EP1461255B1 - Holding device for a container and a method for fixing a container - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a device for receiving a container, in particular can or bottle, according to the preamble of claim 1 and a method for fixing a container, in particular can or bottle, according to claim 15.

A recording device of the type mentioned is from FR-A-2 482 575. It serves one to hold as a bottle trained container, so that this cap can be placed. at this device are funded on a belt Bottles for placing the caps between two jaws clamped and so fixed. The cheeks point Incisions in a distance of the bottles the distance corresponding to the band. The precision, with the bottles through this device fixable depends therefore on how evenly the distance is in which she carries on the band become.

The object of the invention is a device for Receiving a container and a method for fixing indicate a container that has a reproducible, functionally reliable fixation of the container guarantee.

To solve this problem, a device with the features of claim 1 proposed.

In connection with the present invention is the term "recording" in the sense of "holding" Understood. A practically arbitrarily designed Container can therefore be placed on the cradle and / or filed. Of course it is also possible that the receiving device is formed so that the container partially or substantially completely into the receiving device can be introduced. In a preferred Embodiment variant is provided that the container at least partially, preferably with its bottom end region into which Cradle introduced or in this is arranged. All variants is common that the container, regardless of its position opposite the cradle as well as its shape or the material of which it consists safely non-positively using the gripping device can be held.

It is an embodiment of the recording device preferred, which is characterized in that the gripping device has a plurality, preferably at least one comprises three gripping elements. The order the preferably finger or hook-shaped gripping elements as well as their design is at a preferred embodiment chosen so that the exciting or to be held in containers the space between the over the circumference of a imaginary circle distributed gripping elements arranged can be introduced. Upon actuation of the relocatable Gripping elements attach themselves to the outer circumference of the container, creating a centering the container is possible. The number of Gripping elements is in the range of 2 to 20, preferably from 2 to 8, preferably at least so many gripping elements are used that a Centering of the container can be realized. Of course it is also possible that the Gripping device has only a single gripping element, which cooperates with at least one counter element, such that the container between counter element and gripping element is fixable. Also at This embodiment can, for example, in appropriate design of these parts a centering of the container, in particular by a Displacement of the counter element and / or the gripping element, be performed.

In addition, an embodiment of the receiving device preferred in which the gripping device associated with a receiving plate for the container on which is preferably the container with the help the gripping device is centered. Moreover, it is a displacement device and / or a drive device provided for the receiving plate, with the help of the receiving plate with the on it can be arranged container in the direction of his Longitudinal center axis displaceable or to its longitudinal central axis is rotatable. With the help of Drive means is an orientation of the container towards, for example, a treatment facility for cleaning, filling, emptying, printing, Opening and / or closing the container, possible, with the Drehausrichtung before, after or during fixing of the container by the gripping device can be done.

According to a development of the invention is provided that the displacement device is a slider comprising, preferably one with the receiving plate cooperating slider head, wherein the slider or the slider head solvable connectable to the receiving plate. After a Variant are the gripping elements of Gripping device by the slider, in particular the slider head, so articulated that the gripping elements from a rest position into a clamping position shifted, preferably pivoted. Of the Slider thus has a dual function, since he on the one hand for the displacement of the receiving plate and on the other hand for actuating the gripping elements serves. Due to this configuration is a recording device feasible with a simple structure.

Finally, an embodiment of the recording device preferred in which the receiving plate and the slide are separated from each other, before the gripping elements by a displacement of the Slider are shifted in their clamping position. The Displacement movement of the receiving plate and the The gripping elements are thus separated from each other, where first the receiving plate with the on it container is displaced before a Clamp fixing the container on the receiving plate he follows.

Further advantageous embodiments of the receiving device emerge from the other dependent claims.

To solve the problem is also a method for Fix a container, for example can or Bottle, proposed that the features of the claim 16 has. The process is remarkable in particular characterized in that first a container applied to a movable mounting plate becomes. Subsequently, the recording plate is common with the container from a standby position (Home position) in a clamping position (Clamping position) shifted, in which the container with Help a gripping device with at least one Gripping element, preferably a plurality of gripping elements, is fixed non-positively. The clamp holder for Fixation of the container by means of the gripping elements takes place only after the receiving plate its Has reached clamping position. The displacement movement the receiving plate and the gripping elements takes place here so separated from each other, creating a defined, reproducible pinching or Clamping the container feasible is.

In a particularly preferred embodiment be used for the displacement of the receiving plate and the Actuation of the gripping element only a single control or control element used. Due to the Clamp fixing the container on the receiving plate can handle a wide variety of containers, for example Aluminum cans, steel cans, glass bottles or other, also made of plastic containers be kept safe.

Further advantageous embodiments of the method emerge from the other dependent claims.

The invention is described below with reference to the single Figure explained in more detail. This shows a longitudinal section by a device 1 for receiving a Container 3, for example one made of aluminum or Steel existing can or one made of glass or Plastic existing bottle, of which in the figure only a section is shown. Some Parts of the receiving device 1 are in the direction one here substantially vertically extending Symmetry axis 5 designed to be displaceable, wherein the left of the symmetry axis 5 shown Half of these parts in a first functional position (Home position) and the right of the symmetry axis 5 shown in a second half Function position (clamping position) are located.

The receiving device 1 comprises a disk-shaped trained receiving plate 7, on the top 9 the container 3 is turned off, the means the bottom of the container 3 is located on the top 9 of the receiving plate 7 on. In this Embodiment are the longitudinal central axis eleventh of a circular or substantially circular Cross-section receiving plate 7 and the symmetry axis 5 arranged in alignment. Under The term "longitudinal central axis" is here the in Longitudinal and through -im cross section Seen- the center of the cylindrical receiving plate 7 extending axis understood to the the Shooting plate 7 is rotatable, whereupon in the following will be discussed in more detail.

The receiving plate 7 is by means of a displacement device 13 in the direction of its longitudinal central axis 11 displaceable, that is, the receiving plate 7 can be vertical in the representation according to the figure be raised and lowered. The relocation device 13 here also includes a ram designated, a rod-shaped body having slide 15 which has a frusto-conical, cooperating with the receiving plate 7 Slider head 17 has. The longitudinal central axis 19 of the slider 15 is aligned here with the axis of symmetry 5 and the longitudinal central axis 11 of the Take-up plate 7. The large diameter of the cone-shaped Slider head 17 is the receiving plate. 7 facing.

The slide head 17, here by means of fasteners 21, which are made of screws here, releasably inserted on the slider 15, and the receiving plate 7 are using magnetic forces connectable with each other. For this purpose, in this embodiment in the receiving plate 7 more Magnet elements 23 integrated, for example cast. Furthermore, the slider head 17 forms the Opposite pole, made of a magnetic or magnetizable Material consists or at least one element that is magnetic or magnetizable is.

For rotatable and longitudinally displaceable storage of within a housing 25 of the receiving device 1 arranged slider 15 are a first bearing 27 and a second bearing 29 are provided, each from a socket, preferably Sliding bush, are formed. The first bearing 27 is at a relatively short distance to the slider head 17 arranged.

In the embodiment shown in the figure the receiving device 1 is for control the displacement movement of the slider 15 is a curve control 31 provided a movable, For example, rotatable contour disc 33 includes, the has a curved course at its periphery. In the figure is only a section of the contour disc 33 shown. The construction and the function a curve control is known per se, so that this is not described in detail.

The contour disc 33 is of a probe element 35th the slider 15 is scanned on the the slider head 17 facing away from the end of the slider 15 is provided is. The probe element 35 is here by a on formed the contour disc 33 sliding ball 37, in an internally threaded sleeve 39th is held so that a ball portion of the Sleeve protrudes, with which the ball on the contour disc is applied. The sleeve 39 is on a sleeve-shaped Screwed adapter 41, which in turn on an externally threaded portion the slider 15 is screwed. To take off of the probe element 35 and the ball 37th from the contour disc 33 to avoid, for example at high displacement speeds, will the ball 37 with the help of a here by a compression spring formed, provided in the interior of the sleeve 39 Spring element 40 in the direction of the contour disc 33 pressed, creating a resilient Andrückung the Ball is realized on the contour disc 33. in the assembled state of the probe element 35 becomes the ball 37 thus subjected to a compressive force, so that this quasi pressed out of the sleeve 39 becomes. The force generated by means of the spring element 40 on the ball is adjustable by the sleeve 39 more or less far on the adapter 41 is screwed.

So that the slider 15 not only by its own weight against or in the direction of Contour disk 33 is pressed in this embodiment a here formed by a compression spring Spring element 43 is provided, which with a Adjusting nut 45 interacts with a an externally threaded longitudinal portion of the Slider 15 can be screwed. To set the Force through which the slider 15 in the direction of his Longitudinal axis and in the direction of the contour disc 33 is postponed, for example replaced the spring element 43 and / or the position the adjusting nut 45 in the longitudinal direction of Slider changed. It applies to the in the embodiment illustrated: Je greater the distance of the adjusting nut 45 to the slide head 17, the smaller is the one in the presentation according to the figure the slider down Force and the smaller the distance of the adjusting nut 45 to the slider head 17, the larger on the slider 15 in the direction of its longitudinal central axis Acting force. Because with the help of the slider 15 and the slider head 17 a in the following described holding device for the Container is manipulated in the desired manner, serve the spring element 43 and the adjusting nut 45 also for adjusting the clamping force, with the one arranged on the receiving plate container can be fixed non-positively, what else will be discussed in more detail.

The receiving device 1 also comprises a holding device 47, here by a gripping device 49 is formed, which is assigned to the receiving plate 7 is. The gripping device 49 comprises several, each about a transverse to the longitudinal central axis eleventh the receiving plate 7 extending axis 51 pivotally Gripping elements 53, of which in the illustration according to the figure, only two gripping elements 53 recognizable are. The essentially L-shaped, Also referred to as gripping fingers gripping elements 53 are at a distance from each other arranged the circumference of an imaginary circle. In an advantageous embodiment the gripping device has three gripping elements, the one beyond the circumference of an imaginary circle in one Distance of 120 ° are arranged. The distance from a gripping element to the adjacent gripping element is preferred in all embodiments always the same size or essentially the same large.

As can be seen from the figure, the receiving plate 7 arranged between the gripping elements 53. The gripping elements 53 serve to one on the top 9 of the receiving plate 7 standing container so hold on the receiving plate 7, so this does not twist against the receiving plate or can be moved. In the embodiment, in the at least three gripping elements 53 can be ensured that at a pivoting of the gripping elements 53 to their axes 53 of the container 3 on the receiving plate 7 fixed non-positively and thereby centered becomes. The pivoting of the gripping elements 53 is causes that with his feeler element 35th the contour of the contour disc 33 scanning scraper 15 upon reaching a correspondingly shaped section the contour disc 33 is displaced downwards, that is, by cooperating with the adjusting nut 45 Spring element 43 is pressed, whereby the conical slide head 17 with its lateral surface in contact with thrust pieces 55 of the gripping elements 53 is brought. In another lowering the slider 15, the gripping elements 53rd hinged by the slider head 17 so that this from a rest position (left of the symmetry axis 5 illustrated slide 15) in a clamping position (Right of the axis of symmetry 5 shown slide 15), that is, pivoted. In doing so, approach the end portions of the L-shaped gripping elements the center of the imaginary circle, causing the container is clamped between the gripping elements. To avoid damaging the container 3, are the gripping elements 53 in its end, the in contact with the arranged on the receiving plate Container can be brought, preferably with interchangeable Clamps 54 provided, for example made of rubber.

The integrated into the gripping elements 53 plungers 55 serve to tolerances, for example Manufacturing and position tolerances to compensate. Thereby can be ensured that the container 3 with activated gripping device 49 in particular even then between all gripping elements of the gripping device frictionally held when the Tolerances are large and / or if at an eccentric Arrangement of the container on the receiving plate and an even number of gripping elements, For example, four gripping elements, a centering the container by the gripping elements themselves not he follows.

The receiving plate 7, the slider 15 and the Gripping device 49 and the gripping elements 53 are by means of a drive device 57 for rotation about the axis of symmetry 5 and the longitudinal central axis 11 and the Longitudinal axis 19 drivable. The drive device 57 comprises a motor, preferably an electric motor, with the help of a driven pin 59th directly or via a gearbox with a torque can be acted upon. A rotationally fixed with the output pin 59 connected, having an external toothing first gear 61 meshes with one as well an external toothed second gear 63, which on a sleeve-shaped transmission member 65th attached and connected to this rotation. In the interior of the transmission member 65 is the spring element 43 arranged, located at an annular shoulder 67 of the transfer member 65 is supported to the screwed onto the slide 15 adjusting nut 45 directed with a direction of the probe element 35 Force to apply, so that the slide is pressed in the direction of the contour disc 33. The transmission member 65 is inside the housing 25 with the help of two bearings 69, here of ball bearings are formed to the symmetry axis 5 respectively the longitudinal central axes 11, 19 rotatably and immovable in the direction of these axes held. The slider 15 engages through a Through opening in the transmission member 65 therethrough.

As can be seen from the figure, the receiving device 1 and the drive means 57 at a Guide unit 71 attached, with their help the receiving device 1 along a guideway for example, from a first processing station to a second processing station one Machine for filling, emptying, cleaning, printing and / or closing or the like of the container is relocatable. In a workstation and / or during the relocation along the Guideway is the standing on the receiving plate 7 Container 3, of the gripping elements 53 frictionally held, so for example with a gas and / or a liquid filled and in the next processing station with a lid locked. The structure and function of a Such leadership unit, which also serves as a processing star is called, is known, so that on a more detailed description is omitted.

The following is the function of the recording device 1 explained in more detail by means of a clamping operation. In the starting position of the receiving plate 7 is the top 9 flush with the top 73 of a detachably connected to the main body 25 cover plate 75 arranged in its central area a recess is provided in which the receiving plate 7 is located. In the starting position are the receiving plate 7 and the slider head 17 connected by magnetic forces. After a container on the receiving plate 7 is turned off by a vertical Displacement of the slider 15 down the slide head 17 and thus also the receiving plate 7 lowered, for example, by a distance of 8 mm, until the receiving plate 7 with its underside 77 moves against a stop 79 and thereby stopped becomes. Until then, so until then the gripping device 49 is still inactive, the means the gripping elements 53 have the on the receiving plate 7 standing container 3 not yet clamped. After the receiving plate 7 against the Stop 79 has moved and now rests on this become the receiving plate 7 and the slider head 17 separated from each other by the slider head 17 is lowered further. This will be below the gripping arms 53 through the slider head 17 pivoted so that the on the receiving plate. 7 located container 3 is fixed non-positively. With the help of the drive device 57 can now the clamped on the receiving plate 7 held container 3 opposite a processing station, for example a filling station for the container, in the desired Way through a simultaneous rotation aligned the receiving plate and the gripping device become.

As can be seen from the figure, the slider 15 a ring collar 81, which in a lifting of the Slider 15 on the annular shoulder 67 of the transfer member 65 abuts. The annular shoulder 67 forms So a stop for the slider 15. The distance between the annular collar 81 and the top 9th the receiving plate 7 is a fixed size and therefore has only very small tolerances. By the distance can be set exactly, if at maximum raised position of the slider 15, in which the receiving plate preferably in its initial position located, the top of the slider head 17 protrudes beyond the top 73 of the cover plate 75, flush with the top 73 or still sunk in the cover plate 75. It is preferred especially the embodiment variant shown in the figure, at the top 9 of the slider head 17 and the top 73 of the cover plate 75 in an imaginary, here horizontal running Plane are arranged when the annular collar 81 at the Ring shoulder 67 rests, so that when applying a Container on the receiving plate 7 no disturbing Stages are formed which tilt and / or Can cause movement of the container.

It remains to be noted that the clamping force, with a container formed by the pivotable here Gripping elements can be held with Help the adjusting nut 45 is adjustable. ever more that at the annular shoulder 67 of the transmission link 65 supporting spring element 43 in the compressed in the figure illustrated embodiment is, the bigger are those too Clamping forces. Should a container only small Can be held forces, so the spring element 43 by a corresponding change in position the adjusting nut in the longitudinal direction of the slider be relieved in the manner described above.

From the description of the figure, this results above method readily. It exists in that for fixing a container with the help one at least one gripping element, preferably several gripping elements having gripping device, the a movable mounting plate for associated with the container, the container first is applied to the receiving plate. Then it will be the receiving plate from a starting position in shifted a clamping position / clamping position. Subsequently, So after this recording plate already in the clamping position, this is fixed non-positively with the help of the gripping elements. Due to the advantageous separation of the displacement movement of the receiving plate and the Gripping elements can be a reproducible, functionally reliable Fixation of the container can be ensured. It will be readily apparent that the receiving device 1 as anti-rotation and / or can be used as an alignment device for any container is.

In an embodiment of the receiving device, at the slide, in particular the slide head and the receiving plate by means of magnetic Forces can be connected to each other, are the magnetic elements not in the recording plate, but in the Slider head provided. Accordingly forms the Recording plate the magnetic or magnetizable Opposite pole or has elements on, which are magnetic or magnetizable.

Particularly advantageous in the described with reference to the figure Embodiment of the recording device 1 is that the displacement movement (Lowering / raising) of the receiving plate and the Gripping elements (panning) with the help of a common Actuator takes place here from the Slider 15 is formed. This is a simpler way Structure of the recording device feasible. Advantageous is also the separation of the slide from Receiving plate, after this in the clamping position has been lowered, and that only then the Slider used to pivot the gripping elements becomes.

From everything it becomes clear that the gripping device may also be designed so that the at least a gripping element is not pivoted, but moved becomes, so a translational movement along a straight line to the container frictionally to fix. The design of the Gripping elements is preferably chosen so that a Centering of the container during clamping of the same he follows.

Claims (20)

1. Device for holding a container, especially a can or a bottle, with a holding device for the container and a gripper device (49) by means of which the container (3) is frictionally lockable, characterized by the holding device comprising a holding plate (7) for the container (3) which is movable from a standby position to a tension position in which the container (3) is fixable by the gnpper device (49).
2. Holding device according to Claim 1, characterized by the gripper device (49) comprising several, preferably at least three gripper elements (53).
3. Holding device according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized by the gripper elements (53) being pivotable about one axis each (51).
4. Holding device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the holding plate (7) and preferably the gripper elements (53) are turnable by means of a driving device (57) about the longitudinal center axis (11) of the holding plate (7).
5. Holding device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the holding plate (7) being displaceable by means of a displacement device (13) in the direction of its longitudinal center axis (11).
6. Holding device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the holding plate (7) being movable into the holding device (1).
7. Holding device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the displacement device (13) comprising a slide (15) with a slide head (17) cooperating with the holding plate (7).
8. Holding device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the control for the displacement movement of the slide (15) being a curve control (31) with a contour disk (33) which is scannable by a sensor element (35) of the slide (15)
9. Holding device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the holding plate (7) and the slide (15, slide head (17)) are connectable with each other by means of magnetic forces.
10. Holding device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the magnetic forces are effected by magnetic elements (23) being provided in the holding plate (7) which cooperate with a magnetic or magnetizable opposite pole which is arranged on the side of the slide (15, slide head (17)) opposite the holding plate (7) or which is integrated into the slide (15).
11. Holding device according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the magnetic forces are effected by magnetic elements provided in the slide (15, slide head (17)) which cooperate with a magnetic or magnetizable opposite pole which is arranged on the side (77) of the holding plate (7) which is arranged opposite the slide (15) or, respectively, the slide head (17), or which is integrated in the holding plate (7).
12. Holding device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the gripper elements (53) are guidable such by the slide (15), especially the slide head (17), that the gripper elements (53) are displaced from a rest position into a clamping position, preferably by swinging.
13. Holding device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the holding plate (7) and the slide (15) are separate from each other before the gripper elements (53) are displaced in their clamping position by a displacement of the slide (15).
14. Holding device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is mounted to a guide unit (71) which is preferably pivotable about one axis.
15. Method for fixing a container, especially a can or a bottle, by means of a holding device comprising a gripper device with at least one gripper element, preferably several gripper elements, said holding device being allocated to a displaceable holding plate for the container, with the following steps:

    depositing the container on the holding plate;

    displacement of the holding plate from a standby position or, respectively, a starting position to a tension position or, respectively, a clamping position;

    after the holding plate has reached its tension position, the container is frictionally locked by means of the gripper elements.
16. Method according to Claim 15, characterized in that the holding plate is lowered from its standby position to its tension position.
17. Method according to Claim 15 or 16, characterized in that the displacement of the holding plate and the actuation of the gripper elements takes place by means of an actuation element or, respectively, by a slide.
18. Method according to any one of the claims 15 to 17, characterized in that the gripper elements are swiveled about one axis each for a clamping determination of the container.
19. Method according to any one of the claims 15 to 18, characterized in that the number and the arrangement of the gripper elements is selected such that the container is centered by the gripper elements upon frictionally locking.
20. Method according to any one of the claims 15 to 19, characterized in that the application force can be adjusted by means of which the at least one gripper element is pressed against the container.

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