Filter belt for a container treatment system

Abstract

The invention relates to a filter belt (14) for a container treatment system, in particular a container cleaning system and / or a container filling system. The aim of the invention is to provide a particularly durable filter belt (14) which allows a long-lasting operation with only low maintenance and repair costs and by means of which long operational failures due to the repair of wear occurring on the sliding elements (1) can be avoided. This is achieved in that the filter belt (14) has a filter belt surface for filtering liquids of the container treatment system and a plurality of sliding elements (1) which are provided along the course of the filter belt (14) and have a guide portion (18) for slidingly guiding the filter belt (14), which is movable in a running direction on the container treatment system, said sliding elements (1) being interchangeable and, for this purpose, preferably form-fittingly and / or force-fittingly fixed to the filter belt (14).

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Filter belt for a container treatment plant

[0003] The invention relates to a filter belt for a container treatment system, in particular a container cleaning system and / or a container filling system. Furthermore, the invention relates to a container treatment system with at least one such filter belt and a sliding element for a filter belt of a container treatment system.

[0004] Filter belts with associated sliding elements are typically used, for example in the field of cleaning systems for bottles or containers, to filter at least one liquid, such as a washing solution or a rinsing liquid, within the cleaning system and, in particular, to remove solids contained in the liquid, such as labels, detached dirt particles or shards, from the liquid.

[0005] The filter belt is typically moved in a circular motion in order to transport the filtered solids out of the liquid filtering area and subsequently remove them from the filter belt, while at the same time allowing a free filter belt unoccupied by filtered solids to be used in the filtering area. For the necessary circular motion of the filter belt, a number of sliding elements are usually arranged on the filter belt for sliding and / or linear guidance on a component of the relevant container treatment system, in particular a container cleaning system. However, as the filter belt is guided, the sliding element, and in particular a guide section of the sliding element, wears out over time, which significantly reduces the functionality of the filter belt and ultimately requires replacement of the filter belt.

[0006] Thus, the disadvantage of state-of-the-art filter belts with sliding elements is that wear on one or more of the sliding elements of a filter belt necessitates replacement of the entire filter belt, which is associated with high maintenance and repair costs and long downtimes of the container treatment plant. Furthermore, having to replace the filter belt frequently and disposing of the worn filter belt as waste is disadvantageous in terms of sustainable process management.

[0007] Based on this, the object of the invention is to provide a filter belt for a container treatment plant which enables long-term operation with only low maintenance and repair costs and is particularly sustainable and by means of which long operational downtimes for the repair of wear occurring on the sliding elements can be avoided.

[0008] The object is achieved according to the invention by a filter belt for a container treatment plant according to claim 1, by a container treatment plant, in particular a container cleaning plant and / or a container filling plant, according to claim 12, and by a sliding element for a filter belt of a container treatment plant according to claim 16. Advantageous developments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

[0009] The filter belt according to the invention for a container treatment plant, in particular for a container cleaning plant and / or for a container filling plant, has a filter belt surface for filtering liquids of the container treatment plant and a plurality of sliding elements arranged along the course of the filter belt and in particular the filter belt surface with a guide section for slidingly guiding the filter belt movable in the direction of travel on the container treatment plant, wherein the sliding elements are exchangeable and for this purpose are preferably fixed to the filter belt in a form-fitting and / or force-fitting manner.

[0010] The container treatment plant according to the invention, in particular a container cleaning plant and / or a container filling plant, has at least one filter belt according to the invention, which runs at least on one side by means of the sliding elements of the filter belt by means of a guide rail on the container treatment plant.

[0011] Finally, the invention also relates to a sliding element for a filter belt of a container treatment plant, in particular a filter belt according to the invention and / or a container treatment plant according to the invention having a base body, a guide section for slidingly guiding the filter belt on the container treatment plant, and a connecting section for the replaceable or detachable, and preferably positively and / or non-positively locking, fixing of the base body to the filter belt. All features of the sliding element disclosed below in connection with the filter belt also relate to the sliding element according to the invention and its advantageous developments. In general, the filter belt according to the invention, the container treatment plant according to the invention, and the sliding element according to the invention form a unit, so that all features disclosed in connection with one of these objects also relate to the other two objects.

[0012] The sliding elements are designed to guide the filter belt, which moves longitudinally during operation, and are attached to the filter belt in a replaceable manner. As the sliding elements are the components of the filter belt that are subject to the most wear, they are easily replaceable, thus significantly increasing the service life of the filter belt. Accordingly, operating costs can be reduced, as a complete replacement of the cost-intensive filter belt is required much less frequently, and replacing the significantly cheaper sliding elements at regular intervals is sufficient. Furthermore, the amount of waste generated can be reduced, which significantly increases the sustainability of the operation of such a filter belt.The prerequisite for such a design of a sustainable and cost-efficient filter belt is that the sliding elements are not permanently connected to the filter belt, but are detachable and replaceable.

[0013] The filter belt is fundamentally designed to filter a medium within the container treatment system, preferably retaining solids and / or separating them from the medium. The medium to be filtered is preferably a liquid, more preferably an aqueous solution or water, and most preferably a washing or rinsing liquid in a container cleaning system. Furthermore, the liquid can be filtered both for reuse in the container treatment system and for removing solids before discharge and / or disposal of the liquid. The solids can be, for example, shards, labels or label residues, packaging parts, contaminants, plastic particles, plastic casting residues, container closures or parts thereof, or any other solid particles.

[0014] According to the invention, the filter belt is guided movably and slidingly by means of the sliding elements and in particular by means of the guide sections of the sliding elements, wherein the filter belt preferably has a closed path and / or is moved in a circumferential direction. The path can have any number of deflections. Furthermore, the filter belt can be designed for continuous and / or continuous transport, in particular during filtering, or can also be temporarily stopped and / or operated intermittently.

[0015] In principle, it is also conceivable for the filter belt to have a transport function in addition to or as an alternative to its filtering function, and accordingly, objects can be transported by means of the filter belt, in particular standing or lying on it, at least in sections along the filter belt. Accordingly, the filter belt can additionally or exclusively function as a conveyor belt. Preferably, the filter belt is used at least to transport the filtered solids out of the liquid filtering area.

[0016] In order to be able to filter a liquid and in particular retain solids, at least part of the filter belt surface, and preferably the entire filter belt surface, is formed in such a way that, on the one hand, a liquid can flow through it and, on the other hand, the solids remain on the surface of the filter belt. For this purpose, the filter belt surface can be at least partially and preferably substantially completely porous and / or made of a fiber material, a fabric, or a filter fleece, or can additionally or alternatively have passage openings or be formed as a grid structure with passage openings. Accordingly, the filter belt can also be a sieve belt, which then has corresponding passage openings.In addition, it is also conceivable that the filter belt for filtering coarse solids is formed from a plurality of components spaced apart from one another in one or two spatial directions within the filter belt surface, such as rods or wires, in particular made of metal or plastic.

[0017] The filter belt surface preferably extends over the surface of the filter belt and particularly preferably substantially over the entire surface of the filter belt, in particular in the region of the entire surface between the sliding elements, which are preferably arranged on both sides of the filter belt. Accordingly, the filter belt can have an edge region on one or both sides, which is intended for guiding the filter belt and / or not for filtering liquids and accordingly is not a filter belt surface. In particular, the sliding elements and / or other components of the filter belt, in particular components responsible for stability and / or forming a support structure, can be arranged in this edge region.

[0018] A container treatment plant within the meaning of the present invention is generally understood to be a plant that is intended for the production, processing, handling and / or use of containers. The container treatment plant is preferably intended for the treatment and / or processing of finished containers and in particular for the cleaning and / or filling of containers. The container treatment plant is particularly preferably a container cleaning plant, in particular for cleaning used containers and bottles in a reusable system or newly manufactured containers or bottles before filling. The containers can in principle be any desired container, with a container preferably being made of plastic or glass and / or being intended for holding a foodstuff and in particular a beverage. Accordingly, the container is preferably a bottle.Furthermore, the container is preferably part of a reusable system and accordingly particularly preferably a reusable bottle, for example made of glass or plastic, in particular polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

[0019] A sliding element is generally understood to be a structural unit or assembly designed to guide a filter belt in a sliding motion over a surface and / or to deflect it. For this purpose, several sliding elements are arranged along the filter belt, with the sliding elements preferably all arranged in a row, one behind the other, in the edge region of the filter belt and / or aligned in the direction of travel of the filter belt. Preferably, sliding elements are arranged only in the region of one outer edge of the filter belt. Particularly preferably, sliding elements are provided on both sides of the filter belt, in particular in the region of one of the outer edges.

[0020] In principle, the sliding element can be made of any material, with the sliding element preferably being made of a plastic, for example, polypropylene, polyethylene, polyamide, polycarbonate, polytetrafluoroethylene, polysulfone, polyetheretherketone, or polyvinylidene fluoride. The sliding element and / or components of the sliding element can be injection-molded. To minimize wear on a guide rail interacting with the sliding element, the sliding element preferably has a Shore D hardness of at most 100, more preferably at most 95, most preferably at most 90, and especially preferably at most 85.In order to enable permanent operation in a container treatment plant, the sliding element is preferably formed from a material and in particular from a plastic material that is temperature-stable or heat-resistant up to a temperature of 30 °C, particularly preferably up to 50 °C, very particularly preferably up to 60 °C and particularly preferably up to 80 °C.

[0021] Each sliding element preferably has a guide section for slidingly guiding the moving filter belt on the container treatment system and in particular in a guide rail of the container treatment system. A guide section is generally understood to be a section of the sliding element that is provided for guiding the sliding element in a guide, on a deflection element and / or on or in a guide rail. For this purpose, the guide section preferably has a flat guide surface that particularly preferably extends in the intended direction of movement. Likewise preferably, the guide section forms an outer region of the sliding element that is arranged parallel to a surface of the filter belt and in particular to the filter belt surface.Although it is conceivable that the guide section can be formed as a separate component and arranged on the sliding element, it is preferred that the sliding element is formed integrally with the guide section.

[0022] According to the invention, the container treatment system has at least one guide rail for guiding the filter belt by means of the sliding elements. The guide rail is preferably made of a material that is harder than the material of the sliding elements of the filter belt that interact with the guide rail in a sliding manner, so that little or no wear occurs in the region of the guide rail due to the movement of the filter belt. For this purpose, the guide rail is preferably made of metal and particularly preferably of steel or stainless steel. The inventors have recognized that it is advantageous to guide the filter belt with wear-prone sliding elements on the container treatment system by means of a wear-resistant guide rail and, in particular, to arrange it on, in, or within a wear-resistant guide rail.

[0023] In order to be able to guide the filter belt, the guide rail surrounds the sliding element and / or the guide section of the sliding element at least partially and preferably on at least two opposite sides. Likewise preferably, the sliding element is guided within the guide rail on at least one side and at the same time also on a second side, wherein the two sides particularly preferably run at right angles to one another, so that guidance in two spatial directions is achieved. Preferably, guidance by means of the guide rail takes place at least perpendicular to the filter belt surface and / or perpendicular to the direction of travel of the filter belt, wherein particularly preferably guidance also takes place in the lateral direction, i.e. perpendicular to the filter belt surface and at the same time perpendicular to the direction of travel of the filter belt.

[0024] A preferred embodiment of the filter belt according to the invention provides that the filter belt is formed from a plurality of successively arranged belt sections forming a support structure of the filter belt and / or the filter belt surface of the filter belt, and that a sliding element is arranged on each of the belt sections and / or connecting two adjacent belt sections. In addition to a design in which each belt section has a sliding element and / or a sliding element is arranged between two adjacent belt sections, it is also conceivable in principle for only some of the belt sections to have a sliding element and / or for a sliding element to be arranged between only some of the belt sections.Furthermore, the number of sliding elements per belt section can be understood both as a total and per side of the filter belt, so that with a bilateral arrangement of sliding elements on the filter belt, each belt section has two sliding elements, namely one sliding element on each of the two sides, and / or two sliding elements are arranged between two adjacent belt sections, in particular one sliding element per side. Preferably, all belt sections are formed identically to one another and / or arranged one behind the other with a repeating structure.

[0025] In an advantageous development of the filter belt according to the invention, the support structure is formed from rod elements arranged transversely to the direction of travel of the filter belt, with a sliding element arranged between each two adjacent rod elements and preferably fixed positively and / or non-positively to the two rod elements or to each of the two rod elements. Preferably, each belt section of the filter belt comprises one rod element or two adjacent rod elements. Particularly preferably, each rod element or, alternatively, two adjacent rod elements each form a belt section of the filter belt, with the web section in principle also being able to comprise further components, such as a clamping element and / or a filter element.

[0026] A rod element can be formed from any material and have any dimensions. Preferably, the rod element is formed from a plastic, a fiber-reinforced composite material and / or plastic, carbon, and / or metal. Furthermore, the rod element can have any cross-sectional area, with a round cross-sectional area being preferred. Accordingly, the rod element is preferably formed as a solid rod or as a tube. Furthermore, the rod element preferably extends across the entire width of the filter belt and / or is formed in one piece. Particularly preferably, all rod elements of the filter belt are formed identically to one another.

[0027] A preferred embodiment of the filter belt according to the invention provides that the filter belt surface is formed from filter elements that are fixed to the rod elements and / or extend substantially over the entire space between adjacent rod elements, wherein the sliding elements are preferably arranged on or laterally adjacent to the filter elements and particularly preferably laterally delimit the filter belt surface. Preferably, the individual filter elements are each fixed positively and / or non-positively to adjacent rod elements of the filter belt. Likewise preferably, the filter elements, as well as the sliding elements, are fixed to the filter belt in an exchangeable and, in particular, individually exchangeable manner, wherein the individual filter elements are very particularly preferably fixed to the rod elements in such a way that they can be exchanged on the support structure of the filter belt without the filter belt having to be dismantled.Accordingly, the filter elements preferably do not form part of the support structure and / or are not necessary for the construction of the support structure. In particular, the filter elements are preferably merely clamped between the rod elements, rusted to them, and / or detachably secured to them.

[0028] Although it is generally preferred that only a single filter element be arranged between two adjacent rod elements and / or in a gap of the support structure in the direction of travel of the filter belt, it is also conceivable in principle that several filter elements are arranged side by side and / or one behind the other. However, it is generally preferred that the filter element extends substantially across the entire width of the filter belt surface, the surface section of the filter belt intended for filtering, and / or the entire filter belt.

[0029] Furthermore, all filter elements are preferably formed identically to one another and / or have a filter surface that is uniform over the entire surface and / or formed from periodically repeating structural sections. The filter surface also preferably has passage openings for a liquid, which are particularly preferably dimensioned such that solids up to a specified size are reliably retained. The diameter of the passage openings is preferably between 0.1 mm and 20 mm, particularly preferably between 0.5 mm and 15 mm, very particularly preferably between 1 mm and 10 mm, and especially preferably between 1 mm and 5 mm. Preferably, numerous passage openings are arranged on the surface of the filter element to form a sieve structure.

[0030] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the filter belt according to the invention, the sliding element is formed in one piece and / or is fastened to the filter belt in a form-fitting and / or force-fitting manner to the rod element(s) and, in this case, particularly preferably exclusively to the rod element(s). A one-piece sliding element is initially understood to mean a sliding element whose base body is formed from a single component, wherein it is generally conceivable for the sliding element to have further components which, however, do not contribute to the basic structure of the sliding element and / or do not extend over the entire area between two rod elements of the filter belt. It is thus generally conceivable for a one-piece sliding element to have further components for fastening to the support structure and, in particular, the rod elements, such as screws, pins, sleeves or other components.However, it is particularly preferred that the entire sliding element be formed as a single component and / or that it be secured to the filter belt exclusively by means of the sliding element formed from a single part, i.e., without any additional components. In principle, however, it is also conceivable for the sliding element to be secured to the support structure, and in particular to one or both rod elements, by means of a fastening means, in particular a screw.

[0031] In principle, however, a two-piece design of the sliding element is also conceivable, in which case it is preferred that the base body of the sliding element is formed from two components, in particular two partial base bodies. Furthermore, it is preferred that the two partial base bodies are arranged substantially on opposite sides of the filter belt and / or the support structure. A preferred embodiment of such a two-piece sliding element provides that the sliding element is formed from a first partial base body with at least one first coupling section and a second partial base body with at least one second coupling section, wherein the two partial base bodies forming a base body of the sliding element are detachably and preferably positively and / or non-positively connectable or connected to one another by means of the coupling sections.The partial base bodies are basically formed as two parts that can be connected to one another and in particular as halves of the sliding element that can be connected to one another, which preferably form a base body of the sliding element when connected to one another.

[0032] The first and second coupling sections are generally provided for releasably connecting the sub-base bodies to one another. The sub-base bodies are releasably connectable or connected to one another, for example, through an indirect or direct interaction of the coupling sections. The first coupling section is arranged on the first sub-base body, and the second coupling section is arranged on the second sub-base body. The sub-base bodies preferably also each have contact surfaces arranged facing one another. The coupling sections are preferably arranged on the sub-base bodies in such a way that the contact surfaces of the sub-base bodies abut one another in the connected state. Particularly preferably, the releasable connection of the sub-base bodies takes place exclusively by means of the interacting coupling sections.Also preferably, the partial base bodies are formed identically and / or mirror-symmetrically to one another, whereby the manufacturing costs for the sliding element can be reduced in an advantageous manner.

[0033] At least one coupling element is arranged in each coupling section to detachably connect the two sub-base bodies to one another. In principle, the coupling elements can be formed in any way and arranged in any way on the sub-base bodies. For example, the coupling elements are each formed as internal threads that are detachably connected to one another by means of an additional connecting element, e.g., a screw. In general, the two sub-base bodies are preferably screwed together, particularly in the region of the coupling sections. The two sub-base bodies can be secured exclusively by screwing or, in addition to another form-fitting and / or force-fitting method, also by screwing.

[0034] According to an advantageous development of the invention, however, it is provided that the coupling sections are formed and / or arranged on the partial base bodies in such a way that the partial base bodies can be connected to one another in a form-fitting and / or force-fitting manner and / or no further connecting element is necessary. The partial base bodies preferably each have a functional surface, wherein the functional surfaces are particularly preferably arranged facing one another when the partial base bodies are connected. The first coupling section is preferably arranged on a first functional surface of the first partial base body and the second coupling section is preferably arranged on a second functional surface of the second partial base body. The first coupling section and the second coupling section are preferably arranged in a coupling axis that is preferably arranged perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the sliding element.Particularly preferably, the coupling sections are designed to form a press-fit and / or plug-in connection. For example, the first coupling section and / or the second coupling section are each formed as a projection protruding from a functional surface of the first or second partial base body.

[0035] To form a plug-in connection, the first coupling section is preferably designed as a deformable projection. Deformable means that the projection yields in the radial direction toward the coupling axis when force is applied, for example, when connecting the partial base bodies. The first coupling section preferably has an elliptical, polygonal, or preferably circular cross-section extending in the direction of the coupling axis. Preferably, the first coupling section has a cavity extending in the direction of the coupling axis and delimited by an outer wall for deformation. To further increase the deformability of the first coupling section, the outer wall has, for example, a slot arranged parallel to the coupling axis.Furthermore, the first coupling section, in particular the outer wall of a coupling section designed as a projection, preferably has an end section with a larger circumference compared to the rest of the outer wall.

[0036] To form the plug-in connection, the second coupling section is preferably formed as a recess arranged on the second functional surface. A recess is understood to be a free area of ​​the second functional surface, for example a blind hole. The second coupling section preferably has a cross-section extending along the coupling axis and adapted to the cross-section of the first coupling section. The cross-section of the second coupling section is adapted to the cross-section of the first coupling section in such a way that the first coupling section, for connecting the partial base bodies, is received in the second coupling section in a form-fitting manner. For example, the second coupling section has an undercut for receiving the end section of the first coupling section.

[0037] The partial base bodies preferably have at least two coupling sections. Preferably, two first coupling sections are arranged on the first partial base body, and two second coupling sections are arranged on the second partial base body, each spaced apart from one another.

[0038] An advantageous development of the filter belt according to the invention provides that the sliding element and in particular the base body has at least one connecting section for securing the sliding element to the filter belt and / or for receiving a rod element, wherein the connecting section preferably surrounds the rod element over more than half of its circumference. The sliding element and / or the base body preferably has a connecting section for each of the rod elements on which the sliding element is arranged. Furthermore, the connecting section preferably surrounds the rod element over more than half of the circumference of the rod element, particularly preferably over at least 75% of the circumference and most preferably completely. In a multi-piece design of the sliding element and in particular of the base body, it is preferred that the connecting section is formed by at least two and particularly preferably exactly two partial connecting sections.Furthermore, the two partial connecting sections are each preferably arranged on one of the partial base bodies. Likewise, all partial connecting sections together enclose the respective rod element to at least 75% of the circumference of the rod element and particularly preferably completely. According to the invention, the sliding element has a connecting section for receiving a band section of the filter belt and / or for fixing the base body to the filter belt. In principle, a connecting section is understood to be a section of the sliding element and in particular of the base body that is provided for connecting the sliding element to a filter belt. For example, the connecting section is formed as a clip in which the band section can be clamped, or preferably as an opening for passing through or receiving a component of the filter belt, in particular a rod element.Preferably, the connecting section is arranged on at least one of the partial base bodies and / or between the partial base bodies. Particularly preferably, the connecting section is arranged exactly centrally between the partial base bodies and / or extends halfway within each partial base body. Furthermore, the cross-sectional shape of the connecting section is preferably adapted to the cross-section of the part of the filter belt to be accommodated and particularly preferably has a round cross-section.

[0039] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the connecting section is formed by two partial connecting sections, each arranged on one of the partial base bodies. According to this embodiment of the invention, the connecting section is preferably formed as an opening penetrating the base body of the sliding element. The partial connecting sections preferably have a semicircular cross-section extending in the longitudinal axis direction of the sliding element, so that the connecting section has a circular cross-section extending in the longitudinal axis direction of the sliding element. By forming the connecting section by two partial connecting sections, a particularly simple and cost-effective sliding element can be produced.

[0040] The partial base bodies preferably have a base surface and a cover surface arranged at a distance from the base surface in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the sliding element. The contact surfaces, the functional surfaces, and / or the outer surfaces of the partial base bodies preferably each extend between the base surface and the cover surface of a partial base body. Furthermore, the partial base bodies can differ in the design of the differently formed coupling sections or the arrangement of the guide section. According to an advantageous development of the invention, however, it is provided that the partial base bodies are formed identically and / or mirror-symmetrically to one another.

[0041] According to the invention, the sliding element has at least one guide section for slidingly guiding the moving filter belt, which is preferably arranged on one of the partial base bodies. The guide section preferably forms an external region of the sliding element, and particularly preferably of the base body, which is arranged at the maximum distance from a connecting section. Although it is conceivable for the sliding element to be formed as a separate component and arranged on the base body or on the relevant partial base body, it is preferred for the sliding element to be formed integrally with the base body and particularly preferably with a single partial base body.

[0042] In principle, the guide section can be arranged arbitrarily on the first or second partial base body. Preferably, the guide section is arranged on one of the partial base bodies in such a way that a band section of the filter band arranged in the connecting section is arranged perpendicular to an end face of the guide section. Particularly preferably, the guide section is arranged on an outer surface of the first or second partial base body facing away from the first and / or second coupling section. The first partial base body preferably has a first outer surface arranged at a distance from the first functional surface. Furthermore, the second partial base body preferably has a second outer surface arranged at a distance from the second functional surface.

[0043] In an advantageous embodiment of the filter belt according to the invention, a guide section for slidingly guiding the moving filter belt is arranged on the sliding element and in particular on at least one of the partial base bodies, wherein the guide section is preferably arranged on an outer surface of the first and / or second partial base body facing away from the respective coupling section. In a one-piece design of the sliding element, the guide section is also preferably arranged on an outer surface, which particularly preferably extends perpendicular to the filter belt surface and / or projects beyond the filter belt surface. Furthermore, the guide section preferably has a guide surface extending parallel to the surface of the filter belt and / or to the filter belt surface, which guide surface is particularly preferably formed as a flat and / or smooth surface.

[0044] In principle, the guide section can be arranged arbitrarily on the first or second partial base body. Preferably, the guide section is arranged on one of the partial base bodies in such a way that a band section of the filter band arranged in the connecting section is arranged perpendicular to an end face of the guide section. Particularly preferably, the guide section is arranged on an outer surface of the first or second partial base body facing away from the first and / or second coupling section. The first partial base body preferably has a first outer surface arranged at a distance from the first functional surface. Furthermore, the second partial base body preferably has a second outer surface arranged at a distance from the second functional surface.

[0045] The end face of the guide section is preferably arranged at a distance from the first or second outer surface. The guide section is preferably formed as a web protruding from the first or second outer surface. The guide section preferably has at least one sliding surface extending between the first or second outer surface and the end face for bearing in the rail.

[0046] The sliding element, and in particular the base body, preferably has at least two guide sections. A first guide section is preferably arranged on the first partial base body, and a second guide section is preferably arranged on the second partial base body. Furthermore, the two guide sections are preferably arranged on opposite sides of the sliding element. The advantageous arrangement and design of the guide section enables simple and reliable guidance of the sliding element. By providing at least two guide sections, the sliding element can be guided on both sides along guide surfaces and / or in rails, or the filter belt can be deflected in different directions.

[0047] According to an advantageous development of the invention, the sliding element has a recess formed by two partial recesses arranged on one of the partial base bodies, for arranging a further sliding element. The partial recesses are generally understood to be free areas of the partial base bodies. When the partial base bodies are connected, the partial recesses form the recess of the base body. The partial recesses preferably have an inner contour adapted to the shape of the base body in such a way that a further sliding element can be arranged to rest in the recess. For example, the partial recesses and / or the recess have a part-circular inner contour extending in the longitudinal axis direction of the sliding element. Accordingly, the base body has a part-circular outer contour arranged at a distance from the recess and extending in the longitudinal axis direction of the sliding element.Furthermore, the partial base bodies preferably have additional recesses to save material during production of the partial base bodies, for example, during injection molding. The advantageously provided partial recesses and the recess formed by them enable a simple arrangement of several sliding elements next to one another.

[0048] The connecting section arranged between the partial base bodies is generally sufficient for arranging the sliding element on the belt section of the filter belt. A further advantageous embodiment of the filter belt provides that the sliding element is formed in at least three pieces and preferably exactly three pieces, and preferably the sliding element or the base body is formed from a central piece that can be secured to the support structure and in particular the rod elements, and from two partial base bodies that can be secured to the outside and / or to opposite surfaces of the central piece. Although a design of the sliding element and / or the base body of the sliding element with any number of pieces is conceivable, a design with a maximum of three pieces is preferred, since a more complex assembly comprising more parts is typically associated with excessively high manufacturing and assembly costs. The central piece is particularly preferably formed as a connecting sleeve.

[0049] In a preferred development of a three-piece filter belt, the middle piece has two connecting sections arranged at a distance from one another for securing the sliding element to the filter belt and / or for receiving a rod element, wherein the middle piece is preferably formed for permanent arrangement on the rod elements and the two partial base bodies are interchangeably secured to the middle piece. By permanently securing the middle piece, this preferably forms part of the support structure of the filter belt and / or permanently fastens the belt sections of the filter belt to one another, wherein the middle pieces can hold the individual belt sections and in particular the rod elements together in addition to further connecting elements, such as clamping elements or connecting clips, but can also hold them together exclusively. Accordingly, it is conceivable that the support structure is formed or composed essentially of the rod elements and the middle pieces.The support structure is essentially held together by means of the center pieces. In such a configuration, it is preferred that the center pieces are made of metal, in particular steel, stainless steel, or aluminum.

[0050] The base body preferably has a receiving section formed by two partial receiving sections, each arranged on one of the partial base bodies. The receiving section preferably describes a free region of the sliding element, arranged between the guide surfaces of the partial base bodies and extending in the longitudinal axis direction of the sliding element, in which free region the central piece can be arranged. The central piece preferably has a shape adapted to the receiving section. The central piece is preferably made of a metal, for example of steel or particularly preferably of an alkali-resistant material, in particular of so-called stainless steel. The central piece enables a particularly stable and low-wear connection between the sliding element and the filter belt. By advantageously forming the central piece from a metal material, wear on the sliding element at the connecting section is advantageously reduced.

[0051] Preferably, the center piece has two connecting sections arranged at a distance from one another for receiving different, preferably exactly two, in particular two adjacent, belt sections of a filter belt, whereby the sliding element can be arranged on at least two belt sections of the filter belt. Particularly preferably, the connecting sections are each provided for arrangement on a rod element of the filter belt.

[0052] In a preferred embodiment of the filter belt, the center piece has at least one recess operatively connected to the first and / or second coupling section of the sub-base body for releasably securing the sub-base body to the center piece. The recess preferably has a cross-section extending in the direction of the coupling axis. Furthermore, the recess is preferably designed to form a plug-in connection with the first and / or second coupling section. Preferably, the recess has an undercut in the direction of the coupling axis for forming a positive connection with the end section of the first coupling section in the direction of the coupling axis. According to this embodiment of the invention, the second coupling section is advantageously designed as a projection protruding from the second functional surface for arrangement in the recess.Preferably, the second coupling section further has a larger cross-section than the cross-section of the recess in order to form a press connection between the center piece and the second coupling section. For example, the recess is formed as a through-bore.

[0053] The center piece preferably has a plurality of recesses arranged at a distance from one another, each associated with a pair of interacting coupling sections, i.e., a first coupling section and a second coupling section interacting with the first coupling section. For example, if there are two pairs of coupling sections arranged on the partial base bodies, the center piece has two recesses arranged at a distance from one another and each associated with one of the pairs. The advantageous design of the center piece enables particularly simple and rapid assembly or disassembly of the partial base bodies on or from the center piece arranged on the belt sections, thereby further reducing maintenance times for repairing the filter belt in the event of wear.

[0054] Finally, a preferred development of the filter belt according to the invention provides that adjacent rod elements are secured by a clamping element to form the support structure of the filter belt, wherein the clamping elements are preferably arranged on the outside of the rod elements and / or the sliding elements are arranged indented relative to the clamping elements. The clamping element is basically understood to be a component which is provided for securing the belt sections to one another. For example, the clamping element is designed as a bent sheet metal part with various openings for the belt sections to pass through. The clamping element is preferably designed as a connecting clasp. Accordingly, the rod elements are preferably held together by the clamping elements orthe connecting clips form the support structure of the filter belt, whereby it is conceivable that further components, such as the middle pieces of the sliding elements, are also part of the support structure and / or contribute to holding the components of the filter belt together. An external arrangement of the clamping elements or the connecting clips is initially understood to mean only an arrangement in which the clamping element or the connecting clip is the component that is arranged closest to the outer edge of the filter belt, whereby it is conceivable, for example, that the rod elements protrude from the clamping elements or connecting clips towards the outside or at the outer edge. In principle, however, the clamping elements or the connecting clips can also form the outer edge of the filter belt. An arrangement opposite the clamping element orThe indented arrangement of the sliding elements in the connecting clip initially simply means that the sliding elements are arranged further toward the center of the filter belt than the clamping elements or the connecting clips. The sliding elements can be arranged directly adjacent to the clamping elements or the connecting clips or at a distance from them. However, in order to achieve a maximum filter belt surface for filtering liquids, it is preferred that the sliding elements be arranged directly adjacent to the clamping elements or the connecting clips and / or in direct contact with them.

[0055] In principle, however, a construction of the support structure of the filter belt without clamping elements or connecting clips is also conceivable, in particular with the sliding elements and, particularly preferably, with center pieces of the sliding elements as part of the support structure. In this case, it is preferred that the sliding elements are arranged externally or at the position of the clamping elements or connecting clips.

[0056] A preferred development of the container treatment system according to the invention has guide rails running on both sides of the filter belt, wherein the filter belt is guided by means of the sliding elements and the two guide rails and preferably on and / or in each of the two guide rails. Particularly preferably, the filter belt is guided by means of the sliding elements on and / or in each of the two guide rails. In addition, the filter belt is preferably guided by means of the guide rail and / or arranged on, in or within the guide rail in such a way that the sliding elements and in particular guide sections arranged on the sliding element and protruding from the filter belt surface essentially seal the filter belt surface laterally and / or prevent filtered solids and / or the liquid to be filtered from escaping laterally in the region of the filter belt surface.For this purpose, the sliding element is preferably formed and / or arranged within the guide rail in such a way that the sliding element extends over the entire height of the guide rail, substantially fills the interior of the guide rail, and / or bears sealingly against the guide rail laterally. Such a sealing arrangement of the guide rail and the sliding elements of the filter belt is particularly advantageous in the context of bilateral guidance by means of sliding elements guided within or on the guide rail, since this ensures complete sealing on both sides, thus preventing the solids and / or the liquid to be filtered from undesirably leaving the filter belt surface.

[0057] The drive of the slidingly guided and circulating filter belt can in principle be implemented in any desired manner, with one possible embodiment of such a drive providing that a drive element for circulating the filter belt engages in the support structure, the rod elements, the sliding elements, the surface of the filter belt, in particular on its underside, in a surface structure of the filter belt surface and / or in passage openings in the filter belt surface. In particular, such a drive element can engage positively in at least one component of the filter belt. In principle, however, an additional or exclusively frictional drive is also conceivable, in particular by means of a drive roller as the drive element, which particularly preferably extends across the entire width of the filter belt.

[0058] Finally, a preferred development of the sliding element according to the invention provides that the base body of the sliding element is formed from a first partial base body with at least one first coupling section and a second partial base body with at least one second coupling section, wherein the two partial base bodies can be releasably and preferably positively and / or non-positively connected to one another by means of the coupling sections and thereby particularly preferably form the base body.Alternatively, the two partial base bodies can also be detachably and preferably positively and / or non-positively connected to one another and / or to the center piece on the outside on opposing surfaces of a center piece that can be secured to the rod elements, in particular to two adjacent rod elements. Particularly preferably, either only the two partial base bodies form the base body of the sliding element or the two partial base bodies, together with the center piece, are part of the base body of the sliding element. The center piece can thus generally be considered part of the sliding element and / or part of the filter belt, and in this case, in particular, not simultaneously part of the sliding element.

[0059] Several embodiments of the invention, and in particular sliding elements according to the invention, are explained below with reference to the drawings. In the drawings:

[0060] Fig.1 is a perspective view of a first, two-piece embodiment of a sliding element for slidingly guiding a filter belt,

[0061] Fig.2 is a perspective view of a second, three-piece embodiment of a sliding element without a connecting sleeve as a center piece,

[0062] Fig.3 is a perspective view of a filter belt with the three-piece sliding element shown in Fig. 2, and

[0063] Fig.4 a cross section along the line AA of Fig. 3 of the filter belt.

[0064] A sliding element 1, schematically illustrated in a perspective view in Figure 1, is formed in two parts and has a first partial base body 2 and a second partial base body 3. A first coupling section 4 is arranged on the first partial base body, and a second coupling section 5 is arranged on the second partial base body 3. The partial base bodies 2, 3 are positively and detachably connected to one another by an interaction of the coupling sections 4, 5 and form a base body 6 of the sliding element 1. Furthermore, the partial base bodies 2, 3 are each formed as injection-molded parts made of a plastic.

[0065] The first coupling section 4 is arranged on a first functional surface 7 of the first sub-base body 2, and the second coupling section 5 is arranged on a second functional surface 8 of the second sub-base body 3. Furthermore, the coupling sections 4, 5 are arranged along a coupling axis LK perpendicular to a longitudinal axis LG of the sliding element 1. The sub-base bodies 2, 3 each have contact surfaces 9 facing one another and arranged in abutting relationship. The functional surfaces 7, 8 are arranged parallel to the contact surfaces.

[0066] The first partial base body 2 has a first outer surface 10 arranged at a distance from the first functional surface 7 and the second partial base body 3 has a second outer surface 11 arranged at a distance from the second functional surface 8.

[0067] The sliding element 1 has a connecting section 12 for receiving a rod element 13 of a filter belt 14. The connecting section 12 is formed by two partial connecting sections 15, each arranged on one of the partial base bodies 2, 3. The partial connecting sections 15 have a semicircular cross-section 16 extending in the longitudinal axis direction of the sliding element 1, so that the connecting section 12 has a circular cross-section 17 extending in the longitudinal axis direction of the sliding element 1.

[0068] In addition, the sliding element 1 has a guide section 18 arranged on the second partial base body 3. This guide section is arranged on the second outer surface 11 of the second partial base body 3, facing away from the first and second coupling sections 4, 5. The guide section 18 has an end face 19 arranged at a distance from the second outer surface 11 and a sliding surface 20 extending between the second outer surface 11 and the end face 19 for guiding on a guide surface or in a guide rail of a container treatment system.

[0069] Furthermore, the sliding element 1 has a recess 22 in the base body 6, formed by two partial recesses 21 arranged on each of the partial base bodies 2, 3, for arranging a section 23 of a further sliding element 1. The partial recesses 21 form the recess 22 of the base body 6 when the partial base bodies 2, 3 are connected. The partial recesses 21 and the recess 22 each have a partially circular inner contour 24 extending in the longitudinal axis direction of the sliding element 1. Accordingly, the section 23 of the base body 6 has a partially circular outer contour 25 arranged at a distance from the recess 22 and extending in the longitudinal axis direction of the sliding element 1.

[0070] The second embodiment of a sliding element 1a shown in Figure 2 differs from the first embodiment of the sliding element 1 according to Figure 1 by a different design of the coupling sections 4a, 5a and a three-part design with a connecting sleeve 26 arranged as a center piece between the partial base bodies 2a, 3a. In addition, the sliding element 1a has a further guide section 18 arranged on the first partial base body 2.

[0071] The base body 6a has a receiving section 28 formed by two partial receiving sections 27, each arranged on one of the partial base bodies 2a, 3a. The connecting sleeve 26 can, as shown in Figure 3, be arranged between the functional surfaces 7, 8 of the partial base bodies 2a, 3a in the receiving section 28. Furthermore, the connecting sleeve 26 has two connecting sections 12a arranged at a distance from one another for receiving various rod elements 13 of the filter belt 14, for example, shown in Figures 3 and 4. The first partial base body 2a has two first coupling sections 4a arranged at a distance from one another, and the second partial base body 3a has two second coupling sections 5a arranged at a distance from one another. Furthermore, the connecting sleeve 26 has two recesses 29, each associated with a first coupling section 4a and a second coupling section 5a cooperating with the first coupling section.

[0072] The first coupling section is formed in the form of a deformable projection 4a and, for deformation, has a cavity 31 extending in the direction of the coupling axis LK and delimited by an outer wall 30. To further increase the deformability of the projection 4a, the outer wall 30 has a slot 37 arranged parallel to the coupling axis LK. Furthermore, the outer wall 30 of the projection 4a has an end section 32 with a larger circumference than the rest of the outer wall 30. The second coupling section is formed as a projection 5a protruding from the second functional surface 8 for arrangement in the recess 29.

[0073] The recesses 29 are each designed to form a plug connection with the deformable projection 4a and to form a press connection with the projection 5a. The recesses 29 each have an undercut 33 for forming a positive connection with the end portion 32 of the projection 4a in the direction of the coupling axis LK. Furthermore, the recesses 29 each have a cross-section 34 extending in the direction of the coupling axis LK. The projection 5a has a cross-section 35 that is larger than the cross-section 34 of the recess.

[0074] The filter belt 14 has, as schematically shown in Figures 3 and 4, a holding element 36 for fixing the rod elements 13 to one another.

[0075] The two-part or three-part sliding elements 1, 1a with two partial base bodies 2, 2a, 3, 3a detachably connected to one another via the coupling sections 4, 4a, 5, 5a can be easily and quickly replaced in the event of wear by loosening the plug and press connection. All features explained in connection with the individual embodiments of the invention can be provided in different combinations for the sliding element 1, 1a or the filter belt 14 in order to simultaneously realize their advantageous effect, even if these have been described for different embodiments. For example, the partial base bodies 2a, 3a of the sliding element 1a can be formed identically, with a first coupling section 4a, 5a and a second coupling section 4a, 5a arranged at a distance from the first coupling section being arranged on the partial base bodies 2a, 3a.

[0076] List of reference symbols

[0077] I Sliding element

[0078] 2, 2a first partial base body

[0079] 3, 3a second partial body

[0080] 4, 4a first coupling section / deformable projection

[0081] 5, 5a second coupling section / projection

[0082] 6 basic bodies

[0083] 7 first functional area

[0084] 8 second functional area

[0085] 9 Contact surface

[0086] 10 first outer surface

[0087] II second outer surface

[0088] 12, 12a connecting section

[0089] 13 rod element

[0090] 14 filter tape

[0091] 15 partial connection section

[0092] 16 Cross section of the partial connection section

[0093] 17 Cross section of the connecting section

[0094] 18 Guide Section

[0095] 19 Frontal surface

[0096] 20 Sliding surface

[0097] 21 Partial recess

[0098] 22 recess

[0099] 23 Section of the sliding element

[0100] 24 inner contour

[0101] 25 Outer contour

[0102] 26 Connection sleeve as center piece

[0103] 27 Partial recording section

[0104] 28 Recording section

[0105] 29 Recess

[0106] 30 Outer wall 31 Cavity

[0107] 32 final section

[0108] 33 undercut

[0109] 34 Cross section of the recess 35 Cross section of the second contact section / projection

[0110] 36 clamping element

[0111] 37 slot

[0112] LG Longitudinal axis of the sliding element

[0113] LK coupling axis

Claims

Claims 1 . Filter belt (14) for a container treatment plant, in particular a container cleaning plant and / or a container filling plant, with a filter belt surface for filtering liquids of the container treatment plant and several sliding elements (1) arranged along the course of the filter belt (14) with a guide section (18) for slidingly guiding the filter belt (14) movable in the direction of travel on the container treatment plant, characterized in that - the sliding elements (1) are interchangeable and are preferably fixed to the filter belt (14) in a form-fitting and / or force-fitting manner.

2. Filter belt for a container treatment plant according to claim 1, characterized in that the filter belt (14) is formed from a plurality of belt sections arranged one behind the other, forming a support structure of the filter belt (14) and / or the filter belt surface, and a sliding element (1) is arranged on each of the belt sections and / or connecting two adjacent belt sections.

3. Filter belt for a container treatment plant according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the support structure is formed from rod elements (13) arranged transversely to the direction of travel of the filter belt (14), wherein in each case a sliding element (1) is arranged on a rod element (13) and / or in each case two adjacent rod elements (13) are arranged to connect and preferably in each case is fixed to the rod elements (13) in a form-fitting and / or force-fitting manner.

4. Filter belt for a container treatment plant according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the filter belt surface is formed from filter elements which are fixed to the rod elements (13) and / or extend substantially over the entire space between adjacent rod elements (13), wherein the sliding elements (1) are arranged on, below and / or laterally adjacent to the filter elements and preferably laterally delimit the filter belt surface.

5. Filter belt for a container treatment plant according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sliding element (1) is formed in one piece and preferably the fixing of the one-piece sliding element (1) on the filter belt (14) takes place in a form-fitting and / or force-fitting manner on the rod elements (13).

6. Filter belt for a container treatment plant according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sliding element (1) is formed in two pieces and is preferably formed from a first partial base body (2, 2a) with at least one first coupling section (4, 4a) and a second partial base body (3, 3a) with at least one second coupling section (5, 5a), wherein the two partial base bodies (2, 2a, 3, 3a) are detachably and preferably positively and / or non-positively connected to one another by means of the coupling sections (4, 4a, 5, 5a) to form a base body (6) of the sliding element (1).

7. Filter belt for a container treatment plant according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sliding element (1) has at least one connecting section (12, 12a) for fixing the sliding element (1) to the filter belt (14) and / or for receiving a rod element (13), wherein the Connecting section (12, 12a) preferably surrounds the rod element (13) to more than half of its circumference.

8. Filter belt for a container treatment plant according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a guide section (18) for slidingly guiding the moving filter belt (14) is arranged on the sliding element (1) and in particular on at least one of the partial base bodies (2, 2a, 3, 3a), wherein the guide section (18) is preferably arranged on an outer surface (10, 11) of the first and / or the second partial base body (2, 2a, 3, 3a) facing away from the respective coupling section (4, 4a, 5, 5a).

9. Filter belt for a container treatment plant according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sliding element (1) is formed in three parts and the sliding element (1) is preferably formed from a central piece (26) which can be fixed to the rod elements (13) and from two partial base bodies (2a, 3a) which can each be fixed on the outside on opposite surfaces of the central piece (26).

10. Filter belt for a container treatment plant according to claim 9, characterized in that the middle piece (26) has two connecting sections (12a) arranged at a distance from one another for fixing the sliding element (1) on the filter belt (14) and / or for receiving a rod element (13), wherein the middle piece (26) is preferably formed for permanent arrangement on the rod elements (13) and the two partial base bodies (2a, 3a) are fixed interchangeably to the middle piece (26). 11 . Filter belt for a container treatment plant according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that adjacent rod elements (13) are fixed by a clamping element (36) forming the support structure of the filter belt (14), wherein the clamping elements (36) on the rod elements (13) are preferably arranged on the outside and / or the sliding elements (1) are arranged indented relative to the clamping elements (36) in the direction of the center of the filter belt.

12. Container treatment plant, in particular container cleaning plant and / or container filling plant, with a filter belt (14) according to at least one of the preceding claims 1 - 11, wherein the filter belt (14) runs guided on the container treatment plant by means of the sliding elements (1) by means of a guide rail.

13. Container treatment plant according to claim 12, characterized by guide rails running on both sides of the filter belt (14), wherein the filter belt (14) is guided by means of each of the two guide rails by means of sliding elements (1).

14. Container treatment plant according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the filter belt (14) is guided by means of the guide rail in such a way that the sliding elements (1) and in particular guide sections (18) arranged on the sliding element (1) and projecting from the filter belt surface essentially seal the filter belt surface laterally and / or prevent filtered solids and / or the liquid to be filtered from leaving the filter belt surface laterally.

15. Container treatment plant according to at least one of claims 12 - 14, characterized in that a drive element for continuously moving the filter belt (14) engages in the rod elements (13), in a surface structure of the filter belt surface and / or in passage openings of the filter belt surface.

16. Sliding element (1) for a filter belt (14) of a container treatment plant, in particular according to at least one of claims 1 - 15, with - a base body (6), - a guide section (18) for slidingly guiding the filter belt (14) on the container treatment plant, and - a connecting section (12, 12a) for the exchangeable and preferably positive and / or non-positive fixing of the base body (6) to the filter belt (14).

17. Sliding element for a filter belt according to claim 16, characterized in that - the base body (6) of the sliding element (1) is formed from a first partial base body (2, 2a) with at least one first coupling section (4, 4a) and a second partial base body (3, 3a) with at least one second coupling section (5, 5a), wherein - the two partial base bodies (2, 2a, 3, 3a) can be detachably and preferably positively and / or non-positively connected to one another by means of the coupling sections (4, 4a, 5, 5a), or wherein - the two partial base bodies (2, 2a, 3, 3a) can each be arranged on the outside on opposite surfaces of a central piece (26) which can be fixed to the rod elements (13) in a detachable and preferably form-fitting and / or force-fitting manner with one another and / or with the central piece (26).

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