Device and method for discharging
Patent Information
- Application Number
- PCT/EP2026/054506
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2025-02-20
- Filing Date
- 2026-02-19
- Publication Date
- 2026-08-27
Smart Images
Figure EP2026054506_27082026_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] Eisenführ Speiser
[0002] Hamburg, February 19, 2026
[0003] Our reference: KH 603-02 WO NHF / TAU
[0004] Applicant / Owner: KHS GmbH
[0005] Official file number:
[0006] KHS GmbH
[0007] Juchostraße 20, 44143 Dortmund
[0008] Device and method for ejection
[0009] The invention relates to a device, a system, and a method for removing preforms and / or containers and / or container lids. The invention further relates to a system for treating preforms and / or containers and / or container lids.
[0010] 5. During the treatment and / or production of containers using a container manufacturing and / or container treatment plant, preforms and / or containers and / or container lids are typically removed from the manufacturing process. Such removal can occur, for example, due to sorting, such as when a preform, container, or container lid, or the like, was manufactured defectively or when certain deviations are detected in a preform, container, container lid, or the like. Removal can also occur for other reasons, such as when quality control is to be carried out on preforms, containers, container lids, or the like.
[0011] For example, the removal of preforms and containers from a container manufacturing and / or container treatment plant is known, in which containers are produced by blow molding from preforms made of a thermoplastic material, for example, PET (polyethylene terephthalate). In this process, preforms are fed to different processing stations within a blow molding machine. Typically, such a blow molding machine has a heating device for tempering or thermally conditioning the preforms, as well as a blow molding unit with at least one blowing station, in which the previously temperature-conditioned preform is expanded into a container. During the manufacturing process, defective preforms and / or defective containers can then be sorted out.This prevents defective preforms and / or containers from being fed into further production stations. Defective preforms might, for example, be warped. Defective containers might, for example, have blow molding defects.
[0012] Likewise, the removal and disposal of glass containers, such as glass bottles, as well as the removal and disposal of metal containers, such as metal cans, from a container manufacturing and / or treatment plant is known.
[0013] During the manufacturing process, in addition to or as an alternative to sorting out defective preforms and / or containers and / or container lids, preforms and / or containers and / or container lids can also be removed from the production process for quality control. Removal can also be achieved, for example, by removing already palletized products. The removed preforms and / or containers and / or container lids can therefore be defective or non-defective, for example, those removed for quality control. A challenge here is the relatively complex process of removing the removed preforms and / or containers and / or container lids from a cleanroom during the manufacturing process.
[0014] Devices for manufacturing containers are known from EP3473406A1 , DE202019102193U1 , DE102015122025A1 , DE102015122025A1 and DE102023101303A1, in which defective containers can be rejected.
[0015] One problem with known devices and methods for rejecting preforms and / or containers and / or container lids is that the rejection process is relatively labor-intensive and time-consuming, as the removal and monitoring of the rejected parts must be carried out by an operator at regular intervals. Another problem with known devices concerns operator safety. When an operator manually intervenes in a rejection process, moving components can cause injuries to the operator.
[0016] The invention is therefore based on the objective of providing an improved solution that addresses the aforementioned problems. In particular, it is an objective of the invention to provide a solution that enables the removal of preforms and / or containers and / or container lids in a way that ensures improved safety and also requires less labor and time.
[0017] According to a first aspect, the problem is solved by a device with the features of claim 1. Accordingly, a device for ejecting preforms and / or containers, in particular plastic containers, and / or container lids is provided. The device comprises a lock chamber, wherein the lock chamber has a receiving area for receiving a discharge container, and wherein the lock chamber has a lock chamber opening for inserting and removing a discharge container. The device comprises a branch section along which preforms and / or containers and / or container lids, branching off from a main path of movement, can be moved to the lock chamber. The device comprises a discharge opening that fluidically connects the branch section to the lock chamber.The device comprises a discharge container for receiving preforms and / or containers and / or container lids, wherein the discharge container can be arranged in the receiving area of the lock chamber and can be removed from the receiving area of the lock chamber.
[0018] According to the invention, a closing device is provided which has a closing element that is adjustable between a first position in which the closing element opens the discharge opening and closes the lock chamber opening, and a second position in which the closing element closes the discharge opening and opens the lock chamber opening.
[0019] A device for ejecting preforms and / or containers and / or container lids is proposed, in which preforms and / or containers and / or container lids can be inserted into a lock chamber through an ejection opening and removed from the lock chamber through a lock chamber opening. A closing element is provided which, in a first position, releases the ejection opening and closes the lock chamber opening, allowing preforms and / or containers and / or container lids to be moved through the ejection opening but not through the lock chamber opening. In a second position, the ejection opening closes and releases the lock chamber opening, allowing preforms and / or containers and / or container lids to be removed from the lock chamber through the lock chamber opening but not moved through the ejection opening.
[0020] One advantage of such a device is that it enables the autonomous and safe removal of discharged preforms and / or containers and / or container lids. The ability to adjust the closing element between the first and second positions allows for a particularly advantageous arrangement: in the first position, preforms and / or containers and / or container lids can be collected in the discharge container while the discharge chamber opening remains securely closed; and in the second position, the preforms and / or containers and / or container lids can be removed from the discharge chamber while the discharge opening remains securely closed.
[0021] Another advantage of such a device is that containers and / or preforms and / or container lids can be removed during production without having to stop production.
[0022] The invention is based, among other things, on the understanding that while the main material flows in the treatment and / or manufacture of containers are typically fully automated, the secondary flows of the operation, such as the rejection of individual preforms and / or containers and / or container lids, are generally not automated. The invention allows for a significant reduction in manual effort, and thus personnel requirements, by enabling the automation of the rejection process.
[0023] The device is preferably designed to discharge preforms and / or containers, in particular plastic containers, and / or container lids, from a plant, in particular a container manufacturing and / or treatment plant.
[0024] The device is preferably connected or connectable to a container manufacturing and / or treatment plant. The container manufacturing and / or treatment plant can be, for example, a blow molding machine for producing plastic containers from preforms, a machine for treating containers (e.g., plasma treatment), a labeling machine, a palletizing machine, or a filling machine.
[0025] Containers can be, for example, plastic containers, such as plastic bottles, especially those made of a thermoplastic material, such as PET; glass containers, such as glass bottles; or metal containers, such as metal beverage cans. Preforms, also known as premodels, can be made of a thermoplastic material, such as PET. Container lids can be, for example, plastic or metal.
[0026] The device comprises a transfer chamber, preferably designed to accommodate the discharge container. The discharge container preferably has side walls and a bottom, as well as an opening through which discharged preforms and / or containers and / or container lids can be moved into the discharge container. The opening of the discharge container is preferably located at the upper end of the discharge container.
[0027] The discharge container can be removed from the receiving area of the lock chamber. The discharge container is preferably completely removable from the lock chamber.
[0028] The receiving area preferably refers to a section of the lock chamber. The receiving area serves in particular to accommodate the discharge container.
[0029] The branch section is understood to be a section of the device which preferably forms an interface to a system, wherein parts to be discharged via the interface, such as preforms and / or containers and / or container lids, are branched off from a main movement path along which the parts move along the system during normal production flow.
[0030] The diverted sections can be individual preforms and / or containers and / or container lids. It is also possible that the preforms and / or containers and / or container lids are grouped together at the point of diversion, for example, in the form of pallets, and entire pallets with the corresponding products are diverted. A main movement path is understood to be, in particular, the path along which the preforms and / or containers and / or container lids move within the system during a normal production process. The diverted section thus deviates from and / or leads away from the main movement path.
[0031] The discharge opening, which connects the branch section to the lock chamber in terms of flow technology, is preferably located in the upper area of the lock chamber.
[0032] The locking element is to be understood as a single, continuous component. The locking element may, in particular, comprise several sub-elements that are connected to each other, directly and / or via other elements. The locking element is preferably designed in the form of a roller blind. However, the locking element may also be designed, for example, in the form of a flap.
[0033] It is particularly preferred that the closing device has a drive unit, in particular a drive motor, wherein the drive unit is designed to adjust the closing element between the first position and the second position.
[0034] The drive unit is preferably a drive motor, in particular an electric motor. However, the drive unit can also have a spring shaft drive and / or a pneumatic drive and / or a hydraulic drive for adjusting the closing element.
[0035] One advantage of such a drive unit is that it enables automatic adjustment of the closing element. Another advantage is that, in a single adjustment operation, the drive unit can open or close both the discharge opening and the lock chamber opening by moving the closing element between the first and second positions, ensuring that one of the openings is closed and the other is open.
[0036] It is particularly preferred that the closing device has a guide device, wherein the guide device defines a guide track along which the closing element is movable, in particular displaceable, between the first position and the second position.
[0037] Preferably, the guide device is designed and arranged such that the guide track runs along the lock chamber opening and along the exit opening.
[0038] The guide track preferably runs along the exit opening along a first straight line and along the lock chamber opening along a second straight line, which is not parallel but preferably orthogonal to the first straight line.
[0039] It is particularly preferred that the guide device has a first deflection section, which is preferably arranged between the lock chamber opening and the discharge opening.
[0040] Preferably, the guide track runs along the first deflection section. Preferably, the first deflection section is designed to deflect the closing element in an area between the lock chamber opening and the discharge opening.
[0041] One advantage of such a first deflection section is that the closing element can be optimally aligned in both the first and second positions in order to close one of the openings and open the other.
[0042] Preferably, the guide device is designed and arranged such that the guide track between the lock chamber opening and the discharge opening has a change of direction, preferably by 90°.
[0043] It is particularly preferred that the closing element can be arranged at least partially below the discharge container. Preferably, the guide track also extends below the receiving area.
[0044] It is particularly preferred that the closing element in the first position is arranged at least partially below the discharge container, and preferably covers the discharge container from below. An advantage of such an arrangement of the closing element in the first position is that the closing element can thus fulfill several functions at once: firstly, the discharge opening is opened; secondly, the lock chamber opening is closed; and thirdly, the device is soundproofed from below by the closing element, so that reduced sound emissions escape from the device to the outside.
[0045] It is particularly preferred that the guide device has a second deflection section arranged between the discharge opening and the floor of the lock chamber.
[0046] Preferably, the guide track runs along the second deflection section. Preferably, the second deflection section is designed to deflect the closing element in an area between the lock chamber opening and the bottom of the device.
[0047] One advantage of such a second deflection section is that the closing element can be aligned in the first position in such a way that the lock chamber opening can be closed and the bottom can be covered by the closing element.
[0048] Preferably, the guide device is designed and arranged such that the guide track between the discharge opening and the floor of the lock chamber has a change of direction, preferably by 90°.
[0049] One advantage of such a change of direction is that the closing element can thereby both close the airlock opening and simultaneously soundproof the airlock from below.
[0050] It is particularly preferred that the guide device has guide rails for guiding the closing element, wherein preferably the closing element has at least two guide elements which are guided along the guide rails when the closing element is moved between the first position and the second position.
[0051] Preferably, several guide rail sections are provided, wherein at least one guide rail section is curved and arranged such that it causes a change in direction of the guide track, preferably by 90°. Preferably, two such curved guide rail sections are provided, each arranged and configured to cause a change in direction of the guide track, preferably by 90°.
[0052] It is particularly preferred that the closing element can be wound up at least in sections and / or unwound at least in sections, wherein the drive unit is designed to wind up the closing element at least in sections when moving the closing element from the first position to the second position and / or to unwound it at least in sections when moving the closing element from the second position to the first position.
[0053] One advantage of this winding and unwinding method is that the sealing element requires very little space even in the second position, as the wound section of the sealing element takes up very little room. This small footprint allows for a compact design of the device.
[0054] It is particularly preferred that the branch section has an intermediate storage area for the temporary storage of discharged preforms and / or containers and / or container lids.
[0055] One advantage of such an intermediate storage unit is that discharged preforms and / or containers and / or container lids can be temporarily collected, particularly when the closing element is in the second position and the discharge opening is closed. This prevents the system that processes or manufactures the preforms and / or containers and / or container lids from having to stop, even if the closing element is in the second position and, for example, preforms and / or containers and / or container lids are currently being removed from the airlock.
[0056] It is particularly preferred that the intermediate storage unit is designed to temporarily store rejected preforms and / or containers and / or container lids when the closing element is arranged in the second position and forms the bottom of the intermediate storage unit.
[0057] Preferably, when the closing element is arranged in the second position, it forms the bottom of the intermediate storage. It is particularly preferred that the intermediate storage is designed so as not to temporarily store discharged preforms and / or containers and / or container lids when the closing element is arranged in the first position and does not form a bottom of the intermediate storage.
[0058] Preferably, when the closing element is arranged in the first position, the intermediate storage area does not have a bottom formed by the closing element, so that preforms and / or containers and / or container lids moving along the branch section are not temporarily stored, but pass through the discharge opening into the lock chamber.
[0059] It is particularly preferred that the device includes a presence detection device designed to check whether the discharge container is arranged and / or correctly positioned in the receiving area of the lock chamber.
[0060] One advantage of such a presence detection device is that the correct arrangement of the discharge container in the receiving area of the lock room can be automatically checked, and no check by a person is necessary.
[0061] Preferably, the presence detection device has a detection element arranged at the lock chamber and an identification element arranged at the discharge container.
[0062] The detection element is preferably designed to detect the identification element and preferably to determine the position of the identification element so that the position of the discharge container can be checked on the basis of this position.
[0063] Preferably, the recognition element comprises an RFID reader and the identification element comprises an RFID transponder.
[0064] The detection element is preferably configured to detect the identification element without contact and preferably to determine the position of the identification element without contact. It is particularly preferred that the device comprises: a first sensor unit arranged and configured to monitor whether the locking element is in the first position, and a second sensor unit arranged and configured to monitor whether the locking element is in the second position.
[0065] The first sensor unit can be arranged, in particular, to detect whether the closing element closes the airlock opening or not. The second sensor unit can be arranged, in particular, to detect whether the closing element closes the discharge opening or not.
[0066] One advantage of such a first and / or second sensor unit is that information is available at all times regarding the position of the closing element and / or whether the lock chamber opening and / or the discharge opening is closed or open. This information can be used particularly advantageously for automating the discharge process.
[0067] It is particularly preferred that the device comprises: a control unit configured to control the drive unit in such a way that it adjusts the closing element between the first position and the second position, preferably depending on the approach of a forklift truck to the lock chamber.
[0068] The industrial truck is preferably an autonomously driving industrial truck.
[0069] Preferably, when a forklift, especially an autonomous one, approaches the airlock, the closing element is moved from the second position to the first position. This allows the airlock opening to be released, enabling the forklift to remove the discharge container from the airlock or insert it into the airlock.
[0070] One advantage of such an automated opening of the airlock is that no human operator is needed to adjust the locking element.
[0071] A further advantage of such automated opening of the airlock is that the time required for removing and / or inserting the discharge container can be minimized. It is particularly preferred that the device comprises: an actuator designed to be operated by a forklift truck, wherein the actuator is designed to move the closing element from the first position to the second position when actuated, if the closing element was in the first position before actuating.
[0072] The actuator is preferably an electric and / or pneumatic and / or hydraulic actuator. The actuator is preferably operable by a forklift truck, whereby the closing element can be automatically adjusted when the actuator is actuated.
[0073] Preferably, a second actuator is also provided, which, in the event of actuation, is designed to move the closing element from the first position to the second position. An advantage of this is that one actuator can be provided for closing the airlock opening and another for opening it.
[0074] Preferably, the actuator is further designed to move the locking element from the second position to the first position in the event of actuation, if the locking element was arranged in the second position before actuation.
[0075] It is particularly preferred that the device comprises: a proximity sensor configured to move the closing element from the first position to the second position in the event of an industrial truck approaching the lock chamber opening.
[0076] Preferably, the locking element is not operated directly by the forklift, but is moved automatically between the first and second positions by means of a proximity sensor. Alternatively or additionally, a central factory control system can be used to operate the locking element.
[0077] The proximity sensor preferably comprises a light barrier and / or a proximity sensor, which may be inductive or capacitive, and / or an infrared sensor. Additionally or alternatively, the proximity sensor may also include a GPS unit configured to determine the position of a forklift truck relative to the device using GPS data. Additionally or alternatively, the proximity sensor may also include a WLAN unit configured to determine the position of a forklift truck relative to the device using a WLAN triangulation method. Other positioning methods may also be used alternatively or additionally.
[0078] One advantage of such a proximity sensor is that the closing element can be moved relative to the device depending on the movement of a forklift. This means, for example, that the closing element can already be in the correct position when the forklift arrives, thus speeding up the emptying process.
[0079] Preferably, the proximity sensor is further designed to move the closing element from the second position to the first position in the event of a forklift truck moving away from the lock chamber opening.
[0080] Preferably, the airlock opening is closed again when the proximity sensor detects that the industrial truck is moving away from the device and / or the airlock opening.
[0081] According to a further aspect, the aforementioned problem is solved by a system for treating preforms and / or containers, in particular plastic containers, and / or container lids, the system comprising a device as described herein, a container manufacturing and / or container treatment system, in particular a forming device with several forming stations for forming thermally conditioned preforms into containers. Preferably, the system further comprises a cleanroom, wherein at least part of the container manufacturing and / or container treatment system is arranged within the cleanroom, and in particular, the forming stations of the forming device are arranged within the cleanroom.Preferably, the system further comprises a sterile air supply unit, wherein the cleanroom can be fluidically connected to the sterile air supply unit, wherein the sterile air supply unit and the cleanroom are designed to work together in such a way that sterile air is provided in the cleanroom and an overpressure is generated in the cleanroom.
[0082] The system for treating preforms and / or containers, in particular plastic containers, and / or container lids, may in particular be a blow molding machine for producing plastic containers from preforms or a machine for treating, for example plasma treatment, containers or a labeling machine or a palletizing machine or a filling machine.
[0083] A cleanroom is understood to be, in particular, a room in which conditions prevail, at least partially, that prevent contamination of preforms and / or containers and / or container lids moved within the cleanroom. The cleanroom can be actively sterilized, but active sterilization or decontamination is not mandatory. In particular, it is possible to supply the cleanroom with sterile displaced air in such a way that, at least in those areas where preforms and / or containers and / or container lids are moved through the cleanroom, no contamination occurs, thus preventing contamination of the preforms and / or containers and / or container lids. The cleanroom is preferably separated from a non-sterile environment by at least one wall.During production, overpressure is maintained in the cleanroom to prevent the ingress of non-sterile air into the cleanroom and thus ensure sterile conditions within the cleanroom.
[0084] The sterile air supply unit is preferably connected to the cleanroom via a fluid connection. The sterile air supply unit and the cleanroom are designed to work together in such a way that sterile air is supplied to the cleanroom and an overpressure is generated. The overpressure generated requires, in particular, a certain degree of airtightness in the cleanroom.
[0085] According to another aspect, the aforementioned task is solved by a system for removing preforms and / or containers, in particular plastic containers, and / or container lids, the system comprising a device or plant as described herein, and an autonomously driving industrial truck, wherein the industrial truck is designed to remove the removal container from the lock chamber through the lock chamber opening and / or to introduce it into the lock chamber through the lock chamber opening.
[0086] Preferably, the industrial truck has a lifting device designed to lift the discharge container, preferably by means of a fork, in particular a pallet fork, and / or a lifting table.
[0087] Preferably, the discharge container, particularly its base, is designed such that the forklift can grip and lift it, especially by means of a forklift, preferably a pallet fork. Preferably, when arranged in the airlock, the discharge container rests laterally on its base within the airlock.
[0088] It is particularly preferred that the industrial truck has a sensor arrangement, preferably comprising a camera, wherein the sensor arrangement is configured to monitor an area spaced away from the industrial truck.
[0089] The sensor arrangement is preferably designed to check the position of the discharge container and / or to determine the weight of the discharge container when preforms and / or containers and / or container lids are arranged in the discharge container, and / or to determine the weight of the discharge container when no preforms and / or containers and / or container lids are arranged in the discharge container.
[0090] Preferably, the camera checks an area located in front of the industrial truck, i.e., depending on the position of the industrial truck, for example the airlock opening and / or the discharge container.
[0091] It is particularly preferred that the conveying vehicle, while the closing element is in the first position, can be arranged completely within the lock chamber, and preferably below the discharge container.
[0092] Preferably, the conveying vehicle is designed to be positioned completely within the lock chamber, and preferably below the discharge container, while the closing element is in the first position. In this embodiment, where the conveying vehicle can be positioned within the lock chamber and below the discharge container, the conveying vehicle, together with the discharge container, is located completely within the lock chamber.
[0093] An advantage of this embodiment is that the industrial truck is already connected to the discharge container, so that the industrial truck and the discharge container can be moved together into and out of the discharge chamber. According to a further aspect, the aforementioned problem is solved by a method for discharging preforms and / or containers, in particular plastic containers, and / or container lids, preferably from a system for treating preforms and / or containers, in particular plastic containers, and / or container lids, the method comprising the following steps: providing a device for discharging preforms and / or containers, in particular plastic containers, and / or container lids, preferably a device as described herein, and / or a system as described herein;Branching off preforms and / or containers and / or container lids from a main movement path; guiding the branched preforms and / or containers and / or container lids through a discharge opening into a lock chamber and into a discharge container located in a receiving area of the lock chamber; adjusting a closing element of a closing device of the apparatus from a first position, in which the closing element opens the discharge opening and closes the lock chamber opening, to a second position, in which the closing element closes the discharge opening of the lock chamber and opens a lock chamber opening; removing the discharge container through the lock chamber opening from the lock chamber by means of a forklift, preferably an autonomously moving one.
[0094] The industrial truck is preferably designed as described above.
[0095] It is particularly preferred that the method comprises: inserting the discharge container through the lock chamber opening into the lock chamber; and moving the closing element from the second position to the first position.
[0096] It is particularly preferred that the method comprises: determining a fill level indicating the fill level of preforms and / or containers, in particular plastic containers, and / or container lids in the discharge container; and preferably preparing a collection of the discharge container depending on the determined fill level.
[0097] One advantage of determining the fill level in this way is that the preparation, collection, and emptying of the discharge container can be automated at a particularly convenient time, namely when the discharge container has exceeded a certain fill level but before it is too full to accept further parts. For the advantages, design variants, and design details of the various aspects of the solutions described here and their respective possible further developments, reference is also made to the descriptions of the corresponding features, details, and advantages of the other aspects and their further developments.
[0098] Preferred embodiments are explained by way of example with reference to the accompanying figures. The drawings are not necessarily to scale. In the figures, identical or essentially functionally equivalent or similar elements are designated with the same reference numerals. They show:
[0099] Fig. 1a: a device for ejecting preforms and / or containers and / or container lids, wherein the closing element is arranged in the first position;
[0100] Fig. 1b: a device for ejecting preforms and / or containers and / or container lids, wherein the closing element is arranged in the second position;
[0101] Fig. 2a: a system for removing preforms and / or containers and / or container lids in a first sectional view;
[0102] Fig. 2b: a system for removing preforms and / or containers and / or container lids in a second sectional view;
[0103] Fig. 3a: another embodiment of a system for ejecting preforms and / or containers and / or container lids, wherein the closing element is arranged in the first position;
[0104] Fig. 3b: the embodiment shown in Fig. 3a of a system for ejecting preforms and / or containers and / or container lids, wherein the closing element is arranged in the second position;
[0105] Fig. 4a: another embodiment of a system for ejecting preforms and / or containers and / or container lids, wherein the closing element is arranged in the first position; Fig. 4b: the embodiment of a system for ejecting preforms and / or containers and / or container lids shown in Fig. 4a, wherein the closing element is arranged in the second position;
[0106] Fig. 5a: another embodiment of a system for ejecting preforms and / or containers and / or container lids, wherein the closing element is arranged in the first position;
[0107] Fig. 5b: the embodiment shown in Fig. 5a of a system for ejecting preforms and / or containers and / or container lids, wherein the closing element is arranged in the second position;
[0108] Fig. 6a: another embodiment of a system for ejecting preforms and / or containers and / or container lids, wherein the closing element is arranged in the first position;
[0109] Fig. 6b: the embodiment shown in Fig. 6a of a system for ejecting preforms and / or containers and / or container lids, wherein the closing element is arranged in the second position;
[0110] Fig. 7: a device for manufacturing containers from thermally conditioned preforms, comprising a system for manufacturing containers;
[0111] Fig. 8: a flowchart of a process for removing preforms and / or containers and / or container lids;
[0112] Fig. 9: a flowchart of a process for removing preforms and / or containers and / or container lids.
[0113] Fig. 1a shows a device 80 for diverting preforms and / or containers 82 and / or container lids, with the closing element 4 arranged in the first position. Fig. 1b shows the same device 80 with the closing element 4 arranged in the second position. This device 80 is designed to include a lock chamber 20, which has a receiving area 21 for receiving a discharge container 10. The lock chamber 20 is equipped with a lock chamber opening 22, which allows the discharge container 10 to be inserted into and removed from the lock chamber 20. A branch section 35a is provided along which the preforms 81 and / or containers 82 and / or container lids can be diverted from a main movement path H and moved to the lock chamber 20. The exit opening 25 connects the branch section 35a to the lock chamber 20 in terms of flow technology.
[0114] The discharge container 10 is designed to receive preforms and / or containers and / or container lids. It can be positioned in and removed from the receiving area 21 of the lock chamber 20. A key component of the device 80 is the closing device V, which has an adjustable closing element 4. This closing element 4 can be adjusted between a first position, in which it opens the discharge opening 25 and closes the lock chamber opening 22, and a second position, in which it closes the discharge opening 25 and opens the lock chamber opening 22. The closing element 4 can also be positioned below the discharge container 10. In the first position, the closing element 4 is positioned so that it covers the discharge container 10 from below.
[0115] The drive unit 5, which includes a drive motor M, is designed to adjust the closing element 4 between the first and second positions. The closing element 4 can be wound and unwound within the area of the drive unit 5. The guide device 6 defines a guide track F along which the closing element 4 can be moved between the first and second positions. This guide track F runs along the lock chamber opening 22 and along the discharge opening 25. Figure 4b shows that belts 4a are provided to connect the drive unit 5 to the closing element V.
[0116] The guide device 6 comprises a first deflection section 6u1, which is arranged between the lock chamber opening 22 and the discharge opening 25, and a second deflection section 6u2, which is arranged between the discharge opening 25 and the floor B of the lock chamber 20. These deflection sections enable a change in direction of the guide track F by 90°. The guide device 6 is equipped with guide rails 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, which guide the closing element 4 as it moves between the first and second positions.
[0117] An intermediate storage unit 36 is integrated in the branch section 35a to temporarily store discharged preforms 81 and / or containers 82 and / or container lids. When the closing element 4 is in the second position, it forms the bottom of the intermediate storage unit 36. The device 80 is equipped with a presence detection device 710a, which checks whether the discharge container 10 is located in the receiving area 21 of the airlock chamber 20 and is correctly positioned. This device comprises a detection element 7a located on the airlock chamber 20 and an identification element 10a located on the discharge container 10, wherein the detection element 7a has an RFID reader and the identification element 10a has an RFID transponder.
[0118] Additionally, a first sensor unit 9 and a second sensor unit 8 are provided, which monitor whether the closing element 4 is in the first or second position. A control unit S controls the drive unit 5 to adjust the closing element 4 between the first position and the second position, preferably depending on the approach of a forklift truck to the airlock chamber 20.
[0119] Fig. 2a shows a system 100 for rejecting preforms and / or containers 82 and / or container lids in a first sectional view, and Fig. 2b shows the system 100 in a second sectional view. The system comprises a [component] as shown in Fig.
[0120] Device 80 as described in Fig. 1 a and Fig. 1 b and an autonomously driving industrial truck 11.
[0121] The device 80 comprises a lock chamber 20, which has a receiving area for receiving a discharge container 10. The lock chamber 20 is provided with a lock chamber opening through which the discharge container 10 can be inserted and removed, as described in detail in connection with Fig. 1a and Fig. 1b. A branch section leads from the main movement path to the lock chamber 20, along which the preforms and / or containers 82 and / or container lids can be moved to the lock chamber 20.
[0122] The closing element 4 is located above the discharge container 10 and can be moved along a guide device. The guide device runs along the opening of the lock chamber and the discharge opening and enables precise movement of the closing element 4 between the two positions.
[0123] The industrial truck 11 is equipped with a sensor arrangement 11a designed to monitor the area in front of the vehicle. The industrial truck 11 is capable of removing the discharge container 10 from the airlock 20 through the airlock opening and reinserting it. It has a lifting device 12 that can lift the discharge container 10 by means of a fork. The lifting device 12 of the industrial truck 11 can raise and lower the discharge container 10.
[0124] Fig. 3a shows another embodiment of a system 100 for ejecting preforms and / or containers and / or container lids, wherein the closing element 4 is arranged in the first position. Fig. 3 shows the embodiment of the system 100 shown in Fig. 3a, except that the closing element 4 is arranged in the second position. Thus, in Fig. 3a, the closing element 4 is in the first position, while in Fig. 3b it is in the second position. The device 80 of the system 100 comprises a ejection chamber 20, which has a receiving area for receiving an ejection container. The ejection chamber 20 is provided with an ejection chamber opening 22 through which the ejection container 10 can be inserted and removed. For details on the construction of the device 80, reference is made to Fig. 1a and Fig. 1b and the accompanying description.
[0125] The guide device 6, which defines a guide track along which the closing element 4 can be moved between the first and second positions, is also shown in the figures. The guide device 6 comprises several guide rails 6a, 6b, and 6c that guide the closing element 4. Figures 3a and 3b show that the guide rails 6a, 6b, and 6c run along the lock chamber opening 22 and the discharge opening 25.
[0126] An autonomously driving industrial truck 11 is shown in both figures. The industrial truck 11 is designed to remove the discharge container 10 from the lock chamber 20 through the lock chamber opening 22 and / or to insert it into the lock chamber 20 through the lock chamber opening 22. An actuator 2 is also provided, which can be actuated by the industrial truck 11 to adjust the closing element 4 between the first and second positions.
[0127] Figures 4a and 4b show a further embodiment of a system 100 for ejecting preforms and / or containers and / or container lids, wherein the closing element is arranged in the first position in Figure 4a and in the second position in Figure 4b. Figures 4a and 4b thus show two states of the system 100 for ejecting preforms and / or containers and / or container lids. The system 100 comprises a device 80 having a lock chamber 20, a discharge opening 25, a lock chamber opening 22, a closing element 4, and a guide device 6. For details on the construction of the device 80, refer to Figure 4a.
[0128] Reference is made to Figures 1a and 1b and the accompanying description. System 100 further comprises an autonomously driving industrial truck 11.
[0129] In Fig. 4a, the closing element 4 is shown in a position where the discharge opening 25 is open and the lock chamber opening 22 is closed. The closing element 4 is moved along the guide device 6. In this state, the lock chamber 20 is not accessible for inserting and removing a discharge container, as the lock chamber opening 22 is blocked by the closing element 4.
[0130] In Fig. 4b, the closing element 4 is in a different position, in which the discharge opening 25 is closed and the lock chamber opening 22 is open. This allows the industrial truck 11, which has a lifting device, to remove a discharge container from or insert it into the lock chamber 20 through the lock chamber opening 22.
[0131] In both figures, the industrial truck 11 is positioned near the airlock opening 22 to remove a discharge container from the airlock. The proximity sensor 1, which is attached to the device 80, detects the approach of the industrial truck 11 and can adjust the closing element 4 accordingly from the first position shown in Fig. 4a to the second position shown in Fig. 4b.
[0132] Figures 5a and 5b show a further embodiment of a system 100 for ejecting preforms and / or containers and / or container lids, wherein the closing element 4 is arranged in the first position in Figure 5a and in the second position in Figure 4b. The system 100 comprises a device 80 for ejecting preforms and / or containers and an autonomously moving industrial truck 11. The device 80 has a lock chamber 20 and a guide device 6, the guide device 6 comprising several guide rails 6a, 6b, and 6c. These guide rails 6a, 6b, and 6c define a guide path along which the closing element 4 can be moved between two positions. In Figure 5a, the closing element 4 is in the first position, in which it closes the lock chamber opening.The guide elements 4x and 4y of the closing element 4 are positioned along the guide rails 6b and 6c, such that the closing element 4 releases the discharge opening in this position. In Fig. 5b, the closing element 4 is in the second position, in which it closes the discharge opening and opens the lock chamber opening. Here, the guide elements 4x and 4y are positioned along the guide rails 6a and 6b. This movement of the closing element 4 enables the insertion or removal of a discharge container through the lock chamber opening by means of the industrial truck 11.
[0133] Figures 6a and 6b show a further embodiment of a system 100 for ejecting preforms and / or containers and / or container lids. The system is constructed like the system described in connection with Figures 5a and 5b, with the difference that in the system 100 described here, the industrial truck 11 is arranged completely within the ejection chamber and completely below the discharge container 10. The closing element 4 is arranged in the first position in Figure 6a and in the second position in Figure 6b.
[0134] Fig. 7 shows a rough schematic representation of a device for manufacturing containers 82 from thermally conditioned preforms 81, comprising a system 30 for manufacturing containers. In the embodiment shown here, the system 30 has a forming device with several forming stations 31 for forming the preforms 81 into containers 82, as well as a transfer wheel 60 for transferring the preforms 81 to the forming stations 31 and a removal wheel 70 for removing the containers 82 from the forming stations 31.
[0135] Preforms 81 are fed via a feeder 40a to a feed wheel 40, which rotates as indicated by arrow 400. The preforms 81 are transferred by the feed wheel 40 to a temperature control device 50, which has heating elements 51 for thermally conditioning the preforms 81. The preforms 81 are moved along the heating elements 51 in the direction of rotation indicated by arrow 500 and then transferred to the transfer wheel 60, which rotates in the direction of arrow 600. From the transfer wheel 60, the preforms 81 are transferred to the forming stations 31 of the system 30. Containers 82 are formed from the preforms 81 by means of the forming stations 31. After the containers 82 have been formed, they are transferred to a removal wheel 70, which rotates in the direction of arrow 700. The containers 82 are then transported away via a discharge 70a. The forming stations 31 of the plant 30 are arranged within a cleanroom 35.Furthermore, wheels 60 and 70 are arranged in the cleanroom 35. Instead of a single cleanroom 35, several separate cleanrooms can also be provided. A sterile air supply unit 37 is fluidically connected to the cleanroom 35, wherein the sterile air supply unit 37 and the cleanroom 35 are designed to interact in such a way that sterile air is provided in the cleanroom 35 and an overpressure is generated in the cleanroom 35.
[0136] An airlock 20 is provided for removing rejected preforms and / or rejected containers from the cleanroom 35. The airlock 20 has a receiving area 21 for receiving a discharge container 10. The airlock 20 also has an airlock opening 22 for inserting and removing a discharge container 10. The discharge container 10 serves to receive rejected preforms and / or rejected containers, and the discharge container 10 can be positioned in and removed from the receiving area 21 of the airlock 20, as shown by the dashed arrow. The discharge container 10 is shown here in a position removed from the lock chamber 20 and not in the receiving area 21. The lock chamber 20 is located below the discharge wheel 70. At this position, sorted containers 82, in particular, can be discharged.It is also possible, additionally or alternatively, to provide a further airlock chamber 20b with a further discharge container 10b (both indicated here only by dashed lines), whereby such a further airlock chamber 20b can be arranged below the wheel 60 and can be intended, in particular, for the discharge of rejected preforms. The airlock chamber 20 can be directly connected to the sterile air supply unit 37 via a connecting line 27. Optionally, a further sterile air supply unit 28 can also be provided, which is directly connected to the airlock chamber 20 via a connecting line 29. Such a further sterile air supply unit 28 is designed, in particular, to provide sterile air in the airlock chamber 20 and to generate an overpressure in the airlock chamber 20. A discharge opening (not shown here) connects the cleanroom 35 to the airlock chamber 20 via a fluid flow system.The discharge opening can be closed by means of a locking device.
[0137] Fig. 8 shows a flowchart of a process 200 for removing preforms and / or containers, in particular plastic containers, and / or container lids, preferably from a plant 30 for treating preforms 81 and / or containers 82, in particular plastic containers, and / or container lids. The process 200 comprises the following steps:
[0138] In step 210, a device 80 is provided for diverting preforms 81 and / or containers 82, in particular plastic containers, and / or container lids. In step 220, preforms 81 and / or containers 82 and / or container lids are diverted from a main movement path H. In step 230, the diverted preforms 81 and / or containers 82 and / or container lids are guided through a divert opening 25 into a lock chamber 20 and into a discharge container 10, which is arranged in a receiving area 21 of the lock chamber 20. In step 231, a fill level 110 is determined, which indicates the fill level of preforms 81 and / or containers 82, in particular plastic containers, and / or container lids in the discharge container 10. In step 233, prepare for the collection of the discharge container 10 depending on the determined fill level.In step 240, a closing element 4 of a closing device V of the device 80 is moved from a first position, in which the closing element 4 opens the discharge opening 25 and closes the lock chamber opening 22, to a second position, in which the closing element 4 closes the discharge opening 25 of the lock chamber 20 and opens a lock chamber opening 22. In step 250, the discharge container 10 is removed from the lock chamber 20 through the lock chamber opening 22 by means of a forklift truck 11, preferably an autonomously moving one. In step 260, the discharge container 10 is inserted into the lock chamber 20 through the lock chamber opening 22. In step 270, the closing element 4 is moved from the second position to the first position.
[0139] Fig. 9 shows a further, detailed flow diagram of a process 200 for removing preforms and / or containers, in particular plastic containers, and / or container lids, preferably from a plant 30 for treating preforms 81 and / or containers 82, in particular plastic containers, and / or container lids. The process 200 comprises the following steps:
[0140] In step 231, a fill level 110 is determined, indicating the fill level of preforms 81 and / or containers 82, in particular plastic containers, and / or container lids in the discharge container 10. In step 232, it is determined whether the fill level is OK. If yes, the process continues at step 231; if no, it continues at step 233. In step 233, preparation is made for the collection of the discharge container 10, depending on the determined fill level. In step 240, a closing element 4 of a closing device V of the device 80 is adjusted from a first position in which the closing element 4 opens the discharge opening 25 and closes the lock chamber opening 22, to a second position in which the closing element 4 closes the discharge opening 25 of the lock chamber 20 and opens a lock chamber opening 22.In step 241, request a first empty forklift and a second forklift with an empty discharge container. In step 242, check the accessibility of the device. In step 243, check if there is sufficient space in front of the device in the area of the airlock opening. If not, in step 244, request personnel to leave the area in front of the airlock opening. If so, in step 245, position the first empty forklift in front of the device, lowering the forks of the empty forklift's lifting mechanism. In step 246, move the first empty forklift forward so that the forks of the lifting mechanism are positioned below the discharge container. In step 247, raise the forks of the lifting mechanism of the first empty forklift to lift the discharge container.In step 250, the discharge container 10 is removed from the lock chamber 20 through the lock chamber opening 22 by the first forklift 11 by reversing the first forklift. In step 251, the second forklift with the empty container is positioned in front of the device and the lifting forks of this second forklift are raised. In step 252, this second forklift with the empty container is moved forward to insert the empty container into the lock chamber. In step 260, the discharge container 10 is inserted into the lock chamber 20 through the lock chamber opening 22 by the second forklift. In step 261, the lifting forks of the second forklift are lowered. In step 262, the second forklift is moved backward. In step 263, the second forklift is moved to a storage area.In one step 270, adjust 270 of the locking element 4 from the second position to the first position.
[0141]
[0142] 1 proximity sensor
[0143] 2 actuators
[0144] 4 locking element
[0145] 4a Belts connecting the drive unit to the locking element 4x, 4y Guide elements of the locking element
[0146] 5 Drive unit
[0147] 6 Guide device
[0148] 6a-e Guide rails of the guide device
[0149] 6u1 first deflection section
[0150] 6u2 second deflection section
[0151] 7a Recognition element
[0152] 8 second sensor unit
[0153] 9 first sensor unit
[0154] 10 discharge containers
[0155] 10a Identification element
[0156] 10b further discharge container
[0157] 11 industrial truck
[0158] 11a Sensor arrangement
[0159] 12 Lifting device of the industrial truck
[0160] 20, 20b Lock room
[0161] 21. Intake area of the lock chamber
[0162] 22 Lock chamber opening
[0163] 25 Discharge opening
[0164] 27, 29 Connecting line
[0165] 28 additional sterile air supply units
[0166] 30 Plant for the treatment of preforms and / or containers and / or container lids
[0167] 31 Conversion station
[0168] 35 Cleanroom
[0169] 35a Branch section
[0170] 36 buffers
[0171] 37 Sterile air supply unit
[0172] 40 feed wheel
[0173] 40a Supply
[0174] 50 Temperature control device 51 Heating elements
[0175] 60 transfer wheel
[0176] 70 Dispensing wheel
[0177] 70a Discharge
[0178] 80 Device for ejecting preforms and / or containers and / or container lids
[0179] 81 preforms
[0180] 82 containers
[0181] 100 System for rejecting preforms and / or containers and / or container lids
[0182] 110 Fill level
[0183] 200 procedures
[0184] 210-270 process steps
[0185] 710a Presence detection device
[0186] B Floor of the lock chamber
[0187] F Guide track
[0188] S control unit
[0189] V locking device
Claims
- 29 - Claims 1. Device (80) for ejecting preforms (81) and / or containers (82), in particular plastic containers, and / or container lids, the device (80) comprising: a lock chamber (20), wherein the lock chamber (20) has a receiving area (21) for receiving a discharge container (10), wherein the lock chamber (20) has a lock chamber opening (22) for inserting and removing a discharge container (10), a branch section (35a) along which preforms (81) and / or containers (82) and / or container lids branching off from a main movement path (H) can be moved to the lock chamber (20), an exit opening (25) which connects the branch section (35a) to the lock chamber (20) in terms of flow, a discharge container (10) for receiving preforms and / or containers and / or container lids, wherein the discharge container (10) can be arranged in the receiving area (21) of the lock chamber (20) and can be removed from the receiving area (21) of the lock chamber (20), characterized by a locking device (V) comprising a locking element (4) which is adjustable between o a first position in which the closing element (4) opens the discharge opening (25) and closes the lock chamber opening (22), and or a second position in which the closing element (4) closes the discharge opening (25) and opens the lock chamber opening (22).
2. Device according to the preceding claim, wherein the closing device (V) has a drive unit (5), in particular a drive motor, wherein the drive unit (5) is designed to adjust the closing element (4) between the first position and the second position.
3. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the closing device (4) has a guide device (6), wherein the guide device (6) defines a guide track (F) along which the- 30 - The locking element (4) is movable, in particular displaceable, between the first position and the second position. wherein preferably the guide device (6) is designed and arranged such that the guide track (F) runs along the lock chamber opening (22) and along the discharge opening (25).
4. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the guide device (6) has a first deflection section (6u1) which is preferably arranged between the lock chamber opening (22) and the discharge opening (25), wherein preferably the guide device (6) is designed and arranged such that the guide track (F) between the lock chamber opening (22) and the discharge opening (25) has a change of direction, preferably by 90°.
5. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the closing element (4) can be arranged at least partially below the discharge container (10), and / or wherein the closing element (4) is arranged at least partially below the discharge container (10) in the first position, and preferably covers the discharge container (10) from below.
6. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the guide device (6) has a second deflection section (6u2) which is arranged between the discharge opening (25) and a floor (B) of the lock chamber (20), wherein preferably the guide device (6) is designed and arranged such that the guide track (F) between the discharge opening (25) and the floor (B) of the lock chamber (20) has a change of direction, preferably by 90°.
7. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the guide device (6) has guide rails (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e) for guiding the closing element (4), wherein preferably the closing element (4) has at least two guide elements (4x, 4y) which are guided along the guide rails (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e) when the closing element (4) is moved between the first position and the second position.
8. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the closing element (4) is at least partially windable and / or at least partially unwindable, wherein the drive unit (5) is designed to at least partially wind the closing element (4) when moving the closing element (4) from the first position to the second position and / or to unwind the closing element (4) at least partially when moving it from the second position to the first position.
9. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the branch section (35a) has an intermediate storage unit (36) for the temporary storage of discharged preforms (81) and / or containers (82) and / or container lids, wherein the intermediate storage unit (36) is designed to temporarily store discharged preforms (81) and / or containers (82) and / or container lids when the closing element (4) is arranged in the second position and thereby forms the bottom of the intermediate storage unit (36), and wherein the intermediate storage (36) is designed to not temporarily store discharged preforms (81) and / or containers (82) and / or container lids when the closing element (4) is arranged in the first position and does not form a bottom of the intermediate storage (36).
10. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the device includes a presence detection device (710a) configured to check whether the discharge container (10) is arranged and / or correctly positioned in the receiving area (21) of the airlock chamber (20), wherein preferably the presence detection device (710a) comprises a detection element (7a) arranged on the lock chamber (20) and an identification element (10a) arranged on the discharge container (10), wherein preferably the detection element (7a) comprises an RFID reader and the identification element (10a) comprises an RFID transponder.
11. Device according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a first sensor unit (9) which is arranged and configured to monitor whether the closing element (4) is in the first position, and a second sensor unit (8) which is arranged and configured to monitor whether the closing element (4) is in the second position.
12. Device according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a control unit (S) configured to control the drive unit (5) such that it adjusts the closing element (4) between the first position and the second position, preferably depending on the approach of a forklift truck (11) to the lock chamber (20).
13. Device according to one of the preceding claims, comprising an actuator (2) designed to be actuated by a forklift truck (11), wherein the actuator (2) is designed to move the locking element (4) from the first position to the second position when actuated, if the locking element (4) was in the first position before actuating, wherein preferably the actuator (2) is further configured to move the locking element (4) from the second position to the first position in the event of actuation, if the locking element (4) was arranged in the second position before actuation.
14. Device according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a proximity sensor (1) which is configured to move the closing element (4) from the first position to the second position in the event of an industrial truck approaching the lock chamber opening (22), wherein the proximity sensor (1) is preferably further configured to move the closing element (4) from the second position to the first position in the event of an industrial truck moving away from the lock chamber opening (22).
15. Plant (30) for the treatment of preforms (81) and / or containers (82), in particular plastic containers, and / or container lids, comprising the plant (30) a device (80) according to one of the preceding claims, a container manufacturing and / or container treatment plant, in particular a forming device with several forming stations (31) for forming thermally conditioned preforms (81) into containers (82),- 33 - preferably a cleanroom (35), wherein at least a part of the container manufacturing and / or container treatment plant (30) is arranged within the cleanroom (35), wherein in particular the forming stations (31) of the forming device (30) are arranged within the cleanroom (35), preferably a sterile air supply unit (37), wherein the cleanroom (35) is fluidically connectable to the sterile air supply unit (37), wherein the sterile air supply unit (37) and the cleanroom (35) are designed to interact in such a way that sterile air is provided in the cleanroom (35) and an overpressure is generated in the cleanroom (35).
16. System (100) for ejecting preforms (81) and / or containers (82), in particular plastic containers, and / or container lids, the system (100) comprising a device according to any one of claims 1-14 or a system (30) according to claim 15, and an autonomously driving industrial truck (11), wherein the industrial truck (11) is designed to remove the discharge container (10) from the lock chamber (20) through the lock chamber opening (22) and / or to introduce it into the lock chamber (20) through the lock chamber opening (22), wherein the industrial truck (11) preferably has a lifting device (12) designed to lift the discharge container (10), preferably by means of a fork, in particular a pallet fork, and / or a lifting table.
17. System according to the preceding claim, wherein the industrial truck (11) has a sensor arrangement (11a), preferably comprising a camera, wherein the sensor arrangement (11a) is configured to monitor an area spaced away from the industrial truck (11), wherein the sensor arrangement (11a) is preferably configured to to check the position of the discharge container (10), and / or to determine the weight of the discharge container (10) when preforms (81) and / or containers (82) and / or container lids are arranged in the discharge container, and / or to determine the weight of the discharge container (10) when no preforms (81) and / or containers (82) and / or container lids are arranged in the discharge container.- 34 - 18. System according to one of claims 16-17, wherein the conveying vehicle, while the closing element (4) is in the first position, can be arranged completely within the lock chamber (20), and preferably below the discharge container (10).
19. Method (200) for removing preforms (81) and / or containers (82), in particular plastic containers, and / or container lids, preferably from a plant (30) for treating preforms (81) and / or containers (82), in particular plastic containers, and / or container lids, the method (200) comprising the following steps: Providing (210) a device (80) for ejecting preforms (81) and / or containers (82), in particular plastic containers, and / or container lids, preferably a device according to one of claims 1-14, and / or a system according to claim 15 and / or a system according to one of claims 16-18; Branching (220) of preforms (81) and / or containers (82) and / or container lids, from a main movement path (H); guiding (230) the branched preforms (81) and / or containers (82) and / or container lids through a discharge opening (25) into a lock chamber (20) and into a discharge container (10) which is arranged in a receiving area (21) of the lock chamber (20); Adjustment (240) of a locking element (4) of a locking device (V) of the device (80) of o a first position in which the closing element (4) opens the discharge opening (25) and closes the lock chamber opening (22), in o a second position in which the closing element (4) closes the discharge opening (25) of the lock chamber (20) and opens a lock chamber opening (22), Removal (250) of the discharge container (10) through the lock chamber opening (22) from the lock chamber (20) by means of a, preferably autonomously driving, industrial truck (11).
20. Method according to the preceding claim, comprising Inserting (260) the discharge container (10) through the lock chamber opening (22) into the lock chamber (20); and adjusting (270) the closing element (4) from the second position to the first position.
21. Method according to the preceding claim, comprising - Determining (231) a fill level (110) indicating the fill level of preforms (81) and / or containers (82), in particular plastic containers, and / or container lids in the discharge container (10); and preferably preparing (233) for the collection of the discharge container (10) depending on the determined fill level.