DE102012221804A1 - Transport device for plastic containers or preform, has motor drive with drive shaft, which actuates rotationally carrier element with two gripping or holding elements for transporting plastic containers or preform - Google Patents

Abstract

The transport device (1) has a motor drive (5) with a drive shaft (15), which actuates rotationally a carrier element (17) with two gripping or holding elements (4) for the transporting plastic containers or preform. A clean space (8) is closed in the body. The carrier element and the two gripping or holding elements are completely absorbed in the clean space. The drive is designed as a partially bearing or supporting main pillar (6) of the transport device. An independent claim is included for a method for transporting plastic containers or preform.

Description

The present invention relates to a transport device and a method for transporting plastic containers or preforms with the features of the independent claims.

In the beverage filling in plastic containers takes place in practice in the course of a production process, starting from a preform to the bottled bottle, a sterilization process to counteract a later contamination of the respective container and to ensure the shelf life of the bottled drinks. After a successful sterilization process, a subsequent contamination can still not be completely ruled out in some cases, since the respective sterilized container must be subjected to several further treatment processes, so that during transport to the respective treatment and / or handling stations the risk of re-contamination and / or or contamination.

From the WO 2010/020530 A1 For example, a device and a method are known in which containers to be transported are repeatedly sterilized during their transport between two stations. The disclosed multiple sterilization is associated with a high cost. In addition, such a multiple sterilization of containers requires a high cost and consumption of sterilants and fluids.

With the DE 10 2010 049 026 A1 a transport device has been proposed in a container treatment machine in the form of a transfer star, in which all gripping and handling elements are held with the plastic containers or preforms held in an annular clean room and rotate there. The container treatment machine may be part of a blow molding machine. The sealing effort for the respective carrier and holding means is considerable, since the carrier elements arranged on a rotating transport element pass through a recess in a boundary of the clean room or are arranged on a wall, wherein the carrier elements or the transport element in each case opposite the recess in the boundary sealed by a sealing device.

It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method that can facilitate the transportation of containers and preforms while significantly reducing the risk of contamination and / or microbial contamination. In addition, the device and the method should be characterized by a low construction cost or by an uncomplicated implementation.

This object of the invention is achieved by a transport device having the features of independent claim 1 and by a method having the features of the independent method claim. Further advantageous embodiments are described by the respective dependent claims.

The transport device according to the invention for plastic containers or preforms (so-called "preforms") comprises a motor drive with drive shaft which rotatably drive a carrier element with at least two gripping and / or holding elements for the respective plastic containers or preforms to be transported. It is conceivable, for example, that the sterilization of preforms takes place before a stretch blow molding operation and the preforms are transported further via the transport device according to the invention to a subsequent blowing wheel. Furthermore, the transport device can be arranged, for example, downstream of a blow molding machine or a stretch blow molding machine. In addition, a sterilization station for the respective preforms can be preceded by further stations, such as, for example, an oven for applying the temperature of the respective preforms. It is also conceivable that the containers formed from the preforms are transported after passing through the stretch blow molding machine via the transport device according to the invention in the direction of further stations, such as, for example, a filling and / or closing device.

The transport device can thus be provided for the transport of containers or preforms (so-called preforms). The respective gripping and / or holding elements are accordingly designed to receive the respective containers or preforms. For example. the gripping and / or holding elements can be formed by controllable, openable and closable gripper fingers or gripper tongs. It is also conceivable that the gripping and / or holding elements additionally or alternatively include stand or turntable on which the containers or preforms are arranged during their transport through the transport device. Provided according to the invention at least two gripping and / or holding elements, which are driven in rotation by means of the support member and the motor drive. In practice, however, embodiments have proved useful in which a multiplicity of gripping and / or holding elements for a corresponding number of containers or preforms are arranged on the carrier element, which are held in their neck area by means of the gripping and / or holding elements, normally below a so-called threaded area and / or below a so-called "neck ring", an annular shoulder below the threaded portion.

The motor drive can be designed, for example, as an electric servomotor, optionally also as a hydraulic drive or the like. The transport device can be designed, for example, as a so-called dividing delay bar, with which the containers or preforms are moved to a predetermined distance during their transport via the transport device to be brought. For example, the preforms can be supplied by an injection molding machine and conveyed to the transport device, wherein the distances of the preforms from each other are relatively small. In order to heat the preforms and then bring them by means of a blow or stretch blow in their intended container shape, they must be spaced apart, which can be done in particular by means of such a division delay starter or by means of several successive arranged Teilungsverzugssterne.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the drive shaft in the region of its end facing away from the drive has a flange portion, via which the carrier element can be fixed to the drive shaft. The rotational movement of the drive shaft can take place about a substantially vertically oriented axis.

The support element may, for example, be designed as a support disk. The gripping and / or holding elements can be arranged on a lower and the drive side facing the support plate. For example. the gripping and / or holding elements can be arranged at regular intervals on the support disk. It may also be useful to arrange or attach the gripping and / or holding elements in each case the same radial distance from the drive shaft to the carrier element or to the support disk.

In addition, it may be useful if the support element or the support disc has one or more recesses in order to reduce its mass and thus its mass moment of inertia on the one hand. On the other hand, in this way cleaning fluid or cleaning process of the transport device cleaning fluid can be passed through the recesses on adjacent to the support plate components of the transport device. In general, such recesses are advantageous in order to reduce the mass of the respective support disk and to be able to save material during production of the support disk.

Furthermore, the transport device comprises at least one substantially closed clean room or is part of such a clean room, in which the carrier element and the at least two gripping and / or holding elements are completely accommodated. Thus, the clean room can preferably have an inlet and an outlet, through which the preforms or the containers can be guided into the clean room and out of the clean room and moreover have no open or unsealed passages. It may also be that the clean room is formed by a plurality of the pure space limiting wall sections, which may be formed for example by plastic or metal. In addition, it is conceivable that a plurality of carrier disks and gripping and / or holding elements of a plurality of transport devices are arranged in a clean room, wherein the clean room is designed as a common clean room of the plurality of transport devices. In a clean room, at least approximately sterile ambient conditions prevail. For this purpose, the clean room can be subjected cyclically, for example. After every 48 hours, a disinfection process. It is conceivable that cleaning gas and / or fluid is introduced or evaporated in the clean room and then removed or sucked out of the clean room. For example. The cleaning gas may comprise hydrogen peroxide and be supplied to the clean room at a temperature of about 130 to 150 ° C. During a cleaning process, at least the support disk as well as the gripping and / or holding elements are preferably moved together with the support disk. Again, it is advantageous if the support disc has recesses, as at the mentioned temperatures of the cleaning gas or fluid and resulting from the recesses lower mass of the support plate heating of the support plate due to the temperature of the cleaning gas is faster effected.

It is also conceivable that the purification process of the transport device with cleaning gas, a cleaning process of the transport device with cleaning fluid vorrausgeht.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the drive may be designed as a supporting leg which at least partially supports or supports the transport device. For this purpose, the motor drive can stand up on a floor surface of the machine or a foundation and / or be arranged on further support structures, wherein one or more further components of the transport device are supported or carried by the motor drive. The motor drive is advantageously arranged in the region of a center of gravity of the transport device, so that a stable mounting of the transport device is produced by the formation of the motor drive as a mainstay and arrangement in the region of the center of gravity.

In addition, on an upper side of the drive facing the clean room, a support structure extending away from the drive can be arranged, on which one or more components of the transport device or the clean room arranged in the clean room stand up together with one or more of the components of the transport device arranged in the clean room and / or attached. The support structure can be arranged outside the clean room. It is conceivable that the motor drive on its upper and the clean room side facing a flange portion on which the support structure is fixed.

In particular, embodiments have proven in which the support structure has a plurality of extending away from the drive boom arms each having at least one support column on which one or more of the clean room arranged components of the transport device or the clean room together with one or more of the clean room arranged components of Stand up transport and / or attached. The cantilever arms can in this case be configured in a star shape projecting from the motor drive or from the flange section of the motor drive. For example. four or more cantilever arms may be present, each with at least one support column. One or more of the support columns may be formed in two parts each with a first and a respective second support column section. The respective first support column section and the respective second support column section may be arranged such that they are aligned with one another. Furthermore, it may be that a lower wall section of the clean room extends in the region of contact points of the respective first support column section and of the respective second support column section. The support columns can each pass through the clean room in the area of the contact points. In the region of the respective contact points, a sealing device can furthermore be present.

In order to be able to further avoid or reduce contamination of the clean room, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention the motor drive can be arranged outside the clean room and the clean room can have a passage opening, via which the drive shaft of the motor drive is guided into the clean room. For example. the passage opening can be guided through a lower wall section of the clean room. It may also be advantageous if the clean room is sealed off from an outside area and in the area of the passage opening by means of a sealing device and in particular by means of a fluidic sealing device. For example. the sealing device can be designed as a so-called water lock. It is conceivable here that the sealing fluid of the fluidic sealing device is replaced at regular intervals together with the impurities bound therein.

Furthermore, the gripping and / or holding elements can be arranged pivotably on the carrier element and the transport device comprise a guide unit arranged completely in the clean room, with which the gripping and / or holding elements are brought into operative connection in such a way that, as a result of a rotational movement of the carrier element. and / or holding elements defined and are pivotable and / or liftable relative to the carrier element. For example. the gripping and / or holding elements can be fastened in each case via a bolt on the carrier element, wherein the bolt engages through or into a recess of the respective gripping and / or holding element. The bolt can be formed here as a pivot axis for the respective gripping and / or holding element. For example. For example, the respective bolts may extend parallel to the drive shaft. Also, the guide unit may be formed as a guide disc, which is optionally arranged at least partially parallel to the carrier element designed as a support plate. It is also conceivable that the guide unit extends completely around the drive shaft.

Also, the guide unit may comprise at least one guideway, but preferably at least two guideways, in which one or more engagement means and in particular guide rollers and / or guide bearings of the respective gripping and / or holding elements are forcibly guided in a rotational movement of the support element. Also, the engagement means may be formed in simple embodiments as a rod, bolts or fingers, which slide in the respective guideway.

The guideway is thus adaptively adapted to the shape of the respective engagement means. Guide rollers and / or guide bearings can be made accessible in the present case, so that all components of the respective guide roller and / or the respective guide bearing can be acted upon with cleaning fluid during a cleaning process. In particular, open radial bearings or plain bearings have proven in practice, which have no lubricants or lubricants. For example. the engagement means may be formed by suitable plastic elements. Preferably, the guideway may be completely guided around the drive shaft, wherein the radial spacing of the guideway of the drive shaft in the course of their leadership about the drive shaft off and is increasingly formed.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the guide unit may comprise a first and a second guideway. Furthermore, each of the gripping and / or holding elements can each have at least one first and at least one second engagement means. The at least one first engagement means may be forcibly guided in each case in the first guideway, the at least one second engagement means may be forcibly guided in each case in the second guideway. The first guideway and the second guideway may be completely guided around the drive shaft. The first guide track may be substantially radially uniform or radially spaced away from the drive shaft in the course of its guidance about the drive shaft, and the second guide track may have a greater radial extent of the drive shaft than the first guide track and also in the course of their leadership to the Drive shaft radially constant or radially from and be increasingly spaced from the drive shaft. The at least one second engagement means may be coupled via the respective gripping and / or holding element to a linear guide, so that from a guide of the respective second engagement means in the second guide track results in a lifting or retracting movement of the respective gripping and / or holding element. Furthermore, a pivoting movement of the respective gripping and / or holding element can result from a guidance of the respective first engagement means in the first guide track. The transport device can thus be designed as a pitch delay star. Preferably, the first guide track and the second guide track and the at least one first engagement means and the at least one second engagement means are formed by plastic and / or ceramic and / or stainless steel or a suitable light metal.

Also, other embodiments are conceivable in which a defined pivotal movement of the gripping and / or holding elements is coupled to a defined lifting movement of the gripping and / or holding elements. In this case, designs with forced operation have proven to be preferred. For example, it may be that the pivoting and lifting movement are coupled together such that the respective preforms or plastic containers are at least partially movable in the linear direction during their transport.

It is conceivable that the guide unit has one or more recesses. Thus, in a cleaning process or sterilization process of the transport device cleaning fluid and / or cleaning gas can be passed through the recesses on adjacent to the guide unit components of the transport device. It is conceivable, for example, for hydrogen peroxide to be passed through the recesses to components of the transport device adjacent to the guide unit during the cleaning process.

In addition, a holding device carrying the guide unit can be arranged in the clean room and has one or more connecting means for exchangeable fixing of the guide unit. For example. the connecting means can positively and / or non-positively engage in the holding device. Further alternative or supplementary means, such as, for example, snap and / or latching and / or clamping connections for fixing the guide unit to the holding device are also conceivable. Also, the holding device may extend completely around the drive shaft. In addition, it may be that the guide unit of the holding device and the carrier element is interposed.

It is also conceivable that several components of the transport device are connected to each other by means of screw. In this case, in particular screw without undercut have been proven, since with such screw the risk of contamination or contamination experience has been lower. In the case of the other components and connecting parts, which are located in the clean room, care must be taken to have the surfaces as smooth as possible and a small number of sharp edges and undercuts in order to reduce the adhesion of germs and the possibility of cleaning all parts, in particular the moving parts to improve.

The invention further relates to a method for transporting plastic containers or preforms by means of a transport device comprising a carrier element with at least two gripping and / or holding elements. Here, the carrier element is driven in rotation by a drive shaft of a motor drive and is arranged together with the gripping and / or holding elements completely in a substantially closed clean room. Furthermore, the respective plastic containers or preforms to be transported are guided completely in the essentially closed clean room during their transport via the respective gripping and / or holding elements of the carrier element.

Preferably, the respective plastic containers or preforms to be transported are guided before their transport via the respective gripping and / or holding element into the clean room or enter into the clean room.

Furthermore, it may be useful if the plastic containers or preforms are sterilized before their leadership or promotion in the substantially closed clean room and after transport to a Treatment station and / or be passed on to another transport device. Preferably, the plastic containers or preforms can be performed directly after sterilization in the clean room.

It may also be that during the transport of plastic containers or preforms their relative distance is changed defined. For this purpose, the transport device may, for example, be designed as a division delay star.

In order to ensure the sterility of the clean room at least approximately, a cleaning process of the clean room and / or the transport device can take place at certain time intervals. During such a cleaning process, no plastic containers or preforms are arranged in the clean room. However, during the cleaning process, the support disk can be moved via the motor drive and the gripping and / or holding elements together with the support disk in order to be able to wet all parts with cleaning fluid and / or cleaning gas.

Thus, by way of example, after transporting plastic containers or preforms, a cleaning process of the transport device can take place, in which components of the transport device arranged in the clean room are exposed to cleaning fluid and in particular to cleaning gas, including hydrogen peroxide.

In the following, embodiments of the invention and their advantages with reference to the accompanying figures will be explained in more detail. The proportions of the individual elements to one another in the figures do not always correspond to the actual size ratios, since some shapes are simplified and other shapes are shown enlarged in relation to other elements for better illustration.

1 shows a schematic cross section through an embodiment of a transport device according to the invention.

2 shows a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of the transport device according to the invention, which is located in a clean room.

3 shows a further schematic perspective view of the transport device according to 2 without clean room.

4 shows a schematic view obliquely from below on in the 2 and 3 illustrated embodiment of the transport device.

5 shows a perspective partial longitudinal section of the in the 2 to 4 illustrated embodiment of the transport device.

6 shows a schematic plan view of a gripping and holding element, which is part of the transport device according to the invention.

7 shows a schematic side view of the in 6 illustrated gripping and holding element.

8th shows a schematic side view of a further embodiment of a gripping and holding element, which may be part of the transport device according to the invention.

9 shows a schematic plan view of the in 8th illustrated gripping and holding element.

10 shows two schematic cross sections through the in 8th shown embodiment of a gripping and holding element along the cutting lines D and E.

11 shows a schematic representation of a possible arrangement of the transport device according to the invention in a production process. In addition, the clarifies 11 an embodiment of a method according to the invention.

For identical or equivalent elements of the invention, identical reference numerals are used. Furthermore, for the sake of clarity, only reference symbols are shown in the individual figures, which are required for the description of the respective figure. The illustrated embodiments are merely examples of how the device or method of the invention may be configured and are not an exhaustive limitation.

1 shows a schematic cross section through an embodiment of a transport device according to the invention 1 for plastic containers 2 (see. 7 ) or preforms. The transport device 1 is present as a division delay star 3 formed, by means of which the plastic containers 2 or preforms during their transport through the transport device 1 can be brought to defined distances from each other.

The transport device 1 includes a motor drive 5 , at the same time as a foothold 6 for the transport device 1 or for the division delay star 3 serves. The motor drive 5 includes a drive shaft 15 , which are rotationally movable by the motor drive 5 is drivable. The reference R refers to 1 on the axis of rotation of the drive shaft 15 , That the motor drive 5 remote free end of the drive shaft 15 has a flange section 19 to which the carrier element 17 is attached. The carrier element 17 is thus via the drive shaft 15 driven in rotation about the axis of rotation R.

At an underside of the carrier element 17 are several gripping and holding elements 4 arranged, of which in 1 only a gripping and holding element 4 is shown. The gripping and holding elements 4 are each pivotable about a vertically oriented pivot axis S at one of the motor drive 5 opposite side of the support element 17 arranged. Next are the gripping and holding elements 4 in each case via one or more first guide rollers 22 in a first guideway 24 as well as one or more second guide rollers 23 in a second guideway 25 stored (see. 5 ). The guideways 24 and 25 are part of a leadership unit 18 ,

The carrier element 17 is over the drive shaft 15 relative to the leadership unit 18 rotatable, so that upon relative rotation of the support element 17 to the leadership unit 18 the first and second guide rollers 22 and 23 in their respective first or second guideway 24 or 25 are guided. By means of the relative rotational movement of the carrier element 17 to the leadership unit 18 is a pivoting and lifting movement of the gripping and holding elements 4 defined specifiable. Preferably, the guideways 24 and 25 as well as the guide rollers 22 and 23 Lubricant-free and made of plastic. This can lead to contamination of the clean room 8th , which will be further referred to hereinafter, be excluded due to lubricants. Next, the guide rollers 22 and 23 as well as the guideways 24 and 25 be formed such that its surface during a cleaning process of the clean room 8th Essentially completely with cleaning fluid and / or cleaning gas can be acted upon.

To recognize is beyond a holding device 27 , The leadership unit 18 is interchangeable with the holding device 27 fixed. Thus, optionally successively several different guide units 18 on the holding device 27 be attached, depending on the respective on the holding device 27 fixed guide unit 18 and the course of their guideways 24 and 25 a lifting and pivoting movement of the gripping and holding elements 4 during rotation of the carrier element 17 can be specified. The carrier element 17 , the leadership unit 18 and the holding device 27 are completely in the clean room 8th arranged. The drive shaft 15 is in sections in the clean room 8th arranged, the motor drive 5 is outside the clean room 8th arranged. Preforms or plastic containers, which via the transport device 1 or the division delay star 3 transported are completely in the clean room during this transport 8th guided. The clean room 8th includes an upper wall portion 9 ' and a lower wall section 9 , where the drive shaft 15 through the lower wall section 9 passes. In the area of the passage is an interior area I of the clean room 8th towards an outside area A by means of a fluidic sealing device 12 sealed. The fluidic sealing device 12 is designed as a so-called moated castle.

On the the clean room 8th facing side of the motor drive 5 is a support structure 7 arranged. The support structure 7 extends from the motor drive 5 away and has for this purpose a plurality of cantilever arms, of which in cross-section of the 1 two extension arms 10 and 10 ' can be seen. Each of the extension arms 10 and 10 ' has a support column, in the present case in each case from a first support column section 28 respectively. 28 ' and a second support column section 29 respectively. 29 ' is formed. The second support column sections 29 and 29 ' stand in connection with the holding device 27 , In the region of a contact point of the respective first support column section 28 respectively. 28 ' to the respective second support column section 29 and 29 ' The support columns pass through the lower wall section 9 of the clean room 8th therethrough. In the region of the passage, a further sealing device is preferably located around an impurity of the clean room 8th to avoid.

The schematic perspective view of 2 again shows the transport device according to the invention 1 or the division delay star 3 , In the illustrated embodiment, the comprises as a pillar 6 trained motor drive 5 at its lower and the clean room 8th side facing away from a flange 30 , which, for example, for fastening the transport device 1 can be provided on a support device. In 2 is also good to see that as a foothold 6 trained motor drive 5 in the area of a center of gravity of the transport device 1 is arranged. At the bottom and the motor drive 5 facing side of the support element 17 are still the gripping and holding elements 4 , The gripping and holding elements 4 are completely in the clean room 8th arranged. The motor drive 5 is outside the clean room 8th arranged. It is also recognizable that the already in 1 illustrated upper support column sections 29 . 29 ' and 29 '' completely in the clean room 8th are arranged and at their respective lower and in the direction of the motor drive 5 have pointing end sealing means. The lower housing wall 9 of the clean room 8th is present intransparent, while the other housing walls of the clean room 8th are shown transparently.

Visible is also the fluidic sealing device 12 , which completely surround the drive shaft 15 extends and the interior / the clean room 8th seals against the outside area A. The reference number 13 refers to an access through which plastic containers or preforms in the clean room 8th enter and after entry by the transport facility 1 or the division delay star 3 in the direction of the exit 14 be transported further. Both the access 13 as well as the exit 14 can at other positions of the clean room 8th be arranged. Preferably, the preforms are before entering the clean room 8th as well as after leaving the clean room 8th each in a further clean room (not shown) arranged. Accordingly, a transfer of the preforms within a clean room 8th occur. In particular, the preforms are transported through the exit 14 directly into a sterile room or clean room 8th a blowing wheel (not shown) pass. Contamination of the preforms during transfer can thereby be ruled out. Also, it may be that in the clean room 8th other facilities, such as. a stretch blow molding machine and / or other transport device 1 or division delay stars 3 are arranged. Also with regard to the dimensioning and the shape of the clean room 8th is the in 2 shown embodiment only by way of example, so that the person skilled in the art dimensioning and shaping of the clean room 8th in practice depending on the requirements. In the field of transport equipment 1 and / or in the region of a blowing wheel and / or in the region of a sterilization device, which is the transport device 1 downstream, may preferably prevail overpressure.

The further perspective view of 3 again shows the transport device 1 out 2 but without a clean room 8th , For the sake of clarity, the in 3 shown representation on the clean room 8th waived. Visible are the carrier element 17 as well as the leadership unit 18 , The carrier element 17 has several recesses 17 , via which cleaning fluid and / or cleaning gas during a cleaning process of the transport device 1 to the carrier element 17 adjacent leadership unit 18 can be passed on. Shown is also a support structure 7 which several of the motor drive 5 has extending cantilever arms, of which three with reference numerals 10 . 10 ' and 10 '' can be seen. On each of the extension arms 10 . 10 and 10 '' is in each case a lower support column section 28 . 28 ' and 28 '' arranged. The lower support column sections 28 . 28 ' and 28 '' are at previous in 2 illustrated embodiment outside the clean room 8th arranged.

4 shows a schematic view obliquely from below on in the 2 and 3 illustrated embodiment of the transport device 1 , For connection or fixation of several components of the transport device 1 together has the transport device 1 several screw connections 20 , All screw connections 10 the transport device 1 are formed without undercuts and present as external polygonal heads. As part of a cleaning process, no residues of cleaning fluid or cleaning gas in the screw 20 remain. Next, the accessible surface of the screw 20 be completely charged during a cleaning process with cleaning fluid or cleaning gas.

Next has the leadership unit 18 several recesses 11 respectively. 11 ' , The first recesses 11 are here in the range of a first guideway 24 (see. 5 ) of the leadership unit 18 arranged, the second recesses 11 ' in the area of a second guideway 25 (as well 5 ) of the leadership unit 18 , About the recesses 11 and 11 ' may cleaning fluid or cleaning gas during a cleaning operation of the transport device 1 on to the leadership unit 18 adjacent components of the transport device 1 , For example, the holding device 27 or the carrier element 17 to be passed on. Next serve the recess 11 and 11 ' a mass reduction of the guide unit 18 ,

5 shows a schematic sectional view of the in the 2 to 4 illustrated embodiment of the transport device according to the invention 1 or a division delay star 3 , Visible here are the first guideway 24 the leadership unit 18 as well as the second guideway 25 the leadership unit 18 , Each of the gripping and holding elements 4 has one or more first guide rollers 22 and one or more second guide rollers 23 , The first leadership roles 22 are in the first guideway 24 forcibly guided, the second guide rollers 23 are in the second guideway 25 forced out. All gripping and holding elements 4 have a linear guide 21 (detailed in 6 ), with the second guide rollers 23 is connected, so that by means of the positive guidance of the second guide rollers 23 in the second guideway 25 and at a rotational movement of the carrier element 17 about the axis R a lifting and return stroke of the respective gripping and holding elements 4 can be specified. Next own the gripping and holding elements 4 each a basic element 32 (see. 6 ). The basic element 32 is with the first leadership roles 22 connected, so that by means of the positive guidance of the first guide rollers 22 in the first guideway 24 and at a rotational movement of the carrier element 17 about the axis R a pivoting movement of the respective gripping and retaining elements 4 can be predetermined defined about the respective pivot axis S. Both the pivoting movement of the gripping and holding elements 4 as well as the lifting and return stroke of the gripping and holding elements 4 is thus on the course of the guideways 24 and 25 dependent. For example. can the pivoting and lifting movement of the gripping and holding elements 4 be such that the respective plastic container to be transported 2 or the respective preform to be transported is guided at least in sections during transport in a linear movement.

6 shows a schematic plan view of a gripping and holding element 4 as it is for an embodiment of a transport device according to the invention 1 Can be used. The gripping and holding element 4 includes a head 34 and a base section 32 and a linear guide 21 The linear guide 21 consists of base element 32 and senior staff 44 , The head 34 has a pickup position 36 for a plastic container 2 or a preform and is with the management staff 44 connected. Parallel to the management staff 44 becomes another senior staff 44 ' the linear guide 21 led (cf. 7 ). The gripping and holding element 4 is about the base element 32 pivotable with the carrier element 17 (see previous figures) connected. For this purpose, for example, a bolt in the storage area 46 of the base element 32 to grab. The pivot axis of the gripping and holding element is further indicated by reference numeral S. A second attachment area 40 is for fixing the one or more second engagement means or the at least one second guide roller 23 (see. 7 ) intended. The second guide rollers 23 are with the mounting rod 44 connected, so that in forced operation of the one or more second engagement means or the one or more second guide rollers 23 in the second guideway 25 a relative movement of the one or more second engagement means or the one or more second guide rollers 23 and the management staff 44 to the base element 32 results.

A first attachment area 38 is for fixing the one or more first engagement means or the at least one first guide roller 22 (see. 7 ) intended. By positively guiding the one or more first engagement means or the one or more first guide rollers 22 in the first guideway 24 is thus a pivoting movement of the base member 32 as well as the entire gripping and holding element 4 about the pivot axis S effected.

In addition, a third mounting area is indicated 42 , The third attachment area is in the area of the head 34 of the gripping and holding element 4 to find and to fix one or more support rollers 26 (see. 7 ) intended.

7 shows a schematic side view of the in 6 illustrated gripping and holding element 4 , The head 34 of the gripping and holding element 4 has a pincer-shaped section 48 over which the respective plastic container to be transported 2 or the preform is receivable. The plastic container 2 is presently designed as a bottle F. Visible is the at least one support roller 26 , upon movement of the at least one first guide roller 22 in the first guideway 24 and the at least one second guide roller 23 in the second guideway 25 along the outer periphery of the guide unit 18 is feasible. As in arrangement or recording of a plastic container 2 at the pincer-shaped section 48 Of the head 34 a moment on the head 34 can act, by means of the support roller 26 a stable storage of the head 34 getting produced. The relative distance of the at least one support roller 26 and the at least one second guide roller remains unchanged upon movement of the at least one second guide roller in the second guide track.

The linear guide 21 includes a first management staff 44 and a second management staff 44 ' , which in a lifting or Rückhubbewegung of the gripping and holding element 4 be conducted jointly and in parallel. Both leaders 44 and 44 ' are with your head 34 connected.

8th shows a schematic side view of a further embodiment of a gripping and holding element 4 , the part of the transport device according to the invention 1 can be. The gripping and holding element 4 owns, as well as in 7 shown embodiment, a head 34 with pincer-shaped section 48 for receiving a plastic container 2 , Next is a support role 26 shown along the outer periphery of a guide unit 18 feasible and stable storage of the head 34 is provided. The first leadership role 22 which are in the first guideway 24 is movable, is present as a double first leading role 58 educated. Contrary to the gripping and holding element 4 of the embodiment 7 owns the gripping and holding element 4 of the embodiment of 8th only a management staff 44 , The management staff 44 is a reversibly elastically deformable element 60 , in this case a spring 62 , with the base element 32 connected. The reversibly elastically deformable element 60 or the spring 62 supports a return stroke of the gripping and holding element 4 in the leadership of the first leadership 22 and the second leadership role 23 in their respective guideway 22 respectively. 23 , With reference numeral S is still the pivot axis of the gripping and holding element 4 indicated.

9 shows a schematic plan view of the in 8th illustrated gripping and holding element 4 , Recognizable are still the head 34 as well as that base element 32 , The linear guide 21 consists of base element 32 , Management staff 44 as well as 4 pairs of casters 64 . 64 ' 64 '' and 64 ''' , Two casters each 64 . 64 ' . 64 '' respectively. 64 ''' are on opposite sides with the management staff 44 brought into contact. About the rollers 64 . 64 ' . 64 '' and 64 ''' becomes the senior staff 44 held and during lifting and return stroke of the gripping and holding element 4 relative to the base element 32 linearly guided.

Opposite in the 6 and 7 embodiment shown provides the design of the linear guide 21 in the 8th to 10 embodiment shown the advantage of a smoother and quieter leadership. The casters 64 . 64 ' . 64 '' and 64 ''' may preferably be provided with suitable deep groove ball bearings, lubricant-free and applied with plastic or other materials race.

10 shows two schematic cross sections through the in 8th shown embodiment of a gripping and holding element 4 along the section lines D and E. The cross section through the section line D reveals that the casters 64 '' of the pair of sliding rollers each parallel to each other extending contact surfaces to the guide rod 44 exhibit. The cross section through the section line E also shows that the rollers 64 '' of the sliding roller pair likewise each have mutually parallel contact surfaces, which are substantially perpendicular to the contact surfaces of the rollers 64 '' are oriented. Due to the orientation of the rollers 64 '' and 64 ''' with their contact surfaces is the guide rod 44 linearly movable via the rollers 64 '' and 64 ''' held.

11 shows a possible arrangement of a transport device according to the invention 1 in a production process. Further clarified 11 an embodiment of a method according to the invention. Shown is a stove 50 , over which preforms are subjected to temperature. After passing the oven 50 be the charged with temperature preforms by means of a transfer device 52 to a sterilization station 54 continued.

Visible is also a first transport device 1 and a second transport device 1' Both have a common clean room 8th include. Both the transport device 1 as well as the transport device 1 each have a carrier element 17 with at least two gripping and holding elements 4 , The carrier element 17 the first transport device 1 and the carrier element 17 the second transport device 1 are completely in the clean room 8th arranged. Next are the gripping and holding elements 4 the first transport device 1 as well as the gripping and holding elements 4 the second transport device 1' completely in the clean room 8th arranged.

After passing the sterilization station 54 become the preforms of the first transport device 1 , which as pitch delay star 3 is formed, received and to a downstream stretch blow molding machine 56 passed. Also the stretch blow machine 56 is present in the clean room 8th arranged.

After passing the stretch blow machine 56 become the now blown out of the preforms container 2 from the second transport device 1' received, as well as division delay star 3 ' is trained.

Possibly. can the stretch blown containers 2 from the second transport device 1' from the clean room 3 guided and forwarded to subsequent stations, such as, for example, a filling and / or closing device. However, it is also conceivable that one or more of the second transport device 1' or the division delay star 3 ' Subordinate stations continue in the clean room 8th are arranged.

The invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications or changes may be made to the invention without departing from the scope of the following claims.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

transport means

2

Plastic container

3

Division delay star

4

Gripping and holding element

5

Motorized drive

6

foothold

7

support structure

8th

cleanroom

9

wall section

10

boom

12

Fluidic sealing device

13

Access

14

output

15

drive shaft

17

support element

18

Guide unit

19

flange

20

screw

21

linear guide

22

first leadership

23

second leadership role

24

first guideway

25

second guideway

26

supporting role

27

holder

28

first column section

29

second column section

30

flange

32

base element

34

head

36

pickup position

38

first attachment area

40

second attachment area

42

third mounting area

44

fourth mounting area

46

storage area

48

Pliers-shaped section

50

oven

52

Transfer unit

54

sterilization station

56

stretch

58

Double first leadership

60

Reversible elastically deformable element

62

feather

64

casters

A

outdoors

F

bottle

I

interior

S

swivel axis

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• WO 2010/020530 A1 [0003]
• DE 102010049026 A1 [0004]

Claims (15)

Transport device ( 1 ) for plastic containers ( 2 ) or preforms, comprising a motor drive ( 5 ) with a drive shaft ( 15 ), which is a carrier element ( 17 ) with at least two gripping and / or holding elements ( 4 ) for the respective plastic containers to be transported ( 2 ) or preforms rotatably drives, and at least one substantially closed clean room ( 8th ), in which the carrier element ( 17 ) and the at least two gripping and / or holding elements ( 4 ) are completely absorbed. Transport device according to claim 1, in which the drive ( 5 ) as a transport device at least partially supporting or supporting leg ( 6 ) is trained. Transport device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein on an upper and the clean room ( 8th ) facing side of the drive ( 5 ) extending away from the drive support structure ( 7 ) is arranged, on which one or more of the clean room ( 8th ) arranged components or components of the transport device ( 1 ) and / or the clean room ( 8th ) together with one or more of the in the clean room ( 8th ) arranged components of the transport device ( 1 Get up and / or attached. Transport device according to Claim 3, in which the supporting structure ( 7 ) several of the drive ( 5 ) extending cantilever arms ( 10 . 10 ' . 10 '' ) each having at least one support column on which the one or more in the clean room ( 8th ) arranged components of the transport device ( 1 ) or the clean room ( 8th ) together with the one or more in the clean room ( 8th ) arranged components of the transport device ( 1 Get up and / or attached. Transport device according to one or more of the preceding claims, in which the drive ( 5 ) outside the clean room ( 8th ) and the clean room ( 8th ) has a passage opening through which the drive shaft ( 15 ) of the motor drive ( 5 ) in the clean room ( 8th ) is guided. Transport device according to claim 5, wherein the clean room ( 8th ) relative to an outer region (A) and in the region of the passage opening by means of a sealing device and in particular by means of a fluidic sealing device ( 12 ) is sealed. Transport device according to one or more of the preceding claims, in which the gripping and / or holding elements ( 4 ) pivotally on the support element ( 17 ) are arranged and the transport device ( 1 ) at least one completely in the clean room ( 8th ) arranged guide unit ( 18 ), with which the gripping and / or holding elements ( 4 ) are brought into operative connection such that from a rotational movement of the carrier element ( 17 ) as a result of the gripping and / or holding elements ( 4 ) and relative to the carrier element ( 17 ) are pivotable and / or liftable. Transport device according to claim 7, wherein the guide unit ( 18 ) at least one but preferably at least two guideways ( 24 . 25 ), in which in each case one or more engagement means and in particular guide rollers ( 22 . 23 ) and / or guide bearing of the respective gripping and / or holding elements ( 4 ) during a rotational movement of the carrier element ( 17 ) are forced. Transport device according to claim 8, in which in the at least one guide track ( 24 . 25 ) Recesses ( 11 . 11 ' ) are present so that cleaning fluid or cleaning gas during a cleaning process on the recesses ( 11 . 11 ' ) to the guide unit adjacent components of the transport device ( 1 ) can be passed on. Transport device according to one or more of claims 7 to 9, wherein the defined pivoting movement of the gripping and / or holding elements ( 4 ) to a defined lifting movement of the gripping and / or holding elements ( 4 ) is coupled. Transport device according to one or more of claims 7 to 10, wherein in the clean room ( 8th ) one the leadership unit ( 18 ) supporting holding device ( 27 ) is arranged, which one or more connecting means for exchangeable fixing of the guide unit ( 18 ) having. Method for transporting plastic containers ( 2 ) or preforms, which transport via a transport device ( 1 ), comprising a carrier element ( 17 ) with at least two gripping and / or holding elements ( 4 ), wherein the carrier element ( 17 ) rotating from a drive shaft ( 15 ) of a motor drive ( 5 ) is driven and together with the gripping and / or holding elements ( 4 ) completely in a substantially closed clean room ( 8th ) is arranged and the respective plastic containers to be transported ( 2 ) or preforms during their transport via the respective gripping and / or holding elements ( 4 ) of the carrier element ( 17 ) completely in the substantially closed clean room ( 8th ). Method according to claim 12, in which the plastic containers ( 2 ) or preforms prior to guiding into the substantially closed clean room ( 8th ) and after transport to a treatment station and / or to another transport device ( 1' ). Method for transporting plastic containers ( 2 ) or preforms according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the relative distance of the plastic containers ( 2 ) or preforms is defined during their transport defined. Method according to one or more of claims 12 to 14, wherein after transporting plastic containers ( 2 ) or preforms a cleaning process of the transport device ( 1 ), in which in the clean room ( 8th ) arranged components of the transport device ( 1 ) are treated with cleaning fluid and / or cleaning gas and in particular with cleaning gas comprising hydrogen peroxide.

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