Gripping device for holding a container, and container-treatment device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a gripping device (5) for holding a container in a container-treatment device (1), comprising a fixed gripping arm (10) having a connection portion (7) for connecting the gripping device (5) to a transport unit (2), preferably a transport star, of a container-treatment device (1), wherein a pivotable gripping arm (8) is arranged on the fixed gripping arm (10) so as to be pivotable relative to the fixed gripping arm (10), wherein the pivotable gripping arm (8) has a control portion (11) which is designed to interact with a position-specifying unit of the container-treatment device (1) in order to move the pivotable gripping arm (8) between an opening position and a closing position. The invention also relates to a container-treatment device (1).

Description

[0001] Clamping device for holding a container and container handling device

[0002] Technical area

[0003] The present invention relates to a clamping device for holding a container in a container handling device, for example, a device for filling bottles in a beverage bottling plant. It also relates to a container handling device.

[0004] State of the art

[0005] In beverage filling plants, it is known to hold the containers to be filled or already filled containers using clamping devices and thus transport them through the individual treatment stations of the container treatment device. Different clamping devices are known, which hold the respective containers to be treated in different ways.

[0006] For example, passive clamping devices are known which are elastically pretensioned simply by inserting the respective container into the clamping device and then hold the respective container. DE 10 2015218204 A1 describes such a clamp for gripping containers. The clamp has a fixed position. To grip a container, it must be pressed into the clamp. The rigid gripping arms are spread outwards so that the container must be moved against the closing force of the gripping arms caused by the spreading of the clamp. As a result, the container is subjected to a high force when inserted, so that such holding devices are unsuitable for gripping or holding fragile and / or easily deformable and thin-walled containers. At the very least, there is a tendency for the surfaces of the respective containers to become scratched, which can reduce the quality of the containers.

[0007] Also known are active clamping devices in which the respective holding sections of the clamping device are actively opened and closed by means of an actuator. Such active clamping devices serve in particular to enable a safe and gentle transfer of the respective containers from a preceding clamping device or to ensure an equally safe and container-friendly transfer of the containers to a subsequent clamping device. In particular, the active opening and closing of the respective clamping device can prevent increased friction on the respective container, which could, for example, lead to scratching of the container, and on the other hand, a predetermined holding force or clamping force can be set, which can be maintained within a predetermined tolerance range of the container dimension.Such active clamping devices consist of a multitude of individual parts, such as clamp arms, bushings, spring elements, preload elements, and corresponding connecting elements for securely connecting the aforementioned parts. Clamping devices constructed in this way are therefore comparatively difficult to clean and require a correspondingly high manufacturing effort.

[0008] EP 0 939 044 A1 discloses a bottle gripper in which a gripping device is provided, which has two gripping arms that can be moved into a holding position or a release position by means of a control cam. The control cam interacts with a contact surface formed on each gripping arm, and the contact surface is formed as a component of an elastic cushion arranged on the respective gripping arm.

[0009] In order to reduce the complexity of an active stapling device and at the same time to enable the stapling arms of the stapling device to have a predetermined position in a basic state, for example a closed position, it is known to provide means on the stapling device which apply a preload to the stapling arms and thus preload the stapling arms into the predetermined position.

[0010] EP 2 143674 A2 discloses an active clamping device for holding containers. Two gripping arms or clamping arms are held in an open position by separate magnet arrangements. The clamping arms have rearwardly oriented locking levers that interact with a locking cam arranged between them to move the clamping arms from the open position to a closed position.

[0011] DE 102005 014 838 A1 shows an active clamping device for holding vessels with two clamp arms that are movable relative to each other for opening and closing. To ensure secure holding of the vessels, one gripping arm of the clamp is dimensionally stable and the other gripping arm is dimensionally elastic. The gripping arms are pretensioned into an open position by means of magnets arranged thereon and pivoted into the closed position by means of a control cam. In principle, in conventional clamping devices, which involve pretensioning the clamp arms into a predetermined position, the clamp arms are each arranged so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis. In other words, the clamp arms of the clamping device can be switched between an open position and a closed position by pivoting or rotating both clamp arms.To close the clamping device, the clamp arms are pivoted or rotated around the axes of rotation in such a way that the holding sections of the clamp arms rotate toward each other. Accordingly, to open the clamp, the clamp arms, and thus the holding sections, rotate away from each other.

[0012] In beverage filling plants, a plurality of clamping devices as described above are generally arranged on a carrier movable in a transport direction, for example a filler carousel, and can be removed from the carrier during a maintenance interval when components of the clamping device, for example a clamp arm or a holding section for holding a container of a clamp arm or a bearing bush, become worn in order to enable replacement of the clamping device or the worn components.

[0013] Alternatively, it is known to design the carrier of a container handling device, for example, a rotary filler for filling containers with a filling product or a rotary sealer for sealing filled containers, with receptacles for receiving a container each. It may be provided to arrange a movable holding arm on the carrier, which cooperates with the receptacle formed directly on the carrier to enable a container to be held in the receptacle. In container handling devices of a rotary design, the carrier is also referred to as a transport star.

[0014] Carriers or transport stars designed in this way, on which the receptacles are directly formed, can be taken, for example, from DE 102 47 362 B4, DE 102004 041 724 A1 or DE 101 46 118 A1. Container handling devices which comprise a transport star with container receptacles formed directly on it, have narrow shape and position tolerances, in particular with regard to the installation height of the transport stars relative to upstream and downstream transport devices from which containers are taken over or to which containers are transferred, and with regard to the alignment of the axis of rotation of the transport star, since even a small deviation from the intended height of the transport star or an inclination of the transport star or of its axis of rotation in relation to the intended alignment can result in a vertical runout of the receptacles, which in turn prevents precise takeover or transfer.This may prevent the containers from being transferred to a transport device upstream or downstream in the conveying direction of the containers or may significantly complicate the structure of the system.

[0015] Description of the invention

[0016] Based on the known prior art, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved clamping device for holding a container in a container treatment device, as well as an improved container treatment device.

[0017] The object is achieved by a clamping device for holding a container in a container treatment device having the features of claim 1. Advantageous further developments emerge from the subclaims, the description, and the figures.

[0018] Accordingly, a clamping device for holding a container in a container handling device is proposed, comprising a fixed clamping arm having a connecting section for connecting the clamping device to a transport unit, preferably a transport star, of a container handling device. The fixed clamping arm can be attached to the transport unit in a fixed, predetermined position via the connecting section and can be removed again. In particular, a height position of the fixed clamping arm relative to the transport unit can be specified via the connecting region when connecting the fixed clamping arm to the transport unit.

[0019] The clamping device further comprises a pivotable clamping arm, which is pivotably mounted on the fixed clamping arm relative to the fixed clamping arm. The pivotable clamping arm comprises a control section configured to interact with a position setting unit of the container handling device to move the pivotable clamping arm between an open position and a closed position. The clamping device is an active clamping device for actively gripping and releasing a container.

[0020] By providing the actively controllable pivoting clamp arm and the fixed

[0021] The clamping arm, which can be fixedly connected to the transport unit via its connecting section, reduces the number of moving parts and thus the number of parts subject to wear due to relative movement compared to prior art active clamping devices with two opposing, actively pivoting clamping arms. Since the pivoting clamping arm is pivotally mounted or mounted directly on the fixed clamping arm, a separate support plate is also required, on which the pivoting clamping arms are pivotally mounted in prior art active clamping devices.

[0022] In the case of container treatment devices with a large number of clamping devices, correspondingly fewer wearing parts have to be replaced during maintenance intervals, so that in particular their costs for replacement lines and maintenance are comparatively low compared to conventional container treatment devices of the state of the art.

[0023] Furthermore, the pivoting clamp arm can be aligned very easily and precisely with the fixed clamp arm, particularly in a vertical direction parallel to the pivot axis of the pivoting clamp arm. This ensures particularly secure gripping and, accordingly, safe transport of the gripped container in a simple manner compared to conventional clamping devices from the state of the art.

[0024] According to a preferred embodiment, the pivotable clamp arm is pivotably arranged on the fixed clamp arm in the connection section.

[0025] The pivotable clamp arm, more precisely the control section, is preferably designed to interact with the position setting unit of the container treatment device in order to move a holding section of the pivotable clamp arm between an opening position and a closing position for engaging a container to be held.

[0026] According to a preferred embodiment, the pivotable clamping arm is pivotable about a pivot axis in the connection area of ​​the fixed clamping arm. The pivotable clamping arm is preferably mounted in the connection section of the fixed clamping arm by means of an axis element, preferably a screw bolt or a guide bolt.

[0027] According to a further embodiment, the connection section is designed such that a

[0028] The position of the fixed clamp arm is adjustable relative to the transport unit in a height direction that is preferably oriented perpendicular to the transport direction of the containers provided by the transport unit. This allows the position of the clamping device on the transport unit to be adjusted, and any existing vertical runout of the transport unit can be compensated for by adjusting the height of the clamp arms on the transport unit. The fixed clamp half can be easily adjusted to the required height, at which it then remains permanently.

[0029] In the connection section, a screw bolt designed to be coupled to the transport unit can be accommodated in such a way that a rotational movement of the screw bolt relative to the fixed clamp arm generates a displacement of the fixed clamp arm in the vertical direction relative to the transport unit.

[0030] In order to protect the screw bolt from unintentional movements during operation of the container treatment plant, the clamping device can comprise a locking element for securing the screw bolt against twisting, preferably a lock nut or a threaded pin.

[0031] The screw bolt can include a guide bolt section for guiding the fixed contact arm vertically relative to the transport unit. This allows not only height adjustment but also guidance or mounting of the fixed contact arm, and thus the clamping device, relative to the transport unit. In other words, the screw bolt also serves as a guide bolt.

[0032] In a further optional embodiment, the screw bolt serves not only for adjustment and guidance but also as a bearing, preferably a rotational bearing for the pivoting clamp arm.

[0033] According to a further embodiment, the clamping device comprises in the connection area a preferably translational guide for guiding the fixed clamping arm relative to the transport unit in the vertical direction.

[0034] The translational guide can have an anti-twist device for preventing rotation of the fixed clamp arm relative to the transport unit, wherein the anti-twist device is provided, for example, by a guide element extending in the vertical direction and guided by a bolt receptacle in the connection area with a non-circular cross-sectional shape, for example a polygonal cross-sectional shape, and / or the anti-twist device is provided by two parallel-oriented guide elements, preferably guide bolts, each guided by a bolt receptacle in the connection area.

[0035] In order to enable simple and stable guidance and mounting of the fixed clamping arm and thus of the clamping device on the transport unit, at least one guide pin oriented in a height direction and received in a pin receptacle in the connection area can be arranged in the connection section for guiding the fixed clamping arm in the height direction relative to the transport unit and / or for adjusting the height in the height direction relative to the transport unit.

[0036] To achieve a particularly simple and compact design, the pivoting clamp arm can be pivotally mounted on the fixed clamp arm via a guide pin or screw bolt accommodated in a pin receptacle in the connection area. In other words, the guide pin or screw bolt then serves multiple functions. On the one hand, the guide pin or screw bolt can guide and / or adjust the height of the fixed clamp arm relative to the transport unit using the pin, and additionally, the pivoting clamp arm can be pivotally mounted on the fixed clamp arm.

[0037] A guide pin can be designed as a screw bolt or, conversely, can be designed in such a way that a rotational movement of the screw bolt designed as a guide pin generates a displacement of the fixed clamp arm relative to the transport unit in the vertical direction, and in addition the fixed clamp arm is guided displaceably in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the guide pin, i.e. in the vertical direction.

[0038] The guide bolt or screw bolt can comprise a guide surface section that can be inserted into a guide bore on the transport unit.

[0039] The guide pin or screw pin may comprise at least one bearing surface portion for supporting the guide pin in a bearing bore in the fixed clamp arm.

[0040] The guide bolt or screw bolt may comprise at least one pivot bearing surface portion for pivotably supporting the pivotable clamp arm relative to the fixed clamp arm.

[0041] A sleeve can be provided between the bolt (guide bolt or screw bolt) that positions the pivoting clamp arm on the fixed clamp arm and the pivoting clamp arm. The pivoting clamp arm can be mounted on the sleeve on a radial outer side of the sleeve, for example, on a pivot bearing surface section. For example, the sleeve and pivoting clamp arm can be connected via a press fit, preferably a torque-locked joint.

[0042] At least one plain bearing bushing, advantageously two plain bearing bushings, preferably at least one flanged plain bearing bushing, can be arranged and advantageously pressed into the sleeve. Via the at least one plain bearing bushing, the sleeve can be mounted on the bolt (guide bolt or screw bolt) for particularly smooth rotation about the pivot axis. The sleeve also achieves stable mounting of the pivotable clamp arm on the fixed clamp arm, since, for example, two bearing bushes can be used and these can also be arranged spaced apart from one another at opposite ends of the sleeve relative to the pivot axis.

[0043] In order to achieve a secure and defined holding of the container, the fixed clamp arm and the pivotable clamp arm can each comprise a holding section for contact with a container to be held, and can be designed such that in the closed position of the pivotable clamp arm the container to be held is held by the holding sections, and in the open position of the pivotable clamp arm the container is released.

[0044] According to a further embodiment, the control section comprises a guide member, preferably a roller, for interacting with a fixed guide, preferably a guide rail or guide groove, of the container treatment device, wherein the control section is preferably arranged on a side of the pivotable clamp arm opposite the holding section with respect to the connection section.

[0045] Alternatively or additionally, the control section may comprise a rotary axis element, a magnet and / or a switching pin for moving the clamp arm between the opening position and the closing position.

[0046] The fixed clamp arm can be made from one piece.

[0047] According to an optional embodiment, the fixed clamp arm and / or the pivotable clamp arm can be designed in several parts.

[0048] For example, in order to be able to achieve a simple conversion from the treatment of containers of a first type to containers of a second type, a holding section for engaging a container to be held can be detachably arranged on a base body of the fixed clamp arm and / or a holding section for engaging a container to be held can be detachably arranged on a base body of the pivotable clamp arm.

[0049] A pretensioning device may be provided to pretension the pivotable clamp arm into the opening position or the closing position, wherein the pretensioning device preferably comprises a spring, preferably a torsion spring, compression spring or tension spring, and / or at least one magnet.

[0050] Furthermore, preferably in the region of the bolt receptacle, the clamping device can be designed and configured to adjust the position of the pivotable clamp arm relative to the fixed clamp arm in the direction of the pivot axis. This height adjustment of the pivotable clamp arm relative to the fixed clamp arm can be provided, for example, by the sleeve comprising a support shoulder that supports the pivotable clamp arm in the direction of the pivot axis, and the position of the sleeve and thus of the pivotable clamp arm relative to the bolt (guide bolt or screw bolt) and / or to the fixed clamp arm can be changed by arranging at least one shim, which can be arranged on the end face of the sleeve. Optionally, at least one securing element, for example designed as a locking pin, can also be provided to secure the position of the at least one shim.

[0051] The above-mentioned object is further achieved by a container treatment device having the features of claim 14. Advantageous further developments emerge from the present description and the figures.

[0052] Accordingly, a container treatment device is proposed, comprising a transport unit for transporting containers along a transport direction and at least one clamping device according to one of the preceding embodiments, which is connected to the transport unit.

[0053] The advantages and effects described with regard to the clamping device can be achieved in an analogous manner by the container treatment device, which is why they will not be repeated here in order to avoid redundancies.

[0054] Brief Description of the Figures Preferred further embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail by the following description of the figures. They show:

[0055] Figure 1 schematically shows a perspective side view of a container treatment device;

[0056] Figure 2 schematically shows a perspective side view of a clamping device of the container treatment device from Figure 1;

[0057] Figure 3 schematically shows a perspective side view of a clamping device connected to a transport unit of a container treatment device according to a further embodiment;

[0058] Figure 4 shows schematically a sectional view through the container treatment device from Figure 3;

[0059] Figure 5 schematically shows a perspective side view of an active clamping device according to a further embodiment;

[0060] Figure 6 shows schematically a perspective side view of an active clamping device according to another embodiment;

[0061] Figure 7 schematically shows a perspective side view of an active clamping device according to a further embodiment; and

[0062] Figure 8 schematically shows a sectional view through the clamping device from Figure 7 in a state in which a container treatment device is arranged on a transport unit.

[0063] Detailed description of preferred embodiments

[0064] Preferred embodiments are described below with reference to the figures. Identical, similar, or equivalent elements in the different figures are provided with identical reference numerals, and a repeated description of these elements is partially omitted to avoid redundancies.

[0065] Figure 1 schematically shows a perspective side view of a container handling device 1, which comprises a transport unit 2 for transporting containers (not shown) along a transport direction 3. The container handling device 1 is designed in this case as a rotary conveyor. Accordingly, it comprises a transport unit 2 configured as a transport carousel or transport star. The transport direction 3 is therefore a rotational movement around a central rotation axis 4.

[0066] A plurality of clamping devices 5 are arranged on the transport unit 2, evenly distributed along the circumference of the transport unit 2. As described in more detail with regard to the following figures, the clamping devices 5 are designed as active clamping devices 5. This means that they can be actively controlled between an open position and a closed position.

[0067] The clamping devices 5 are adjustable in their position relative to the transport unit 2 in a height direction 6, which here is oriented in the direction of the central axis of rotation 4, thus perpendicular to the transport direction 3.

[0068] As explained in more detail in the following figures, the clamping device 5 comprises a fixed clamping arm 10, which, apart from the possibility of adjusting its position in the vertical direction 6 relative to the transport unit 2, is designed to be fixed relative to the transport unit 2. In other words, the fixed clamping arm 10 is firmly connected to the transport unit 2 via a connection section 7 of the fixed clamping arm 10. During operation, i.e., during the handling of containers, it cannot move relative to the transport unit 2, in particular cannot pivot.

[0069] Figure 2 schematically shows a perspective side view of the clamping device 5 of the container treatment device 1 from Figure 1. The clamping device 5 comprises a fixed clamping arm 10, which has a connecting section 7 for connecting the clamping device 5 to the transport unit 2.

[0070] The clamping device 5 further comprises a pivotable clamping arm 8, which is arranged on the fixed clamping arm 10 in the connection area 7 so as to be pivotable relative to the fixed clamping arm 10 about a geometric pivot axis 9 oriented parallel to the height direction 6 (see Figure 1).

[0071] For actively controlling the pivotable clamp arm 8, the latter comprises a control section 11 configured to interact with a position-specifying unit (not shown here) of the container handling device 1 in order to move the pivotable clamp arm 8, more precisely a holding section 12 for engaging a container to be held by the pivotable clamp arm 8, between an open position and a closed position. Figure 2 shows the pivotable clamp arm 8 or the holding section 12 in the closed position.

[0072] The fixed clamp arm 10 also has a holding section 13 for engaging a container to be held. The holding section 13 is arranged at a predetermined distance from the connection section 7 on the fixed clamp arm 10.

[0073] The holding sections 12, 13 are designed such that in the closed position of the pivotable clamp arm 8, the container to be held is held by the holding sections 12, 13, and in the open position of the pivotable clamp arm 8, the container is released.

[0074] The control section 11 comprises a guide member in the form of a roller 16 for interacting with a fixed guide (not shown), preferably a guide rail or guide groove, of the container treatment device 1.

[0075] Alternatively, the pivotable clamp arm 8 can also be moved between the opening position and the closing position via a magnet, rotary axis element or control cam (not shown here) encompassed by the control section.

[0076] The control section 11 is arranged on a side of the pivotable clamp arm 8 opposite the holding section 12 with respect to the connecting section 7.

[0077] In order to pretension the pivotable clamp arm 8 into a predetermined position, here into the closed position, the clamping device 5 comprises a pretensioning device 20 for pretensioning the pivotable clamp arm 8. The pretensioning device 20 comprises two mutually attracting magnets 21, wherein one of the magnets 21 is fixedly arranged on the pivotable clamp arm 8 and the other magnet 21 is fixedly arranged on the fixed clamp arm 10, each at a distance from the pivot axis 9.

[0078] Accordingly, the pivotable clamp arm 8 can be pivoted from the closed position into the open position by actuating the control section 11.

[0079] To connect the clamping device 5 to the transport unit 2, the fixed clamping arm in the connection section 7 has a first bolt receptacle 14 for receiving a guide bolt 25 (see Figure 1) fixed to the transport unit 2. The guide bolt 25 is guided in the first bolt receptacle 14 so as to be displaceable in the vertical direction 6. In the connection section 7, a second bolt receptacle 17 is further arranged, spaced from the first bolt receptacle 14, in which a screw bolt 15 is rotatably received about the pivot axis 9. The screw bolt 15 is secured against displacement in the direction of the pivot axis

[0080] 9, i.e., in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the screw bolt 15, is accommodated in the second bolt receptacle 17. The second bolt receptacle 17 thus represents a fixed bearing for the screw bolt 15 relative to the fixed clamp arm 10.

[0081] The screw bolt 15 further provides the pivot axis 9 for the pivotable clamp arm 8. For this purpose, the screw bolt 15 comprises a pivot bearing surface section 22 for pivotally supporting the pivotable clamp arm 8 relative to the fixed clamp arm

[0082] 10.

[0083] For the height adjustment of the clamping device 5 relative to the transport unit 2, the screw bolt 15 comprises a first threaded portion 23, which can be screwed into a correspondingly constructed threaded portion (not shown here) provided in the transport unit 2. The screw-in depth of the first threaded portion 23 into the correspondingly constructed threaded portion serves as a specification for the position of the fixed clamping arm 10 and thus of the entire clamping device 5 relative to the transport unit 2.

[0084] The screw bolt 15 further comprises a guide surface section 24 which can be inserted into a guide bore on the transport unit 2.

[0085] As a result, the fixed clamp arm is guided by the screw bolt 17, more precisely by its guide surface section 24, and the guide bolt guided in the first bolt receptacle 14, so that it can be displaced in the vertical direction in a rotationally secure manner relative to the transport unit 2.

[0086] The screw bolt 15 further comprises a second threaded portion 25, onto which a lock nut 26 (see Figure 1), not shown here, can be screwed from a side of the transport unit 2 opposite the fixed clamp arm 10. The lock nut 26 can be screwed on with a predetermined torque, whereby the lock nut 26 is supported on the transport unit 2. As a result, the screw bolt 15 is in a clamped state on the transport unit 2, in which it is secured against unintentional rotation. Accordingly, the clamping device 1 is secured against unintentional adjustment of its position in the vertical direction 6 relative to the transport unit 2. The fixed clamp arm is formed in one piece. Thus, the holding portion 13 and the connecting portion 7 represent components of a single-piece part.

[0087] Alternatively, the holding section 13 can also be arranged as a separate part, preferably detachably, on the fixed clamp arm 10 and / or the holding section 12 can be arranged as a separate part, preferably detachably, on the pivotable clamp arm 8.

[0088] Figure 3 schematically shows a perspective side view of a clamping device 5 according to a further embodiment, which in turn is arranged on a transport unit 2 analogously to the container treatment device 1 from Figure 1.

[0089] The clamping device 5 essentially corresponds to that of Figure 1, although the positions of the screw bolt 15 and the guide bolt 25 are reversed. Furthermore, the pretensioning device 20 comprises a tension spring element, concealed here by the clamping arms 8, 10, which pretensions the pivoting clamping arm 8 into the closed position. For hygienic reasons, the tension spring element is arranged below the stationary clamping arm 10.

[0090] Figure 4 shows a schematic sectional view through the container treatment device 1 from Figure 3 through a guide axis 27 of the guide pin 25 arranged parallel to the pivot axis 9 and parallel to and spaced from the pivot axis 9.

[0091] It can be seen that the guide pin 25 is received in a receiving bore 28 in the transport unit 2 and is screwed to the top of the transport unit 2.

[0092] The guide pin 25 is guided in the first pin guide 14 via two sliding bushings 37 relative to the stationary clamp arm 10. The sliding bushings 37 are preferably each arranged in the pin guide via a press fit.

[0093] It can also be seen that the screw bolt 15 with its guide surface section 24 is fitted into a guide bore 29 of the transport unit 2.

[0094] The screw bolt 15 is received in the connection area 7 on the fixed clamp arm 10 in a second bolt receptacle 17, which is divided into a fixed bearing bore 17A providing a fixed bearing for the screw bolt 15 and a loose bearing bore 17B providing a loose bearing for the screw bolt 15. The fixed bearing of the screw bolt 15 is achieved in that the screw bolt is axially supported on one side of the fixed bearing bore 17A with a shoulder 30, and is clamped on the other side of the fixed bearing bore 17A by means of a sleeve 31 and a clamping unit 32 via two collar sliding bushes 33 against the fixed clamp arm 10.

[0095] The sleeve 31 comprises the pivot bearing surface portion 22 for pivotally supporting the pivotable clamp arm 8 relative to the fixed clamp arm 8.

[0096] The screw bolt 15 is screwed with its first threaded section 23 into the correspondingly constructed threaded section 34 in the transport unit 2.

[0097] Furthermore, the lock nut 26 is screwed onto the second threaded section 25 and tightened with a predetermined torque, so that the first threaded section 23 and the second threaded section 25 are then clamped against each other.

[0098] A sealing washer 35 is optionally provided between the lock nut 26 and the transport unit 2.

[0099] To adjust the height of the clamping device 5 relative to the transport unit 2, first loosen the lock nut 26. Then, the screw bolt 15 can be rotated about the pivot axis 9. For this purpose, the screw bolt 15 includes a tool holder 36.

[0100] Since the pivotable clamp arm 8 is mounted rotatably relative to the screw bolt 15 and the screw bolt 15 is secured against axial displacement on the fixed clamp arm 10, rotation of the screw bolt 15 about the pivot axis 9 has no influence on the position of the pivotable clamp arm 8.

[0101] Since the screw bolt 15 is secured against axial displacement on the fixed clamp arm 10 by the fixed bearing on the fixed bearing bore 17A described above, the fixed clamp arm 10, which is guided displaceably in the vertical direction 6 via the guide bolt 25 and the screw bolt, and thus the clamping device 5, undergoes an offset in the vertical direction 6 upon rotation of the screw bolt 15, which is proportional to the total angle of the rotational movement of the screw bolt 15 about the pivot axis 9.

[0102] Figure 5 schematically shows a perspective side view of an active clamping device 5 according to a further embodiment, which essentially corresponds to that of Figures 1 and 2. The pretensioning device 20 is formed here, analogously to the embodiment in Figure 3, by a spring element 37 that is arranged at one end on the fixed clamping arm 10 and at the other end on the pivotable clamping arm 8, spaced from the pivot axis 9.

[0103] Figure 6 schematically shows a perspective side view of an active clamping device 5 according to a further embodiment, which essentially corresponds to that of Figures 1 and 2. The pretensioning device 20 is arranged here with respect to the connection area 7 or the pivot axis 9 on the side of the control section 11, thus opposite the holding sections 12, 13.

[0104] Figure 7 schematically shows a perspective side view of an active clamping device 5 according to a further embodiment, which essentially corresponds to that of Figures 3 and 4. Analogous to the exemplary embodiments according to Figures 3 and 5, the clamping device 5 comprises a pretensioning device 20 in the form of a spring element 37. The pretensioning device 20, specifically here the spring element 37, is accommodated in a receiving space 48 in the connection section 7 and is thereby covered from above. Consequently, contamination of the pretensioning device 20, here the spring element 37 or, in an alternative embodiment, one or more magnets 21 (cf. Figure 6), by the product to be filled can be prevented in order to prevent germ formation on the pretensioning device 20, which is difficult to clean. Furthermore, this can prevent fragments of the spring element 37 from being hurled in the direction of the container to be transported in the event of a spring break.

[0105] Figure 8 shows a schematic sectional view through the clamping device 5 from Figure 7 in a state attached to the transport unit 2. The structure of the clamping device 5 shown here essentially corresponds to that described for Figure 4. To prevent seizure during height adjustment or disassembly, sliding bushings 41-44 are provided. The sliding bushing 44 is provided in the bolt receptacle 24. The sliding bushing 41 supports the relative movement of the screw bolt 15 with respect to the transport unit 2. For this purpose, it is provided between the guide surface section 24 and the guide bore 29. Analogously, the sliding bushing 42 is provided between the screw bolt 15 and the fixed bearing bore 17A, with a collar section of the sliding bushing 42 providing sliding of the shoulder 30. The sliding bushing 43 is arranged between the clamping unit 32 and the loose bearing section 17B.

[0106] In contrast to the design according to Figure 4, in the embodiment shown in Figure 8, the clamping unit 32 can be clamped against a front stop 46 on the screw bolt 15. In other words, the clamping unit 32 here represents a cover that is clamped against the bolt 15 by screwing on, which prevents the bolt 15 from being pulled out. The sleeve 31 is therefore not clamped between the fixed bearing section comprising the fixed bearing bore 17A and the screw bolt 15, but is unstrained in the direction of the pivot axis 9. The distance between the fixed bearing section and the loose bearing section comprising the loose bearing bore 17B in the direction of the pivot axis 9 is greater by a predetermined amount than the length in the direction of the pivot axis 9, which results for the assembly comprising the sleeve 31 and the two flanged sliding bushings 33. The flanged sliding bushings are preferably each connected to the sleeve 31 via a press fit.

[0107] To adjust the height position of the pivotable clamp arm 8 relative to the fixed clamp arm 10 in the direction of the pivot axis 9, at least one height adjustment element, for example one or more shims, can be inserted between the collar sliding bushing 33 aligned with the clamping unit 32 and the clamping unit 32 until the pivotable clamp arm 8 is correctly positioned relative to the fixed clamp arm 10 when viewed in the direction of the pivot axis 9, more precisely, until the holding sections 12, 13 of the clamp arms 8, 10 are in the same position in the direction of the pivot axis 9.

[0108] To enable the most precise and stable holding of the container in the clamping device 5, the pivoting clamp arm 8 can be displaced relative to the fixed clamp arm 10 in the direction of the pivot axis 9, specifically within the limits defined by the difference in the distance between the bearing sections 17A, 17B and the length of the aforementioned assembly. Accordingly, it is possible to position the clamp arms 8, 10 very precisely at the same height in the direction of the pivot axis 9. Accordingly, the holding sections 12, 13 can be aligned flush with one another, even in the presence of manufacturing tolerances.

[0109] The height of the pivotable clamp arm 8 is predetermined by the distance in the direction of the pivot axis 9 between the lower end face of the lower, floating bearing-side collar sliding bushing 31 and a support shoulder 45, on which the pivotable clamp arm 8 rests, as in the embodiment according to Figure 4. In order to change the position of the pivotable clamp arm 8 relative to the fixed clamp arm 10, the sleeve can be raised toward the fixed bearing bore 17A until the holding sections 12, 13 are flush when viewed in the direction of the pivot axis 9. The resulting gap between the end face of the floating bearing-side collar sliding bushing 31 and the floating bearing section encompassing the floating bearing bore 17B is filled by inserting one or more U-shaped shims 39 (see Figure 7).Analogously, if a gap (which still exists) exists between the end face of the flanged sliding bushing 31 on the fixed bearing side and the fixed bearing section encompassing the fixed bearing bore 17A, this gap can also be filled by at least one additional shim 39 inserted into this gap. Accordingly, the sleeve 31 then lies in the bolt receptacle 17 essentially free of play with respect to the direction of the pivot axis 9.

[0110] The one or more shims 39 are inserted laterally and then fixed in position by at least one locking pin 40, in this case two locking pins 40.

[0111] The sleeve 31 and the shims 39 thus provide a height adjustment device 47 of the pivotable clamp arm 8 relative to the fixed clamp arm 10, which optionally comprises at least one securing element, here designed as a securing pin 40, and / or at least one flange sliding bushing 31.

[0112] Where applicable, all individual features presented in the embodiments may be combined and / or exchanged without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0113] List of reference symbols

[0114] 1 container treatment device

[0115] 2 transport units

[0116] 3 Transport direction

[0117] 4 axis of rotation

[0118] 5 Clamping device

[0119] 6 Altitude direction

[0120] 7 connection section

[0121] 8 Pivoting clamp arm

[0122] 9 Swivel axis

[0123] 10 Fixed clamp arm

[0124] 11 Tax section

[0125] 12 stopping section

[0126] 13 stopping section

[0127] 14 Bolt holder

[0128] 15 screw bolts

[0129] 16 roller

[0130] 17 Bolt holder

[0131] 17A Fixed bearing bore

[0132] 17B Floating bearing bore

[0133] 20 Pretensioning device

[0134] 21 Magnet

[0135] 22 Swivel bearing surface section

[0136] 23 First thread section

[0137] 24 Guide surface section

[0138] 25 Second thread section

[0139] 26 Lock nut

[0140] 27 Guide axis

[0141] 28 mounting hole

[0142] 29 Guide hole

[0143] 30 paragraph

[0144] 31 sleeve

[0145] 32 clamping unit

[0146] 33 Flanged sliding bush 34 Correspondingly constructed threaded section

[0147] 35 sealing washer

[0148] 36 tool holder

[0149] 37 Spring element 48 Receiving space

[0150] 39 shim

[0151] 40 locking pin

[0152] 41 sliding bushing

[0153] 42 Sliding bushing 43 Sliding bushing

[0154] 44 sliding bushing

[0155] 45 support heel

[0156] 46 stop

Claims

Claims 1. A clamping device (5) for holding a container in a container treatment device (1), comprising a fixed clamping arm (10) comprising a connecting section (7) for connecting the clamping device (5) to a transport unit (2), preferably a transport star, of a container treatment device (1), wherein a pivotable clamping arm (8) is arranged on the fixed clamping arm (10) so as to be pivotable relative to the fixed clamping arm (10), wherein the pivotable clamping arm (8) comprises a control section (11) which is designed to interact with a position specification unit of the container treatment device (1) in order to move the pivotable clamping arm (8) between an open position and a closed position.

2. Clamping device (5) according to claim 1, characterized in that the pivotable clamping arm (8) is arranged pivotably on the fixed clamping arm (10) in the connecting section (7), and / or that the control section (11) is designed to interact with the position specification unit of the container treatment device (1) in order to move a holding section (12) of the pivotable clamping arm (8) between an opening position and a closing position for bearing against a container to be held.

3. Clamping device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the pivotable clamping arm (8) on the fixed clamping arm (10) in the connection area (7) is pivotable about a pivot axis (9), wherein the pivotable clamping arm (8) is preferably mounted by means of an axle element, preferably a screw bolt (15) or a guide bolt (25), in the connection section (7) on the fixed clamping arm (10).

4. Clamping device (5) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connecting section (7) is designed such that a position of the fixed clamping arm (10) with respect to a height direction (6), which is preferably oriented perpendicular to the transport direction (3) of the containers provided via the transport unit (2), is adjustable relative to the transport unit (2), wherein preferably in the connecting section (7) a screw bolt (15) designed to be coupled to the transport unit (2) is accommodated such that a rotational movement of the Screw bolt (15) relative to the fixed clamp arm (10) generates a displacement of the fixed clamp arm (10) in the height direction (6) relative to the transport unit (2).

5. Clamping device (5) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the clamping device (5) comprises a securing element for securing the screw bolt (15) against rotation, preferably a lock nut (26) or a threaded pin, and / or that the screw bolt (15) comprises a guide surface section (24) for guiding the fixed contact arm (10) in the height direction (6) relative to the transport unit (2).

6. Clamping device (5) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a preferably translational guide for guiding the fixed clamp arm (10) relative to the transport unit (2) in the vertical direction (6) is provided in the connection area (7), wherein the translational guide preferably comprises an anti-twist device for preventing rotation of the fixed clamp arm (10) relative to the transport unit (2), wherein the anti-twist device is preferably provided by a guide element extending in the vertical direction (6) and guided by a bolt receptacle in the connection area (7) with a non-circular cross-sectional shape, preferably a polygonal cross-sectional shape, and / or the anti-twist device is provided by two parallel oriented guide elements, preferably guide bolts (25), each guided by a bolt receptacle (14, 17) in the connection area (7).

7. Clamping device (5) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the connection section (7) at least one guide pin (15, 25) oriented in the height direction (6) and received in a pin receptacle (14, 17) in the connection area (7) is arranged for guiding the fixed clamping arm (10) in the height direction (6) relative to the transport unit (2) and / or for adjusting the height in the height direction (6) relative to the transport unit (2).

8. Clamping device (5) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pivotable pivot arm (8) is pivotably arranged on the fixed clamp arm (10) via a guide bolt (25) or screw bolt (15) received in a bolt receptacle (14, 17) in the connection area (7).

9. Clamping device (5) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that a guide pin (25) is designed as a screw bolt (15) such that a rotational movement of the screw bolt (15) generates a displacement of the fixed clamp arm (10) relative to the transport unit (2) in the height direction (6), and / or that the guide pin (15, 25) comprises a guide surface section (24) insertable into a guide bore (29) on the transport unit (2), at least one bearing surface section for supporting the guide pin (15, 25) in a bearing bore (17, 17A, 17B) in the fixed clamp arm (10), and / or at least one pivot bearing surface section (22) for pivotably supporting the pivotable clamp arm (8) relative to the fixed clamp arm (10).

10. Clamping device (5) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fixed clamp arm (10) and the pivotable clamp arm (8) each comprise a holding section (12, 13) for contact with a container to be held, designed such that in the closed position of the pivotable clamp arm (8) the container to be held is held by the holding sections (12, 13), and in the open position of the pivotable clamp arm (8) the container is released.

11. Clamping device (5) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control section (11) comprises a guide member, preferably a roller (16), for interacting with a fixed guide, preferably a guide rail or guide groove, of the container treatment device (1), wherein the control section (11) is preferably arranged on a side of the pivotable clamp arm (8) opposite the holding section (12) with respect to the connecting section (7), and / or the control section (11) comprises a rotary axis element, a magnet and / or a switching bolt for moving the clamp arm between the opening position and the closing position.

12. Clamping device (5) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fixed clamp arm (10) is formed from one piece.

13. Clamping device (5) according to one of claims 11 to 11, characterized in that the fixed clamp arm (10) and / or the pivotable clamp arm (8) are designed in several parts, wherein preferably a holding section (12) for contact with a container to be held is detachably arranged on a base body of the fixed clamp arm (10) and / or a holding section (13) for contact with a container to be held is detachably arranged on a base body of the pivotable clamp arm (8).

14. Clamping device (5) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a pretensioning device (20) is provided for pretensioning the pivotable clamp arm (8) into the opening position or the closing position, wherein the pretensioning device (20) preferably comprises a spring (37), preferably a torsion spring, compression spring or tension spring, and / or at least one magnet (21).

15. Container treatment device (1), comprising a transport unit (2) for transporting containers along a transport direction (3), wherein a clamping device (5) according to one of the preceding claims is connected to the transport unit (2).

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