Supporting plate for a container

Abstract

A supporting plate (1) for a container, comprising a base body (2) adapted to connect the supporting plate (1) to a container processing machine, the base body (2) comprising a resting body (3) having at least partially an anti-skid surface (4) and associated with loading and unloading means (5) that can be lowered and raised with respect to the base body (2); the base structure (2) can be associated, by means of quick coupling / uncoupling means (10), selectively with a first centering body (11a) and with at least one second centering body (11b) which have different shapes and / or dimensions and are configured to be arranged at least partially around the resting body (3).

Description

[0001] SUPPORTING PLATE FOR A CONTAINER

[0002] The present invention relates to a supporting plate for a container, for container processing machines.

[0003] Container processing machines, such as for example filling machines, capping machines or labeling machines, typically have a structure that supports a plurality of supporting plates which can move along a movement trajectory and are configured to receive in resting contact the containers to be processed.

[0004] In addition to the stability of the container, the various operations that need to be performed on the containers also entail a certain precision of positioning so as to ensure accuracy and efficiency of the various operations performed.

[0005] In particular, it is extremely important for the container to be centered on the supporting plate, in addition to being stationary and stable.

[0006] Locking the container in place on the plate is generally done using an immobilizing body (for example a pneumatically-actuated or spring-loaded body) with a locking head that applies a force from above on the top of the container so as to stably immobilize the container between the supporting plate and the locking head.

[0007] In many applications the supporting plate rotates, on command, about a vertical axis: in this case, the supporting plate is motorized so as to orientate the bottle in the correct angular position.

[0008] Typically, the supporting plates are constituted by a base body which defines, directed upward, a resting surface adapted to receive and support the container during the processing operations.

[0009] The resting surface can be covered, at least partially, with a material having a high friction coefficient (for example rubber), so as to prevent the slippage of the container during the various operations of conveying and processing.

[0010] It should be noted however that, during the entry (feeding) and exit (unloading) operations on the container with respect to the plate, it is necessary for the bottom of the container to be able to slide in some way until it reaches a central position, with the axis of the container corresponding to the axis of the plate, so that it can then be locked in position by the locking head.

[0011] For this reason, conventional plates are often provided with centering means that are adapted to facilitate the centering of the container.

[0012] For example, EP3325357B1 describes a plate that has a base body with at least two receiving elements arranged on it which are covered by an anti-skid surface.

[0013] The plate has at least one sliding element that can be raised and lowered with respect to the anti-skid surface, in order to position the container so that it can slide to the reception position.

[0014] The solution described in EP3325357B1 should ensure that the container is positioned by sliding in the reception position and that it is then locked in place against slipping by lowering the sliding elements by means of the receiving elements.

[0015] Known solutions, however, whether they have ejector elements or the ejection is done by raising and lowering the resting surface, have a number of drawbacks.

[0016] In particular, if it is necessary to process containers of different shapes or dimensions, then it is necessary to intervene on the machine to replace all the supporting plates.

[0017] Such operations are extremely laborious from the point of view of the operators.

[0018] In fact, the base bodies are usually rendered integral with the structure of the machine by means of fixing screws.

[0019] Furthermore, it is necessary to have a certain number of plates on hand that are adapted to various different formats of containers, with evident increase in costs. The aim of the present invention is to provide a supporting plate for a container that is capable of improving the known art in one or more of the above-mentioned aspects.

[0020] Within this aim, an object of the invention is to make available a supporting plate for a container that makes it possible to process, in a simple and economically advantageous manner, containers of different shapes and dimensions.

[0021] Not least an object of the invention is to provide a supporting plate for a container that is highly reliable, easy to implement and at low cost.

[0022] This aim and these and other objects which will become more apparent hereinafter are achieved by a plate for a container according to claim 1, optionally provided with one or more of the characteristics of the dependent claims.

[0023] Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the description of some preferred, but not exclusive, embodiments of the supporting plate for a container according to the invention, which are illustrated for the purposes of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings wherein:

[0024] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a part of a first embodiment of the supporting plate according to the invention;

[0025] Figure 2 is a view from above of the part of the supporting plate of Figure 1;

[0026] Figure 3 is a partially exploded perspective view of a part of the first embodiment of the supporting plate;

[0027] Figures 3a and 3b are perspective views of details of figure 3;

[0028] Figure 4 is a diametric cross-sectional view of the first embodiment of the supporting plate, taken along the plane of arrangement identified by the line IV-IV of Figure 2;

[0029] Figure 5 is a diametric cross-sectional view of the first embodiment of the supporting plate, taken along the plane of arrangement identified by the line V-V of Figure 2;

[0030] Figure 6 is a partially exploded perspective view of a centering body;

[0031] Figure 7 is a partially exploded perspective view of the first embodiment of the supporting plate according to the invention;

[0032] Figure 8 is a view similar to that of Figure 7 which shows several types of centering bodies that can be associated with the same base body;

[0033] Figure 9 is a perspective view of a part of a second embodiment of a supporting plate according to the invention;

[0034] Figure 10 is a view from above of the part of the supporting plate shown in Figure 9;

[0035] Figure 11 is a diametric cross-sectional view of the second embodiment of the supporting plate, taken along the plane of arrangement identified by the line XI-XI of Figure 10;

[0036] Figure 12 is a diametric cross-sectional view of the second embodiment of the supporting plate, taken along the plane of arrangement identified by the line XII-XII of Figure 10.

[0037] With reference to the figures, the supporting plate according to the invention, generally designated by the reference numeral 1, comprises a supporting plate for a container for container processing machines.

[0038] For example, such container processing machines comprise a labeling machine.

[0039] The supporting plate 1 can move along a movement trajectory and is configured to receive in resting contact a respective container to be processed.

[0040] The supporting plate 1 has an axis of the plate 100, which, during use, comprises an axis that extends substantially vertically.

[0041] Above the supporting plate 1, a locking body is provided, not shown in the figures, with a locking head which can be moved on command along a substantially vertical direction in order to apply a force on the top of the container and directed toward the supporting plate 1. Conveniently, the locking head is arranged on the axis of the plate 100. Advantageously, the supporting plate 1 can rotate about its own axis 100, freely or on command.

[0042] The supporting plate 1 can be supported by a carousel structure or by a linear advancement structure.

[0043] The supporting plate 1 comprises a base body 2, conveniently with a plate-like structure.

[0044] The base body 2 extends, substantially, on a horizontal plane.

[0045] The base body 2 is adapted to allow the connection of the supporting plate to the container processing machine, by way of for example connecting means such as screw couplings (with a female thread).

[0046] The supporting plate 1 further comprises a resting body 3 which has at least one anti-skid surface 4.

[0047] The resting body 3 is further associated with loading and unloading means 5 which can be lowered and raised with respect to the base structure 2.

[0048] Raising and lowering the loading and unloading means 5 is done, conveniently, by the combined action of an upward thrust by elastic means which act between the base body 2 and the loading and unloading means 5 and the downward thrust by the locking head on the container.

[0049] According to the present invention, the base body 2 can be associated selectively, by way of quick coupling / uncoupling means 10, with a first centering body I la and with at least one second centering body 1 lb.

[0050] The first centering body I la and at least the second centering body 11b have different shapes and / or dimensions and are configured to be arranged at least partially around the resting body 3.

[0051] It seems evident that the possibility of selectively associating different types of centering bodies (I la, 11b, 11c, etc.) with the same base body 2 makes it possible to drastically reduce the time necessary to configure the machine in the event of a change of format of the containers to be processed, as well as drastically reducing the costs and the number of components to be kept on hand.

[0052] According to a preferred embodiment, the centering bodies (I la, 11b, etc.) can be lowered and raised with respect to the base body 2.

[0053] With reference to the embodiment shown in the figures, the centering bodies (I la, 11b, etc.) comprise an annular body 12 connected to a plurality of centering portions 13 which extend, preferably radially, toward the axis 100 of the plate and which define a chute-like plane 13a which approaches the base body 2 going from the annular body 12 toward the axis 100 of the plate.

[0054] Conveniently, the supporting plate 1 comprises an interface body 20 which is supported by the base body 2 and can be moved, with respect to the base body 2, along a lowering and raising direction 101, substantially parallel to the axis 100 of the plate.

[0055] In this case, the quick coupling / uncoupling means 10 are arranged between the interface body 20 and the centering bodies (I la, 1 lb, etc.).

[0056] In order to allow the raising and lowering of the interface body 20 with respect to the base body 2, elastic loading means 30, typically springs, are provided and are configured to allow, in cooperation with the movement of the locking head, the raising and lowering of the centering bodies (I la, 1 lb, etc.) with respect to the base body 2.

[0057] By way of example, the quick coupling / uncoupling means 10 comprise a bayonet coupling 31 associated with elastic means 32 for retention in the locked position, which are defined on the interface body 20, and locking studs 33 which are supported by the centering bodies (I la, 11b, etc.).

[0058] The interface body 20 is provided with an abutment ring 20a, which can be associated with an upper closure housing 21 which defines pass- through openings 22 for the locking studs 33.

[0059] The elastic means 32 for retention in the locked position act between the interface body 20 and the abutment ring 20a so as to produce the automatic entrainment, by virtue of the action of such elastic means 32 for retention in the locked position, of the studs 33 into the portion 31a of the bayonet coupling 31 which has a smaller cross-section, so as to axially immobilize the corresponding stud 33 in position.

[0060] In order to produce the disengagement of the studs 33 from the respective bayonet coupling 31, it will be sufficient to rotate the interface body 20 with respect to the abutment ring 20a and raise the centering body to be removed.

[0061] More generally, the quick coupling / uncoupling means 10 can be provided in various ways, in order to make it possible, in particular, to couple and remove the centering bodies to / from the base body 2, and in particular to / from the interface body 20, in an extremely practical and rapid manner.

[0062] Therefore it is possible for the quick coupling / uncoupling means 10 to be implemented with shape coupling, with related locking / release by way of mutual rotation movements or by way of mutual locking pins, engagement teeth, etc.

[0063] Preferably, the quick coupling / uncoupling means 10 are configured to allow the mutual coupling and uncoupling between the centering body and the base body without using tools or wrenches.

[0064] The solution which entails the presence of the interface body 20 makes it possible to optimize the mechanism for moving (raising and lowering) the centering bodies (I la, 11b, etc.) by stably associating it with the base body 2, so as to allow the substitution exclusively of its centering body.

[0065] With reference to the embodiment shown in Figures 9 to 12, the resting body 3 comprises a first resting body 4 which is fixed with respect to the base body 2, and at least one reception / ej ection body 5a which can be raised and lowered with respect to the base body 2, and as a consequence with respect to the first resting body 4, by virtue of elastic loading elements 40 which act between the base body 2 and the reception / ejection body 5a.

[0066] In this case, the first resting body 4 defines the anti-skid surface on its upward-facing face.

[0067] Alternatively, as shown in Figures 1 to 8, it is possible for the resting body 3 to define the anti-skid surface on top of it, but it is precisely this that can be lowered and lifted with respect to the base body 2, by virtue of elastic loading elements 40 which act between the base body 2 and the resting body 3.

[0068] Preferably, the resting body 3 has a lobed shape at its peripheral rim. Advantageously, the centering portions 13 extend, at least partially, between the lobes of the resting body 3.

[0069] The operation of the supporting plate 1 according to the invention is substantially similar to the operation of conventional plates fitted with a centering device.

[0070] The peculiarity lies in the possibility of associating different centering bodies I la, 11b, etc. with the same base body 2 (which remains associated with the container processing machine), thus making it possible to process containers of different size ranges.

[0071] Raising and lowering at least one portion of the resting body 3 further facilitates the loading and unloading operations.

[0072] The quick coupling / uncoupling means 10 make it possible to intervene effectively and rapidly on the plates 1, adapting them to be capable of processing containers of different shapes or dimensions.

[0073] In practice it has been found that the invention achieves the set aim and objects, by providing a plate for supporting containers that is capable of drastically reducing the time necessary for preparing the machine in the event of a change of format of the containers to be processed.

[0074] The invention thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, all the details may be substituted by other, technically equivalent elements.

[0075] In practice the materials employed, provided they are compatible with the specific use, and the contingent dimensions and shapes, may be any according to requirements and to the state of the art.

[0076] The disclosures in Italian Patent Application No. 102023000015924 from which this application claims priority are incorporated herein by reference.

[0077] Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, such reference signs have been inserted for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A supporting plate (1) for a container, comprising a base body (2) adapted to connect said supporting plate (1) to a container processing machine, said base body (2) comprising a resting body (3) having at least partially an anti-skid surface (4) and associated with loading and unloading means (5) that can be lowered and raised with respect to said base structure (2), characterized in that said base body (2) can be associated, by means of quick coupling / uncoupling means (10), selectively with a first centering body (I la) and with at least one second centering body (11b) which have different shapes and / or dimensions and are configured to be arranged at least partially around said resting body (3).

2. The supporting plate (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said centering bodies (I la, 11b) can be lowered and raised with respect to said base body (2).

3. The supporting plate (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said centering bodies (I la, 1 lb) comprise an annular body (12) connected to a plurality of centering portions (13) which extend toward the axis (100) of said plate (1) and define a chute-like plane (13a) which approaches said base body (2) going toward said axis (100) of the plate (1).

4. The supporting plate (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises an interface body (20) which is supported by said base body (2) and is movable with respect to said base body (2) along a lowering and raising direction, said quick coupling / uncoupling means (10) being arranged between said interface body (20) and said centering bodies (I la, 11b).

5. The supporting plate (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that it comprises, between said base body (2) and said interface body (20), elastic loading means (30) configured to allow the raising and lowering of said centering bodies (I la, 1 lb) with respect to said base body (2).

6. The supporting plate (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said quick coupling / uncoupling means (10) areconfigured to allow the coupling and uncoupling of said centering bodies (I la, 1 lb) with respect to said base body (2) without the use of tools.

7. The supporting plate (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said quick coupling / uncoupling means (10) comprise a bayonet coupling (31) associated with elastic means (32) for retention in the locked position.

8. The supporting plate (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said resting body (3) comprises a first resting body which is fixed with respect to said base body (2) and at least one reception / ej ection body which can be raised and lowered with respect to said base body (2).

9. The supporting plate (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises elastic loading means (40) which act between said base body (2) and said at least one loading / ej ection body and are configured to allow the lowering and raising of said loading / ej ection body with respect to said base body (2).

10. The supporting plate (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said resting body (3) provided with said anti-skid surface (4) is movable toward / away from said base body (2) in order to define said loading / ej ection body.

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