Centering body, and container handling machine comprising the centering body

Abstract

The invention relates to a centering body (16) for centering a container (20) in a container handling machine (10), in particular a labeling machine, comprising a centering section (28) for centering an opening region of a container (20) and a connecting section (30) for connecting to a spring element (22) of a centering device (12) of a container handling machine (10). The invention is characterized in that the connecting section (30) has at least one first latching partner (36) for producing a latching connection between the centering body (16) and the spring element (22) along the longitudinal axis (17) of the centering body (16), wherein the connecting section (30) is designed to release the latching connection when the centering body (16) is rotated about the longitudinal axis (17). By virtue of the invention, a centering body is provided which can be quickly changed, has a simple construction, and is inexpensive.

Description

[0001] Centering body and container treatment machine comprising the centering body

[0002] The invention relates to a centering body and a container treatment machine comprising the centering body.

[0003] When handling containers in container handling machines, particularly when labeling or printing containers, it is necessary to bring the containers into a defined position. To do this, the containers can be centered using centering brackets that can be attached to the container mouth. The centering brackets can press centering elements onto the container mouth in order to move the container into a defined position via the edge of the mouth. The centering brackets are designed to match the respective container mouths of the containers to be centered. If the dimensions of the container mouth are changed, for example if other container formats are to be handled, the centering brackets can be replaced with a different set of centering brackets that matches the new container format.

[0004] For this purpose, it is known from DE 10 2013 217 657 A1 to use a centering bracket that can be quickly and easily attached to a pneumatic spring using a coupling.

[0005] The object of the invention is to provide a centering body and a container treatment machine, wherein the centering body can be changed quickly, is simple in design and is cost-effective.

[0006] The problem is solved by the features of the independent claims. Advantageous further developments are the subject of the dependent claims and the following description.

[0007] In a centering body for centering a container in a container treatment machine, in particular a labeling machine, comprising a centering section for centering a mouth region of a container and a connecting section for connecting to a spring element of a centering device of a container treatment machine, it is provided according to the invention that the connecting section has at least one first latching partner for establishing a latching connection between the centering body and the spring element along a longitudinal axis of the centering body, wherein the connecting section is designed to release the latching connection upon rotation of the centering body about the longitudinal axis.

[0008] According to the invention, a quick-change centering body for a container handling machine is thus provided, which can provide a locking connection for connection to a centering device of the container handling machine, which can be released by rotating the centering body about the longitudinal axis. The locking connection is created by bringing the centering body and the centering device together parallel to the longitudinal axis of the centering body. For this purpose, the centering body is arranged at the corresponding position on the centering device at which it is to be mounted and in which the locking connection can be established. The centering body allows for particularly quick changes when a container format change is carried out. To uncouple the centering bodies from the centering devices, the operating personnel only has to rotate the centering body once to release the locking connection.The new centering bodies can be attached to the centering devices by plugging them into place, creating a snap-in connection with the centering devices. This allows for quick replacement of the centering body, which is simple in design and cost-effective.

[0009] The spring element can in particular be designed as a helical spring.

[0010] In one example, the centering body may have a through-opening for passing a fluid into a container, which through-opening extends through the centering body and may open at the centering section.

[0011] The through-opening can, for example, extend from the connecting section to the centering section. The opening of the through-opening at the centering section can be arranged such that a fluid flowing through the through-opening can enter a container when the centering body centers the container.

[0012] According to a further example, it is conceivable that the first locking partner can be designed as a projection that projects radially from the connecting section to the longitudinal axis.

[0013] The centering device can then have a second locking partner, which can, for example, couple to the projection to establish a locking connection. Furthermore, the projection can be designed such that a locking connection can be created when the centering body is moved toward the centering device along its longitudinal axis. The projection can be integrated into the centering body with little effort. Particularly in the case of a one-piece centering body, the projection can be provided, for example, by molding in an injection mold or by a milling process.

[0014] It is further conceivable that the first locking partner can have a first sliding surface which is ramp-shaped in the direction along the longitudinal axis.

[0015] A second locking partner of the centering device can then slide along the first sliding surface, for example, when the centering body is placed onto the centering device in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis. Due to the ramp shape, a second locking partner can be designed, for example, as a spring element with a hook element arranged at its end. The ramp of the sliding surface can initially preload the spring element when establishing the locking connection. When the spring element engages the first locking partner, the hook element can, for example, provide a positive connection parallel to the longitudinal axis.

[0016] The connecting section can, for example, have a second sliding surface, wherein the second sliding surface is arranged at least between the first locking partner and the centering section.

[0017] The second sliding surface can, for example, serve to circumferentially separate the second locking partner from the first locking partner on the centering body when the centering body rotates. The second locking partner can then slide along the second sliding surface over the centering body when the centering body is rotated. The second sliding surface can assist in the separation of the locking connection through rotation.

[0018] According to a further example, it is conceivable that at least a part of the second sliding surface on the connecting section next to the first locking partner can extend parallel to the longitudinal axis and in the circumferential direction.

[0019] A first locking partner and a second sliding surface can thus be provided alternately on the circumference of the connecting section. The second sliding surface can, for example, extend to a terminal edge of the connecting section, which can be arranged on a side of the centering body opposite the centering section. The second sliding surface can thus assist in separating the centering body from the centering device.

[0020] Furthermore, it is conceivable, for example, that the second sliding surface between the first locking partner and the centering section can be flat and can preferably border on a curved surface in the circumferential direction.

[0021] If a second locking partner is engaged with the first locking partner, rotating the centering body can displace the second locking partner radially outward through the transition between the flat second sliding surface and the curved surface. In this case, the second locking partner can be preloaded radially outward, for example. Therefore, rotating the centering body in this example requires a force to push the second locking partner outward. This can provide security against the locking connection becoming loose.

[0022] It is also conceivable that, for example, a radially extending wall section can be arranged between the first locking partner and the centering section.

[0023] The wall section can serve to create a positive connection parallel to the longitudinal axis in the direction of the centering section after the locking connection has been established. For example, a groove can be arranged between the first locking partner and the wall section, into which a second locking partner of the centering device can engage. Furthermore, the wall section can provide a stop for the second locking partner, so that the second locking partner has a defined position on the centering body in the locking connection.

[0024] According to a further example, it is conceivable that the centering body can be formed in one piece.

[0025] The centering body can then be manufactured, for example, using an injection molding process, which is cost-effective and fast.

[0026] Furthermore, the invention relates to a container treatment machine, in particular a labeling machine for containers, comprising a plurality of centering devices for containers, wherein at least one of the centering devices has a spring element for pressing a centering body in a spring force direction against an opening of a container and at least one second locking partner for establishing a locking connection with the first locking partner of a centering body according to one of the preceding claims for fastening the centering body to the spring element during a movement of the centering body counter to the spring force direction.

[0027] The spring element presses the centering body against the mouth of the container to be centered for treatment by the container treatment machine, in the direction of the spring force. The spring force can be aligned parallel to the longitudinal axis. For the connection between the centering body and the spring element, the centering device can have a second locking partner, which can interact with the first locking partner to establish a locking connection. The locking connection can be established when the first locking partner is moved with the centering body against the direction of the spring force toward the second locking partner, with the centering body being moved in the direction of its longitudinal axis.

[0028] According to one example, it is conceivable that the second locking partner is designed as a hook element that extends radially to the spring force direction and is designed to be radially resilient.

[0029] The hook element can, for example, interact with the projection of the centering body explained above. Furthermore, when establishing the locking connection, the hook element can, for example, slide over the first sliding surface explained above and be radially preloaded in the process. After passing through the first sliding surface, the hook element can, for example, engage with the first locking partner, whereby the radial preload can assist the engagement.

[0030] According to one example, it is conceivable that the centering device has an outlet for a fluid line for introducing fluid into a container centered by the centering body, which, when the centering body is mounted on the centering device, extends through a through-opening of the centering body or opens at the through-opening.

[0031] A fluid can be fed through the through-opening of the centering body into the container, which is then centered by the centering body. The fluid can be, for example, a pressurized gas to pressurize the container. The pressurized gas can stabilize the container for a treatment process, such as labeling. Further advantages and effects, as well as further developments of the container treatment machine, arise from the advantages and effects, as well as further developments of the centering body described above. To avoid repetition, reference is made to the previous description in this regard.

[0032] The invention is described below using an exemplary embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings. They show:

[0033] Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a transport device of a container treatment machine;

[0034] Figure 2a, b a schematic representation of a centering device with centering body;

[0035] Figure 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a centering device with centering body; and

[0036] Figure 4a-f shows a schematic representation of the establishment and release of the locking connection.

[0037] Figure 1 shows an example of a transport device of a container handling machine 10. The container handling machine 10 has a plurality of centering devices 12 that can be attached to the transport device. Furthermore, the container handling machine 10 can have plates 14 on which containers can be arranged. The containers can be arranged between the plates 14 and the centering devices 12, whereby the centering devices 12 can center the containers from above while the containers can stand on the plates 14.

[0038] For centering the containers, the centering devices 12 have centering bodies 16 which can be pressed onto the mouths of the containers by the centering devices 12.

[0039] This is shown in more detail in Figure 2a. In this example, the container is a plastic bottle and is designated by the reference symbol 20. In this example, the container 20 further comprises a retaining collar, to which it is held by a holding device 18. The retaining collar can rest on a pincer-shaped element. The centering device 12 can press the centering body 16 onto the mouth of the container 20 using a spring element 22. The spring element 22 exerts a spring force in the spring force direction 23.

[0040] The centering body 16 can be connected to the spring element 22 via a snap-in connection and thus be designed to be quickly exchangeable. The spring element 22 can have a coupling piece 24 with which the snap-in connection between the centering body 16 and the spring element 22 can be established.

[0041] In Figure 2b, the container 20, the centering device 12, and the centering body 16 are shown separately from one another. The centering device 12 can further comprise a fluid line 32 that can be inserted into a through-opening 34 of the centering body 16. The through-opening 34 can extend parallel to a longitudinal axis 17 of the centering body 16.

[0042] The centering body 16 has a connecting section 30 and a centering section 28.

[0043] The centering section 28 is designed to center a mouth region of a container 20. For example, the centering section 28 may comprise a centering element 42 that can be inserted into a mouth of a container 20. The centering element 42 may then abut against an inner wall of the mouth of the container 20 to center the container 20.

[0044] The connecting section 30 is designed to form a locking connection with the centering device 22. For this purpose, the connecting section 30 has a first locking partner 36, which in this example can be designed as a projection. The projection can protrude radially from the longitudinal axis 17 of the centering body 16. Starting from a side of the centering body 16 opposite the centering section 28, the first locking partner 36 further has a first sliding surface 38. The first sliding surface 38 can be designed as a ramp, wherein the base of the ramp is arranged on the side of the centering body 16 opposite the centering section 28.

[0045] If the centering body 16 is arranged such that the centering section 28 is arranged at the bottom and the connecting section 30 is arranged at the top, the first sliding surface 38 can be arranged radially further inward at the upwardly facing end than with a section arranged further down.

[0046] A second sliding surface 40 can be arranged between the centering section 28 and the first locking partner 36, which can be arranged, for example, in a groove between the centering section 28 and the first locking partner 36. The second sliding surface 40 can be flat and, outside the groove, transition into a cylindrical shell shape. In a region that can be arranged circumferentially next to the first locking partner 36, the second sliding surface 36 can have a curved surface 44 and thus form part of a shell surface of a cylinder.

[0047] The cylinder body 16 can have a cylindrical basic shape, wherein the features of the cylinder body 16 can be formed in the shell of the basic shape. For example, the first sliding surface 38, the second sliding surface 40 with the curved surface 44, and the first locking partner 36 can be formed in the shell.

[0048] The second sliding surface 40 can extend in a plane that intersects the longitudinal axis 26 between the first locking partner 36 and the centering section 28, along at least one secant of a circle and at least one circular arc section.

[0049] Figure 3 shows a cross section through the centering body 16, which is connected to the spring element 22 by a locking connection.

[0050] At least one second locking partner 26 is attached to the coupling piece 24, which can be firmly connected to the spring element 22. The second locking partner 26 can be designed to be radially outwardly resilient. At a free end piece, the second locking partner 26 can further comprise a hook element 48, which can be designed to lock with the above-explained projection of the first locking partner 36. The hook element 48 can, for example, be arranged between the first locking partner 36 and the centering section 28 when the locking connection is established.

[0051] A wall section 46 can be arranged between the first locking partner 36 and the centering section 28, adjacent to the second sliding surface 40. The wall section 46 can extend in the radial direction and around the longitudinal axis 17. The wall section 48 can act as a positive connection or as a stop for the second locking partner 26 in the spring force direction 23. Once the locking connection between the centering body 16 and the spring element 22 has been established, the hook element 48 can then be arranged between the first locking partner 36 and the wall section 46.

[0052] In this example, two first locking partners 36 and two second locking partners 26 are provided. In this example, the second locking partners 26 are designed as spring clips that are radially resilient and are attached to the coupling piece 24 with connecting elements.

[0053] Figures 4a to 4f show the creation and release of the locking connection in individual steps.

[0054] In Figure 4a, the spring element 22 and the centering body 16 are shown separated from each other. The through-opening 34 of the centering body 16 is aligned with the fluid line 32, which extends along the spring force direction 23 of the spring element 22. The first sliding surfaces 38 of the centering body 16 are aligned with the second locking partners 26.

[0055] When the centering body 16 moves counter to the direction of the spring force 23, the first sliding surfaces 38 can be brought into contact with the second locking partners 26. This is illustrated in Figure 4b. The hook elements 48 of the second locking partners 26 slide along the first sliding surface 38 on the centering body 16. The ramp effect of the first sliding surface 38 preloads the second locking partners 26 radially outward.

[0056] After overcoming the projection of the first locking partner 36, the hook elements 48 of the second locking partners 26 can be moved radially inward by the preload and locked with the first locking partner 36. The hook elements 48 then rest against the second sliding surface 40, which is flat in this area.

[0057] To release the centering body 16 from the spring element 22, the centering body 16 can be rotated about the longitudinal axis 17, as shown in Figure 4d. This causes the second sliding surface 40 to move along the hook elements 48 of the second locking partners 26. Since the second sliding surface 40 transitions into a circular arc shape in the circumferential direction and is flat between the first locking partner 36 and the centering section 28, the hook elements 48 of the second locking partners 26 are pushed radially outward when the centering body 16 rotates. This releases the locking connection. As soon as the second locking partners 26 are uncoupled from the first locking partners 36, the centering body 16 can be moved away from the spring element 22 in the spring force direction 23, as shown in Figure 4e. The hook elements 48 then slide along the curved surface 44 of the second sliding surface 40.

[0058] The centering body 16 can then be released from the spring element 22, as shown in Figure 4f. At the same time, the through-opening 34 is removed from the fluid line 32.

[0059] The example described above does not limit the invention in any way. Rather, the invention can be modified in many ways. All of the features of the invention described above can be essential to the invention alone or in combination with one another.

[0060] List of reference symbols

[0061] 10 container treatment machine

[0062] 12 Centering device

[0063] 14 plates

[0064] 16 centering bodies

[0065] 17 Longitudinal axis

[0066] 18 Holding device

[0067] 20 containers

[0068] 22 Spring element

[0069] 23 Spring force direction

[0070] 24 coupling piece

[0071] 26 second rest partner

[0072] 28 Centering section

[0073] 30 connecting section

[0074] 32 Fluid line

[0075] 34 passage opening

[0076] 36 first rest partner

[0077] 38 first sliding surface

[0078] 40 second sliding surface

[0079] 42 Centering element

[0080] 44 curved surface

[0081] 46 wall section

[0082] 48 hook element

Claims

Claims 1. Centering body (16) for centering a container (20) in a container treatment machine (10), in particular a labeling machine, comprising a centering section (28) for centering a mouth region of a container (20) and a connecting section (30) for connecting to a spring element (22) of a centering device (12) of a container treatment machine (10), characterized in that the connecting section (30) has at least one first latching partner (36) for establishing a latching connection between the centering body (16) and the spring element (22) along a longitudinal axis (17) of the centering body (16), wherein the connecting section (30) is designed to release the latching connection upon rotation of the centering body (16) about the longitudinal axis (17).

2. Centering body (16) according to claim 1, characterized in that the first locking partner (36) is designed as a projection which projects radially to the longitudinal axis (17) from the connecting section (30).

3. Centering body (16) according to one of the preceding claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the first locking partner (36) has a first sliding surface (38) which is ramp-shaped in the direction along the longitudinal axis (17).

4. Centering body (16) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connecting section (30) has a second sliding surface (40), wherein the second sliding surface (40) is arranged at least between the first locking partner (36) and the centering section (28).

5. Centering body (16) according to claim 4, characterized in that at least a part of the second sliding surface (40) on the connecting section (30) next to the first locking partner (36) extends parallel to the longitudinal axis (17) and in the circumferential direction.

6. Centering body (16) according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the second sliding surface (40) between the first locking partner (36) and the centering section (28) is flat and preferably borders on a curved surface (44) in the circumferential direction.

7. Centering body (16) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a radially extending wall section (48) is arranged between the first locking partner (36) and the centering section (28).

8. Centering body (16) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the centering body (16) is formed in one piece.

9. Container treatment machine (10), in particular a labeling machine for containers (20), comprising a plurality of centering devices (12) for containers (20), wherein at least one of the centering devices (12) has a spring element (22) for pressing a centering body (16) in a spring force direction (23) against an opening of a container (20) and at least one second locking partner (26) for establishing a locking connection with the first locking partner (36) of a centering body (16) according to one of the preceding claims for fastening the centering body (16) to the spring element (22) during a movement of the centering body (16) counter to the spring force direction (23).

10. Container treatment machine (10) according to claim 9, characterized in that the second locking partner (26) is designed as a hook element which extends radially to the spring force direction (23) and is designed to be radially resilient.

11. Container treatment machine (10) according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the centering device (12) has an outlet for a fluid line (32) for introducing fluid into a container (20) centered by the centering body (16), which, when the centering body (16) is mounted on the centering device (12), extends through a through-opening (34) of the centering body (16) or opens at the through-opening (34).

Images