Device and method for separating regions of a system for producing and / or processing containers

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (10) for separating regions (46, 48) of a system (50) for producing and / or processing containers, comprising: a wall (12) having an opening (14); a rotatably mounted first transport wheel (16); a rotatably mounted second transport wheel (18); and at least one partition element (20, 21) for the opening (14), wherein the first transport wheel (16) and the second transport wheel (18) are disposed substantially on different sides of the wall (12) at the opening (14), wherein the first transport wheel (16) and the second transport wheel (18) each have a plurality of recesses (22) for holding containers, said recesses being located on a circumference (17, 19) of the associated transport wheel (16, 18), and the partition element (20, 21), when in a closed position in which the at least one partition element (20, 21) at least partly closes the opening (14), is disposed at least partly between the first transport wheel (16) and the second transport wheel (18). Thus, the invention provides a device (10) for separating regions of a system for producing and / or processing containers which, in comparison with the prior art, is designed more simply and can be operated more easily and which can be produced economically overall.

Description

[0001] Device and method for separating areas of a plant for producing and / or treating containers

[0002] The invention relates to a device and a method for separating areas of a plant for producing and / or treating containers.

[0003] In systems for manufacturing and / or treating containers, different areas can be separated from one another by walls. This separation can be implemented, for example, to separate areas that are cleaned or sterilized with cleaning fluids or sterilizing agents, or areas that have different atmospheric pressures. Transport routes for containers, on which the containers are transported between different treatment devices in the system, extend through openings in the walls. Appropriate transport devices pass the containers through these openings. These openings are closed with bulkheads for cleaning or sterilization.

[0004] EP 3 687 967 B1 discloses equipping a bulkhead element with a flange that fits over the grippers when the bulkhead is closed in transport devices that have grippers that extend through the openings and can transfer containers to grippers of an adjacent transport device. This is intended to seal the opening in the area of ​​the grippers. However, an opening remains between each gripper that cannot be completely closed.

[0005] From EP 3 131 733 A1 it is further known to pivot an entire transport wheel, the gripper of which extends through the openings, out of the opening in order to be able to close the opening completely.

[0006] Furthermore, EP 3 831 572 A1 discloses pivoting individual grippers that extend into the openings out of the openings before the bulkhead is closed, in order to completely close the opening. The object of the invention is to provide a device and a method for separating areas of a plant for producing and / or treating containers, which are simpler in design and use than the prior art and can be manufactured and used cost-effectively overall.

[0007] The problem is solved by the features of the independent claims. Advantageous further developments are the subject of the dependent claims and the following description.

[0008] In a device for separating areas of a system for producing and / or treating containers, comprising a wall with an opening, a rotatably mounted first transport wheel, a rotatably mounted second transport wheel, and at least one partition element for the opening, wherein the first transport wheel and the second transport wheel are arranged substantially on different sides of the wall at the opening, it is provided according to the invention that the first transport wheel and the second transport wheel each have a plurality of recesses arranged on a circumference of the respective transport wheel for holding containers and the partition element is arranged at least partially between the first transport wheel and the second transport wheel in a closed position in which the at least one partition element at least partially closes the opening.

[0009] The invention thus provides a device with a partition element that can be arranged between the first transport wheel and the second transport wheel in order to completely and tightly close the opening with additional partition elements if necessary. The at least one partition element can be understood as a covering part of a partition or as the entire partition. The transport wheels have recesses with which the containers can be held on a circumference of the transport wheels. The recesses are arranged directly on the circumference of the transport wheel and are not part of grippers. Furthermore, the recesses can be designed such that they are arranged stationary on the transport wheel relative to the transport wheel. This means that the containers are merely placed in the recesses without any gripping process taking place in the recesses.If a container is arranged in the recess, the recess only partially encloses the container. A container held by a recess thus protrudes from the recess in a radial direction of the transport wheel. The recess can, for example, be a pocket, so that the transport wheel can be designed as a pocket wheel. The first transport wheel and the second transport wheel are arranged on different sides of the opening in the wall. The containers are transported by the transport wheels in such a way that they are transferred directly from one of the two transport wheels to the other of the two transport wheels. The transport path of the containers through the system therefore extends through the opening.One of the two transport wheels can protrude through the opening, wherein the partition element can then have at least one region that is spaced from the wall and extends between the two transport wheels when the partition element is moved into the closed position. The movement of the at least one partition element into the closed position can occur, for example, by a linear movement or by a pivoting movement, wherein the pivot axis can be oriented, for example, perpendicular to the wall. By using the recesses, the first transport wheel and the second transport wheel do not have any overlap, particularly in the axial direction, as is the case with transport wheels that operate with a transfer between grippers.By avoiding the overlap between the two transport wheels, the partition element can be arranged in a direction radial to the rotation axes of the transport wheels between the first transport wheel and the second transport wheel, and in particular between the recesses of the two transport wheels. In the closed position, no openings remain between the two transport wheels due to overlapping elements. The invention thus provides a device with a simpler design than the prior art, is easier to operate, and is cost-effective.

[0010] According to one example, the partition element in the closed position can be arranged in a transport path of the containers that extends between the first transport wheel and the second transport wheel and preferably block the transport path.

[0011] The transport path can extend along a transport direction of the containers between the first transport wheel and the second transport wheel. A container that would be arranged in the transport path when the partition element is moved into the closed position would then be arranged with one half on one side of the partition element and the other half on the other side of the partition element. The shape of the partition element can be at least partially oriented towards a section of the transport path that extends between the first transport wheel and the second transport wheel.

[0012] According to a further example, a fixed distance, preferably a slot, can be formed between the circumference of the first transport wheel and the circumference of the second transport wheel, in which the partition element can be arranged in the closed position.

[0013] The recesses are not understood as part of the slot, so that the slot extends in the area of ​​the recesses along the imaginary continuation of the circumference of the respective transport wheel. If two recesses of the transport wheels are arranged on either side of the slot and oriented toward each other, they can be designed such that, in combination, they almost completely enclose a bottle section. Only at the position of the slot is there no enclosure. If no container is arranged in the recesses, the slot is free, allowing the partition element to be moved into the slot.

[0014] In another example, the opening may be located between the first transport wheel and the second transport wheel.

[0015] This means that neither of the two transport wheels protrudes through the opening, but is positioned entirely on the respective side of the wall. If the wall were to completely fill the opening, it would be possible to position the wall between the two transport wheels without any offset. The bulkhead element can then be formed from a flat plate, for example, making its production cost-effective.

[0016] Furthermore, for example, a first ring guide for the containers can be arranged on the first transport wheel and a second ring guide for the containers can be arranged on the second transport wheel, wherein preferably the at least one partition element rests against at least one of the ring guides in the closed position.

[0017] The ring guides can be arranged radially spaced from the respective transport wheel to provide a second support surface for the containers arranged in the recesses. Furthermore, the ring guides can have indicator elements that extend over the other transport wheel. Thus, the first ring guide can have a first indicator element that extends over the second transport wheel. The second ring guide of the second transport wheel can have a second indicator element that extends over the first transport wheel. The indicator elements can guide the containers during the transition between the two transport wheels.

[0018] The first and / or second ring guide can, for example, have a groove in which the at least one bulkhead element is at least partially arranged in the closed position.

[0019] This can improve the seal between the respective ring guide and the bulkhead element. The groove can, for example, be designed such that it faces the bulkhead element when the bulkhead element is in an open position.

[0020] According to another example, the at least one partition element can have at least one recess in which the first and / or second ring guide can be arranged in the closed position. The partition element is thus adapted to the contour defined by the opening and the ring guides in order to completely close the opening in the closed position. During the transition to the closed position, the corresponding ring guide can be arranged in the recess by the movement of the partition element.

[0021] Furthermore, the device can, for example, have at least two partition elements, wherein at least a first partition element of the at least two partition elements can be arranged at least partially between recesses of the first transport wheel and the second transport wheel in the closed position.

[0022] If multiple partition elements are used, at least one of them can be referred to as the first partition element. Further partition elements can be referred to as the second partition element, the third partition element, etc. The second partition element can, for example, be moved into the closed position opposite to the first partition element, so that the two partition elements move toward each other during the transition to the closed position. More than two partition elements can also be provided. At least one of the partition elements can then be arranged between the two transport wheels.

[0023] According to a further example, the bulkhead element can be movable in the axial direction into and out of the closed position.

[0024] The partition element can thus move from top to bottom or from bottom to top to reach the closed position or be moved out of the closed position. The axial direction refers to the direction of rotation of the transport wheels. If at least two partition elements are provided, a second partition element can also be moved horizontally into the closed position and can be moved opposite to the first partition element. Alternatively, the second partition element can also be moved in a direction not parallel to the direction of movement of the first partition element, for example perpendicular to the first partition element, in order to change to the closed position. This can also apply to further partition elements.Furthermore, the invention relates to a plant for producing and / or treating containers, comprising a first region and a second region and at least one device according to the preceding description, wherein the first transport wheel is arranged in the first region and the second transport wheel is arranged in the second region and wherein the wall separates the regions from one another.

[0025] The advantages and effects, as well as further developments of the system, arise from the advantages and effects, as well as further developments of the device described above. To avoid repetition, reference is made to the previous description in this regard.

[0026] Additionally, the invention relates to a method for separating regions of a plant for producing and / or treating containers, comprising at least the following steps: moving at least one partition element over an opening in a wall between a first transport wheel in a first region of the plant and a second transport wheel in a second region of the plant; moving the at least one partition element between the first transport wheel and the second transport wheel to separate the regions.

[0027] Advantages and effects, as well as further developments of the method, arise from the advantages and effects, as well as further developments of the device described above. To avoid repetition, reference is made to the preceding description in this regard.

[0028] The invention is described below using an exemplary embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings. They show:

[0029] Figure 1a, b shows a schematic representation of a device for separating areas;

[0030] Figure 2a, b shows a schematic representation of a front view of the device;

[0031] Figures 3a, b show a schematic representation of a rear view of the device; Figures 4a-c show a schematic representation of a second example of the device;

[0032] Figure 5 is a schematic representation of a third example of the device;

[0033] Figure 6 is a schematic representation of a plant for producing and / or

[0034] Treating containers; and

[0035] Figure 7 is a flowchart of the process for separating regions.

[0036] The device for separating areas of a plant for producing and / or treating containers is designated in its entirety by the reference numeral 10, as shown in Figure 1a.

[0037] The device 10 has a wall 12 with an opening 14. On one side of the wall 12, the device 10 further has a first rotatably mounted transport wheel 16 and on the other side of the wall 12, a second rotatably mounted transport wheel 18. The transport wheels 16, 18 are arranged at the opening 14. One of the transport wheels 16, 18 can protrude at least partially through the opening 14, as shown in this example according to Figure 1a. The axes of rotation of the transport wheels are further arranged on different sides of the wall 12 and opening 14. This means that the transport wheels 16, 18 are arranged essentially on different sides of the wall 12 at the opening 14.

[0038] The first transport wheel 16 has a first circumference 17 and the second transport wheel 18 has a second circumference 19. The transport wheels 16, 18 can be separated from one another by a fixed distance between their circumferences 17, 19. The fixed distance can be designed as a slot 26. The fixed distance can extend in the radial direction of both transport wheels 16, 18. Furthermore, the transport wheels 16, 18 can, for example, not have any components that bridge the distance in the radial direction, so that in a plan view there is no overlap between the transport wheels 16, 18 or their components. Each transport wheel 16, 18 has a plurality of recesses 22 in its circumference 17, 19, in which containers can be held. For this purpose, the containers can have holding collars 11, which are arranged, for example, in the region of their mouth.In Figure 1a, the position of a retaining collar 11 of a container held in one of the recesses 22 is shown in dashed lines as an example. The retaining collars 11 can rest on the edge of the recesses 22 on the respective transport wheel 16, 18. Furthermore, the retaining collars 11 can be pushed radially over the recesses 22, for example, relative to the axis of rotation of the respective transport wheel 16, 18.

[0039] The recesses 22 can be designed as pockets, so that the transport wheels 16, 18 can be designed as pocket wheels for the containers.

[0040] Furthermore, the recesses 22 can be designed such that they only support a part of the respective holding collar 11 of the container, i.e. that a circumference of the container below the holding collar 11 can only be partially arranged in the recesses 22. A first ring guide 28 can then be assigned to the first transport wheel 16. Furthermore, a second ring guide 32 can then be assigned to the second transport wheel 18. Each ring guide 28, 32 extends at a distance around the circumference 17, 19 of the transport wheel 16, 18 assigned to it, wherein the distance is designed such that a container arranged in a recess 22 rests at least partially with its holding collar 11, which is not arranged in the recess 22, on the respective ring guide 28, 32.The surface of the ring guides 28, 32, which is designed as a guide for the retaining collars 11, can be arranged at the same height as a holding surface of the recesses for the retaining collars 11. The ring guides 28, 32 can therefore be arranged at the same height or in the same plane as the transport wheels 16, 18.

[0041] A transport path 24 for containers can extend between the transport wheels 16, 18 and through the opening 14. The containers transfer directly between the transport wheels 16, 18 on the transport wheel 24. This means that a container can transfer from the first transport wheel 16 to the second transport wheel 18 or vice versa, whereby a transfer of the container can take place between the transport wheels 16, 18.

[0042] If ring guides 28, 32 are provided, the ring guides 28, 32 can have guide elements 30, 34 that guide the containers on the transport path 24 in the region of the transport wheel 16, 18 other than the one assigned to the ring guide 28, 32. For this purpose, the first ring guide 28 of the first transport wheel 16 can, for example, have a first guide element 30 that extends axially above the second transport wheel 18. The first guide element 30 can support containers in an area that the first ring guide 28 cannot reach because it is arranged at the same height as the second transport wheel 18. Accordingly, the second guide element 34 can be arranged on the second ring guide 32 and guide containers in an area axially above the first transport wheel 16.

[0043] Furthermore, the device 10 has at least one partition element 20, 21 for the opening 14, wherein only one partition element 20 is shown in the view in Figure 1a. If multiple partition elements 20, 21 are used, the at least one partition element 20 can be referred to as the first partition element 20. Furthermore, further partition elements 21 can be referred to as the second partition element, the third partition element, etc. The partition element 20, 21 can at least partially close and open the opening 14 in a closed position.

[0044] Figure 1a shows the at least one partition element 20 in the closed position. The at least one partition element 20 is arranged between the first transport wheel 16 and the second transport wheel 18. In particular, the at least one partition element 20 is arranged between the transport wheels 16, 18 in a radial direction with respect to the rotatably mounted transport wheels 16, 18.

[0045] Before the partition element 20 is moved into the closed position, it may be provided that the containers are first removed from the transport path 24. This can be achieved, for example, by stopping the production of the containers, stopping the feeding of the containers into the transport path, or by sorting out the containers before they reach the transport wheels 16, 18.

[0046] In this example, the bulkhead element 20 can be moved vertically between the transport wheels 16, 18 in order to arrange the bulkhead element 20 between the two transport wheels 16, 18. In doing so, the opening 14 is at least partially closed by the bulkhead element 20. In particular, the at least one bulkhead element 20 can be moved past the transport wheels 16, 18 in the axial direction of the transport wheels 16, 18. If the at least one bulkhead element 20 can be moved completely past the transport wheels 16, 18 in the axial direction, the opening 14 can be completely closed by the at least one bulkhead element 20.

[0047] According to Figure 1b, which shows a view of the device 10 from diagonally below, the device in this example can however also have a further partition element 21 which can move in the opposite direction to the at least one partition element 20 and, in conjunction with the at least one partition element 20, can bring about a complete closure of the opening 14. For this purpose, the further partition element 21 can be arranged at least partially between the first transport wheel 16 and the second transport wheel 18 in the closed position. Openings or slots between the partition elements 20, 21, as can remain in the prior art, are thus avoided. Figure 1b shows that the first partition element 20 has a downward-facing edge which, in the closed position, rests against an upward-facing edge of the second partition element 21.

[0048] At the positions of the ring guides 28, 32, the at least one partition element 20 can each have a recess 36, 38. A first recess 36 can be assigned to the first ring guide 28, and a second recess 38 can be assigned to the second ring guide 32. The recesses 36, 38 can be arranged and abut the respective ring guide 28, 32 in the closed position.

[0049] The further partition element 21 can accordingly have a third recess 36' and a fourth recess 38'. The third recess 36' can also be assigned to the first ring guide 28 and rest against it in the closed position. The fourth recess 38' can be assigned to the second ring guide 32 and rest against it in the closed position.

[0050] The recesses 36, 36', 38, 38' can lie sealingly against the respective ring guides 28, 32, so that no opening remains between the recesses 36, 36', 38, 38' and the ring guides 28, 32.

[0051] The partition element 20 can be guided along the wall 12 to be moved into the closed position. Since in this example the first transport wheel 16 extends at least partially through the opening 14, the partition element 20 can have a stepped contour in the radial direction toward the transport wheels 16, 18. The contour is designed such that, starting from the wall 12, the partition element approximately follows a section of the transport path 24, which extends at least partially between the transport wheels 16, 18.

[0052] When the bulkhead element 20 moves into the closed position, the bulkhead element 20 can therefore be arranged at least in the section of the transport path 24 that extends between the transport wheels 16, 18, and preferably at least partially block the transport path 24.

[0053] The transport wheels 16, 18 remain at the opening 14 when the at least one partition element 20 moves into the closed position. For this purpose, they can, for example, have fixedly positioned rotation axes that prevent the entire transport wheel 16, 18 from pivoting out of the opening. Therefore, moving the transport wheels 16, 18 away from the opening 14 in order to completely close the opening 14 is not necessary.

[0054] Figures 2a and 2b show a front view of the device 10. The view is of the side of the wall 12 on which the at least one partition element 20 is arranged. Figures 3a and 3b also show a rear view of the device 10, with the view here being shown on the opposite side of the wall 12. According to Figures 2a and 3a, the first transport wheel 16 can be rotatably mounted on a first base 40. Furthermore, the second transport wheel 18 can be rotatably mounted on a second base 42. The bases 40, 42 can have the axes of rotation of the transport wheels 16, 18.

[0055] In Figures 2a and 3a, the partition element 20 is shown in an open position in which the opening 14 cannot be covered by the partition element 20. An open position is also conceivable in which the opening 14 can be at least partially covered by the partition element 20. The further partition element 21 can be arranged on the opposite edge of the opening 14 and, in the open position, can only partially cover or not cover the opening 14.

[0056] During the transition from the open position to the closed position, which is shown in Figures 2b and 3b, the partition elements 20, 21 were moved towards each other and at least partially arranged between the transport wheels 16, 18. The opening 14 is indicated by the dashed line and is completely covered by the combination of both partition elements 20, 21. In this example, both partition elements 20, 21 further have at least one horizontally oriented wall element 23, 25 extending in the radial direction, which extends from the wall 12 to the stepped shape of the respective partition element 20, 21 explained above. Thus, in this example, in the closed position with the partition elements 20, 21, a complete closure of the opening 14 can be effected.

[0057] Figures 4a, 4b and 4c show a second embodiment of the device 10. In this example, neither of the two transport wheels 16, 18 protrudes through the opening 14. The transport wheels 16, 18 are therefore each arranged completely on different sides of the opening 14 and the wall 12. It cannot be ruled out that in another example, one of the transport wheels 16, 18 can protrude at least partially into the opening 14 without protruding on the other side of the wall 12, i.e. that the transport wheel 16, 18 then does not protrude through the opening 14 through the wall 12. Only the ring guides 28, 32 protrude in this example through the opening 14 through the wall 12 to the other side of the wall 12.

[0058] Figure 4a shows a front view of the device 10 in the closed position of the partition elements 20, 21. Figure 4b shows a rear view of the device 10 in the closed position.

[0059] In this example, the bulkhead elements 20, 21 are flat and, unlike the example shown in Figures 1a to 3b, do not have a stepped shape. This can simplify the manufacture of the bulkhead elements 20, 21.

[0060] To increase the sealing effect between the ring guides 28, 32 and the at least one partition element 20, the ring guides 28, 32 can each have a groove 29. The groove 29 can, for example, extend vertically along the ring guides 28, 32 and have a rectangular shape, against which an edge region of the respective recesses 36, 38 and a section of the partition element 20 can be placed in the closed position. The recesses 36, 38 then do not have to be adapted to a curved shape of the ring guides 28, 32, which can further simplify the manufacture of the partition element 20. The groove 29 can be provided in all embodiments explained in this description.

[0061] Furthermore, in this example, the first partition element 20 extends completely past the transport wheels 16, 18 in the closed position in the axial direction. The second partition element 21 therefore has no recesses and does not extend between the transport wheels 16, 18 in the closed position. However, this does not rule out the possibility that the second partition element 21 can also extend between the transport wheels 16, 18 in another example. This can be achieved, for example, if the ring guides 28, 32 have a further groove into which the second partition element 21 can be moved during the transition to the closed position. Therefore, the further partition element 21 can have a straight edge 27 that abuts the at least one partition element 20 when the partition elements 20, 21 are in the closed position. This can further simplify the manufacture of at least the further partition element 21.

[0062] Figure 4c shows the second example in the open position. In this example, the at least one partition element 20 is designed such that it can at least partially cover the opening 14 in the open position. At least a portion of the at least one partition element 20 can partially cover the opening 14. However, this does not preclude the possibility that the at least one partition element 20 leaves the opening 14 completely free in the open position.

[0063] Furthermore, it can be seen from Figure 4c that the further bulkhead element 21 can be moved in the vertical direction during the transition from the open position to the closed position.

[0064] Figure 5 shows a third example showing an open position of the device 10. The further partition element 21 is arranged laterally of the opening 14. During the transition from the open position to the closed position, the first partition element 20 can be moved vertically and the second partition element 21 can be moved horizontally. This can also further simplify the manufacture of the device 10 since, particularly in the case of openings 14 that extend close to a hall floor, no receptacle needs to be provided in the hall floor for the further partition element 21 in order to bring the partition element 21 into the open position. According to the third example, sufficient space only needs to be provided to the side of the opening 14, which requires significantly less effort than producing a receptacle in a hall floor.

[0065] The partition elements 20, 21 can be connected to the wall 12 by rails. The rails can guide the partition elements 20, 21 along the wall 12. Alternatively or additionally, the rails can be attached to a hall floor or a housing ceiling. In addition to linear movements of the partition elements 20, 21, e.g., as part of a vertical or horizontal displacement, a pivoting or rotary movement can also be provided for the movement of the partition elements 20, 21.

[0066] Figure 6 shows a system 50 for producing and / or treating containers. The system 50 has at least one device 10 as explained above. The first transport wheel 16 can be arranged in a first region 46 of the system. The second transport wheel 18 can be arranged in a second region 48 of the system. The regions 46, 48 are separated from one another by the wall 12. Containers can be transported from the first transport wheel 16 to the second transport wheel 18 or vice versa through the opening 14 of the wall 12 between the regions 46, 48.

[0067] For example, a cleaning or sterilization device 44 can be arranged in one of the areas 46, 48. The corresponding area can thus be designed as a wet area or sterilization area. The wall 12 can be part of a housing 52 that can enclose the respective area 46, 48 in which the cleaning or sterilization device 44 is arranged. The wall 12 or the housing 52 can enclose the cleaning or sterilizing agent in the respective area 46, 48, wherein during cleaning or sterilization, the at least one partition element 20 is in the closed position and closes the opening 14.

[0068] A filling machine 45 can be arranged in the housing 52, which can be wet-cleaned by the cleaning device 44. The transport wheels 16, 18, which are arranged on the right in the figure, can receive containers, for example, from a blow-molding machine (not shown) and feed them to the filling machine 45. The blow-molding machine can be directly adjacent to the right-hand first transport wheel 16 or connected to this transport wheel by additional transport wheels.

[0069] A flow chart of the method 100 for separating regions of a plant for producing and / or treating containers is shown in Figure 7.

[0070] According to a first step 102, according to the method 100, the at least one bulkhead element 20 can be moved over the opening 14 of a wall 12. The wall 12 is arranged between the first transport wheel 16 and the second transport wheel 18. The first transport wheel 16 is further arranged in a first region 46 of the system 50, and the second transport wheel 18 is arranged in a second region 48 of the system 50.

[0071] After the at least one bulkhead element 20 has been moved far enough over the opening 14 that it is positioned at the level of the transport wheels 16, 18, the at least one bulkhead element 20 is moved between the first transport wheel 16 and the second transport wheel 18 according to a further step 104. In this case, the at least one bulkhead element 20 can be moved further between recesses 22 for holding containers, wherein the recesses 22 can be arranged both on the circumference 17 of the first transport wheel 16 and on the circumference 19 of the second transport wheel 18.

[0072] This means that the at least one bulkhead element 20 is arranged between the two transport wheels 16, 18 in the radial direction with respect to the transport wheels 16, 18.

[0073] This allows the first region 46 and the second region 48, which were previously fluidly connected via the opening 14, to be separated from each other.

[0074] Optionally, the method can be performed with an additional partition element 21, in which case both partition elements 20, 21 can then be moved across the opening 14 simultaneously or sequentially according to step 102. The movement of the two partition elements 20, 21 can, for example, be in opposite directions or perpendicular to each other. Furthermore, the directions of movement of the two partition elements 20, 21 during the transition to the closed position can also be at any other angle to each other. It is also conceivable that the movement of the partition elements 20, 21 can occur along a curved path.

[0075] Further optionally, both partition elements 20, 21 can then be moved between the two transport wheels 16, 18 simultaneously or one after the other according to step 104. Alternatively, the further partition element 21 can skip step 104 and not be moved between the transport wheels 16, 18. The at least one partition element 20 is then moved so far between the transport wheels 16, 18 that it is moved past the two transport wheels 16, 18 and at least partially protrudes on the side facing the further partition element 21 or is aligned with one side of the transport wheels 16, 18. If, for example, the at least one partition element 20 is moved past the transport wheels 16, 18 from above, it can be aligned with the underside of the transport wheels 16, 18 in the closed position, for example.

[0076] The further bulkhead element 21 can then be placed against the first bulkhead element 20 in the closed position in order to provide a complete closure of the opening 14.

[0077] The method 100 can be further performed with more than two bulkhead elements 20, 21. At least one of the bulkhead elements 20, 21 then performs step 104.

[0078] The example described above does not limit the invention in any way. Rather, the invention can be modified in many ways. All of the features of the invention described above can be essential to the invention alone or in combination with one another.

[0079] List of reference symbols

[0080] 10 Device

[0081] 11 retaining collar

[0082] 12 Wall

[0083] 14 Opening

[0084] 16 first transport wheel

[0085] 17 Scope

[0086] 18 second transport wheel

[0087] 19 Scope

[0088] 20 first bulkhead element

[0089] 21 second bulkhead element

[0090] 22 Recess

[0091] 23 vertical wall element

[0092] 24 Transport path

[0093] 25 vertical wall element

[0094] 26 slot

[0095] 27 edge

[0096] 28 first ring tour

[0097] 29 grooves

[0098] 30 Instructor element

[0099] 32 second ring guide

[0100] 34 Instructor element

[0101] 36 first recesses

[0102] 38 second recesses

[0103] 40 first base

[0104] 42 second base

[0105] 44 Cleaning or sterilization device

[0106] 46 first area

[0107] 48 second area

[0108] 50 system

[0109] 52 housings

Claims

Claims 1. Device (10) for separating areas (46, 48) of a system (50) for producing and / or treating containers, comprising a wall (12) with an opening (14), a rotatably mounted first transport wheel (16), a rotatably mounted second transport wheel (18), and at least one partition element (20, 21) for the opening (14), wherein the first transport wheel (16) and the second transport wheel (18) are arranged substantially on different sides of the wall (12) at the opening (14), characterized in that the first transport wheel (16) and the second transport wheel (18) each have a plurality of recesses (22) arranged on a circumference (17, 19) of the respective transport wheel (16, 18) for holding containers, and the partition element (20, 21) in a closed position in which the at least one partition element (20, 21) closes the opening (14) at least partially closes,is arranged at least partially between the first transport wheel (16) and the second transport wheel (18).

2. Device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the partition element (20, 21) in the closed position is arranged in a transport path (24) of the containers, which extends between the first transport wheel (16) and the second transport wheel (18), and preferably blocks the transport path (24).

3. Device (10) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that between the circumference (17, 19) of the first transport wheel (16) and the circumference (17, 19) of the second transport wheel (18) a fixed distance, preferably a slot (26), is formed, in which the partition element (20, 21) is arranged in the closed position.

4. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the opening (14) is arranged between the first transport wheel (16) and the second transport wheel (18).

5. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a first ring guide (28) for the containers is arranged on the first transport wheel (16) and a second ring guide (32) for the containers is arranged on the second transport wheel (18), wherein preferably the at least one partition element (20, 21) rests against at least one of the ring guides (28, 32) in the closed position.

6. Device (10) according to claim 5, characterized in that the first and / or second ring guide (32) have a groove (29) in which the at least one partition element (20, 21) is at least partially arranged in the closed position 7. Device (10) according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the at least one bulkhead element (20, 21) has at least one recess (36, 38) in which the first and / or second ring guide (32) are arranged in the closed position.

8. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device (10) has at least two partition elements (20, 21), wherein at least a first partition element (20, 21) of the at least two partition elements (20, 21) is arranged in the closed position at least partially between recesses (22) of the first transport wheel (16) and the second transport wheel (18).

9. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the partition element (20, 21) is movable in the axial direction into the closed position and out of the closed position.

10. Plant (50) for producing and / or treating containers, comprising a first region (46) and a second region (48) and at least one device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first transport wheel (16) is arranged in the first region (46) and the second transport wheel (18) is arranged in the second region (48) and wherein the wall (12) separates the regions (46, 48) from one another.

11. A method (100) for separating areas of a plant for producing and / or treating containers, comprising at least the following steps: Moving (102) at least one bulkhead element over an opening of a wall between a first transport wheel in a first area of ​​the system and a second transport wheel in a second area of ​​the system; Moving (104) the at least one bulkhead element between the first transport wheel and the second transport wheel to separate the areas.

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