DE102008018820A1 - Airlock system for supplying bottles to vacuum chamber and then removing them comprises cups, on to which lids can be fitted, to which bottles are attached, cups being connected to tubular arms to form rotating wheel - Google Patents

Abstract

Airlock system for supplying bottles (3) to a vacuum chamber and then removing them comprises cups (25), on to which lids (23) can be fitted, to which the bottles are attached. The cups are connected to tubular arms (35) to form a rotating wheel and can be opened by lifting the lid or lowering the cup. An independent claim is included for a method for supplying bottles to a vacuum chamber and then removing them by placing them in a cup as described, fitting the lid and evacuating it though the tubular arm before lowering it to allow it to be fed to the vacuum chamber.

Description

The The invention relates to a lock device for continuous Introduction and removal of containers in and out of a vacuum treatment chamber.

such Lock devices are z. B. for vacuum-assisted Coating processes needed to z. B. the gas tightness of PET bottles, which are usually be treated at a negative pressure of about 10 to 40 mbar. A continuous one Injecting or removing is for an economic Manufacturing process indispensable.

A generic lock devices is z. B. from the EP 0943699 B1 known. This lock comprises a carousel housing with a rotatably mounted in this lock chamber wheel in the circumference lock chambers are provided with openings for loading and unloading of containers to be hauled.

The Carousel housing includes suction port for evacuating the Lock chambers separated by circumferential seals on the lock wheel are atmospherically sealed. The lock chambers between the loading station or the unloading station in the outer space and the evacuated treatment room form a differential pressure stage, the lock chamber pressure circulating in the direction of the treatment room from that usually prevailing in the outer space atmospheric pressure on the prevailing in the treatment room Negative pressure decreases.

These However, arrangement has the disadvantage that for the differential Pressure stage several suction devices are needed and that the evacuation of individual chambers limited to the period is to which the opening of each chamber over a suction opening is located. Thus, the evacuation time by the size of the chamber and the rotational speed specified. However, it is desirable to know the number of Reduce pressure levels and adjust the evacuation time flexible to be able to.

Of the present invention is based on the object, a generic Lock device to improve so that a continuous Inserting and removing containers in and out of the vacuum coating room in a room with atmospheric pressure without the aforementioned Restrictions is possible.

These Task is with a lock device with the characteristics of Claim 1 and a method according to claim 10 solved. Accordingly, the lock comprises a rotatable lock wheel with several, each of a provided in the lock wheel passage, a lid and a bottom member formed chambers for receiving the container, wherein the chambers individually by lifting the respective lid or by lowering the respective floor element can be opened. The lock also includes at least one provided in the lock wheel and with the chambers associated rotary distributor over which evacuates the chambers can be.

With this arrangement, the chambers on the rotary distributor during a flexibly preselected time duration and be evacuated with only one suction device.

advantageously, the chambers are each via a channel with the rotary distributor connected, and there are shut-off devices provided with which the channels are closed independently can be. Thus, the chambers can be successively evacuate in a controlled manner.

In a favorable embodiment, the shut-off devices controlled with a lift curve. This allows a cost-effective and reliable control.

Preferably Both the lids and the floor elements can be separated be lifted and lowered from each other. this makes possible the loading / unloading of the chambers under normal pressure or negative pressure, during the vacuum range against the normal pressure range is sealed.

Preferably become the covers and the floor elements with at least one lift curve controlled. This allows a cost-effective and reliable control.

Especially It is advantageous if the bottom element as an upward open vessel for receiving a commercial Bottle is formed. As a result, a lowering is unnecessary the container when it is handed over to the bottom of the lock wheel.

Preferably is on the lids each a holder for at least a container provided. This will make the containers lifted when lifting the lid from the chambers.

In a particularly favorable embodiment protrudes the holder with the lid closed under the lock wheel out. This allows easy access during delivery of the container on the underside of the lock wheel.

In a favorable embodiment provided between the covers and the lock wheel and between the floor elements and the lock wheel sealing elements. As a result, the normal pressure range during the container transfer gas-tight sealed against the vacuum region.

The underlying technical problem is further according to the invention by a method for the continuous insertion and removal of Containers with the lock device according to the invention solved, during which the chambers during the evacuation are each closed with the lids and the bottom elements; in which the respective floor element for the transfer of the container is lowered in the vacuum treatment room and the lid closed is; and in which the respective cover for the transfer of Container is raised in an outdoor area and the floor element with the lock wheel seals tightly. This allows a simple container transfer with a continuous sealing of the negative pressure area against the outdoor area.

The Invention will be described below with reference to a preferred and in figures illustrated embodiment described in more detail. Show it:

1 a schematic cross section through a lock device according to the invention with adjacent transfer stars in plan view,

2 a schematic longitudinal section through a portion of the lock device of the invention 1 with closed chamber;

3 a schematic longitudinal section through a portion of the lock device of the invention 1 with a chamber open to the outside;

4 a schematic longitudinal section through a portion of the lock device of the invention 1 with a chamber open to the vacuum region.

1 schematically shows a lock device according to the invention 1 for bottles 3 in which a lock wheel 5 with chambers 7 in the direction of the arrows A-D in a housing 9 is continuously rotated by a motor, not shown. In the portion of the rotary movement symbolized by the arrow A, the bottles are made of a loading and unloading area under normal pressure 11 with the help of the adjacent transfer stars 13 . 15 in the chambers 7 fed and removed after treatment from these again. In section B, those with the bottles 3 equipped chambers 7 evacuated. The bottle transfer before / after the treatment takes place in the section C with the help of the in the vacuum range 17 arranged transfer stars 19 . 21 , In section D, the treated bottles 3 ventilated again.

2 shows a section along the line E through the lock chamber 7 in a state during the evacuation. The chamber 7 is from one in the lock wheel 5 provided passage 22 , a vertically sliding lid 23 and a likewise vertically displaceable floor element 25 educated. Between the lock wheel 5 and the lid 23 or the floor element 25 are around the passage 22 around seals 27 respectively. 29 intended. The outer area of the lock wheel 5 is to the housing 9 out through a seal, not shown, such as. B. a shaft seal, sealed.

One on the lid 23 provided bracket 31 Hold the bottle 3 , In the floor element 25 is a cavity 32 for holding a commercial bottle 3 educated.

A channel 33 connects the chamber 7 with a central rotary distributor 35 where F is the axis of rotation of the lock wheel 5 designated. At the transition between the channel 33 and the rotary distributor 35 is a shut-off device 37 provided with a suitable control, such. B. a (not shown) lift curve is opened.

3 shows the arrangement 2 during bottle delivery at the top loading and unloading area 11 , For this purpose, the lid 23 , and with him the bottle 3 , with the help of a suitable control, such. B. raised a (not shown) lift curve. The valve 37 is closed, and the bottom element 25 seal the chamber 7 downwards.

In an analogous way shows 4 the chamber 7 during the bottle transfer in the vacuum area below 17 , In this case, the floor element becomes 25 but not the bottle 3 , with the help of a suitable control, such. B. a (not shown) lifting curve lowered. The valve 37 is also closed, and the lid 23 seals the vacuum area 17 upwards.

sluice 5 and housing 9 are preferably made of milled steel. However, other materials and manufacturing methods are conceivable. The lid 23 and the floor element 25 can z. B. made of metal or plastic. In deviation to the embodiment shown, the chambers 7 However, do not have a round cross-section and can also be several bottles 3 take up. In this case is on the lid 23 a corresponding number of brackets 31 provided. Similarly, the number of locks in the lock 5 trained chambers 7 of the 1 differ.

Like that 2 and 4 can be seen encloses the bottom element 25 the bottle 3 over its entire height, and the bracket 31 protrudes with the lid closed 23 under the lock wheel 5 out. Thus, the neck of the bottle 3 or the holder 31 after lowering the floor element 25 accessible from the side, allowing easy bottle transfer to / from a transfer star.

The shut-off device 37 is z. As a ball valve, slide or plunger and can both in the channel 33 as well as at its transition to the rotary distributor 35 be arranged. The control of the valve 37 is preferably carried out with a (not shown) lift curve, which opens it at the desired chamber position and closes again. Alternatively, however, servo-controlled slide or ball valves are conceivable or a combination of different controls.

The extraction via the rotary distributor 35 is done with suitable pumps (not shown), wherein in the rotary distributor 35 preferably such pressure prevails that in the chamber 7 immediately before lowering the floor element 25 Approximately the same pressure prevails as in the vacuum range 17 , This causes the pressure in the vacuum area 17 not or only insignificantly influenced by the bottle delivery.

However, it is also possible to use the vacuum area 17 to maintain the chamber at a substantially constant pressure level by continuous suction 7 only to evacuate to an overlying pressure level. When lowering the floor element 25 in the vacuum range 17 then a pressure equalization takes place.

In this case, the higher pressure level in the rotary distributor 35 for a partial ventilation of the chambers 7 during the discharge of the bottles 3 be used by the valves 37 in section D, ie before lifting the lid 23 , opened and closed again. Preferably, the chambers 7 However, passively ventilated by making a connection to the normal pressure outside space during the removal, z. B. by a (not shown) closable opening in the lid 23 or a lockable channel (not shown) in the lock wheel 5 ,

Lifting the lid 23 or the lowering of the floor element 27 via a mechanism, not shown, for. B. cam controlled or with the help of a pneumatic lifting drive.

The seals 25 and 29 can z. B. be designed as O-rings and on the lid 23 , the floor element 29 and / or the lock wheel 5 to be appropriate.

Below we will see the operation of the lock device shown in the embodiment 1 explained.

The lock wheel 5 turns continuously. A bottle to be treated 3 is first with the transfer star 13 to the retaining clip 31 an opened lid 23 pass and the lid 23 then lowered. The floor element 25 closes tight with the lock wheel 5 from. After opening the valve 37 becomes the closed chamber 7 with the bottle 3 evacuated to the target pressure and the valve 37 closed again. After reaching the vacuum area 17 becomes the floor element 25 lowered and the bottle at the transfer star 19 handed over for treatment. The lid 23 remains closed. After treatment, the bottle with the transfer star 21 to a retaining clip 31 passed the closed lid and lifted the floor element again. The closed chamber 7 is then vented, the lid 23 raised again and the treated bottle with the transfer star 15 discharged.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list The documents listed by the applicant have been automated generated and is solely for better information recorded by the reader. The list is not part of the German Patent or utility model application. The DPMA takes over no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• EP 0943699 B1 [0003]

Claims (10)

Lock device ( 1 ) for the continuous loading and unloading of containers ( 3 ) in and out of a vacuum treatment chamber ( 17 ), with a rotatable lock wheel ( 5 ) with a plurality each of a provided in the lock wheel passageway ( 22 ), a lid ( 23 ) and a floor element ( 25 ) formed chambers ( 7 ) for receiving the container, wherein the chambers can be opened individually by lifting the respective lid or by lowering the respective floor element; and at least one rotary distributor provided in the lock wheel and connected to the chambers ( 35 ) over which the chambers can be evacuated. Lock device according to claim 1, characterized in that the chambers ( 7 ) each via a channel ( 33 ) with the rotary distributor ( 35 ) and that shut-off devices ( 37 ) are provided, with which the channels can be closed independently. Lock device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the shut-off devices ( 37 ) are controlled with a lift curve. Lock device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the covers ( 23 ) and the floor elements ( 25 ) can each be raised and lowered separately. Lock device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the covers ( 23 ) and the floor elements ( 25 ) are controlled with at least one lift curve. Lock device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the floor element ( 25 ) as an upwardly open vessel for receiving a commercial bottle ( 3 ) is trained. Lock device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that on the covers ( 23 ) each a holder ( 31 ) for at least one container ( 3 ) is provided. Lock device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the holder ( 31 ) with the lid closed ( 23 ) under the lock wheel ( 5 ) protrudes. Lock device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that between the covers ( 23 ) and the lock wheel ( 5 ) and between the floor elements ( 25 ) and the lock wheel ( 5 ) Sealing elements ( 27 . 29 ) are provided. Method for the continuous loading and unloading of containers with the lock device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - the chambers ( 7 ) during the evacuation with the lids ( 23 ) and the floor elements ( 25 ) are closed; - the floor element ( 25 ) for transferring the containers ( 3 ) in the vacuum treatment room ( 17 ) is lowered and the lid ( 23 ) closed is; and - the lid is lifted to transfer the containers in an outer space and the floor element with the lock wheel ( 5 ) closes tightly.