Transport carriage for transporting containers in a filling and / or packaging plant

Abstract

The invention relates to a transport carriage (10) for transporting containers in a filling and / or packaging plant, comprising a main body (10) and a bottom plate (3), on which a container (20) can be placed for transport, wherein the bottom plate (3) is height-adjustably mounted on the main body (10) and / or wherein the main body (11) has three, four or more jaws (7, 8) distributed in the peripheral direction of the main body (11) for supporting a received container, the jaws (7, 8) being mounted on the main body (11) for adjustment in a plane parallel to the bottom plate (3). The invention also relates to a filling and / or packaging plant having a transport system comprising a plurality of transport carriages (10) for transporting containers in the filling and / or packaging plant.

Description

[0001] Transport carriage for transporting containers in a filling and / or packaging plant

[0002] FIELD OF APPLICATION AND STATE OF THE ART

[0003] The invention relates to a transport carriage for transporting containers in a filling and / or packaging system. The invention further relates to a filling and / or packaging system with a transport system comprising a plurality of transport carriages for transporting containers in the filling and / or packaging system.

[0004] Numerous different transport systems are known for transporting containers in a filling and / or packaging plant, for example comprising a transport rake, a conveyor belt, a linear motor transport system and / or a planar motor transport system.

[0005] A linear motor transport system is a transport system in which transport carriages can be moved or positioned independently of one another along a defined, curved or straight path. Similarly, a planar motor transport system is a transport system in which transport carriages can be moved or positioned independently of one another along a surface. The transport carriages are also referred to as runners. The number of transport carriages and the length of the path or the size of the area can be selected by the specialist depending on the application. It is known to equip the transport carriages or runners with electromagnets, which are energized for movement along a surface or path equipped with permanent magnets.In other embodiments, the transport carriages are designed passively and have permanent magnets, whereby the area or path for movement of the transport carriages is supplied with current accordingly.

[0006] A linear motor transport system or a planar motor transport system allows for a flexible setup of a filling and / or packaging system, with filled and empty containers, also referred to as packs, being transported through the filling and / or packaging system or through parts of the filling and / or packaging system by means of the transport system. TASK AND SOLUTION

[0007] It is an object of the invention to provide a transport carriage for transporting containers, which can be used for transporting different containers in a filling and / or packaging system. A further object of the invention is to provide a filling and / or packaging system with a transport system suitable for different containers.

[0008] These objects are achieved by the subject matter having the features of claims 1 and 10. Further advantageous embodiments emerge from the subclaims.

[0009] According to a first aspect, a transport carriage for transporting containers in a filling and / or packaging system is provided, comprising a base body and a base plate on which a container can be placed for transport, wherein the base plate is mounted on the base body so as to be adjustable in height relative to the base body.

[0010] The terms "a," "an," etc., are used in the context of the application merely as specific terms and not as number words. Likewise, the terms "first," "second," etc., are used merely to distinguish elements and do not indicate a sequence.

[0011] In the context of this application, the height of the base plate refers to the distance between the base plate and a transport surface along which the carriage is movable. In some embodiments, the transport surface is a flat, particularly horizontal surface. In other embodiments, the transport surface has offset partial surfaces and / or sections inclined relative to a horizontal plane.

[0012] The height-adjustable base plate allows containers of varying heights to be accommodated and positioned using the transport carriage relative to a station that is at least partially stationary with respect to the transport surface, such as a filling device. This eliminates the need for adapter attachments or transport carriages custom-made for containers of different heights.

[0013] The transport carriage is particularly suitable for transporting containers in the cosmetics, food, chemical, and pharmaceutical industries in a filling and / or packaging plant, which are characterized by a wide variety of materials. In one embodiment, the base body comprises elements for moving the transport carriage in a linear motor transport system and / or a planar motor transport system. In some embodiments, the transport carriage comprises a permanent magnet or an electromagnet for this purpose.

[0014] Depending on the design, the base plate is mounted in steps or continuously adjustable.

[0015] In one embodiment of the transport carriage, the base plate is adjustably mounted manually and / or by means of a drive device by means of a screw drive comprising a threaded rod arranged perpendicular to the base plate. The threaded rod allows continuous adjustment of the base plate. In one embodiment, the threaded rod is designed as one piece with the base plate and is adjusted with the base plate by means of a nut that rotates relative to it. In another embodiment, a separate threaded rod is provided which interacts with a nut provided on the base plate. In one embodiment, a downward-facing nut is provided in a center of the base plate on an underside of the base plate, which nut interacts with the threaded rod to move the base plate relative to the base body.In one embodiment, stops or other movement-limiting measures are used to prevent the threaded rod from penetrating the base plate to such an extent that the upper side of the threaded rod protrudes from the base plate. In one embodiment, a self-locking mechanism of the screw drive is used to lock the base plate at a desired height. In other embodiments, additional clamping elements are provided. In one embodiment, the screw drive can be operated manually. For this purpose, in one embodiment the threaded rod has drive surfaces for a tool, for example drive surfaces designed as a hexagon socket. Alternatively or additionally, in one embodiment, a motor drive device is provided by means of which the threaded rod can be driven to rotate for raising or lowering the base plate.

[0016] In one embodiment, it is provided that the base body has a recess for the base plate on an upper side, wherein the base plate is received in the recess in a first state, so that the base body and the base plate have a flat surface, wherein the base plate is adjustable upwards relative to the base body from the first state.

[0017] In one embodiment, the base body has three, four, or more jaws distributed circumferentially around the base body for supporting a received container, wherein the jaws are adjustably mounted on the base body in a plane parallel to the base plate. In one embodiment, the jaws are mounted on the base body in a non-destructively detachable manner. In one embodiment, differently designed jaws are provided, with suitable jaws being selectable by the person skilled in the art depending on the application. In other embodiments, multi-part jaws are provided, wherein a part of the jaws that contacts the containers is designed as an interchangeable part.

[0018] According to a second aspect, which is also advantageous regardless of the adjustability of the base plate, the jaws are mounted on the base body in a plane parallel to the base plate so that they can be individually adjusted. The jaws are adaptable to accommodate containers with cross-sections that differ in shape and / or size.

[0019] In one embodiment, the jaws are mounted so as to be radially adjustable relative to a common central axis. In one embodiment, the central axis is arranged coaxially with the threaded rod of the screw drive for adjusting the base plate.

[0020] In one embodiment, the jaws are jointly adjustable relative to the central axis. In other embodiments, the jaws are each adjustably mounted manually and / or by means of a drive device by means of a screw drive comprising a threaded rod arranged parallel to the base plate. Each jaw is movable independently of the other jaws. This allows for a high degree of flexibility of the transport carriage by adapting the jaws to containers of different formats. In one embodiment, a self-locking mechanism of the screw drive is used to lock the jaws in a desired position. In other embodiments, additional clamping elements are provided.

[0021] The base plate and the base body can be designed by a specialist depending on the specific application. In one embodiment, the base body's outline is designed as a regular polygon or circular, with the threaded rod of the base plate's screw drive located at the center of the base body.

[0022] In one embodiment, the base plate is cross-shaped, with the jaws each arranged between two legs of the base plate. In other embodiments, the base plate is designed as a regular polygon or circular, with the base plate having grooves in which the jaws are guided. In one embodiment, the base body has grooves in which the jaws are adjustably arranged, with the jaws being guided by the grooves. In one embodiment, the grooves have end surfaces that limit a maximum adjustment range.

[0023] In one embodiment, the base body is made up of several parts, comprising at least two base body components. This multi-part design allows for easy assembly of the jaws, for example, to the base body. In one embodiment, the base body components are non-destructively detachably coupled to one another and can be separated from one another, for example, to replace the jaws.

[0024] According to a third aspect, a filling and / or packaging system is provided with a transport system, in particular with a transport rake, with a conveyor belt, with a linear motor transport system and / or a planar motor transport system, comprising a plurality of transport carriages for transporting containers in the filling and / or packaging system, wherein the transport carriages are at least partially designed as transport carriages with a height-adjustable base plate.

[0025] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] Further advantages and aspects of the invention emerge from the claims and from the description of an exemplary embodiment, which is explained below with reference to the figures. The figures schematically show:

[0027] Fig. 1 is an isometric view of an embodiment of a transport device;

[0028] Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the transport device according to Fig. 1;

[0029] Fig. 3a: a plan view of the transport device according to Fig. 1 in a first state;

[0030] Fig. 3b: a front view of the transport device according to Fig. 1 in the first state;

[0031] Fig. 4a: a plan view of the transport device according to Fig. 1 in a second state;

[0032] Fig. 4b: a front view of the transport device according to Fig. 1 in the second state;

[0033] Fig. 5a: a plan view of the transport device according to Fig. 1 with a container; and Fig. 5b: a front view of the transport device according to Fig. 5a with the container.

[0034] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0035] Figs. 1 to 4b show various views of an embodiment of a transport carriage 10.

[0036] The illustrated transport carriage 10 comprises a two-part base body 11 with an upper base body component 1 and a lower base body component 2 connected thereto. In the illustrated embodiment, a lower end of the upper base body component 1 is inserted into the lower base body component 2. A closure plate 4 is provided at a lower opening of the lower base body component 2 opposite the upper base body component 1. In the illustrated embodiment, the base body components 1, 2 are locked together. In other embodiments, the base body components 1, 2 are screwed together. In yet other embodiments, the base body components 1, 2 are permanently connected to one another, for example, glued.

[0037] In the illustrated embodiment, the base body components 1, 2 have a substantially square outline and a central axis A. However, the design is merely exemplary.

[0038] The transport carriage 10 comprises a base plate 3. In the illustrated embodiment, the base plate 3 is arranged in a cross shape and coaxial with the central axis A. However, this design is also merely exemplary. In the illustrated embodiment, the upper base body component 1 has a recess 13 for the base plate 3 on an upwardly facing surface. In the state of the transport carriage 10 illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the base plate 3 is received in the recess 13 such that the base plate 3 and the upper base body component 1 form a flat surface.

[0039] In order to adapt the transport carriage 10 to containers of different heights, the base plate 3 is mounted so that it can be adjusted in height relative to the base body 11.

[0040] As can be seen in Fig. 2, for this purpose, a screw drive comprising a nut 30 provided on the underside of the base plate 3 and a threaded rod 5 that can be rotated relative to the nut 30 is provided in the illustrated embodiment. The threaded rod 5 shown is a hollow rod. In the illustrated embodiment, the screw drive is arranged coaxially to the central axis A of the base body 11, wherein the threaded rod 5 can be rotated about the central axis A relative to the closure plate 4. Depending on the design, the threaded rod 5 can be rotated manually or by means of a drive device (not shown) for an adjustment movement of the base surface 3. Movement of the threaded rod 5 relative to the base body 11 along the central axis is prevented by means of stops and the closure plate 4, so that when the threaded rod 5 rotates, the base plate 3 is moved in the direction of the central axis A.

[0041] The threaded rod 5 shown is a hollow rod. A drive surface for an adjustment movement using a tool (not shown) is provided on an inner surface of the hollow rod. In the illustrated embodiment, the drive surface is designed as a hexagon socket. In the illustrated embodiment, the base surface 3 is thus adjustable using a tool inserted into the threaded rod 5 from above or below.

[0042] The illustrated transport carriage 10 further comprises four jaws 7, 8, by means of which a received container is supported at its periphery. To adapt the transport carriage 10 to containers with different diameters and / or different shapes, the jaws 7, 8 are adjustably mounted in a plane parallel to the base plate 3. In the illustrated embodiment, the jaws 6, 7 are adjustably mounted in the radial direction relative to the central axis A. The upper base body component 1 has grooves 17, 18 along which the jaws 7, 8 can be moved.

[0043] The illustrated base plate 3 is cross-shaped and has four legs, with the jaws 7, 8 each arranged between two legs of the base plate 3. However, this design is also merely exemplary.

[0044] The jaws 7, 8 shown have a flat contact surface pointing in the direction of the central axis A. In other embodiments, at least some of the jaws 7, 8 have different contact surfaces. In one embodiment, the base body components 1, 2 are non-destructively detachably coupled to one another, so that the jaws 7, 8 can be designed as interchangeable parts. In other embodiments, the jaws 7, 8 are designed in multiple parts, with only some of the jaws 7, 8, including the contact surfaces, being designed as interchangeable parts.

[0045] As can be seen in Fig. 2, in the illustrated embodiment for a

[0046] For adjusting the jaws 7, 8, threaded rods 6 are provided, which form screw drives with internal threads 80 provided on the jaws 7, 8. In the illustrated embodiment, drive surfaces 60 for adjusting the jaws 7, 8 by means of a tool (not shown) are provided at the distal ends of the threaded rods 6. In the illustrated embodiment, the drive surfaces 60 are designed as a hexagon socket. The base body 1 has through holes through which a tool can be inserted. In other embodiments, a motor drive is provided alternatively or additionally. The maximum adjustment path of the jaws 7, 8 is limited by the end surfaces of the grooves 17, 18.

[0047] In the illustrated embodiment, the four jaws 7, 8 are each individually adjustable. This allows for good adaptation even to containers with a non-rotationally symmetrical format. The jaws 7, 8 and the base plate 3 can thus be adjusted to a suitable position to accommodate different formats.

[0048] Once the desired positions of the jaws 7, 8 and the base plate 3 have been reached, in the illustrated embodiment, the positions are fixed by means of a self-locking mechanism, based on friction in the screw drives, until further adjustment. In other embodiments, locking elements are provided by means of which the base plate 3 and / or the jaws 7, 8 can be fixed in a desired position.

[0049] Figures 3a, 3b and 4a, 4b schematically show two states of the transport carriage 10, which differ due to the position of the jaws 7, 8 and the base plate 3. Figures 5a, 5b schematically show the state of the transport carriage 10 according to Figs. 4a, 4b with a container 20 accommodated.

[0050] The state illustrated in Figs. 3a, 3b is also referred to as the first state or initial position. In this state or position, the jaws 7, 8 are fully open and the base plate 3 is in the lowest setting position. Figs. 4a, 4b show a second state in which the jaws 7, 8 and the base plate 3 are adjusted to a container 20 shown in Figs. 5a, 5b.

Claims

Patent claims Transport carriage for transporting containers in a filling and / or packaging system, with a base body (10) and a base plate (3) on which a container (20) can be placed for transport, characterized in that the base plate (3) is mounted on the base body (10) so that it can be adjusted in height. Transport carriage according to claim 1, characterized in that the base plate (3) is mounted so that it can be adjusted manually and / or by means of a drive device by means of a screw drive comprising a threaded rod (5) arranged perpendicular to the base plate (3).Transport carriage according to claim 1 or 2 and / or according to the preamble of claim 1, characterized in that the base body (11) has three, four or more jaws (7, 8) distributed in the circumferential direction of the base body (11) for supporting a received container, wherein the jaws (7, 8) are adjustably mounted on the base body (11) in a plane parallel to the base plate (3). Transport carriage according to claim 3, characterized in that the jaws (7, 8) are individually adjustably mounted on the base body (11) in a plane parallel to the base plate (3). Transport carriage according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the jaws (7, 8) are adjustably mounted in the radial direction relative to a common central axis.Transport carriage according to claim 3, 4 or 5, characterized in that the jaws (7, 8) are each adjustably mounted manually and / or by means of a drive device by means of a screw drive comprising a threaded rod (6) arranged parallel to the base plate (3). Transport carriage according to one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that the base plate (3) is cross-shaped, wherein the jaws (7, 8) are each arranged between two limbs of the base plate (3), or that the base plate (3) has grooves in which the jaws (7, 8) are guided. Transport carriage according to one of claims 3 to 7, characterized in that the base body (11) has grooves (17, 18) in which the jaws (7, 8) are adjustably arranged, wherein the jaws (7, 8) are guided by means of the grooves (17, 18). Transport carriage according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the base body (11) is made up of several parts. Filling and / or packaging system with a transport system, in particular with a transport rake, with a conveyor belt, with a linear motor transport system and / or a planar motor transport system, comprising a plurality of transport carriages for transporting containers in the filling and / or packaging system, characterized in that the transport carriages are at least partially designed as transport carriages according to one of claims 1 to 9.

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