Container conveying device for conveying containers

Abstract

The invention relates to a container conveying device (2) for conveying containers (1), in particular beverage containers, comprising a conveying lane (12) located along a direction of travel (T), and a holding arrangement (10) assigned to the conveying lane (12), wherein the holding arrangement (10) includes a holding element (11) which can be translated along a transverse direction (Q) extending at an angle to the direction of travel and which, in a holding position, at least partially projects into the conveying lane (12). According to the invention, the holding element (11) is designed to be movable along the direction of travel (T) at least in a deceleration section (16) in order to be brought into the holding position.

Description

[0001] Container transport device' Transport of containers

[0002] Description:

[0003] The present invention relates to a container transport device for transporting containers with a transport lane arranged along a transport direction and a holding arrangement assigned to the transport lane, wherein the holding arrangement has a holding element which is displaceable along a transverse direction running obliquely to the transport direction and which, in a holding position, extends at least partially into the transport lane.

[0004] Such container transport devices are generally known from the prior art, with reference to container transport devices from the food industry, particularly the beverage industry. Accordingly, the containers are preferably beverage containers. In this context, beverage containers mean that the containers are intended to hold a beverage as the filling medium.

[0005] In particular, the invention provides that the beverage containers are so-called preforms, which are formed into beverage containers during blow molding or stretch blow molding. The preforms are containers that already have an external thread for receiving a closure cap, so that only the adjoining body section is formed during a forming process. The shape is determined by the size of the beverage container and also by the desired visual appearance.

[0006] During the forming process, the containers are typically first removed from a collection bin via an ascending conveyor, then separated and aligned. The containers are then fed into the actual blow molding machine, where they are first heated in a heating device to bring the container material to a temperature that allows for easy plastic forming.

[0007] In particular, for introducing the containers or preforms into the blow molding machine, a corresponding container transport device is provided which controls the feed into the blow molding machine.

[0008] A corresponding container transport device is known, for example, from DE 10 2020 122 470 A1, wherein a container transport device referred to as a feed transport device enables the feeding of the preforms into a separating device. It is also known that the feed of the containers can be stopped by inserting a holding element into the transport lane, thereby blocking the movement of the containers. This may be necessary, for example, if a rapid shutdown of the machine is desired. During commissioning, the individual system components are first started and then the feeding or movement of the containers is enabled by releasing the holding element. Such a configuration is common in practice, wherein the holding element is moved in a direction transverse to the transport direction.In particular, the transverse direction is arranged substantially perpendicular to the transport direction, although arrangements in which a slightly inclined position relative to the transport direction is provided are also possible within the scope of the invention. However, an inclined arrangement refers to configurations in which the holding element is arranged in a holding position at an angle between 70° and 110°, in particular between 75° and 105°, relative to the transport direction.

[0009] Such a design has proven itself in practice, as it allows the container supply to be interrupted in just a very short period of time, just a few milliseconds.

[0010] However, especially with a high throughput of containers, it becomes apparent that the stop fingers only have a relatively short period of time to engage between two containers in a container chain. This inevitably leads to the risk of damage to individual containers or even the holding element itself.

[0011] Against this background, the object of the invention is to provide a container transport device which enables the feeding of containers into subsequent system components in a product-friendly manner and at the same time improves functional reliability.

[0012] The subject matter and solution of this problem is a container transport device according to patent claim 1. Accordingly, it is provided that the holding element is arranged to be movable along the transport device at least in a deceleration section for transfer into the holding position.

[0013] Accordingly, the transport mandrel does not move exclusively in a transverse direction, but also moves along the transport direction in a deceleration section of the transport lane. Accordingly, a type of damping zone forms in the deceleration section, resulting in a lower relative speed between the holding element and the containers moving along the transport lane, which enables the holding element to be inserted in a way that is gentle on the product. In this context, it should be noted that the deceleration section refers to the section of the transport lane in which the holding element moves diagonally to the transverse direction and along the transport direction.

[0014] According to a preferred development of the invention, the deceleration section extends over a length of between 15 and 200 mm, in particular between 30 and 150 mm, in the transport lane. For implementing a movement of the holding element along the transport direction, various possibilities are conceivable. The invention preferably provides that the holding arrangement has an adjusting carriage which guides the holding element in a linearly displaceable manner along the transverse direction, and wherein the adjusting carriage is designed to be movable at least in sections along the transport direction. Accordingly, the holding arrangement enables adjustment in the transverse direction via a relative movement of the holding element to the adjusting carriage, while the movement along the transport direction is brought about by a movement of the adjusting carriage itself.

[0015] This can be achieved, for example, by arranging the adjusting carriage on a rotatable support. The adjusting carriage is moved accordingly along a curved path, which enables movement in the transport direction. It must of course be borne in mind that the movement along a curved path also imparts additional movement in the transverse direction to the holding element, which must be compensated for accordingly by moving the holding element in the adjusting carriage. In particular, it is provided that the adjusting carriage is arranged on the rotatable support on a comparatively large radius, so that the movement path of the adjusting carriage has only a slight curvature. In particular, the adjusting carriage is arranged on a radius of between 40 and 200 mm, in particular between 60 and 150 mm.An alternative embodiment provides for the adjusting carriage to be movable along a linear guide. This allows for a more or less flexible configuration of the movement path of the adjusting carriage and thus also of the holding element. According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the linear guide is arranged parallel to the transport lane, at least in sections. If only a movement parallel to the transport lane is intended, the transfer of the holding element from a released position to the held position can take place in the same way as before, since no additional movement components perpendicular to the transport direction are imposed.

[0016] Of course, the linear guide can be provided with at least curved guide sections. These curved guide sections can be provided, on the one hand, to enable a parallel arrangement to the transport lane, provided that this is non-linear. At the same time, however, it is also possible to provide curved guide sections along a linear transport lane. For example, the movement of the holding element in the transport lane in the transverse direction can then also be significantly effected by the movement of the adjusting carriage. This allows two separate movement components to be superimposed on one another to enable even faster closing.

[0017] A preferred embodiment of the invention provides that the holding element is designed to be displaceable at least along a distance of between 2 and 20 mm, in particular between 5 and 15 mm, along the transverse direction between the release position and the holding position. The distance is particularly dependent on the size of the containers to be transported within the transport lane.

[0018] With regard to the design of the holding element, previously known solutions can be used. In particular, the holding element is finger-shaped or spike-shaped, with a spike-shaped design featuring a tapered surface at the end, which makes it easy to grip between two containers. Furthermore, the holding element is preferably made of a metallic material. This is particularly plastic, especially elastomers, or steel, especially stainless steel.

[0019] Various options can also be considered regarding the drive of the holding element. Typically, the holding element is driven transversely or within the adjusting carriage via a pneumatic drive, as this enables transfer between a released position and a held position within a few milliseconds and is also relatively fail-safe, as only a certain pressure reserve needs to be provided. Alternatively, it is of course also possible to provide an electric drive. A hydraulic drive is also an option, although, particularly in the field of beverage and food technology, this design has the disadvantage compared to other options that, in the event of a leak, contaminants can enter the containers, and the containers can then no longer be used properly.

[0020] These drive methods can also be considered for moving the adjusting carriage or the holding element in the transport direction. Due to the longer travel distance, electrical adjustment can be particularly advantageous here. However, a pneumatic or hydraulic drive can also be considered here.

[0021] A further development of the invention provides for at least one container detection sensor to be arranged upstream of the holding arrangement in the transport direction. Using such a container detection sensor, it is possible to monitor the inflow or movement of containers within the transport lane. This can be, for example, a light barrier, a camera, an ultrasonic sensor, or a mechanical detection unit that scans the containers transported in the transport lane. Accordingly, it is possible to detect whether the containers are being transported through the transport lane in a row in the form of a container chain, or whether there are gaps between individual containers or individual container chains.

[0022] Based on this information, the container detection sensor can then be used to control the holding element. Preferably, the at least one container detection sensor and the holding arrangement are each connected to a control device via a signal connection, wherein the control device is configured to move the holding element between the release position and the holding position based on the signals transmitted by the container detection sensor.

[0023] For example, the container detection sensor can be used to determine whether a suitable gap exists into which the retaining element should then engage as intended. Of course, it is also possible to simply detect when a transition occurs between two consecutive containers, so that the retaining element then preferentially engages the area between two containers, whereby a relatively large area is present, especially in the case of round containers.

[0024] In this context, the invention is not limited to the use of just one container detection sensor. Rather, multiple container detection sensors can also be provided, with speed monitoring also being possible, particularly when at least two container detection sensors are used. Although various options for a container detection sensor are provided, a light barrier solution is particularly suitable because it can detect and transmit a signal in a relatively short time. In comparison, the inclusion of a camera requires image analysis, which can be disadvantageous, especially at high production rates. Of course, this does not preclude the use of suitably fast camera systems as container detection sensors.The invention further relates to a container transport arrangement comprising a container transport device according to the invention and a transport rotor connected to the container transport device. This transport rotor can, for example, be a separating device designed to arrange the containers at a specific distance from one another. This can be necessary, for example, if, starting from the transport rotor, a feed into predefined container receptacles, e.g., in a heating device, is required. A transfer device is then provided in the transfer area, which enables or at least facilitates the transfer of the containers from the container transport device to the transport rotor. This transfer device can be a blow nozzle, which imparts a movement component to the containers, allowing them to be transferred easily to the transport rotor.

[0025] The invention further relates to a container blow molding arrangement according to claim 15 for blow molding, in particular for stretch blow molding containers, comprising a blow molding machine and a container transport device according to the invention associated with the blow molding machine or a container transport arrangement according to the invention. The design of such a container blow molding arrangement has already been explained in detail above.

[0026] In particular, a heating device can be provided between the blow-molding machine and the container transport device. The containers are taken over by the container transport device and guided along a specific heating section. Radiant heat is then supplied via appropriate heating elements, which heats the containers so that they can be easily plastically deformed.

[0027] The transfer from the transport device to the heating device can take place via the transport rotor, which is preferably designed as a separating star, so that the heating device is directly adjacent to the container transport arrangement or, via the transport rotor, to the container transport device. An additional transfer star is then provided between the heating device and the blow molding machine, via which the containers are removed from the heating device and inserted into the blow molds of the blow molding machine.

[0028] In this context, it should be noted that the blow molding machine can, of course, also be a stretch blow molding machine. During stretch blow molding, a mandrel is inserted into the container, which already allows for a certain elongation along the container axis. Compressed air is then introduced to expand the container and press it closer to the molds.

[0029] The invention is explained in more detail below using exemplary drawings. They show:

[0030] Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of a container blowing arrangement according to the prior art Fig. 2A, 2B is a container transport device for a container transport arrangement according to Fig. 1 1 in a loose state and a holding state

[0031] Fig. 3 is a schematic representation of a

[0032] Container transport device with a holding arrangement on a rotatable carrier

[0033] Fig. 4 an alternative embodiment of the invention according to Fig. 3 with linear guide

[0034] Fig. 1 shows a prior art container blow molding system used in the beverage industry. The containers 1 are so-called preforms, commonly referred to as preforms, and are fed via a container transport device 2 to a rotatably driven conveyor gyroscope 3 designed as a separating star. The container transport device 2 can be a feed chute in which the containers 1 are moved solely by gravity. Alternatively, a blow molding system is also possible, in which the containers 1 are transported by compressed air.

[0035] In the transport carousel 3, the containers 1 are spaced apart from one another to a certain extent and transferred by rotation into a heating device 4. For this purpose, the heating device 4 has a plurality of transport elements 5, into which the containers 1 are inserted during transfer from the transport system 3 and via which the containers 1 are transported in the heating device 4.

[0036] The heating device 4 also has heating elements 6, via which the containers 1 are thermally conditioned during transport. Thermal conditioning in this context means heating the containers 1 to a predetermined temperature, which is suitable for plastically deforming the containers in a subsequent process step by introducing compressed air. This plastic deformation serves to convert the containers 1 into beverage containers, in particular beverage bottles. The preforms are therefore made of a thermoplastic material. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) has proven particularly suitable for this purpose.

[0037] After passing through the heating device 4, the containers 1 are removed from the transport elements 5 via a gripping arrangement 7 and fed to a blow molding machine 8, in which the plastic deformation or plastic shaping of the containers 1 designed as preforms then takes place.

[0038] In order to interrupt the supply of containers 1 into the transport carousel 3 as quickly as possible, a holding arrangement 10 with a holding element 11 displaceable in the transverse direction Q is also provided. This holding element 11 is a finger-like or mandrel-like element which is displaced into a transport lane 12 and thereby blocks the containers 1 moved along the transport direction T within the transport lane 12.

[0039] This is shown schematically in Fig. 2B. While according to Fig. 2A the holding element is retracted relative to an adjusting element 13 and thereby releases the transport aisle 12 for the containers 1, between the loose state according to Figure 2A and the held state according to Figure 2B the holding element moves in a transverse direction Q which is arranged obliquely to the transport direction T and as a result of which the holding element 11 engages at least partially in the transport aisle 12 and blocks the movement of the containers 1 along the transport direction T. In this context it should be noted that the transport direction T is not a linear direction but can rather be determined based on the orientation of the transport aisle 12. The transverse direction Q can be perpendicular to the transport direction T. However, it is also sufficient if a certain inclination is achieved.

[0040] As can be seen from Figures 2A, 2B, the holding element 11 moves almost exclusively obliquely to the transport direction T, so that the holding element 11 must preferably engage directly in the spaces between two consecutive containers 1 in order to avoid damaging them. This is particularly problematic with high container throughputs. According to Fig. 3, the holding element 11 is therefore designed to be linearly displaceable relative to a positioning carriage 14, wherein the positioning carriage 14 is arranged on a rotatably configured support 15. Accordingly, not only is the holding element 11 moved relative to the positioning carriage 14 in a transverse direction Q. Rather, the positioning carriage 14 itself moves along a curved path.As a result, the holding element 11 is configured to be movable along the transport direction T for transfer between the release position and the holding position, wherein this movement takes place within a deceleration section 16. This section marks the part of the transport lane 12 in which the holding element 11 first engages the transport lane 12 and is completed by the holding state of the holding element 11.

[0041] With regard to Fig. 3, it should be noted that both states are indicated within one figure, whereby, of course, only one holding element 11 and one adjusting carriage 14 are arranged on the rotatable carrier 15. Furthermore, container detection sensors 17 can also be provided, which monitor the transport of the containers 1 within the transport lane 12. These are connected via a signal connection 18 to a control device 19, which in turn is connected to the holding element 11 via a further signal connection 20. This can trigger the holding element 11 based on the data determined by the image detection sensors 17. The signal connection 20 can be wired or wireless. Pneumatic, hydraulic, or electric drives can generally be used to drive the holding element 11 and the rotatable carrier 5.

[0042] Fig. 4 shows an alternative representation in which the adjusting carriage 14 is arranged on a linear guide 21. This linear guide 21 is arranged parallel to the transport lane 12 and thus also to the transport direction T, with a curved guide section 22 being provided at the end, since the transport lane 12 is also curved at the end.

[0043] Even in such an embodiment, the adjusting carriage 14 and thus also the holding element 11 are moved along a delay section 16 in the transport direction T and at the same time the holding element 11 is moved in the transverse direction Q.

[0044] According to the embodiments in Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, the transverse direction Q changes relative to the absolute system. However, with regard to the likewise changing transport direction T, this preferably remains constant or has a constant angle relative to the transport direction T. In principle, it is of course also conceivable to provide an exclusively straight linear guide 21, so that no change in the transverse direction Q occurs with respect to the absolute system. List of reference symbols

[0045] container

[0046] Container transport device

[0047] Transport roundabout

[0048] Heating device

[0049] T ransport elements

[0050] Greifanord

[0051] Blow molding machine

[0052] Holding arrangement

[0053] Holding element

[0054] Transport aisle

[0055] Adjusting slide

[0056] carrier

[0057] Delay section

[0058] Container detection sensors

[0059] Signal connection

[0060] Control device

[0061] Signal connection

[0062] Linear guide curved guide section

[0063] Transport direction

[0064] Transverse direction

Claims

Patent claims:

1. Container transport device (2) for transporting containers (1), in particular beverage containers, with a transport lane (12) arranged along a transport direction (T) and a holding arrangement (10) assigned to the transport lane (12), wherein the holding arrangement (10) has a holding element (11) which is displaceable along a transverse direction (Q) running obliquely to the transport direction and which, in a holding position, extends at least partially into the transport lane (12), characterized in that the holding element (11) is designed to be displaceable along the transport direction (T) at least in a deceleration section (16) for transfer into the holding position.

2. Container transport device (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that the delay section (16) extends over a length between 15 and 200 mm in the transport lane (12).

3. Container transport device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the holding arrangement (10) has an adjusting carriage (14) which guides the holding element (11) in a linearly displaceable manner, wherein the adjusting carriage (14) is arranged to be movable at least in regions along the transport direction (T).

4. Container transport device (2) according to claim 3, characterized in that the adjusting carriage (14) is arranged on a rotatably arranged carrier (15).

5. Container transport device (2) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the adjusting carriage (14) is arranged to be movable along a linear guide (21).

6. Container transport device (2) according to claim 5, characterized in that the linear guide (21) is arranged at least in sections parallel to the transport lane (12).

7. Container transport device (2) according to claim 4 or 6, characterized in that the linear guide (21) has at least one curved guide section (22).

8. Container transport device (2) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the holding element (11) is arranged to be displaceable at least over a distance of between 2 and 20 mm along the transverse direction (Q) between the release position and the holding position.

9. Container transport device (2) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that at least one container detection sensor (17) is arranged in front of the holding arrangement (10) in the transport direction (T).

10. Container transport device (2) according to claim 9, characterized in that the at least one container detection sensor (17) and the holding arrangement (10) are each connected to a control device (19) via a signal connection (18), wherein the control device (19) is set up to move the holding element (11) between the release position and the holding position on the basis of the signals transmitted by the container detection sensor (17).

11. Container transport device (2) according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the at least one container detection sensor (17) is a light barrier, a camera, an ultrasonic sensor or a mechanical detection unit.

12. Container transport device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the holding element (11) is arranged to be movable pneumatically, hydraulically or electrically in the transverse direction (Q) and / or in the transport direction (T).

13. Container transport arrangement with a container transport device (2) according to one of the preceding claims and a transport carousel (3) adjoining the container transport device (2), wherein a transfer device is arranged in a transfer area.

14. Container transport arrangement (2) according to claim 13, wherein the transfer device is a blow nozzle.

15. Container blow molding arrangement for blow molding containers (1), comprising a blow molding machine and a container transport device (2) associated with the blow molding machine according to one of claims 1 to 12 or a container transport arrangement according to claim 13 or 14.

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