EP2390224B1 - Container treatment assembly and method for treating containers - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a container treatment plant according to the preamble of patent claim 1 and a method according to the preamble of claim 10 and as from DE 197 37 697 A known.

In the beverage bottling industry, two types of container handling machines are mainly used, namely continuous container handling machines, e.g. Rotary and intermittent container handling machines. Both machine types have advantages and disadvantages. The biggest advantage of batch container handling machines is that the container handling devices, optionally to be supplied with working media, e.g. Filling valves, stationary in one place and need not be moved in the container treatment. As e.g. Rotary feedthroughs in cyclically operating container treatment machines completely eliminated, this leads to a significant cost advantage and higher process reliability. However, the supply and / or discharge of the containers must also be clocked, which is not only expensive, but more difficult an optionally desired blocking the cyclically operating machine and at least one continuously operating machine. In continuous rotary machines all treatment devices are often arranged on a rotating carousel, which, however, complex and expensive rotary feedthroughs for the media supply, e.g. with energy, filling medium, beverage compressed air and the like. Requires, however, allows a continuous supply and removal of the container. For these reasons, there is a considerable need for a simple blocking of cyclically operating container treatment machines and continuous container treatment machines in a container treatment plant. Continuous container treatment machines can also be transport devices such as feeders and discharge conveyors.

In container treatment plants, for example, a blow-molding machine which delivers containers continuously and, for example, a filling machine and corresponding conveyors which are interlocked therewith, the continuous throughput of the continuously operating container treatment machine, eg the blow molding machine, dictates the overall throughput of the container treatment plant. However, at each deadlock of the cyclic container handling machine, a container is removed or dispensed. This is due to the deadlock interruption must be in terms of the desired continuous total throughput can be compensated. Consequently, feeders and discharge conveyor would have to operate in clock mode so that they can compensate for each clock-related throughput loss of containers. For this purpose, for example, a complex buffer storage would be necessary and / or would feeders and discharge conveyor due to the concatenation between a continuous container processing machine and a cyclically operating container handling machine each temporarily process much higher throughput than the total throughput.

Out DE 197 37 697 A a container treatment plant is known in which a cyclically operating preform injection molding machine is linked via a continuously driven discharge conveyor with a continuously operating blow molding machine. The discharge conveyor is designed as a transfer star, to which two rotary drivable injection molding rotors are assigned in the preform injection molding machine, one of which as a treatment station produces a preform group and stands still and is separated from the discharge conveyor, while the other is synchronized driven and coupled with the discharge conveyor, then works as a conveyor and supplies preforms individually to the discharge conveyor. This principle is structurally and control technically complex because main components of the cyclically operating container treatment machine are required in duplicate and individually controlled. In addition, structurally complex and fault-prone rotary unions for the plastic compound are required in the injection molding rotors.

Out DE 10 2004 053 663 A For example, a container treatment plant is known having a plurality of conveyors linked by conveyors, of which, for example, a labeling machine may temporarily operate slower than an associated, continuously operating blow molding machine, or may need to be temporarily stopped in the event of a breakdown. Between each two linked machines, dynamic buffer stores are integrated in conveyors, which buffer, deliver or deliver corresponding throughput differences between the machines. This concept is technically complex, requires long residence times of the container in the respective buffer memory, and allows only the concatenation of two machines.

The invention has for its object to provide a container treatment plant and a method for treating containers in the container treatment plant, with which despite the deadlocks of the cyclically operating container treatment machine containers can be continuously added and / or removed, or cyclically operating container treatment machine can be linked in a structurally simple manner with at least one continuously operating container treatment machine.

The object is achieved with the features of claim 1, and according to the method with the features of claim 10.

In the container treatment plant, the discharge and / or discharge interruption caused by each deadlock of the cyclically operating container treatment machine is compensated in a structurally simple manner only by a delivery difference between continuously circulating conveyors, wherein the conveyors run continuously, so that despite the deadlocks the containers be continuously supplied and / or removed. The advantage of a continuous supply and / or removal of the containers also provides a structurally simple possibility to concatenate the at least one cyclically operating container treatment machine with at least one continuously operating container treatment machine. Due to the coordination between the different feed distributions and the rotational speeds of the conveyors on the deadlocks of the cyclically operating container processing machine, a time buffer is generated in each case, which at least largely corresponds to the duration of the deadlock. This principle is suitably used for the supply and the discharge or only the supply or only the removal of the containers. The at least one cyclically operating container treatment machine can optimally exploit its function-related advantages in the system.

According to the method, conscious delivery differences are set between at least two mutually supplying, continuously driven, circulating conveyors in order to respectively create time buffers, which correspond at a maximum to the stoppages of the cyclically operating container handling machine, despite continuous supply and / or discharge of individual containers. No elaborate rotary feedthroughs required for working media and less mass forces is subjected.

In an expedient embodiment of the container treatment plant in two continuously driven, circulating conveyors, the conveying pitch of the cyclically operating container handling machine closer conveyor half of the conveying of the remoter conveying device, so that the closer conveyor is filled in about two rounds and the remoter conveyor only approximately half of a complete filling will be delivered on each revolution. Particularly expediently, in this case, the conveyor means closer to the cyclically operating container processing machine has an odd conveying graduation number, while the more remote conveying device has a straight conveying graduation number. This can harmonize the treatment process.

Appropriately agrees the provided in the intermittent container-handling machine container distribution with the delivery of the closer conveyor, ie, that only the conveyors that take over the container initially and leave at the end, have the other Förderteilungen, which may be useful to each other ,

In an expedient embodiment, between the cyclically operating container treatment machine and the respective closer conveyor an intermediate conveyor which can be driven to the beat of the cyclically operating container treatment machine is also provided, whose delivery pitch coincides with the delivery pitch of the closer conveyor and the container distribution in the cyclically operating container. Treatment machine matches. The respective intermediate conveyor simplifies the delivery or removal of the containers into and out of the cyclically operating container handling machine. Alternatively, however, the closer conveyors could also directly deliver the emptied container handling machine, i.e., without intermediate conveyors. In a further alternative, an intermediate conveyor could also be provided only on the inlet side or on the outlet side of the cyclically operating container treatment machine.

Suitably, the at least two continuously driven conveyors in the feed conveyor and / or discharge conveyor rotationally driven conveyor stars with substantially peripheral container transport elements. Such conveyor stars are structurally simple, reliable and cost-effective. The Bogenmaßabstand between the container transport elements of the distant conveyor star should be twice the Bogenmaßabstandes between the container transport elements of the closer conveyor star to completely fill or empty the closer conveyor star at approximately two rounds.

It is expedient to provide a treatment star with container transport elements in the cyclically operating container treatment machine. This star treatment is rotationally driven only for filling or emptying, however, is stopped during the deadlock and optionally decoupled from the supply and / or discharge conveyor.

If at least one intermediate conveyor is provided, this could be a structurally simple and reliable transfer star with container transport elements. The stars used could also be formed as pitch lag stars.

Suitably, the container transport elements are controlled or uncontrolled container takeover and / or transfer devices, such as eg clip grippers or the like, eg for neck handling or basehandling of the containers.

In an expedient embodiment, the stars provided have the same working diameters.

In an alternative embodiment, the stars which are each farther from the cyclically operating container treatment machine have different working diameters than the other stars which have the same working diameters. The working diameters of the more distant stars could be equal to each other.

In a further embodiment of the container treatment plant, at least one of the cyclically operating container treatment machine associated, more distant conveyor in the feeder and / or discharge conveyor, a discharge or Zufördervorrichtung a continuous container treatment machine, or a continuous container treatment machine itself, preferably one rotary. The continuous container treatment machine is locked via the feed conveyor and / or discharge conveyor with the cyclically operating container processing machine and can deliver continuously or is supplied continuously.

In an expedient embodiment, the cyclically operating container treatment machine is a filler or sterilizer.

In another embodiment, the continuous container handling machine is a rotary type stretch blow molder or capper or labeler.

In a variant of the method in the feed conveyor, the delivery of the closer in the conveying direction of the cyclically operating container processing machine conveyor exactly set with half the delivery of the distant conveyor, filled the farther conveyor the closer conveyor over at least approximately two rounds of both conveyors, the filling of the closer Conveyor supplied in a further circulation of both conveyors directly or indirectly in the cyclically operating container processing machine, and the respective circulation of the two conveyors, for example, in terms of speed, as well as the Förderteilungsunterschieds, timed to the deadlock of the cyclically operating container handling machine. It is thus generated in spite of continuous supply from the Förderteilungsunterschied a time buffer that can correspond to the deadlock of the cyclically operating container processing machine, or possibly even slightly shorter.

In a further alternative of the method in the discharge conveyor the delivery of the cyclically operating container treatment machine closer conveyor is set with half of the conveying of the remote conveyor, the closer conveyor from the cyclically operating container handling machine in a cycle of the two conveyors directly or indirectly filled, emptied the distant conveyor over at least approximately two revolutions of both conveyors the closer conveyor, and the respective circulation of the two conveyors in the discharge conveyor is timed to the deadlock of the cyclically operating container treatment machine, for example in terms of the rotational speed and / or the Förderteilungsunterschiedes at least one clocked intermediate conveyor, the container from the feed conveyor and / or from the cyclically operating container Beh remove and transfer the handling machine.

In a particularly expedient variant of the method, the conveying device with an odd number of conveying graduations, the conveyor operating closer to the cyclically operating container, is filled or emptied by the more distant conveying device formed with a straight conveying graduation number.

Fig. 1

in einer Schemadarstellung eine Behälter-Behandlungsanlage mit wenigstens einer taktweise arbeitenden Behälter-Behandlungsmaschine in einer anfänglichen Befüllungsphase,

Fig. 2

die Behälter-Behandlungsanlage in einer späteren Arbeitsphase,

Fig. 3

die Behälter-Behandlungsanlage in einer noch späteren Arbeitsphase,

Fig. 4

die Behälter-Behandlungsanlage in einer noch späteren Arbeitsphase,

Fig. 5

die Behälter-Behandlungsanlage in einer Arbeitsphase während eines Taktstillstandes der taktweise arbeitenden Behälter-Behandlungsmaschine, und

Fig. 6

die Behälter-Behandlungsanlage in einer späteren Arbeitsphase beim Entleeren der taktweise arbeitenden Behälter-Behandlungsanlage.

The subject of the invention will be explained with reference to the drawings. Show it:

Fig. 1

in a schematic representation of a container treatment plant with at least one cyclically operating container treatment machine in an initial filling phase,

Fig. 2

the container treatment plant in a later phase of work,

Fig. 3

the container treatment plant in an even later phase of work,

Fig. 4

the container treatment plant in an even later phase of work,

Fig. 5

the container treatment plant in a working phase during a deadlock of the cyclic tank treatment machine, and

Fig. 6

the container treatment plant in a later work phase when emptying the cyclically operating container treatment plant.

One in the Fig. 1 to 6 illustrated container treatment plant B, for example in the beverage bottling industry, is shown in a purely schematic representation, which does not necessarily correspond to the actual arrangement of the individual components in practice, but only to clarify the basic principle of operation of the container treatment plant. The individual components are shown in a linear arrangement in the figures, although in practice they may be functionally concatenated in any geometric configurations other than a linear array.

A cyclically operating container treatment machine MT, for example a filler or sterilizer, which carries out at least one container treatment on a batch of containers 3 at their standstill (deadlock), is functionally a feed conveyor Z for the separated containers 3 and, at least in the illustrated embodiment , a discharge conveyor A functionally assigned. The cyclic container handling machine MT is shown with a single treatment station. Alternatively, the cyclically operating container treatment machine MT could comprise several stations (not shown), in each case at a standstill different treatments are performed on then stationary containers 3, each batch of containers after taking over from the feeder Z and / or before the transfer to the Outfeed conveyor A is conveyed through all stations.

In the in Fig. 1 indicated embodiment of the container treatment plant comprises the feed conveyor Z and / or the discharge conveyor A at least two continuously and at the same peripheral velocities circumferentially arranged container transport elements 2 circumferentially driven conveyors F1, F2; F1 ', F2'. The two conveyors F1, F2, F1 ', F2' are, for example, conveyor stars 1, 7; 13, 14 with the same or different working diameters. The container transporting elements 2 may comprise controlled or uncontrolled means for individually conveying, optionally gripping and transferring each container 3. Between the cyclically operating container handling machine closer MT conveyor star 7 of the conveyor F2 (13, F2 ') and a cyclic (arrows 11) rotatably driven and during a clock standstill 11 a (between the arrows 11) shutdown treatment star 10 in or at the intermittently working Tank Handling Machines MT is in Fig. 1 in each case an intermediate conveyor device in the form of, for example, a cyclically rotationally drivable, with the treatment star 10 synchronized transfer star 8, 12 is provided, which is also equipped with container transport elements 2.

The working diameters of the stars 7, 8, 10, 12 and 13 can be equal to each other, while the working diameters of the stars 1 and 14 can be different from those of the stars 7, 8, 10, 12, 13, but equal to each other.

In each star, the container transporting elements 2 are arranged on the circumference with a certain conveying pitch, so that each star has a certain conveying graduation number of transporting elements 2.

Alternatively, only the feed conveyor Z or only the discharge conveyor A could be provided which continuously conveys or removes containers.

The stars 7, 8, 10, 12 and 13 have among each other the same narrower conveying pitches T2, while the stars 1, 14 have mutually equal but further conveying distributions T1 of their transport elements 2. The narrower conveying direction T2 corresponds to half of the further conveying pitch T1, ie, for the same working diameters of the stars, the radian distance between two successive container transport elements 2 in the stars 1, 14 is exactly twice the radian distance between two successive container transport elements 2 in the stars 7, 8, 10, 12 and 13. Suitably, the Förderteilungsanzahl, ie the number of container-transporting elements 2, in the stars 1, 14 an even number, while the conveying number of division in the stars 7, 8, 10, 12 and 13, i. the number of container transporting elements 2 is an odd number.

The conveyors F1, F2; F1 ', F2' are driven continuously (arrows 4, 6) and revolving while the stars 8, 10, 12 stand during each stop of the clock 11a, 9a and are rotated (arrows 11, 9) before and after each stop of the clock.

Further, in the figures with 15a, 16a and 15b, 16b, for example, provided, switchable couplings are indicated, during a clock standstill (15a, 16a) the stars 8, 10 and 12 in still running stars 1, 7; 13, 14, on the other hand, after a clock stop, the stars 8, 10, 12 (15b, Fig. 3 ) in sync with the stars 1, 7; 13, 14 rotary-drive.

In Fig. 1 For example, the feeders Z, A are continuous container handling machines, ie, the treatment is a continuous delivery. Dashed is also in Fig. 1 indicated that at least the conveyor star 1 (and possibly also the conveyor star 14) may be a discharge conveyor or feed conveyor of a continuous container treatment machine MK1, MK2 or the continuous container treatment machine MK1, MK2 itself, for example, at least one continuously operating container Treatment machine MK1 and / or MK2 with the at least one cyclically operating container handling machine MT in the container treatment plant B to chain or block. As mentioned, the intermediate conveying devices in the form of the transfer stars 8, 12, or at least one of them, could be dispensed with.

In the working phase in Fig. 1 are the stars 8, 10, 12 (deadlock) of the still empty intermittent container handling machine MT. The stars 1, 7; 13, 14 run continuously. The conveying star 1 or the conveying device F1, which is the more distant from the cyclically operating container handling machine MT, fills the conveying star 7 forming the second conveying device F2 with the narrower (half) conveying part T2 in a single circulation in one revolution thanks to the further conveying pitch T1 both stars 1, 7 in half.

In Fig. 2 have the two stars 1, 7 carried out almost two rounds, so that the conveyor star 7 is almost completely filled with containers 3. The stars 8, 10 and 12 are still standing.

In Fig. 3 are the couplings 15b, 16b switched so that the stars 8, 10 and 12 are driven in rotation. The transfer star 8 removes the entire number of containers 3 from the conveyor star 7, while the conveyor star 1 continues to deliver a container to each second container transport element 2 of the conveyor star 7.

In Fig. 4 the treatment star 10 is filled by the transfer star 8, while in the delivery star 7 only every second container transport element 2 receives a container.

In Fig. 5 the treatment star 10 is fully filled with containers 3. Now the couplings 15a, 16a are switched again. The stars 8, 10 and 12 stand, while the stars 1, 7; 13, 14 continue to run continuously. During this deadlock 11a of the stars 8, 10 and 12, the conveyor star 1 completely fills the conveyor star 7 again over a second revolution.

In Fig. 6 If the treatment is complete and the couplings 15b, 16b are switched over again, so that the stars 8, 10, 12 rotate and the transfer star 12 completely removes the containers from the treatment star 10, while the transfer star 8 is already in the process of filling them Discharge conveyor star 7. The transfer star 12 delivers (not shown) the removed container 3 to the conveyor star 13 until it is fully filled, while the conveyor star 14 only takes every second container 3 from the conveyor star 13 and the individual container continuously abfördert or this in the continuously operating Container Handling Machine MK2 ( Fig. 1 ) in the run (rotary runner). The stars 8, 10 and 12 are rotationally driven until, on the one hand, the transfer star 12 is completely emptied and, on the other hand, the treatment star 10 is completely filled again. The filling of the conveyor star 13 is discharged from the conveyor star 14 over approximately two revolutions of the stars 13, 14.

The continuously operating container treatment machines MK1 and / or MK2 are, for example, a stretch blow molding machine or a capper or a labeler.

As mentioned, in practice, with regard to a more favorable use of the space for the container treatment plant B, it may be expedient to deviate from a linear orientation of the individual components other angular positions than shown between the stars.

The container treatment plant B is preferably suitable for container handling machines of a smaller power range, since the deceleration and acceleration of the clocked stars 8, 10, 12 requires a certain time, whereby the maximum achievable delivery rate is limited. If, for example, the cyclically operating container treatment machine MT is a stationary filler which cooperates with a continuously operating capper (MK2), the filler would need no rotary bearing, no rotary unions, and even with aseptic working conditions, no water lock. The cyclically operating container handling machine could also be a sterilizer, for example an e-beam type with e-beam emitters as treatment fingers that dip into the containers 3. The treatment fingers could be rigidly mounted, eliminating the need for a pivot bearing, and simplifying the shielding of resulting X-rays, since no rotating carousel is required in the treatment area.

Claims (13)

1. Container treatment plant (B) in which at least one cyclically operating container treatment machine (MT) and at least one feed conveyor (Z) and/or at least one discharge conveyor (A), respectively for individual containers (3) are provided in functional association to the container treatment machine, characterized in that at least two continuously driven, circulating conveyor means (F1, F2, F1', F2') supplying each other with individual containers (3) are provided in the feed conveyor (Z) and/or in the discharge conveyor (A), respectively, of which the conveyor means (F2, F2') being closer in the conveying direction to the cyclically operating container treatment machine (MT) has a narrower conveying pitch (T2) than the wider conveying pitch (T1) of a conveyor means (F1, F1') which is further away, and that a container acceptance and/or transfer interruption caused by a respective standstill (9a, 11 a) between cycles of the cyclically operating container treatment machine (MT) is compensated by the conveying pitch difference (T1 - T2) of the conveyor means (F1, F2, F1', F2') supplying each other continuously with individual containers (3).
2. Container treatment plant according to claim 1, characterized in that in two continuously driven conveyor means (F1, F2; F1', F2'), the conveying pitch (T2) of the conveyor means (F2, F2') being closer to the cyclically operating container treatment machine (MT) amounts to half the conveying pitch (T1) of the conveyor means (F1, F1') which is further away, wherein, preferably, the closer conveyor means (F2, F2') comprises an uneven conveying pitch number, and the conveyor means which is further away comprises an even conveying pitch number.
3. Container treatment plant according to claim 1, characterized in that the container pitch (T2) provided in the cyclically operating container treatment machine (MT) corresponds to the conveying pitch (T2) of the closer conveyor means (F2, F2'), wherein in the cyclically operating container treatment machine (MT), a treatment starwheel (10) with container transport elements (2) is provided.
4. Container treatment plant according to claim 3, characterized in that between the cyclically operating container treatment machine (MT) and the closer conveyor means (F2, F2'), an intermediate conveyor means (8, 12) is provided, which is driven in time with the cyclically operating container treatment machine (MT), the conveying pitch (T2) of the intermediate conveyer means (8, 12) corresponding to the conveying pitch (T2) of the closer conveyor means (F2, F2') and to the container pitch (T2) in the cyclically operating container treatment machine (MT), wherein preferably, the discontinuously driven intermediate conveyor means (8, 12) is a transfer starwheel with container transport elements (2).
5. Container treatment plant according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least two continuously driven conveyor means (F1, F2, F1', F2') in the feed conveyor (Z) and/or discharge conveyor (A) are rotationally driven conveyor starwheels (1, 7, 13; 14) with essentially circumferential container transport elements (2), wherein the radian measure distance between the container transport elements (2) of the conveyor starwheel (1, 14) which is further away is twice the radian measure distance between the container transport elements (2) of the closer conveyor starwheel (7, 13).
6. Container treatment plant according to claim 5, characterized in that the container transport elements (2) comprise controlled or non-controlled container acceptance and/or transfer means.
7. Container treatment plant according to claim 5, characterized in that, at least some of the starwheels (1, 7, 13, 14, 8, 12, 10) have identical working diameters among each other, and/or respective starwheels (1, 14) which are further away in the conveying direction from the cyclically operating container treatment machine (MT) have other working diameters than those of the other starwheels having identical diameters among each other.
8. Container treatment plant according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one conveyor means (F1, F1') in the feed conveyor (Z) and/or in the discharge conveyor (A) which is further away and associated to the cyclically operating container treatment machine (MT) is a discharge and/or feed means of a continuously operating container treatment machine (MK1, MK2), or a continuously working container treatment machine (MK1, MK2) itself, preferably a rotary machine, which is connected in a block with the cyclically operating container treatment machine (MT) via the feed conveyor (Z) and/or the discharge conveyor (A).
9. Container treatment plant according to claim 1, characterized in that the cyclically operating container treatment machine (MT) comprises a filler or a sterilizer, and/or, preferably, the continuously working container treatment machine (MK1, MK2) is a rotary stretch-blow molding machine or a closer or a labeling machine.
10. Method of treating containers (3) in a container treatment plant (B) which comprises at least one cyclically operating container treatment machine (MT) and, functionally associated to it, at least one feed conveyor (Z) and/or one discharge conveyor (A), respectively for individually transported containers (3), characterized in that the feed conveyor (Z) or/and the discharge conveyor (A) continuously supply (supplies) and/or discharge(s) the individual containers (3), and that a container discharge and/or transfer interruption caused by a respective standstill (9a, 11 a) between cycles of the cyclically operating container treatment machine (MT) is compensated by a conveying pitch difference (T1 - T2) between different conveying pitches (T1, T2) of at least two continuously driven, circulating conveyor means (F1, F2, F1', F2') supplying each other in the feed conveyor (Z) or the discharge conveyor (A), respectively.
11. Method according to claim 10, characterized in that in the feed conveyor (Z), the conveying pitch (T2) of the conveyor means (F2, F2') being closer in the conveying direction to the cyclically operating container treatment machine (MT) is set to half the conveying pitch (T1) of the conveyor means (F1) which is further away, that the conveyor means (F1) which is further away fills the closer conveyor means (F2) during at least approximately two circulations of both conveyor means (F1, F2), that the complete filling of the closer conveyor means (F2) is supplied directly or indirectly into the cyclically operating container treatment machine (MT) in a further circulation of the two conveyor means (F1, F2), and that the respective circulation of the two conveyor means (F1, F2) is adapted in time to the standstill (9a, 11a) between cycles of the cyclically operating container treatment machine (MT).
12. Method according to claim 10, characterized in that in the discharge conveyor (A), the conveying pitch (T2) of the conveyor means (F2') being closer to the cyclically operating container treatment machine (MT) is set to half the conveying pitch (T1) of the conveyor means (F1') which is further away, that the closer conveyor means (F2') is completely filled directly or indirectly from the cyclically operating container treatment machine (MT) in one circulation of the conveyor means (F2'), that the conveyor means (F1') which is further away empties during at least approximately two circulations of both conveyor means (F1', F2') the closer conveyor means (F2'), and that the respective circulation of the two conveyor means (F1', F2') in the discharge conveyor (A) is adapted in time to the standstill (9a, 11 a) between cycles of the cyclically operating container treatment machine (MT).
13. Method according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the conveyor means (F2, F2') embodied with an uneven conveying pitch number and being closer to the cyclically operating container treatment machine (MT) is filled or emptied by the conveyor means (F1, F1') which is further away and is embodied with an even conveying pitch number.

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