by an angle of up to 5°.Due to the radial arrangement of the fixing elements designed as a one-sided lever around the second longitudinal axis and the running of the rotation axis perpendicular to the first longitudinal axis, the container can be centered and securely fixed in the receiving device.

[0023] In one embodiment, the fixing device can comprise a locking device for locking the at least two fixing elements in at least one deflected position. This ensures that the at least two fixing elements can be securely fixed in the at least one deflected position and prevents unwanted opening of the fixing device.

[0024] In a further development, the locking device can comprise at least two fixing sub-elements, wherein each of the at least two fixing elements has a fixing sub-element arranged rotatably about a second pivot point. The at least two fixing sub-elements can each comprise a hook component that can be hooked onto a hooking component arranged on the receiving device to secure the fixing elements. Thus, the locking device can be realized in a particularly compact manner, and the number of required components can be kept to a minimum.

[0025] It can be provided that the fixing device is designed to fix the container more firmly in the receiving device when a force acts on the container opposite to a direction in which the container can be inserted into the receiving device. Thus, even when a force acts on the container, it can be ensured that the container is not forced out of the receiving device.

[0026] According to the invention, a method for receiving a container in a receiving device is also provided, wherein the receiving device comprises a fixing device for fixing the container in the receiving device, wherein the fixing device comprises at least two fixing elements, wherein the at least two fixing elements are each mounted so as to be rotatable about a pivot point and can be adjusted between an open and a closed position, wherein in the closed position, the at least two fixing elements each act on a surface of the container at a contact point, wherein a perpendicular projection of the contact point onto a first longitudinal axis of the container is closer to a reference point located at the level of an opening of the container than a perpendicular projection of the pivot point onto the first longitudinal axis.

[0027] The method according to the invention enables a particularly secure fixation of a container in the receiving device. Because the vertical projection of the contact point onto a first longitudinal axis of the container is closer to a reference point of the first longitudinal axis located at the level of an opening of the container than a vertical projection of the pivot point onto the first longitudinal axis, it is possible to ensure that the container remains securely fixed in the receiving device even when a force acts on the container that is directed opposite to a direction in which the container can be inserted into the receiving device.

[0028] The fixing device may include a pre-tensioning device for pre-tensioning the at least two fixing elements into a rest position. This allows a well-defined rest position of the fixing elements to be specified and prevents unwanted movement of the fixing elements in the receiving device.

[0029] In a further development, it can be provided that the at least two fixing elements are pre-tensioned by the pre-tensioning device in a direction opposite to the direction along which the container is inserted into the receiving device. This can ensure that the fixing elements are deflected from the rest position when a container is inserted into the receiving device, and the container is securely fixed in the receiving device by the fixing elements due to a restoring force exerted by the pre-tensioned fixing elements and the torque thus exerted by the fixing elements on the container surface.

[0030] In a further development of the two preceding embodiments, the pretensioning device can comprise at least two torsion springs, with each of the at least two fixing elements being assigned a torsion spring for pretensioning. Using torsion springs, the pretensioning device can be designed particularly compactly and, at the same time, a sufficiently strong pretensioning of the at least two fixing elements can be achieved.

[0031] In one embodiment of the method, the at least two fixing elements can be designed as a one-sided lever and arranged in the radial direction around a second longitudinal axis of the receiving device, wherein an axis of rotation of the fixing elements passing through the pivot point runs perpendicular to the first longitudinal axis of the container. In this case, "perpendicular" means that the axis of rotation passing through the pivot point and the first longitudinal axis enclose an angle in the range of 80° to 100° with each other. Consequently, the axis of rotation and the first longitudinal axis of the container do not necessarily have to run exactly perpendicular to each other, but can also deviate from the exactly perpendicular orientation by an angle of up to 10°.Due to the radial arrangement of the fixing elements designed as a one-sided lever around the second longitudinal axis and the running of the rotation axis perpendicular to the first longitudinal axis, the container can be centered and securely fixed in the receiving device.

[0032] It can further be provided that the fixing device comprises a locking device for locking the at least two fixing elements in at least one deflected position, wherein the locking device comprises at least two fixing sub-elements, wherein on each of the at least two fixing elements a fixing sub-element is arranged so as to be rotatable about a second pivot point, wherein the at least two fixing sub-elements each comprise a hook component which is hooked onto a hooking component arranged on the receiving device in order to lock the fixing elements. By providing a locking device, it can be ensured that the at least two fixing elements can be securely fixed in the at least one deflected position and thus an undesired opening of the fixing device can be prevented. Furthermore, the locking device can thus be implemented in a particularly compact manner and the number of necessary components can be kept low.

[0033] In one embodiment of the method, the container can be more firmly fixed in the receiving device if a force acts on the container opposite to the direction in which the container is inserted into the receiving device. Thus, even if a force is applied to the container, it can be ensured that the container is not forced out of the receiving device. Short character description

[0034] Fig. 1 Receiving device for receiving a container according to an embodiment Fig. 2 Receiving device for receiving a container according to a further embodiment Fig. 3 Receiving device in a container cleaning system according to an embodiment Detailed character description

[0035] Fig. 1shows a receiving device 100 for receiving a container 109 according to one embodiment. The container 109 is to be considered optional and not part of the receiving device.

[0036] According to the invention, the receiving device 100 comprises a fixing device 111 for fixing the container 109 in the receiving device 100. According to the invention, the fixing device 111 in turn comprises at least two fixing elements 102, which are each rotatably mounted about a pivot point 103 and can be adjusted between an open and a closed position.

[0037] The receiving device 100 can further comprise a base body 101 for receiving a container 109. The base body 101 can comprise two openings. For example, a first opening for introducing a container 109 into the base body 101 or into the receiving device 100 can be provided on an underside of the base body 101, and a second opening for introducing a medium, such as a cleaning fluid, into the receiving device or into the interior of a container 109 received in the receiving device 100 can be provided on an upper side of the base body 101.

[0038] According to the invention, the at least two fixing elements 102 can each engage a surface of the container 109 at a contact point 104 in the closed position, wherein a perpendicular projection 108 of the contact point 104 onto a first longitudinal axis 105 of the container 109 is closer to a reference point 107 of the first longitudinal axis 105 located at the level of an opening 110 of the container 109 than a perpendicular projection 106 of the pivot point 103 onto the first longitudinal axis 105. This type of design of the fixing device 111 makes it possible to fix a container 109 securely in the receiving device 100 even when a force acts on the container 109 counter to an insertion direction 112 along which the container 109 can be inserted into the receiving device 100.

[0039] In connection with the Fig. 1In the embodiment shown, the fixing device 111 comprises two fixing elements 102. This specific type of configuration is to be understood as exemplary, so that the fixing device 111 can also comprise three, four, five, six, or more fixing elements 102. By providing a larger number of fixing elements 102, the container 109 can be fixed more securely in the receiving device and thus even better protected against possible slipping out of the receiving device 100. Furthermore, by means of a larger number of fixing elements 102, a more precise alignment or centering of the container 109 in the receiving device 100 can be achieved.

[0040] The optional container 109 is understood to be a container 109 which has a cylindrical or conical shape (as viewed from the opening of the container) at least in a container region on which the at least two fixing elements 102 can engage when the container is received in the receiving device 100. In a container region of the container 109 on which the two fixing elements 102 of the receiving device 111 cannot engage when the container 109 is fixed in the receiving device 100, the container 109 can also have a shape that deviates from the conical or cylindrical shape.

[0041] The Fig. 1The type of design of the container 109 as a bottle shown is to be understood as an example. Furthermore, the shape of the bottle shown here, which is conical in a neck region of the container 109 and cylindrical in a base body region of the container, is also to be understood as an example. Alternatively, the container can also be designed, for example, as a can, cup, or tube, such as those used in the beverage, pharmaceutical, or food industries. However, it can also be any other container suitable for holding a liquid and / or pasty medium.

[0042] The receiving device 100 can be, for example, a bottle cell or a bottle basket, such as those used in container cleaning systems for receiving and transporting containers. However, it can also be any other receiving device suitable for receiving a container.

[0043] Also the Fig. 1 The type of design of the receiving device 100 shown is to be understood as exemplary. For example, the receiving device can also be designed to be shorter or longer with respect to the drawn container longitudinal axis 105, so that, for example, only part of the container or the entire container can be received. Furthermore, the base body 101 of the receiving device 100 can, but does not necessarily have to, be made from a single part, but can also comprise several components which can be made from different materials, such as plastic and / or a metal and / or a metal alloy. For example, it can also be provided that the components of the receiving device 100 are manufactured at least partially by means of a generative process.

[0044] In one embodiment, it can be provided, for example, that the receiving device 100 is designed as a basket in an area in which a neck region of the container or a part of the container comprising a container opening and corresponding, for example, to 1 / 5, 1 / 4, 1 / 3, or 1 / 2 of the entire container length is to be received, and is designed as a receiving component in an area in which a container body or the remaining part of the container is to be received. The receiving component can, for example, have a cylindrical shape, a square or hexagonal prism shape, or any other shape. The basket and the receiving component can be connected to one another, for example, via a connecting component. The basket can, for example, be made of a plastic, and the receiving component of a metal.However, it can also be provided that the basket and / or the receiving component is made of any other material. In this case, the fixing device 111 can be arranged on the basket of the receiving device 100, so that the container 109 can be fixed in the receiving device 100 at its neck region or in the region encompassing the container opening by means of the fixing device 111.

[0045] Alternatively, it can also be provided that the receiving device 100 comprises only a basket and can accommodate only a part of the container, such as a neck region of the container or a part of the container that comprises an opening of the container and corresponds, for example, to 1 / 5, 1 / 4, 1 / 3, or 1 / 2 of the total container length. In this case, too, the fixing device 111 can be arranged on the basket so that the container 109 can be fixed in the basket by its neck region. With this type of design of the receiving device 100, it can be provided that the receiving device 100 comprises a connecting component by means of which the receiving device 100 can be flexibly connected to the receiving component. This connecting component, as described above, can be made of a metal or any other material and can have a cylindrical shape, a hexagonal prism shape, a square prism shape, or any other shape.Since the receiving component in this case can be flexibly selected depending on the dimensions of the container 109 to be received, this type of design allows a particularly flexible use of the receiving device 100 for different container types.

[0046] In one embodiment, the fixing device 111 can comprise a pretensioning device for pretensioning the at least two fixing elements 102 into a rest position. By pretensioning the at least two fixing elements 102 into a rest position, for example, an undesired movement of the fixing elements 102 in the receiving device 100 can be prevented. Thus, the fixing elements 102 can be brought into a well-defined rest position, which can prevent, for example, disruptions when inserting a container due to incorrectly aligned fixing elements 102.

[0047] Furthermore, it can be provided that the pretensioning device can pretension the at least two fixing elements 102 into a rest position counter to a direction 112 along which the container can be inserted into the receiving device 100. By pretensioning the fixing elements 102 in this way, it can be achieved that when a container 109 is inserted into the receiving device 100 and the resulting deflection of the fixing elements 102 from the rest position, the container 109 is fixed in the receiving device by the fixing levers due to the restoring force caused by the deflection of the fixing elements 102 from the rest position and the corresponding torque acting on the container surface at the contact points 104. In particular, it can be achieved that the container 109 can be fixed even more firmly in the receiving device 100 by means of the fixing elements 102 in the event of a force acting on the container counter to the insertion direction 112.

[0048] Pretensioning of the at least two fixing elements 102 can be achieved, for example, by means of a torsion spring. For example, it can be provided that the pretensioning device comprises at least two torsion springs, with each of the at least two fixing elements 102 being assigned a torsion spring for pretensioning the fixing elements 102. In one embodiment, this can be, for example, a single-coil or a double-coil torsion spring. Furthermore, it can be provided that the pretensioning device can be flexibly operated with various torsion springs of different spring force, with the spring force of the torsion spring being selectable based on the type of container 109 that is to be received in the receiving device 100 by means of the fixing device 111.

[0049] It can be provided that the fixing elements 102 are designed as fixing levers. The fixing levers can, as in the Fig. 1 As shown by way of example, the fixing elements 102 can be designed as a one-sided fixing lever. Alternatively, the fixing elements 102 can also be designed as a two-sided fixing lever. The fixing elements can, for example, comprise plastic and be manufactured using a generative process or injection molding process. This type of design and manufacture of the fixing elements 102 is to be understood as exemplary, so that the fixing elements 102 can also be manufactured from any other material or using any other manufacturing process.

[0050] Optionally, the fixing elements 102 can be configured such that they can be actuated from outside the receiving device 100. By actuating the fixing elements 102, they can be moved, for example, from the closed position to the open position, and a bottle 109 secured in the receiving device 100 by means of the fixing device 111 can be released. Furthermore, the fixing elements 102 can also be adjusted from the open to the closed position by actuation from outside.

[0051] It can further be provided that the fixing elements 102 are adapted to a curvature of the container surface in an area where they are intended to engage the container surface, so that the largest possible contact point between the fixing element and the container surface can be achieved and the best possible fixation of the container in the receiving device can be ensured. Thus, even with a small number of fixing elements, such as two or three fixing elements, a secure fixation of the container 109 in the receiving device can be achieved.

[0052] As in the Figure 1As shown, the fixing elements 102, which are designed as fixing levers by way of example, can be arranged in the radial direction around a second longitudinal axis of the receiving device, wherein the second longitudinal axis in the embodiment shown here coincides with the first longitudinal axis 105 of the container 109. Furthermore, it can be provided that the fixing levers and in particular the pivot points 103 of the fixing levers are arranged equidistantly in the radial direction with respect to the second longitudinal axis of the receiving device 100 and the pivot points 103 are arranged symmetrically around the second longitudinal axis. If, for example, there is an even number of fixing levers, a symmetrical arrangement of the fixing levers around the second longitudinal axis can mean that the pivot points 103 are arranged point-symmetrically with respect to the second longitudinal axis, so that the pivot points 103 of two fixing levers are opposite one another.

[0053] Furthermore, a rotational axis of the fixing elements passing through the pivot point 103 can run perpendicular to the first longitudinal axis 105 of the container 109. Perpendicular in this case means that the rotational axis passing through the pivot point and the first longitudinal axis enclose an angle in the range of 85° to 95°. Consequently, the rotational axis and the first longitudinal axis of the container do not necessarily have to run exactly perpendicular to each other, but can also deviate from the exact vertical alignment by an angle of up to 5°.

[0054] This type of arrangement of the fixing elements 102 or the pivot points 103 ensures that the container 109 is securely fixed in the receiving device 100 by the fixing elements 102 engaging the contact points 104, and effectively prevents the container from tilting due to the torque exerted on the container surface by the fixing levers. Furthermore, it can ensure that the container 109 is centered in the receiving device 100.

[0055] It can further be provided that the fixing device 111 comprises a locking device for locking the at least two fixing elements 102 in at least one deflected position. The deflected position can be different from the rest position, so that the deflected position can, for example, be the closed position, in which the fixing elements 102 each engage a contact point 104 on the container surface in order to fix the container 109 in the receiving device 100. By providing the locking device, for example, an unintentional opening of the fixing elements 102 in the closed position and an undesired release of the container from the receiving device 100 can be prevented.

[0056] However, the deflected position can also encompass the rest position, so that the fixing elements 102 can also be secured in the rest position, for example, by means of the locking device. Furthermore, the deflected position can be flexibly selected and, for example, encompass the entire range of motion of the rotatably mounted fixing elements 102. Thus, the fixing elements 102 of the fixing device 102 can be flexibly secured in a deflected position, and containers 109 of various types and sizes can be received and secured in the receiving device 100.

[0057] To secure the fixing elements 102, the fixing device can comprise two fixing sub-elements. For example, each fixing sub-element can be arranged on the at least two fixing elements 102 so as to be rotatable about a second pivot point. Due to the rotatable arrangement of the fixing sub-elements and their attachment to the at least two fixing elements 102, the fixing elements can be flexibly secured in a variety of deflection positions. The securing can be achieved, for example, by a hook component arranged on the at least two fixing sub-elements, which can be hooked onto a hooking component arranged on the receiving device 100 to secure the fixing elements 102.For example, a plurality of hooking components can be arranged at different positions on the receiving device 100, so that the fixing elements 102 can be secured in different deflection positions by means of the hook components arranged on the at least two fixing sub-elements, for example, based on the type and / or size of the container being received. Thus, the receiving device can be used flexibly for different container types.

[0058] The design of the locking device just described is to be understood as an example. In particular, the locking device can also be designed in any other way by which the fixing elements can be locked in a deflected position. For example, the hook component can also be arranged on the fixing elements themselves, so that the fixing sub-elements described above do not necessarily have to be provided.

[0059] A specific type of design, generally associated with the Fig. 1 The described receiving device 100 is used in connection with the Fig. 2 received.

[0060] Fig. 2 shows a section of a receiving device 200 according to a further embodiment.

[0061] In the in the Fig. 2 In the embodiment shown, the receiving device 200 is designed as a basket 212. As already explained in connection with the Fig. 1 As described, the basket 212 can be designed such that it can receive a neck region of a container or a part of the container, which for example comprises an opening of the container. Alternatively, however, it can also be provided that the Fig. 2 only partially shown basket 212 can hold the entire container.

[0062] If the basket 212 is designed in such a way that it can only hold part of the container, it can be provided that the basket 212, as already described in connection with the Fig. 1 described, can be connected to a receiving component via an optional connecting component. In one embodiment, it can be provided that the receiving device comprises the basket 212 and the receiving component. In an alternative embodiment, it can also be provided that the receiving device only comprises the basket 212. Regarding specific embodiments of the basket and / or the receiving component, reference is made to the figure description of the Fig. 1 where these were described in detail.

[0063] In the Fig. 2In the receiving device 100 designed as a basket 212, a container can be inserted along a direction 211 and fixed in the receiving device 200 by means of the fixing elements of the fixing device 201, which in the embodiment described here are designed as fixing levers 202.

[0064] In connection with the Fig. 2In the embodiment 200 shown, the fixing levers 202 are designed as one-sided fixing levers 202 and can be rotatably mounted about a pivot point 203. The fixing levers 202 can have a fixing component 209, by means of which the fixing levers 202 can engage at a contact point on a surface of a container optionally inserted into the receiving device 200 and thus fix the container in the receiving device 200. The fixing component 209 can be adapted to a shape or a curvature of a surface area of ​​a container, to which the container is to be fixed in the receiving device 200 by means of the fixing elements 202. The fixing elements 202 can further have an arm 210, by means of which the fixing elements can be actuated from outside the receiving device 200, for example in order to be able to move from the closed to the open position or from the open to the closed position.By actuating the arm 210, for example, a container held in the receiving device 200 can be released again. The specific embodiment of the fixing elements 202 described here is to be understood as exemplary. For example, the fixing elements 202 can also have any other shape or be arranged at any other position on the receiving device. Furthermore, more than two fixing elements, such as three, four, five, six or more fixing elements, can be provided. For possible arrangement options of the fixing elements in the receiving device, reference is made to the figure description of FIG. Fig. 1 referred to.

[0065] As already mentioned in connection with the Fig. 1 As described, the receiving device can comprise an optional pretensioning device 204, by means of which the at least two fixing elements can be pretensioned into a rest position. In the Fig.2In the embodiment shown, the pretensioning device is designed as a torsion spring 204, which is provided in a region of the pivot point 203 of each of the two fixing elements 202. This specific type of design of the pretensioning device is to be understood as exemplary, so that the pretensioning device can also be designed in any other way.

[0066] The fixing device can also optionally include a locking device. The locking device comprises Fig. 2 shown embodiment, at least two fixing sub-elements 205, which are arranged on the two fixing elements 202 so as to be rotatable about a second rotation axis 206. As already mentioned in connection with the Fig. 1As described above, the fixing sub-elements 205 can comprise a hook component 207, by means of which the fixing sub-elements 205 can be hooked onto a hooking component 208 arranged on the basket 212, so that the fixing elements 202 can be secured in a deflected position. Even if, in the embodiment discussed here, exactly one hooking component is assigned to each hook component, it can also be provided that more than one hooking component, such as two, three, four, or five hooking components, is assigned to each hook component, so that the fixing elements can be secured in more than one deflected position. Furthermore, the fixing sub-elements can comprise an arm that can be actuated from outside the receiving device 200.By operating the arm, the fixing sub-elements can, for example, be hooked into the hooking component or unhooked from the hooking component and the two fixing elements can thus either be fixed in a deflected position or released again from a deflected position.

[0067] Regarding possible configurations of the receiving device, the fixing device, the pre-tensioning device and the locking device, reference is made to the embodiment of the Fig. 1 in which these were described in detail.

[0068] As in connection with the Fig. 3 shown, the Figures 1 and 2 The described receiving device 100, 200 can be used in a container cleaning system for receiving and transporting containers.

[0069] This shows Fig. 3a section of a container cleaning system 300, in which a plurality of receiving devices 305 are arranged on a transport device 309, and a container 308 is received in each receiving device 305. The transport device 309 can be designed, for example, as a continuously circulating transport device on which the receiving devices 305 can be arranged, and the containers 308 arranged in the receiving devices 305 can be transported along a transport direction 301 through the container cleaning system 300.

[0070] In order to insert the containers 308 into the receiving device 305, the container cleaning system 300 can, for example, comprise an insertion device (e.g., a gripper) not explicitly shown here, by means of which the containers 308 can be inserted into a corresponding receiving device 305 at the beginning of the cleaning process. Furthermore, an actuating device can be provided by means of which the fixing device and / or the optional locking device of the receiving device 305 can be actuated in order to fix the containers 308 in the receiving devices 305 by means of the fixing elements 307 of the fixing device, and to fix the fixing elements 307 by means of the optional locking device.

[0071] For cleaning the containers, it can be provided, for example, that the receiving devices 305 and the containers 308 received therein are first guided by means of the transport device 309 through a spraying device 302 of the container cleaning system 300.

[0072] Since the receiving device 305 not only fixes the containers 308 in the receiving device 305, but also precisely aligns the containers 308 and an opening of the containers in the receiving device 305, it can be ensured that during the ejection process of the container in the ejection device 302, the opening of the container is precisely hit by the spray jet or a movable ejection device can be moved into the bottle mouth and the interior of the container can be carefully cleaned by the spray jet 303.

[0073] Since the container can also be securely fixed in the receiving device by means of the fixing elements 307 of the fixing device, it can also be prevented that the container is tilted in the receiving device 308 or even pushed out of it by the forces acting on the container by the spray jet 303 during the ejection process. In particular, the inventive design of the fixing device can ensure that the container is fixed even more firmly in the receiving device by the fixing device due to the forces acting on the container during the ejection process. This makes it possible to clean the container even with high spray pressures and thus improve the cleaning process of the container.

[0074] Consequently, the information provided in connection with the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2When implemented in a container cleaning system 300, the described receiving devices 100, 200 not only improve the cleaning result of the containers, since the containers can be precisely aligned and securely fixed in the receiving device even during the ejection process, but also malfunctions of the container cleaning system 300 due to undesired slipping of containers 308 from the receiving device 305 due to the forces acting on the containers 308 during the ejection process are prevented.

[0075] After the containers 308 received in the receiving device 305 have been sprayed out, the receiving devices 305 and the containers 308 received therein can be guided through a dipping tank 306, which can contain, for example, a cleaning fluid, such as a cleaning solution. Since the receiving devices with the containers received therein are typically rotated during transport through the dipping tank and through the container cleaning system, for example, to remove cleaning fluid contained in the container, the fixing device can prevent the container from slipping out or tipping over, even when the receiving device 305 is rotated.

[0076] Furthermore, in the case of an at least partially open design of the receiving device 305, as is the case, for example, in the case of the Fig. 1 and 2shown embodiments, in which the receiving device 305 comprises a basket, it can be ensured that, on the one hand, the entire receiving device 305 and thus also a container received in the receiving device can be rinsed with the cleaning solution and / or any other cleaning liquid and, on the other hand, the cleaning solution and / or any other cleaning liquid can drain out of the receiving device again after being introduced into the container.

[0077] After completion of the cleaning process, it may be provided that the fixing device and / or the optional locking device can be opened again by another actuating device, and the cleaned containers can be removed from the receiving device 305. In the event of longer interruptions or malfunctions, it may also be provided that the fixing device is not opened and that the container treatment system is operated in a circular motion to prevent the containers from remaining in the cleaning medium for too long.

Claims

1. A receiving device (100, 200) for receiving a container (109), wherein the receiving device (100, 200) comprises a fixing device (111, 201) for fixing the container (109) in the receiving device (100, 200), wherein the fixing device (111, 201) comprises at least two fixing elements (102, 202), wherein the at least two fixing elements (102, 202) are each rotatably mounted about a pivot point (103, 203) and can be adjusted between an open and a closed position, wherein in the closed position, the at least two fixing elements (102, 202) can each engage a surface of the container (109) at a contact point (104), wherein a perpendicular projection (108) of the contact point (104) onto a first longitudinal axis (105) of the container (109) is closer to a reference point (107) of the first longitudinal axis (105) located at the level of an opening (110) of the container (109) than a vertical projection (106) of the pivot point (103,203) to the first longitudinal axis (105)., 2. Receiving device (100, 200) according to claim 1, wherein the fixing device (111, 201) comprises a pretensioning device (204) for pretensioning the at least two fixing elements (102, 202) into a rest position.

3. Receiving device (100, 200) according to claim 2, wherein the pretensioning device (204) can pretension the at least two fixing elements (102, 202) against a direction (112, 211) along which the container (109) can be inserted into the receiving device (100, 200).

4. Receiving device (100, 200) according to one of claims 2 to 3, wherein the pretensioning device (204) comprises at least two torsion springs, wherein the at least two fixing elements (102, 202) are each assigned a torsion spring for pretensioning the fixing elements (102, 202).

5. Receiving device (100, 200) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the at least two fixing elements (102, 202) are designed as a one-sided lever and are arranged in the radial direction about a second longitudinal axis of the receiving device (100, 200), wherein an axis of rotation of the fixing elements (102, 202) passing through the pivot point (103, 203) runs perpendicular to the first longitudinal axis (105) of the container (109).

6. Receiving device (100, 200) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the fixing device (111, 201) comprises a locking device for locking the at least two fixing elements (102, 202) in at least one deflection position.

7. Receiving device (100, 200) according to claim 6, wherein the locking device comprises at least two fixing sub-elements (205), wherein on each of the at least two fixing elements (102, 202) a fixing sub-element (205) is arranged so as to be rotatable about a second pivot point (206), wherein the at least two fixing sub-elements (205) each comprise a hook component (207) which can be hooked onto a hooking component (208) arranged on the receiving device (100, 200) in order to fix the fixing elements (102, 202).

8. Receiving device (100, 200) according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the fixing device (111, 201) is designed to fix the container (109) more firmly in the receiving device (100, 200) when a force acts on the container (109) opposite to a direction (112, 211) in which the container (109) can be inserted into the receiving device (100, 200).

9. Method for receiving a container (109) in a receiving device (100, 200), wherein the receiving device (100, 200) comprises a fixing device (111, 201) for fixing the container (109) in the receiving device (100, 200), wherein the fixing device (111, 201) comprises at least two fixing elements (102, 202), wherein the at least two fixing elements (102, 202) are each mounted rotatably about a pivot point (103, 203) and can be adjusted between an open and a closed position, wherein in the closed position, the at least two fixing elements (102, 202) each engage at a contact point (104) on a surface of the container (109), wherein a perpendicular projection (108) of the contact point (104) onto a first longitudinal axis (105) of the Container (109) is closer to a reference point (107) located at the level of an opening (110) of the container than a vertical projection (106) of the pivot point (103, 203) onto the first longitudinal axis (105).

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the fixing device (111, 201) comprises a pretensioning device (204) for pretensioning the at least two fixing elements (102, 202) into a rest position.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the at least two fixing elements (102, 202) are pretensioned by the pretensioning device (204) opposite to a direction (112, 211) along which the container (109) is inserted into the receiving device (100, 200).

12. Method according to one of claims 10 to 11, wherein the pretensioning device (204) comprises at least two torsion springs, wherein the at least two fixing elements (102, 202) are each assigned a torsion spring for pretensioning.

13. Method according to one of claims 9 to 12, wherein the at least two fixing elements (102, 202) are designed as a one-sided lever and are arranged in the radial direction about a second longitudinal axis of the receiving device (100, 200), wherein an axis of rotation of the fixing elements (102, 202) passing through the pivot point (103, 203) runs perpendicular to the first longitudinal axis (105) of the container (109).

14. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 13, wherein the fixing device (111, 201) comprises a locking device for locking the at least two fixing elements (102, 202) in at least one deflected position, wherein the locking device comprises at least two fixing sub-elements (205), wherein on each of the at least two fixing elements (102, 202) a fixing sub-element (205) is arranged so as to be rotatable about a second pivot point (206), wherein the at least two fixing sub-elements (205) each comprise a hook component (207) which is hooked onto a hooking component (208) arranged on the receiving device (100, 200) in order to lock the fixing elements (102, 202).

15. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 14, wherein the container (109) is more firmly fixed in the receiving device (100, 200) when a force acts on the container (109) opposite to a direction (112, 211) in which the container (109) is inserted into the receiving device (100, 200).

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