Device for aligning and orienting plastic preforms

Abstract

An apparatus (1) for the orientation and alignment of a plastic preform (10) having a collar (11) that is larger in size than the preform body (12). The apparatus (1) includes a device for feeding the preform (10) in bulk at approximately the first end (2a) of a discharge and conveyance surface (2) that is laterally defined by a housing wall (2c). The discharge and conveyance surface (2) is provided with a conveyor device (3) for conveying the preform (10) from the first end (2a) towards the second end (2b) opposite the first end (2a). The conveyor device (3) has slots (5) formed by a pair of longitudinal movers (6a, 6b) adapted to move the preform (10) along the longitudinal extension direction (100) of the slot (5) from the first end (2a) to the second end (2b). The slot (5) has a vertical dimension that is larger than the dimension of the preform body (12) and smaller than the dimension of the collar (11) of the preform (10) to receive at least a part of the preform (10) with the preform (10) suspended by the collar (11). The conveyor device (3) includes at least one conveyor element (4a, 4b, etc.) arranged laterally and parallel to the pair of longitudinal movers (6a, 6b) to form a placement surface for the preform (10). At least one conveyor element (4a, 4b, etc.) is adapted to move the preform placed on the placement surface in a direction (101) opposite to the conveyance direction (100) from the second end (2b) towards the first end (2a) for the preform (10) not received from the slot (5).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus for aligning and orienting plastic preforms for the manufacture of plastic containers.

Background Art

[0002] Various types of apparatuses for aligning and orienting preforms are known. A first known type provides an inclined device with a row of receptacles arranged along the outer periphery of the machine and intended to receive respective preforms (loaded in bulk). By rotating the inclined device, each receptacle brings a preform to a first slot, which is smaller than the color (or ring) of the preform but has a transverse dimension sufficient to allow the preform to position itself vertically by rotation, and then the preform reaches a second slot having a transverse dimension larger than the color, so that the preform can slide freely under the device in order to reach an inclined guide ramp designed to supply the preform towards a blow molding machine.

[0003] A second type of alignment device consists of a hopper that forms internally a concentric ring having a plurality of seats designed to receive respective preforms, and the hopper is inclined so that when the bulk of preforms rises, they are placed on the sheet while the bulk of preforms remains at the bottom.

[0004] An apparatus for classifying and orienting plastic preforms having a collar with dimensions larger than the body of the preform and having a hopper constituted by a base and a vertical receiving wall is known from European Patent Application No. 2079651. Inside the hopper, there are an annular element that rotates about a rotation axis and has two or more rows of compartments arranged along corresponding concentric circumferences, and an annular object placement surface that extends along the angular part below the annular element and is interrupted at a defined exit point of the preform.

[0005] For example, other types of devices that utilize the action of centrifugal force, such as those described in U.S. Patent No. 7,975,852 in the name of Sidel or U.S. Patent No. 8,985,308 in the name of Krones, are known. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0006] The object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for aligning and orienting preforms for the production of plastic containers that can improve the background art in one or more of the above aspects.

[0007] Within the scope of this object, the object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for aligning and orienting preforms for the production of plastic containers that is extremely simple from a structural point of view and highly reliable in its operation.

[0008] In particular, the object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for aligning and orienting preforms for the production of plastic containers that is highly reliable, relatively easy to provide, and has a competitive cost. MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEM

[0009] This object, as well as these and other objects that will become more apparent hereinafter, are achieved by an apparatus for aligning and orienting preforms for the production of plastic containers according to claim 1, optionally having one or more of the features of the dependent claims.

[0010] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the description of the preferred but non-exclusive embodiments of the apparatus for aligning and orienting preforms for the production of plastic containers according to the present invention, which are shown as non-limiting examples in the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011]

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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Referring to the drawings, an apparatus for orientation and alignment of a preform 10 according to the present invention, generally designated by reference numeral 1, comprises a support structure 1a configured, for example, by a base connected to support posts.

[0013] The preform 10 comprises a plastic preform having a collar 11 that is larger in size than the preform body 12.

[0014] The device 1 includes a device 90 for supplying the preform 10 in bulk at approximately the first end 2a of the unloading and conveying surface 2 laterally defined by the housing wall 2c.

[0015] The unloading and conveying surface 2 includes a conveyor device 3 for conveying the preform 10 from the first end 2a of the unloading and conveying surface 2 towards the second end 2b opposite to the first end 2a along the conveying direction 100.

[0016] The conveyor device 3 includes a slot 5 defined by a pair of longitudinal moving bodies 6a, 6b adapted to move the preform 10 along the extension direction of the slot 5 from the first end 2a towards the second end 2b.

[0017] The slot 5 has a lateral dimension larger than the dimension of the preform body 12 and smaller than the dimension of the collar 11 of the preform in order to receive at least a part of the preform 10 in a state where the preform 10 is suspended by the collar 11.

[0018] The conveyor device 3 includes at least one conveyor element 4a, 4b, etc., which is arranged laterally and parallel to the pair of longitudinal moving bodies 6a, 6b and defines a placement surface for the preform 10.

[0019] At least one conveyor element 4a, 4b, etc. is adapted to move the preform placed on the placement surface along the moving direction indicated by the arrow 101 opposite to the conveying direction indicated by the arrow 100, and move the preform 10 not received or discharged from the slot 5 from the second end 2b towards the first end 2a.

[0020] Advantageously, at least one conveyor element 4a, 4b, etc. is arranged adjacent to one of the longitudinal moving bodies 6a for at least a part thereof.

[0021] The conveyor device 3 includes at least one recirculator 11a, which is arranged laterally adjacent to the at least one conveyor element 4a, 4b and is arranged on the opposite side with respect to the pair of longitudinal movers 6a, 6b.

[0022] The recirculator 11a is adapted to move the preform arranged on each placement surface 4c along a direction 100' parallel to the conveying direction 100.

[0023] Advantageously, the unloading and conveying surface 2 is associated at the first end 2a with a supply device 7 adapted to send the preform 10 unloaded in bulk towards the conveyor device 3.

[0024] Preferably, above the slot 5 there is a device 30 for removing the preform 10 that is improperly seated.

[0025] Furthermore, the device 1 comprises actuating means adapted to adjust the forward speed of the conveyor elements 4a, 4b, etc., and optionally the recirculator 11a.

[0026] According to a preferred practical embodiment, the longitudinal movers 6a, 6b each comprise an electric belt or an electric chain.

[0027] As an example, the supply device 7 can comprise a conveyor belt or a ribbon associated with moving means.

[0028] A removal device may be provided for the use of a spatula 91 or a brush designed to act on a portion of the preform 10 when the preform is not properly seated within the slot 5.

[0029] There is no problem with the removal device comprising a jet of compressed air. The forward speeds of the longitudinal movers 6a, 6b may be the same, or may be different in order to facilitate the insertion of the body of the preform 12 into the slot 5.

[0030] Referring to the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, the slot 5 is connected to a transfer belt 8 designed to supply the oriented and aligned preform 10 to the supply element 20, and is connected to, for example, a star-shaped conveyor 21 for supplying to a blow molding device 22 (shown in FIG. 12).

[0031] In particular, the supply star-shaped conveyor 21 is functionally associated with a conditioning oven 21a arranged upstream of the blower 22a.

[0032] The conveyor device 3 defines a substantially horizontal placement surface. Referring to what is shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the transfer belt 8 comprises a suction ribbon belt 8a configured to transfer the preform towards the supply element 20.

[0033] The suction ribbon belt 8a preferably comprises a perforated ribbon 8b movable along the extension direction of the transfer belt 8 in response to a command by a movement motor.

[0034] The perforated ribbon 8b is functionally associated with at least one suction unit 8c connected to a suction tube 8d adapted to provide a partial vacuum to the downward surface of the perforated ribbon 8b so that the preform is held in a suspended state during movement along the transfer guide 8.

[0035] The conveyor device 2 is further associated with a clogging prevention device 18. The clogging prevention device is preferably arranged in the passage region between the longitudinally moving bodies 6a, 6b and the suction ribbon belt 8a.

[0036] This is actually a critical region where problems may occur if the preform 10 reaches the wrong position.

[0037] Conveniently, the clogging prevention device 18 is provided with means for moving the suction ribbon belt 8a, and this means is configured to move the suction ribbon belt 8a along a substantially vertical direction in response to an instruction.

[0038] Preferably, the moving means comprises one or more pneumatic cylinders functionally connected to sensor means of, for example, a photovoltaic base type, and is adapted to detect the sliding of the preform on the suction ribbon belt 8a by means of the photovoltaic cell.

[0039] When the sensor means does not detect the sliding of the preform 5 along the suction ribbon belt 8a, the moving means operates to lift the suction ribbon belt 8a so that the clogged preform descends. Thereafter, the suction ribbon belt 8a is lowered again, and the system resumes normal operation.

[0040] Referring to the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 7 to 11, the apparatus 1 includes an inclined recirculation surface 20 that extends to rise along a direction away from the slot 5, and a preform 10 that is not received by the slot 5 from the second end 2b to the first end 2a. Pusher means 51 adapted to move the preform 10 disposed on the inclined recirculation surface 20 along a moving direction 101 opposite to the conveying direction 100, and has conveyor elements 4a, 4b, etc.

[0041] Preferably, the pusher means 50 includes at least one device for discharging an air jet.

[0042] Advantageously, the slot 5 is connected at the first end 2a to a guide that extends along at least one extending direction having a substantially vertical component.

[0043] In particular, the guide includes, in turn, at least one first guide that extends along a substantially vertical direction, and at least one portion for connecting the at least one first guide to the slot 5.

[0044] Conveniently, the apparatus 1 comprises a holding guide 60 having at least two lateral portions 61 configured to limit the movement of the preform 10 in the upper region during movement along the conveying direction 100, downstream of any optional elements such as, for example, blades and / or blowers, and above the longitudinal movers 6a, 6b.

[0045] The apparatus 1 comprises a vertical element 62 having two inclined surfaces forming the lateral portions 61 on both sides with respect to its apex 63.

[0046] Conveniently, the longitudinal movers 6a, 6b are directly connected in the straight supply line of the supply star conveyor 20. The operation of the apparatus 1 for the orientation and alignment of the plastic preform 10 according to the present invention is as follows.

[0047] The preform 10 is unloaded in bulk at the first end 2a of the unloading conveying surface 2. From there, the preform 10 reaches the slot 5, presumably by the supply device 7, and the slot 5 conveys the preform towards the second end 2b of the unloading conveying surface 2.

[0048] The preform 10 that is not properly accommodated in the slot 5 or discharged from the slot 5 is returned to the first end 2a so that it can be positioned within the slot 5 by the conveyor element 4a.

[0049] In fact, it has been found that the present invention achieves the intended goals and objectives and provides a very practical and efficient apparatus 1 for the orientation and alignment of the preform 10.

[0050] In particular, referring to the embodiments shown in FIGS. 7 to 11, it is possible to significantly reduce the longitudinal elongation of the apparatus, and thus it is possible to directly fill the preform 10 along the elongation of the longitudinal movers 6a, 6b.

[0051] In this way, it is possible to directly enter the oven area without the need to provide an intermediate conveyor.

[0052] By providing a holding guide 60 arranged above the longitudinally moving bodies 6a, 6b and configured like a roof tile, the preform 10 is further prevented from rising upward under pressure. Further, the shape of the holding guide 60 enables the preform 10, which is not yet completely vertical, to be properly aligned during conveyance.

[0053] Finally, at the first end 2a, providing at least one guide extending along the elongation direction helps the preform to be pre-oriented before reaching the longitudinally moving bodies 6a, 6b during its fall.

[0054] Furthermore, it is possible to provide a device for generating a blast of air, preferably compressed air, which is configured to blow in the accumulation area to eliminate jams, for example due to an excessive accumulation of preforms 10 in the case of jams of the device 1, and to automatically restart the machine.

[0055] The present invention thus devised is capable of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims, and in detail, all may be further replaced with other technically equivalent elements.

[0056] In practice, the materials used may be arbitrary according to the requirements and the prior art, as long as they are adapted to the specific application and the conditional shape and dimensions.

[0057] The disclosure of Italian Patent Application No. 102022000011009, to which this application claims priority, is incorporated herein by reference.

[0058] If reference signs are attached after the technical features recited in the claims, those reference signs are attached only for the purpose of enhancing the clarity of the claims. Therefore, such reference signs shall not have any limiting effect, by way of example, on the interpretation of each element identified by such reference signs.

Claims

1. An apparatus (1) for the orientation and alignment of a plastic preform (10) having a collar (11) that is larger in size than the preform body (12), the apparatus (1) comprising, at approximately a first end (2a) of a discharge and conveyance surface (2) laterally defined by a housing wall (2c), means for supplying the preform (10) in bulk, the discharge and conveyance surface (2) comprising a conveyor device (3) for conveying the preform (10) from the first end (2a) of the discharge and conveyance surface (2) towards a second end (2b) opposite the first end (2a), the conveyor device (3) comprising a slot (5), and being formed by a pair of longitudinal movers (6a, 6b) adapted to move the preform (10) along a conveyance direction (100) defined by the slot (5) from the first end (2a) towards the second end (2b), the slot (5) having a lateral dimension that is larger than the dimension of the preform body (12) and smaller than the dimension of the collar (11) of the preform (10) so as to receive at least a portion of the preform (10) with the preform (10) suspended by the collar (11), the conveyor device (3) comprising at least one conveyor element (4a, 4b, etc.), the conveyor element being arranged laterally and parallel to the pair of longitudinal movers (6a, 6b) to form a placement surface for the preform, and the at least one conveyor element (4a, 4b, etc.) being adapted to move the preform placed on the placement surface along a movement direction (101) opposite to the conveyance direction (100) from the second end (2b) towards the first end (2a) for the preform not received from the slot (5). Apparatus (1), characterized in that.

2. The apparatus (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that at least a portion of the at least one conveyor element (4a, 4b, etc.) is arranged adjacent to one of the longitudinal movers (6a).

3. The apparatus (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the longitudinal movers (6a, 6b) each comprise an electric chain or an electric belt.

4. The apparatus (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the conveyor elements (such as 4a, 4b) comprise an inclined recirculation surface (20) extending so as to rise in a direction away from the slot (5), and pusher means (21) adapted to move the preform (10) disposed on the inclined recirculation surface (20) along a direction of movement (101) opposite to the conveying direction (100) in order to move the preform (10) not received by the slot (5) from the second end (2b) towards the first end (2a).

5. The apparatus (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pusher means (50) comprises at least one device for discharging an air jet.

6. The apparatus (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the slot (5) is connected at the first end (2a) to a guide extending along at least one elongation direction having a substantially vertical component.

7. The apparatus (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the guide comprises, in sequence, at least one first guide extending along a substantially vertical direction and at least one portion for connecting the at least one first guide to the slot (5).

8. The apparatus (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the apparatus (1) includes at least one recirculator (11a) which is disposed laterally adjacent to the at least one conveyor element (4a, 4b) and on the opposite side to the pair of longitudinally moving bodies (6a, 6b), and the at least one recirculator (11a) is adapted to move the preform (10) disposed on the respective placement surface (4c) along a direction (100') substantially parallel to the conveying direction (100).

9. The apparatus (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the conveyor device (3) has a supply device (7) adapted to send the preform (10) unloaded in bulk towards the conveyors (such as 4a, 4b) at the first end (2a).

10. The device (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device (1) comprises a device (30) for removing the preform (10) not properly accommodated above the slot (5).

11. The device (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device (1) comprises operating means adapted to adjust the forward speed of the conveyor elements (such as 4a, 4b).

12. The device (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device (1) comprises a holding guide (60) having at least two lateral parts (61) configured to limit the movement of the preform (10) in an upper region during movement along the conveying direction (100) above the longitudinal moving bodies (6a, 6b).

13. The device (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device (1) comprises a vertical element (62) having two inclined surfaces forming the lateral parts (61) on both sides with respect to its apex (63).

14. The device (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the longitudinal moving bodies (6a, 6b) are directly connected in a straight supply line of the supply star-shaped conveyor (20).

15. The device (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the slot (5) is connected to a transfer belt (8) designed to supply the oriented and aligned preform (10) to the supply element (20), and the transfer belt (8) comprises a suction ribbon belt (8a) configured to convey the preform (10) towards the supply element (20).

16. The device (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the suction ribbon belt (8a) comprises a perforated ribbon (8b) movable along the extension direction of the transfer guide (8) in response to a command by a moving motor, and the perforated ribbon (8b) is functionally associated with at least one suction unit (8c) connected to a suction tube (8d) adapted to provide a partial vacuum on the surface of the downward-facing perforated ribbon (8b) so as to suspend and hold the preform during movement along the transfer guide (8).

17. The conveyor device (2) is associated with a clogging prevention device (18) arranged in a passage region between the longitudinal moving bodies (6a, 6b) and the suction ribbon belt (8a), and the clogging prevention means (18) comprises means for the movement of the suction ribbon belt (8a), the means being configured to move the suction ribbon belt (8a) along a substantially vertical direction in response to an instruction, characterized in that it is the device (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims.

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