Container handling system with a format change magazine

Abstract

The invention relates to a container treatment system (1) and in particular a container packaging machine with a format change magazine (3) and a method for automatically inserting a format set (2) into a format change magazine (3) at a container treatment system (1).In order to provide a container handling system (1) that is particularly inexpensive to manufacture, particularly easy to assemble, particularly easy to put into operation, and is also easy to maintain and particularly easy to control, it is provided that the container handling system (1), in particular the container packing machine, has a format set (2) adapted to the format of the containers to be treated and in particular to be gripped and packed for operating the container handling system (1), at least one format change magazine (3) with at least two compartments (4) each for receiving a format set (2), and at least one magazine feed motor (5) for automatically feeding in and / or moving out of a format set (2) from the format change magazine (3) during a format change of the containers to be treated, wherein the number of magazine feed motors (5) is less than the number of compartments (4) of the format change magazine (3).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a container treatment system and in particular a container packaging machine with a format change magazine as well as a method for automatically inserting a format set into a format change magazine on a container treatment system and preferably a container packaging machine.

[0002] Container handling systems, and in particular container packing machines, are known in various configurations from the prior art and are used especially for filling cartons and beverage crates with beverage bottles or other beverage containers, as well as for removing beverage bottles or beverage containers, especially empty containers, from corresponding cartons and beverage crates. Various format components of such a container handling system are specifically adapted to the format of the containers to be processed and must be exchanged accordingly if containers of a different format are to be processed using the container handling system.

[0003] In principle, such a change of format parts can be carried out manually by the operator of the container handling system, although this is complicated and time-consuming, due in part to the size and weight of these format parts. Accordingly, it is already known in the art to arrange a format change magazine next to the container handling system and to store format parts not currently in use there. When a format change is required, the currently used format parts must then be placed in an empty compartment of the format change magazine, and the format parts to be used subsequently must be removed from the magazine. For this purpose, each compartment of a format change magazine has its own drive unit with a drive motor that can pull the format parts into the compartment and push them out again.

[0004] These format changer magazines, known from the prior art, have the disadvantage that they are expensive to manufacture due to the numerous drive units, each with its own drive motor. They are also complicated to assemble and commission, require intensive maintenance, and are prone to failure. Furthermore, the control system is complex, and the process of inserting and ejecting a format part is time-consuming.

[0005] The invention is therefore based on the objective of providing a container treatment system that is particularly inexpensive to manufacture, particularly easy to assemble and particularly easy to put into operation, and is also easy to maintain and particularly easy to control.

[0006] The problem is solved according to the invention by a container treatment system according to claim 1 and by a method for the automated insertion of a format set according to claim 14. Advantageous embodiments are specified in the dependent claims, wherein the features described in the dependent apparatus claims also relate to a corresponding design of the method.

[0007] A container handling system according to the invention, and in particular a container packing machine according to the invention, has a format set adapted to the format of the containers to be treated and in particular to be gripped and packed for operating the container handling system, at least one format change magazine with at least two compartments each for receiving a format set, and at least one magazine feed motor for automatically feeding in and / or automatically moving out of a format set from the format change magazine during a format change of the containers to be treated, wherein the number of magazine feed motors is less than the number of compartments of the format change magazine.

[0008] In the inventive method for the automated insertion of a format set into a format change magazine on a, preferably and in particular on a container handling system or container packaging machine according to the invention, the format set is first detached from the container handling machine, and then subsequently moved into an insertion position opposite a compartment of the format change magazine to receive the format set, as well as coupled to a magazine feed motor with a feed unit of the compartment of the format change magazine, and finally the format set is drawn into the compartment of the format change magazine.

[0009] The inventors recognized the advantages of reducing the number of magazine feed motors, and in particular, using as few as possible. This significantly lowers manufacturing costs and considerably reduces the scope of necessary maintenance for the tank treatment system. Furthermore, commissioning and assembly efforts are also considerably reduced, and system control is significantly simplified.

[0010] The container handling machine can, in principle, be any machine for manufacturing, treating, filling, inspecting, labeling, cleaning, packaging, and / or unpacking containers. Furthermore, the container handling machine can have any other or additional functions. Preferably, however, the container handling machine is a container packing machine that can grip several containers simultaneously and insert them into outer packaging, in particular a box, carton, crate, and especially a beverage crate. Use for inserting filled beverage containers, and especially beverage bottles, into a crate is preferred.Alternatively or additionally, the container packing machine can also be used to unpack containers and in particular empty beverage containers or beverage bottles from such outer packaging, whereby use in connection with the reuse of empty containers is particularly preferred.

[0011] The containers to be packed and / or unpacked can be any type of container, but are preferably intended for holding food, particularly preferably liquid or pasty food, and most preferably a beverage. Accordingly, the container is preferably a can, a bottle, or a composite carton. Also preferably, the container is made of a plastic, in particular polyethylene terephthalate (PET), glass, metal, in particular tinplate or aluminum, and / or a composite material. Most preferably, the container is a beverage bottle made of glass or plastic, in particular PET.

[0012] The containers to be packed and / or unpacked generally have a specific format, which refers to their dimensions and / or shape. Relevant aspects of the format include, among others, the height, width, diameter, shape, material, and, where applicable, orientation. It is particularly preferred that only containers of one format are processed simultaneously using the container handling system. If containers of a different format are to be processed, this constitutes a format change, requiring the replacement of the format component(s) of the container handling system. This involves removing the format components from their operating positions, replacing them with suitable format components, and then reattaching them.

[0013] The format set can, in principle, only comprise a single format part, whereby the format set is preferably formed from several format parts used jointly and / or interacting together. In a packaging machine, a format set preferably comprises at least one correction frame for correcting the position of the containers to be packed or unpacked, in particular beverage containers to be inserted into or removed from a carton or box, and / or a gripper head for gripping, lifting, and transporting containers for packing or unpacking, wherein preferably the insertion or removal of containers into a carton or box by means of the gripper head also takes place, and in particular the insertion or removal through the correction frame into or out of a carton or box. In a packing machine, or...In addition to the insertion of containers into a carton or box by a packaging machine, the format set preferably also includes a lane frame. The correction frame, the gripper head, and / or the lane frame are preferably adapted to the format of the respective containers.

[0014] The format change magazine is designed to hold at least two sets of format components to facilitate easy format changes during container handling systems. Preferably, the entire format component set can be accommodated within the format change magazine, and particularly preferably, entirely within a compartment of the format change magazine. The format change magazine can be part of the container handling system and / or integrated into such a system and / or permanently connected to it. Alternatively, the format change magazine can also be a separate device and / or located only within the area of ​​the container handling system, particularly adjacent to it.

[0015] According to the invention, the format change magazine has at least two compartments, each for one, and in particular exactly one, set of format components. Although the format change magazine can in principle have any number of compartments, it preferably has at most 10 compartments, more preferably at most 8 compartments, most preferably at most 6 compartments, and most preferably at most 4 compartments. Alternatively or additionally, the format change magazine preferably has at least 2 compartments, more preferably at least 3 compartments, more preferably at least 4 compartments, and most preferably exactly 4 compartments.

[0016] The compartments of the format change magazine can, in principle, be arranged arbitrarily in relation to one another. However, it is preferred that several compartments, and in particular all compartments of a format change magazine, are arranged exactly one above the other, are congruent with each other, and / or are essentially identical to each other with respect to length, height, width, and / or technical design. Furthermore, it is preferred that the width of a compartment or the interior of a compartment of the format change magazine essentially corresponds to the width of a format change magazine, wherein the width of the compartment or the interior is particularly preferably a maximum of 20%, very preferably a maximum of 15%, and particularly preferably a maximum of 10% greater than the width of the format set. It is also preferred that the length of a compartment or the interior of a compartment is approximately 10% greater than the width of the format set.the interior space of a compartment of the format change magazine is between 1% and 90%, particularly preferably between 5% and 50% and most preferably between 5% and 25% larger than the length of the format set.

[0017] In the method according to the invention, moving the format set into an insertion position and coupling a magazine feed motor can, in principle, occur in any sequence or simultaneously. The sequence is not particularly relevant here because the format set can only be drawn into the format change magazine by means of the feed unit once the insertion position has been reached, and only then is the coupling of the magazine feed motor to the feed unit necessary. Regarding the relationship between the disclosed method features and the disclosed device features, it generally applies that all features disclosed in connection with the container handling system also relate accordingly to a method for inserting and / or removing a format set from a format change magazine, and conversely, that disclosed method features find a counterpart in the features of the device.

[0018] According to the invention, the container handling system with the format change magazine comprises at least one magazine feed motor. The magazine feed motor preferably has a rotating shaft and / or is a rotary drive. The magazine feed motor can be operated in any desired manner, for example, hydraulically, pneumatically, or electrically. Particularly preferably, the magazine feed motor comprises an electric motor, and particularly preferably exactly one electric motor and / or no further motor and / or no further active drive unit. Furthermore, preferably, all magazine feed motors of the container handling system are identical.

[0019] The present invention is characterized in that the number of magazine feed motors is less than the number of compartments of the format change magazine. Accordingly, the container handling system with the at least one format change magazine has at least one fewer magazine feed motor than the number of compartments in the format change magazine(s). This relationship is particularly preferred for each format change magazine individually, such that the number of magazine feed motors for each individual format change magazine is less than the number of compartments in that format change magazine. Furthermore, it is preferred that each format change magazine has at least three compartments and at most two magazine feed motors.

[0020] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the container handling system according to the invention, exactly one magazine feed motor is provided for each format change magazine, and in particular for all compartments. The magazine feed motor preferably comprises a single motor-driven unit and, more preferably, exactly one electric and / or servo motor. Thus, it is preferred that a container handling system configured as a single-column machine, or a container handling system with exactly one format change magazine, has only one magazine feed motor. Correspondingly, it is preferred that a container handling system configured as a two-column machine, or a container handling system with two format change magazines, in particular exactly one format change magazine on each side, has only one magazine feed motor per format change magazine and thus exactly two magazine feed motors.

[0021] In an advantageous embodiment of the container handling system according to the invention, the format component set is arranged on a format component carrier during transverse transport from the container handling system into or out of the format change magazine. The format component carrier preferably has at least one locking mechanism for holding the format component set and, in particular, the individual components of the format component set. The insertion, removal, and / or positioning of the format component set in the format change magazine can, in principle, be carried out in any manner and in any position within the format change magazine. However, this is preferably done while suspended, and particularly preferably while suspended from the format component carrier. Accordingly, it is preferred that the format component carrier, with the format component set suspended, is inserted into, stored in, and / or removed from a compartment of the format change magazine.Furthermore, it is preferred that the format subset carrier is arranged between a component of the format change magazine and, in particular, a compartment of the format change magazine and the format subset.

[0022] Furthermore, it is preferred that the insertion and / or removal occurs in a continuous, particularly a single, continuous movement and / or is in continuous contact with the format set or the format set carrier. During the entire insertion and / or removal process, uninterrupted contact between a component of the format changer magazine, in particular the insertion unit and / or the insertion rod and / or the locking bolt, and the format set or the format set carrier is especially preferred. Accordingly, a design of the container handling system and / or the format changer magazine is also preferred that allows insertion and / or removal of the format set or the format set carrier without multiple gripping, re-gripping, re-engaging, and / or without interruption of contact and / or movement.

[0023] A format component carrier is fundamentally designed or configured for gripping the format component set, holding the individual components of the format component set together, lifting the format component set or its components from an operating position and / or back into a respective operating position, holding the format component set in the format change magazine, and / or transporting the format component set into or out of the format change magazine. The locking mechanism of the format component carrier preferably comprises at least one, and more preferably several, locking elements designed to assemble and / or hold the format component set together for subsequent lateral movement into the format change magazine and / or to securely hold the format component set during lateral transport into the format change magazine and / or during storage in the format change magazine.Furthermore, the locking mechanism and, in particular, all locking elements are controllable to enable automatic bundling, holding and / or releasing of the format subset.

[0024] Although it is theoretically possible to directly insert and / or store a set of format components without a format component carrier, it is preferred that a set of format components be connected to and, in particular, held by a format component carrier before or during its removal from its operating position in the container handling system, and preferably remain connected to the format component carrier until it is reinserted into its operating position. It is also preferred that all sets of format components in the format change magazine are each held by a format component carrier.

[0025] A preferred embodiment of the container handling system according to the invention provides that the format module carrier is movably arranged on a format module carrier frame on the container handling system, and in particular in the area of ​​the operating position of the format module, both vertically and horizontally, and laterally, especially towards the format change magazine. The format module carrier frame is arranged in relation to the format change magazine and / or is designed such that a format module carrier can be positioned opposite each compartment of the format change magazine for the subsequent, in particular horizontal, insertion of the format module. Preferably, the format module carrier frame is arranged next to the format change magazine and / or parallel to the format change magazine and / or above the operating position of the format module.

[0026] The format module carrier frame is preferably designed to allow at least one format module carrier, and particularly preferably exactly one format module carrier, to be moved such that the format module set can be inserted into a compartment of the format change magazine, and especially into each of the compartments of the format change magazine. Movement of the format module carrier frame can, in principle, occur in any spatial direction, with the preferred approach being that, for positioning opposite a compartment of the format change magazine, only lifting or moving vertically is necessary. Furthermore, the format module carrier frame is preferably designed as a stationary, immovable, and / or fixed device component relative to the operating position of the format module set, and particularly preferably as a corresponding frame, and especially designed for the movable arrangement of a format module carrier on it.

[0027] It is generally preferred that the magazine feed motor is arranged outside the compartments of the format change magazine and, in particular, outside the format change magazine itself. It is especially preferred that the magazine feed motor is arranged on the format module carrier and, preferably, in a manner that directs it towards the format change magazine. It is generally preferred that the magazine feed motor is arranged in the area of ​​the format module carrier frame, wherein the magazine feed motor is particularly preferably movable in such a way that it can be moved towards the respective compartment of the format change magazine into which the format module is to be inserted. The inventors have recognized that this is particularly easy to achieve if the magazine feed motor is arranged in the area of, and especially on, the format module carrier with which the respective format module to be inserted into the format change magazine is moved, since this movement must also be directed towards the position of the respective compartment.Accordingly, when the magazine feed motor is arranged on the format set carrier, the magazine feed motor generally moves to the relevant compartment together with the format set.

[0028] Although the magazine feed motor can, in principle, be positioned at any location on the format module carrier, an arrangement in the area of ​​a corner, an outer edge facing the format change magazine, and / or on the outer side of the format module carrier is preferred. An outer arrangement is understood to mean, in particular, the area of ​​a freely accessible outer edge of the format module carrier and / or the outer side of the format module carrier facing away from the rest of the container handling system.

[0029] As an alternative to such an external arrangement, an internal arrangement, i.e., an arrangement facing the container handling system and, in particular, a lifting drive of the format carrier, can also be advantageous, since arranging the heavy magazine feed motor closer to the lifting drive and / or to a suspension or bearing of the format carrier on the format carrier frame reduces the weight influence of the magazine feed motor and thus the required drive force. Regardless of the position of the magazine feed motor, the arrangement and, in particular, the drive for a vertical displacement of the format carrier is carried out as described above.

[0030] An advantageous embodiment of the container handling system according to the invention provides that a feed unit is arranged in each compartment of the format change magazine, which is driven by the magazine feed motor. For this purpose, a separable coupling unit is provided between the feed unit and the magazine feed motor. A feed unit is understood to be a component or assembly that comes into direct contact with the format set to be fed in or the corresponding format set carrier and / or onto or by which the format set is fed into the compartment of the format change magazine and stored therein. For this purpose, the feed unit is preferably movable within the compartment and, more preferably, over the entire feed length of the format set, and in particular, displaceable.

[0031] The separable coupling unit is fundamentally designed to transmit a rotary motion of the magazine feed motor to a component of the feed unit. While such a connection between the two components is not strictly necessary, it is conceivable. To couple the magazine feed motor to the feed unit, the feed unit of each compartment of the format changer magazine preferably has a coupling receptacle, with the coupling receptacles of all compartments being particularly preferably identical. Furthermore, the coupling receptacles of the individual compartments are preferably aligned with the format tray carrier or the format tray carrier frame and / or arranged one above the other on the format changer magazine, in a common plane, along a common straight line, at equal distances from each other, and / or identically aligned.

[0032] Furthermore, it is preferred that the separable coupling unit achieves a coupling via an axially acting and / or face-side toothing, and in particular via a Hirth coupling. However, in addition to a Hirth coupling, any other rotary or shaft coupling is conceivable in principle, for example a finger or jaw coupling.

[0033] An advantageous embodiment of the container handling system according to the invention provides that the magazine feed motor is arranged to be displaceable towards the format change magazine and, in particular, towards a coupling receptacle of the feed unit, for connecting and disconnecting the separable coupling unit between the feed unit and the magazine feed motor. For this purpose, the magazine feed motor can preferably be fixed to the format set carrier by means of a linear guide and / or displaced by means of a linear drive unit. In principle, the coupling can preferably be connected exclusively by moving the feed unit and the magazine feed motor towards each other and / or disconnected again by moving the feed unit and the magazine feed motor away from each other.The magazine feed motor is preferably moved in a horizontal direction and / or towards the format change magazine and / or parallel to an insertion direction of the format sub-set carrier into the compartment of the format change magazine.

[0034] The linear drive unit can, in principle, be any means for moving the magazine insertion motor, particularly relative to the format part carrier. For example, a linear motor or a spindle drive is conceivable. Preferably, however, the linear drive unit comprises a fluid-operated cylinder, and most preferably a pneumatic cylinder, and is most preferably formed from these components. The movement of the magazine insertion motor preferably occurs linearly and / or in an axial direction along the magazine insertion motor and / or a motor shaft of the magazine insertion motor.

[0035] To feed a set of format parts into a compartment of the format changer magazine, power is transmitted from the magazine feed motor or from the coupling device within the feeder unit preferably by means of one or more belt drives. Particularly preferably, at least some of the belt drives, and more preferably all belt drives and especially all other drives, are arranged outside the interior of the respective compartment of the format changer magazine, above the respective compartment, and / or between two compartments of the format changer magazine. Alternatively or additionally to a belt drive, the feeder unit can also have one or more spindle drives. The interior of a compartment is understood to be the volume within a compartment into which a set of format parts, optionally together with a format part carrier, can be received.

[0036] Preferably, at least one deflection element, particularly for right-angle deflection, is arranged between the coupling of the feed unit and a first belt drive or a pulley of a first belt drive. Such right-angle deflection can be achieved, in particular, by means of a bevel gear drive, whereby, in principle, any means can be used for this purpose. The belt drive of the feed unit can have any number of belts, with at least one feed belt preferably being provided, which most preferably extends substantially in one feed direction of the format set into the respective compartment of the format changer magazine and / or substantially over the entire length of the feed of the format set. Accordingly, the feed belt preferably runs horizontally and / or parallel to the plane of the respective compartment of the format changer magazine.

[0037] In addition to one or more feed belts, the feed unit can also have one or more transmission belts, which can run parallel to, along the direction of, a feed belt, or at any angle to a feed belt. Preferably, however, at least one transmission belt runs at an angle, and particularly preferably substantially perpendicular to, a feed belt, especially to compensate for the height difference between the feed belt, which preferably runs horizontally, and the coupling receptacle, which is offset vertically from it. At least one transmission belt is preferably located externally on the format change magazine and / or on the same side of the container handling system as the magazine feed motor.Finally, preferably at least one transmission belt is arranged between the coupling receptacle and the feed belt, and particularly preferably all transmission belts are arranged between the coupling receptacle and one or more feed belts.

[0038] A preferred embodiment of the container handling system according to the invention provides that at least one infeed carriage for picking up and / or transporting the format set, optionally including the format set carrier, is slidably arranged in each compartment of the format change magazine, preferably by means of the belt drive and particularly preferably by means of a feed belt of the belt drive, wherein the drive of the at least one infeed carriage is preferably exclusively by means of the magazine feed motor. Preferably, the entire infeed unit is arranged substantially outside the interior of a compartment and / or completely within a support frame of the format change magazine. In order to be able to move the infeed carriage by means of the belt drive, preferably at least one belt, in particular a feed belt, is fixed to the infeed carriage.

[0039] Although only a single feed carriage can generally be arranged within a compartment of the format change magazine, it is preferred that two feed carriages are provided, which are particularly preferably fixed to a common feed belt and / or arranged one behind the other in the compartment and / or moved continuously at a constant distance from each other. In principle, however, it is also conceivable to drive each feed carriage with its own belt and / or to drive both or all feed carriages independently of each other. The feed unit is preferably driven exclusively by the magazine feed motor and particularly preferably without any further drive unit, especially without a drive unit arranged within the format change magazine. Most preferably, no motor other than the magazine feed motor is involved in driving the feed unit.

[0040] Each feed carriage can be guided in any position within the respective compartment of the format changer, although it is preferred that the feed carriage be mounted on rollers so as to be slidable. Although two rollers, in particular one on each side, would in principle be perfectly sufficient, it is advantageous if a feed carriage has at least four rollers, in particular two spaced-apart rollers on each side, on which the feed carriage rests.

[0041] For lateral guidance, preferably on a component and especially on a support frame of the format changer, lateral guide elements, for example for sliding guidance, can also be provided on the feed carriage, although lateral guide rollers are preferred. It is particularly preferred that at least one guide roller is arranged on each side of the feed carriage, and particularly preferred that at least two, and especially exactly two, guide rollers are arranged on each side. The guide rollers are particularly preferably all arranged in one plane.

[0042] Furthermore, it is preferred that a roller and / or a guide roller is arranged in the area of ​​a corner and / or in the end region of a side edge of the feed carriage. It is also conceivable that the feed carriage has pairs of rollers instead of individual rollers, in which case a rail of the format change magazine and / or within a compartment is particularly preferably arranged between the two rollers of a roller pair, so that the feed carriage is guided on the rail without lifting. Such a design is particularly preferred in conjunction with additional lateral guide rollers, thus enabling particularly precise guidance of the feed carriage.

[0043] The feed carriage is preferably supported by the rollers and / or guided by the guide rollers until the entire set of format components is arranged within the compartment of the format changer magazine. Continuous contact between the rollers and / or the guide rollers and the format changer magazine is particularly preferred.

[0044] In a preferred embodiment of the container handling system according to the invention, a locking unit for connecting and drawing the format set or format set carrier into the format change magazine is arranged between the infeed unit, and in particular a infeed carriage, and the format set or format set carrier. Preferably, an infeed rod with at least one locking bolt is arranged on the infeed carriage and / or a corresponding locking bolt receptacle is located on the format set or format set carrier. In a design of the infeed unit with several infeed carriages, the locking unit, and in particular the infeed rod, is arranged at the front carriage and / or at the carriage closest to the feed point of the format set or format set carrier into the format change magazine.

[0045] Preferably, the locking unit is designed as a gravity coupling or locking mechanism, which preferably establishes a connection, particularly a separable connection, automatically and / or autonomously and / or due to gravity when the feed carriage is moved onto the format set. The feeding and / or ejection of the format set preferably occurs without repositioning or intermediate disconnection and reconnection of the locking unit. Although the feed rod can, in principle, be of any design, it is preferred that it be linear and / or have several locking bolts arranged at intervals from one another.

[0046] The attachment of the infeed rod to the infeed carriage can also be arbitrary, with the infeed rod preferably being pivotable and, more preferably, pivotable only in height. It is also preferred that the infeed rod is attached to the infeed carriage at one end of the infeed rod and / or that the other end of the infeed rod, which is not attached to the infeed carriage, is angled such that, when the infeed carriage is moved towards the format carrier, the infeed rod automatically slides onto the locking bolt receptacle until a locking bolt is pushed into the receptacle or falls into it due to gravity, thus locking the two components relative to each other. In principle, the locking bolt receptacle can be arranged not only on the format carrier but also directly on the format set, and particularly on a gripper head.

[0047] Finally, it is preferred that a release means, and in particular a release cylinder, is arranged in the area of ​​the locking bolt receptacle such that, when the release cylinder is actuated, the locking bolt is pushed or moved out of the locking bolt receptacle, thus opening the locking mechanism of the feed unit, and in particular the feed carriage, with the format set or the format set carrier. This is preferably done automatically and / or by machine control.

[0048] A preferred embodiment of the container handling system according to the invention comprises at least two, and particularly preferably exactly two, format change magazines, wherein, further preferably, one format change magazine is arranged on each side of the format set carrier frame, and the container handling system has exactly one magazine feed motor for each format change magazine, wherein preferably one magazine feed motor is arranged on opposite sides of the format set carrier. The two magazine feed motors are particularly preferably arranged on opposite sides and, in particular, at the end regions of a common outer surface or outer edge of the format set carrier.

[0049] Finally, an advantageous further development of the inventive method provides that the loosening, connecting of various components of the format set and / or the movement of the format set is carried out by means of a format set carrier, and / or the movement of the format set into an insertion position is exclusively a lifting in height, and / or the coupling of the magazine feed motor is carried out by moving the magazine feed motor which is slidably arranged on a format set carrier, and / or the insertion and storage of the format set in the compartment of the format change magazine is carried out while suspended.

[0050] An embodiment of a container treatment system according to the invention, including a format changer magazine, is explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings. The figures show: Fig. 1 a perspective view of the essential components of a container handling machine and a format changer magazine, Fig. 2 a top view of the container handling machine and the format changer magazine, Fig. 3 a top view of an area between the container handling machine and the format changer magazine, Fig. 4 a perspective view of the area between the container handling machine and the format changer magazine, Fig. 5 a perspective view of a separable coupling unit between a magazine feed motor and a feed unit of the format changer magazine, Fig. 6 a perspective view of a magazine feed motor, Fig. 7 a perspective view of a first feed carriage of the feed unit, and Fig. 8 a perspective view of a second feed carriage of the feed unit.

[0051] One in the Figures 1 and 2The container handling system 1 shown is designed for inserting or removing containers, and in particular glass or PET beverage bottles, into or from beverage crates. Depending on the container format and its position within the crate, a specific adjustment frame is provided for correcting the position of the containers being inserted or removed, along with a gripper head for gripping, lifting, and transporting the containers for packing or unpacking. A guide frame is also provided for the orderly guidance of the containers to the gripper head. The components adapted to a specific container format—i.e., the gripper head, the adjustment frame, and the guide frame—are collectively referred to as a format component set 2.

[0052] To enable particularly quick and easy changing of the format set 2 in the container treatment system 1 when changing the format of the containers to be treated, a format change magazine 3 is arranged next to the operating position of the container treatment system 1, in which several format set 2s can be kept ready for exchange. The format change magazine 3 has exactly one compartment 4 for each format set 2, with a total of four compartments 4 being provided.

[0053] During a format change, the format components of the format set 2 that are still in operation are first detached from the container handling system 1 and then jointly grasped, grouped, connected, and lifted onto a format set carrier 6. For this purpose, the format set carrier 6 is height-adjustable and mounted on a format set carrier frame 7. The format set carrier frame 7 is positioned next to the format change magazine 3, so that a format set 2, raised to the correct height, can be held directly next to a compartment 4 of the format change magazine 3.

[0054] In order to insert the format set 2, which is suspended from and held by the format carrier 6, into a free compartment 4 of the format change magazine 3, a feed unit 8 of the respective compartment 4, arranged on the format change magazine 3, is used to feed in the format set 2. However, the feed unit 8 does not have its own drive unit, but is driven by a magazine feed motor 5, which is arranged on a frame component of the format carrier 6.

[0055] As soon as the format section carrier 6 has reached the correct height to allow the format section set 2, along with the format section carrier 6, to be inserted into the compartment 8 of the format change magazine 3, the magazine feed motor 5, which has a Hirth tooth 10 in the area of ​​its motor shaft, is automatically aligned with a corresponding Hirth tooth 10 of the feed unit 8 as a coupling receptacle 11. The two Hirth tooth 10s form a separable coupling unit 9.

[0056] To connect the two Hirth gears 10 of the separable coupling unit 9, the magazine feed motor 5 is linearly displaceable on the frame component of the format set carrier 6 by means of a linear guide 12, the linear guide 12 being automatically controllable by means of a linear drive unit 13 formed as a pneumatic cylinder (see Fig. 5 and 6 ).

[0057] In the coupled state, a rotational movement can then be transmitted from the magazine feed motor 5 via the coupling mount 11 and a bevel gear drive to a belt drive 14 of the feed unit 8, in order to enable the feed of the format set 2, which is suspended from the format set carrier 6. The feed is carried out by means of a feed belt 21 of the belt drive 14, whereby a transmission belt 22 is arranged between the coupling mount 11 or the bevel gear drive and the feed belt 21 for height compensation within the format change magazine 3.

[0058] The actual insertion of the format set 2, suspended from the format set carrier 6, into the interior 15 of a compartment 4 is then carried out by means of at least one feed carriage 16, which is arranged to be linearly displaceable in the compartment 4 and is driven by the feed belt 21 of the belt drive 14. For this purpose, the feed belt 21 is fixed to the feed carriage 16 and deflected at both ends of the compartment 4.

[0059] The insertion carriage 16 has at least four lateral rollers 23 for supporting the insertion carriage 16 and additionally four guide rollers 25 for lateral guidance within the compartment 4 (see Fig. 7Such a feed carriage 16 is designed to stand on a rail for movement. Alternatively, instead of the roller 23 on which the feed carriage 16 stands, a feed carriage 16 can also have a pair of rollers 24 between which a guide rail of the compartment 4 is arranged, so that the feed carriage 16 stands on one roller of the roller pair 24 and is secured against lifting off by the other roller of the roller pair 24, which is arranged below the guide rail (see Fig. 8 ).

[0060] Finally, at the end of the infeed carriage 16 that points towards the operating position, an infeed rod 18 with at least one locking bolt 19 is pivotally arranged such that when the infeed carriage 16 is moved towards a format carrier 6 held at the correct height, the locking bolt 19 automatically engages a locking bolt receptacle 20, which is arranged on the format carrier 6, due to gravity. The infeed rod 18 with the locking bolt 19 and the locking bolt receptacle 20 form a locking unit 17, by means of which the infeed carriage 16 can be temporarily connected to the format carrier 6 for insertion into the compartment 4 (see Figs. 3 and 4To release the locking mechanism, the locking bolt 19 can be pushed out of the locking bolt receptacle 20 by means of an electrically or pneumatically operated cylinder, and subsequently the feed carriage 16 and the format set carrier 6 can be moved independently of each other again. Reference symbol list

[0061] 1 Container handling system 2 Format set 3 Format change magazine 4-compartment 5 Magazine feed motor 6 Format set carrier 7 Format set carrier frame 8 Feed unit 9 Detachable coupling unit 10 Hirth gear 11 Coupling receptacle 12 Linear guide 13 Linear drive unit 14 Belt drive 15 Interior 16 Feed carriage 17 Locking unit 18 Feed rod 19 Locking bolt 20 Locking bolt receptacle 21 Feed belt 22 Transmission belt 23 Roller 24 Pair of rollers 25 Guide roller

Claims

1. Container handling system (1), in particular container packing machine, comprising: - a format set (2) adapted to the format of the containers to be handled and in particular to be gripped and packed for operating the container handling system (1), - at least one format change magazine (3) with at least two compartments (4) each for receiving a format set (2), - at least one magazine feed motor (5) for automatically feeding in and / or moving out of a format set (2) from the format change magazine (3) during a format change of the containers to be handled, wherein - the number of magazine feed motors (5) is less than the number of compartments (4) of the format change magazine (3).

2. Container treatment plant according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that For each format change magazine (3) exactly one single magazine feed motor (5) is provided for all compartments (4).

3. Container treatment plant according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by the fact thatThe format set (2) is arranged on a format set carrier (6) during a transverse transport from the container handling system (1) to the format change magazine (3), wherein the format set carrier (6) preferably has at least one locking mechanism for holding the format set (2).

4. Container treatment plant according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that The format subset carrier (6) is arranged on the container handling system (1) in a way that allows movement in height and laterally towards the format change magazine (3) on a format subset carrier frame (7), wherein the format subset carrier frame (7) is arranged in relation to the format change magazine (3) and / or is designed in such a way that a format subset carrier (6) can be arranged opposite each compartment (4) of the format change magazine (3) to the subsequent insertion of the format subset (2).

5. Container treatment plant according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the magazine feed motor (5) is arranged outside the compartments (4) of the format change magazine (3) and in particular outside the format change magazine (3).

6. Container treatment plant according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the magazine feed motor (5) is arranged on the format set carrier (6) and preferably directs its movement towards the format change magazine (3).

7. Container treatment plant according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that In each compartment (4) of the format change magazine (3) a feed unit (8) is arranged, which is driven by means of the magazine feed motor (5), for which purpose a separable coupling unit (9) is provided between the feed unit (8) and the magazine feed motor (5).

8. Container treatment plant according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact thatthe separable coupling unit (9) achieves a coupling via an axially effective and / or planar toothing and in particular via a Hirth toothing (10).

9. Container treatment plant according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that The magazine feed motor (5) for connecting and disconnecting the separable coupling unit (9) is arranged to be displaceable towards the format change magazine (3) and in particular towards a coupling receptacle (11) of the feed unit (8), for which purpose the magazine feed motor (5) is preferably fixed to the format subset carrier (6) by means of a linear guide (12) and / or can be displaced by means of a linear drive unit (13).

10. Container treatment plant according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact thatThe power transmission from the magazine feed motor (5) and in particular from the coupling receptacle (11) within the feed unit (8) is carried out by means of one or more belt drives (14), wherein preferably all belt drives (14) are arranged outside an interior space (15) of the respective compartment (4) of the format change magazine (3), above the respective compartment (4) and / or between two compartments (4) of the format change magazine (3).

11. Container treatment plant according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that In each compartment (4) of the format change magazine (3) at least one feed carriage (16) for receiving and / or transporting the format set (2) is slidably arranged by means of the belt drive (14), wherein the drive of the at least one feed carriage (16) is preferably exclusively by means of the magazine feed motor (5).

12. Container treatment plant according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact thatA locking unit (17) for connecting and drawing the format carrier (6) into the format change magazine (3) is arranged between a feed carriage (16) and the format set carrier (6), wherein preferably a feed rod (18) with at least one locking bolt (19) is arranged on the feed carriage (16) and the format set carrier (6) has a corresponding locking bolt receptacle (20).

13. Container treatment plant according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by two format change magazines (3), wherein preferably one format change magazine (3) is arranged on each side of the format set carrier frame (7), and the container handling system (1) has exactly one magazine feed motor (5) for each format change magazine (3), wherein particularly preferably one magazine feed motor (5) is arranged on opposite sides of the format set carrier (6).

14. Method for the automated insertion of a format set (2) into a format change magazine (3) on a container handling system (1) and preferably a container packaging machine, in particular according to at least one of the preceding claims, comprising the steps of: - releasing the format set (2) from the container handling machine, - moving the format set (2) into an insertion position opposite a compartment (4) of the format change magazine (3) to receive the format set (2), - coupling a magazine feed motor (5) with a feed unit (8) of the compartment (4) of the format change magazine (3), and - drawing the format set (2) into the compartment (4) of the format change magazine (3).

15. Method for the automated insertion of a format subset (2) according to claim 14, characterized by the fact that- the loosening, connecting of various components of the format set (2) and / or the moving of the format set (2) by means of a format set carrier (6), and / or - the moving of the format set (2) into an insertion position is exclusively a lifting in height, and / or - the coupling of the magazine feed motor (5) is carried out by moving the magazine feed motor (5) which is slidably arranged on a format set carrier (6), and / or - the insertion and storage of the format set (2) in the compartment (4) of the format change magazine (3) is carried out while suspended.

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