DE112012004655B4 - Apparatus and method for the treatment and delivery of container closures - Google Patents

Abstract

Device for the treatment and supply of isolated and preferably pre- or position-oriented container closures (26) to a further processing machine, preferably closing machine, wherein the device in one, preferably horizontal plane (23) oriented conveyor track (1) having an inlet (2) and a Outlet (3) for the container closures (26), wherein the conveying path (1) has side walls (4) and a bottom (24), wherein the conveying path (1) in the plane (23) is in the form of a spiral with a plurality of Spiral coils (17), characterized in that the bottom (24) has air inlet openings (11) from which by means of a compressed air unit (15) compressed air in a conveyor path volume (14) which of the side walls (4) and the bottom (24) is limited, is inflatable, to further promote the container closures (26), wherein under the bottom (24) of the conveyor track (1) an air supply channel (12) is arranged to de n air supply openings (11) to supply compressed air, and wherein below the air supply passage (12) an air return passage (13) is arranged, having an inlet opening (19) in the region of the outlet (3), and that a filter for filtering the recirculated compressed air is provided ,

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a device for the treatment and supply of isolated and preferably pre-or position-oriented container closures to a further processing machine, preferably closing machine, wherein the device comprises a in a preferably horizontal plane oriented conveyor track with an inlet and an outlet for the container closures, wherein the conveyor track has side walls as well as a bottom with air inlet openings, from which compressed air can be blown into a conveyor track volume bounded by the side walls and the floor by means of a compressed air unit in order to further convey the container closures.

The present invention also relates to a method for the treatment and supply of isolated and preferably pre- or position-oriented container closures to a further processing machine, preferably closing machine, wherein the container closures are conveyed by means of compressed air in a, preferably horizontal plane, wherein further the container closures a top and have a bottom, and wherein the top and bottom are substantially parallel to each other and the bottom faces the interior of a container and the top is outside the container when the container is closed with the container closure.

STATE OF THE ART

In container filling plants, containers are filled by means of filling machines and the filled containers are closed by means of a closing machine. For example, the containers may be containers of thermoplastic material produced in the container filling operation by heating preforms by means of a furnace and forming them into containers by means of an inflator. The container closures in turn are removed from a storage container or a task unit by means of a removal conveyor and pre-oriented. Depending on the material of the container, different materials are typically used in the container closures.

For example, plastic bottles (PET bottles) are usually closed with plastic or aluminum container closures; Glass bottles typically with container closures made of plastic, aluminum or sheet steel, wherein it may be the case closures, for example, crown corks or screw caps.

According to the AT 10979 U1 For example, the removal conveyor preferably has a steep conveyor section for conveying the container closures as directly as possible a distance along a vertical direction upwards. From the steep conveyor section, the container closures are singled out in a transfer station and transferred in a position-oriented manner to a delivery unit, which finally supplies the container closures to a further processing machine, preferably a closing machine.

In practice, disturbances may occur, in particular during singulation and position orientation in the transfer station, in that container closures, for example, become wedged and jammed. In order to prevent situations in which (filled) containers can not be closed because container closures are no longer supplied to the capping machine, it is important that there be a sufficient number of container closures between the transfer station and the capping machine. In this way, containers can be closed with container closures for a certain time continue until z. B. fixed the problem in the transfer station or the system is run down ordered. Thus, the container preforms can in any case be removed from the oven and subsequently inflated and closed so that no preforms remain in the oven. The latter would in any case the - unwanted - destruction of the preforms result. It is thus avoided that it comes to unnecessary losses of containers and to losses or contamination of valuable filler.

In order to have the said container closures in stock in a malfunction, ready for feeding to the capping machine, it is known from the prior art to provide very long straight-line conveying paths or conveying units. However, this costs a lot of space. To counter the space problem is from the EP 0993417B1 a dynamic plug storage apparatus is known in which container closures are conveyed on a helical path to the capping machine. Ie. On a limited horizontal base, a long conveyor line is created by having the conveyor path helically arranged, with a plurality of turns in the vertical direction.

The disadvantage here is on the one hand, the vertical space requirement. Second, requirements for sterility and sterilization of the container closures are difficult to meet. The capping machines themselves, usually combined with the filling machines, are housed in enclosures that act as cleanrooms. A sterilization and sterilization should usually take place as directly as possible before the capping machine. Chemical disinfection (for example by means of H ₂ O ₂ - or Peroxyacetic acid immersion bath) is indeed due to high sterilization rates, but carries the risk of product contamination by residues of the disinfectant. In addition, there is an inherent danger to the operating personnel, and the operation is associated with high costs. As an alternative, the irradiation with UV light offers. However, the effect is weaker than the chemical disinfection and therefore depends more on the exposure time or exposure time. For a given filling speed, it is therefore difficult to achieve sufficiently long irradiation times. For this purpose, the irradiation over a long conveying distance of the container closures would be necessary. This in turn is either not feasible in the helical geometry or only with great technical effort.

Finally, there is the problem of dust, which can be found due to the production or by the transport on the container closures. The dust can either contain germs or acts as a nucleation point for germs. This problem is not solved satisfactorily by methods known from the prior art.

From the EP 2 039 439 A1 a device for disinfecting container closures is known, which move on a spiral transport path in a housing by means of a displacement device from outside to inside. The displacement device works with sliding bodies which push the container closures.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to avoid the abovementioned disadvantages. Thus, an apparatus and a method for the treatment and supply of isolated and pre- or position-oriented container closures to a further processing machine, preferably closing machine, are provided, with only a minimal space requirement in all three dimensions of space is required. In particular, it should be taken into account that a trouble-free disinfection or sterilization of the container closures is made possible by means of UV irradiation with simultaneous compactness of the device. Finally, the problem of dust on container closures should be taken into account.

PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

In order to achieve a buffering of container closures, for example of crown corks or screw caps, when being fed to a further processing machine, in particular a closing machine, a long conveyor line is provided in front of the further processing machine. On the long conveyor line correspondingly many isolated container closures may be present, which are preferably oriented or location-oriented.

In order to consume only a relatively small horizontal area despite a long conveying distance - typically 15 to 20 m - it is provided to convey the container closures on a spiral conveyor track. In order to limit also the dimension of the device in the vertical direction, the spiral is arranged with a plurality of turns in the horizontal plane. This is particularly advantageous because the device is arranged anyway on a raised level in the vertical direction above the ground due to the usual arrangement of a transfer station, which the container closures isolated and location-oriented, and from which the container closures must be transported to the finishing machine.

The more spiral windings are present, the longer the conveyor track or conveyor line and the more container closures can be stored or buffered on the conveyor track.

The device further has an inlet into which the container closures are fed by a (feed) conveying unit of the conveyor track and enter the device. The end of the conveyor track is formed by an outlet, from which the container closures can be fed to the further processing machine. The container closures pass from the outlet directly into an enclosure which acts as a clean room, the container closures no longer leave the clean room until they are closed in the capping machine. Ie. the risk of contamination immediately before the capping machine is thus avoided.

The container closures are moved or conveyed on the conveyor track by means of compressed air. The compressed air is provided by a compressed air unit and flows out of air inlet openings of the bottom of the conveyor track.

On both sides of the conveyor track side walls are arranged, which prevent the container closures can move laterally away from the conveyor track or down. The bottom and the side walls in this case limit a conveyor track volume, ie the compressed air is injected into this conveyor track volume through the air inlet openings. In principle, it is of course conceivable to let the compressed air also flow through the side walls in the conveyor track volume. Therefore, it is in a device for buffering and supplying isolated and preferably pre-or position-oriented container closures to a Further processing machine, preferably closing machine, wherein the device comprises a in one, preferably horizontal plane oriented conveyor track with an inlet and an outlet for the container closures, wherein the conveyor track side walls and a bottom with air inlet openings, from which by means of a compressed air unit compressed air in a conveyor track volume, which is bounded by the side walls and the bottom, is inflatable to further promote the container closures, according to the invention provided that the conveying path in the plane in the form of a spiral having a plurality of spiral turns.

Ideally, the air inlet openings are not designed as simple holes, but have a known guide section, which deflects the compressed air at least partially in the conveying direction. A regular arrangement of such air inlet openings can be realized in the form of a gill plate. It is therefore provided in a preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention that the bottom of the conveyor track is designed as a gill plate.

The container closures are moved or conveyed on the spiral conveyor track from outside to inside. Accordingly, the inlet forms the mouth of the outermost spiral turn or preferably connects tangentially to the mouth of the outermost spiral turn. The outlet, however, is located in the center of the spiral. Therefore, it is provided in a particularly preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention that the outermost spiral turn preferably connects tangentially to the inlet and the outlet is arranged substantially in the center of the spiral. Of course, it is also conceivable to carry out the inlet in the center and the outlet to the outermost spiral preferably tangentially thereafter.

Analogously, it is therefore in a method for buffering and supplying isolated and preferably pre- or position-oriented container closures to a further processing machine, preferably closing machine, wherein the container closures are conveyed by compressed air in a, preferably horizontal plane, wherein furthermore the container closures a top and a bottom and wherein the top and bottom are substantially parallel to each other and the bottom faces the interior of a container and the top is outside the container, when the container is closed with the container closure, according to the invention provided that the container closures in the plane on a spiral track are conveyed to the center of a spiral, from where they are fed to the further processing machine.

As already mentioned, the device will usually be arranged on a raised level in the vertical direction. Accordingly, it makes sense to arrange the further processing machine at a lower level in order to make optimum use of the available space. Therefore, a chute is provided as a supply of container closures for further processing machine at the end of the conveyor track. This may be configured to adjust the orientation of the container closures as they slide down the chute so that they arrive properly oriented in the playback machine. For example, it is conceivable that the container closures are rotated from an orientation with its underside in the vertical upward direction when sliding over the chute in an orientation in which the underside facing downwards against the vertical direction. Therefore, in a preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention, it is provided that the outlet comprises a chute which is inclined with respect to the plane of the spiral, the inclination having a component in the direction of gravity. Likewise, a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention provides that the supply of the container closures to the further processing machine by slipping over a chute with a proportion of movement in the direction of gravity.

The generation of the compressed air used for conveying the container closures is on the one hand associated with costs, on the other hand, it is problematic for hygienic reasons to simply let the compressed air blown into the conveyor belt volume escape into the environment. The latter inevitably leads to air currents and air turbulence, which represent an ideal means of transport for germs. Such germ transport should be prevented. In order to reduce or prevent an escape of the compressed air in the vertical direction, it is provided in a preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention that the device has a lid which in a closed position preferably all spiral turns of the conveyor track or the conveyor track volume in a direction normal to the plane of the spiral, preferably airtight terminates. The lid also serves as a guide for the container closures in the direction normal to the plane of the spiral.

The compressed air can thus be injected from an air supply channel, which is located under the conveyor track and runs congruent with this, in the conveyor track volume. Ie. a preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention provides that under the gill plate or the bottom of the conveyor track, an air supply channel is arranged to the Air inlets to supply compressed air. It should be noted that dust, which is located on the container closures, is at least partially blown off by the compressed air. Ie. The container closures are not only conveyed by the compressed air, but also dedusted at the same time.

Electrostatic charging of the container closures causes the dust to adhere very strongly to the container closures. In order to be able to better blow off the dust from the container closures in this case, the injected compressed air can be ionized, preferably by means of ion-spray nozzles, so that the electrostatic charge of the container closures is neutralized. It is therefore provided in a particularly preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention that ion spray nozzles are provided in order to ionize the compressed air to be injected into the conveyor track volume.

The conveyor belt volume is practically closed when the lid is closed. Only in the region of the inlet and the outlet can a small, negligible part of compressed air escape in an uncontrolled manner: in the region of the inlet in the direction of the delivery unit which supplies the container closures to the device according to the invention; in the area of the outlet in the direction of the finishing machine. However, most of the compressed air injected into the conveyor track volume ultimately passes into an area of the outlet where there is an inlet opening of an air return passage which serves to supply the used compressed air back to the compressed air system. The recirculated air can be filtered in a filter, whereby any entrained dust and / or germs are separated from the container closures from the compressed air. Ie. First, sterile compressed air is injected, contaminated with dust and / or germs, returned and cleaned again by means of a filter or sterilized. In this way, almost all compressed air can be reused. Therefore, it is provided in a particularly preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention that under the air supply duct an air return channel is arranged, which has an inlet opening in the region of the outlet, preferably to recycle the compressed air used for further promotion of the container closures from the conveyor belt volume to the compressed air unit. This requires that the air return duct on the one hand begins with its inlet opening substantially below or adjacent to that region where the air supply duct ends. On the other hand, the air return passage terminates substantially below or adjacent to the beginning of the air supply passage, in the area of the compressed air unit. Of course, it is also conceivable to suck the contaminated with dust and / or germs air with a separate suction device from the conveyor path volume through the air return duct. Also in this case, the air return duct has to start with its inlet opening substantially below or adjacent to the area where the air supply duct ends. Accordingly, the air return channel is located at least in one area or at least partially under the air supply channel. Preferably, the air return passage is located at least in the region of the outlet below the air supply passage. It is understood, however, that the air return passage need not be disposed entirely to the separate exhaust device below the air supply passage. Accordingly, the term "under" to understand.

In order to be able to simply remove the cover from the closed position, if, for example, a direct access to the conveyor from above is required, it is provided in a particularly preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention, that the lid is rotatably mounted outside of the outermost spiral winding, the axis of rotation normal is on the plane of the spiral and the lid is rotatable between the closed position and an open position.

In addition, a UV irradiation unit can be accommodated in the lid, which irradiates the container closures with UV light for disinfection purposes. In this case, the container closures are expediently oriented such that their underside faces upward, since the undersides can subsequently come into contact with the contents of the containers and therefore must be as sterile and germ-free as possible. Therefore, it is provided in a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention that the undersides of the container closures are turned away from the plane of the spiral during their transport.

The UV irradiation unit ideally illuminates the entire conveyor track, ie all spiral turns and all container closures thereon, with UV light. Typically, in this way 15 to 20 m conveyor track is irradiated with UV light. This ensures that the container closures are irradiated with UV light for a relatively long time, which they need to cover the entire spiral conveyor path. Thus, a very expensive and expensive UV irradiation unit, which would have to generate extremely intense UV light due to a short irradiation time, can be dispensed with. Therefore, it is provided in a preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention that in the lid, a UV irradiation unit is arranged, which covers substantially the entire spiral conveyor path in the closed position, to substantially all container closures on the spiral Sterilize conveyor belt by UV irradiation and sterilize.

If only very short irradiation times of, for example, 0.5 to 2 s were possible, a so-called high-pressure system as UV irradiation unit would be necessary in order to guarantee the required sterility and sterility of the container closures. Due to the necessary power, however, such high pressure systems generate a great deal of heat, which can cause the container closures to heat up undesirably. Apart from the necessary cooling, high-pressure systems are disadvantageous in that the high intensity of the UV radiation represents a potential source of danger for employees.

However, the time available with the device according to the invention for UV irradiation of the containers is significantly longer, so that a so-called low or medium pressure system can be used without problems as a UV irradiation unit. These systems produce less heat and are less dangerous due to the lower UV intensity. Such systems typically require UV irradiation times of at least 5 seconds to achieve acceptable levels of germ killing. With the device according to the invention, however, UV irradiation times between 20 and 80 s can be achieved with typical conveyor line lengths of 15 to 20 m. It is therefore provided in a particularly preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention that the UV irradiation unit is a low or medium pressure system. Consequently, it is provided in a particularly preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention that the container closures, in particular the undersides of the container closures during the transport of the container closures on the spiral path at least 20 s, preferably between 25 s and 80 s are irradiated with UV light to sterilize and sterilize the container closures.

In order to ensure the accessibility of the UV irradiation unit for maintenance purposes, it is provided that the UV irradiation unit is arranged on a lower side of at least one cover flap. The at least one lid flap is positionable between a closed and an open lid flap position. In the closed lid flap position, the container closures can be irradiated through an upper guide which guides the container closures in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the spiral when the lid is in the closed position. Therefore, in a particularly preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention, it is provided that the lid comprises at least one lid flap, which has a lid flap top and a lid flap bottom and is positionable between a closed and an open lid flap position, and that the UV irradiation unit is arranged on the lid flap bottom to irradiate the container closures through an upper guide in the closed position of the lid with the lid flap position closed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to exemplary embodiments. The drawings are exemplary and are intended to illustrate the inventive idea, but in no way restrict it or even reproduce it.

Showing:

1 a plan view of a device according to the invention without a lid.

2 an axonometric view of a device according to the invention with a lid in Öffnun

3 an axonometric view of a device according to the invention with a lid in the closed position.

4 a sectional view along the line BB in 3 ,

5 an axonometric detail view of the area A from 3 ,

6 a side view with compressed air unit.

7 an axonometric view of the underside of a lid.

8th a sectional view of a lid.

9 an axonometric view of another embodiment of the device according to the invention.

10 an axonometric view of the partially cut portion C of 9 ,

WAYS FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

1 shows an embodiment of a device according to the invention in a plan view. In this case, the device has a cover surface 21 on which in a horizontal plane 23 (in 1 the plane of drawing), in the present embodiment normal to a vertical direction 8th is oriented. On the top surface 21 is a conveyor belt 1 formed, starting from an inlet 2 spirally in several - in the case shown in nine - spiral turns 17 from runs outside inwards. This will be container closures 26 (see. 8th ) over the inlet 2 tangential in the outermost spiral turn 17 introduced and eventually transported to the center of the spiral, where the outlet 3 located. In the area of the outlet 3 opens the innermost spiral turn 17 into a chute 16 over which the container closures 26 in a vertically lower, not shown further processing machine slip.

The transport of the container closures 26 on the conveyor track 1 takes place by means of compressed air coming from air inlet openings 11 which are in the ground 24 the conveyor belt 1 arranged at regular intervals, exit. This can be the soil 24 as a gill plate 5 (see. 5 ). To a lateral sliding away of the container closures 26 from the conveyor belt 1 to avoid is the conveyor belt 1 along its entire course laterally with side walls 4 Mistake. The air inlets 11 are also shaped, for example by having non-illustrated guide sections, that the compressed air not only vertically upwards, in the vertical direction, but partly also in the conveying direction 22 blown.

2 shows the device of the invention 1 in axonometric view, but additionally with a lid 6 Mistake. This is by means of a cover frame 20 outside the outermost spiral turn 17 around a rotation axis 9 rotatably mounted, wherein the axis of rotation 9 parallel to the vertical direction 8th runs. The lid 6 can thus from an opening position 10 , what a 2 is shown and in which the lid 6 no part of the spiral conveyor track 1 covered, in a closed position 7 (see. 3 ) are twisted.

In 2 It is easy to see that the device is parallel to the vertical direction 8th is extensive. In particular, runs under the entire conveyor track 1 an air supply duct 12 whose beginning in the area of the inlet 2 is recognizable. Through the air supply duct 12 is by means of a compressed air unit 15 Compressed air through the air inlet openings 11 blown. Ie. the air supply duct 12 becomes upward (thus in vertical direction 8th ) through the ground 24 the guideway 1 completed. In the area of the inlet 2 is also the end of an air return channel 13 recognizable. This serves to return the used compressed air to the compressed air unit 15 , Accordingly, the air return passage ends 13 in an area under the beginning of the air supply duct 12 ,

The beginning of the air supply duct 12 It is also ideal for placing anti-static nozzles (not shown) to ionize the compressed air being injected. In this way, optionally, an electrostatic charging of the container closures 26 counteracted.

The air return channel 13 starts with an inlet opening 19 in the area of the outlet 3 , because almost all the compressed air gets there. Ie. the air return channel 13 begins in an area below the end of the air supply duct 12 , The air return channel 13 but does not necessarily coincide with the air supply duct 12 ,

3 shows an axonometric view of the device with the lid 6 in the closed position 7 , The lid closes 6 a conveyor volume 14 (see. 5 ) substantially airtight, which through the ground 24 the conveyor belt 1 as well as through the side walls 4 is formed. This is a prerequisite that the compressed air does not escape into the environment, but almost completely through the air return duct 13 to the compressed air unit 15 (see. 6 ) can be returned.

The compressed air unit 15 is in the side view of 6 clearly visible. The compressed air unit 15 and preferably includes a filter element (not shown) to filter the spent, recirculated compressed air. As a result, in particular dust and germs that are initially on the container closures 26 and are blown off by the compressed air. Also easily recognizable in 6 is the course of the air supply duct 12 and the air return channel 13 ,

The inlet opening 19 of the air return channel 13 is particular in 4 good to recognize the a sectional view of the device 3 shows, where the sectional plane parallel to the vertical direction 8th lies and runs through the line BB, the arrows indicate the line of sight. Furthermore is in 4 well recognizable that the slide 16 against the vertical direction 8th leads down. Here is the slide 16 in an enclosure 25 arranged in which 4 is clearly recognizable. This enclosure serves as a clean room, the container closures 26 do not leave until it is closed in the capping machine. It is thus prevented that after sterilization by means of a UV irradiation unit 18 (see. 7 ) the container closures 26 can be contaminated again.

5 shows an enlarged axonometric view of the area A from 3 , In this view are particularly well recognizable: the side walls 4 , the gill plate 5 with air inlets 11 as well as the beginning of the air supply duct 12 and the end of the air return passage 13 ,

7 shows the bottom of the lid 6 In this view, the UV irradiation device 18 is recognizable. With this can in the closed position 7 essentially the entire area of the spiral conveyor track 1 be illuminated with UV light. Since the transport of the container closures 26 over the entire conveyor belt 1 , which is typically between 15m and 20m in length, takes a relatively long time - typically between 20 seconds and 80 seconds - to allow sufficient time for container closures 26 to sterilize with high UV light. It is of course important that the container closures 26 with its underside oriented upwards on the conveyor track 1 be conveyed because the bottom can come into contact with the contents of a filled container at a later date.

8th shows an embodiment of the lid 6 in a sectional view, with the cutting plane perpendicular to the plane 23 the spiral. The lid 6 has two cover flaps 27 on, by means of hinges 38 between an open 32 and a closed lid flap position 31 in each case a rotary valve rotation axis 30 are rotatable. Here are the lid flap pivot axes 30 parallel to the plane 23 the spiral. A crossbar 40 of the lid frame 20 limits the rotation towards the closed lid flap position 31 , For easy movement by a person have the lid flaps 27 one handle each 37 on.

Each lid flap 27 has a lid flap top 28 and a lid flap bottom 29 on. The lid flap top 28 is formed with a slope, ie it is not normal in the vertical direction 8th so that moisture or dirt from the top lid flap 28 can slide off.

The lid flap top 28 and the lid flap bottom 29 limit a cavity 34 responsible for the wiring of the UV irradiation unit 18 can be used. At the lid flap bottom 29 are a reflector 33 and the UV irradiation unit 18 arranged. The UV irradiation unit 18 generates heat during its operation, which by means of heat conduction into the cavity 34 is directed. For cooling, each cover flap 27 on its lid flap top 28 two recesses 35 on, each by a ventilation grille 36 be completed. It is in a recess 35 a ventilation fan (not shown) installed, the air in the cavity 34 sucks and through the other recess 35 from the cavity 34 suppressed.

In the closed lid flap position 31 is the UV irradiation unit 18 in the vertical direction 8th seen directly after an upper management 39 arranged. The upper management 39 serves in the closed position 7 of the lid 6 for guiding the container closures 26 in the vertical direction 8th and forms the bottom of the lid 6 , The upper management 39 must be permeable to the UV light. In addition to solutions made of monolithic quartz glass or with PTFE films is the most cost-effective design of the upper guide 39 a perforated plate. Depending on the size of the container closures 26 Different sized holes can be provided. Typical hole diameters are between 5 and 15 mm, typically around 10 mm. To shade as little as possible UV light, the holes are made with thin webs. Overall, the intensity of the UV light is reduced by only 10% to 20% through the perforated plate.

9 shows a further embodiment of the device according to the invention. In this, the lid shows 6 no overhead 39 but a transparent to UV light film (not shown). The foil closes the lid 6 from the conveyor belt. This has the advantage that when bursting a portion of the UV irradiation unit 18 no shards in the conveyor belt 1 or on or in the container closures 26 can reach. Ie. the foil forms the bottom of the lid 6 and has no openings through the broken pieces in the conveyor track 1 or on or in the container closures 26 could arrive.

Also the lid 6 of in 9 shown embodiment is rotatably mounted, however, the axis of rotation is in this case parallel to the plane 23 the spiral. To the lid 6 to hold in an open position, a corresponding holding device, for. B. in the form of at least one gas spring 43 , intended.

For guiding the container closures 26 in the vertical direction 8th is in this case one with the side walls 4 connected upper management 41 intended. This is in the detail view of 10 particularly recognizable. Every sidewall 4 is formed by a guide rail by means of spacers 42 from the ground 24 the conveyor belt 1 in the vertical direction 8th are spaced apart and the movement of the container closure 26 in the plane 23 to limit the spiral.

In the vertical direction 8th are seen after each sidewall 4 more spacers 42 arranged and after these spacers designed as a further guide rail upper guide 41 , The dimensions of the upper guide 41 are parallel to the plane 23 the spiral is chosen so that the container closure 26 in the vertical direction 8th no further than to move to the upper leadership, as in 10 shown.

In the partial sectional view of 10 is also a truss-like stiffening rib 44 recognizable in the air supply duct 12 is arranged and does not obstruct the air supply. The stiffening rib settles outwards 44 in a crane eyelet 45 to allow convenient movement of the device by means of a crane.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

conveyor track

2

inlet

3

outlet

4

Side wall

5

gill plate

6

cover

7

closed position

8th

Vertical direction

9

axis of rotation

10

opening position

11

Air inlet opening

12

Air supply channel

13

Air return duct

14

Conveyor track volume

15

Compressed air unit

16

slide

17

spiral

18

UV irradiation unit

19

inlet port

20

Lidmaker

21

cover surface

22

conveying direction

23

Level of the spiral

24

Bottom of the conveyor

25

Enclosure of the slide

26

container closure

27

flap

28

Cover flaps top

29

Cover flaps base

30

Cover flaps axis of rotation

31

Closed lid flap position

32

Open lid flap position

33

reflector

34

Cavity for wiring

35

recess

36

ventilation grille

37

Handle

38

hinge

39

upper guide

40

crossmember

41

Upper wall connected with side wall

42

Stand Off

43

Gas Springs

44

Truss-like stiffening rib

45

Lifting eye

Claims (14)

Device for the treatment and supply of isolated and preferably pre- or position-oriented container closures ( 26 ) to a further processing machine, preferably a closing machine, wherein the device has one in a, preferably horizontal plane ( 23 ) oriented conveyor track ( 1 ) with an inlet ( 2 ) and an outlet ( 3 ) for the container closures ( 26 ), wherein the conveyor track ( 1 ) Side walls ( 4 ) as well as a floor ( 24 ), wherein the conveyor track ( 1 ) in the plane ( 23 ) the shape of a spiral with a plurality of spiral turns ( 17 ), characterized in that the bottom ( 24 ) Air inlets ( 11 ), from which by means of a compressed air unit ( 15 ) Compressed air into a conveyor track volume ( 14 ), which from the side walls ( 4 ) and the ground ( 24 ) is inflatable, to the container closures ( 26 ), whereby under the ground ( 24 ) of the conveyor track ( 1 ) an air supply duct ( 12 ) is arranged to the air inlet openings ( 11 ) Supply compressed air, and wherein under the air supply duct ( 12 ) an air return channel ( 13 ) having an inlet opening ( 19 ) in the area of the outlet ( 3 ), and that a filter for filtering the recirculated compressed air is provided. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the bottom ( 24 ) of the conveyor track ( 1 ) as a gill plate ( 5 ) is executed. Device according to one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that at the inlet ( 2 ) the outermost spiral turn ( 17 ) preferably tangentially connects and the outlet ( 3 ) is arranged substantially in the center of the spiral. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the outlet ( 3 ) a slide ( 16 ) compared to the level ( 23 ) of the spiral is inclined, wherein the inclination has a component in the direction of gravity. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the device comprises a lid ( 6 ), which in a closed position ( 7 ) prefers all spiral turns ( 17 ) of the conveyor track ( 1 ) or the conveyor belt volume ( 14 ) in a direction normal to the plane ( 23 ) of the spiral, preferably airtight. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the lid ( 6 ) outside the outermost spiral turn ( 17 ) is rotatably mounted, wherein a rotation axis ( 9 ) normal to the plane ( 23 ) the spiral stands and the lid ( 6 ) between the closed position ( 7 ) and an opening position ( 10 ) is rotatable. Device according to one of claims 5 to 6, characterized in that in the lid ( 6 ) a UV irradiation unit ( 18 ), which in the closed position ( 7 ) substantially the entire spiral conveyor track ( 1 ) covered in order to Essentially all container closures ( 26 ) on the spiral conveyor track ( 1 ) by UV irradiation to sterilize and sterilize. Apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that it is in the UV irradiation unit ( 18 ) is a low or medium pressure system. Device according to one of claims 7 to 8, characterized in that the lid ( 6 ) at least one lid flap ( 27 ) comprising a lid flap top ( 28 ) and a lid flap bottom ( 29 ) and between a closed ( 31 ) and an open lid flap position ( 32 ), and that the UV irradiation unit ( 18 ) on the lid flap underside ( 29 ) is arranged to be in the closed position ( 7 ) of the lid ( 6 ) with the lid flap position closed ( 31 ) the container closures ( 26 ) by an upper management ( 39 ) through. Device according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that Ionenspühdüsen are provided to the in the conveyor track volume ( 14 ) ionizing compressed air. Process for the treatment and supply of isolated and preferably pre- or position-oriented container closures ( 26 ) to a further processing machine, preferably closing machine, wherein the container closures ( 26 ) in a preferably horizontal plane ( 23 ), the container closures ( 26 ) have an upper side and a lower side, and wherein upper and lower sides are substantially parallel to one another and the lower side faces the interior of a container and the upper side lies outside the container, when the container with the container closure ( 26 ), the container closures ( 26 ) in the plane ( 23 ) on a spiral track ( 1 ) are conveyed to the center of a spiral from where they are fed to the further processing machine, characterized in that the container closures ( 26 ) are conveyed by means of compressed air, wherein the compressed air by means of a compressed air unit ( 15 ) into a conveyor volume ( 14 ), which of side walls ( 4 ) and a floor ( 24 ) with air inlets ( 11 ) the train ( 1 ) is blown, and wherein the compressed air the air inlet openings ( 11 ) by means of an air supply channel ( 12 ), which under the ground ( 24 ), is supplied, that for further conveying the container closures ( 26 ) used compressed air from the conveyor track volume ( 14 ) by means of an air return channel ( 13 ) to the compressed air unit ( 15 ), wherein the air return channel ( 13 ) an inlet opening ( 19 ) in the area of an outlet ( 3 ) the train ( 1 ), and that the recirculated compressed air is filtered with a filter. A method according to claim 11, characterized in that the undersides of the container closures ( 26 ) when transported from the level ( 23 ) facing away from the spiral. Method according to one of claims 11 to 12, characterized in that the container closures ( 26 ), in particular the undersides of the container closures ( 26 ) during transport of the container closures ( 26 ) on the spiral path ( 1 ) are irradiated with UV light for at least 20 s, preferably between 25 s and 80 s, in order to seal the container closures ( 26 ) to sterilize and sterilize. Method according to one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that the supply of the container closures ( 26 ) to the further processing machine by sliding over a chute ( 16 ) takes place with a proportion of movement in the direction of gravity.

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