DE102015116930A1 - Apparatus for treating a container - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (1) for treating a container, preferably for filling and / or closing a can in a filling installation, comprising a stationary part (2), one rotatably mounted on the stationary part (2) about a vertical axis of rotation (30) rotating part (3) and at least two on the rotating part (3) selectively adjustable in height arranged treatment members (4) for treating the container, wherein an adjusting device (5) for adjusting the height of a treatment member (4) on the stationary part (2) is and between a rest position in which the adjusting device (5) with all treatment organs (4) is disengaged, and an engagement position in which the adjusting device (5) with at least one treatment member (4) is engaged, is movable.

Description

Technical area

The invention relates to a device for treating a container, preferably for treating a can in a bottling plant.

State of the art

Devices for treating a container, in particular for filling and / or closing a can in a filling plant, are well known.

In particular in bottling plants, containers are transported in two different ways, either in the base handling, in which the containers are held at their container bottom, or in neck handling, in which the containers are held against their container neck. Especially in the treatment of containers with different container sizes in basal handling, it is necessary to adjust the container receptacle or the associated treatment organs, such as the filling valves in height, to ensure proper treatment of the container. In rotary machines, this height adjustment is usually carried out by adjusting the height of the entire upper part of the filler carousel relative to the lower part.

In order to achieve the height adjustment of the complete upper part, strong motors, shafts and spindles are needed. Particularly at high filling pressures, large forces are expended on the containers to be filled in order to press the respective treatment organs, in particular the filling members. Since the power flow is passed from all treatment bodies of the upper part of the spindles in the lower part, the spindles must absorb the sum of all forces, which requires a massive and expensive construction. Furthermore, the motors required for the height adjustment on the rotating part are to be supplied with energy via slip ring transformers.

That's how it shows DE 10 2010 013 132 A1 a device for treating containers, wherein an upper portion of a rotatable device upper part relative to a lower portion of the rotary device upper part can be adjusted in height. By adjusting the height of the upper region, the height of filling valves arranged at the upper region is correspondingly adjusted, as a result of which containers of different heights can be treated.

Alternatively, it is known to individually adjust the treatment organs individually on the rotating upper part in height, wherein each treatment member by means of an associated drive on the rotating upper part is height adjustable.

Description of the invention

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved apparatus for treating a container, preferably for filling and / or closing a can in a bottling plant.

This object is achieved with a device for treating a container, preferably for filling and / or closing a can in a bottling plant, having the features of claim 1. Advantageous developments emerge from the subclaims.

Accordingly, an apparatus for treating a container, preferably for filling and / or closing a can in a bottling plant is specified, which has a stationary part, a rotatably mounted on the stationary part about a vertical axis of rotation rotating part and at least two adjustable height on the rotating part arranged treatment organs for treating each of a container. According to the invention, an adjusting device for adjusting the height of at least one treatment member is arranged on the stationary part, which is switchable between a rest position in which the adjusting device is out of engagement with all treatment organs, and an engagement position in which the adjusting device is engaged with at least one treatment member is.

Characterized in that an adjusting device for adjusting the height of a treatment member is arranged on the stationary part and switchable between a rest position in which the adjusting device is out of engagement with all treatment organs, and an engagement position in which the adjusting device is engaged with at least one treatment member is a simple and robust construction of the device can be provided. In particular, no drives for adjusting the height of the treatment organs to be provided on the rotating part, whereby no supply facilities for pneumatic and / or electrical supply of such drives are necessary. By avoiding drives on the rotating part, the handling carousel can be made lighter, so that the bearings and drives for the rotating part can be made smaller.

Furthermore, the introduced by the treatment organs in the treatment operation reaction forces that occur, for example, by pressing a container against a filling bell, be taken individually at the respective connection points of the individual treatment organs. Thus, height adjustment, to which the treatment organs are individually attached, smaller, more compact, lighter and easier to be interpreted, as in an adjustment of an overall suspension on the rotating part. Accordingly, the rotating part can be provided with a low mass compared to the cited prior art.

The device for adjusting the height of a treatment member can be provided at a lower cost. Due to the simple and robust construction, the manufacture and maintenance of the device are associated with lower costs than in a conventional device. For the operation of the system is still a lower energy consumption required because the rotating part has a lower moment of inertia due to its lower mass and only a single drive to the adjustment is required to adjust the treatment organs. This drive is only charged when an adjustment is actually to be made. In the other times, however, especially during production, the drive of the adjusting device lingers in a waiting or rest position in which no energy is consumed. On the other hand, the device is low maintenance, since at least for the height adjustment no heavy wear parts, such as slip ring, are required to operate the system and the reduction of the entire mass of the rotating part, the load on the bearings can be reduced.

Also advantageous is the separate adjustability of the at least two treatment organs. In this way, a particularly accurate adjustment of the device can be provided because manufacturing tolerances and / or a delay of the device can be compensated individually. In particular, a rash or a side impact on the treatment organs and / or the rotating part can be compensated, whereby it can be achieved that the treatment organs are always at a height level. An improvement of the height adjustment of individual treatment organs is thereby possible.

Preferably, the adjusting device or parts thereof is arranged on a bottom plate of the stationary part.

In a further preferred embodiment, the adjusting device between the engagement position and the rest position is displaceable and / or pivotable, in order to achieve in this way by means of a simple movement, an intervention of the adjusting device in each case to be adjusted treatment institutions. Complex trajectories can be avoided in this way, resulting in a simpler structure can be achieved.

In a preferred embodiment, in each case one of the at least two treatment organs can be moved by turning the rotating part into an adjustment position, wherein the adjustment device can be brought into engagement with the treatment organ then located in the adjustment position. Thus, a targeted selection of each to be adjusted treatment organ can be made possible. For this purpose, the already existing means are used, namely the drive of the rotating part of the treatment device, by means of which the rotating part relative to the adjusting device can be aligned so that the adjusting device can be brought into engagement with the respective height to be adjusted treatment member. By adopting the adjustment position ensures that the treatment member is always positioned in a correct position to the adjustment.

In a further preferred embodiment, the rotating part for each of the at least two treatment organs on a vertically displaceable treatment organ carrier for supporting a treatment member, in which the adjusting device can then engage. Furthermore, the height adjustment of the treatment organs can be carried out particularly accurately, since the treatment organ carrier, in particular its shape, can be matched exactly to the adjusting device.

In a further preferred embodiment, the treatment organ carrier is guided via a linear guide, preferably by means of a sliding profile, on the rotating part.

Due to the fact that the treatment device carrier is guided on the rotating part via a linear guide, preferably by means of a sliding profile, a particularly precise and robust height adjustment of the at least two treatment elements can be provided which only requires a low maintenance effort.

In a preferred embodiment, the adjusting device has an adjusting arm for engaging in the height-adjusting treatment member.

By virtue of the fact that the adjustment device has an adjustment arm for engagement with the height-adjustable treatment element, the adjustment device can be located substantially outside the movement range of the rotating part and the rotating component, preferably below, thus in the direction of gravitational attraction, or radially outside, consequently in FIG With respect to the axis of rotation of the rotating part seen with a larger radius, the rotating part, are arranged, with only the adjustment for adjusting the height of the treatment member to be adjusted is to be engaged with this.

In a further preferred embodiment, the rotating part in each case has a locking unit for locking the height adjustment of each of the at least two treatment elements, wherein the adjusting device also has an actuator for unlocking the locking unit, preferably by actuating a plunger of the locking unit.

By virtue of the fact that the rotating part in each case has a locking unit for locking the height adjustment of each of the at least two treatment elements, it is possible to reliably ensure that the set height of the respective height-adjusted treatment element is maintained. Thus, after the adjustment of the height of the treatment member by the adjusting device of the height-adjustment treatment member by means of the lock can be securely held at a fixed position.

By the actuator of the adjusting device can be achieved that the treatment member is adjustable in height by unlocking the lock when the adjusting device is engaged with this.

A particularly simple unlocking of the locking unit can be provided by the plunger of the locking unit.

The actuator may preferably be provided as a motor-driven spindle, servopneumatic actuator, piezoelectric element, pneumatic cylinder with stops, hydraulic cylinders, pneumatic muscle, robots or the like.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the locking unit has a toggle mechanism for locking the locking unit. Thus, a simple construction of the locking unit and at the same time a high force transmission and consequently a secure locking of the height adjustment of the respective locking unit associated treatment member can be provided.

In a further preferred embodiment, the locking unit comprises a biasing element, preferably a spring, for biasing the detent, wherein the biasing element is adapted to hold the detent unit in a locked position by means of the bias of the biasing element.

Characterized in that the locking unit comprises a biasing member, preferably a spring, for biasing the locking, wherein the biasing member is adapted to hold the locking unit by means of the bias of the biasing member in a locked position, it can be achieved that each treatment member by the respective means the locking member locked locking is permanently held at a fixed height to the rotating part and only for adjusting the height of the treatment member by means of the actuator, which preferably counteracts the bias of the biasing member, unlocking the locking unit can be done.

In a further preferred embodiment, the locking unit has a locking block, wherein the locking block for locking the height adjustment with a locking surface, preferably by a frictional engagement or a positive connection, particularly preferably by means of fins, a corrugation, a sawtooth profile and / or a friction surface, is engaged ,

Characterized in that the locking unit has a locking block, wherein the locking block for locking the height adjustment with a locking surface, preferably by a frictional engagement or a form fit, particularly preferably by means of fins, a corrugation, a sawtooth profile and / or a friction surface, is engaged, can securely holding each treatment member at a fixed height can be provided in a simple manner.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, a control is provided by means of which the height of the at least two treatment organs is automatically adjustable by controlling the adjusting device. A particularly efficient device can be provided if an intervention by an operator is not necessary when using a control or regulation for controlling or regulating the adjustment device. The operator can thus only specify a desired height, which is then automatically approached by the controller for all treatment bodies. For this purpose, the control further preferably not only moves the adjusting device such that it is brought into engagement with the respective treatment member, then releases a lock by means of the actuator and the treatment member is moved to the desired height and then disengaged, but the control unit is rotated also the rotating part relative to the adjusting device so that each treatment member can be adjusted in height by the adjusting device.

In a further preferred development, the adjusting device for adjusting the height of a drive, preferably a motor, more preferably a servo motor, on.

Characterized in that the adjusting device for adjusting the height of a drive, preferably a motor, more preferably a servomotor, having a particularly accurate and efficient adjustment of the height of the respective height-adjusting treatment member can be provided.

Preferably, the adjustment can be adjusted in height via a spindle driven by the motor.

Alternatively, the adjustment can be adjustable in height via a servo-pneumatic actuator, a piezoelectric element, a pneumatic cylinder with stops, a hydraulic cylinder, a pneumatic muscle, a robot or the like.

In a particularly preferred embodiment variant, at least one sensor is provided for determining the height of each treatment organ.

Characterized in that at least one sensor is provided for determining the height of each treatment member, a particularly accurate height adjustment can be provided. The at least one sensor is preferably arranged on the rotating part. Alternatively, however, it can also be arranged on the stationary part, preferably on the adjusting device. In this case, the at least one sensor is preferably suitable for detecting distances and / or forces.

In a further preferred embodiment, the rotating part has at least two fixed container receptacles, wherein in each case a container receptacle is assigned in each case to a treatment member.

Characterized in that the rotating member has at least two fixed container receptacles, each one container receptacle is assigned to a respective treatment member, a secure receiving container to be treated can be provided by the device. By means of the fixed arrangement of the container receptacles on the rotating part, these can be constructed particularly simple. The adaptation of the device to the respective type of container to be treated takes place solely by the height adjustment of the treatment organs, so that the remaining part of the device, in particular the rotating part, can be made particularly simple and robust.

In a further embodiment, a plurality of adjusting devices can be arranged on the stationary part. The adjusting devices can also be designed so that they can simultaneously adjust the height of several treatment organs, for example the treatment organs present in a predetermined angular range of the treatment device. Depending on the space available in the production line adjusting devices may be provided which allow a faster adjustment of all treatment organs.

Short illustration of the figures

Preferred further embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail by the following description of the figures. Showing:

1 schematically a sectional view of an apparatus for treating a container;

2 schematically a detailed view of a locking unit of the device 1 ;

3 schematically a sectional view of a linear guide of the device 1 ;

4 schematically a sectional view of an apparatus for treating a container in an alternative embodiment; and

5 schematically a plan view of an apparatus for treating a container in a further embodiment with three adjusting devices in an engaged position.

6 schematically the device 5 , wherein the adjusting devices are each in a rest position.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments

In the following, preferred embodiments will be described with reference to the figures. In this case, identical, similar or equivalent elements are denoted by identical reference numerals. To avoid redundancy, the repeated description of these elements will be omitted in the following description.

1 schematically shows a sectional view of a device 1 for treating a container. A rotating part 3 is about a vertical axis of rotation 30 at a standing part 2 rotatably mounted. At the rotating part 3 is a height-adjustable treatment organ 4 arranged for treating a container - for example, a filling member for filling a container to be filled with a filling product. The rotating part 3 is shown in the figure, that it has been rotated so that the height to be adjusted treatment organ 4 is in an adjustment position. To achieve the height adjustment in the adjustment is a treatment organ 4 carrying treatment organ carrier 32 by means of a linear guide 34 on the rotating part 3 in the direction of the vertical axis 30 slidably arranged. For receiving a container to be treated is the treatment organ 4 one firmly on the rotating part 3 arranged container receptacle 7 for basal handling of the container to be treated, in other words for receiving the container at the container bottom assigned.

At the rotating part 3 is also a treatment organ 4 assigned self-locking locking unit 6 for locking the height adjustment of the treatment organ 4 arranged, which by means of actuation of a plunger 68 can be unlocked.

At the standing part 2 the device 1 is an adjustment device 5 for adjusting the height of the treatment organ 4 arranged. An adjustment arm 50 the adjusting device 5 is shown in the figure in an engaged position, in which he over the treatment organ carrier 32 with the treatment organ 4 engaged. The adjusting device 5 engages with respect to the axis of rotation 30 of the rotating part 3 seen from radially outside for height adjustment in the range of movement of the rotating part 3 one. The adjustment arm 50 is about one by means of a servomotor 54 drivable spindle 56 along a spindle guide 57 adjustable in height. Furthermore, the adjusting device 5 one below the rotating part 3 arranged actuator 52 on which the plunger 68 the locking unit 6 operated, so that the locking unit 6 is in an unlocked state and the treatment organ carrier 32 along the linear guide 34 is freely movable.

By adjusting the height of the adjustment 50 learns the treatment organ carrier 32 and thus the treatment organ 4 a corresponding adjustment of the height. After reaching the height of the treatment unit to be set 4 becomes the actor 52 with the pestle 68 disengaged, whereupon the Arretiereinheit 6 the movement of the treatment organ carrier 32 inhibits and the treatment organ 4 held at a fixed height.

By the intervention of the adjustment arm 50 in the treatment organ 4 can the treatment organ 4 be adjusted both upwards and downwards. In a further embodiment, the treatment organ 4 but also be guided so that the adjustment 50 provides only a support downwards, so that the treatment organ 4 Although it can be actively moved upwards, it only drops down due to its own weight.

In 2 schematically is a detail view of the locking unit 6 the device 1 out 1 shown. The locking unit 6 is self-locking, with a biasing element 62 in the form of a compression spring on a toggle mechanism 60 pushes, so this one locking block 64 against a locking surface 66 suppressed. Due to the stiction between the locking block 64 and the locking surface 66 creates a holding force, by which a sliding of the treatment organ carrier 32 in the linear guide 34 is prevented. This is how the respective treatment organ becomes 4 in a predetermined position relative to the container receptacle 7 locked.

By pressing the plunger 68 in the direction of the biasing element 62 this is compressed and the toggle mechanism 60 angled, resulting in the locking block 64 from the locking surface 66 dissolves and a slide of the treatment organ carrier 32 relative to the rotating part 3 can be achieved.

Due to the small stroke of the plunger 68 , which between locked position and unlocked position of the locking unit 6 is necessary, arises at the suspension of the plunger 68 on the toggle mechanism 60 only such a small offset perpendicular to the actuating direction of the plunger 68 that compensation for the offset is not necessarily necessary. For larger misalignment of the suspension of the plunger 68 on the toggle mechanism 60 can the plunger 68 also via a slot arrangement with the toggle mechanism 60 be connected.

Alternatively, the locking unit 6 also on the treatment organ 4 or the treatment organ carrier 32 be arranged and moved with them. Then the actor has to 52 accordingly first to the plunger 68 be created before a defined opening of the lock can be achieved. At a height adjustment of the treatment organ 4 Then, the unlocked locking via a synchronous driving to the actuator of the actuator 52 held.

Out 3 is a schematic sectional view of a linear guide 34 the device 1 out 1 refer to. The linear guide 34 of the treatment organ carrier 32 is in the form of a sliding profile 35 provided.

4 schematically shows a sectional view of a device 1 for treating a container in an alternative embodiment. Unlike the device 1 out 1 is the adjustment device 5 essentially below the rotating part 3 arranged. This is how the adjusting arm engages 50 for adjusting the height of the treatment organ 4 from below to the treatment organ carrier 32 on, which due to the means of the actuator 52 over the pestle 68 unlocked locking unit 6 on the rotating part 3 is displaceable. The adjustment arm 50 is again via a means of a servomotor 54 drivable spindle 56 along a spindle guide 57 adjustable in height.

5 is a schematic plan view of a device 1 for treating a container in a further embodiment with three adjusting devices 5 . 5 ' to take in an engaged position. On an adjustment device holder 20 of the standing part 2 are three adjusting devices 5 . 5 ' arranged, which in each case in an engagement position in engagement with a treatment organ carrier 32 for simultaneously adjusting the height of the three located in the adjustment treatment organs 4 are located, with the adjusting arms 50 . 50 ' the adjusting devices 5 . 5 ' in a respect to the axis of rotation 30 located radially inward position. The adjusting arms 50 the two outer adjusting devices 5 are each about a vertical pivot axis 58 arranged pivotally. The adjustment arm 50 ' the middle adjustment 5 ' is via a horizontal displacement axis 59 arranged horizontally displaceable. About a pivoting of the adjusting arms 50 the outer adjusting devices 5 about their respective pivot axis 58 can these with the rotating part 3 or the treatment organ carriers 32 be disengaged. Accordingly, the adjustment is 50 ' the middle adjustment 5 ' by moving along the displacement axis 59 with the rotating part 3 or the treatment organ carriers 32 disengaged.

6 schematically shows the device 1 out 5 , wherein the adjusting devices 5 . 5 ' each in a rest position. The adjusting arms 50 the outer adjusting devices 5 are about the pivot axes 58 pivoted radially outward and stand with the range of motion of the rotating part 3 out of engagement. The adjustment arm 50 ' the middle adjustment 5 ' is along the displacement axis 59 shifted radially outwards and is also with the range of movement of the rotating part 3 out of engagement.

Where applicable, all individual features illustrated in the individual embodiments may be combined and / or interchanged without departing from the scope of the invention.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

contraption

2

standing part

20

Verstellvorrichtungshalterung

3

rotating part

30

axis of rotation

32

Treatment member carrier

34

linear guide

35

sliding profile

4

treatment member

5, 5 '

adjustment

50, 50 '

 adjusting arm

52

actuator

54

servomotor

56

spindle

57

spindle guide

58

swivel axis

59

displacement axis

6

locking unit

60

Toggle mechanism

62

biasing member

64

locking block

66

locking surface

68

tappet

7

container receptacle

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

• DE 102010013132 A1 [0005]

Claims (14)

Contraption ( 1 ) for treating a container, preferably for filling and / or closing a can in a filling installation, comprising a standing part ( 2 ), one on the stationary part ( 2 ) about a vertical axis of rotation ( 30 ) rotatably mounted rotating part ( 3 ) and at least two on the rotating part ( 3 ) selectively height-adjustable treatment organs ( 4 ) for treating the container, characterized in that an adjusting device ( 5 ) for adjusting the height of at least one treatment organ ( 4 ) on the stationary part ( 2 ) is arranged and between a rest position, in which the adjusting device ( 5 ) with all treatment organs ( 4 ) is disengaged, and an engagement position in which the adjusting device ( 5 ) with at least one treatment organ ( 4 ) is engaged, switchable. Contraption ( 1 ) According to claim 1, characterized in that the adjusting device ( 5 ) is displaceable and / or pivotable between the engagement position and the rest position. Contraption ( 1 ) According to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that each one of the at least two treatment bodies ( 4 ) by turning the rotating part ( 3 ) is movable in an adjustment position, in which the adjusting device ( 5 ) with the treatment device located in the adjustment position ( 4 ) is engageable. Contraption ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rotating part ( 3 ) for each of the at least two treatment organs ( 4 ) in each case a vertically displaceable treatment organ carrier ( 32 ) for carrying a treatment organ ( 4 ), which in engagement with the adjusting device ( 5 ) can be brought. Contraption ( 1 ) according to claim 4, characterized in that the treatment organ carrier ( 32 ) via a linear guide ( 34 ), preferably by means of a sliding profile ( 35 ), on the rotating part ( 3 ) is guided. Contraption ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adjusting device ( 5 ) an adjusting arm ( 50 ) for engaging in the height-adjusting treatment member ( 4 ) having. Contraption ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rotating part ( 3 ) each a locking unit ( 6 ) for individually locking the height adjustment of each of the at least two treatment organs ( 4 ), wherein the adjusting device ( 5 ) an actor ( 52 ) for unlocking the locking unit ( 6 ), preferably by actuating a plunger ( 68 ) of the locking unit ( 6 ), having. Contraption ( 1 ) according to claim 7, characterized in that the locking unit ( 6 ) a toggle mechanism ( 60 ) for locking the locking unit ( 6 ) having. Contraption ( 1 ) according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the locking unit ( 6 ) a biasing element ( 62 ), preferably a spring, for biasing the locking ( 6 ) in a locked position. Contraption ( 1 ) according to one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the locking unit ( 6 ) a locking block ( 64 ), wherein the locking block ( 64 ) for locking the height adjustment with a locking surface ( 66 ), preferably by a frictional connection or a positive connection, particularly preferably by means of lamellae, a corrugation, a sawtooth profile and / or a friction surface, is engaged. Contraption ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a control is provided, by means of which the height of the at least two treatment organs ( 4 ) by the adjusting device ( 5 ) is automatically adjustable. Contraption ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adjusting device ( 5 ) for adjusting the height of a drive, preferably a motor, particularly preferably a servomotor ( 54 ), having. Contraption ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one sensor for determining the height of each treatment organ ( 4 ) is provided. Contraption ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rotating part ( 3 ) at least two fixed container receptacles ( 7 ), wherein in each case a container receptacle ( 7 ) in each case a selectively height-adjustable treatment member ( 4 ) assigned.

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