EP0531872A1 - Apparatus to transport plastic bottles in a bottle washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

An apparatus to transport plastic bottles (18) which have a collar (19) in bottle washing machines with a circulating conveyor element (10) and, fastened thereto, receptacles for the bottles to be cleaned, which receptacles extend essentially transversely to the direction of conveying, is characterised in that the receptacles each contain two elongated parallel guide rails (14, 15) at a distance from one another which receive the bottles supported at their collar in two opposite regions such that they are slidable. <IMAGE>

Description

The invention relates to a device according to the preamble of claim 1.

Generic devices are used in bottle washing machines to feed the bottles to be cleaned to individual cleaning zones provided in the machine, in which they e.g. be dipped or sprayed.

Common transport devices work with a rotating transport element, which consists of two chains that are spaced apart and parallel. The chains are driven synchronously. Elongated bottle baskets are arranged transversely to the transport direction between the chains. Each bottle basket contains several cells arranged in a row, each holding a bottle. Current bottle washing machines are currently mainly used to clean reusable glass bottles. The conception of the transport element and especially the bottle baskets therefore takes into account the relatively large weight of the glass bottles.

On the other hand, however, many beverage manufacturers nowadays start filling their products on reusable plastic bottles. Such plastic bottles, which are usually made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), have a significantly lower weight than glass bottles. Another special feature of these bottles is that they usually have a collar arranged in the neck area. The collar is required so that plastic bottles can be filled under pressure in automatic systems without being damaged.

The plastic bottles can also be cleaned in common false washing machines. A disadvantage of this, however, is that the use of a transport device adapted to the material and weight of the glass bottles is relatively uneconomical in connection with the lighter plastic bottles.

The object of the present invention is therefore to create a transport device for bottle washing machines which is specially designed for plastic bottles having a neck collar.

This object is achieved with the characterizing features of claim 1.

The principle of the solution is that the bottle baskets previously used are replaced by receptacles each with two parallel guide rails, in which the bottles are slidably supported on their neck collars.

The bottles are thus transported freely suspended from the guide rails in the receptacles according to the invention. This offers a whole range of advantages. First of all, the recordings according to the invention have a significantly reduced weight and volume compared to conventional bottle baskets. The machine can therefore be manufactured more cost-effectively. Less drive energy is also required for the transport device. The operating costs are further reduced in that less heat carry-over is caused by the lower masses of the receptacles and less alkali carry-over is caused by their smaller surfaces. Another advantage is that the bottles are almost completely accessible to the cleaning solutions due to the lack of bottle cells, which reduces the exposure times, and that the holder according to the invention can be used for different bottle numbers and sizes without retrofitting.

The invention is preferably designed according to claim 2. Such a configuration allows a particularly simple feeding or dispensing. When feeding, the bottles are simply inserted one after the other into the opening of the receptacle and moved on the guide rails in the direction of the other end of the receptacle. At the other end, a simple web running transversely between the guide rails can prevent the bottles from slipping out. The bottles are dispensed from the receptacles in the opposite manner.

Another advantageous embodiment of the invention according to claim 3 relates to the fact that the bottles are both hanging and overhead in the washing machines. In the latter case in particular, it is advantageous if the guide rails grip the neck collar of the bottles not only from below, but also from above. In this context, the embodiment of the invention according to claim 4 is also advantageous. The support devices provided are aligned parallel to the guide rails and extend below them. Per One, preferably two such support devices are provided for the receptacle, which then preferably support the bottles in two opposite regions of the bottle body and thus prevent oscillation. This is particularly advantageous if the bottles are passed overhead.

A further embodiment of the device according to the invention provides that the receptacles are fastened to the transport element in the region of their ends as in conventional devices. Transport devices designed in this way can be used in conventional bottle washing machines.

A configuration according to claim 6 is also advantageous. This configuration enables the bottles to be easily removed from the receptacles, in particular in those areas of the washing machine in which the receptacles are not accessible from the side. This is e.g. always interesting when the system malfunctions and the bottles then have to be removed for repair etc. On the other hand, it is also possible to generally supply bottles to the receptacles and dispense them at the designated stations by briefly moving the guide rails apart and back together.

A further advantageous embodiment of the invention relates to claim 7. According to this, the guide rails are arranged at a distance, preferably below, to the transport element. This is particularly important if the receptacles are arranged between the two strands of a two-strand transport element. Lateral feeding of the bottles into the receptacles is only possible if their guide rails are brought out of the plane of the transport element, which would otherwise be in the way. The design mentioned is particularly for suitable for use in conventional bottle washing machines.

In this context, an embodiment according to claim 8 is also advantageous. The vertical alignment of the brackets that receive the guide rails on the transport element offers a particularly space-saving solution.

In a further advantageous embodiment, at least one of the brackets, which carries the guide rails of the receptacle, is pivotally attached to the transport element. In such a receptacle, the rails can be moved apart in a particularly simple manner.

In this context, an embodiment of the invention according to claim 10 is also advantageous. Due to the interaction of the return spring and the stop, the guide rails automatically return to a defined operating position after they have been pulled apart.

According to claim 11, a further advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the transport element has only one drive train, for example a chain, to which the receptacles are attached laterally projecting. In comparison to common constructions that work with two strands to which the bottle holders are attached, one strand is omitted here. Dispensing with support and guidance of the bottle receptacles on both sides is at least generally possible here, since the plastic bottles to be transported are lighter than glass bottles, but on the other hand the guide rails serving as bottle receptacles are lighter than the basket constructions previously used. It is obvious that the design of the transport device with only one strand has a number of advantages, for example the drive and guide devices for the second strand away, which makes the construction cheaper.

With single-strand transport devices of this type, the receptacles can project freely from the strand. Depending on the nature of the strand and the length of the recordings, it may be advantageous to support the free end of the recordings. A further advantageous embodiment of the invention therefore provides, according to claim 12, to provide roll or slide supports at the free end of the receptacles, which are moved at least in regions lying on guide elements provided in the bottle washing machine.

A further advantageous embodiment of the invention consists in that the transport device has a chain as a single-stranded transport element, the links of which can be pivoted relative to one another with respect to two axes. The orientation of the swivel axes is explained on the basis of the plane defined by the chain and the receptacles projecting from it laterally. The first axis, called the vertical axis, is perpendicular to this plane. The second axis, called the transverse axis, extends in the plane transverse to the chain and thus corresponds to the axis about which the links of conventional chains are pivotally mounted on one another. The advantage of such a configuration is in particular that the chain, which can be pivoted in several planes, can be guided in a so-called inner curve in the bottle washing machine, ie a curve in which the receptacles remain in one plane, but their free ends spread apart. Such curves are of course not possible in common bottle washing machines that work with two-strand transport elements. It is obvious that the design of the transport device according to claim 13, a significantly increased number of options for guiding the transport element in the bottle washer, what under Circumstances in new designs can lead to considerable space savings.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention according to claim 14, one or, in a construction-simplifying manner, several receptacles can be assigned to a chain link. It is advantageous here that all the fastening points of a receptacle are fastened to one and the same chain link, since otherwise the guide rails of a receptacle would be moved apart in the region of a curve and the bottles would be released.

A further advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that a rope, in particular a steel rope, is provided as the single-stranded transport element. Depending on its rigidity, a rope allows it to be swiveled in almost any direction and can thus be used as a transport element through the system even more space-saving than the chain, which can be pivoted with respect to two axes. In addition, a rope is relatively inexpensive to manufacture.

To operate the transport device according to the invention, it is advantageous to provide a delivery device adapted to it. Such a delivery device according to claim 16 consists of a feed with a free end which can be aligned and placed on the side entrance of a receptacle, and devices which promote the areas in the feed and control the feeding of the bottles into the receptacles. The delivery device is particularly easy to implement if the bottle washer works in cycles. In this case, it is sufficient to align the free end of the feed to a certain defined point and to drive the transport device of the system in such a way that the receptacles come to a standstill at this point during the filling cycle.

It gets a bit more complicated if, as is customary, the bottle washing machine is operated in continuous operation. In this context, a further advantageous embodiment of the delivery device provides that the free end of the feed can be moved synchronously with the transport element over a defined distance. The bottles are then pushed continuously into the receptacle via the free end of the feeder, which bears against the opening of a receptacle that has passed by during this time. As soon as the receptacle is filled, the feeder returns to its starting position and the process is repeated with the next receptacle.

In this context, an embodiment is particularly advantageous in which the feed is pivotably mounted in a free end region.

A large number of possibilities are conceivable for conveying the bottles in the feed of the delivery device. One possibility is to provide an air blower that works continuously and to control the inflow of the bottles via a counting device and stop fingers. Another possibility is to move the bottles in the feed by means of a lateral conveyor belt on which drivers are arranged at defined intervals. The arrangement of the drivers on the conveyor belt can then be used to control the amount of bottles that are to be inserted into a receptacle per feeding process. Which option you choose depends on the circumstances. The use of an air blower has the advantage that the bottles are conveyed relatively gently and there is no damage, in particular in the case of blockages in the feed. In the second case, one has the advantage that the amount of bottles to be inserted can be controlled exactly without additional control devices via the provided positive guidance.

Fig. 1

zeigt in einer perspektivischen Teilansicht ein Ausführungsbeispiel für die erfindungsgemäße Transportvorrichtung, bei der das Transportelement in herkömmlicher Weise zweisträngig ausgebildet ist.

Fig. 2

zeigt eine Seitenansicht eines Kettengliedes mit einer daran befestigten Flaschenaufnahme in anderer Ausführungsform.

Fig. 3

zeigt in einer perspektivischen Ansicht ein weiteres Ausführungsbeispiel der Transportvorrichtung, bei der das Transportelement einsträngig in Form einer in mehreren Ebenen verschwenkbaren Kette ausgebildet ist und die Flaschenaufnahmen durch parallele Stangen gebildet werden.

Fig. 4

zeigt eine Draufsicht auf ein Ausführungsbeispiel der Transportvorrichtung, die, wie in Fig. 3 mit einer in mehreren Ebenen verschwenkbaren Kette arbeitet, und an deren Gliedern jeweils zwei in ihren Endbereichen abgestützte Flaschenaufnahmen befestigt sind.

Fig. 5

zeigt in Draufsicht eine Belieferungsvorrichtung für die erfindungsgemäße Transportvorrichtung.

The invention will be explained in more detail below with the aid of several exemplary embodiments by means of illustrations.

Fig. 1

shows a perspective partial view of an embodiment of the transport device according to the invention, in which the transport element is formed in a conventional manner in two strands.

Fig. 2

shows a side view of a chain link with a bottle holder attached to it in another embodiment.

Fig. 3

shows a perspective view of another embodiment of the transport device, in which the transport element is single-stranded in the form of a chain pivotable in several planes and the bottle receptacles are formed by parallel rods.

Fig. 4

shows a top view of an exemplary embodiment of the transport device which, as in FIG. 3, works with a chain which can be pivoted in several planes, and to the links of which two bottle receptacles are fastened, which are supported in their end regions.

Fig. 5

shows a top view of a delivery device for the transport device according to the invention.

1 shows a section of a transport device 10 which contains two chains 11, 12 which are guided in parallel as a transport element. Bottle receptacles 13 are arranged between opposite chain links 11a, 12a of chains 11, 12. Each bottle receptacle 13 has two parallel, spaced-apart guide rails 14, 15, the ends of which are each attached to the chain links 11a, 12a via brackets 16, 17.

To illustrate the functional principle, one of the receptacles 13 is shown with two bottles 18 inserted. It can be seen that these have a collar 19 in the region of their neck, with which they rest on the guide rails 14, 15. Otherwise, no further fastening device for the bottles 18 is provided and necessary in the receptacle 13 shown. The bottles can be inserted into the receptacle 13 via a lateral opening 20 and can be moved there in the direction of the guide rails 14, 15 up to a stop 21. The embodiment shown in Fig. 1 for the transport device according to the invention can be realized both by retrofitting conventional bottle washing machines and in new designs.

FIG. 2 shows a side plan view of a chain link, 111a of a transport device 110, on which a bottle receptacle 113 which is somewhat modified compared to FIG. 1 is arranged. The receptacle 113 contains guide rails 114, 115, which each encompass the bottle collar 19 with two spaced webs 114a, b and 115a, b. The bottle collar 19 is thus supported from above and below, which prevents an uncontrolled slipping or tipping over when the bottles are aligned overhead. The guide rails 114, 115 are fastened to brackets 116, 117, which in turn are hinged to the chain link 111a in hinges 122. The free ends of the holders 116, 117 are urged against one another by a compression spring 123. Finally, stops 124 on the chain link 11a ensure that the compression spring 123 can only move the holders 116, 117 in a defined area. One of the brackets 116 or 117 can also be fastened to the chain link 111a without a hinge 122.

On the brackets 116, 117 are further arranged below the guide rails 114, 115 and parallel to them supporting devices 125 which support the bottles 18 laterally in the region of their body and thus prevent oscillation. The support devices 125 can also be attached directly to the chain link 111a.

If the holders 116, 117 are pivoted, for example by hand, against the compression spring 123, the guide rails 114, 115 are moved apart at the other end of the holders and the bottles 18 held between them fall out. Such bottle receptacles 113 are useful in the event that the bottles have to be removed in inaccessible places during operation, on the other hand it is also conceivable to use them for feeding bottles and for dispensing in bottle washing systems at the stations provided for this purpose.

3 shows a perspective view of a transport device 210 in which only a chain 211 is provided as the transport element. Its links 211a are connected to one another via a hinge 226, which allows pivoting with respect to an axis perpendicular to the plane of the drawing. The chain 211 can thus be moved in a left-hand curve as seen by the viewer. The hinges 226 are in turn articulated on the chain links 211a via bolts 227, as a result of which they can also be pivoted against one another from the plane of the drawing. Bottle receptacles 213 are arranged on the chain links 211a, the guide rails 214, 215 of which are simple parallel rods.

FIG. 4 shows a top view of a further transport device 310. Here too, a single-stranded transport element in the form of a chain 311 is provided. The individual links 311a of the chain 311 are again arranged to one another via hinges 326 mounted in bolts 327.

Like the chain 211 shown in FIG. 3, this chain 311 also allows its links 311a to be pivoted to the left within the plane of the drawing and out of the plane of the drawing. Two bottle receptacles 313 are arranged on each of the chain links 311a, the guide rails 314, 315 of which are formed by rods.

The inner guide rails of the two receptacles 313 arranged on a chain link 311a carry a common support element 328 at their free end. The support element 328 in turn rests on a guide element 329 of the bottle washing machine. The support elements 328 can have both sliding and rolling properties. The guide element 329 runs parallel to a guide (not shown) of the chain 311. It can be formed over the entire distance in the washing machine or only in some areas.

Fig. 5 now relates to a delivery device 400 for e.g. the above-described embodiments of the transport device according to the invention. In the upper area of the drawing, one can see the open ends of bottle receptacles 413 with guide rails 414, 415, which move past a feed 441 of the delivery device 400 in the direction of the arrow. The feeder 441 has two parallel guide elements 442, 443, on which the bottles 18 with their neck collars, not shown, are slidably conveyed in the direction of the free end 444 of the feeder 441.

The conveyance takes place by means of a laterally arranged conveyor belt 445, which is provided with driver fingers 446, which come into engagement with the bottles 18 guided in the area of the feed. The driver fingers 446 perform two tasks. On the one hand, they enable bottles 18 to be conveyed in the feed 441 at the same time, and on the other hand, the orientation of the driver fingers can be used 446 on the conveyor belt 445 or the distance between the individual fingers 446 precisely adjust the amount of bottles 18 to be inserted per receptacle 413. The conveyor belt 445 and the feed 441 are pivotally mounted about an axis 447. At this end, the supply 441 is continuously supplied with bottles by a conveyor 441a, for example, of a similar design.

The delivery device 400 now works approximately as follows: In the state shown, it is in the starting position. The free end 444 of the feed 441 lies here against the opening 420 of the bottle receptacle 413. As the bottle holder 413 is continuously moved in the direction of the arrow, the conveyor belt and the feed 441 are pivoted about the axis 447, with the result that the free end 444 accompanies the bottle holder 413. In the meantime, the conveyor belt 445 pushes the bottles 18 located in the feed 441 by means of the driver fingers 446 through the opening 420 into the bottle receptacle 413. A stop 449 limits the pivoting angle of the feed 441 and of the conveyor belt 445 lying thereon. Within the pivoting distance defined between the starting position and the stop a feeding process must be completed. Feeder 441 and conveyor belt 445 are then pivoted back into their starting position and engage there with the next bottle holder 413.

In the opposite direction of delivery, the delivery device 400 can be used to dispense bottles from the receptacles of the washing machine.

Claims (18)

Apparatus for transporting plastic bottles which have a throat collar, in bottle washing machines with a rotating transport element and attached to it, substantially transversely to the transport direction extending receptacles for the bottles to be cleaned, characterized in that the receptacles (13, 113, 213, 313, 413 ) each contain two elongated, spaced-apart parallel guide rails (14, 15; 114, 115; 214, 215; 314, 315; 414, 415), which support the bottles (18) on their neck collars (19) in two opposite areas, slidably receiving them . Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the receptacle (13, 113, 213, 313, 413) on at least one end an opening (20, 420) for insertion of the bottles (18) in the guide rails (14, 15; 114 115; 214, 215; 314, 315; 414, 415). Device according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the guide rails (114; 115) each have two substantially parallel, spaced webs (114a, b; 115a, b) which engage around the bottle collar (19). Device according to one of claims 1-4, characterized in that the receptacles (113) having the bottle body associated lateral struts (125) and extending below the guide rails (114, 115) parallel thereto. Device according to one of claims 1-4, characterized in that the receptacles (13, 113, 213, 313, 413) at least one of its ends to the transport element in the field are fixed (11,12; 311; 211). Device according to one of claims 1-5, characterized in that the guide rails (114, 115) are moved apart by displacing at least one rail. Device according to one of claims 16, characterized in that the guide rails (14, 15; 114, 115) spaced from the transport member preferably below with holders (16, 17; 116, 117) attached thereto. Device according to claim 7, characterized in that the holders (16, 17; 116, 117) perpendicular to the through guide rails (14, 15; 114, 115) extend and the direction of transport defined level. Device according to claims 6 and 7 or 8, characterized in that the brackets (116, 117) for at least one of the guide rails (114, 115) of a receptacle (113) can be pivoted about an axis parallel to the receptacle (113) on the transport element ( 111a) are stored. Device according to claim 9, characterized in that the pivotable holders (116, 117) are each held by return springs (123) against stops (124) defining a minimum spacing of the guide rails (114, 115) limit. Device according to one of claims 1 - 10, characterized in that the transport element just a moving strand (211, 311) and in that the receptacles (213, 313) are laterally projecting fixed thereto. Device according to claim 11, characterized in that the free ends of the receptacles (313) are provided with a rolling or sliding support (328). Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 11 or 12, that the transport element includes a moving strand is a chain (211, 311), whose members (211a; 311a) relative to a perpendicular to the through chain (211, 311) and receptacles (213 , 313) defined vertical axis and a transverse axis in this plane transverse to the chain are pivotally mounted to one another. Device according to claim 13, characterized in that one or more receptacles (13, 113, 213, 313) with all the attachment points to a chain link (11a, 12a; 311a 111a;; 211a) are arranged. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 11 or 12, that the transport element moving strand as a rope, particularly a steel cable contains. Delivery device for the transport device according to one of claims 2-15, consisting of a feed (441) in which the bottles (18) to be cleaned are supported on their neck collars (19) by means of a conveyor device (445) in the direction of a free end (444) of the feed are movable, and devices (447) which enable the free end (444) of the feed (441) to be aligned and placed on the opening (420) of bottle receptacles (413) and devices (446) via which the bottle feed in the feeder (441) can be controlled. Device according to claim 16, characterized in that the free end (444) in synchronism with the feed (441) over a defined distance with a continuously operating transport element of a and is movable to be filled receptacle (413) back into its initial position. Delivery device according to claim 17, characterized in that the feed (441) is pivotally mounted to their free end (444) opposite end.

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