EP2473435B1 - Method of producing a supporting framework for holding a covering - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a method for producing a support frame for mounting a cover for a container treatment machine, comprising at least one machine element, which is completely or partially covered by the cover, according to the preamble of claim 1, and as shown in US 2004/0103617 A known.

Container handling machines are mostly used to fill containers, to clean, to equip with labels, to apply a closure etc. In the context of the present invention, the term container treatment machine also means machines for mixing liquids, for cleaning containers, for pasteurizing products or of containers filled with product, for emptying and / or cleaning and / or filling and / or closing barrels of metal or plastic, for packaging containers or groups of containers, for carbonating liquids, for inspecting open or closed containers, for Stretch blow molding of containers.

In the food industry in particular, this is usually bottled under sterile conditions, as described in US Pat DE 10 2005 012 507 A1 is described. For this purpose, the aforementioned prior publication addresses as an example a bottle storage, which is encapsulated with a wall. This is intended to keep warm air exiting a blow molding machine or generated by the heat of the bottles in the bottles. The wall may be constructed, for example, of metal, plastic, glass or the like, to encapsulate the warm air. In addition, heat-insulating material can be used at this point.

In addition, through the DE 10 2004 017 737 A1 a clocking carousel filling machine has become known. Also in this case it concerns aseptic filling conditions. Here again a panel is realized, which represents a barrier for germs and spores.

In addition to these pressure vessel described container treatment machines with at least one associated cover for the particular aseptic treatment of containers, there are numerous other container treatment machines in practice, which are equipped for example for aesthetic reasons with such covers - usually made of glass. It is so far and regularly proceeded so that machine and cover or the machine element to be clad and the associated cover are always developed, manufactured and sold together. Such a procedure is naturally complex and does not allow standardization.

In a method of the type described above, as described in the DE 10 2005 017 957 A1 is described, it is proceeded so that within a housing at least one camera and additionally a lighting device are implemented as machine elements. The container treatment machine in question is an inspection device. The individual machine elements mentioned above are housed in an enclosure. Details on the mounting of the housing are not described.

The invention is based on the technical problem of further developing a method for producing a support frame for holding a cover for a container treatment machine such that the covering single or all machine elements easy and inexpensive manages and in addition there is the possibility of unification.

To solve this technical problem, a method according to claim 1 is provided. That is, the invention does not expressly refer to brackets, jibs, etc. that need to be specially attached to the machine element to be clad in order to define the cover thereon.

Rather, a usually self-supporting framework from the centered at nodes interconnected columns and trusses is used, which is intended and intended to hold the cover. That is, the support frame is usually sized and designed so that it alone - without the machine element to be covered - carries the cover, so it is designed self-supporting.

In this case, the procedure is such that the respective column is equipped with the at least one bent over the unbent nose flange for the combined centering opposite and coupling with the crosshead. In other words, the column initially has one or more folded connecting flanges. This connection flange is produced from the column in such a way that it is bent relative to the column, thus regularly undergoing a bend from an angle of approximately 90 °. In this Abkantvorgang to define the connection flange remains the unbent nose of the column, so a pillar component, which is not bent. This pillar component defines after bending the already mentioned unbent nose.

The procedure is such that the connecting flange is defined on the column in question, in which the column experiences an edge at the edge. In this way, the column cut is made in the column, which is defined or can be defined by the marginal cut in the column. Here, a laser cut has proven to be favorable, so an incision, which is made in the material with a laser, especially CO ₂ laser. The column section thus produced and integrally connected to the column along at least the edge or an exclusionary bending line is now bent relative to the column. This happens along the bending line, which in turn extends along the edge over which the column cutout is integrally connected to the column unchanged.

In detail, the column cutout along the questionable bending line or along the edge or connecting edge of the column cutout with the rest of the column is folded under the recess of the already mentioned unbent nose. This can be realized in detail in such a way that the flange cutout is defined in the column section. This flange cutout does not follow the bending movement of the column cutout to produce the connection flange. In this way, the flange cutout forms the unbent nose. In other words, the unbent nose and the rest of the column remain unaffected by the folding process.

Instead of equipping the column with the folded connection flange and the unbent nose, the procedure can also be reversed. In this case, the traverse is equipped with the beveled flange and the nose and the column has at least one recess in which the nose engages centering. In any case, the worry Connecting flange and the unbent nose for a combined centering and coupling between column and traverse.

In this case, the column is generally U-shaped in cross-section. In this context, the one or both U-legs define the one or two connection flanges. Mostly two connection flanges are provided, in each case a connection flange on a U-leg. In addition, the design is such that the two connecting flanges are designed the same length and width forth and usually find the end of the pillar respectively defined there. In this way, columns of any length can be produced, wherein the connecting flanges in conjunction with the associated unbent noses can be easily defined at virtually any point of the column - usually the end.

For this it is only necessary to equip the column with the mentioned column section and this in turn with the flange. As soon as the column cutout is folded, not only the connection flange but also the unbent nose is available. The connecting flange is used regularly for coupling with the crossbeam. For this purpose, the invention makes use, for example, of connecting means which jointly penetrate the connection flange and the traverse, for example screws, rivets, clips etc.

In contrast, the nose, which usually engages in a recess in or on the traverse, on the column provides for the required centering between the column and the traverse. In fact, the interpretation is usually made so that, when engaging in the recess nose, the column and the traverse aligned in the node thus produced perpendicular to each other are. Of course, other angle arrangements between column and cross member are within the scope of the invention.

In this case, the interpretation is usually made such that the two lugs are arranged per column cutout or each beveled flange in the longitudinal extension of the column behind each other. Consequently, the corresponding two recesses extend in the traverse for receiving the respective nose in the transverse direction. As a result, the interaction between the two lugs and the two associated recesses ensures that after centering and coupling of traverse and column, the already mentioned rectangular arrangement is given. In any case, the nose engages or grab the two noses on the pillar in the one or both corresponding recesses or centering in the Traverse. Only when this intervention is accomplished, the column and the traverse are coupled together by the already mentioned connecting means.

In this context, it has further proven to be advantageous if the connection flange on the column is assigned a bearing surface. Usually, this support surface is defined as it were automatically in the course of the fold of the column cutout to form the connection flange. This means that the support surface in question adjusts itself at the edge of the column cutout and arises when the pillar section in question is folded to form the connecting flange. The bearing surface serves as a support for the traverse. Since the connecting flange is defined in each case in the U-leg, after bending of the associated column cutout, two bearing surfaces lying opposite each other are set. These two bearing surfaces act as a support for the associated traverse.

The traverse as such, for example, holders for receiving glass panes, cladding panels, cladding panels, etc. of all conceivable materials record. Also, the column may be equipped with such brackets. As a result, the support framework in question in the manner of a kit can be adapted to the very different requirements. Of particular importance in this context is that the support frame is self-supporting, so for example, the machine element contained therein and encased completely or completely encloses, without the machine element has additional supporting functions over the cladding or take over. In addition, the trusses and / or columns can be manufactured and / or stocked in standard dimensions.

As a result, a container treatment machine is provided which can be equipped with a virtually standardized cover. As a result, differently constructed container treatment machines can be completely or partially dressed as needed. Of course, completely encased or closed covers are also conceivable, so that even and in particular sterile working container treatment machines can be equipped in such a way. All this succeeds in the construction load method only by resorting to the specially designed columns and trusses. Here are the main benefits.

Fig. 1

die Behälterbehandlungsmaschine in einer grundsätzlichen Übersicht,

Fig. 2

einen Ausschnitt aus Fig. 1 im Bereich eines Knotenpunktes zwischen Säule und Traverse,

Fig. 3

die Säule in einer Frontansicht im Bereich des Knotenpunktes,

Fig. 4

die zugehörige Säule in einer Rückansicht und

Fig. 5

eine Traverse im Bereich des Knotenpunktes.

In the following the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to a drawing showing only one exemplary embodiment; show it:

Fig. 1

the container treatment machine in a general overview,

Fig. 2

a section from Fig. 1 in the area of a junction between pillar and crossbeam,

Fig. 3

the column in a front view in the area of the junction,

Fig. 4

the associated pillar in a rear view and

Fig. 5

a traverse in the area of the junction.

In the figures, a container treatment machine is shown, which is not limited to a filling machine for bottles or can act. The container treatment machine in question is equipped with at least one machine element, in the present case a carousel 1 for bottles or generally containers. Of course, other machine elements 1 constructed completely differently from them can also be used. The machine element 1 is associated with an associated cover 2, which is composed in the context of the embodiment of several glass sheets 3, which disguise the machine element 1 as a whole. Of course, the cover 2 can also be designed so that the machine element 1 is only partially covered.

In order to determine the cover 2 in detail and to realize the desired cladding of the machine element 1, a support frame 4, 5 is provided at nodes 6 centering interconnected columns 4 and trusses 5. With the help of the columns 4 and the trusses 5, the cover 2 or be the individual glass sheets 3 in the example held and carried. Here, the support frame 4, 5 as already described in the introduction, designed self-supporting.

Based on Fig. 2 or in a comparative analysis of the Fig. 3 and 4 it can be seen that the respective column 4 is U-shaped in cross-section. In this case, two U-legs 4a and 4b are realized. The two U-legs 4a define two connecting flanges 7. The two connecting flanges 7 are made from the respective U-leg 4a and the column 4 in total. For this purpose, the column 4 or the associated U-legs 4a are cut edge, advantageously with the help of a laser, which otherwise provides for the blank. In this way, initially with the column 4 or its U-base 4b and the U-legs 4a unchanged integrally connected column section 7 'defined. This column section 7 ', is folded relative to the column 4 and thereby forms the connecting flange 7 in question. It can be seen that for this purpose the column section 7' in question is bent relative to its defining and associated U-leg 4a by approximately 90 °, and Although along a bending line 8. This bending line 8 at the same time represents a bending edge, via which the flange cutout 7 'at the foot unchanged and integrally connected to the column 4 and the associated U-leg 4a.

In addition, a flange cutout 9 'is defined in the column cutout 7'. This happens again by a laser cut or laser cut respectively laser cut. This flange cutout 9 'does not follow the bending movement of the column cutout 7'. That is, the flange 9 'extends unchanged in the direction of the associated U-leg 4a and is consistently part of the U-leg in question 4a and remains unaffected by the Abkantbewegung for producing the connecting flange 7. On In this way, the flange section 9 'in question, after the bending movement for producing the connecting flange 7, defines from the column cut-out 7' a nose 9 which is unbend relative to the connecting flange 7.

In the context of the embodiment, two unbalanced lugs 9 are provided per folded flange 7 or per column cutout 7 '. The two lugs 9 extend in the longitudinal extension of the column 4 and are arranged in the longitudinal extent of the associated U-leg 4a. In fact, there are two connecting flanges 7 with two associated undeflected lugs 9, which are executed in total compared to a longitudinal axis of symmetry S of the column 4 opposite and equal and symmetrical. The respective nose 9 or the two lugs 9 on the pillar 4 engage in corresponding recesses 10 on the traverse 5. The associated recesses 10 on the cross member 5 extend as evidenced by the Fig. 5 in the transverse direction compared to the traverse. 5

Consequently, as soon as the respective nose 9 engages in the recess 5, the column 4 is centered with respect to the traverse 5. The design is made such that the column 4 and the associated traverse 5 predominantly have a right-angled arrangement to each other. In the course of this centering or after the column 4 and the traverse 5 are connected to each other. For this purpose, it is possible for one or more connecting means V to engage in openings 11 which are located in register with one another in the connection flange 7 on the one hand and the cross-member 5 on the other hand.

In the course of the definition of the column cutout 7 ', a bearing surface 12 is also formed on the column 4. This bearing surface 12 is formed automatically, as it were, when the cut is made in the column 4 or the associated U-leg 4a to form the column cut-out 7 '. As soon as then the column cutout 7 'is folded to produce the connecting flange 7, the support surface in question 12 forms as it were automatically. In fact, two mirror-symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal axis of symmetry S opposite bearing surfaces 12 are realized, which act collectively as a support for the traverse 5. For this purpose, the traverse 5 is equipped with a fold 13 which rests on the support surface 12 in question.

Finally, it can be seen on the traverse 5 still different brackets 14, which serve to accommodate the glass sheets 3 in the example or alone of cladding panels or cladding panels. The column 4 and the traverse 5 are generally made as metal profile bars, etc. In principle, a production of plastic is conceivable.

Claims (6)

1. Method for producing a supporting framework (4, 5) for holding a covering (2) for a container treatment machine with at least one machine element (1) which is completely or partially covered by means of the covering (2), according to which

   - columns (4) and crossmembers (5) are connected to one another in a centring manner at node points (6), characterised in that

   - the respective column (4) is equipped with at least one connection flange (7), folded in relation to a non-bended nose (9), for the combined centring in relation to, and coupling with, the crossmember (5), and for this purpose

   - the connection flange (7) is defined at the column (4), in that the column (4) is cut into on the edge side of the column (4), and the column cut-out (7') formed in this way and connected unchanged as one piece with the column (4), and according to which

   - in the column cut-out (7') in its turn a flange cut-out (9') is defined, which does not follow the tilt movement of the column cut-out (7') for the definition of the connection flange (7), and in consequence forms the non-bended nose (9), and wherein the non-bended nose (9) engages at the column (4) into a corresponding cut-out (10) on the cross-member (5).
2. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that, in the course of the folding of the column cut-out (7'), with the formation of the connection flange (7) at the column, a contact surface (12) is formed.
3. Method according to claim 2, characterised in that the contact surface (12) functions as a support for the crossmember (5).
4. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the column (4) is configured as U-shaped in cross-section, wherein one or both U-limbs (4a) define the one or two connection flanges (7).
5. Method according to claim 4, characterised in that the connection flange (7) is configured as a column cut-out (7') folded in relation to the U-limb (4a) pertaining to it.
6. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the connection flange (7) is provided with two flange cut-outs (9') and, in consequence, two non-bended noses (9).

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