WO2022053378A1

WO2022053378A1 - Device and method for conveying container closures

Info

Publication number: WO2022053378A1
Application number: PCT/EP2021/074199
Authority: WO
Inventors: Petra Jost; Björn Eckes
Original assignee: Khs Gmbh
Priority date: 2020-09-08
Filing date: 2021-09-02
Publication date: 2022-03-17
Also published as: EP4211061A1; DE102020123373A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (1) for conveying container closures (2), comprising a conveying channel (4), which extends along a main axis (HA). The conveying channel has at least one sliding surface (11), which forms a channel bottom, and at least a first and a second guiding surface (5, 6), which are disposed opposite one another laterally along the channel bottom. The device (1) comprises a discharging apparatus (3) for discharging the container closures (2) from the conveying channel (4). According to the invention, the discharging apparatus (3) has at least one slide assembly (7) having at least one linearly movable slide element (8). The slide element (8) can be moved from at least one first, closed position (P1) into at least one second, open position (P2). In the first, closed position (P1), the slide element (8) forms a guiding surface portion (5a) as part of the first guiding surface (5). In the second, open position (P2), the slide element (8) opens the conveying channel (4) laterally and unblocks a lateral exit region (9) for the container closures (2).

Description

Device and method for conveying container closures

The invention relates to a device and a method for conveying container closures, in particular cap-like closures for closing beverage containers, such as screw caps or crown caps.

Devices for conveying container closures are well known from the prior art and are used, for example, in container treatment plants, in particular in beverage bottling plants, as feed devices for feeding the cap-like closures to a closing machine.

Such devices, which exist in a wide variety of designs, basically comprise a transport or conveying channel that receives the container closures during transport or during the conveying process, with the conveying channel being preceded by a closure feed, for example, via which the container closures enter the conveying channel. For example, the container closures are removed or picked up by a so-called sorting plant from a store, for example in an unordered quantity, and transferred to the conveyor device in such a way that the container closures enter the conveyor channel in a predetermined orientation.

Since, despite this alignment and pre-orientation of the container closures via the sorting system, it cannot be ruled out with absolute certainty that individual container closures with the wrong orientation get into the conveyor channel, conveyor devices have become known from the prior art that allow incorrectly oriented container closures to be ejected from the conveyor channel enable. An example of such a device for ejecting container closures is given in WO 2008/022735 A1.

As a rule, the conveying channel or its cross-section is adapted to the dimension or

Shape adapted to the closures to be conveyed. For example, the conveying channel has an essentially rectangular cross-sectional shape and is thus dimensioned oned that the container closures to be conveyed come into contact with their upper side and with side sections on a bottom or on walls of the conveying channel, and are thus guided, in particular forcibly guided, transported.

The conveying channel of a corresponding device for conveying the container closures for supply to a capping machine is usually quite long and can therefore accommodate a large number of container closures. The length of the conveying channel is typically such that at least 160 container closures are accommodated in the conveying channel, particularly in the case of crown corks to be supplied. Under certain circumstances it may be necessary to transport or discharge the container closures received in the conveying channel out of the conveying channel, e.g. due to a planned cleaning of the system or the conveying channel and/or due to a planned change of the closures.

For this purpose, the container closures are usually conveyed out of the conveyor channel by a "dry run" or an "idle run" of the container treatment system. This causes unnecessary wear and additional energy consumption. In addition, the container caps cannot be collected when running dry, so the container caps fall on the ground and therefore cannot be reused for reasons of hygiene.

From WO 2017/174451 A1, for example, it is also known to provide an outlet flap on the conveyor channel that can be pivoted by means of a rotary joint for emptying the conveyor channel. In the case of limited spatial accessibility and/or under spatially restricted conditions, the pivoting of the outlet flap, which is only possible manually, can lead to problems for reasons of space. In addition, the container closures that fall out can only be collected with difficulty or not at all for reuse.

The object of the present invention is therefore to provide an improved device for conveying container closures, which eliminates the disadvantages of the solutions known from the prior art and which, with a simple structural design and easier operation, allows the conveying channel to be emptied and, in particular, works in an energy-saving and resource-saving manner . The present invention solves the problem by a device with the features of claim 1 and by a method with the features of claim 19. The invention also relates to a container treatment system according to claim 18. Advantageous developments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims. All of the features described are fundamentally the subject matter of the invention, either individually or in any combination, regardless of how they are summarized in the claims or how they relate back to them. Furthermore, the features or combinations of features contained in the patent claims are declared to be part of the description.

The invention provides a device for conveying container closures, in particular crown corks, which comprises a conveying channel extending along a main axis with at least one sliding surface forming a channel bottom and with at least one first and one second guide surface, the guide surfaces being opposite one another laterally along the channel bottom are arranged. The device has a diverting device for diverting the container closures from the conveying channel. According to a particular aspect of the invention, the diversion device comprises at least one slide arrangement with at least one linearly movable slide element, wherein the slide element can be moved from at least a first, closed position into at least a second, open position, and wherein the slide element has a guide surface section in the first, closed position forms part of the first guide surface and in the second, open position opens the conveying channel laterally and thereby releases a lateral outlet area for the container closures.

The present device, which is used for example as a system part, in particular as an integrated system part in a complex container treatment system, particularly advantageously enables simple and effective emptying of the conveying channel by means of particularly easy operation, namely by linear displacement of the slide element, due to the diversion device provided on the conveying channel. Here, the lateral discharge of the container closures via the lateral outlet area takes place in such a targeted and directed manner that the container closures locks leave the conveyor channel at the predefined point, in particular in a sufficiently ordered manner so that the container closures can optionally be collected particularly advantageously when exiting the conveyor channel, for example by means of a collection container.

In the understanding of the present invention, the first guide surface is designed in several parts and composed of several sections or parts, the guide surface section formed by the slide element being to be regarded as a part or as a section of the first guide surface, in particular of the combined or entire first guide surface. The second guide surface can be in one piece or in several pieces. For example, strip-shaped components extending parallel to the main axis are arranged laterally on the duct base and, in relation to the main axis, opposite one another, with these strip-shaped components forming the respective guide surfaces with their sides or surfaces facing one another.

The width of the conveying channel preferably corresponds essentially to the diameter of the container closures to be conveyed. As a result, the container closures can be transported in the conveying channel with little or no lateral play along the main axis. In the present case, the width of the conveying channel is to be understood as the distance between the first and the second guide surface.

Preferably, the guide surface section of the first guide surface formed by the slide element has a longitudinal extent which corresponds approximately to two to three times the diameter of the container closures to be conveyed or two to three times the width of the conveying channel. Thus, an opening width of the outlet area, which is to be understood as a lateral opening of the conveying channel, is approximately as wide as two to three container closures arranged one behind the other in a row. This ensures that the container closures emerge unhindered or without jamming or blocking, but in particular in an orderly manner. This also makes it possible for the container closures to fall out of the conveying channel by themselves, ie only due to gravity or the dynamic pressure of container closures located further up and in particular without the action of an ejection device (a so-called “pusher”). The conveying channel in the sense of the present invention is designed essentially in the form of a trough or channel, with a receiving space in which the container closures are accommodated for the purpose of conveying preferably having a rectangular or approximately rectangular cross section. The cross section of the receiving space is adapted to the dimensions of the container closures, in particular crown caps, so that these are transported in a conveying direction in a sliding manner in the conveying channel, contacting the sliding surface forming the channel bottom and the guide surfaces forming the lateral walls, with the container closures being particularly in are oriented in a predetermined manner and rest with their upper side on the bottom of the channel. The conveying channel has, for example, an appropriate length so that it can accommodate at least approximately 160 container closures, in particular lined up in a row. In the present case, the conveying channel can also be referred to as a transport channel or guide channel.

With the present invention, advantageously only very few container closures (e.g. approx. 20 pieces) need to be conveyed out of the conveyor channel via a dry run of the container treatment system, in particular via a dry run of a closure device downstream of the device, and only those container closures that are in the conveyor channel are already located in an area downstream of the diverting device in the conveying direction. All other container closures (e.g. at least 140 pieces) are ejected via the rejection device and preferably collected with a collection unit that is optionally provided with the rejection device, so that these container closures can be reused. To this end, it is particularly advantageous for the diversion device to be arranged as close as possible to an outlet end of the conveying channel in order to keep the number of container closures “to be emptied via dry running” as low as possible.

The present device thus not only makes it particularly easy to empty the conveying channel, but also significantly reduces the number of closures that are brought out via a "dry run", which means less wear, lower energy consumption and the possible reuse of the discharged closures. locks go hand in hand. In particular, the device can be produced in a structurally simple manner and at low cost, since standard parts and simple components such as bent sheet metal parts, bent pipes and the like can be used. In addition to simple assembly, this also offers a wide range of possible uses, since the device is not limited to special versions and materials of container closures.

Advantageously, the linearly movable slide element can be moved by means of a sliding movement in a sliding direction from the first, closed position to the at least second, open position, with the sliding direction running at an acute angle or at a right or essentially right angle to the main axis of the conveying channel. Depending on the application, in particular taking into account the spatial conditions and/or the arrangement and design of the entire container treatment system in which the present device is integrated, it can be advantageous if the sliding direction is selected so that the movable slide element is vertical or but is shifted at an acute angle to the conveying channel. In the case of displacement with the sliding direction at an acute angle to the main axis, the angle is, for example, in a range from 45° to 75°, preferably in a range from 50° to 70° and particularly preferably around 60° or around 65°.

Depending on the selection of the sliding direction, the sliding element is advantageously adapted in terms of its geometric configuration, in particular its geometric shape, in order to ensure for the respective selected sliding direction that the first, closed position and the second, open position are in the defined manner, as described above , can be taken.

According to a preferred embodiment variant, the slide arrangement comprises at least one holding means for displaceably holding the slide element, the slide element being fastened to the conveying channel in a displaceable manner via the holding means. For example, the holding means is designed in the form of a fastening rail or fastening strip, which is preferably fixed to the back of the conveying channel, namely to a rear surface of the component forming the channel floor that faces away from the receiving space for receiving the container closures with which a fastening means provided on the slide element interacts in such a way that a displacement of the slide element held on the conveying channel via the holding means is possible.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the slider arrangement comprises at least one slider guide for guiding the slider element and/or at least one fixing or locking means for fixing the slider element in at least the first, closed position and the second, open position. In addition, it can be ensured in a particularly advantageous manner that the sliding movement in the specified sliding direction can be carried out precisely and correctly and at least the first and second position of the sliding element can be secured.

Very particularly preferably, the diversion device has a collecting unit for collecting container closures emerging from the outlet area. As a result, an effective, quantitative collection of the discharged, emerging container closures can take place via the collection unit provided in the discharge device. In particular, the collecting unit ensures that the container closures that occur as a result of the emptying of the conveying channel, namely those that emerge from the conveying channel, can be collected for complete reuse, which is why the device makes a significant contribution to avoiding waste and is therefore conducive to resource-saving operation.

Particular advantages result from the fact that the collecting unit has at least one collecting tube piece with a collecting mouth, the collecting tube piece being arranged and aligned relative to the conveying channel in such a way that the collecting mouth of the collecting tube piece faces the outlet area for the container closures formed when the slide element is in the open position. The positioning of the collecting mouth of the collecting tube piece relative to the outlet area of the conveying channel is selected in such a way that the container closures emerging or falling out of the outlet area can be collected safely, in particular in full. Within the meaning of the present invention, the catching pipe section can be channel-shaped or tubular, in which case, in addition to a pipe body, a channel body or a part-pipe with only a part-circumferential pipe wall are to be understood as a catching pipe section. Preferably, another element, for example a flexible hose or another tube, can be provided and attached to the piece of collecting pipe, in particular at its end opposite the collecting mouth, to which the collected container closures are forwarded and from which the container closures can be transported, for example, into a collection or reservoir reach.

In this case, the collecting unit is preferably adjustable, in particular adjustable in height and/or angle, arranged on the conveying channel, for which purpose in particular at least one adjustable support element is provided for supporting at least the piece of collecting pipe. As a result, flexible adaptation is possible in particular.

The sliding surface forming the channel base is designed in particular for the sliding contact of an upper side of the container closures. Alternatively or additionally, the first and the second guide surface each form a wall section of the conveying channel and are designed for sliding contact with a side surface of the container closures. For example, the sliding surface and/or the guide surfaces can, at least in sections, comprise a material with low frictional resistance or with a low coefficient of friction or a sliding material or consist of such a material.

According to a preferred embodiment variant, the linearly movable slide element can be actuated manually and can be moved between the first closed and the second open position by means of a manually executed sliding movement. In this preferred variant, the structural design is particularly simple and it can be operated without tools.

Likewise preferably, the linearly movable slide element can alternatively also be actuated in an automated manner and can be moved between the first, closed and the second, open position by means of an automated sliding movement. For this purpose, the diversion device preferably has a drive which interacts with the slide element, in particular a working cylinder. This is designed in particular to carry out the sliding movement for moving the sliding element between the first, closed position and the second, open position. Very particularly preferably, the linearly movable slide element can be moved in a controlled manner, the drive, in particular the working cylinder, being controllable via a control device provided in the device and being in communication with the control device for this purpose.

The conveying channel is preferably designed as a conveying chute, which conveys the container closures due to the acting force of gravity.

According to an advantageous embodiment variant, the slide element has a base body, the first side of which forms the guide surface section and the second side of which is arranged opposite the first side in relation to a base body axis, the first side being oriented parallel or at an angle to the second side. A slide element in this preferred embodiment with a second side running obliquely, namely with opposite sides not oriented parallel to one another, is particularly advantageously suitable for a sliding movement with a sliding direction running at an angle to the main axis, it being possible to ensure in this way that the first side of the slide element forming the guide surface section in the first, closed position can be integrated flush into the first guide surface, so that all sections of the guide surface are flush with one another.

In the area of the second side of the base body, a protruding base body section is preferably provided, which is thicker or stronger than a base section of the base body. The projecting main body section has a second thickness that is greater than a first thickness of the base section. The cantilevered base body section is particularly preferably equipped with bores for the sliding accommodation of the slider guide. The present invention also relates to a container treatment system comprising at least one capper for capping containers with container caps and a device connected to the capper for conveying the container caps to the capper. The device for conveying the container closures is designed and set up as described above in connection with the device.

The present invention also relates to a method for conveying container closures, in particular crown corks, in which the container closures are conveyed in a conveying direction in a conveying channel, which extends along a main axis, of a device for conveying container closures, the container closures sliding on a sliding surface forming a channel base abut and are guided laterally via at least one first and second guide surface, which are arranged opposite one another laterally along the channel floor. In the method, the container closures for emptying the conveyor channel are diverted by means of a diverting device provided for diverting the container closures from the conveyor channel. According to a particular aspect of the invention, in order to divert the container closures, a slide element of a slide arrangement of the diverting device is moved from a first, closed position to a second, open position by means of a linear sliding movement, and the conveying channel is thereby opened laterally and a lateral outlet area for the container closures is released . In the method, the container closures, in particular crown caps, are preferably conveyed in a predetermined orientation, in particular in an orientation in which the top side of the container closures rests slidingly on the sliding surface. The particular advantages of the method are reflected in the advantages already explained above in connection with the device.

According to a preferred embodiment variant, the container closures emerging laterally from the outlet area are caught by means of a collecting unit of the diverting device.

The sliding element is preferably moved from the first, closed position to the second, open position by means of a linear sliding movement in a sliding direction Moved position, wherein the sliding direction runs at an acute angle or at a right or substantially right angles to the main axis of the conveying channel. The slide element can be moved manually or automatically.

In an advantageous embodiment variant, several, preferably all, container closures located within the conveying channel above the outlet area in the closed state of the slide arrangement are discharged from the conveying channel via the outlet area after the outlet area has been released. Particularly preferably, the container closures are discharged without the action of an ejection device (a so-called “pusher”), but only due to the force of gravity or the dynamic pressure of the container closures located further up.

For the purposes of the invention, the term “substantially” or “roughly” or “about” means deviations from the respective exact value by at most +/-10%, preferably by at most +/-5%, and/or deviations in shape changes that are irrelevant to the function.

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the figures of exemplary embodiments. Show it:

Fig. 1 a shown schematically in a perspective view

Design variant of a device for conveying container closures with a closed slide element,

Fig. 1b schematically shows a perspective view of the embodiment of the device of Figure 1a with an open slide element,

Fig. 2 schematically shown in a front view an alternative

Design variant of a device for conveying container closures with an open slide element, 3 shows a schematic front view of the embodiment of the device from FIG. 2 with a closed slide element,

Fig. 4 schematically shows an embodiment variant of a slide element in a plan view of a front surface side,

Fig. 5a is a schematic perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a slide element,

Fig. 5b is a plan view of a second side of the slide element

figure 5a,

6a, 6b roughly schematically outlines a rear view of an embodiment variant of a slide arrangement fastened to the conveying channel in different positions,

7a, 7b roughly schematically outlines a rear view of an alternative embodiment variant of a slide arrangement fastened to the conveying channel in different positions,

8a, 8b roughly schematically outlines a rear view of a further alternative embodiment variant of a slide arrangement fastened to the conveying channel in different positions and

9a, 9b each show a roughly schematic sketch of a rear view of yet another alternative embodiment variant of a slide arrangement fastened to the conveying channel in different positions.

The device for conveying container closures 2, which is generally designated by the reference numeral 1 in the figures, serves in particular to guide and to Transport of container closures 2, in particular screw caps or crown caps for beverage containers, and is used, for example, in bottling plants, such as beverage bottling plants, for feeding the container closures 2 to a capping machine that is not specified and not shown. The device 1 is in this case connected to the closing machine or the closing machine and can therefore also be understood as part of a complex system, in particular a container treatment system, for example a filling system.

FIGS. 1a and 1b show a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment variant of the device 1 for conveying container closures 2 in different operating or working states or positions, based on a respective schematic representation.

In the example of Figures 1 a and 1 b, the device 1 has a conveyor channel 4 which extends along a main axis HA and is designed to guide and slide in a large number of container closures 2, which forms a receiving space for receiving the container closures 2, the im Substantially rectangular cross-section is adapted to the shape and dimensions of the container closures 2 to be transported or to be guided and to be promoted. For the guiding and sliding reception of the container closures 2, the conveying channel 4 comprises at least one sliding surface 11 forming a channel bottom on which in particular an upper side of the container closures 2 or an upper outer surface of the container closures 2 comes into sliding contact, as well as at least one first and second guide surface 5, 6 , which--in relation to the main axis HA--are arranged opposite one another laterally along the channel floor and essentially extend along the main axis HA.

The first and the second guide surface 5, 6 each form a lateral wall section of the conveying channel 4 and are designed for sliding and guiding abutment of a lateral surface of the container closures 2. As can be seen from FIGS. 1a, 1b, the first guide surface 5 comprises a number of sections or parts and is therefore to be understood as a multi-part, composite surface. Container closures 2 received in the conveying channel 4 in the correct orientation thus lie with their tops slidingly on the sliding surface 11, sections of their side surface come into contact with the lateral guide surfaces 5, 6 of the conveying channel 4 and are oriented in a direction along the main axis HA during normal operation Funded conveying direction FR, in particular from an inlet side 4.1 of the conveyor channel 4 to its outlet side 4.2. The conveying channel 4 has, for example, such an overall length that approximately at least 150 to 160 container closures 2 are accommodated in a row one behind the other, in particular container closure 2 on container closure 2, ie with mutual contact, between the inlet side 4.1 and the outlet side 4.1.

For the purpose of emptying the conveyor channel 4, for example because of a planned cleaning of the system or the conveyor channel 4 and/or because of a planned change in the type or type of closure, the device 1 comprises a diverting device 3 for diverting the container closures 2 from the conveyor channel 4.

The diversion device 3 has at least one slide arrangement 7 with at least one linearly movable slide element 8, the slide element 8 being movable from at least one first, closed position P1 shown in Figure 1a to at least one second, open position P2 shown in Figure 1b. namely by means of a linear sliding movement. In the example of FIGS. 1a, 1b, the slide element 8 is arranged laterally on the guide channel 4, specifically on a first side of the guide channel 4 on which the first guide surface 5 runs.

In the first, closed position P1 (Figure 1a), the slide element 8 of the slide arrangement 7 forms a guide surface section 5a as part of the first guide surface 5 and thus also defines a section or area of the wall in this first position P1, in particular a wall section of the conveying channel 4. The slide element 8 has a base body, through the first side 8.1 of which the guide surface section 5a is formed. With reference to Figures 4 and 5a, 5b, the slide element 8 is described in more detail below. In the case of the slide arrangement 7 of the diversion device 3 , at least one holding means 12 for the displaceable holding of the slide element 8 on the conveying channel 4 is also provided. In the example shown in Figures 1a, 1b, in which the slide element 8 is designed for manual operation, the holding means 12 is in the form of a fastening rail or fastening strip with a slot-like opening, in particular a slot, and acts to connect to the Base body of the slide element 8 with a fastener 19 (see, for example, Figures 6a, 6b) together. For example, a fastening screw that engages in a threaded hole in the base body of the slide element 8 passes through the elongated hole in the fastening strip 12. Alternatively, a protruding fastening bolt connected to the base body of the slide element 8 can be passed through the elongated hole and secured with a nut, for example a wing nut.

The holding means 12 is fastened to the rear on a rear or rear surface 17 of the component of the conveying channel 4 that forms the channel bottom, as particularly shown in FIGS. 6a and 6b in more detail. In turn, the slide element 8 is slidably fastened to the conveying channel 4 via the holding means 12, with the fastening means 19 allowing the slide element 8 to be fixed or locked in at least the first, closed position P1 and the second, open position P2 and therefore at the same time a locking or locking means forms.

Due to the displaceable fastening of the slide element 8, this can be moved linearly and can be moved from the first, closed position P1 into the at least second, open position P2 by means of a linear sliding movement in a sliding direction SR. It goes without saying that the slide element 8 can be moved vice versa from the second, open position P2 to the first, closed position P1 by means of a sliding movement in a sliding direction SR′ opposite to the sliding direction SR. In the example of FIGS. 1a and 1b, the sliding direction SR and the opposite sliding direction SR′ run at a right or essentially right angle a′ to the main axis HA of the conveying channel 4.

In order to facilitate the sliding movements and, in particular, to enable an accurate and correct shifting in the sliding directions SR, SR', Slider arrangement 7 of the diverting device 3 is also provided with at least one slide guide 13 for guiding the slide element 8 . In the example shown, the slider guide 13 is designed in the form of two elongate, cylindrical guide bodies or guide rod Z-bars arranged essentially parallel to one another, which are slidably received in corresponding bores 18 (see FIG. 5b) in the base body of the slider element 8 in such a way that that the pusher element 8 is guided and slidably movable along the guide rods.

In the second, open position P2 (Figure 1 b), which can also be referred to as the open position or release position or diverting position, the slide element 8 opens the conveying channel 4 laterally and releases a lateral outlet area 9 for the container closures 2, in that due to the sliding movement of the Slider element 8 is moved away or removed from the main axis HA of the conveying channel 4 in the sliding direction SR of the guide surface section 5a. As a result, there is no lateral guidance by the guide surface section 5a of the first guide surface 5 on a longitudinal section of the conveying channel 4, namely in the outlet area 9. This longitudinal section or the outlet area 9 extends in particular over a length which is approximately two to corresponds to three times the diameter of a container closure 2, so that there is no lateral guidance for about two to three consecutive container closures 2, which is why the container closures 2 fall out on this length section of the conveying channel 4, namely in the outlet area 9, in particular due to the dynamic pressure of the overlying or in Container closures 2 running behind in the conveying direction FR. All container closures 2 that follow in the conveying direction FR or lie above them slide down, for example following gravity, and also fall out until the conveying channel 4 has emptied.

The container closures 2 falling laterally out of the conveying channel 4 via the outlet area 9 are collected for possible reuse, for which purpose the diverting device 3 also has a collection unit 10 for catching container closures 2 emerging from the outlet area 9 . In the example shown, the collecting unit 10 comprises at least one collecting tube piece 14 with a collecting catcher mouth 15, whereby the catcher tube piece 14 is arranged and aligned relative to the conveying channel 4 in such a way that the collector mouth 15 of the catcher tube piece 14 faces the outlet region 9 for the container closures 2 formed when the slide element 8 is in the open position P2 in such a way that the container closures 2 falling out are Collecting mouth 15 are added and introduced into the collecting pipe section 14.

The collecting unit 10 is adjustable, in particular adjustable in height and/or angle, arranged on the conveying channel 4 and for this purpose fastened to the conveying channel 4 via an adjustable support element 16 . The adjustable support element 16 is provided at least for supporting the catch tube piece 14 and can, for example, have clamping jaws 16.1, via which the height and angle of the catch tube piece 14 can be adjusted. Although not shown in the figures, a flexible hose or another tube can be attached to the collecting tube piece 14, in particular to the end of the collecting tube piece 14 facing away from the collecting mouth 15. The collected container closures 2 can thus be collected for reuse and placed in a collection or storage container, not shown.

With the present device 1, when the conveyor channel 4 is emptied, only those container closures 2 that are located after the outlet area 9 in the conveying direction FR have to be moved out via an idling of the conveyor channel 4 or the capper, so that with the present device 1 almost all container closures 2 can be collected and then reused. The diversion device 3 is therefore expediently arranged as close as possible to the outlet side 4.2 of the conveying channel 4 and is particularly preferably arranged in a section of the conveying channel 4 adjoining the outlet side 4.2.

Figures 2 and 3 show an example of a further embodiment of the device 1 using a respective schematic front view, again in different operating or working states or positions, with the slide element 8 in Figure 2 in the second, open position P2 and in Figure 3 is shown in the first, closed position P1. The embodiment of Figures 2 and 3 differs from that of Figures 1 a and 1 b essentially by the design of the slide element 8. According to the example of Figures 2 and 3, this is also designed and set up for manual operation, but it can are shifted by means of a shifting movement in a shifting direction SR, which encloses an acute angle a with the main axis HA of the conveying channel 4 . Due to the sliding direction SR running obliquely to the main axis HA, the guide surface section 5a formed by the first side 8.1 of the base body also runs in the slide element 8 at an acute angle to the sliding direction SR, which in the example shown is equal to the angle a, so that the guide surface section 5a is parallel runs to the main axis HA.

4 shows a top view of a front surface side 8a of a preferred embodiment of a slide element 8 for use in a diversion device 3 according to the example in FIGS. 2 and 3, in which the sliding direction SR for sliding the slide element 8 runs obliquely to the main axis HA. The first side 8.1 of the base body, which forms the guide surface section 5a, is oriented obliquely to a base body axis GA in this exemplary slide element 8. A second side 8.2 of the base body opposite the first side 8.1 is aligned essentially parallel to the base body axis GA and is therefore also oriented obliquely to the first side 8.1. In the example shown, the sliding direction SR for sliding the slide element 8 runs essentially perpendicularly to the main body axis GA.

Not visible in Figure 4, a section of the base body, in particular a projecting base body section 8.3 (see Figure 5a), is thicker or thicker in the area of the second side 8.2 and has a greater thickness than a base section in the area of the first side 8.1 . In this thicker or stronger section of the base body in the area of the second side 8.2, the openings or bores 18 for accommodating the slide guide 13 are also provided in particular (but not visible in FIG. 4). The holding means 12 for the displaceable attachment of the slide element 8 to the conveying channel 4 is fixed to a rear surface side of the main body opposite to the front surface side 8a. For this purpose, for example, a threaded hole is introduced for engaging the fastening screw, or a threaded bolt protruding from the rear surface side and interacting with a nut is fastened there.

Figures 5a and 5b show an alternative embodiment of a slide element 8 for use in a diversion device 3 according to the example of Figures 1a and 1b, in which the sliding direction SR for moving the slide element 8 runs perpendicular to the main axis HA. FIG. 5a is a perspective view of the slide element 8, which shows in particular that the first and second side 8.1, 8.2 here run parallel to one another and parallel to the main body axis GA. It is also clear from FIG. 5a that the base body has, in the area of the second side 8.2, a protruding base body section 8.3 that is enlarged in terms of its thickness or strength, which protrudes from a base section 8.4 of the base body. A second thickness d2 of the projecting base body section 8.3 is greater than a first thickness d1 of the base section 8.4. The openings or bores 18 for receiving the slider guide 13 are formed in this cantilevered base body section 8.3. FIG. 5b shows a plan view of the second side 8.2, so that the openings or bores 18 for receiving the slider guide 13 are also visible here.

In principle, it applies to all slide elements 8 described above that at least the first side 8.1 forming the guide surface section 5a consists of a durable but low-friction material, which allows the container closures 2 to slide more easily. It goes without saying that the material for producing the slide elements 8 is a material that can be used in the food and beverage industry, that meets the required cleaning and hygiene standards and has sufficient resistance to cleaning agents and disinfectants.

FIGS. 6a, 6b and 7a, 7b each show rear views of slide assemblies 7 attached to the conveying channel 4, which are each set up for manual operation, with the slide direction SR for moving the slide element 8 perpendicularly to the main axis HA and, according to FIGS. 7a, 7b, at an acute angle a to the main axis HA. The sliding element 8 shown in different positions P1, P2 is slidably fastened by means of the holding means 12 to the rear or rear surface 17 of the part of the conveying channel 4 forming the channel bottom.

The holding means 12 embodied as a fastening strip interacts with the fastening means 19 which is passed through the elongated hole in the holding means 12 . The fastening means 19, in the example shown a fastening screw 19, determines the slide element 8 in the first or in the second position P1, P2 when tightened. To move the sliding element 8, the fastening screw 19 is first loosened somewhat so that the sliding movement is possible. After the displacement, the fastening screw 19 is tightened again for renewed locking or fixing.

Figures 8a, 8b and 9a, 9b each show rear views of slide assemblies 7 attached to the conveying channel 4 according to alternative embodiments, which are each set up for automated actuation, with the slide direction SR for moving the slide element 8 being vertical according to Figures 8a, 8b to the main axis HA and, according to FIGS. 9a, 9b, at an acute angle a to the main axis HA.

The slider element 8, shown in different positions P1, P2, is also fastened on the back to the rear or rear surface 17 of the part of the conveying channel 4 that forms the channel bottom so that it can be displaced. For automated actuation, in particular for automated displacement of the slide element 8 , the diversion device 3 has a drive, in particular a working cylinder 20 , which interacts with the slide element 8 . This is designed in particular to carry out the sliding movement for moving the sliding element 8 between the first, closed and the second, open position P1, P2, preferably in a controlled manner. The diversion device 3, in particular the working cylinder, is for such a controlled automated actuation 20 can be controlled via a control device provided in the device 1, but not shown in the figures, and is in communication with the control device for this purpose.

Reference List

1 device for conveying container closures

2 container closure

3 rejection device

4 conveyor channel

4.1 Inlet Side

4.2 Discharge Side

5 first guide surface

5a guide surface section

6 second guide surface

7 slider assembly

8 slide element

8.1 first page

8.2 second page

8.3 Body Section

8.4 Base Section

8a front surface side

9 outlet area

10 collection unit

11 sliding surface

12 holding means

13 slider guide

14 catch tube section

15 collection muzzle

16 support element

16.1 Jaw

17 back surface

18 bore

19 fasteners

20 working cylinder a, a 'angle d1, d2 first and second thickness FR conveying direction

GA body axis

HA main axis

P1 first, closed position P2 second, open position

SR, SR' sliding direction

Claims

patent claims

1. Device (1) for conveying container closures (2), comprising a conveying channel (4) extending along a main axis (HA) with at least one sliding surface (11) forming a channel bottom and with at least one first and one second guide surface (5, 6), which are arranged opposite one another on the side along the channel floor, the device (1) comprising a diverting device (3) for diverting the container closures (2) out of the conveying channel (4), characterized in that the diverting device (3) has at least one slide arrangement (7) with at least one linearly movable slide element (8), wherein the slide element (8) can be moved from at least a first, closed position (P1) into at least a second, open position (P2) and wherein the slide element (8) in the first, closed position (P1) forms a guide surface section (5a) as part of the first guide surface (5) and in the second, open position (P2) laterally opens the conveying channel (4) and releases a lateral outlet area (9) for the container closures (2).

2. Device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the linearly movable slide element (8) can be moved from the first closed position (P1) into the second open position (P2) by means of a sliding movement in a sliding direction (SR), wherein the sliding direction (SR) runs at an acute angle (a) to the main axis (HA) of the feed channel (4) or at right angles or essentially at right angles to the main axis (HA) of the feed channel (4).

3. Device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the slide arrangement (7) comprises at least one holding means (12) for the slidable holding of the slide element (8), the slide element (8) being displaceable via the holding means (12). attached to the conveying channel (4). Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the slider arrangement (7) has at least one slider guide (13) for guiding the slider element (8) and/or at least one fixing or locking means for fixing the slider element (8) in at least the first, closed and the second, open position (P1, P2). Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the diversion device (3) has a collecting unit (10) for collecting container closures (2) emerging from the outlet area (9). Device (1) according to Claim 5, characterized in that the collecting unit (10) has at least one collecting tube piece (14) with a collecting mouth (15), the collecting tube piece (14) being arranged and aligned relative to the conveying channel (4) in such a way that the collecting mouth (15) of the collecting tube piece (14) faces the outlet region (9) for the container closures (2) formed when the slide element (8) is in the open position (P2). Device (1) according to Claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the collecting unit (10) is arranged in an adjustable manner, in particular adjustable in height and/or angle, on the conveying channel (4) and, for this purpose, at least one adjustable support element (16) for supporting at least of the catch tube section (14) is provided. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the guide surface section (5a) formed by the slide element (8) of the first guide surface (5) has a longitudinal extent which is approximately two to three times the diameter of the container closures ( 2) or two to three times the width of the conveyor channel (4). Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first and the second guide surface (5, 6) each form a wall section of the conveying channel (4) and are designed for sliding contact with a side surface of the container closures (2). Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the linearly movable slide element (8) can be actuated manually and can be moved between the first closed and the second open position (P1, P2) by means of a manually executed sliding movement. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the linearly movable slide element (8) can be actuated automatically and can be moved between the first, closed and the second, open position (P1, P2) by means of an automated sliding movement . Device (1) according to Claim 11, characterized in that the diverting device (3) for the automated actuation of the slide element (8) has a drive which interacts with the slide element (8), in particular a working cylinder (20), which is designed to execute the sliding movement for moving the sliding element (8) between the first, closed and the second, open position (P1, P2). Device (1) according to Claim 12, characterized in that the linearly movable slide element (8) can be moved in a controlled manner, the drive being controllable via a control device provided in the device and being in communication with the control device. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the conveyor channel (4) is designed as a conveyor chute, which promotes the container closures (2) due to the acting gravity. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the slide element (8) has a base body with at least one first and second side (8.1, 8.2), the first side (8.1) of the base body forming the guide surface section (5a). and wherein the second side (8.2) lying opposite the first side (8.1) with respect to a main body axis (GA) runs obliquely or parallel to the first side (8.1). Device (1) according to Claim 15, characterized in that the base body has a cantilevered base body section (8.3) in the region of the second side (8.2), the cantilevered base body section (8.3) having a second thickness (d2) which is greater than a first thickness (D1) of a base section (8.4) of the base body is enlarged. Device (1) according to claim 16, characterized in that the cantilevered base body section (8.3) is equipped with bores for slidingly receiving the slider guide (13). Container treatment system comprising a closure device for closing containers with container closures (2) and a device (1) connected to the closure device for conveying the container closures (2) to the closure device, characterized in that the device (1) for conveying the container closures (2) is formed according to one of the preceding claims. Method for conveying container closures (2), in particular crown corks, in which the container closures (2) are conveyed in a conveying channel (4) extending along a main axis (HA) of a device (1) for conveying container closures (2) in a conveying direction ( FR) are conveyed, with the container closures (2) sliding against a sliding surface (11) forming a channel floor and being guided laterally via at least one first and one second guide surface (5, 6), which are arranged opposite one another along the channel floor, and in which the container closures (2) for emptying the conveying channel (4) are discharged from the conveying channel (4) by means of a discharge device (3) of said device (1), characterized in that for discharging the container closures (2) a slide element ( 8) a slide arrangement (7) of the diversion device (3) by means of a linear sliding movement from a first, closed position (P1) is moved into a second, open position (P2) and thereby the conveying channel (4) is opened laterally and a lateral outlet area (9) for the container closures (2) is released. Method according to Claim 19, characterized in that the container closures (2) emerging laterally from the outlet region (9) are caught by means of a collection unit (10) of the discharge device (3). Method according to Claim 19 or 20, characterized in that several, preferably all, container closures (2) located in the closed state of the slide arrangement (7) within the conveying channel (4) above the outlet area (9) after the outlet area (9) has been released discharged from the conveying channel (4) via the outlet area (9).