DE102018114157A1 - Device and method for transporting containers - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (1) for transporting containers (2) along a transport direction (TR), preferably to or within a container cleaning machine (30), according to the features of the preamble of patent claim 1 The invention relates to a device (1) for transporting containers (2), comprising at least one transport device (3) with at least one belt-like transport means (4) and at least one container receiving device (20) adjoining it in the transport direction (TR), in which the Transport device (3) has a first and second deflection area (6.1, 6.2). Between the first and the second deflection area there is at least one transport area (5.1) for transporting the containers (2) in the transport direction (TR) to a transfer area (40) between the transport device (3) and the container receiving device (20) and at least one return area (5.2 ) for returning the belt-like transport means (4) against the transport direction (TR). The present invention is characterized in particular in that a guide and deflection device (7) is provided in the second deflection area (6.2) for guiding and / or deflecting the belt-like transport means (4), which device is used to adapt at least the longitudinal extent of the transport area (5.1). is designed to be movable in the transport direction (TR).

Description

The invention relates to a device for transporting containers according to the features of the preamble of patent claim 1 and to a method for transporting containers according to patent claim 18.

The use of containers - such as. B. Reusable containers in the beverage industry - assumes that these containers are cleaned, filled and resealed by the consumer after their return. A multitude of different container shapes and container geometries are used today as reusable containers, in particular with variations in height, diameter and mouth quality. Reusable containers made of different materials, such as glass bottles or plastic bottles, are also used.

For cleaning, the containers are transferred to a container cleaning machine, each container being individually accommodated in a container cell and thus being transported through the container cleaning machine and thus also through the different treatment stations or machines in the container cleaning machine.

The container is accommodated in the respective container cell by means of devices for transporting containers. Such devices, such as from the publications DE 201 13 995 U1 . EP 1 762 513 A1 and EP 3 097 989 A1 known, comprise at least one transport device and a container receiving device adjoining the transport device.

The container receiving device then transports the containers into the respective container cells. In particular, differences in height between the transport device and the container cell are bridged. The container then undergoes a pivoting movement in the transfer region in order to pivot it from a vertical position on the transport device into a substantially horizontal position in which the container can be inserted into the container cell.

The transport devices are also known in the prior art as feed tables, accumulation tables or feed belts. But they all have in common that they are a belt-like means of transport. In addition, the known transport devices all have two deflection areas, between which at least one transport area is provided for transporting the containers to a transfer area between the transport device and the container receiving device and at least one return area for returning the belt-like transport means against the transport direction. A deflection roller is provided in each deflection area. The deflection roller in the return area is always designed as a drive roller. A disadvantage of such a return area with a drive roller is that the transfer area is locally limited or fixed.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a device for transporting containers, which enables an improved transport of the containers into or within a container cleaning machine compared to the prior art and at the same time an improved accessibility for repair and maintenance work.

The object is achieved by a device for transporting containers according to the features of independent patent claim 1. A corresponding method is the subject of the independent patent claim 18. The respective subclaims relate to particularly preferred embodiment variants of the invention.

According to a first aspect, the invention relates to a device for transporting containers along a transport direction, preferably to or within a container cleaning machine. The device comprises at least one transport device with at least one belt-like transport means and at least one container receiving device adjoining it in the transport direction. The transport device has a first and second deflection area, between which at least one transport area for transporting the containers in the transport direction to a transfer area between the transport device and the container receiving device and at least one return area for returning the belt-like transport means against the transport direction is provided.

The present invention is further characterized in that a guiding and deflecting device is provided in the second deflecting area for guiding and / or deflecting the belt-like transport means, said guiding and deflecting device being designed to be movable in the direction of transport in order to adapt at least the longitudinal extent of the transport area.

According to an advantageous embodiment, it is provided that the guiding and deflecting device is designed to be adjustable in the transport direction.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, it is provided that the Guide and deflection device has a form and sliding element.

According to yet another advantageous embodiment variant, it is provided that the guiding and deflecting device has at least one belt drive.

According to yet another advantageous embodiment variant, it is provided that a first deflection roller is provided in the first deflection area and a second deflection roller is provided in the second deflection area.

According to yet another advantageous embodiment variant, it is provided that the second deflecting roller is part of the guiding and deflecting device.

According to yet another advantageous embodiment variant, it is provided that the belt-like transport means of the transport device is guided at least via the guide and deflection device from the transport area via the form and slide element, the belt drive and the second deflection roller into the return area.

According to yet another advantageous embodiment variant, it is provided that the guiding and deflecting device has a U-profile with a sliding carriage attached to the U-profile, and according to yet another advantageous embodiment variant it is provided that on a first leg of the U- Profile the second deflection roller and the belt drive are attached to a second leg of the U-profile.

According to yet another advantageous embodiment variant, it is provided that the shaping and sliding element is arranged on the sliding carriage of the guiding and deflecting device.

According to yet another advantageous embodiment variant, it is provided that the shaping and sliding element of the transport device is adapted according to a shape and / or size of the container or a container base, so that the containers are removed from the transport area of the transport device, in particular also by adapting the Longitudinal extent of the transport area in the transport direction, can be transported directly to the container receiving device.

According to yet another advantageous embodiment variant, it is provided that the form and slide element of the transport device guides the belt-like transport means at an angle to the transport direction, so that a lateral surface of the containers lies flat on a container guide plane of the container receiving device.

According to yet another advantageous embodiment variant, it is provided that the container receiving device has at least one driver which can be rotated about an axis of rotation and which in each case transports a container in the transfer area from the transport area of the transport device along the container guide plane of the container receiving device into a container cell of the container cleaning machine.

According to yet another advantageous embodiment variant, it is provided that the driver is designed to receive at least one container bottom of the container, and according to yet another advantageous embodiment variant it is provided that the belt drive is a driven hexagon shaft and is according to yet another advantageous embodiment variant provided that a chain tensioner is provided in the return area.

According to a further aspect, the present invention also relates to a method for transporting containers along a transport direction, preferably to or within a container cleaning machine, in which the containers are moved from at least one transport device with at least one belt-like transport means to an at least adjoining it in the transport direction Container receiving device are transported. The transport device has a first and second deflection area, between which at least one transport area for transporting the containers in the transport direction to a transfer area between the transport device and the container receiving device and at least one return area for returning the belt-like transport means against the transport direction is provided. The present invention is further characterized in that in the second deflection area the belt-like transport means is guided and / or deflected by means of a guiding and deflection device which can be moved in the transport direction to adapt at least the longitudinal extent of the transport area.

According to yet another advantageous embodiment variant, it is provided that the belt-like transport means of the transport device is guided from the transport area into the return area via the guiding and deflecting device.

According to yet another advantageous embodiment variant, it is provided that the belt-like transport means is inclined at an angle to at least in the transfer area Transport direction is transported, in such a way that an outer surface of the container lies flat on a container guide level of the container receiving device.

• 1 beispielhaft eine Vorrichtung zum Transportieren von Behältern innerhalb einer Behältereinigungsmaschine in einer perspektivischen Seitenansicht;
• 2 beispielhaft eine weitere Ausführungsvariante der Vorrichtung zum Transportieren von Behältern in einer schematischen Seitenansicht; und
• 3 beispielhaft einen vergrößerten Ausschnitt der Transporteinrichtung im zweiten Umlenkbereich gemäß des gestrichelten Kreises X der 1

Further developments, advantages and possible uses of the invention also result from the following description of exemplary embodiments and from the figures. All of the features described and / or depicted, in themselves or in any combination, are fundamentally the subject of the invention, regardless of how they are summarized in the claims or their relationship. The content of the claims is also made part of the description.

• 1 an example of a device for transporting containers within a container cleaning machine in a perspective side view;
• 2 another exemplary embodiment of the device for transporting containers in a schematic side view; and
• 3 an enlarged section of the transport device in the second deflection area, for example, according to the dashed circle X of the 1

Identical reference numerals are used in the figures for identical or identically acting elements of the invention. Furthermore, for the sake of clarity, only reference numerals are shown in the individual figures that are necessary for the description of the respective figure.

1 shows an embodiment of a device according to the invention 1 for transporting containers 2 along a transport direction TR in a perspective side view. The device 1 for transporting containers 2 is in this embodiment within a container cleaning machine 30 intended.

The device 1 here also includes only one transport device 3 with only one belt-like means of transport 4 and only one in the direction of transport TR subsequent container receiving device 20 , The transport device 3 has a first deflection area 6.1 and a second deflection area 6.2 on between which there is only one transport area 5.1 to transport the containers 2 in the direction of transport TR to a transfer area 40 between the transport device 3 and the container receiving device 20 and only one return area 5.2 for returning the belt-like means of transport 4 against the direction of transport TR is provided. For a better overview shows 3 an enlarged section of the transport device 3 in the second deflection area 6.2 according to the dashed circle shown here X ,

According to the invention is in the second deflection area 6.2 for guiding and / or deflecting the belt-like transport means 4 a guiding and deflecting device 7 provided to adapt at least the longitudinal extent of the transport area 5.1 in the direction of transport TR is designed to be movable.

The guidance and deflection device 7 is in the direction of transport TR adjustable. For example, one embodiment variant can provide that the guiding and deflecting device 7 for example via a drive in the direction of transport TR is drivable. An alternative embodiment variant can also provide that the guiding and deflecting device 7 via a fine thread in the direction of transport TR is adjustable.

The guidance and deflection device 7 advantageously has a form and slide element 8th on. The form and slide element 8th is in 2 shown. Furthermore, the guide and deflection device 7 a belt drive 9 on. The belt drive 9 drives the belt-like means of transport 4 the transport device 3 on. The belt drive can for example be a driven hexagon shaft 9 his.

Furthermore, are in the first deflection area 6.1 a first pulley 13 and in the second deflection area 6.2 a second pulley 10 intended. The first pulley 13 can be optionally driven. You would then as a relief drive for the belt-like means of transport 4 serve. The second deflection roller is advantageous 10 Part of the guide and deflection device 7 , Consequently, this embodiment provides that belt-like transport means 4 the transport device 3 , via the guiding and deflecting device 7 from the transport area 5.1 about the form and slide element 8th , the belt drive 9 continue over the second pulley 10 in the return area 5.2 is led.

The guiding and deflecting device can also be advantageous 7 a U profile 11 with one on the U profile 11 attached sliding carriage 12 exhibit. The sliding carriage 12 is in 2 shown. Then are preferably on a first leg 11.1 of the U-profile 11 the second pulley 10 and on a second leg 11.2 of the U-profile 11 the belt drive 9 attached. Likewise, it is then preferably on the sliding carriage 12 the guiding and deflecting device 7 the form and slide element 8th arranged.

Furthermore, the form and slide element can be advantageous 8th the transport device 3 according to a shape and / or size of the container 2 or one container bottom BB be adjusted so that the container 2 from the transportation area 5.1 the transport device 3 , in particular also by adapting the longitudinal extent of the transport area 5.1 in the direction of transport TR , directly to the container receiving device 20 are transportable.

This is advantageously achieved in that the shaped and sliding element 8th the transport device 3 the belt-like means of transport 4 at an angle α to the direction of transport TR leads, so that then a lateral surface MF the container 2 plan on a container management level BFE the container receiving device 20 rests. It is therefore advantageous if the form and slide element 8th is a quickly replaceable component, depending on the individual adaptation to the shape and / or size of the container to be transported 2 to be able to exchange.

The transfer area 40 between the transport device 3 and the container receiving device 20 is the area where a container 2 on the transportation area 5.1 the transport device 3 of at least one of the two about an axis of rotation D rotatable carrier 21 , as in 2 shown, the container receiving device 20 undergoes a pivotal movement around the container 2 from an approximately vertical position on the transport area 5.1 in a substantially horizontal position in which the container 2 into a container cell 31 the container cleaning machine 30 can be introduced to pivot. The container 2 with one of the two carriers 21 along a container guide level BFE the container receiving device 20 transported, with height differences between the transport device 3 and the container cell 31 be bridged. The driver 21 is particularly designed to at least the bottom of the container BB of the container 2 take.

Because of the container 2 plan at the container management level BFE the container receiving device 20 it is possible that a carrier 21 so close to the container 2 arrives so that this is a complete container bottom BB of the container 2 receives. It is also conceivable that the driver 21 the container 2 before that - before the container 2 completely flat on the container guide level BFE the transport device 20 rests - picks up and transported. It has thus been achieved with the invention that, on the one hand, when the container is picked up by the driver 21 not as was previously known in the prior art, is locally limited or fixed and on the other hand one has achieved that the driver 21 a complete container bottom BB (Was in the prior art due to the arrangement of the driven deflection roller in the second deflection area 6.2 not possible), so that safe transport within the container receiving device 20 the device 1 is created. Another significant advantage is that by means of the guiding and deflecting device 7 in the second deflection area 6.2 better accessibility in the transport device 3 repair and maintenance work is possible because the entire area of the transport equipment 3 deeper than in the direction of transport TR is trained longer. This gives another advantage. Larger components and thus inevitably more stable components, such as a more stable hexagon shaft, can be used. In addition to a maintenance-friendly device 1 for the transport of containers 2 is therefore also a durable device 1 for the transport of containers 2 created.

2 shows a further embodiment of the device according to the invention 1 for transporting containers 2 in a schematic side view, in which different from the variant of the 1 a chain tensioner 14 in the return area 5.2 , is provided. The chain tensioner 14 is especially designed to transport the belt 4 the transport device 3 in the event of a compression of the transport area 5.1 against the direction of transport TR or if the return area is compressed 5.2 to always be able to run with the same voltage.

All other reference symbols shown here are already closed 1 have been described and can therefore be found in this.

The invention has been described above using exemplary embodiments. It goes without saying that a large number of changes or modifications are possible without thereby leaving the scope of protection of the invention defined by the patent claims.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

device

2

container

3

transport means

4

Mode of Transport

5.1

transport sector

5.2

rear area

6.1

first deflection area

6.2

second deflection area

7

Guiding and deflecting device

8th

Form and sliding element

9

capstan

10

second pulley

11

U-profile

11.1

first leg

11.2

second leg

12

sliding table

13

first pulley

14

chain tensioner

20

Container receiving device

21

takeaway

30

Tank cleaning machine

31

container cell

40

Transfer area

α

angle

BB

container bottom

BFE

Container management level

D

axis of rotation

MF

lateral surface

TR

transport direction

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is only included 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.

Patent literature cited

• DE 20113995 U1 [0004]
• EP 1762513 A1 [0004]
• EP 3097989 A1 [0004]

Claims (20)

Device (1) for transporting containers (2) along a transport direction (TR), preferably to or within a container cleaning machine (30), comprising at least one transport device (3) with at least one belt-like transport means (4) with at least one belt drive (9 ) and at least one container receiving device (20) adjoining it in the transport direction (TR), in which the transport device (3) has a first and second deflection area (6.1, 6.2), between which at least one transport area (5.1) for transporting the containers (2 ) in the transport direction (TR) to a transfer area (40) between the transport device (3) and the container receiving device (20) and at least one return area (5.2) for returning the belt-like transport means (4) against the transport direction (TR), characterized that in the second deflection area (6.2) for guiding and / or deflecting the belt-like transport with a guide and deflection device (7) is provided which is designed to be movable in the transport direction (TR) in order to adapt at least the longitudinal extent of the transport region (5.1). Device (1) after Claim 1 , characterized in that the guiding and deflecting device (7) is designed to be adjustable in the transport direction (TR). Device (1) after Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the guiding and deflecting device (7) has a shaping and sliding element (8). Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the guiding and deflecting device (7) has the at least one belt drive (9). Device (1) according to one of the preceding Claims 3 or 4 , characterized in that the at least one belt drive (9) is arranged in the transport direction after the shaping and sliding element (8) of the guiding and deflecting device (7) and below the shaping and sliding element (8). Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a first deflection roller (13) is provided in the first deflection area (6.1) and a second deflection roller (10) is provided in the second deflection area (6.2). Device (1) after Claim 6 , characterized in that the second deflecting roller (10) is part of the guiding and deflecting device (7). Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the belt-like transport means (4) of the transport device (3) at least via the guiding and deflecting device (7) from the transport area (5.1) via the shaping and sliding element (8), the belt drive (9) and the second deflection roller (10) are guided into the return area (5.2). Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the guiding and deflecting device (7) has a U-profile (11) with a sliding carriage (12) attached to the U-profile (11). Device (1) after Claim 9 characterized in that the second deflection roller (10) is attached to a first leg (11.1) of the U-profile (11) and the belt drive (9) is attached to a second leg (11.2) of the U-profile (11). Device (1) after Claim 9 , characterized in that the shaping and sliding element (8) is arranged on the sliding carriage (12) of the guiding and deflecting device (7). Device (1) according to one of the Claims 2 to 11 , characterized in that the shaping and sliding element (8) of the transport device (3) is adapted according to a shape and / or size of the container (2) or a container base (BB), so that the containers (2) from the transport area (5.1) of the transport device (3), in particular also by adapting the longitudinal extent of the transport area (5.1) in the transport direction (TR), can be transported directly to the container receiving device (20). Device (1) according to one of the Claims 2 to 12 , characterized in that the form and slide element (8) of the transport device (3) guides the belt-like transport means (4) at an angle (a) to the transport direction (TR), so that a lateral surface (MF) of the containers (2) is flat rests on a container guide level (BFE) of the container receiving device (20). Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the container receiving device (20) has at least one driver (21) which can be rotated about an axis of rotation (D) and which each has a container (2) in the transfer area (40) from the transport area ( 5.1) of the transport device (3) is transported along the container guide plane (BFE) of the container receiving device (20) into a container cell (31) of the container cleaning machine (30). Device (1) after Claim 14 , characterized in that the driver (21) is designed to receive at least one container bottom (BB) of the container (2). Device (1) according to one of the Claims 4 or 8th , characterized in that the belt drive is a driven hexagonal shaft (9). Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a chain tensioner (14) is provided in the return area (5.2.). Method for transporting containers (2) along a transport direction (TR), preferably to or within a container cleaning machine (30), in which the containers (2) from at least one transport device (3) with at least one belt-like transport means (4) to one at least the container receiving device (20) adjoining it in the transport direction (TR) are transported, the transport device (3) having a first and second deflection area (6.1, 6.2), between which at least one transport area (5.1) for transporting the containers (2) in Transport direction (TR) to a transfer area (40) between the transport device (3) and the container receiving device (20) and at least one return area (5.2) for returning the belt-like transport means (4) against the transport direction (TR) is provided, characterized in that in the second deflection area (6.2) the belt-like transport means (4) by means of a guide and deflecting device (7) is guided and / or deflected, which can be moved in the transport direction (TR) to adapt at least the longitudinal extent of the transport region (5.1). Procedure according to Claim 18 , characterized in that the belt-like transport means (4) of the transport device (3) is guided via the guiding and deflecting device (7) from the transport area (4.1) into the return area (5.2). Procedure according to one of the Claims 18 to 19 , characterized in that the belt-like transport means (4) is transported at least in the transfer area (40) at an angle (a) to the transport direction (TR), in such a way that a lateral surface (MF) of the containers (2) is flat on a Container guide level (BFE) of the container receiving device (20) rests.

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