Transfer device with gripper arrangement for handling preforms and / or containers produced from preforms
Patent Information
- Application Number
- EP2024800847
- Authority / Receiving Office
- EP · EP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2023-11-03
- Filing Date
- 2024-11-01
- Publication Date
- 2026-09-09
AI Technical Summary
Existing pliers arrangements for handling pre-forming containers often result in undesirable rotation of the pre-forming along its longitudinal axis during transfer, which can disrupt temperature profiles and affect the formation of containers with non-circular cross-sections.
A rotatable transfer device with a pliers arrangement that includes a steering element and a coupling element, allowing for precise rotation of the pliers arms to maintain a defined orientation of the pre-forming during transfer, thereby preventing excessive rotation around the longitudinal axis.
The solution ensures that pre-formings can be transferred to a forming station with minimal rotation, preserving the intended temperature profile and allowing for the production of containers with complex cross-sectional shapes, such as oval, triangular, or square.
Smart Images
Figure EP2024080918_08052025_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] Transfer device with tong arrangement for handling preforms and / or containers made from preforms
[0002] The invention relates to a rotatably mounted transfer device with at least one gripper assembly arranged thereon for handling preforms and / or containers made from preforms. Furthermore, the invention relates to an apparatus for producing containers from preforms and a method for handling preforms and / or containers made from preforms.
[0003] In the manufacture of containers, preforms made of a thermoplastic material, for example preforms made of PET (polyethylene terephthalate), are typically formed into containers within a preform container manufacturing device.
[0004] The production of containers by blow molding preforms is known, with the preforms being fed to various processing stations within a blow molding machine. Typically, a blow molding machine comprises a heating device for tempering or thermally conditioning the preforms, as well as a forming device designed as a blow molding unit with at least one forming station designed as a blow molding station, in the area of which the previously temperature-conditioned preform is expanded into a container. The expansion takes place using a compressed gas (compressed air) as the pressure medium, which is introduced into the preform to be expanded at a molding pressure. The process sequence for this type of preform expansion is explained in DE4340291A1. The basic structure of a blow molding station is described in DE4212583A1.
[0005] It has also been proposed to produce containers, particularly in the form of bottles, from thermally conditioned or tempered preforms and to simultaneously fill them with a liquid filling material, which is supplied as a hydraulic pressure medium for expanding the preform or for shaping the container with a forming and filling pressure, so that the respective preform is formed into the container at the same time as filling. Such processes, in which the respective container is formed and filled simultaneously, can also be referred to as hydraulic forming processes or hydraulic container forming. Here, too, the preform is first temperature conditioned before the forming and filling process, i.e. heated to a temperature suitable for hydraulic forming and, if necessary, a temperature profile is imposed. When the containers are formed from the preforms by the filling material itself, i.e.Using the filling material as a hydraulic pressure medium, only one machine is required to form and fill the containers, albeit with increased complexity. An example of such a machine is shown in US7914726B2. Another example is shown in DE102010007541 A1.
[0006] Options for tempering preforms are explained, for example, in DE2352926A1. Tempering or thermal conditioning refers to heating the preform to a temperature suitable for forming and, if necessary, imparting a temperature profile to the preform in the longitudinal and / or circumferential directions. It is also known, in particular, to perform uneven tempering of preforms in their circumferential direction. This is typically referred to as "preferential heating" and is described, for example, in DE102022100090A1.
[0007] To transfer the preforms from a tempering device, in which the preforms are tempered and / or thermally conditioned, to a forming station of a forming device, a rotatably mounted transfer device with at least one gripper assembly for handling preforms arranged so as to rotate thereon is typically used. Gripper assemblies according to the prior art are described in documents EP1375395A1, DE19740892A1, WO03 / 078285A1, DE29901545U1, US2014 / 291909A1, EP1445090A1, and WO2017 / 140330A1.
[0008] A disadvantage of known tong arrangements, however, is that an undesired rotation of the preform along its longitudinal axis typically occurs during transfer of the preform from the transfer device to the forming device. Such undesired rotation of the preform should be avoided, in particular, when a specific temperature profile is deliberately imposed on the preforms, as in so-called "preferential heating," in which preforms are subjected to uneven tempering along their circumferential direction. Such uneven tempering, with more strongly heated peripheral areas and less strongly heated peripheral areas, is used, for example, when containers are to be produced from the preforms whose cross-section deviates from a circular shape.The deviation may, for example, consist in the fact that containers with an oval cross-section or, for example, with a triangular or square cross-section are to be produced.
[0009] The invention is therefore based on the object of providing an improved solution that addresses the aforementioned problems. In particular, the object of the invention is to provide a solution with which a preform can be transferred to a forming station of a forming device in a defined orientation of rotation about the longitudinal axis of the preform.
[0010] According to a first aspect, the object is achieved by a rotatably mounted transfer device according to claim 1. This device provides a rotatably mounted transfer device with at least one tong assembly arranged to rotate thereon for handling preforms, in particular preforms made of a thermoplastic material, and / or containers made from preforms. The tong assembly comprises a tong carrier, a tong holding element connected to the tong carrier and mounted on the tong carrier for rotation about a tong holding element rotation axis, two tong arms, at least one of the tong arms being pivotally mounted on the tong holding element, and a rotation mechanism with an adjustment device, the adjustment device being coupled to the tong holding element for rotating the tong holding element about the tong holding element axis. According to the invention,that the adjustment device comprises a steering element and a coupling element, wherein the coupling element is mounted on the steering element so as to be rotatable about a first coupling element rotation axis, and wherein the coupling element is mounted on the tong holding element so as to be rotatable about a second coupling element rotation axis, which is arranged at a distance from the first coupling element rotation axis, wherein the steering element is mounted on the tong carrier so as to be rotatable about a steering element axis by means of a steering element bearing, wherein a first cam roller is rotatably mounted on the steering element, wherein the first cam roller is arranged at a distance from the steering element bearing and cooperates with a first cam track of the transfer device, and wherein the steering element has a first steering element arm with a first arm length between the steering element bearing and the first cam roller,and wherein the steering element has a second steering element arm with a second arm length between the steering element bearing and the second coupling element rotation axis.,
[0011] A transfer device with a tong arrangement is therefore proposed, wherein the tong arrangement has a steering element on which a cam roller is arranged, which cooperates with a first cam track, wherein the steering element is rotatably mounted and is rotated by a movement of the cam roller along the first cam track such that when the steering element rotates, a coupling element rotatably mounted on the steering element is moved, which in turn causes a rotational movement of the tong holding element with its movement.
[0012] A first advantage of such a transfer device is that the two gripper arms can be rotated by rotating the gripper holding element in such a way that a preform gripped by the gripper arms can be transferred to a forming station at a constant angle. In this context, "consistent angle" means that no undesired twisting of the preform around its longitudinal axis occurs when the grip is changed from the gripper arms to the forming station, or rather, only a twisting of the preform around its longitudinal axis within a specific angular range, for example, by a maximum of + / - 1.5°.
[0013] A further advantage is that the tong holding element provides a type of wrist for the tong arms, wherein the tong holding element can be rotated due to the interaction between the first cam roller, steering element and coupling element in such a way that the tong arms are rotated during the transfer of a preform from the tong arms to a forming station in such a way that the longitudinal axis of the preform is rotated along with a rotation of the forming station.
[0014] A further advantage is that if the temperature is not applied uniformly but deliberately unevenly along the circumference of a preform, i.e., in the case of "preferential heating," the preform can be transferred to the forming station in exactly the desired orientation. The forming process, in which the preform is to be formed into a container in the forming station, can then take place in a specific preform orientation intended for the forming process.
[0015] A further advantage is that the preform's thread can be transferred to a forming station in a specific, preferred orientation, i.e., a specific rotation around the preform's longitudinal axis. This may be preferred, for example, if a lid, a spray head, or the like is to be arranged in a specific orientation on the thread after the preform has been formed into a container.
[0016] The transfer device is preferably mounted so as to be rotatable about a vertical axis, wherein the tong arrangement is preferably moved cyclically on a closed path around this vertical axis.
[0017] The transfer device preferably has a plurality of gripper assemblies. These gripper assemblies can, in particular, be arranged circumferentially distributed on the transfer device. The plurality of gripper assemblies are preferably designed essentially identically.
[0018] A pliers carrier is understood to mean, in particular, a component to which the pliers holding element is fastened, wherein the pliers holding element is rotatable relative to the pliers carrier in that the pliers holding element is rotatably mounted on the pliers carrier.
[0019] A first steering element arm with a first arm length is understood to mean, in particular, a section of the steering element that extends between the steering element bearing and the first cam roller, regardless of the shape and / or configuration of the steering element. A second steering element arm with a second arm length is understood to mean, in particular, a section of the steering element that extends between the steering element bearing and the second coupling element rotation axis, regardless of the shape and / or configuration of the steering element.
[0020] The two tong arms can form a gripping area between the tong arms in which a preform or a container made from a preform can be received. In this area, the tong arms can preferably each have a circular arc-shaped inner section which rests against the preform when gripping a preform or a container made from a preform. Preferably, the preform or the container made from a preform is gripped in such a way that the tong arms at least partially encompass the preform or the container immediately below a neck ring of the preform or immediately below a neck ring of the container. Alternatively, the preform or the container can also be gripped in such a way that the tong arms at least partially encompass the preform or the container immediately above a neck ring.
[0021] The rotating mechanism, in particular, enables rotation of the tong holding element. The rotating mechanism has an adjustment device for this purpose. The adjustment device has a steering element and a coupling element. The coupling element is rotatably mounted on the steering element and rotatably mounted on the tong holding element. The steering element is rotatably mounted on the tong carrier. A first cam roller is rotatably mounted on the steering element. The first cam roller interacts with a first cam track.
[0022] A particular advantage of such a rotation mechanism and such an adjustment device is that, by guiding the first cam roller along the first cam track, a rotational movement of the steering element is effected, which in turn causes a rotational movement of the coupling element, which in turn causes a rotational movement of the tong holding element. As a result, a desired rotational movement of the tong holding element can be effected in a particularly advantageous manner by means of a previously defined movement of the cam roller along the first cam track, whereby the tong arms are rotated in a precisely predefined, desired manner during the transfer phase, in which preforms are transferred from the tong arms to a forming station.
[0023] The tong holding element rotation axis is preferably arranged vertically. The first coupling element rotation axis is preferably arranged vertically. The second coupling element rotation axis is preferably arranged vertically. The steering element axis is preferably arranged vertically. Preferably, at least one of the tong arms is pivotable about a horizontally arranged pivot axis.
[0024] Preferably, the clamp holding element rotation axis, the first coupling element rotation axis, the second coupling element rotation axis and the steering element axis are arranged at a distance from one another.
[0025] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, it is provided that the adjusting device is designed to rotate a preform held by the tong arms about a longitudinal axis of the preform by rotating the tong holding element about the tong holding element axis in such a way that the longitudinal axis of the preform rotates about its own axis during a movement along a transfer section in which the preform is transferred from the tong arms to a forming station of a forming device, corresponding to a rotation of the forming device about a vertical axis of rotation of the forming device.
[0026] The longitudinal axis of the preform is preferably oriented vertically during the movement of the preform along the transfer section. The gripper holding element can, in particular, be rotated about the gripper holding element axis by means of the adjustment device such that the preform rotates along its longitudinal axis precisely in such a way that this rotation corresponds to the rotation of the forming station of the forming device about the vertical axis of rotation of the forming device.
[0027] It is particularly preferred that the first arm length of the first steering element arm and the second arm length of the second steering element arm are substantially of the same length.
[0028] An advantage of such a substantially equal design of the arm lengths of the steering element arms is that the distance between the steering element bearing and the first cam roller and the distance between the steering element bearing and the second coupling element rotation axis are substantially equal, whereby the steering element arms execute a rotational movement that is only rotated by an angle, but is otherwise identical, when the steering element rotates about the steering element bearing. It is particularly preferred that the first steering element arm and the second steering element arm enclose an angle that is preferably at most 150°, more preferably at most 130°, in particular at most 110°, and / or that is preferably at least 30°, more preferably at least 50°, in particular at least 70°, and / or that is preferably substantially rectangular.
[0029] Preferably, the first steering element arm and the second steering element arm extend in a horizontal plane. In particular, the angle enclosed by the first and second steering element arms is thus an angle spanned in this horizontal plane.
[0030] It is particularly preferred that the steering element is shaped as a preferably rounded and / or right-angled triangle in a plane that is arranged orthogonally to the steering element axis.
[0031] Preferably, the steering element extends in a horizontal plane in the form of such a triangle.
[0032] It is particularly preferred that the coupling element has a coupling element length extending between the first coupling element rotation axis and the second coupling element rotation axis, wherein the coupling element length is smaller than the first arm length of the first steering element arm and / or smaller than the second arm length of the second steering element arm.
[0033] An advantage of such a shorter coupling element length compared to the first arm length of the first steering element arm and / or compared to the second arm length of the second steering element arm is that a particularly compact installation space for the pliers assembly can be achieved. This makes it possible to arrange several pliers assemblies next to one another, whereby the pliers assemblies do not engage the areas of adjacent pliers assemblies when adjusting the adjustment device and thus when rotating the steering element and the coupling element. Furthermore, this enables a rotational movement of the pliers holding element over a particularly large angular range.
[0034] Preferably, the coupling element is designed in the form of a coupling rod and / or is substantially rod-shaped. It is particularly preferred that a lever element for opening and closing the two tong arms is arranged on one of the two tong arms, with a second cam roller, which interacts with a second cam track of the transfer device, being arranged on the lever element.
[0035] Preferably, the lever element for opening and closing the two pliers arms is arranged on only one of the two pliers arms.
[0036] Preferably, the second cam roller, which is arranged on the lever element, interacts with a second cam track of the transfer device. The second cam track of the transfer device is preferably designed such that the second cam roller only interacts with the second cam track in a receiving area in which a preform is picked up by the tongs arrangement, and in a transfer section in which the picked up preform is transferred from the tongs arrangement to a forming station, in such a way that the lever element causes the two tong arms to open. In the areas outside the receiving area and the transfer section, the second cam track can be designed such that there is no contact between the second cam roller and the second cam track.In a particularly advantageous manner, a so-called “active opening” of the two tong arms can be carried out exactly at the positions at which the tong arms are to be opened for the picking up and dispensing of the preforms.
[0037] It is particularly preferred that a first spring element, in particular in the form of a helical tension spring, is connected to the lever element and to the pliers holding element in order to hold the lever element in a closed position by means of a tensile force applied by the first spring element when no force opposing the spring force of the first spring element is applied by means of a movement of the second cam roller along the second cam track.
[0038] As an alternative to a spring element that applies a tensile force to the lever element, a spring element that applies a compressive force to the lever element and / or the pliers arms can also be provided.
[0039] By means of the first spring element, it can be achieved in a particularly advantageous manner that the tong arms generally remain closed unless a force is applied that opposes the spring force of the first spring element, by means of which the spring force can be overcome, thereby opening the tong arms. It is particularly preferred that the transfer device has a fastening element connected to the tong assembly, which is arranged at a distance from the rotational axis of the transfer device, and is designed and arranged to rotate on a circular path about the rotational axis of the transfer device, wherein the fastening element is rotatable about a fastening element rotational axis.
[0040] When the transfer device rotates about the rotational axis of the transfer device, the fastening element preferably moves in a circular path around the rotational axis of the transfer device. The fastening element rotational axis preferably moves along the circular path, i.e., in a circular path around the rotational axis of the transfer device.
[0041] It is particularly preferred that a tong carrier arm of the tong carrier is arranged on the fastening element, wherein the tong carrier arm is movable in the radial direction relative to the fastening element rotation axis of the fastening element, wherein a third cam roller is coupled to the tong carrier arm, wherein the third cam roller interacts with a third cam track of the transfer device.
[0042] The tong carrier can therefore preferably be moved in a radial direction relative to the fastening element's rotational axis. The tong carrier can therefore be moved outwardly and inwardly relative to the transfer device and / or the rotational axis of the transfer device. Such outward movement of the tong carrier is particularly preferred in the transfer section, in which a preform is transferred from the tong arms to a forming station.
[0043] Preferably, such a movement of the tong carrier arm of the tong carrier is effected by means of the movement of the third cam roller along the third cam track of the transfer device.
[0044] Preferably, the tong assembly is connected to the fastening element by means of the tong carrier arm of the tong carrier. The tong carrier arm can preferably be moved in a radial direction. The radial direction refers to the fastening element rotation axis of the fastening element. This radial direction preferably only coincides with the radial direction relative to the rotation axis of the transfer device at a specific position of the fastening element. However, the radial direction relative to the fastening element rotation axis of the fastening element is different from the radial direction relative to the rotation axis of the transfer device when the fastening element rotates away from this specific position by rotating about the fastening element rotation axis.
[0045] It is particularly preferred that the tong carrier arm is movably mounted on the fastening element by means of a carriage such that the tong carrier arm is movable along its longitudinal extent relative to the carriage.
[0046] The tong carrier arm of the tong carrier is preferably connected to the fastening element by means of a guide, in particular a linear guide, particularly preferably in the form of a slide, so that it can be moved in a radial direction relative to the fastening element's rotation axis. Alternatively or additionally, the tong carrier arm can also be designed, for example, telescopically.
[0047] It is particularly preferred that a fourth cam roller is arranged on the fastening element, which is arranged at a distance from the fastening element rotation axis and which cooperates with a fourth cam track of the transfer device.
[0048] Preferably, the movement of the fourth cam roller along the fourth cam track of the transfer device causes the fastening element to rotate about the fastening element's axis of rotation. Such rotation of the fastening element also causes the gripper carrier attached to the fastening element to rotate.
[0049] A particular advantage of the combination of the first cam roller, the second cam roller, the third cam roller, and the fourth cam roller, each of which interacts with one of the first, second, third, and fourth cam tracks, is that these four cam rollers allow the tong carrier and the tong arms to be rotated about multiple axes of rotation and are also movable along the longitudinal extension of the tong carrier arm. Active opening of the tong arms is also possible. The four cam tracks thus offer diverse and precise adjustment options with which the movement of the tong assembly can be specified.Thus, by appropriately adapting the four cam tracks, a preform can be transferred to a forming station in a particularly advantageous manner, wherein the rotation of the preform about the longitudinal axis of the preform can be adjusted in such a way that undesired twisting of the preform about the longitudinal axis of the preform during transfer of the preform to a forming station can be avoided. It is particularly preferred that a second spring element, in particular in the form of a helical tension spring, is connected to the steering element and to a spring retaining element, wherein the second spring element is designed and arranged to apply a spring force to the steering element in order to press the first cam roller connected to the steering element against the first cam track, wherein the spring retaining element is preferably connected to the third cam roller.
[0050] One advantage of such a second spring element is that the second spring element can be used to press the first cam roller against the first cam track in a particularly advantageous manner, so that the first cam roller rolls and rests against the first cam track during its movement and in this way runs exactly along the first cam track and thus along the movement path predetermined thereby. Due to the predetermined movement of the first cam roller, the steering element connected to the first cam roller also moves on the movement path provided for the steering element and is rotated about the steering element axis depending on the movement of the first cam roller, which in turn moves the coupling rod, which causes the clamp holding element to rotate. In this way, a lifting of the first cam roller from the first cam track is prevented in a particularly advantageous manner.
[0051] According to a further aspect of the invention, a device for producing containers from preforms is provided, wherein the device is preferably designed in the form of a stretch blow molding machine. The device comprises a transfer device as described here, in particular designed in the form of a transfer wheel, wherein the transfer device preferably has a plurality of gripper arrangements, and a forming device, in particular designed as a blowing wheel, for forming preforms transferred to the forming device by means of the transfer device into containers.
[0052] The forming device preferably has several forming stations arranged in a circle.
[0053] According to a further aspect of the invention, a method for handling preforms, in particular preforms made of a thermoplastic material, and / or containers made from preforms, is provided. The method comprises: providing a rotatably mounted transfer device as described here, picking up and holding a preform by means of the tong arms, and preferably rotating the tong holding element about the tong holding element axis in such a way that the longitudinal axis of the preform rotates about its own axis during a movement along a transfer section in which the preform is transferred from the tong arms to a forming station of a forming device, corresponding to a rotation of the forming station about a vertical axis of rotation of the forming device.
[0054] For the advantages, design variants and design details of the various aspects of the solutions described here and their respective possible further developments, reference is also made to the description of the corresponding features, details and advantages of the other aspects and their further developments.
[0055] Preferred embodiments are explained by way of example with reference to the accompanying figures. The drawings are not necessarily to scale. In the figures, identical or essentially functionally identical or similar elements are designated by the same reference numerals. They show:
[0056] Fig. 1 : a highly schematic representation of a stretch blow molding machine;
[0057] Fig. 2: a first perspective view of a pliers arrangement arranged on a fastening element;
[0058] Fig. 3: a second perspective view of a pliers arrangement arranged on a fastening element;
[0059] Fig. 4: a third perspective view of a pliers arrangement arranged on a fastening element;
[0060] Fig. 5: a perspective view of two pliers assemblies arranged on fastening elements;
[0061] Fig. 6a: a bottom view of a fastening element arranged
[0062] Pliers arrangement with closed pliers arms;
[0063] Fig. 6b: a bottom view of a fastening element arranged
[0064] Pliers arrangement with open pliers arms; Fig. 7: a schematic representation of a method for handling preforms.
[0065] Fig. 1 shows a highly schematic representation of an apparatus 100 for producing containers 90 from preforms 80. The apparatus here can be, for example, a stretch blow molding machine 100. Containers 90 can be produced from preforms 80 using the stretch blow molding machine 100. The illustration shows the preferred embodiment of such a stretch blow molding machine 100 as a rotary machine with a rotating blowing wheel 120 carrying several forming stations 116 as a forming device, which can also be referred to as a working wheel. In the area of the forming stations 116, preforms 80 are formed into containers 90 by biaxial expansion.
[0066] In a typical embodiment, a stretch blow molding machine 100 for producing a container 90 includes a temperature control device 126 for temperature control or thermal conditioning of the preforms 80. The preforms 80 have a thread 81 and a longitudinal axis L. As shown in Fig. 1, the temperature control device 126 can be arranged upstream of the blowing wheel 120 so that the preforms 80 can be heated before reaching the forming stations 116. Schematically illustrated preforms 80, which can also be referred to as preforms, can be continuously fed to the temperature control device 126 from a feed device 122 using a transfer wheel 124. In the area of the temperature control device 126, the preforms 80 are transported along a heating section and thermally conditioned in the process. In this case, non-uniform temperature control of the preforms 80, i.e., so-called preferential heating, can also be provided.
[0067] The temperature control device 126 is equipped, for example, with heating elements 128 arranged along a transport device 130 to form the heating section. A revolving conveyor chain with transport elements designed as transport mandrels for holding the preforms 80 can be used as the transport device 130. Suitable heating elements 128 include, for example, infrared radiators (IR radiators), light-emitting diodes (LEDs), or near-infrared radiators (NIR radiators).
[0068] After sufficient tempering, also called thermal conditioning, the preforms 80 are transferred from a transfer wheel 132 to a blowing wheel 120 that is arranged so as to rotate, i.e., can be driven so as to rotate around a vertical machine axis 1200, or to forming stations 116 that are arranged circumferentially on the blowing wheel 120. The transfer device 132 in the form of a transfer wheel 132 has a plurality of tong assemblies 50, each arranged on a fastening element 70, by means of which preforms 80 can be picked up by the transport device 130 and then transferred to the blowing wheel 120 in a transfer section U. The transfer wheel 132 has a vertical axis of rotation 1320, about which the fastening elements 70 arranged on the transfer wheel 132 can rotate.
[0069] The blowing wheel 120 is equipped with a plurality of such forming stations 116, i.e., at least two. For the biaxial expansion of the preforms 80 in the region of the forming stations 116, the preforms 80 are subjected to a pressurized gas. In the region of the forming stations 116, the preforms 80 are filled with a blowing gas, which serves as the pressure medium for forming. During production, the blowing wheel 120 rotates continuously at a desired rotational speed. The forming stations 116 rotate about a vertical axis of rotation 1200 of the blowing wheel 120. During one rotation, a preform 80 is inserted into a forming station 116, the preform 80 is expanded into a container 90, and the container 90 is removed from the forming station 116.
[0070] The forming stations 116 have a stretching rod that can be inserted into the preform 80 to support the axial stretching and guidance. During one revolution of the blowing wheel 120, the preforms 80 are simultaneously stretched. After the containers 90 have been formed in the region of the blowing wheel 120, the containers 80 are removed from the blowing wheel 120 by a removal wheel 134, transported further, and fed to an output line 136.
[0071] Various thermoplastic materials can be used for the preforms 80. Examples include polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene (PE), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), or polypropylene (PP). The dimensions and weight of the preforms 80 are adapted to the size, weight, and / or design of the containers 90 to be produced.
[0072] Fig. 2 shows a first perspective view of a pliers assembly 50 arranged on a fastening element 70. The fastening element 70 is rotatable about the fastening element rotation axis 700. The pliers assembly 50 comprises a pliers carrier 51 with a pliers carrier arm 51a and a pliers holding element 52, wherein the pliers holding element 52 is connected to the pliers carrier 51 and is rotatably mounted on the pliers carrier 51 about a pliers holding element rotation axis 520. Two pliers arms 53, 54 are provided, both of which are pivotally attached to the pliers holding element 52. The pliers arms 53, 54 each have a gripping section 53a, 54a and a base section 53b, 54b. A rotation mechanism 60 has an adjustment device 60a. The adjustment device 60a is coupled to the clamp holding element 52 to rotate the clamp holding element 52 about the clamp holding element axis 520. The adjustment device 60a has a steering element 62 and a coupling element 63.The coupling element 63 is mounted on the steering element 62 for rotation about a first coupling element rotation axis 630a. The coupling element 63 is further mounted on the tong holding element 52 for rotation about a second coupling element rotation axis 630b, which is arranged at a distance from the first coupling element rotation axis 630a. The steering element 62 is mounted on the tong carrier 51 for rotation about a steering element axis 620 by means of a steering element bearing 62a (see Fig. 3 and Fig. 4). A first cam roller 11 is mounted on the steering element 62 for rotation about the axis 610. The first cam roller 11 is arranged at a distance from the steering element bearing 62a (see Fig. 3 and Fig. 4).
[0073] Fig. 3 shows a second perspective view of the tong assembly 50 shown in Fig. 2, which is arranged on the fastening element 70. The tong carrier arm 51a of the tong carrier 51 is linearly movable in the direction of the longitudinal extent of the tong carrier arm 51a of the tong carrier by means of a slide 71 of the fastening element 70. This view also shows that the steering element 62 is mounted on the tong carrier 51 by means of a steering element bearing 62a for rotation about the steering element axis 620.
[0074] The base section 53b of the pliers 53 is connected to a lever element 53c for opening and closing the two pliers arms 53, 54. A second cam roller 21, which interacts with a cam track, is arranged on the lever element 53c. By moving the second cam roller 21 along this cam track, the pliers arms 53, 54 can be opened. Furthermore, a first spring element 55 in the form of a helical tension spring is connected to the lever element 53c and to the pliers holding element 52. As a result, the lever element 53c can be held in a closed position by means of a tensile force applied by the first spring element 55, if no force opposing the spring force of the first spring element 55 is applied by means of a movement of the second cam roller 21 along the corresponding cam track.
[0075] A third cam roller 31 is provided, which is coupled to the tong support arm 51a. A second spring element 57 in the form of a helical tension spring is connected to the steering element 62 and to a spring retaining element 56, which is connected to the third cam roller 31. The second spring element 57 is designed and arranged to apply a spring force to the steering element 62 in order to press the first cam roller 11, which is connected to the steering element 62, against the corresponding cam track, which cooperates with the first cam roller 11. This ensures that the first cam roller 11 is reliably moved along the corresponding cam track.
[0076] A fourth cam roller 41 is arranged on the fastening element 70, which is spaced apart from the fastening element rotation axis 700 and which interacts with another cam track. By means of this fourth cam roller 41, the fastening element 70 can be rotated about the fastening element rotation axis 700 depending on the movement of the fourth cam roller 41, whereby the pliers assembly 50 with the pliers arms 53, 54 is also rotated.
[0077] Fig. 4 shows a third perspective view of the pliers assembly 50 and fastening assembly 70 shown in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3. The view essentially corresponds to the view shown in Fig. 3. Reference is therefore also made to the explanations for Fig. 3. However, in comparison to the position of the pliers assembly 50 shown in Fig. 3, the pliers holding element 52 is arranged rotated about the pliers holding element axis 520, so that the pliers arms 53, 54 are arranged rotated accordingly and are now oriented differently than in the position shown in Fig. 3.
[0078] Fig. 5 shows a perspective view of five tong assemblies 50 arranged on fastening elements. The tong assemblies 50 are arranged next to one another along the circumference of the transfer device 132. The following applies to each of the tong assemblies 50: The first cam roller 11 interacts with a first cam track 911 of the transfer device 132. The second cam roller 21 interacts with a second cam track 921 of the transfer device 132. The third cam roller 31 interacts with a third cam track 931 of the transfer device 132. And the fourth cam roller 51 interacts with a fourth cam track 941 of the transfer device 132. Fig. 6a shows a bottom view of a pliers arrangement 50 arranged on a fastening element 70 with closed pliers arms 53, 54. The components shown here are designed as described in connection with Figs. 2 to 4, which is why reference is made to these explanations relating to Figs. 2 to 4.The steering element 62 has a first steering element arm 62b with a first arm length A1 between the steering element bearing 62a and the first cam roller 11. The steering element 62 also has a second steering element arm 62c with a second arm length A2 between the steering element bearing 62a and the second coupling element rotation axis 630b. The first steering element arm 62b and the second steering element arm 62c extend substantially perpendicular to one another within a horizontal plane.
[0079] Fig. 6b shows a bottom view of the pliers arrangement 50 shown in Fig. 6a and arranged on a fastening element 70 with open pliers arms 53, 54. The opening of the pliers arms 53, 54 is effected by a movement of the second cam roller 21 provided for this purpose along the second cam track (see Fig. 5).
[0080] Fig. 7 shows a schematic representation of a method 800 for handling preforms 80 made of a thermoplastic material. The method comprises the following steps: In a step 810, providing a rotatably mounted transfer device configured as described in connection with Figs. 2 to 6b. In a step 820a, picking up a preform 80 by means of the tong arms 53, 54. In a step 820b, holding the picked up preform 80 by means of the tong arms 53, 54. In a step 830, rotating the tong holding element 52 about the tong holding element axis 520 in such a way that the longitudinal axis L of the preform 80 rotates about its own axis during a movement along a transfer section U, in which the preform 80 is transferred from the tong arms 53, 54 to a forming station 116 of a forming device 120, corresponding to a rotation of the forming station 116 about a vertical axis of rotation 1200 of the forming device 120.
[0081] 11 first cam roller
[0082] 21 second cam roller
[0083] 31 third cam roller
[0084] 41 fourth cam roller
[0085] 50 pliers arrangements
[0086] 51 forceps carrier
[0087] 51a Pliers support arm
[0088] 52 Pliers holding element
[0089] 53, 54 Pliers arms
[0090] 53a, 53b Gripping sections of the pliers arms
[0091] 53c Lever element
[0092] 54a, 54b Gripping sections of the pliers arms
[0093] 55 spring element
[0094] 56 Spring retaining element
[0095] 57 spring element
[0096] 60 rotating mechanism
[0097] 60a Adjustment device
[0098] 62 steering element
[0099] 62a Steering element bearing
[0100] 62b first steering element arm
[0101] 62c second steering element arm
[0102] 63 coupling element
[0103] 70 Fastening element
[0104] 71 sleds
[0105] 80 preform
[0106] 81 Preform thread
[0107] 90 containers
[0108] 100 Device for the production of containers
[0109] 116 Forming station
[0110] 120 forming device
[0111] 122 Feeding device
[0112] 124 transfer wheel
[0113] 126 Tempering device
[0114] 128 heating elements
[0115] 130 Transport device 132 Transfer device
[0116] 134 removal wheel
[0117] 136 Output line
[0118] 520 Pliers holding element rotation axis
[0119] 610 Rotation axis of the first cam roller
[0120] 620 steering element axle
[0121] 630a first coupling element rotation axis
[0122] 630b second coupling element rotation axis
[0123] 700 Fastener rotation axis
[0124] 800 procedures
[0125] 810-830 Process steps 911 first curve path
[0126] 921 second curved track
[0127] 931 third curved track
[0128] 941 fourth curved track
[0129] 1200 vertical axis of rotation of the forming device
[0130] 1320 vertical axis of rotation of the transfer device
[0131] A1 first arm length of the first steering element arm
[0132] A2 second arm length of the second steering element arm
[0133] L Longitudinal axis of the preform
[0134] U transfer section
Claims
Claims 1. Rotatably mounted transfer device (132) with at least one tong arrangement (50) arranged thereon for rotating therewith for handling preforms (80), in particular preforms (80) made of a thermoplastic material, and / or containers (90) produced from preforms (80), the tong arrangement (50) comprising a tong carrier (51), a tong holding element (52) which is connected to the tong carrier (51) and is mounted on the tong carrier (51) so as to be rotatable about a tong holding element rotation axis (520), two tong arms (53, 54), wherein at least one of the tong arms (53, 54) is pivotally fastened to the tong holding element (52), a rotation mechanism (60) with an adjusting device (60a), wherein the adjusting device (60a) is coupled to the tong holding element (52) for rotating the tong holding element (52) about the Pliers holding element axis (520), characterized in that the adjusting device (60a) comprises a steering element (62) and a coupling element (63),o wherein the coupling element (63) is mounted on the steering element (62) so as to be rotatable about a first coupling element rotation axis (630a), and wherein the coupling element (63) is mounted on the tong holding element (52) so as to be rotatable about a second coupling element rotation axis (630b), which is arranged at a distance from the first coupling element rotation axis (630a), o wherein the steering element (62) is mounted on the tong carrier (51) so as to be rotatable about a steering element axis (620) by means of a steering element bearing (62a), wherein a first cam roller (11) is rotatably mounted on the steering element (62), wherein the first cam roller (11) is arranged at a distance from the steering element bearing (62a) and interacts with a first cam track (911) of the transfer device (132), and wherein the steering element (62) has a first steering element arm between the steering element bearing (62a) and the first cam roller (11) (62b) with a first arm length (A1),and wherein the steering element (62) has a second steering element arm (62c) with a second arm length (A2) between the steering element bearing (62a) and the second coupling element rotation axis (630b).
2. Transfer device according to the preceding claim, wherein the adjusting device (60a) is designed to rotate a preform (80) held by the tong arms (53, 54) about a longitudinal axis (L) of the preform (80) by rotating the tong holding element (52) about the tong holding element axis (520) in such a way that the longitudinal axis (L) of the preform (80) rotates about its own axis during a movement along a transfer section in which the preform (80) is transferred from the tong arms (53, 54) to a forming station (116) of a forming device (120), corresponding to a rotation of the forming device (120) about a vertical axis of rotation (1200) of the forming device (120).
3. Transfer device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first arm length (A1) of the first steering element arm (62b) and the second arm length (A2) of the second steering element arm (62c) are substantially of the same length.
4. Transfer device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first steering element arm (62b) and the second steering element arm (62c) enclose an angle (W) which is preferably at most 150°, particularly preferably at most 130°, in particular at most 110°, and / or which is preferably at least 30°, particularly preferably at least 50°, in particular at least 70°, and / or which is preferably substantially rectangular.
5. Transfer device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the steering element (62) is shaped as a preferably rounded and / or right-angled triangle in a plane which is arranged orthogonally to the steering element axis (620).
6. Transfer device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the coupling element (63) has a coupling element length (A3) extending between the first coupling element rotation axis (630a) and the second coupling element rotation axis (630b), wherein the coupling element length (A3) is smaller than the first arm length (A1) of the first steering element arm (62b) and / or smaller than the second arm length (A2) of the second steering element arm (62c), wherein preferably the coupling element (63) is designed in the form of a coupling rod and / or substantially rod-shaped.
7. Transfer device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a lever element (53c) for opening and closing the two tong arms (53, 54) is arranged on one of the two tong arms (53, 54), wherein a second cam roller (21) which cooperates with a second cam track (921) of the transfer device (132) is arranged on the lever element (53c).
8. Transfer device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a first spring element (55), in particular in the form of a helical tension spring, is connected to the lever element (53c) and to the clamp holding element (52) in order to hold the lever element (53c) in a closed position by means of a tensile force applied by the first spring element (55) when no force opposing the spring force of the first spring element (55) is applied by means of a movement of the second cam roller (21) along the second cam track (921).
9. Transfer device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the transfer device (132) has a fastening element (70) connected to the tong arrangement (50), which is arranged at a distance from the axis of rotation (1320) of the transfer device (132), and is designed and arranged to rotate on a circular path about the axis of rotation (1320) of the transfer device (132), wherein the fastening element (70) is rotatable about a fastening element rotation axis (700).
10. Transfer device according to the preceding claim, wherein a tong carrier arm (51 a) of the tong carrier (51) is arranged on the fastening element (70), wherein the tong carrier arm (51 a) is movable in the radial direction relative to the fastening element rotation axis (700) of the fastening element (70), wherein a third cam roller (31) is coupled to the tong carrier arm (51 a), wherein the third cam roller (31) cooperates with a third cam track (931) of the transfer device (132). 11 . Transfer device according to the preceding claim, wherein the tong carrier arm (51 a) is movably mounted on the fastening element (70) by means of a carriage (71) such that the tong carrier arm (51 a) is movable along its longitudinal extent relative to the carriage (71).
12. Transfer device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a fourth cam roller (41) is arranged on the fastening element (70), which is arranged at a distance from the fastening element rotation axis (700) and which cooperates with a fourth cam track (941) of the transfer device (132).
13. Transfer device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a second spring element (57), in particular in the form of a helical tension spring, is connected to the steering element (62) and to a spring holding element (56), wherein the second spring element (57) is designed and arranged to apply a spring force to the steering element (62) in order to press the first cam roller (11) connected to the steering element (62) against the first cam track (911), wherein preferably the spring holding element (56) is connected to the third cam roller (31).
14. Device (100) for producing containers (90) from preforms (80), wherein the device is preferably designed in the form of a stretch blow molding machine, the device (100) comprising a transfer device (132) according to one of the preceding claims, in particular designed in the form of a transfer wheel, wherein the transfer device (132) preferably has a plurality of tong assemblies (50), and a forming device (120), in particular designed as a blow wheel, for forming preforms (80) transferred to the forming device (120) by means of the transfer device (132) into containers (90), wherein the forming device (120) preferably has a plurality of circularly arranged forming stations (116).
15. A method (800) for handling preforms (80), in particular preforms (80) made of a thermoplastic material, and / or containers (90) made from preforms (80), the method comprising: Providing (810) a rotatably mounted transfer device (132) according to one of claims 1-13, Picking up (820a) and holding (820b) a preform (80) by means of the tong arms (53, 54), and preferably rotating (830) the tong holding element (52) about the tong holding element axis (520) in such a way that the longitudinal axis (L) of the preform (80) rotates about its own axis during a movement along a transfer section (U), in which the preform (80) is transferred from the tong arms (53, 54) to a forming station (116) of a forming device (120), corresponding to a rotation of the forming station (116) about a vertical axis of rotation (1200) of the forming device (120).