A system for receiving and transferring a plurality of containers orientated in a random way, and for arranging the containers with a same orientation

Abstract

The system (100) comprises: an infeed device (1) for receiving and transporting containers (C1, C2) rested on a first lateral wall thereof and with the longitudinal axis parallel to the transfer direction (T) and with the relative mouths (I1, I2) in random orientations either forwards or backwards, with respect to the transfer direction; abutting means (R) for stopping the containers (C1, C2) and sensor means (S1) for detecting the orientation of the mouths (I1, I2) of the containers (C1, C2) in abutment against the abutting means (R). The system (100) comprises a pick-up and release device (4) configured to pick up, from the infeed device (1), the containers (C1, C2) in abutment against the abutting means (R) and to rotate the containers so that the containers are arranged with a same orientation.

Description

[0001] A SYSTEM FOR RECEIVING AND TRANSFERRING A PLURALITY OF CONTAINERS ORIENTATED IN A RANDOM WAY, AND FOR ARRANGING THE CONTAINERS WITH A SAME ORIENTATION

[0002] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention relates to the technical sector concerning the packing of products in relative containers, such as, for example containers of cylindrical shape or polyhedric shape, such as bottles, tubes, tubs, etc.

[0004] DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

[0005] Containers to be used for the operations of packaging products are usually stored, in bulk, internally of a hopper or another storage site, and from the hopper, utilising appropriate transfer means, the containers are progressively transferred onto a transport channel of a horizontal conveyor, for transport thereof towards the inlet or work stations and / or automatic machines destined to carry out various preparatory processes on the containers, then to be sent to a successive packaging of products internally thereof.

[0006] The transfer means of the containers going from the hopper to the transport channel of the conveyor are realised and configured in such a way as to be able to arrange the containers rested on a first lateral wall thereof, i.e. laid out, and with a longitudinal axis thereof parallel to the advancement direction of the horizontal conveyor, before transfer thereof into the transport channel.

[0007] For example, the transfer means can comprise conveyor belts arranged inclined, and having abutment walls that are transversal to the drive direction of the mats, between which walls the containers might become arranged during transport thereof in an upwards direction, or conveyors having a series of plates or slabs arranged adjacent and contiguous, arranged inclined, and movable with respect to one another in such a way that the upper edges of the successive plates can be raised with respect to the edges of the preceding plates, in order to raise the containers upwards seeking to arrange them resting on the lateral wall thereof on the edges, and arranged with a longitudinal axis thereof parallel to the advancement direction of the horizontal conveyor.

[0008] In this way, the containers are released into the transport channel of the horizontal conveyor rested on the lateral wall thereof, i.e. with the longitudinal axis thereof aligned to the transport direction of the conveyor, and in a row with one following another.

[0009] As the containers are arranged in bulk internally of the hopper, when they are released into the transport channel they will be orientated with the respective mouths thereof in a random way, i.e. with some containers with the mouths thereof facing forwards, in the advancement direction of the conveyor, while other containers will have the mouth thereof facing backwards, again with respect to the advancement direction of the conveyor.

[0010] This random orientation of the containers constitutes a problem as the work stations or the inlets of the automatic machines require the containers to be arranged and orientated with a same orientation.

[0011] At present, abutments, known as traps, are arranged and utilised along the transport channel of the horizontal conveyor, designed to abut the containers orientated in the incorrect way, for example with the mouth facing backwards with respect to the transport direction, and to rotate them to arrange them in the correct orientation, for example with the mouth facing forwards.

[0012] In this way, when the containers reach the end of the horizontal conveyor they will all be arranged with a same orientation and be picked up, singly or in groups, by apposite handling organs, then to be transferred and arranged, following a rotation thereof, to a work station or to the inlet of an automatic machine.

[0013] These specifications, however, have been seen to be poorly effective as, owing to the special shape of the containers, the ones incorrectly orientated are not always arranged in the correct orientation, and, further, the conveyor must be driven at velocities that are such as not to permit the change of orientation of the containers, with consequent repercussions on productivity.

[0014] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0015] An aim of the present invention is to provide a novel system for receiving and transferring a plurality of containers orientated in a random way and to arrange the containers with a same orientation able to obviate the drawbacks present in the prior art, cited in the foregoing.

[0016] In particular, an aim of the invention is to provide a new system able to arrange a plurality of containers, which have a random orientation as concerns the position of the mouth thereof with respect to the transfer direction thereof, all with a same orientation, in a rapid, simple and effective manner, so that the containers, having a same orientation, can thus be transferred to a work station or to the inlet of an automatic packaging machine.

[0017] The above aims are attained according to the claims.

[0018] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] The characteristics of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiments of the system for receiving and transferring a plurality of containers orentated in a random way and to arrange the containers with a same orientation as proposed by the invention, are described in the following with reference to the accompanying tables of drawings, in which: - figures 1A, 1 B and 1 C illustrate, in respective schematic and perspective views, three possible preferred, but not for this reason exclusive, embodiments of the system of the invention;

[0020] - figures from 2A to 2H illustrate, with schematic and perspective views, some special components of the system of the invention in a possible embodiment thereof, and according to a preferred installation of the system of figure 1A, illustrated in a possible further operating sequence thereof for collecting containers which have a random orientation and arranging the containers with a same orientation, releasing the containers on to an outlet line;

[0021] - figures from 3A to 3H illustrate, with respective schematic and perspective views, the components of the system of the invention in the embodiment of figures from 2A and 2H, and according to a preferred installation of the system of figure 1 B or figure 1 C, which are illustrated in a possible operating sequence thereof for collecting containers having a random orientation, and arranging the containers with a same orientation, releasing the containers onto a work station and, successively, onto an outlet line;

[0022] - figures from 4A to 4E illustrate, with schematic and perspective views, some special components of the system of the invention in a further other possible embodiment thereof, and according to a preferred installation of the system of figure 1A, illustrated in a possible further operating sequence thereof to collect containers having a random orientation, and arranging the containers with a same orientation, then releasing the containers on to an outlet line;

[0023] - figures from 5A to 5G illustrate, with respective schematic and perspective views, the components of the system of the invention in the actuation form of figures from 4A to 4E, and according to a preferred installation of the system of figure 1 B or figure 1 C, which are illustrated in a possible further operating sequence thereof for collecting containers which have a random orientation and to arrange the containers with a same orientation, then releasing the containers onto a work station and, successively, onto an outlet line.

[0024] DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0025] With reference to the accompanying tables of drawings, numerical reference (100) denotes the system for receiving and transferring a plurality of containers orientated in a random way, and for arranging the containers with a same orientation, object of the present invention.

[0026] The system (100), in its preferred, but not for this reason exclusive embodiments, (see for example figures 1A, 1 B and 1 C), comprises an infeed device (1 ) activatable in continuous mode according to a transfer direction (T) and which is provided with a plurality of walls (11 ) arranged parallel to one another and parallel to the transfer direction (T), and which are configured to define between them a plurality of guide channels (10) having a suitable shape for receiving containers (C1 , C2) resting on a lateral wall thereof and arranged with a respective longitudinal axis parallel to the transfer direction (T), and in order to transfer the containers (C1 , C2) in the transfer direction (T).

[0027] For example, the infeed device (1 ) can comprise a conveyor belt or other equivalent transfer means.

[0028] The system (100) further comprises: a conveyor means (2) which is arranged adjacent to the infeed device (1 ) and configured to infeed a series of containers (C1 , C2) arranged in bulk at a terminal section (20) of the conveyor means (2), situated adjacent to the infeed device (1 ), arranging the containers (C1 , C2) with a longitudinal axis thereof parallel to the transfer direction (T) of the infeed device (1 ) and orientated with the respective mouths (11 , I2) in random positions with respect to the transfer direction (T) of the infeed device (1 ); a transfer device (3), which is movable transversally to the infeed device (1 ) from a first pick-up position (AO), at the terminal section (20) of the conveyor means (2), in order to collect the containers (C1 , C2) present in the terminal section (20) of the conveyor means (2), and successive distinct release positions (A1 , A2, , AN) above the various guide channels (10) of the infeed device (1 ) for releasing the containers (C1 , C2) into the various guide channels (10), resting with the lateral wall thereof on the infeed device (1 ) and arranged with the mouths (11 , I2) thereof oriented in random positions, either forwards or backwards, with respect to the transfer direction (T) of the infeed device (1 ).

[0029] The system (100) further comprises: abutting means (R), which are arranged in proximity of the terminal portion of the infeed device (1 ), and configured to halt the containers (C1 , C2) transported along the guide channels (10) of the infeed device (1 ), aligning them transversally to one another with respect to the transfer direction (T) of the infeed device (1 ); sensor means (S1 ), arranged and configured so as to detect the orientation of the mouths (11 , I2) of the containers (C1 , C2) in abutment against the abutting means (R), and to provide a datum relative to the arrangement and orientation, either forwards or backwards, with respect to the transfer direction (T) of the infeed device (1 ), of the mouths (11 , I2) of the containers (C1 , C2) in abutment against the abutting means (R); a pick-up and release device (4), arranged in proximity of the terminal portion of the infeed device (1 ), configured to move a head (40) comprising a plurality of pick-up and release elements (41 ; 42, 43), each for a respective guide channel (10) of the infeed device (1 ). The pick-up and release elements (41 , 42, 43) are mounted aligned along a common support shaft (5) having a rotation axis (50) which is arranged horizontally and transversally to the transfer direction (T) of the infeed device (1 ) in such a way that each pick-up and release element (41 ; 42, 43) is arranged and movable above a respective guide channel (10) of the infeed device (1 ), in order to pick up and retain a respective container (C1 , C2) in abutment against the abutting means (R).

[0030] In detail, the head (40) of the pick-up and release device (4) can be realised with one or another of the modalities described in the following.

[0031] The head (40) is configured with the pick-up and release elements (41 ) rigidly mounted on the common support shaft (5) and in which the pickup and release elements (41 ) are together rotatable about the rotation axis (50) of the common support shaft (5), following the driving in rotation of the common support shaft (5).

[0032] In this way (see for example figures from 2A to 2H, or from 3A to 3H) after the pick-up and release elements (41 ) have picked up, from the infeed device (1 ), the containers (C1 , C2) in abutment against the abutting means (R), the common support shaft (5) is drivable in rotation about the rotation axis (50) so to rotate the pick-up and release elements (41 ) and arrange the containers (C1 , C2) vertically, with those pick-up and release elements (41 ) which, on the basis of the information supplied by the sensor means (S1 ), retaining any respective containers (C1 ) that have the respective mouths (11 ) orientated in a predetermined common direction, either upwards or downwards, being activatable to release the containers (C1 ), and then the common support shaft (5) is drivable in rotation about the rotation axis (50) to rotate the pick-up and release elements (41 ) and arrange any remaining containers (C2) still retained by the remaining other pick-up elements (41 ), with the respective mouths (I2) orientated in the predetermined common direction, either upwards or downwards, of the mouths (11 ) of the preceding containers (C1 ) already released, and then these other remaining other pick-up elements (41 ) are activatable to release any remaining containers (C2) which will then be arranged with the same orientation as the containers (C1 ) precedingly released.

[0033] Or, according to an alternative embodiment of the invention, the head (4) is configured with the pick-up and release elements (42, 43) being mounted on the common support shaft (5) in such a way to be rotatable about the rotation axis (50) of the common support shaft (5), following the driving in rotation of the common support shaft (5), and also to be independently drivable with respect to one another in rotation about respective rotation axes (V) which are perpendicular to the rotation axis (50) of the common support shaft (5).

[0034] In this way (see for example figures from 4A to 4E, or from 5A to 5G), after the pick-up and release elements (42, 43) have picked up, from the infeed device (1 ), the containers (C1 , C2) in abutment against the abutting means (R), the common support shaft (5) is drivable in rotation about the rotation axis (50) so to rotate the pick-up and release elements (42, 43) and arrange the containers (C1 , 02) vertically, with those pick-up and release elements (43) which, on the basis of the information supplied by the sensor means (S1 ), are retaining any respective containers (02) that have the respective mouths (I2) orientated in a predetermined common direction, either upwards or downwards, which is different to a predetermined common direction of the remaining other containers (01 ) retained by the other pick-up and release elements (41 ) which have the respective mouths (11 ), either downwards or upwards, are drivable in rotation about a respective rotation axis (V) perpendicular to the rotation axis (50) of the common support shaft (5), in order to arrange any containers (02) with the respective mouths (12) orientated in the predetermined common direction of the remaining other containers (C1 ), so that all the containers (C1 , C2) will be arranged with the respective mouths (11 , I2) orientated in the predetermined common direction and with a same orientation, with the pick-up elements (42, 43) being able to retain the containers (C1 , C2) in order to enable the carrying out of processing steps thereon, or be activated to release the containers (C1 , C2).

[0035] Figures from 2A to 2H illustrate a possible operating sequence of functioning of the pick-up and release device (4) in which the head (40) is configured with the pick-up and release elements (41 ) rigidly mounted on the common support shaft (5) and in which the pick-up and release elements (41 ) are together rotatable about the rotation axis (50) of the common support shaft (5), following the driving in rotation of the common support shaft (5).

[0036] In these figures, the system (100) of the invention is realised according to a first possible configuration wherein it comprises an outlet line (6), arranged downstream, and transversally, of the infeed device (1 ), on which outlet line (6) the containers are to be released, all with a same orientation, with the relative mouths facing upwards.

[0037] The pick-up and release device (4) moves the head (40) in such a way that the pick-up and release elements (41 ) are arranged at the various guide channels (10) so as to pick up the containers (C1 , C2) which are stationary in abutment against the abutting means (R) (see figure 2A), and for which the sensor means (S1 ) have detected the orientation of the mouths (11 , I2) thereof.

[0038] Some of these containers (C1 ) can be arranged with the relative mouths (11 ) facing forwards, with respect to the transfer direction (T) of the infeed device (1 ), while other containers (C2) will be arranged with the relative mouths (I2) facing backwards with respect to the transfer direction (T) of the infeed device (1 ).

[0039] The pick-up and release device (4) then raises the head (40) and moves the head (40) in order to position it above the outlet line (6), with the pick-up and release elements (41 ) retaining respective containers (C1 , C2) (see figure 2B).

[0040] In the meantime the infeed device (1 ) will transfer further and other containers (C1 , C2) in abutment against the abutting means (R).

[0041] The common support shaft (5) is then rotated about a rotation axis (50) in order to rotate the pick-up and release elements (41 ) (for example a rotation by 90° in a clockwise direction as shown in figure 2C) so as to arrange the containers (C1 , C2) vertically, for example in order to arrange the containers (C1 ), which had the mouths (11 ) thereof facing forwards with respect to the transfer direction (T) of the infeed device (1 ), so that they now have the mouth (11 ) facing upwards, with the containers (C2), which had the mouths (I2) thereof facing backwards, with respect to the transfer direction (T) of the infeed device (1 ), arranged with the respective mouth (I2) facing downwards.

[0042] The common support shaft (5) can also be rotated in an opposite rotation direction, in order to arrange the containers in an opposite arrangement to what is illustrated, i.e. with the containers (C1 ) having the mouths (11 ) thereof facing downwards and the containers (C2) with the mouths (I2) thereof facing upwards.

[0043] In other words, when containers having a different orientation reach to against the abutting means (R), the rotation of the common support shaft for arranging the containers vertically will have, as a consequence, some containers with the mouths thereof facing downwards, and others with the mouths thereof facing upwards.

[0044] Therefore the pick-up and release device (4) moves the head (40) towards the outlet line (6) and some of the pick-up and release elements (41 ) will be able to release the containers (C1 ) onto the outlet line (6), i.e. the containers having the mouth (11 ) facing upwards, while the remaining other pick-up and release elements (41 ) retain the containers (C2) which have the mouths (I2) facing downwards (see figure 2D).

[0045] Thereafter, the pick-up and release device (4) lifts the head (40) (figure 2E) and the common support shaft (5) is newly driven in rotation about the rotation axis (50) by 180° (in the clockwise direction or anticlockwise direction) so as to arrange the remaining containers (C2) still retained by some pick-up and release elements (41 ) vertically, and with the relative mouths (I2) facing upwards (see figure 2F).

[0046] Lastly, the pick-up and release device (4) can move the head (40) towards the outlet line (6) so that the pick-up and release elements (41 ) can release thereon the remaining other containers (C2) (see figure 2G) and then raise the head (40) so that the outlet line (6) can transfer all the containers (C1 , C2), correctly orientated with a same orientation, towards successive work stations (see figure 2H).

[0047] In a case where the containers collected from the pick-up and release elements (41 ) from the infeed device (1 ) are all orientated in the same way (mouths all facing forwards or backwards), then, with only the rotation of the common support shaft (5) about the rotation axis (50), it is possible to arrange the containers with the mouths upwards, and the head (40) can be activated to position the containers directly on the outlet line (6).

[0048] Figures from 3A to 3H illustrate a further possible operating sequence of functioning of the pick-up and release device (4) in which the head (40) is configured with the pick-up and release elements (41 ) rigidly mounted on the common support shaft (5) and in which the pick-up and release elements (41 ) are together rotatable about the rotation axis (50) of the common support shaft (5), following the driving in rotation of the common support shaft (5).

[0049] In these figures, the system (100) is realised according to a further possible configuration thereof wherein it comprises both an outlet line (6), arranged downstream, and transversally, of the infeed device (1 ), and a work station (7) (for example a washing station and / or containers control station), flanked to the outlet line (6), on which the containers are to be first arranged in a same orientation (for example with the mouth facing downwards), in order to enable the carrying out of the work operations, and therefore the containers must be transferred onto the outlet line (6).

[0050] The pick-up and release device (4) moves the head (40) in such a way that the pick-up and release elements (41 ) are arranged at the various guide channels (10) of the infeed device (1 ) so as to pick up the containers (C1 , C2) which are stationary in abutment against the abutting means (R) (see figure 3A), and for which the sensor means (S1 ) have detected the orientation of the mouths (11 , I2) thereof.

[0051] Some of these containers (C1 ) can be arranged with the relative mouths (11 ) facing forwards, with respect to the transfer direction (T) of the infeed device (1 ), while other containers (C2) will be arranged with the relative mouths (I2) facing backwards, with respect to the transfer direction (T) of the infeed device (1 ).

[0052] The pick-up and release device (4) then raises the head (40) and moves the head (40) in order to position it above the work station (7), with the pick-up and release elements (41 ) retaining respective containers (C1 , C2) (see figure 3B).

[0053] In the meantime the infeed device (1 ) will transport further and other containers (C1 , C2) in abutment against the abutting means (R). The common support shaft (5) is then rotated about a rotation axis (50) in order to rotate the pick-up and release elements (41 ) (for example a rotation by 90° in a clockwise direction as shown in figure 3C) so as to arrange the containers (C1 , C2) vertically, for example in order to arrange the containers (C1 ), which had the mouths (11 ) thereof facing forwards with respect to the transfer direction (T) of the infeed device (1 ), so that they now have the mouth (11 ) facing upwards, with the containers (C2), which had the mouths (I2) thereof facing backwards with respect to the transfer direction (T) of the infeed device (1 ), arranged with the respective mouth (I2) facing downwards.

[0054] The common support shaft (5) can also be rotated in an opposite rotation direction, in order to arrange the containers in an opposite arrangement to what is illustrated, i.e. with the containers (C1 ) having the mouths (11 ) thereof facing downwards and the containers (C2) with the mouths (I2) thereof facing upwards.

[0055] In other words, when containers having a different orientation reach to against the abutting means (R), the rotation of the common support shaft for arranging the containers vertically will have, as a consequence, some containers with the mouths thereof facing downwards, and others with the mouths thereof facing upwards.

[0056] Then the pick-up and release device (4) moves the head (40) towards the work station (7) and some of the pick-up and release elements (41 ) will be able to release the containers (C2) onto the work station (7), i.e. the containers having the mouth (I2) facing downwards, so that the mouths (I2) are at the position of nozzles (71 ), present in the work station (7), designed to carry out the washing of the inside of the containers (C2), or other components designed to carry out other operations, for example a control function, while the remaining other pick-up and release elements (41 ) retain the containers (C1 ) which have the mouths (11 ) facing upwards (see figure 3D).

[0057] Thereafter, the pick-up and release device (4) lifts the head (40) and the common support shaft (5) is driven in rotation about the rotation axis (50) by 180° (in the clockwise direction or anticlockwise direction) so as to arrange the remaining containers (C1 ) still retained by some pick-up and release elements (41 ) vertically, and with the relative mouths (11 ) facing downwards (see figure 3E).

[0058] Then the pick-up and release device (4) can move the head (40) towards the work station (7) so that the pick-up and release elements (41 ) can release thereon the remaining other containers (C1 ), so that the mouths (11 ) are at the position of nozzles (71 ) designed to carry out the washing of the inside of the containers (C2), or other components designed to carry out other operations, for example a control function, (see figure 3F).

[0059] Once the washing operations, or other control operations, are concluded, the pick-up and release elements (41 ) can retain the containers (C1 , C2) and the head (40) can be raised and then the common support shaft (5) can be driven in rotation about the rotation axis (50) by 180° in order to arrange the containers (C1 , C2) with the mouths (11 , I2) upwards (see figure 3G), and then the head (40) can be moved above the outlet line (6) in order to release and transfer all the containers (C1 , C2) onto the outlet line (6), correctly orientated with a same orientation (see figure 3H).

[0060] In a case where the containers collected by the pick-up and release elements (41 ) from the infeed device (1 ) all have a same orientation (mouths all facing forwards or backwards), then, with only the rotation of the common support shaft (5) about the rotation axis (50), all the containers can be already arranged with a same orientation and with the mouth facing downwards, and the head (40) can therefore be activated to position the containers directly at the position of the nozzles (71 ), or other components, of the work station (7).

[0061] Should the work station (7) be designed to carry out other types of processing on the containers, which require having the containers arranged with the mouths facing upwards, then the head (40) will be activated, after the first rotation of the common support shaft to arrange the containers vertically, in order to release, onto the work station, those containers that have the mouths facing upwards, then to rotate by 180° the remaining other containers with the mouth facing downwards in order to arrange the containers with the mouths facing upwards on the work station.

[0062] Figures from 4A to 4E illustrate a possible operating sequence of functioning of the pick-up and release device (4) in which the head (40) is configured with the pick-up and release elements (42, 43) rigidly mounted on the common support shaft (5) in such a way as to be rotatable about the rotation axis (50) of the common support shaft (5), following the driving in rotation of the common support shaft (5), and also to be independently drivable with respect to one another in rotation about respective rotation axes (V) which are perpendicular to the rotation axis (50) of the common support shaft (5).

[0063] In these figures, the system (100) of the invention is realised according to a first possible configuration wherein it comprises an outlet line (6), arranged downstream, and transversally, of the infeed device (1 ), on which outlet line (6) the containers are to be supportingly released, all with a same orientation, with the relative mouths facing upwards.

[0064] The pick-up and release device (4) moves the head (40) in such a way that the pick-up and release elements (42, 43) are arranged at the various guide channels (10) so as to pick up the containers (C1 , C2) which are stationary in abutment against the abutting means (R) (see figure 4A), and for which the sensor means (S1 ) have detected the orientation of the mouths (11 , I2) thereof.

[0065] Some of these containers (C1 ) can be arranged with the relative mouths (11 ) facing forwards, with respect to the transfer direction (T) of the infeed device (1 ), while other containers (C2) will be arranged with the relative mouths (I2) facing backwards with respect to the transfer direction (T) of the infeed device (1 ).

[0066] The pick-up and release device (4) then raises the head (40) and moves the head (40) in order to position it above the outlet line (6), with the pick-up and release elements (42.43) retaining respective containers (C1 , C2) (see figure 4B).

[0067] In the meantime the infeed device (1 ) will transport further and other containers (C1 , C2) in abutment against the abutting means (R).

[0068] The common support shaft (5) is then rotated about a rotation axis (50) in order to rotate the pick-up and release elements (42, 43) (for example a rotation by 90° in a clockwise direction as shown in figure 4C) so as to arrange the containers (C1 , C2) vertically, for example in order to arrange the containers (C1 ) which had the mouths (11 ) thereof facing forwards, with respect to the transfer direction (T) of the infeed device (1 ), so that they now have the mouth (11 ) facing upwards, with the containers (C2), which had the mouths (I2) thereof facing backwards, with respect to the transfer direction (T) of the infeed device (1 ), arranged with the respective mouth (I2) facing downwards.

[0069] The common support shaft (5) can also be rotated in an opposite rotation direction, in order to arrange the containers in an opposite arrangement to what is illustrated, i.e. with the containers (C1 ) having the mouths (11 ) thereof facing downwards and the containers (C2) with the mouths (I2) thereof facing upwards. In other words, when containers having a different orientation reach to against the abutting means (R), the rotation of the common support shaft for arranging the containers vertically will have, as a consequence, some containers with the mouths thereof facing downwards, and others with the mouths thereof facing upwards.

[0070] Therefore, those pick-up and release elements (43), which are retaining the containers (C2) with the mouths (12) thereof facing downwards, are drivable in rotation with respect to the respective rotation axis (V) perpendicular to the rotation axis (50) of the common support shaft (5) so as to rotate the containers (C2) by 180° and retain them with the respective mouths (I2) facing upwards (see figure 4D).

[0071] In this way, all the containers (C1 , C2) retained by the pick-up and release elements (42, 43) of the head (40) will have a same orientation, with the relative mouths (11 , I2) facing upwards.

[0072] Then, the head (40) can be moved to position the pick-up and release elements (42, 43) to above the outlet line (6) which can thus release the containers (42, 43) resting on the outlet line (6), all orientated with a same orientation, having the mouths thereof facing upwards (see figure 4E).

[0073] Figures from 5A to 5G illustrate a possible operating sequence of functioning of the pick-up and release device (4) in which the head (40) is configured with the pick-up and release elements (42, 43) rigidly mounted on the common support shaft (5) in such a way as to be rotatable about the rotation axis (50) of the common support shaft (5), following the driving in rotation of the common support shaft (5), and also to be independently drivable with respect to one another in rotation about respective rotation axes (V) which are perpendicular to the rotation axis (50) of the common support shaft (5).

[0074] In these figures, the system (100) is realised according to a further possible configuration thereof wherein it comprises both an outlet line (6), arranged downstream, and transversally, of the infeed device (1 ), and a work station (7) (for example a washing station and / or containers control station), flanked to the outlet line (6), on which the containers are to be first arranged in a same orientation (for example with the mouth facing downwards) in order to enable the carrying out of the work operations, and therefore the containers must be transferred onto the outlet line (6).

[0075] The pick-up and release device (4) moves the head (40) in such a way that the pick-up and release elements (42, 43) are arranged at the various guide channels (10) of the infeed device (1 ) so as to pick up the containers (C1 , C2) which are stationary in abutment against the abutting means (R) (see figure 5A), and for which the sensor means (S1 ) have detected the orientation of the mouths (11 , I2) thereof.

[0076] Some of these containers (C1 ) can be arranged with the relative mouths (11 ) facing forwards, with respect to the transfer direction (T) of the infeed device (1 ), while other containers (C2) will be arranged with the relative mouths (I2) facing backwards with respect to the transfer direction (T) of the infeed device (1 ).

[0077] The pick-up and release device (4) then raises the head (40) and moves the head (40) in order to position it above the work station (7), with the pick-up and release elements (42, 43) retaining respective containers (C1 , C2) (see figure 5B).

[0078] In the meantime the infeed device (1 ) will transfer further and other containers (C1 , C2) in abutment against the abutting means (R).

[0079] The common support shaft (5) is then rotated about a rotation axis (50) so as to rotate the pick-up and release elements (42, 43) (for example a rotation by 90° in a clockwise direction as shown in figure 5C) so as to arrange the containers (C1 , C2) vertically, for example in order to arrange the containers (C1 ), which had the mouths (11 ) thereof facing forwards with respect to the transfer direction (T) of the infeed device (1 ), so that they now have the mouth (11 ) facing upwards, with the containers (C2), which had the mouths (I2) thereof facing backwards with respect to the transfer direction (T) of the infeed device (1 ), arranged with the respective mouth (I2) facing downwards.

[0080] The common support shaft (5) can also be rotated in an opposite rotation direction, in order to arrange the containers in an opposite arrangement to what is illustrated, i.e. with the containers (C1 ) having the mouths (11 ) thereof facing downwards and the containers (C2) with the mouths (I2) thereof facing upwards.

[0081] In other words, when containers having a different orientation reach to against the abutting means (R), the rotation of the common support shaft for arranging the containers vertically will have, as a consequence, some containers with the mouths thereof facing downwards, and others with the mouths thereof facing upwards.

[0082] Therefore, those pick-up and release elements (43), which are retaining the containers (C1 ) which have the mouths (11 ) thereof facing upwards, are drivable in rotation with respect to the respective rotation axis (V) perpendicular to the rotation axis (50) of the common support shaft (5) so as to rotate the containers (C1 ) by 180° and arrange them with the respective mouths (11 ) facing downwards (see figures 5C and 5D).

[0083] In this way, all the containers (C1 , C2) retained by the pick-up and release elements (42, 43) of the head (40) will have a same orientation, with the relative mouths (11 , I2) facing downwards.

[0084] Then the pick-up and release device (4) moves the head (40) towards the work station (7) with the pick-up and release elements (42, 43), which, while retaining all the containers (C1 , C2), position the containers (C1 , C2) with the respective mouths (11 , I2) at the nozzles (71 ), present in the work station (7), designed to carry out the washing of the inside of the containers (C2), or at other components designed to carry out other operations, for example a control function (see figure 5E).

[0085] Thereafter, once the cleaning and / or control operations have been completed, the pick-up and release device (4) raises the head (40) and the common support shaft (5) is driven in rotation about the rotation axis (50) by 180° (in the clockwise direction or anticlockwise direction) in order to arrange the containers (C1 , C2), retained by the pick-up and release elements (42, 43), vertically, with the relative mouths (11 , I2) facing upwards (see figure 5F):

[0086] Then, the pick-up and release device (4) can move the head (40) to above the outlet line (6) and the pick-up and release elements (42, 43) are driven to release all the containers (C1 , C2) onto the outlet line (6), correctly orientated with a same orientation (see figure 5G).

[0087] In a case where the containers collected by the pick-up and release elements (42, 43) from the infeed device (1 ) all have a same orientation (mouths all facing forwards or backwards), with only the activation in rotation of the common support shaft (50) about the axis of rotation (5), all the containers can be already arranged with a same orientation and with the mouth facing downwards, and the head (40) can therefore be activated to position the containers directly at the position of the nozzles (71 ), or other components, of the work station (7).

[0088] Should the work station (7) be designed to carry out other types of processing on the containers, which require having the containers arranged with the mouths thereof facing upwards, then the pick-up and release elements (42, 43) can be driven in rotation about the rotation axis (50) of the common support shaft (5), and possibly also about respective rotation axes (V) perpendicular to the rotation axis (50) so as to arrange the containers with the mouths upwards, before transfer thereof to the work station (7).

[0089] Other further advantageous characteristics of the system of the invention are described and provided in the following.

[0090] The system (100) can also comprise second sensor means (S2) arranged upstream of the abutting means (R), with respect to the transfer direction (T) of the infeed device (1 ), and which are configured to detect and supply a minimum load datum of the various guide channels (10) in relation to presence and number of containers (C1 , C2) transported by the infeed device (1 ) and which are reaching the abutting means (R), so that the head (40) can be activatable by the pick-up and release device (4) to grip the containers (C1 , C2) as a function of the presence of a predetermined minimum number of containers (C1 , C2) in the guide channels (10) in abutment against the abutting means (R).

[0091] In a further aspect, the system (100) can comprise third sensor means (S3), arranged upstream of the second sensor means (S2), with respect to the transfer direction (T) of the infeed device (1 ), configured to detect the presence of containers (C1 , C2) in the various guide channels (10) and to provide a datum relative to filling thereof in such a way that the transfer device (3) is activatable to collect containers (C1 , C2) from the terminal section (20) of the conveyor means (2) and to release the containers (C1 , C2) first into the guide channels (10) into which a smaller number of containers (C1 , C2) has previously been released so that the various guide channels (10) can contain internally thereof a substantially corresponding number of containers (C1 , C2).

[0092] The system (100) can be made in such a way that the transfer device (3) comprises a series of gripping means (30) arranged aligned along a same direction parallel to the transfer direction (T) of the infeed device (1 ). In particular, the transfer device (3) is configured so as to move the gripping means (30) from the first pick-up position (AO), wherein the gripping means (30) are arranged at the terminal section (20) of the conveyor means (2) in order to collect the containers (C1 , C2) present in the terminal section (20), to the successive distinct release positions (A1 , A2, .. AN) above the infeed device (1 ) so that each gripping means (30) can release the respective container (C1 , C2) retained thereby into a respective guide channel (10) resting with the lateral wall on the infeed device (1 ) and with the mouth (11 , I2) orientated in a random position with respect to the transfer direction (T) of the infeed device (1 ).

[0093] In a first modality, the release of the containers (C1 , C2) into the various guide channels can be set sequentially, or can be regulated and set on the basis of data received from the third sensor means (S3) regarding the filling and presence of the containers in the various channels, giving precedence to those channels in which a smaller number of containers is present.

[0094] In a further aspect, the conveyor means (2) can be realised according to possible different preferred embodiments.

[0095] The conveyor means can be made in such a way as: to comprise a plate conveyor (21 ), having a series of plates (22) arranged adjacent to one another and in an inclined configuration, wherein each plate (22) is activatable with an alternating translation motion and with a stroke entity that is such that a relative upper edge (220) reaches a greater height with respect to a preceding plate (22) in such a way as to transfer, in an upwards direction, the containers (C1 , C2) received from the preceding plate (22), placing them with the lateral wall thereof resting on the respective edge (220), and arranged with the relative longitudinal axis parallel to the transfer direction (T) of the infeed device (1 ); or in such a way as to comprise, alone or arranged upstream and in combination with the plate conveyor (2), a transport means (23) having a series of blades (24) having a contrasting function, which blades are arranged transversally, and defining there-between a seat (230) for receiving and transporting containers (C1 , C2) placed in the seat (230) resting on the lateral wall thereof and arranged with the relative longitudinal axis parallel to the transfer direction (T) of the infeed device (1 ).

[0096] The pick-up and release device (4), such as for example illustrated in the figures of the drawings, can be realised as a Cartesian anthropomorphic robot comprising a series of arms hinged to one another for moving the head (40) according to Cartesian axes that are mutually perpendicular, for moving the head (40) from the infeed device (1 ) to the outlet line (6) and / or to the work station (7) and from the work station (7) to the outlet line (6), and for the driving in rotation of the common support shaft (5) about the rotation axis (5).

Claims

CLAIMS1) A system (100) for receiving and transferring a plurality of containers (C1 , C2) orientated in a random way, and for arranging the containers (C1 , C2) with a same orientation, comprising: an infeed device (1 ) activatable in continuous mode according to a transfer direction (T) provided with a plurality of walls (11 ) arranged parallel to one another and parallel to the transfer direction (T) and configured to define between them a plurality of guide channels (10) having a suitable shape for receiving containers (C1 , C2) resting on a lateral wall thereof and arranged with a respective longitudinal axis parallel to the transfer direction (T); a conveyor means (2) arranged adjacent to the infeed device (1 ) and configured to infeed a series of containers (C1 , C2) arranged in bulk at a terminal section (20) of the conveyor means (2), situated at a side of the infeed device (1 ), arranging the containers (C1 , C2) with a longitudinal axis thereof parallel to the transfer direction (T) of the infeed device (1 ) and orientated with the respective mouths (11 , I2) in random positions with respect to the transfer direction (T) of the infeed device (1 ); a transfer device (3), movable transversally to the infeed device (1 ) from a first pick-up position (AO) at the terminal section (20) of the conveyor means (2), in order to collect the containers (C1 , C2) present in the terminal section (20) of the conveyor means (2), and successive distinct release positions (A1 , A2, , AN) above the various guide channels (10) of the infeed device (1 ) for releasing the containers (C1 , C2) into the various guide channels (10), resting with the lateral wall thereof on the infeed device (1 ) and arranged with the mouths (11 , I2) thereof oriented in random positions, either forwards or backwards, with respect to the transfer direction (T) of the infeed device (1 );abutting means (R), arranged in proximity of the terminal portion of the infeed device (1 ), and configured to halt the containers (C1 , C2) transported along the guide channels (10) of the infeed device (1 ), aligning them transversally to one another with respect to the transfer direction (T) of the infeed device (1 ); sensor means (S1 ), arranged and configured to detect the orientation of the mouths (11 , I2) of the containers (C1 , C2) in abutment against the abutting means (R), and to provide a datum relative to the arrangement and orientation, either forwards or backwards, with respect to the transfer direction (T) of the infeed device (1 ), of the mouths (11 , I2) of the containers (C1 , C2) in abutment against the abutting means (R); a pick-up and release device (4), arranged superiorly of the terminal portion of the infeed device (1 ), configured to move a head (40) comprising a plurality of pick-up and release elements (41 ; 42, 43), each for a respective guide channel (10) of the infeed device (1 ), wherein the pick-up and release elements (41 , 42, 43) are mounted aligned along a common support shaft (5) having a rotation axis (50) which is arranged horizontally and transversal to the transfer direction (T) of the infeed device (1 ) such that each pick-up and release element (41 ; 42, 43) is arranged and movable above a respective guide channel (10) of the infeed device (1 ), in order to pick up and retain a respective container (C1 , C2) in abutment against the abutting means (R); wherein the head (40): is configured with the pick-up and release elements (41 ) rigidly mounted on the common support shaft (5) and wherein the pick-up and release elements (41 ) are together rotatable about the rotation axis (50) of the common support shaft (5) following the driving in rotation of the common support shaft (5), so that, after the pick-up and release elements (41 ) have picked up, from the infeed device (1 ), the containers(C1 , C2) in abutment against the abutting means (R), the common support shaft (5) is drivable in rotation about the rotation axis (50) to rotate the pick-up and release elements (41 ) and arrange the containers (C1 , C2) vertically, with those pick-up and release elements (41 ) which, on the basis of the information supplied by the sensor means (S1 ), are retaining respective containers (C1 ) that have the respective mouths (11 ) orientated in a predetermined common direction, either upwards or downwards, are activatable to release the containers (C1 ), and then the common support shaft (5) is drivable in rotation about the rotation axis (50) to rotate the pick-up and release elements (41 ) and arrange any remaining containers (C2) still retained by the remaining other pick-up elements (41 ) with the respective mouths (I2) orientated in the predetermined common direction, either upwards or downwards, of the mouths (11 ) of the preceding containers (C1 ) already released, and then these remaining other pick-up elements (41 ) are activatable to release any remaining containers (C2) which will then be arranged with the same orientation as the containers (C1 ) precedingly released, or wherein the head (4) is configured: with the pick-up and release elements (42, 43) being mounted on the common support shaft (5) in such a way to be rotatable about the rotation axis (50) of the common support shaft (5), following the driving in rotation of the common support shaft (5) and also to be independently drivable with respect to one another in rotation about respective rotation axes (V) which are perpendicular to the rotation axis (50) of the common support shaft (5), so that, after the pick-up and release elements (42, 43) have picked up, from the infeed device (1 ), the containers (C1 , C2) in abutment against the abutting means (R), the common support shaft (5) is drivable in rotation about the rotation axis (50) so to rotate the pick-up and release elements (42, 43) and arrange the containers (C1 , C2) vertically, with those pick-up and releaseelements (43) which, on the basis of the information supplied by the sensor means (S1), are retaining any respective containers (C2) that have the respective mouths (I2) orientated in a predetermined common direction, either upwards or downwards, that is different to a predetermined common direction of the remaining other containers (C1 ) retained by the other pick-up and release elements (41 ) which have the respective mouths (11), either downwards or upwards, are drivable in rotation about a respective rotation axis (V) perpendicular to the rotation axis (50) of the common support shaft (5), to arrange any containers (C2) with the respective mouths (I2) orientated in the predetermined common direction of the remaining other containers (C1 ), so that all the containers (C1 , C2) will be arranged with the respective mouths (11 , I2) orientated in the predetermined common direction and with a same orientation, with the pick-up elements and release elements (42, 43) being able to retain the containers (C1 , C2) in order to enable the carrying out of processing steps thereon, or be activated to release the containers (C1 , C2).2) The system (100) as claimed in claim 1 , comprising second sensor means (S2) arranged upstream of the abutting means (R), with respect to the transfer direction (T) of the infeed device (1 ), and configured to detect and supply a minimum load datum of the various guide channels (10) in relation to presence and number of containers (C1 , C2) transported by the infeed device (1 ) and which are reaching the abutting means (R), so that the head (40) can be activatable by the pick-up and release device (4) to grip the containers (C1 , C2) as a function of the presence of a predetermined minimum number of containers (C1 , C2) in the guide channels (10) in abutment against the abutting means (R).3) The system (100) as claimed in claim 2, comprising third sensor means (S3), arranged upstream of the second sensor means (S2), with respect to the transfer direction (T) of the infeed device (1 ), configuredto detect the presence of containers (C1 , C2) in the various guide channels (10) and to provide a datum relative to filling thereof in such a way that the transfer device (3) is activatable to collect containers (C1 , C2) from the terminal section (20) of the conveyor means (2) and to release the containers (C1 , C2) first into the guide channels (10) into which a smaller number of containers (C1 , C2) has previously been released so that the various guide channels (10) can contain internally thereof a substantially corresponding number of containers (C1 , C2).4) The system (100) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the transfer device (3) comprises a series of gripping means (30) arranged aligned along a same direction parallel to the transfer direction (T) of the infeed device (1 ), the transfer device (3) being configured so as to move the gripping means (30) from the first pick-up position (A0), wherein the gripping means (30) are arranged at the terminal section (20) of the conveyor means (2) in order to collect the containers (C1 , C2) present in the terminal section (20), to the successive distinct release positions (A1 , A2, .. AN) above the infeed device (1 ) so that each gripping means (30) can release the respective container (C1 , C2) retained thereby into a respective guide channel (10) resting with the lateral wall on the infeed device (1 ) and with the mouth (11 , I2) orientated in a random position with respect to the transfer direction (T) of the infeed device (1 ).5) The system (100) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the conveyor means (2) is made in such a way as: to comprise a plate conveyor (21 ), having a series of plates (22) arranged adjacent to one another and in an inclined configuration, wherein each plate (22) is activatable with an alternating translation motion and with a stroke entity that is such that a relative upper edge (220) reaches a greater height than a preceding plate (22) in such a way as to transfer, in an upwards direction, the containers (C1 , C2)received from the preceding plate (22), placing them with the lateral wall thereof resting on the respective edge (220), and arranged with the relative longitudinal axis parallel to the transfer direction (T) of the infeed device (1 ); or in such a way as to comprise, alone or arranged upstream and in combination with the plate conveyor (2), a transport means (23) having a series of blades (24) having a contrasting function, which blades are arranged transversally and defining there-between a seat (230) for receiving and transporting containers (C1 , C2) placed in the seat (230) resting on the lateral wall thereof and arranged with the relative longitudinal axis parallel to the transfer direction (T) of the infeed device (1 ).

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