Discharge device for the upright discharging of cans, container handling system having a corresponding discharge device, method for the upright discharging of cans and use of a discharge device

Abstract

The invention relates to a discharge device for the upright discharging of cans, in particular empty test cans, from a main flow transport apparatus with cans arranged thereon sequentially in an upright manner, the discharge device having the following: a discharge apparatus for discharging cans to be discharged perpendicularly or obliquely to a conveying direction of the main flow transport apparatus; and a discharge transport apparatus for transporting the cans discharged by means of the discharge apparatus, wherein the discharge transport apparatus is designed to discharge the cans to be discharged from the main flow transport apparatus onto the discharge transport apparatus, wherein the discharge transport apparatus has a first suction surface which is designed to hold the cans in an upright position on the first suction surface. The invention also relates to a container handling system, to a method for discharging cans and to use of a discharge device.

Description

[0001] Rejection device for the upright rejection of cans, container treatment plant with a corresponding rejection device, method for the upright rejection of cans and use of a rejection device

[0002] Technical area

[0003] The present invention relates to a diverting device for the upright diverting of cans from a main stream transport device with cans arranged consecutively thereon in an upright position.

[0004] Furthermore, the invention relates to a container treatment plant with a corresponding rejection device, a method for the upright rejection of cans and a use of a corresponding rejection device.

[0005] State of the art

[0006] Rejection devices for rejecting containers, such as bottles, from a transport path formed by a main flow transport device are known in principle from the prior art.

[0007] For example, EP 1 012 087 B1 discloses a movable carriage arranged alongside a transport line. The carriage moves at the same speed as the containers to be diverted and comprises several diverter segments that can be extended transversely to the transport direction of the containers and can divert the containers.

[0008] Furthermore, DE 10 2010 025 744 A1 discloses actuators arranged next to the transport path, which together form a conveyor curve that can successively transport a container from the main flow transport device to a diverting transport device. For this purpose, the individual contact surfaces of the actuators form a curved diverting curve that can influence the movement of an incoming container in such a way that it is redirected onto the diverting track.

[0009] However, with the known devices, significant braking effects and forces act on the containers when they come into contact with the rejection device, such as the carriage or actuators, and are transferred to the rejection conveyor. This can cause the containers to tip over or become damaged.

[0010] This problem is exacerbated when empty cans are used, and particularly when empty test cans are used as test containers to monitor the functionality of inspection devices used in container handling plants, particularly beverage filling plants. In beverage filling plants and similar container handling plants, container streams at various product stages are inspected, particularly visually, using inspection devices. To monitor the functionality of these inspection devices, marked test containers are typically passed through the device, and a check is carried out to determine whether any test markings on the test containers are detected. For example, the test containers, particularly test cans, are marked using RFID chips or test signal strips; the inspection device can detect these markings, whereupon the test containers, particularly test cans, are removed from the transport stream.

[0011] Typically, such functional checks are performed during operation at high system speeds, so that both test containers and real containers are transported simultaneously in the system's transport stream. The test containers are then typically pushed into a bin together with the real containers to be sorted out. However, this has the disadvantage that the test containers are damaged and cannot be reused. Description of the invention

[0012] The invention is therefore based on the object of providing a device that eliminates the above-mentioned problems and disadvantages of the prior art. Furthermore, the invention is also based on the object of providing a container treatment system, a method for diverting, and a use of a diverting device that also eliminate the above-mentioned problems and disadvantages of the prior art.

[0013] These objects are achieved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Further possible embodiments of the invention are specified in particular in the dependent claims.

[0014] The solution according to the invention consists in particular in specifying a rejection device for the upright rejection of cans, in particular empty test cans, from a, in particular moving, main stream transport device with cans arranged consecutively thereon in an upright position. The rejection device has a rejection device for rejecting cans to be rejected, in particular perpendicular or obliquely to a conveying direction of the main stream transport device. The rejection device is therefore designed to reject cans, in particular perpendicular or obliquely. Furthermore, the rejection device has a, in particular moving, rejection transport device for transporting cans rejected by means of the rejection device. The rejection transport device is therefore designed to transport the rejected cans away.The reject transport device is designed to reject or transfer the cans to be rejected from the main transport device to the reject transport device. This involves a change in the transport device transporting the cans.

[0015] According to the invention, it is now provided that the rejection transport device has a first suction surface which is designed to hold cans in a position standing on the first suction surface by means of suction, in particular during rejection or during transfer to the rejection transport device.

[0016] The main stream transport device is a transport device that transports the cans into a main stream, at least in sections, for example, through a container processing system. For this purpose, the main stream transport device moves. For example, the main stream transport device is designed as a conveyor belt.

[0017] Upright cans are defined as upright, i.e., vertically positioned cans that remain in an upright position. Accordingly, upright rejection means that the cans remain in an upright position during the rejection process. In the upright position, the mouth or opening of the can is at the top and the bottom or bottom of the can is at the bottom.

[0018] A rejection device is, in general, a technical device for rejecting cans. The rejection device directs the cans from the main transport device to the rejection transport device. This rejection typically occurs through contact with the corresponding can. The rejection device therefore usually has a contact surface for contacting the can.

[0019] The rejection transport device is, in general terms, a transport device for further transporting the rejected cans. The rejection transport device can, for example, also be designed as a conveyor belt. A conveying direction of the rejection transport device can at least substantially correspond to the conveying direction of the main stream transport device. Alternatively, the conveying direction of the rejection transport device can be aligned obliquely to the conveying direction of the main stream transport device. Since the rejection transport device according to the invention has a first suction surface, the cans can be gently rejected in an upright position. The cans are therefore in an upright position throughout the entire rejection process and are not damaged during rejection. The rejection device can be used particularly advantageously with empty, i.e. unfilled, cans, in particular test cans.Due to their low weight, empty cans cannot currently be rejected non-destructively or in an upright position using conventional rejection devices. This is a major disadvantage, especially for test cans, as they are expensive to produce and cannot be reused after a single use.

[0020] Preferably, the first suction surface is arranged only in part on the rejection transport device and the cans are only sucked in until they have stabilized in their upright position.

[0021] According to an advantageous further development, the discharge transport device is designed as a vacuum belt.

[0022] The first suction surface is preferably a surface of the vacuum belt that is connected to a vacuum chamber of the vacuum belt via several openings, in particular holes. A negative pressure prevails in the vacuum chamber, so that air, and thus the cans, are sucked in through the openings.

[0023] As an alternative to a vacuum belt, a stationary suction surface on which the cans rest would of course also be conceivable. However, a removal system for the cans is preferred.

[0024] According to an advantageous development of the invention, the main flow transport device has a second suction surface at least in some areas. Preferably, the main flow transport device is designed as a vacuum belt, at least in some areas, so that the second suction surface is part of the vacuum belt. The main flow transport device can be part of the diverting device, so that the diverting device has the main flow transport device or at least the part of the main flow transport device with the second suction surface.

[0025] The second suction surface is in turn designed to hold cans in a position standing on the second suction surface by means of suction, in particular during discharge.

[0026] If the main flow conveyor also has a suction surface, this has the technical advantage of stabilizing the cans during deceleration, i.e., upon contact with the discharge device. This prevents upright cans from falling over.

[0027] Preferably, the first suction surface is configured adjacent to the second suction surface. This allows for continuous suction of the cans as they are conveyed from the main flow conveyor to the reject conveyor. This allows the cans to be transferred from the main flow conveyor to the reject conveyor particularly reliably.

[0028] Irrespective of this, the first and / or second suction surface preferably extends at least along 50%, preferably at least along 75%, particularly preferably at least along 90% of the width of the main flow transport device and / or discharge transport device.

[0029] In an advantageous development of the invention, the first suction surface and / or the second suction surface has a plurality of openings by means of which the cans can be sucked in.

[0030] The multitude of openings allows the cans to be held securely upright on the first and / or second suction surface. A vacuum created on the opposite side of the cans draws air through the openings. This sucks or pulls the cans toward the corresponding suction surface. The openings or holes can, for example, have a size of 1-10 mm. For example, the opening can be formed by a chain of holes in the discharge conveyor or the main flow conveyor.

[0031] According to an advantageous development of the invention, the plurality of openings are arranged distributed on the first and / or second suction surface in the conveying direction of the main flow transport device and in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the main flow transport device.

[0032] In particular, the distribution of the large number of openings perpendicular to the conveying direction ensures that the cans can be held securely along the width of the corresponding transport device during discharge.

[0033] According to an advantageous development of the invention, the discharge transport device is connected or connectable to a first vacuum generating unit, in particular a vacuum pump, for generating a vacuum for the first suction surface.

[0034] In particular, the vacuum generation unit serves to generate a corresponding negative pressure below the suction surface, with the containers arranged above the suction surface. Generally speaking, the first vacuum generation unit is a technical device designed to remove air or gas from a space, the vacuum chamber, i.e., to extract it in order to create a vacuum. The vacuum generation units or vacuum pumps preferably have a power in the range between 1.8 kW and 7 kW.

[0035] In an advantageous development of the invention, the main flow transport device is connected or connectable to a second vacuum generating unit, in particular a vacuum pump, for generating a vacuum for the second suction surface.

[0036] The aspects already mentioned with regard to the first vacuum generation unit also apply to the second vacuum generation unit. The first vacuum generation unit is preferably a different unit from the second vacuum generation unit. Thus, the negative pressure for the first suction area is generated independently of the negative pressure for the second suction area. In other words, the negative pressure is generated by two separately controllable and / or adjustable vacuum generation units, in particular vacuum pumps.

[0037] This allows the negative pressure for the first intake area to be set differently than the negative pressure for the second intake area.

[0038] According to an advantageous development of the invention, the first vacuum generating unit is designed or controlled to generate a higher vacuum than the second vacuum generating unit.

[0039] This ensures that the negative pressure of the second suction surface is sufficient to both securely hold the container or can and allow for transfer. The negative pressure of the first suction surface is higher and can thus capture the can during transfer, thus securely sucking it in.

[0040] According to an advantageous development of the invention, the rejection device is designed in particular for gently guiding the cans out.

[0041] The rejection device thus provides continuous rejection, with contact with the rejection device or a contact surface thereof remaining at least substantially throughout the entire rejection process. For example, this is a multi-segment rejection device, in which several segments, in particular fingers, extend one after the other, thus forming a straight rejection path or curve for the cans. Alternatively, it can also be a rejection switch, which also forms a straight rejection path or, preferably, a curve as a curved surface for rejecting the cans.

[0042] The combination of gently guided rejection and the suction of the suction surface ensures reliable and non-destructive rejection of the cans. The movement of the main flow conveyor moves the cans toward the rejection device and into contact with it. The rejection device then has a contact surface such that the cans can be moved in a direction perpendicular or diagonal to the transport direction.

[0043] Typically, the contact surface of the diverting device is movable, in particular movable into the main flow of the transport device, so that the cans can be selectively diverted. For example only, the contact surface of the diverting device is generally movable between a retracted and an extended position for contact with the cans. In the retracted position, the contact surface is arranged outside the transport flow of the main flow transport device, and in the extended position, it is arranged within the transport flow of the main flow transport device, so that cans can be manipulated accordingly in the transport flow of the main flow transport device.

[0044] Furthermore, the task is solved by means of a container treatment plant with one of the aforementioned rejection devices. Since the rejection devices are the ones described above, all aspects and advantages can also be applied to the container treatment plant.

[0045] According to an advantageous development of the invention, the container processing system comprises an inspection device for inspecting cans, in particular test cans. The rejection device is designed to reject cans in an upright position based on an inspection result of the inspection device.

[0046] The rejection device allows the sensitive test cans used to check the functionality of the inspection device to be rejected without damage. Test cans rejected in this way are then reusable. For example, the inspection device can be designed for optical inspection of the cans. The inspection device is also designed to identify the marking, such as the RFID chip or the test signal strip, on the test cans. The inspection device then determines, for example, that the can should be rejected as an inspection result. If it is determined that the can should be rejected, a corresponding rejection command is sent to the rejection device.

[0047] The inspection device and the rejection device can be connected to a corresponding controller which is designed to evaluate an inspection result of the inspection device and / or to generate a rejection command for the rejection device.

[0048] Irrespective of this, the rejection device can, for example, be arranged upstream of a closer of the container treatment plant, so that the cans, in particular test cans, are rejected from the main stream before the cans are closed.

[0049] Furthermore, the object is achieved by means of a method for the upright discharge of cans, in particular empty test cans, from a main stream transport device with cans arranged consecutively in an upright position thereon. One of the aforementioned discharge devices can preferably be used to carry out the method, so that all individual aspects and advantages can be transferred to the method. The method comprises the following step: discharging the cans to be discharged from the main stream transport device onto a discharge transport device, wherein the cans are sucked onto the discharge transport device during discharge, in particular from the underside, i.e., from below.

[0050] By suctioning the cans or the underside of the cans, the cans can be transferred or guided in an upright position from the main flow transport device to the reject transport device. One of the aforementioned reject devices can be used for rejecting. In an advantageous development of this embodiment, the cans are suctioned onto the underside of the main flow transport device during rejecting.

[0051] The cans are therefore sucked downwards not only on the rejection transport device, but also on the main stream transport device, so that they are continuously sucked in during the rejection process and can be transferred from the main stream transport device to the rejection transport device.

[0052] The aforementioned suction surfaces and vacuum generation units are preferably used for suction.

[0053] In an advantageous development of the invention, the cans are, in particular, empty test cans. The cans are preferably used during ongoing operation to check an inspection device of a container processing system and are removed without damage. Thus, during ongoing operation, real cans and test cans are transported through the container processing system in parallel under normal operating conditions, for example, at normal conveyor speed. This allows the function of the inspection device to be checked during ongoing operation and under real conditions.

[0054] The vacuum generation units or vacuum pumps are switched off during normal production operation. If a test program is started to check the functionality of the inspection device, the vacuum pumps are switched on automatically, for example. The test containers are then preferably only inserted into the main flow after the vacuum has been established. This can be signaled, for example, by a signal light. Once the test program has been successfully completed, the vacuum generation units or vacuum pumps can be switched off again automatically. Furthermore, the task is achieved by using one of the aforementioned diversion devices to check one or more inspection devices, in particular using empty test containers, preferably during ongoing operation.

[0055] Here, too, the advantages and aspects of the individual rejection devices can be applied accordingly. Using the rejection device ensures that the test containers are not damaged and are reusable.

[0056] Short description of the drawings

[0057] The various and exemplary features described above can be combined with one another according to the invention, provided this is technically reasonable and suitable. Further features, advantages, and embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments and from the figures.

[0058] The figures used to explain the embodiments show:

[0059] Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of a container treatment plant with a discharge device according to the present invention;

[0060] Fig. 2 is a schematic representation of the container treatment plant shown in Fig. 1, wherein a rejecting device of the rejecting apparatus is arranged in a position for rejecting cans; and

[0061] Fig. 3 is a schematic representation of a vacuum belt that can be used in the rejection device shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2.

[0062] Ways to implement the invention

[0063] Fig. 1 shows a container processing system 200. The container processing system 200 comprises an inspection device 210, a bin 220, and a rejection device 100. When normal cans 10 are transported in the container processing system 200, they are inspected as they pass by using the inspection device 210, and if a defect is detected, they are conveyed to the bin 220.

[0064] If the same procedure were followed with test cans 10, these test cans 10 would become unusable for further use due to damage when sorted into bin 220.

[0065] For the sake of simplicity, the following does not consistently distinguish between test cans 10 and cans 10. Even though the rejection device 100 is described in connection with cans 10, it would also be particularly suitable for non-destructively rejecting, in particular, empty test cans 10. Therefore, the following primarily refers to cans 10, which should also be understood to include test cans 10.

[0066] The container treatment plant 200 according to the invention has the discharge device 100 behind the inspection device 210.

[0067] The diverting device 100 is designed to divert cans 10 from a main stream transport device 110 feeding the cans 10 to a diverting transport device 130. The main stream transport device 110 transports the cans 10 sequentially in a standing position in the conveying direction x.

[0068] A diverting device 120 is provided for transferring, i.e., diverting, the cans 10 from the main stream transport device 110 to the diverting transport device 130. For this purpose, the diverting device 120 is movable perpendicular to the conveying direction x of the main stream transport device 110.

[0069] Fig. 1 shows the diverter 120 in a retracted position, and Fig. 2 shows the diverter 120 in an extended position. As can be seen from a comparison between Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, when the diverter 120 is moved in the y direction, a contact surface 121 is moved into the transport stream of the main stream transport device 110. When the cans 10 come into contact with the contact surface 121, the cans 10 are diverted and moved toward the diverter transport device 130.

[0070] As can be seen in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the contact surface 121 is curved, allowing for a particularly smooth discharge of the cans 10. As a result, the cans 10 move obliquely rather than perpendicular to the direction x of the main flow transport device 110. If a discharge were to be carried out solely with the discharge device 120 without further precautions, there is a high risk that the cans 10 or test cans 10, especially empty ones, could fall over or be damaged during discharge. This problem is particularly exacerbated when a functional check of the inspection device 210 is to be carried out under operating conditions, i.e., at high speed.

[0071] Therefore, the diverting device 100 has suction surfaces 131 and 111. Specifically, the diverting transport device 130 has a first suction surface 131, and the main flow transport device 110 has a second suction surface 111. However, it may also be sufficient for only the diverting transport device 130 to have the first suction surface 131, and for the main flow transport device 110 to have no suction surface.

[0072] The functioning of the suction surfaces 131, 111 can be clearly understood from Fig. 3. Fig. 3 shows an example of a schematic sectional view of a vacuum belt 140. A vacuum chamber 142 is formed within the vacuum belt 140. The vacuum chamber 142 is connected to a vacuum generation unit 132, 112. In detail, the vacuum chamber 142 is connected to a first vacuum generation unit 132 if it is the first suction surface 131 of the diverting transport device 130. Accordingly, the vacuum chamber 142 is connected to a second vacuum generation unit 112 for the second suction surface 111 if it is the main flow transport device 110. Independently of this, a vacuum can be generated in the vacuum chamber 142 by means of the vacuum generation unit 112, 132. The vacuum chamber 142 is connected via openings 141 to an upper side of the suction surface 131, 111.If a negative pressure is now created in the vacuum chamber 142, air is drawn in through the openings 141 to compensate. This also draws in the underside 11 of the can 10 resting on the suction surface 131, 111. Thus, the upright position of the can 10 can be stabilized by the downward force applied to the underside 11. This helps prevent the cans 10 from falling over.

[0073] Although the functionality in Fig. 3 has been described using a vacuum belt 140, this embodiment is not restrictive. Rather, a corresponding vacuum chamber 142 and corresponding openings 142 can also be formed in another embodiment, for example, in a vacuum plate or the like.

[0074] The openings 141 of the first and / or second suction surfaces 131, 111 are distributed in the conveying direction x and in a direction y perpendicular to the conveying direction x. This allows for continuous suction of the cans 10.

[0075] Returning to Fig. 2, the first vacuum generating unit 132, which is designed to generate the vacuum at the first suction surface 131, is designed or controlled to generate a higher vacuum than the second vacuum generating unit 112, which is designed at the second suction surface 111. This is because the vacuum at the second suction surface 111 must be large enough to securely hold the can 10 and small enough to allow the can 10 to be transferred. On the other hand, the vacuum at the first suction surface 131 must be large enough to take the can 10 from the second suction surface 111. The two suction surfaces 111 and 131 are arranged, as can be seen in Fig. 2, in particular adjacent to one another, so that the cans 10 can be continuously sucked in. Reference numerals

[0076] 10 test doses, doses

[0077] 11 Subpage

[0078] 100 rejection device

[0079] 110 Main current transport facility

[0080] 111 second intake surface

[0081] 112 second vacuum generation unit

[0082] 120 Diversion device

[0083] 121 contact surface

[0084] 130 Rejection transport device

[0085] 131 first intake surface

[0086] 132 first vacuum generation unit

[0087] 140 vacuum belt

[0088] 141 openings

[0089] 142 Vacuum Chamber

[0090] 200 container treatment plant

[0091] 210 Inspection device

[0092] 220 ton x conveying direction y direction perpendicular to the conveying direction x

Claims

Patent claims 1. A discharge device (100) for the upright discharge of cans (10), in particular empty test cans (10), from a main stream transport device (110) with cans (10) arranged consecutively thereon in an upright position, the discharge device (100) comprising: a discharge device (120) for discharging cans (10) to be discharged perpendicularly or obliquely to a conveying direction (x) of the main stream transport device (110); and a diverting transport device (130) for transporting the cans (10) diverted by means of the diverting device (120), wherein the diverting device (120) is designed to divert the cans (10) to be diverted from the main stream transport device (110) to the diverting transport device (130), characterized in that the diverting transport device (130) has a first suction surface (131) which is designed to hold cans (10) by means of suction in a position standing on the first suction surface (131).

2. Discharge device (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the discharge transport device (130) is designed as a vacuum belt (140).

3. Discharge device (100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the main flow transport device (110) has a second suction surface (111) and is preferably designed as a vacuum belt (140).

4. Discharge device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first suction surface (131) and / or the second suction surface (111) has a plurality of openings (141) by means of which the cans (10) can be sucked in.

5. Discharge device (100) according to claim 4, characterized in that the plurality of openings (141) are arranged distributed in the conveying direction (x) and perpendicular to the conveying direction (x) on the first suction surface (131) and / or the second suction surface (111).

6. Discharge device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the discharge transport device (130) is connected or connectable to a first negative pressure generating unit (142), in particular a vacuum pump, for generating a negative pressure for the first suction surface (131).

7. Discharge device (100) according to at least claims 3 and 6, characterized in that the main flow transport device (110) is connected or connectable to a second negative pressure generating unit (112), in particular a vacuum pump, for generating a negative pressure for the second suction surface (111).

8. Discharge device (100) according to claim 7, characterized in that the first vacuum generating unit (132) is designed or controlled to generate a higher vacuum than the second vacuum generating unit (112).

9. The diverting device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the diverting device (120) is designed for the guided diverting of the cans (10).

10. Container treatment plant (200) with a discharge device (100) according to one of the preceding claims.

11. Container treatment plant (200) according to claim 10, comprising an inspection device (210) for inspecting cans (10), in particular empty test cans (10), wherein the rejection device (100) is designed to reject cans (10) in an upright position based on an inspection result of the inspection device (210).

12. A method for the upright discharge of cans (10), in particular empty test cans (10), from a main stream transport device (110) with cans (10) arranged consecutively thereon, in particular by means of one of the discharge devices (100) according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the method comprises the following step: Discharging the cans (10) to be discharged from the main stream transport device (110) onto a discharge transport device (130), wherein the cans (10) are sucked onto the discharge transport device (130) during discharge.

13. A method for the vertical discharge of cans (10) according to claim 12, wherein the cans (10) are sucked onto the main stream transport device (110) during discharge.

14. Method for the standing discharge of cans (10) according to one of claims 12 to 13, wherein the cans (10) are in particular empty test cans (10) and wherein the cans (10) are used during operation to check an inspection device (210) of a container treatment plant (200) and are discharged non-destructively.

15. Use of a diversion device (100) according to one of claims 1 to 9 for controlling an inspection device (210), in particular by means of empty test cans (10).

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