EP2025598B1 - Device and method for gripping containers - Google Patents

Abstract

The device (1) has a carrier (2) in which two gripping units (4, 6) are arranged in a longitudinal direction (L). The unit (4) includes a gripping element (12) moved in a direction of an outer circumference of a container (10). The unit (6) is inserted into a recess (10a) of the container. Another gripping element (17) of the unit (6) is moved towards an interior circumference of the container in order to grip the container from inside. The units are moved with respect to the carrier in the longitudinal direction of the carrier. An independent claim is also included for a method for gripping a container.

Description

The present invention relates to a device for gripping containers. The device according to the invention will be described with reference to bottles with buckles, but it should be noted that the device according to the invention can also be applied to other containers and in particular to other bottles.

Such bottles with buckles are known from the prior art for a long time. These strap closures have a closure head which rests on the mouth in a closed state of the bottle and lies in an opened state of the bottle at the side edge. In different treatment processes for these containers, for example, to remove them from a carrier, gripping devices are used in the prior art.

From the DE 296 22 579 U1 is a gripping tulip known for bottles. This gripping tulip has a gripper which engages the outer circumference of a bottle. In addition, this gripping device has an external gripping member with which, for example, together with the container, a carrier for this container can be gripped.

The DE 11 36 932 discloses a cuff for grippers on bottle packing machines. This cuff is particularly suitable for bottles with buckles and allows a gripping the neck of these bottles.

From the DE 11 54 035 a bottle gripper is also known, wherein the gripper operation is pneumatic.

From the DE 11 03 229 a bottle gripper for bottle loading and unloading machines is known. This bottle gripper has a gripping member which engages from inside a bottle neck to lift this bottle.

The DE 11 78 005 describes a machine for automatically emptying crates. This machine also has a gripping member which engages from inside a bottle neck and a centering bell, which centered the bottle relative to this gripping operation. The DE 1 586 159 describes a gripper for bottles, which regardless of the space around the neck of the containers around this can hold properly.

The DE 1 586 011 describes a tulip claw of the bottle packer. This tulip gripper also has a gripping device for gripping a strap bottle from the outside.

In particular, in bottles with buckles, the gripping is very complex, since the strap closure, as mentioned above, rests on the outside of the bottle and usually no specific rotational position of the bottle is specified. It is also possible that still sealed bottles should be used.

The present invention is therefore an object of the invention to provide a gripping device for containers, regardless of the state of the bottle, for example the Position of the shutter or even an opening state of the bottle a gripping the same allowed. This is inventively achieved by a device according to claim 1 and a method according to claim 13. Advantageous embodiments and further developments are the subject of the dependent claims.

A device according to the invention for gripping containers and in particular bottles has a carrier, as well as a first gripping device arranged on the carrier with a first gripper element which can be moved in the direction of an outer circumference of the container in order to grasp the container on the outer circumference. According to the invention, the device has a second arranged on the carrier gripping device which is at least partially inserted into an opening of the container, said second gripping device having a second gripping member which are movable in the direction of an inner periphery of the container to grip the container from the inside.

Thus, the invention proposes to equip a device for gripping containers with two gripping elements, which allow a gripping of the containers both from the inside, and from the outside. This combination allows bottles to be gripped regardless of their condition. For example, if the bottle is open and the clip closure rests on the side, it may sometimes happen that the gripping device which is to grip the container from the outside, does not attack, as this collides, for example, with the false carrier. In this case, however, if the container is open, the second gripping device, which engages the container from the inside, attack. If in another case the container is closed, although the internal gripping device can not grip, but the external device, since the closure head rests on the mouth of the bottle and thus not on the outer circumference. Thus, it is possible that both gripping devices simultaneously attack the container.

Preferably, the first gripping device on a gripping element which moves inwardly to get into engagement with the container. The second gripping device advantageously has an engagement element which moves outwardly with respect to the interior of the bottle in order to engage an inner wall of the container or its mouth.

Under in the direction of the outer periphery of the container movable gripping elements is understood that they have at least one component of movement in a radial direction of the container, for example, obliquely from above or obliquely from below to create the outer periphery of the container.

Advantageously, the first gripping device is movable relative to the carrier in a longitudinal direction of the carrier. By this movable arrangement, the first gripping device can be pushed over the mouth of the containers to grab them from the outside. In a further advantageous embodiment, the second gripping device is movable relative to the carrier in a longitudinal direction of the carrier. In this way, the second gripping device can be inserted into the mouth of the containers.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the first gripping device and the second gripping device independently movable in a longitudinal direction of the carrier. This independence ensures that the container is gripped either from the outside, from inside and outside or only from the inside, depending on its condition. In this case, a control device is advantageously provided, which enables the movement of the first gripping device or the second gripping device independently of one another in response to a specific state of the container.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the first gripping element of the first gripping device can be actuated by pneumatic means. Furthermore, the second gripping elements of the second gripping device can also be actuated by pneumatic means. Thus, a pneumatic control for the entire device is preferably proposed. However, it would also be conceivable other embodiments, such as hydraulic controls, magnetic gripping devices or mechanical gripping devices or combinations thereof.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the device has a pneumatic connection for the pneumatic actuation of both the first gripping element and for the pneumatic actuation of the second gripping element. Thus, the entire device, i. E. H. both the first gripping device for gripping the containers from the outside and the second gripping device for gripping the containers controlled from the inside.

The first gripping device preferably has a feed channel for an actuating fluid actuating the first gripping element. This actuating fluid is in particular, a gaseous medium and more preferably air.

Preferably, this first supply channel is closed in at least one position of the gripping device relative to the carrier. For example, if the first gripping device is obstructed by the edge of a bottle crate on lowering, and the corresponding feed channel is not filled with air and thus prevents the first gripping elements are activated.

Thus, the first gripping device is not actuated in this position. The respective position is preferably an upper position of the first gripping device with respect to the carrier.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the second gripping device also has a second feed channel for an actuating fluid actuating the second gripping element. In this case, preferably, this supply channel is closed in a certain position of this second gripping device relative to the carrier. Preferably, in this case, it is also an upper position of the second gripping device relative to the carrier. This prevents that the second gripping device is activated when the container can not be grasped by the latter, for example, when it is closed.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the device has a central supply channel for the actuating fluid, which supplies both the first supply channel and the second supply channel with the actuating fluid. In this case, this central feed is opposite the Feeding channels arranged so that in a certain position of both gripping means both feed channels can be supplied and in another position, only the first feed channel in a further position only the second feed channel. This will be explained in more detail with reference to the figures.

In a further advantageous embodiment, at least one gripping device is biased by means of a suspension device relative to the carrier. Preferably, both gripping devices are particularly preferably biased with separate suspension devices relative to the carrier and more preferably the two gripping devices are biased in a respective lower position relative to the carrier. In this biased position both gripping devices can be activated.

The present invention is further directed to a method for gripping a container, wherein the container is gripped by a device for gripping containers and wherein this device for gripping containers has a first gripping device and a second gripping device. According to the invention, the container can optionally be gripped with the first gripping device on its outer circumference or with the second gripping device on its inner circumference. Thus, in the method according to the invention, the gripper is designed so that it can grip the bottles inside, outside or inside and outside.

Preferably, the first gripping device is movable independently of the second gripping device in a longitudinal direction of the device, particularly preferably both Gripping devices moved independently in the longitudinal direction of the device.

In a further advantageous method, a device of the type described above is used to grip the containers.

Further advantageous embodiments will become apparent from the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1

eine erfindungsgemäße Vorrichtung zum Greifen von Behältnissen in einem ersten Behandlungszustand;

Fig. 2

die Vorrichtung aus Fig. 1 in einem zweiten Behandlungszustand;

Fig. 3

die Vorrichtung aus Fig. 1 in einem dritten Behandlungszustand, und

Fig. 4

eine Darstellung zur Veranschaulichung der Beschaltung einzelner Ventile für die Vorrichtung aus Fig. 1.

Show:

Fig. 1

a device according to the invention for gripping containers in a first treatment state;

Fig. 2

the device off Fig. 1 in a second treatment state;

Fig. 3

the device off Fig. 1 in a third treatment state, and

Fig. 4

a representation to illustrate the wiring of individual valves for the device Fig. 1 ,

Fig. 1 1 shows a device 1 according to the invention in a first operating position or a first treatment state of a container 10. This device 1 has a carrier 2 on which a first gripping device 4 and a second gripping device 6 are movably arranged in its longitudinal direction L.

The first gripping device 4 is suitable for gripping an outer circumference of an opening 10a of the container 10 from the outside. For this purpose, the first gripping device has a gripping element 12, which may optionally have grooves 11 in order to grip the outer circumference of the mouth 10a on. The second gripping device 6 has a gripping element 17 in the form of an expansible body 17, which expands outward when compressed air is applied and in this way can grip an inner wall of the mouth 10a of the container 10. The reference numeral 32 refers to a centering cone, which causes the second gripping member 17 can be easily inserted into the mouth 10 a of the container 10.

As stated, both the first gripping device 4 and the second gripping device 6 are arranged to be movable in the longitudinal direction L relative to the carrier 2. The carrier 2 is also movably arranged in the longitudinal direction L and can be displaced by pneumatic means (not shown in detail) in the longitudinal direction L.

The reference numeral 34 relates to a (only schematically illustrated) suspension device and in particular a spring, which biases the first gripping device 4 relative to the carrier 2 in the longitudinal direction L down. Likewise, reference numeral 36 refers to a second suspension means that biases the second and inner gripping means 6 downwardly in the longitudinal direction L. In this case, the second suspension device is stabilized by means of a support body 39.

As mentioned above, the device according to the invention for gripping containers via pneumatic means actuated. For this purpose, via a pneumatic connection of the device (not shown) is a pneumatic means such. B. compressed air supplied. This compressed air passes into a central feed channel 24 and can supply both the first gripper device 4 and the second gripper device 6 via this central feed channel 24. At the in Fig. 1 shown position, both the first gripping device 4 and the second gripping device 6 can be activated by the pneumatic means. More specifically, at the in Fig. 1 shown position on the central feed line 24, both a first feed channel 22 of the first gripping device 4 and a second feed channel 26 of the second gripping device 6 actuated. At the in Fig. 1 shown position, the pneumatic means via a first cross-connection 23 in the first feed channel 22 and via a second cross-connection 25 in the second feed channel 26 reach.

The central feed channel is not necessarily arranged geometrically centrally (see. Fig. 1 ). Rather, the term "central" refers to the central supply of the two feed channels 22 and 26. Preferably, however, the central feed channel 24 is arranged in a radial direction of the device between the two feed channels 22 and 26. The reference numeral 14 refers to a piston block in which the supply channel 22 is arranged. This piston block 14 is movable in the longitudinal direction L with respect to a sleeve 15.

Starting from the first feed channel 22, the pneumatic means enters a space 35 and can press from there on the gripping device 4, more precisely, the first gripping element 12, which in turn presses against the mouth 10a of the gripper Container presses. Accordingly, the pneumatic means can pass via the second feed channel 26 into the second gripping device 6 and there expand the gripping element 17 to the outside and thus cause a handle of the mouth 10a of the container 10 from the inside.

At the in Fig. 2 As shown, the inner gripping device is prevented from penetrating into the container 10, since, for example, a closure 10b is arranged on the container 10. In this case, the second gripping device 6 remains in an upper position. As a result, it is simultaneously effected that the cross-connection 25 is not filled with compressed air and thus the second gripper element 17 is not expanded. This prevents unintentional expansion of the second gripping element 17. More specifically, the cross-connection 25 abuts against an outer wall of the carrier 2 and is thereby closed. In this way, the adjoining the cross-connection 25 feed channel 26 is closed.

At the in Fig. 2 shown position, however, can be filled via the cross-connection 23 of the first supply channel 22 with compressed air and thus a gripping of the container 10 from the outside is possible.

At the in Fig. 3 As shown, the second gripping device 6 can penetrate into the container, but the first gripping device 4 is prevented from being pushed over the mouth 10a of the container. In this case, the connection between the central supply channel 24 and the first supply channel 22 is blocked, so that in this case the first gripping device 4 is not expanded inward. In this way, too, here is an accidental Access of the first gripping device 4 prevented. However, the second gripping device 6 is supplied with compressed air via the central supply channel 24 and the second supply line 26 and can be expanded in the interior of the mouth 10 a of the container 10. This is also in this position, a gripping the containers (this time only from the inside) possible.

The gripping device 1 according to the invention is additionally advantageously designed such that under certain circumstances during a lifting movement of the entire device, the first gripping device 4 is also rotatable by a predetermined angle in the circumferential direction, for example by 90 °. When taking out ironing bottles from boxes, it may happen that the closure of these ironing bottles rests laterally against the bottle neck 10a. If the corresponding bottle is located on the outer edge of the box near a handle, it may happen that the locking head hooked in the handle. For this purpose, the device according to the invention also has a rotating mechanism that rotates the outer gripping device with the container in order to counteract such a hooking of the closure head in the gripping direction of the box.

This rotary mechanism is, as I said, coupled to the outer (first) gripping device 4, since in those cases in which the outer (first) gripping device 4 can not grip, in particular the container 10 is closed and thus the closure head not on the Outer circumference of the bottle head 10 can rest.

To achieve this turning operation, the gripping device 1 on a support body 40, relative to a housing body 47 in the longitudinal direction L slidably is arranged. In turn, the first gripping device 4 is rotatably mounted on this housing body 47. This can be done for example via a housing or a connecting rod.

However, the rotational movement of the housing body 47 is not necessarily coupled to the second gripping device 6. Therefore, in a preferred embodiment, the connecting channel 25 is designed as an annular channel, so that regardless of a rotational position of the central feed channel 24 relative to the inner gripping device 6, a filling of the second feed channel 26 with compressed air is possible.

On the support body 40, a radially outwardly projecting pin 48 is disposed in a bore 46. This bolt 48 is displaceable in a steep groove 45 of the housing body 47. This steep groove 45, of which only one end section is shown, extends in the circumferential direction around the housing body 47 and thereby encloses an angle of, for example, 90 °. This means that with a displacement of the housing body 47 relative to the support body 40 and the housing body 47 is rotated by 90 ° about the longitudinal axis L.

In the gripping process, first a certain clip-type bottle is gripped from the outside, at least with the first gripping device 4. If the flip-top bottle is arranged on an outer edge of a beverage crate and the clasp closure hooks into a handle opening, this is detected by a detection device (not shown). As a result, the support body 40 is moved relative to the housing body 47 and also the first gripping device 4 rotates by a defined angle, for example by 90 °. However, this angle of rotation is sufficient to the entanglement between the lock head and the handle opening of a box to eliminate. After rotation, the container can be pulled out of the box.

The reference numeral 44 refers to a piston which is movable within the support body 40 in the longitudinal direction L. At this piston, a piston rod 43 is provided. The reference numeral 42 denotes a spring which biases the piston 44 in the longitudinal direction L upwards. Via a connecting element 52, the carrier 2 is arranged on the piston rod 43. In this case, the carrier 2 can be arranged rotatably or non-rotatably on the piston rod 43. The support body 40 is preferably arranged stationary.

Fig. 4 shows a representation for illustrating the wiring of individual valves for the device Fig. 1 , In this case, the reference numeral 62 refers to a 3/2 - way valve, which controls all operable cylinders of individual devices 1 in a defined position of the device on a bottle table. Via a distributor device 63, the individual devices 1 are supplied with compressed air. When the device 1 is activated, the compressed air is applied to a piston 66 of the device. Once the piston is pulled down, for example, because the closure of a bottle has hooked, the compressed air reaches the top of the piston and the piston is pushed down. Reference numeral 64 refers to a quick relief valve.

As soon as no more compressed air is supplied from a pressure supply line 61, a ball 65 of the valve moves to the right and the valve can vent via an output line 67. As a result of this vent all individual Cylinder 66 vented and the corresponding piston are pressed by the spring force of the spring 69 back to the starting position. In this way, after the gripping device has moved completely upwards, all operable gripping devices in a defined position via the 3/2 way valve 62 moved back to the starting position, so that when dispensing all bottles 10 again the same height level of all devices is reached.

All disclosed in the application documents features are claimed as essential to the invention, provided they are new individually or in combination over the prior art.

Claims (15)

1. An apparatus (1) for gripping containers (10) and, in particular bottles, with a carrier (2), a first gripping device (4) arranged on the carrier (2) with a first gripping element (12) movable in the direction of an external periphery of the container (10), in order to grip the container on an external periphery, characterized in that the apparatus (1) has a second gripping device (6) which is arranged on the carrier (2) and which is capable of being introduced at least locally into an opening (10a) in the container (10) and has a second gripping element (17) which is movable in the direction of an internal periphery of the container (10), in order to grip the container (10) from the inside.
2. An apparatus (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the first gripping device (4) is movable with respect to the carrier (2) in a longitudinal direction (L) of the carrier (2).
3. An apparatus (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second gripping device (6) is movable with respect to the carrier (2) in a longitudinal direction (L) of the carrier (2).
4. An apparatus (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first gripping device (4) and the second gripping device (6) are movable independently of each other in a longitudinal direction (L) of the carrier (2).
5. An apparatus (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first gripping element (12) of the first gripping device (4) is capable of being actuated by pneumatic means (22, 24) .
6. An apparatus (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second gripping element (17) of the second gripping device (6) is capable of being actuated by pneumatic means (24, 26).
7. An apparatus (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the apparatus (1) has a pneumatic connection for the pneumatic actuation both of the first gripping element (12) and for the pneumatic actuation of the second gripping element (17).
8. An apparatus (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first gripping device (4) has a supply duct (22) for an actuating fluid which actuates the first gripping elements (12).
9. An apparatus (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that the first supply duct (22) is closed with respect to the carrier (2) in at least one position of the first gripping device (4).
10. An apparatus (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second gripping device (6) has a second supply duct (26) for an actuating fluid which actuates the second gripping elements (17).
11. An apparatus (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that the apparatus (1) has a central supply duct (24) for the actuating fluid, which supplies both the first supply duct (22) and the second supply duct (26) with the actuating fluid.
12. An apparatus (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one gripping device (4, 6) is pre-stressed with respect to the carrier (2) by means of a springing device (34, 36).
13. A method of gripping a container (10), characterized in that the container (10) is gripped by means of an apparatus (1) for gripping containers (10), wherein this apparatus (1) for gripping containers (10) has a first gripping device (4) and a second gripping device (6), wherein the container (10) is optionally gripped by the first gripping device (4) on its external periphery or with the second gripping device (6) on its internal periphery.
14. A method according to claim 13, characterized in that the first gripping device (4) is movable in a longitudinal direction (L) of the apparatus (1) independently of the second gripping device (6).
15. A method according to at least one of the preceding claims 13 to 14, characterized in that an apparatus (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims 1 to 12 is used in order to grip the containers (10).

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