Guide element for guiding containers

Abstract

The invention relates to a guide element (1) for guiding containers in a container handling facility. The aim of the invention is to provide a guide element (1) which can be assembled and disassembled particularly easily and without damage, is nevertheless particularly stable and can be produced particularly cost-effectively. This is achieved in that the guide element (1) has a channel separating plate (2) for laterally delimiting a container guide channel and a respective attachment piece (4a, b) secured to one of the two lateral surfaces (3) of the channel separating plate (2) in each case for setting the channel width, wherein each of the two attachment pieces (4a, b) has at least one retaining lug (5) for securing the two attachment pieces (4a, b) jointly to one another and / or to the channel separating plate (2) in a form-fitting and / or force-fitting manner in the region of a retaining lug receptacle (6) of the channel separating plate (2).

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Guide element for guiding containers

[0003] The invention relates to a guide element for guiding containers in the area of ​​a container treatment plant, in particular for feeding containers to be cleaned to a container cleaning plant, and a device for feeding containers to a container treatment plant.

[0004] Guide elements for feeding containers to a container treatment plant, and in particular for forming container guide lanes, are known in various designs from the prior art and are used especially to divide numerous containers arriving in a mass flow into several individual container flows, in order to feed the containers individually or several individual containers in parallel to each other into a container treatment plant. In the simplest design, this is achieved by a parallel arrangement of numerous lane dividers, which are spaced apart from each other such that several containers cannot fit side by side in a container guide lane between two lane dividers, and accordingly, the containers are arranged one behind the other in a single row.

[0005] However, if the containers being conveyed change size in such a setup, the spacing of the individual guide plates must also be adjusted so that the width of the container guide lane is again slightly wider than the diameter of the containers being conveyed. Such repositioning of guide plates is complex, especially when a device for feeding containers to a container handling system has numerous container guide lanes.

[0006] Therefore, it was already known from the prior art to arrange the aisle separators at a distance from each other that is greater than the diameter

[0007] 12276 WO of the largest container format in which containers are still to be singulated using the device. It is known to mount a single extension piece onto one of the two channel dividers that define a container guide lane and fasten it to reduce the distance between the two channel dividers by the thickness of the extension piece, thus adapting the width of the container guide lane to the respective container format. The individual fastening of an extension piece to a channel divider must be so tight that the extension piece cannot come loose even under the forces acting on it during operation of the device. However, this means that removing an extension piece when changing formats and requiring an extension piece of a different width is only possible with considerable force and often, especially for inexperienced or insufficiently skilled users, only results in damage to the extension piece.

[0008] The invention is therefore based on the objective of providing a guide element for guiding containers that is particularly easy and damage-free to attach and detach, yet is particularly stable and can be manufactured in a particularly cost-effective manner.

[0009] The object of the invention is achieved by a guide element for guiding containers in the area of ​​a container treatment plant according to claim 1 and by a device for feeding containers to a container treatment plant according to claim 14. Advantageous embodiments are specified in the dependent claims.

[0010] The guide element according to the invention for guiding containers in the area of ​​a container treatment plant, in particular for feeding containers to a container cleaning plant, has a lane divider plate for laterally limiting a container guide lane and an attachment piece fixed to one of the two side surfaces of the lane divider plate for adjusting the lane width, in particular by narrowing the distance between two

[0011] 12276 WO Lane separating plates of adjacent guide elements, on, wherein each of the two attachment pieces has at least one retaining lug for jointly securing the two attachment pieces to each other and / or to the lane separating plate in a form-fit and / or force-fit manner in the area of ​​a retaining lug receptacle of the lane separating plate.

[0012] The device according to the invention for feeding containers to a container treatment plant, in particular containers to be cleaned to a container cleaning plant, has several guide elements according to the invention, arranged at least partially parallel to each other, for forming at least one container guide lane which is bounded on both sides by a guide element.

[0013] The inventors have recognized that by jointly fixing attachment pieces on both sides of the aisle divider plate using a form-fit and / or force-fit connection, a particularly stable and easy-to-implement fixing can be achieved, whereby when the attachment pieces are removed from the aisle divider plate, they can be moved not only relative to the aisle divider – as is possible in the prior art with the individual attachment piece fixed relative to the aisle divider plate – but also relative to each other, thus enabling damage-free and tool-free removal of the attachment pieces.

[0014] A device for feeding containers is generally understood to be a device designed to feed containers in a targeted and / or orderly manner to a downstream container handling system, wherein the feeding preferably takes place in several parallel individual container streams, so that, particularly preferably, the feeding of an individual container at a defined position, especially at the end of a container guide lane, is made possible. Furthermore, the device for feeding containers

[0015] 12276 WO preferably places several containers in each of the container guide lanes, thus enabling a precise and / or continuous feeding of containers, particularly from a previously disordered mass flow. The device for feeding containers is preferably a standalone device or component, although it can also be integrated into or inseparably connected to a container handling system.

[0016] The device for feeding containers is specifically designed for feeding containers to an inlet of a container treatment plant and / or for placement within the inlet area of ​​a container treatment plant, the container treatment plant preferably being a container cleaning plant. The device for feeding containers is also preferably intended for use in industrial container filling.

[0017] A feeding system for containers within a container treatment plant according to the invention means feeding them into, to, and / or towards the container treatment plant. Accordingly, the guide element can be arranged partially or completely both outside and inside a container treatment plant. In particular, the guide element can be provided for feeding and / or conveying a container away.

[0018] A guide element according to the invention is generally understood to be an assembly consisting of at least one lane divider plate and at least two extension pieces, designed to guide a container at least partially and to at least one side or along at least one spatial direction. The guide elements are particularly designed to be arranged parallel to one another, forming a container guide lane between each pair of guide elements.

[0019] In this case, a device for feeding containers preferably has

[0020] 12276 WO comprises numerous container guide lanes, wherein the container guide lanes are preferably arranged directly adjacent to one another and / or separated from each other only by a single guide element. Preferably, all container guide lanes are essentially identical to one another. Preferably, the container guide lanes are configured such that the containers are arranged one behind the other and / or transported within them, wherein particularly preferably all container guide lanes are configured such that several containers can be accommodated simultaneously in each container guide lane. The device for feeding containers preferably has at least 2 container guide lanes, particularly preferably at least 5 container guide lanes, most preferably at least 10 container guide lanes, and particularly preferably at least 20 container guide lanes.Alternatively or additionally, the feeding device preferably has at most 100 container guide lanes, particularly preferably at most 80 container guide lanes, very preferably at most 60 container guide lanes and particularly preferably at most 45 container guide lanes.

[0021] The containers to be supplied can be any type of vessel, with one container preferably being made of plastic or glass and / or designed to hold 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, more preferably, a reusable bottle, especially made of glass or plastic. Finally, it is preferred that all containers to be supplied have an identical format and / or are identically constructed.

[0022] The aisle divider can, in principle, be made of any material, for example, a metal, a composite material, a fiber-reinforced material, and / or a plastic, in one or more layers. Preferably, the aisle divider is made of a single material and / or a single piece. The aisle divider is particularly preferred if...

[0023] 12276 WO is made of metal, in particular stainless steel. It is further preferred that the aisle divider is formed in one piece, in particular as a sheet metal component, at least over the entire length of an extension piece arranged on the aisle divider, whereby it is conceivable in principle that several aisle dividers arranged one behind the other define the course of a single container guide aisle. All aisle dividers arranged one behind the other and preferably fixed to one another can each have an extension piece, but it is also conceivable that no extension piece is arranged on individual aisle dividers. Furthermore, it is conceivable that at least a part of the course of a container guide aisle is formed by a single aisle divider with at least two, optionally also several, mutually angled sections.Although each aisle divider plate of a device for feeding containers can be of any shape, it is preferred that all aisle dividers, optionally except for the outer aisle dividers of the outermost container guide aisle, have an identical width, height and / or length and are particularly preferably identical in shape.

[0024] According to the invention, the two extension pieces are provided for narrowing the distance between two lane dividers of adjacent guide elements. This narrowing is preferably carried out to adapt the width of a container guide lane to the diameter of the containers to be guided, in particular such that the lane width is preferably between 1% and 50%, more preferably between 2% and 25%, and most preferably between 5% and 20% wider than the container diameter. Accordingly, the guide element and, in particular, the extension pieces to be arranged on the lane divider are each a format part that, in the event of a format change of the containers to be guided, must be selected to fit these containers and fixed to the lane divider.

[0025] Basically, the attachments can be any shape and size.

[0026] 12276 WO and be made of any material. Preferably, the extension piece is formed in one piece. More preferably, an extension piece is formed substantially from a plastic and is particularly preferably manufactured by an injection molding process. The extension pieces can have any length, particularly with respect to the length of the aisle divider or to a preferably linear section of an aisle divider, but it is preferred that the extension piece extends substantially over the entire length of the aisle divider or a linear section or part thereof. In principle, a short section at the beginning and / or end of the aisle divider may not be provided with an extension piece, so that the extension piece preferably extends over at least 80%, particularly preferably at least 90%, and most preferably at least 95% of the length of the aisle divider.Furthermore, it is preferred that the attachment piece does not extend beyond the aisle divider in any direction and / or is arranged completely on the aisle divider in the area of ​​the side surface.

[0027] According to the invention, an attachment piece is fixed to each side surface of the aisle divider, meaning that an attachment piece is fixed to both sides of the aisle divider. Furthermore, according to the invention, attachment pieces are fixed to both sides of each side surface of the aisle divider, with two attachment pieces preferably being arranged opposite each other and / or congruently with each other.

[0028] According to the invention, the two attachment pieces are fixed to the aisle divider plate and / or to each other by means of a positive and / or non-positive locking mechanism, whereby at least one retaining lug of each of the two attachment pieces is pushed through a retaining lug receptacle of the aisle divider plate. The fixing of the attachment pieces can be achieved exclusively in the area of ​​and / or by means of the retaining lug and the associated retaining lug receptacle, or a further fixing mechanism can be provided in addition. Each attachment piece is thus

[0029] 12276 WO according to the invention, the two attachment pieces are laterally fixed into the aisle divider plate, at least in the area of ​​the retaining lug receptacle, preferably inserted there, and particularly preferably secured or clipped into it. It is also preferred that the attachment of the two attachment pieces to the aisle divider plate be detachable without tools.

[0030] The joint form-fit and / or force-fit fastening according to the invention means at least that the two attachment pieces are fixed adjacent to or in contact with each other at at least one single position on the aisle separator plate, wherein preferably one lug of each of the two attachment pieces is located in a single retaining lug receptacle, and particularly preferably the two lugs are arranged extending through a common retaining lug receptacle. Most preferably, the fastening of the two attachment pieces is achieved by arranging one retaining lug of each attachment piece in pairs within, in the region of, and / or through a single retaining lug receptacle.However, it is also conceivable that further retaining lugs and / or other elements for securing the attachment pieces are located outside of a retaining lug receptacle and / or not in the same position as a corresponding element for securing the other attachment piece.

[0031] A preferred embodiment of the guide element according to the invention provides that the two attachment pieces are fixed, in particular by means of the retaining lugs, in a force-fit manner, especially by being pressed against the respective side surface of the aisle divider plate. Generally, a connection between the attachment piece and the aisle divider plate preferably exists exclusively or additionally to another, in particular positive, fixing method. Thus, preferably both attachment pieces are arranged individually and / or jointly clamped against the side surface of the aisle divider plate. In order to achieve a particularly stable fixing of the attachment piece to the aisle divider plate, a connection preferably exists at least over the entire outer circumference and / or at least over the entire lower edge area.

[0032] 12276 WO optionally including a recess for a movable container retention element, a planar contact between the attachment piece and the lane divider plate. Furthermore, it is preferred that a rear side of the attachment piece and the side surface of the lane guide plate are arranged parallel to each other and, in particular, lying flat against each other, and / or have an identical shape, in particular a flat surface.

[0033] According to a preferred embodiment of the guide element according to the invention, the retaining lugs have a retaining section that is inclined towards the side surface of the aisle divider and / or towards the rear surface of the attachment piece such that the attachment piece is pressed onto the side surface of the aisle divider by the clamping force of the inclined retaining section. Preferably, a spacer section of the retaining lug is arranged between the retaining section and the rear surface of the attachment piece, connecting the retaining section and the remaining part of the attachment piece. Although the spacer section can extend at any angle to the rear surface of the attachment piece and / or to the side surface of the aisle divider, it is preferred that the spacer section extends substantially perpendicular to the rear surface and / or to the side surface.

[0034] Furthermore, it is preferred that the angle between the spacer section and the retaining section of the retaining lug is less than 90° in order to achieve an inclined course of the retaining section towards the attachment piece. The angle between the spacer section and the retaining section is preferably between 45° and 89°, particularly preferably between 70° and 85°, very preferably between 75° and 85°, and especially preferably between 75° and 80°. Alternatively or additionally, the angle between the rear of the attachment piece or the side surface of the aisle divider plate and the retaining section is preferably between 1° and 45°, particularly preferably between 5° and 20°, very preferably between 5° and 15°, and especially preferably between 10° and 15°.

[0035] 12276 WO - IQ -

[0036] The pressing of the attachment piece against the side surface of the aisle separator plate and / or the build-up of the clamping force preferably occurs due to a spring force within the retaining lug and in particular within the retaining section and / or the spacer section, wherein the spring force preferably builds up when the inclined retaining section is pressed against the surface of the side surface of the aisle separator plate running at a different angle.

[0037] Preferably, in an advantageous embodiment of the guide element according to the invention, at least two retaining lugs, and in particular two retaining lugs in pairs, are arranged to abut each other when the two attachment pieces are fixed, thereby forming a force-fit connection. Furthermore, preferably, spacer sections of the retaining lugs extending between the retaining sections of the retaining lugs and the rear side of the attachment pieces bear against each other over a surface and are particularly preferably pressed against each other. It is also preferably the case that the two abutting retaining lugs of the two attachment pieces are pre-tensioned against each other, in particular due to the spring force or clamping force of the two retaining lugs that occurs when the attachment pieces are fixed to the aisle partition.Accordingly, the two attachment pieces are preferably fixed to each other by contact, particularly in the area of ​​the spacer sections, and preferably reinforced by pressing them together due to the inclined holding sections.

[0038] Furthermore, it is preferred that the retaining lugs of both attachment pieces, and in particular the retaining sections of the two retaining lugs of both attachment pieces, are arranged in opposite directions and / or pointing away from each other in the area of ​​a retaining lug receptacle. In principle, several retaining lugs of one attachment piece can be arranged pointing in different directions, especially as long as the corresponding retaining lugs of the other attachment piece point in the opposite direction, and it is preferred that

[0039] 12276 WO that all retaining lugs of an attachment point in a single direction. Furthermore, it is preferred that all retaining lugs, and in particular the retaining sections of the retaining lugs of an attachment point, and in particular of both attachment points, are oriented along a spatial direction and, for example, all point upwards or downwards. It is further preferred that the retaining section of at least one retaining lug, and preferably of all retaining lugs, extends perpendicular to a direction of movement of containers within the container guide lane and / or perpendicular to the direction of travel of the lane divider plate.

[0040] A further advantageous embodiment of the guide element according to the invention provides that each attachment has several retaining lugs which are arranged offset from one another along the direction of travel and / or along the height of the attachment. Preferably, each attachment has retaining lugs between 1 and 5, more preferably between 1 and 3, most preferably between 2 and 3, and most preferably exactly two retaining lugs. Furthermore preferably, at least two retaining lugs are arranged in an end region of the attachment, particularly in the direction of travel of the containers in the container guide channel along the attachment, wherein the end region preferably refers to the end-facing 25%, more preferably to the end-facing 15%, and most preferably to the end-facing 10% of the attachment.Particularly preferred are at least two retaining lugs of the attachment piece at different heights, and particularly preferred is a retaining lug in the area of ​​an upper third and / or a retaining lug in the area of ​​the lower third of the attachment piece.

[0041] Although the attachment pieces can, in principle, be fixed to the aisle divider plate, and particularly in the area of ​​the retaining lug receptacle, in any way, it is preferred that the retaining lug receptacle of the aisle divider plate have a fixing section for the joint positive locking of the retaining lugs. In particular, this fixing takes place in the area of ​​the overlapping spacer sections of both retaining lugs of the attachment pieces. Furthermore

[0042] In accordance with 12276 WO, a preferred insertion section for inserting the retaining lugs and, in particular, for pushing the retaining sections of the retaining lugs, which project from the spacer sections, through the aisle separator is arranged in the direction of travel of the aisle separator plate upstream of the fixing section. Generally, the retaining lug receptacle is preferably formed in a narrowing direction in the direction of travel of the aisle separator plate, and particularly preferably in a stepwise narrowing, especially preferably in a single step.

[0043] The fixing section of the retaining lug receptacle preferably has a height corresponding to the height of the two overlapping spacer sections of both retaining lugs, in order to positively lock the two retaining lugs. Furthermore, the fixing section of the retaining lug receptacle preferably has a length in the direction of the aisle separator plate that is at least equal to the width of the retaining lug, and in particular to the spacer section of the retaining lug, and most preferably exactly equal to the width of the retaining lug or the retaining lug section. The insertion section also preferably has a height that is greater than the height of the retaining section of a retaining lug and, more preferably, greater than the height of the retaining sections of both retaining lugs of the two stacked attachments. Correspondingly, it is also preferred that the width of the insertion section is greater than the width of a retaining lug and, in particular, the retaining section of a retaining lug.Finally, the fixing section and the insertion section are preferably arranged directly adjacent to each other and, in particular, merging into each other or being connected to each other.

[0044] According to a preferred embodiment of the guide element according to the invention, the extension pieces each have a support section for direct contact with the side surface of the aisle separator plate, preferably to adjust the aisle width via the thickness of the support section of the respective extension piece. More preferably, the support section extends over the entire surface of the extension piece. More preferably, the support section

[0045] 12276 WO of an attachment piece has a constant thickness along the entire direction of travel and / or over the height.

[0046] The support section is preferably at least partially, and particularly preferably completely, hollow. In such a design, to increase the dimensional stability of the support section and especially of the entire extension piece, stiffening ribs are particularly preferably arranged within the cavity of the support section. The stiffening ribs preferably extend over the entire height of the cavity and / or are designed to be supported against the side surface of the aisle divider plate and / or to contact the side surface. The stiffening ribs can be arranged arbitrarily relative to one another and may, for example, form box structures and / or be composed of transverse ribs arranged at angles to one another.

[0047] An advantageous embodiment of the guide element according to the invention provides that a recess for a section, and in particular the retaining section, of the retaining lug of the other attachment piece arranged opposite it on the aisle divider plate is arranged on the rear side and / or in the cavity and adjacent to a retaining lug of an attachment piece. The recess can be either a stiffening rib-free area within the cavity in the support section or it can extend partially or completely through the support section. In particular, if the support section is thinner than the portion of the retaining lug of the other attachment piece arranged opposite it on the aisle divider plate that projects into the attachment piece, the recess can also be formed as an opening that extends completely through the support section of the attachment piece.In general, it is conceivable to form all openings protruding through the support section, especially regardless of the width of the support section, although a closed design as a recess is only possible within the support section for hygienic reasons and / or to allow cleaning of the container guide lanes.

[0048] To facilitate 12276 WO, preferably the recess is arranged on the side of the retaining lug facing away from the retaining section.

[0049] To accommodate the retaining section of the retaining lug of the opposing attachment piece, the width and / or height of the recess corresponds at least to the width and / or height of the retaining lug and, in particular, the retaining section of the retaining lug of the opposing attachment piece. To facilitate the assembly and / or disassembly of the attachment pieces fixed to the aisle divider plate, the width of the recess, particularly in the direction of the aisle divider plate, corresponds at least to twice the width of the retaining lug and, in particular, the retaining section of the retaining lug of the opposing attachment piece, so that the two attachment pieces can be moved relative to each other and with their respective retaining lugs in the corresponding recess of the other attachment piece in such a way that the two retaining lugs can be disengaged from each other.Particularly preferred, however, is the recess not higher than twice the height of the retaining lug and in particular the retaining section of the retaining lug of the opposite attachment piece and / or not wider than three times the length of the retaining lug and in particular the retaining section of the retaining lug of the opposite attachment piece.

[0050] To enable particularly low-friction guidance of the containers on the attachment pieces, it is preferably provided that at least one, preferably several, container guide ribs extending in the direction of travel are arranged adjacent to the support section and / or on a front face of the attachment piece. These guide ribs preferably run parallel to each other over the entire length of the attachment piece in the direction of travel and / or at equal intervals. The container guide ribs further preferably have an inlet area that tapers to a point opposite the direction of travel. An attachment piece preferably has between 1 and 10, more preferably between 1 and 5, and most preferably between 2 and 4.

[0051] 12276 WO has exactly three container guide ribs. It is also preferably the case that all container guide ribs of an attachment are identical to each other and / or formed integrally with the rest of the attachment. Furthermore, it is especially preferred that all container guide ribs of the attachments have the same width, depth, and / or height and are particularly preferably formed identically to each other.

[0052] The vessel guide ribs can, in principle, have any material thickness, preferably between 1 mm and 5 mm, more preferably between 1 mm and 3 mm, and most preferably approximately 2 mm. It is also preferred that the vessel guide ribs have a constant material thickness along their entire length. The spacing between adjacent vessel guide ribs can also, in principle, be chosen arbitrarily, preferably between 10 mm and 50 mm, more preferably between 15 mm and 45 mm, and most preferably between 25 mm and 35 mm.

[0053] In the tapered inlet area, the container guide ribs preferably widen or narrow the container guide channel, with this progression preferably being linear or having a uniformly increasing width. Furthermore, the inlet area preferably extends over a length of between 5% and 75%, particularly preferably between 10% and 50%, and most preferably between 10% and 25% of the total length of the extension piece in the direction of progression. The angle of the tapered inlet area of ​​the container guide ribs relative to the further progression of the container guide ribs can, in principle, be chosen arbitrarily, with this angle preferably being between 1° and 45°, particularly preferably between 5° and 25°, and most preferably between 10° and 20°.

[0054] The attachments can also have additional functions beyond the function for adjusting the width of the container guide lanes, and in particular for arranging further functional units, components or assemblies.

[0055] 12276 WO is provided for. For example, it is conceivable that one of the two attachment pieces has a guide recess on its rear side for the slidable positioning of a guide section of a container stop, which can be moved within the guide recess, and thus parallel to the channel divider, between a release position and a blocking position to block the container flow downstream of the attachment piece. In the release position, the container stop is preferably inserted to such an extent that the container can be guided unhindered through the container guide channel. Correspondingly, in a blocking position, the container stop projects into the container guide channel to such an extent that the distance between the tip of the container stop and the opposite attachment piece is less than the diameter of the containers to be guided, so that the containers are stopped within the container guide channel and in front of the container stop.It is preferred that the container stopper, especially in the locking position, is arranged in an angled area of ​​the container guide lane.

[0056] Finally, a preferred embodiment of the guide element according to the invention provides that a further, third attachment is arranged behind at least one, and preferably exactly one, of the attachment pieces on the aisle divider plate, wherein the third attachment piece is preferably arranged on a region of the aisle divider plate that is angled relative to the region of the first two attachment pieces. The third attachment piece is preferably structurally identical to the first and / or the second attachment piece, but may differ in its dimensions, and in particular and / or exclusively in its length.Furthermore, the third attachment piece is preferably arranged in or immediately behind an angled section of the container guidance lane, wherein the third attachment piece is particularly preferably arranged in the outer curve and / or on the section of the lane divider plate projecting into the previous course of the container guidance lane in order to prevent the container from impacting the lane divider plate and to guide the container safely along the changed path of movement.

[0057] 12276 WO An embodiment of a guide element according to the invention for guiding containers is explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings. The figures show:

[0058] Fig. 1 shows a perspective side view of a guide element for guiding containers.

[0059] Fig. 2 shows another perspective side view of the guide element shown in Fig. 1,

[0060] Fig. 3 shows a perspective front view of the guide element shown in Fig. 1,

[0061] Fig. 4 shows a view of the underside of the guide element shown in Fig. 1,

[0062] Fig. 5a shows a sectional view of the two attachment pieces of the guide element shown in Fig. 1 in the area of ​​the retaining lugs in a spaced-apart arrangement before being fixed to a lane divider plate.

[0063] Fig. 5b shows the two attachment pieces shown in Fig. 5a in a position of being fixed to a gantry partition (not shown here), Fig. 6 shows an enlarged side view of the area of ​​a retaining lug of the attachment piece,

[0064] Fig. 7 shows a side view of a lane divider plate without any attached attachments.

[0065] Fig. 8a a perspective front view of the first attachment piece of the guide element,

[0066] Fig. 8b shows a top view of the first attachment piece shown in Fig. 8a,

[0067] Fig. 8c is a side view of the first attachment shown in Fig. 8a, Fig. 8d is a perspective rear view of the first attachment shown in Fig. 8a,

[0068] Fig. 9a a perspective front view of the second attachment piece

[0069] 12276 WO of the guide element,

[0070] Fig. 9b shows a top view of the second attachment piece shown in Fig. 9a,

[0071] Fig. 9c shows a side view of the second attachment piece shown in Fig. 9a, and

[0072] Fig. 9d shows a perspective rear view of the second attachment shown in Fig. 9a.

[0073] An embodiment of a guide element 1 for feeding containers, for example reusable glass or plastic bottles, in particular polyethylene terephthalate, to a container cleaning system, as shown in Figures 1-4, has a gas separator plate 2 and two extension pieces 4a, b. The two extension pieces 4a, b are designed to adapt the width of a container guide lane formed between two parallel guide elements 1 to the diameter of a container being fed in.

[0074] Each of the two attachment pieces 4a, b is detachably and interchangeably fixed to a side surface 3 of the aisle divider plate 2. The positive and non-positive locking of the two attachment pieces 4a, b to the aisle divider plate 2 is achieved by means of several retaining lugs 5, which are arranged on each of the two attachment pieces 4a, b. The two attachment pieces 4a, b are designed, and in particular the retaining lugs 5 are arranged on the attachment pieces 4a, b, such that when the two attachment pieces 4a, b are positioned opposite each other, two retaining lugs 5 on each of the two side surfaces 3 of the aisle divider plate 2 form a pair.

[0075] Each retaining lug 5 has a spacer section 9 with a rectangular cross-sectional area, arranged on a rear side 8 of the respective attachment piece 4a, b and projecting substantially perpendicularly from the rear side 8. Adjoining this, the retaining lug 5 has a retaining section 7, which is angled approximately 80° towards the rear side 8 relative to the spacer section 9.

[0076] 12276 WO is angled in an assigning manner (see Fig. 6). When the two attachment pieces 4a, b are arranged, the spacer sections 9 come to lie against each other flat (see Fig. 5a, b), thereby achieving a first force-fit connection.

[0077] The attachment pieces 4a, b, arranged together in this manner, are positioned within a retaining lug receptacle 6 for fastening to the aisle divider plate 2 as described. The retaining lug receptacle 6 has an insertion section 11 for easy insertion of the two attachment pieces 4a, b, and in particular the retaining lugs 5. To positively lock the two attachment pieces 4a, b, they are then moved within the retaining lug receptacle 6 along the direction V of the aisle divider plate 2 with adjacent spacer sections 9 of the retaining lugs 5, thus entering a fixing section 10 of the retaining lug receptacle 6. In this section, the two spacer sections 9 of the retaining lugs 5 are supported and thus secured from above and below by the edge of this fixing section 10 of the retaining lug receptacle 6 (see Fig. 7).

[0078] In addition, the two attachment pieces 4a, b are further secured to the aisle divider 2 by the fact that when the retaining lugs 5 are inserted into the retaining lug receptacle 6 of the aisle divider 2 and in particular into the narrowed fixing section 10, the retaining sections 7 of the retaining lugs 5 inclined towards the aisle divider 2 come under tension and thus clamp the attachment pieces 4a, b against the side surface 3 of the aisle divider 2.

[0079] To enable precise adjustment of the lane width using the extension pieces 4a, b, each extension piece 4a, b has a support section 12 directly adjacent to the side surface 3 of the lane divider plate 2, which can have a different width for each extension piece 4a, b. The support section 12 is formed with an internal cavity 13, which is reinforced by stiffening ribs 14 (see Figs. 5, 8 and 9). The retaining section 7 of the respective other extension piece 4a, b in the area of ​​the rear side 8 or the support section 12 is...

[0080] To accommodate 12276 WO (see Fig. 5b), a recess 15 is provided adjacent to the retaining lug 5, which is either formed within the cavity 13 or is formed by an opening.

[0081] On the front side 16, each attachment piece 4a, b has three parallel and identically shaped container guide ribs 17, which have an inlet area 18 tapering to a point at an angle of approximately 15° at the beginning of the container guide lane (see Figs. 8 and 9). The second attachment piece 4b also has a guide recess 19 on its rear side 8 for arranging and slidably securing a section of a container stop (see Figs. 4 and 9). Finally, a third attachment piece 20 is arranged on the lane divider plate 2 in an angled area 21 along the course of the container guide lane to prevent a collision between a container and the lane divider plate.

[0082] 12276 WO Reference List

[0083] 1 guide element

[0084] 2 lane divider plates

[0085] 3 side surface

[0086] 4a first attachment piece

[0087] 4b second attachment piece

[0088] 5 retaining lug

[0089] 6 Holding nose attachment

[0090] 7 Stop section

[0091] 8 Back

[0092] 9 spacing sections

[0093] 10 Fixing section

[0094] 11 Insertion section

[0095] 12 Support section

[0096] 13 Cavity

[0097] 14 stiffening rib

[0098] 15 Exclusion

[0099] 16 Front

[0100] 17 Container guide rib

[0101] 18 tapered inlet area

[0102] 19 Management Company

[0103] 20 third section

[0104] 21 convoluted area

[0105] V Direction of the lane divider

[0106] 12276 WO

Claims

Claims 1. Guide element (1) for guiding containers in the area of ​​a container treatment plant, in particular for feeding containers to a container cleaning plant, with - a lane divider plate (2) for the lateral limitation of a container guide lane as well as - each an attachment piece (4a, b) fixed to one of the two side surfaces (3) of the aisle divider plate (2) for adjusting the aisle width, wherein - each of the two attachment pieces (4a, b) has at least one retaining lug (5) for jointly securing the two attachment pieces (4a, b) to each other and / or to the aisle separator plate (2) in a form-fit and / or force-fit manner in the area of ​​a retaining lug receptacle (6) of the aisle separator plate (2).

2. Guide element according to claim 1, characterized in that the two attachment pieces (4a, b) are each pressed against the respective side surface (3) of the aisle separator plate (2) by means of the retaining lugs (5).

3. Guide element according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the retaining lugs (5) have a retaining section (7) which is inclined towards the side surface (3) of the aisle separator plate (2) and / or towards a rear side (8) of the attachment piece (4a, b) such that the attachment piece (4a, b) is pressed onto the side surface (3) of the aisle separator plate (2) due to the clamping force of the inclined retaining section (7).

4. Guide element according to at least one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that when fixing the two attachment pieces (4a, b) two retaining lugs (5) each 12276 WO forming a force-fit connection, they are arranged in pairs adjacent to each other, wherein preferably spacer sections (9) of the retaining lugs (5) extending between the holding sections (7) of the retaining lugs (5) and the back side (8) of the attachment pieces (4a, b) lie flat against each other.

5. Guide element according to at least one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the retaining sections (7) of the two retaining lugs (5) of both attachment pieces (4a, b) are arranged in opposite directions and / or pointing away from each other in the area of ​​a retaining lug receptacle (6).

6. Guide element according to at least one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that each attachment piece (4a, b) has several retaining lugs (5) which are arranged offset from one another along the direction of travel (V) and / or along the height of the attachment piece (4a, b).

7. Guide element according to at least one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the retaining lug receptacle (6) of the aisle separator plate (2) has a fixing section (10) for jointly securing the overlapping spacer sections (9) of both retaining lugs (5) of the attachment pieces (4a, b) and, in the direction of travel (V) of the aisle separator plate (2) in front of the fixing section (10), an insertion section (11) for pushing the retaining sections (7) of the retaining lugs (5) projecting from the spacer sections (9) through the aisle separator plate (2).

8. Guide element according to at least one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the attachment pieces (4a, b) each have a support section (12) for direct contact with the 12276 WO The side surface (3) of the aisle separator plate (2) has a width to adjust the aisle width via the thickness of the support section (12) of the respective attachment piece (4a, b).

9. Guide element according to at least one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support section (12) is formed as a hollow space and stiffening ribs (14) are arranged within the cavity (13) in the support section (12) to increase the dimensional stability of the support section (12) and in particular of the entire attachment piece (4a, b).

10. Guide element according to at least one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that a recess (15) for the retaining section (7) of the retaining lug (5) of the other attachment piece (4b, a) arranged opposite on the aisle separator plate (2) is arranged on the rear side (8) and / or in the cavity (13) and adjacent to a retaining lug (5) of an attachment piece (4a, b).

11. Guide element according to at least one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that several container guide ribs (17) extending in the direction of travel (V) are arranged adjacent to the support section (12) and / or on a front side (16) of the attachment piece (4a, b), which preferably run parallel to each other, over the entire length of the attachment piece (4a, b) and / or at equal intervals from each other, wherein the container guide ribs (17) have an inlet area (18) tapering towards the direction of travel (V).

12. Guide element according to at least one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that one of the two attachment pieces (4b) has a guide recess in the area of ​​the rear (8). 12276 WO (19) for the slidable arrangement of a guide section of a container stopper which can be moved within the guide recess (19) and thus parallel to the aisle separator plate (2) between a release position and a blocking position to block the container flow downstream of the attachment piece (4b).

13. Guide element according to at least one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that a further, third attachment piece (20) is arranged behind at least one of the attachment pieces (4a, b) on the aisle divider plate (2), wherein the third attachment piece (20) is arranged on an angled area (21) of the aisle divider plate (2) compared to the area of ​​the first two attachment pieces (4a, b).

14. Device for feeding containers to a container treatment plant, in particular containers to be cleaned to a container cleaning plant, with - several guide elements (1) arranged at least partially parallel to each other according to at least one of claims 1 - 13 to form at least one container guide lane bounded on both sides by a guide element (1) each. 12276 WO

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