Star-wheel vacuum conveyor and method for producing same

Abstract

The invention relates to a star-wheel vacuum conveyor comprising a main body (1) which rotates about an axis of rotation (A) during use and has a hub (10), wherein: recesses (13) for receiving containers that are to be conveyed are provided around a circumference of the main body (1); connection openings (14) for connection to a negative-pressure source are provided on a radial inner region of the main body; channels (15), each connecting a recess (13) to a connection opening (14), are provided in the main body; the main body (1) has an outer ring (11), which has the recesses (14), and at least one spoke (12), which connects the hub (10) to the outer ring (11); at least one cutout (16) is formed between the hub (10) and the outer ring (11) and intersects an imaginary line (2) extending through a first recess (13) in the radial direction of the main body (1); and the first recess (13) is connected to a first connection opening (14) via a first channel (15) which runs at least partly in the spoke (12). The invention further relates to a method for producing a star-wheel vacuum conveyor and to a packaging machine.

Description

[0001] Vacuum transport star and method for its manufacture

[0002] SCOPE OF APPLICATION AND STATE OF THE ART

[0003] The invention relates to a vacuum transport star and methods for its manufacture and a packaging machine.

[0004] In the context of this application, a transport star or star wheel is defined as a transport element rotating around a central axis for transporting containers and other objects. Transport stars have a rotating base body with recesses distributed around its circumference for the containers or objects to be accommodated. Particularly for larger containers, these recesses can define the shape of the base body and give the transport element a star-like appearance. In the context of this application, the term transport star is also used for rotating transport elements in which the diameter of the recesses is significantly smaller than the diameter of the circular base body. A transport star in which the containers or objects to be transported are held in the recesses by means of a vacuum is referred to as a vacuum transport star.

[0005] Star wheels are used in various systems and machines to transport containers to or from a facility. It is also known to use star wheels in a facility, particularly in a packaging machine, for cleaning, filling, closing, or labeling a container.

[0006] From US 3,160,277, a vacuum transport star is known which comprises an upper and a lower disk, around the circumference of which a plurality of recesses are provided. Between the disks are several tubes extending radially, each terminating with a suction cup in a recess. The tubes can be connected to a vacuum source so that a vacuum can be applied to a container by means of the tubes and the suction cups, which holds the container in the recess for transport. Instead of using two disks and tubes arranged between them, it is also known to provide a rotating disk as the base body of the transport star, into which linear channels extending radially along the disk are provided. PROBLEM AND SOLUTION

[0007] The object of the invention is to create an improved vacuum transport star and a method for its manufacture.

[0008] According to a first aspect, a vacuum transport star is created comprising a base body with a hub that rotates about an axis of rotation during use, wherein recesses for receiving containers to be transported are provided on a circumference of the base body, wherein connection openings for connection to a vacuum source are provided on a radial inner region of the base body, in particular on the hub, wherein channels are provided in the base body which each connect a recess to a connection opening, wherein the base body has an outer ring having the recesses and at least one spoke connecting the hub to the outer ring, in particular indirectly or directly, wherein an opening is formed between the outer ring and the hub which intersects an imaginary line extending in the radial direction of the base body through a first recess.and wherein the first recess is connected to a first connecting opening via a first channel which runs at least partially in the spoke and around the opening.

[0009] The terms "a", "one", "an", etc. are used in connection with the application as indefinite articles and not as counters. In particular, the vacuum transport star may have multiple openings in its various configurations and / or one opening may intersect more than one line. The terms "first", "second", etc. serve only to distinguish between different elements or configurations and do not indicate any order. Furthermore, the use of the term "first" does not require the presence of another identical or similar element.

[0010] In particular, the basic body in certain configurations has more than one spoke and openings formed between the spokes.

[0011] The hub is located in the radial inner area.

[0012] The size of the openings is not limited to the spaces between imaginary lines extending radially through the base body, but at least one opening is dimensioned so large that it intersects at least one of these lines. Due to this larger opening, the impact area and / or the weight of the base body can be reduced. A channel between the first connection opening and the first recess does not run linearly in the radial direction, but rather non-linearly, exhibiting a kink and / or a curve. The channel length is thus longer compared to a linearly radially running channel.

[0013] In various configurations, at least one opening cuts through at least two, in particular at least three, for example at least five imaginary lines extending in the radial direction of the base body through different recesses.

[0014] The at least one opening is completely free of material in embodiments in a state of assembly for use of the vacuum transport star in an axial direction of the vacuum transport star defined by the axis of rotation.

[0015] In one embodiment, the ratio of channel length to channel diameter is provided for all channels within a tolerance range, ensuring that vacuum build-up and / or release at all recesses can be achieved with uniform switching times. In other words, the channel diameter is adjusted to compensate for pressure loss resulting from a greater channel length. This ensures that the switching time during which a pressure change develops at the connection opening of a channel to the associated recess is at least substantially the same for all channels.

[0016] In various embodiments, the base body has two or more, in particular three to six, openings distributed around its circumference, each opening intersecting at least one imaginary line extending radially along the base body through one of the openings, and the channels running at least partially along spokes provided between the openings. The number of openings and the orientation of the channels within the spokes can be suitably selected by a person skilled in the art, depending on the application.

[0017] In one embodiment, it is provided that the openings have the same dimensions and / or are evenly distributed in the circumferential direction of the base body.

[0018] In one embodiment, at least two channels in the spoke, or—in the case of multiple spokes—at least two channels in a common spoke, are arranged in several positions offset from the axis of rotation of the base body. This makes it possible to further minimize the extension of the spokes in a plane perpendicular to the axial direction of the base body defined by the axis of rotation. To reduce turbulence of the air flowing toward the vacuum transport star, the spokes are aerodynamically shaped in one embodiment. The design of the spoke or spokes is suitable for reducing the radial deflection of air flowing from above onto the base body, which rotates about a vertical axis of rotation, and for redirecting the air flowing from above downwards into an area that is not critical for use in a cleanroom.In one embodiment, at least one spoke has at least one surface that runs obliquely to the radial direction and / or obliquely to the axial direction of the base body defined by the axis of rotation.

[0019] In one embodiment, the outer ring is designed in multiple parts. In this embodiment, the multi-part outer ring comprises an inner support element and an outer molded part, which is mechanically detachable without damage and has the recesses. In certain embodiments, the outer molded part that contacts the containers is removable for cleaning. The molded part is also replaceable due to wear or to accommodate containers of different sizes, for which an outer ring with recesses adapted to the container size is advantageous. In particular, in certain embodiments, the molded part has only linear channel sections, which can be introduced into the molded part in a simple and cost-effective manner, for example, by machining processes such as drilling.

[0020] The support element and the molded part are manufactured from different materials in various configurations. In particular, the molded part that contacts the containers is made of a sterilizable, especially autoclavable, material in configurations intended for use in a cleanroom.

[0021] The support element and the molded part are mechanically connected in a way that allows for non-destructive detachment. In certain embodiments, the support element and the molded part have coupling elements for this purpose, which preferably enable a tool-free connection, for example, coupling elements for a plug connection or a bayonet fitting.

[0022] In one embodiment, the outer ring and the hub are arranged offset from the axis of rotation. The hub can be positioned downstream of the containers transported by the vacuum conveyor star wheel, in the direction of the air supplied to a cleanroom. Suitable design prevents air contacting the hub from being deflected towards the containers. In some embodiments, the upper surface of the hub, viewed in the axial direction defined by the axis of rotation, is located below the lower surface of the outer ring. A third aspect describes a packaging machine, particularly for cleaning, filling, sealing, and / or labeling a container, comprising a conveying device with at least one vacuum conveyor star wheel as described above.The packaging machine comprises one or more devices for cleaning, filling, closing and / or labeling a container, wherein the container can be transported to a device, between two devices and / or away from a device by means of the conveying device.

[0023] In one embodiment, the packaging machine comprises at least one ventilation device, wherein the ventilation device is designed to cause an airflow that flows at least substantially parallel to the direction of the axis of rotation, at least in the area of ​​the conveying device.

[0024] According to a third aspect, a method for manufacturing a vacuum transport star is created.

[0025] One embodiment provides for the base body to be manufactured, at least partially, using an additive manufacturing process. Additive manufacturing, also known as 3D printing, allows for the incorporation of non-linear channels and / or channel sections.

[0026] Alternatively, in another embodiment, it is provided that the base body is manufactured from several semi-finished products that are connected to each other by material bonding and / or mechanical detachability without destruction.

[0027] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] Further advantages and aspects of the invention will become apparent from the claims and from the description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, which are explained below with reference to the schematic figures. These show:

[0029] Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment of a base body of a vacuum

[0030] Transport star in a perspective view,

[0031] Fig. 2 a top view of the base body according to Fig. 1 with channels provided in the base body, Fig. 3 a section along a line Ill-Ill in Fig. 2;

[0032] Fig. 4 shows a second embodiment of a base body of a vacuum

[0033] Transport star in a perspective view,

[0034] Fig. 5 shows a top view of the base body according to Fig. 4 with channels provided in the base body and

[0035] Fig. 6 shows a side view of the base body according to Figs. 4 and 5.

[0036] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXECUTION EXAMPLES

[0037] Figures 1 to 3 schematically show a first embodiment of a basic body 1 of a vacuum transport star, in a perspective view, a top view or a cut side view.

[0038] The base body 1 shown in Figs. 1 to 3 has a hub 10, which in the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 is circular disk-shaped, an outer ring 11 and a single spoke 12, wherein the outer ring 11 is connected to the hub 10 via the single spoke 12 in the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 to 3.

[0039] On one circumference of the base body 1, more precisely on one circumference of the outer ring 11, several recesses 13 are provided for receiving containers (not shown) to be transported. In the illustrated embodiment, connection openings 14, shown as dashed lines in Fig. 2, are provided on a radial inner area, in the illustrated embodiment at the hub 10, for connection to a vacuum source (not shown). In the illustrated embodiment, the connection openings 14 are arranged alternately on two concentric circles. Channels 15 are provided in the base body 1, each connecting a recess 13 to a connection opening 14.In the illustrated embodiment, the channels 15 each have linear channel sections in the hub 10 and the spoke 12, as well as sections running along a circular arc in the outer ring 11, which branch off into channel sections extending in the radial direction of the base body 1 to the recesses 13.

[0040] In use, the base body 1 rotates around a rotation axis A, so that the connection openings 14 are successively connected to and disconnected from the (not shown) vacuum source depending on an angular position of the base body 1, in order to apply a holding force to a container (not shown) received in a recess 13 or to release the container again.

[0041] The base body 1 shown in Figs. 1 to 3 has exactly one opening 16 between the outer ring 11 and the hub 10.

[0042] Each of the recesses 13 is connected to an imaginary line 2 extending radially in the direction of the base body 1. The large opening 16 intersects several, namely fourteen of the sixteen, imaginary lines 2 extending radially in the direction of the base body 1.

[0043] The channels 15 to these recesses are routed around the opening 16 and run at least partially in the spoke 12 (see Fig. 2 and 3).

[0044] In contrast to conventional designs with channels extending radially along the base body 1 (along the imaginary lines 2), the individual channels 15 between the recesses 13 and the connection openings 14 have significantly different channel lengths.

[0045] As can best be seen in Fig. 3, the channels 15 in the exemplary embodiment also have different channel diameters. The channel diameters are selected such that the ratio of channel length to channel diameter is within the tolerance range, so that a vacuum build-up and release with uniform switching times can be achieved at all recesses 13 during operation.

[0046] As can be seen further in Fig. 3, in the illustrated embodiment the channels 15 in the spoke 12 are arranged in several positions offset in the direction of the axis of rotation A of the base body 1.

[0047] In the illustrated embodiment, the spoke 12 is also aerodynamically shaped to reduce turbulence of the air flowing towards the vacuum transport star, as can best be seen in Fig. 3, so that air supplied from above in the section plane is guided downwards when the base body 1 rotates in the section plane.

[0048] The base body 1 shown in Figures 1 to 3 is, in some embodiments, manufactured at least partially using an additive manufacturing process. This allows, in particular, the production of the channel sections provided in the hub 10. Figures 4 to 6 schematically show a second embodiment of a base body 1 of a vacuum transport star wheel, in a perspective view, a top view, and a side view.

[0049] The base body 1 according to Figs. 4 to 6 has a disk-shaped hub 10, an outer ring 11 and four spokes 12 arranged evenly around the circumference, wherein the outer ring 11 is connected to the hub 10 via the four spokes 12 in the embodiment shown in Figs. 4 to 6.

[0050] On one circumference of the base body 1, more precisely on one circumference of the outer ring 11, several recesses 13 are provided, in the illustrated embodiment sixteen, for receiving containers (not shown) to be transported. On a radial inner area, in the embodiment at the hub 10, connection openings 14, shown in dashed lines in Fig. 5, are provided for connection to a vacuum source (not shown). In the embodiment shown in Figs. 4 to 6, the connection openings 14 are also arranged alternately on two concentric circles. Channels 15 are provided in the base body 1, each connecting a recess 13 to a connection opening 14.

[0051] In use, the base body 1 rotates around a rotation axis A, so that the connection openings 14 are successively connected to and disconnected from the vacuum source depending on an angular position of the base body 1, in order to apply a holding force to a container (not shown) received in a recess 13 or to release the container again.

[0052] The base body 1 shown in Figs. 4 to 6 has four openings 16 between the outer ring 11 and the hub 10, which are bounded by the spokes 12.

[0053] As shown schematically in Fig. 5, the openings 16 intersect all imaginary lines 2 extending in the radial direction of the base body 1 through the sixteen recesses 13.

[0054] The channels 15 to the recesses 14 are therefore each guided at least partially around the openings 16 and run at least partially in the spokes 12. In the embodiment according to FIGS. 4 to 6, four channels 15 run through each spoke 12. The base body 1 shown in FIGS. 4 to 6 comprises a multi-part outer ring 11 with an inner support element 110 and an outer shaped part 112, which is mechanically detachable without damage and has the recesses 13, connected to the support element.

[0055] As best seen in Fig. 4, the support element 110 and the molded part 112 are connected by means of a plug connection comprising complementary grooves and wedges. In other embodiments, a bayonet connection or another mechanical connection is provided. The molded part 112 can be separated from the support element 110 as required, for example for cleaning and / or for replacement in case of wear or for adaptation to containers of different sizes.

[0056] The support element 110 is manufactured together with the hub 10 and the spokes 12 in an additive manufacturing process in some embodiments. The molded part 112 can be manufactured as a casting, whereby existing linear channel sections in the molded part 112 can be introduced by machining processes. In other embodiments, the molded part 112 is also manufactured in an additive manufacturing process.

[0057] As can be seen in Figs. 4 and 6, in the illustrated embodiment the outer ring 11 and the hub 10 are arranged offset in the direction of the axis of rotation A.

[0058] The hub 10 can be arranged downstream of the containers transported by the vacuum transport star, in the direction of air supplied from above in the cross-sectional plane. A suitable design can prevent air contacting the hub 10 from being deflected towards the containers transported in the recesses 13 of the outer ring 11.

[0059] The embodiments shown are merely examples, and numerous variations are conceivable. In particular, it is possible to combine features of the first embodiment with features of the second embodiment to obtain further embodiments.

Claims

Patent claims 1. Vacuum transport star comprising a base body (1) rotating about an axis of rotation (A) during use, with a hub (10), wherein recesses (13) for receiving containers to be transported are provided on a circumference of the base body (1), wherein connection openings (14) for connection to a vacuum source are provided on a radial inner region of the base body, and wherein channels (15) are provided in the base body, each connecting a recess (13) to a connection opening (14), characterized in that the base body (1) has an outer ring (11) having the recesses (14) and at least one spoke (12) connecting the hub (10) to the outer ring (11), wherein at least one opening (16) is formed between the hub (10) and the outer ring (11), which allows an imaginary line (2) extending in the radial direction of the base body (1) through a first recess (13). cuts,wherein the first recess (13) is connected to a first connecting opening (14) via a first channel (15) which runs at least partially in the spoke (12).

2. Vacuum transport star according to claim 1, characterized in that for all channels (15) a quotient of channel length to channel diameter lies within a tolerance range, so that a vacuum build-up and / or reduction can be effected at all recesses (13) with uniform switching times.

3. Vacuum transport star according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the base body (1) has two or more, in particular three to six, openings (16) arranged in the circumferential direction of the base body (1), wherein each opening (16) intersects at least one imaginary line (2) extending in the radial direction of the base body (1) through one of the recesses (13), and wherein the channels (15) run at least section by section along spokes (12) provided between the openings (16).

4. Vacuum transport star according to claim 3, characterized in that the openings (16) have the same dimensions and / or are arranged uniformly distributed in the circumferential direction of the base body (1).

5. Vacuum transport star according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that at least two channels (15) are provided in the at least one spoke (12) or - in the case of several spokes (12) - at least two channels are provided in a common spoke (12) are arranged in several positions offset in the direction of the axis of rotation (A) of the base body (1).

6. Vacuum transport star according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the spoke (12) or the spokes (12) are aerodynamically shaped for reduced turbulence of air flowing towards the vacuum transport star.

7. Vacuum transport star according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the outer ring (11) is designed in multiple parts, comprising an inner support element (110) and an outer shaped part (112) which is mechanically detachable without damage and has the recesses (13) connected to the support element (110).

8. Vacuum transport star according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the outer ring (11) and the hub (10) are arranged offset in the direction of the axis of rotation (A).

9. Packaging machine, in particular for cleaning, filling, closing and / or labeling a container, comprising a conveying device with at least one vacuum transport star according to one of claims 1 to 8.

10. Packaging machine according to claim 9, with at least one ventilation device, wherein the ventilation device is designed to cause an airflow at least substantially parallel to the direction of the axis of rotation, at least in the area of ​​the conveying device.

11. Method for manufacturing a vacuum transport star according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the base body is manufactured at least partially using an additive manufacturing process.

12. Method for manufacturing a vacuum transport star according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the base body is manufactured from several semi-finished products that are bonded together by material connection and / or mechanically connected in a way that can be detached without damage.

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