Container-handling installation and method for handling containers

Abstract

The invention relates to a container handling installation (100) comprising the following: a package-forming device (110) for connecting containers (10), in particular containers transported in two rows, in order to form packages; at least one rotatably driven screw conveyor (120) which is provided upstream of the package-forming device (110) in the transport flow of the containers (10) and which is designed to transport and group the containers (10) into container groups (11) to be combined into packages, the screw conveyor (120) having a variable thread pitch (121) for grouping the containers (10) into container groups (11), the variable thread pitch being used to allow spacings of different sizes to be formed between adjacent containers (10). The invention further relates to a method for handling containers (10).

Description

[0001] Container treatment plant and methods for treating containers

[0002] Technical field

[0003] The present invention relates to a container treatment system with a container forming device for joining containers, particularly those transported on two tracks, into containers. The invention further relates to an associated method for treating containers.

[0004] State of the art

[0005] Container treatment systems with a container forming device of the type described above are generally known from the prior art. In particular, the invention relates to container treatment systems in the beverage industry, where the containers can be beverage containers, for example, bottles made of plastic or glass, or beverage cans.

[0006] The containers are first filled with the appropriate filling medium in a beverage bottling plant and then, if necessary after further processing steps such as labeling, fed into a suitable container forming device. The size and design of the containers to be formed in the container forming device are determined by the grouped guide elements. To form so-called six-packs, three guide elements from one transport device are grouped together and combined with a corresponding transport group from the other transport device. A generic embodiment is known, for example, from EP 3 038 927 B1. According to this document, the individual containers are fixed together to form the packages using an adhesive. For this purpose, an adhesive is first applied to discrete points on the containers, and then the containers are joined together via these adhesive points.To generate sufficient bonding force between the containers of the first transport device and the containers of the second transport device, the two transport devices are arranged in such a way that the containers being transported are pressed against each other to a certain extent. Guide elements are provided to guide the containers within the transport devices; these elements are continuously moved along the transport devices. A chain drive, connected to the guide elements via a bolt, serves as the drive mechanism for these guide elements.

[0007] In known devices, the paired guide elements, acting as forming groups, are prefabricated with a fixed number of pressure elements or format parts and are thus specifically designed for the production of containers of a very specific container configuration, for example, containers in the container arrangement of 2x2, 2x3, or 2x4 containers, etc. Therefore, separate, specific forming group pairs are required for each container configuration to be produced and must be mounted accordingly in the device. Typically, a separate set of forming groups or forming group pairs must be kept for each desired container configuration and exchanged in the device when a change in the container configuration to be produced or when switching to other container configurations is planned.However, this involves high material and cost expenditure, a large space requirement, and long changeover times. Due to the aforementioned problems, prior art applications, such as DE 10 2021 114 668 A1 or WO 2023 / 134997, have explored ways to enable easier and faster replacement of the guide elements or transport groups. Nevertheless, a simpler and less complex solution for converting tank handling systems would be desirable.

[0008] Description of the invention

[0009] The invention is therefore based on the objective of providing a container treatment system that is significantly improved compared to the prior art, overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art, and enables the simple and straightforward production of containers with variable container configurations. Furthermore, it is an objective of the invention to provide an associated method that also eliminates the aforementioned problems and disadvantages of the prior art.

[0010] These problems are solved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Further possible embodiments of the invention are specified in particular in the dependent claims.

[0011] The solution according to the invention consists in particular of providing a container handling system that includes a container forming device for joining containers, especially those transported side-by-side in two lanes, into containers. The container handling system has at least one rotatably driven screw conveyor, which is arranged in the transport flow of the containers upstream of the container forming device. The screw conveyor is preferably designed for transporting the containers. The screw conveyor is designed for grouping the containers into container groups to be combined into containers. For grouping the containers into container groups, the screw conveyor has a variable, i.e., changeable, thread pitch. The variable thread pitch is designed such that different distances can be formed between containers, especially those adjacent to one another.

[0012] A container treatment system is fundamentally a system for treating containers. Preferably, the container treatment system is designed at least for filling containers with filling medium and / or for labeling containers. At a minimum, however, the container treatment system includes the container forming device and the screw conveyor.

[0013] The container forming device is generally designed to join containers. The containers can be pre-coated with an adhesive, and the container forming device is then designed to press the adhesive-coated containers together, thus combining them into a single unit within the container.

[0014] For the purposes of this invention, the term "container" refers to bodies formed in one piece or from several parts firmly connected to one another. Preferably, each body has an internal cavity and is designed to separate this cavity from its surroundings. The containers can be, for example, containers for storing foodstuffs and / or liquid, viscous, or pasty substances, in particular filling materials. Bottles or cans are particularly preferred. Regardless of the specific container, the containers preferably have a circular cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The screw conveyor for grouping containers with a circular cross-section is also designed accordingly.

[0015] A screw conveyor is, generally speaking, a screw-like device that rotates, in particular around an axis of rotation. The screw conveyor has a longitudinal axis. This longitudinal axis is the central axis around which the screw conveyor rotates. It runs longitudinally through the center of the screw conveyor. The screw conveyor also has a thread pitch. The thread pitch is the axial distance between two successive threads, measured along the screw conveyor's longitudinal axis. The thread pitch determines how far a container is moved per revolution of the screw conveyor. Furthermore, the screw conveyor has a thread width. The thread width is the axial width of a single thread, measured along the screw conveyor's longitudinal axis. Finally, the screw conveyor has a web width.The web width is the axial width of a web between two adjacent threads, along the longitudinal axis of the worm.

[0016] The screw conveyor is designed, at least in part, to group containers. During grouping, the containers are arranged into spatially separated groups. There is therefore a gap between each group. The size of the container groups, i.e., the number of containers contained within each group, depends on the size of the containers to be formed in the container-forming device. In other words, the containers are already divided into groups by the screw conveyor, which are then combined into containers. In particular, the screw conveyor is also designed to transport the containers.

[0017] According to the invention, the screw conveyor has a variable thread pitch. The variable thread pitch allows the axial distance between two successive threads to vary. This enables containers to be transported different distances per revolution of the screw conveyor. This makes it possible to create different distances between adjacent containers.

[0018] The invention is based on the idea of ​​grouping the containers into bundles not in the bundle forming device, but beforehand using the screw conveyor. Thus, the containers fed to the bundle forming device are already grouped into bundles. Accordingly, no further action is required in the bundle forming device to group the containers into bundles. Instead, it is sufficient to maintain the already grouped container groups. This makes format changes, i.e., switching from one bundle size to another, simpler, faster, and more cost-effective.

[0019] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the screw conveyor is designed not only for grouping the containers but also for singulating them. The variable thread pitch is designed such that a gap is created between adjacent containers. During singulation, all containers are thus spaced apart from each other by a minimum distance defined as a product gap. The screw conveyor therefore fulfills a dual function: grouping and singulating the containers.

[0020] In previously known container processing systems, containers were singulated in singulation devices upstream of the container forming unit. The flow of containers was guided, for example, to a separating star. The separating star created a gap between the containers so that a downstream pocket chain could enter between them. The pocket chain was then designed to create a defined distance between the containers as a forming unit. For this purpose, the pocket chain has a plurality of carriers that enter the gaps created by the separating star and manipulate the containers. In the container processing system according to the invention, such a singulation device can now be dispensed with, since the singulation and grouping can be carried out together by means of the screw conveyor.In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the variable thread pitch is designed for grouping, i.e., it is designed such that a gap approximately the size of one container is created between two, particularly adjacent, container groups. In other words, the gap between two container groups corresponds at least substantially to the size of one container. The gap can also correspond to a multiple, particularly an integer multiple, of the size of one container.

[0021] If the empty space corresponds to the size of a container or an integer multiple of the size of a container, a format intended for larger containers can be used on the container forming device. In this case, a position intended for containers remains free or is occupied by the empty space in the larger format. This makes it possible to work with a larger format than the container to be produced on the container forming device.

[0022] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the screw conveyor, particularly throughout, has a channel width designed to accommodate a portion of the outer circumference of the containers. In other words, the containers can be inserted into the channels of the screw conveyor. This ensures a stable and controlled hold for the containers. Accordingly, precise guidance during transport of the containers is possible.

[0023] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the screw conveyor has a variable web width, which in particular increases from the inlet end to the outlet end of the screw conveyor.

[0024] With a narrow web width, containers are arranged closely together. With a wider web width, there is a larger gap between the containers. The web width depends on the thread pitch. By appropriately designing the thread pitch or the web width, the desired grouping result can be achieved.

[0025] In an advantageous further development of the invention, the conveyor screw is designed to be format-dependent.

[0026] The format refers to the desired container size. The screw conveyor is therefore adapted to a specific format and designed to group containers of that size into bundles.

[0027] Preferably, the container handling system comprises a variety of different screw conveyors. These screw conveyors differ in size and shape. Therefore, the screw conveyors are exchanged to change the containers.

[0028] In an advantageous further development of the invention, the screw conveyor can be replaced from a bearing holding the screw conveyor, in particular by means of a quick-change system.

[0029] This enables a mechanism for quickly changing the screw conveyor. This allows the container processing system to be quickly converted from one format to another. With previously known container processing systems, extensive modifications to the container forming device were necessary for conversion. For example, the guide elements, especially the forming groups, had to be replaced. Belts, application tools, and locking mechanisms also had to be exchanged and modified. This resulted in a significant conversion effort for conventional container processing systems.

[0030] According to an advantageous further development of this embodiment, the bearing is designed to accommodate different screw conveyors with different thread pitches. The bearing is thus designed to accommodate screw conveyors of different formats. The different thread pitches result in different formats or sizes of container groups.

[0031] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the screw conveyor is designed to run dry. In other words, the screw surface is not lubricated or wetted to reduce adhesion between the screw and the container.

[0032] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the container handling system is designed for the two-lane transport of containers. The system then comprises two screw conveyors arranged side by side and parallel to each other. Each screw conveyor handles one lane of the two-lane transported containers. In this way, the container handling system can be used to form two-row containers. In particular, packs of 4, 6, 8, etc., can be formed.

[0033] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the container forming device comprises two opposing transport units. The transport units are designed to connect containers into containers by means of a plurality of circumferentially movable guide elements and to move them together along transport tracks arranged parallel to each other.

[0034] However, as already explained, the containers are grouped into container groups before reaching the transport equipment by means of screw conveyors.

[0035] The guide elements are fundamentally designed to come into contact with the containers in order to move them. Furthermore, the guide elements are also designed to press adjacent containers together in such a way that an adhesive applied to the containers bonds with the two adjoining containers. This holds the containers together.

[0036] Preferably, the guide elements are grouped into forming groups or transport groups. A number of guide elements are mechanically connected to one another. Transport groups arranged one behind the other are spaced apart. "Spaced apart" here means that the distance between two transport groups is greater than the distance between the guide elements within a transport group. Previously, the format of the containers was changed by providing such transport groups, as the transport group itself was modified accordingly.

[0037] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the guide elements are grouped in the same or a larger format as the container groups formed by the conveyor sections. In other words, the guide elements can be grouped in larger groups than the container group that determines the container size. For example, the container groups can be formed in packs of six by means of the screw conveyor, and the guide elements can be grouped in packs of eight. This leaves two opposing guide elements empty or with an empty space.

[0038] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the guide elements are grouped in the largest format to be processed by the container handling system. This allows all containers smaller than or equal to the size of the largest format to be processed to be produced on the corresponding container handling system. Only the screw conveyor needs to be changed when switching formats. For example, the frame could be an 8-pack format. Then, using the handling system, 8-packs, 6-packs, 4-packs, and 2-packs can be combined into containers.

[0039] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the container treatment system includes an adhesive application device. The adhesive application device is arranged between the screw conveyor and the container forming device.

[0040] The adhesive application device is designed to apply adhesive to individual containers so that the containers can be glued together in the container forming device.

[0041] Another solution to the problem is provided by a method for treating containers. This method preferably uses one of the previously described container treatment systems. The containers are fed into an inlet end of a screw conveyor, and during transport to an outlet end of the screw conveyor, they are grouped into container groups by creating different spacings, particularly by means of a variable screw thread pitch. After the screw conveyor, the containers are connected to form bundles. The size of the bundles corresponds to the size of the container groups formed.

[0042] Since the container treatment plant can be one of the aforementioned plants, all of the aspects mentioned above can also be applied to the process accordingly.

[0043] Brief description of the drawings

[0044] The various and exemplary features described above can be combined with one another according to the invention, insofar as this is technically sensible and suitable. Further features, advantages, and embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the following figures:

[0045] Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a container treatment plant according to the invention;

[0046] Fig. 2a shows a schematic diagram of a process in the prior art;

[0047] Fig. 2b shows a schematic diagram of a process in a device according to the invention.

[0048] Tank treatment plant with a first tank group;

[0049] Fig. 2c shows a schematic diagram of a process in a device according to the invention.

[0050] Container treatment plant with a second container group.

[0051] Ways to implement the invention

[0052] Fig. 1 shows a container handling system 100. The container handling system 100 has a container forming device 110 with two opposing transport units 112, 113. The transport units 112, 113 are designed to connect containers into containers by means of a plurality of circumferentially movable guide elements 111 and to move them together along parallel transport paths. To move the containers, several guide elements 111 are grouped together to form a unit.

[0053] Two screw conveyors 120 are arranged in the transport flow of containers upstream of the container forming device 110. The two screw conveyors 120 are arranged side by side and parallel to each other, and each is designed to manipulate one track of the two-track containers. A transport stem 130 is located downstream of each screw conveyor 120, which transports the containers further. These are then fed to the container forming device 110 via an intermediate station 150. An adhesive application device 140 can be arranged at the intermediate station 150. The adhesive application device 140, shown only in its position, is designed to provide the containers with adhesive points. In the container forming device 110, these adhesive points serve to fix adjacent containers together. The containers are pressed together by the opposing guide elements 111.

[0054] In the prior art, a singulation device with a separating star and pocket chains was located at the position of the two screw conveyors 120. As can be seen in Fig. 2a, this device was only suitable for creating a defined gap between adjacent containers 10. Fig. 2a shows the singulation device 120b in its position. A container forming device 110 follows the singulation device 120b, in which the containers 10 are grouped into container groups 11 of 2 x 3 containers 10 and then combined into containers.

[0055] In contrast, in the container treatment system according to the invention, the two screw conveyors 120 take over the grouping of the containers into container groups 11 to be combined into containers. Furthermore, the two screw conveyors 120 are also designed to separate the containers 10.

[0056] As can be seen in Fig. 2b, the containers 10 are directly divided into container groups 11 of 2*3 containers 10 by the screw conveyors 120, and a defined distance is introduced between the containers 10, thus isolating them. Consequently, no further grouping of the containers 10 is necessary in the subsequent container forming device 110. Instead, they can simply be transferred by the guide elements 111.

[0057] Returning to Fig. 1, it can be seen that the screw conveyors 120 have a variable thread pitch 121. This allows for different distances between adjacent containers. Generally, the thread pitch increases from the inlet end to the outlet end of the screw conveyors 120. It is evident that the thread pitch 121a at the inlet end is smaller than the thread pitch 121b at the outlet end of the screw conveyor 120. Similarly, the web width between adjacent threads is variable and increases, in particular, from the inlet end to the outlet end. The thread width of the screw conveyor 120 is designed to accommodate a portion of the outer circumference of the containers.

[0058] The screw conveyors 120 are designed according to the format. For example, the screw conveyors 120 shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2b are designed for forming container groups with 3x2 containers, i.e., for packs of 6. The screw conveyors 120 can be removed from and inserted into a bearing 123 by means of a quick-change system 122 (indicated). Thus, it would be conceivable to insert a screw conveyor 120 for a 2x2 format into the container handling system 100 shown in Fig. 1. After inserting a smaller format, an empty space is created.

[0059] The change in the screw conveyor 120 can be seen, for example, from Fig. 2b to Fig. 2c. In Fig. 2c, a screw conveyor 120 is arranged for forming container groups 11 with 2x2 containers 10. Accordingly, the containers 10 are grouped into container groups 11 of 2x2 containers 10 on the screw conveyor 120. It can be seen that the guide elements 111 with the larger 3-piece format are still grouped on the container forming device 110. The screw conveyor 120 is designed such that an additional empty space has been created between the individual container groups 11. This additional empty space is approximately the size of one container 10, so that one of the guide elements 111 of the container forming device 110 remains empty.However, since the container forming device 110 no longer requires grouping the containers 10, containers 10 grouped into a smaller format can also be connected to guide elements 111 grouped into larger formats. In Fig. 2b, the spacing of the container handling system 100 is therefore designed for six-packs. The spacing corresponds, for example, to 3 x 80 mm, i.e., a total of 240 mm. The four-packs are produced using the same guide elements 111 as format parts as the six-pack. However, the screw conveyor 120 in the container feed then creates an empty space, and the guide elements 111 of the six-pack are only filled with four containers 10 instead of six. Accordingly, due to the empty space, the four-pack is produced with 30% fewer containers than the six-pack.

[0060] Reference sign

[0061] 10 containers

[0062] 11 container groups

[0063] 100 Container treatment plant 110 Container forming device

[0064] 111 guide elements

[0065] 112 Transport equipment

[0066] 113 Transport equipment

[0067] 120 screw conveyors 120b singulation device

[0068] 121 thread pitch

[0069] 121a Thread pitch at an inlet-side end of the screw conveyor

[0070] 121 b Thread pitch at an outlet end of the screw conveyor

[0071] 122 Quick-change system 123 Storage

[0072] 130 transport units

[0073] 140 Adhesive application device

[0074] 150 Intermediate stop

Claims

Patent claims 1. Container treatment plant (100) comprising: a container forming device (110) for connecting containers (10), in particular those transported in two lanes, to form containers; at least one rotatably driven screw conveyor (120) which is arranged in the transport flow of the containers (10) upstream of the container forming device (110) and which is designed for transporting and grouping the containers (10) into container groups (11 ), wherein the screw conveyor (120) has a variable thread pitch (121 ) for grouping the containers (10) into container groups (11 ), by means of which different distances can be formed between adjacent containers (10).

2. Container treatment plant (100) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the screw conveyor (120) is additionally designed for singulating containers (10), wherein a distance can be formed between all adjacent containers (10) by means of the variable thread pitch (121 ).

3. Container treatment plant (100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the variable thread pitch (121 ) for grouping is designed to create an empty space corresponding to the size of a container (10) between two container groups (11 ).

4. Container treatment plant (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the screw conveyor (120) has a channel width which is designed to accommodate a part of an outer circumference of the containers (10).

5. Container treatment plant (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the screw conveyor (120) has a variable web width, in particular increasing from the inlet end to the outlet end of the screw conveyor (120).

6. Container treatment plant (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the conveyor screw (120) is designed to be format-dependent.

7. Container treatment plant (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the screw conveyor (120) can be replaced from a bearing (123) holding the screw conveyor (120), in particular by means of a quick-change system (122).

8. Container treatment plant (100) according to claim 7, characterized in that the bearing (123) is designed to accommodate different screw conveyors (120) with different thread pitches (121).

9. Container treatment plant (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the screw conveyor (120) is designed to run dry.

10. Container treatment plant (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the container treatment plant (100) is designed for the two-lane transport of containers (10) and has two screw conveyors (120) arranged next to each other and parallel to each other.

11. Container treatment plant (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the container forming device (110) has two opposing transport devices (112, 113), wherein the transport devices (112, 113) are designed to connect containers (10) to form containers by means of a plurality of circumferentially movable guide elements (111) and to move them together along transport routes arranged parallel to each other. 12 Container treatment plant (100) according to claim 11 , characterized in that the guide elements (111 ) are grouped in the same or a larger format as the container groups (11 ) formed by means of the screw conveyor (120 ).

13. Container treatment plant (100) according to one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the guide elements (111) are in are grouped according to the largest format to be processed at the container treatment plant (100).

14. Container treatment plant (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an adhesive application device (140) is arranged between the screw conveyor (120) and the container forming device (110).

15. Method for treating containers (10), in particular by means of one of the container treatment plants according to one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the Containers (10) are fed to an inlet-side end of a screw conveyor (120) and, during transport of the containers (10) to an outlet-side end of the screw conveyor (120), the containers (10) are grouped into container groups (11) by forming different distances between them, in particular by means of a variable thread pitch (121) of the screw conveyor (120), and the containers (10) are connected to form containers after the screw conveyor (120).

Images