EP2497743B1 - Fastening device for an exchangeable attachment to a container handling station - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a fastening device for a replaceable attachment to a container treatment station, a container treatment station with one or more such fastening devices, and a method for changing such an article.

Essays on machines for container treatment are often fixed by thread in the prior art. If these attachments now have to be changed, this leads to long changeover times, during which the entire container treatment station stands still. This can lead to considerable costs, in particular if a change of the attachments has to take place frequently, since, for example, different containers or products are produced in a container treatment station. In addition, threads are difficult to clean and therefore a potential source of germs for use in the food industry.

From the Patent DE 19755727 C1 For example, a quick change device for a format head on a container treatment station is known, which fixes a format head in position by a locking sleeve and allows a manual change without auxiliary tool.

EP 1273551 discloses a fastener device according to the preamble of claim 1, for attaching a replaceable attachment to a container treatment station comprising a first component having one or more guides and a second component formed as a mating counterpart to the first component, the attachment by mating and Turning of the components can be transferred relative to each other in the fastened position, and wherein the fastening means has a fixed stop, which prevents rotation of the two components in the fixed position relative to each other in a rotational direction.

By lowering the second component projections engage in fits, whereby a rotation in the other direction is also prevented. In order to enable the components to rotate again to release the connection, the second component is raised against a spring force, so that the projections lift out of the fits.

The invention has for its object to provide an improved fastening device for a replaceable attachment to a container treatment station. It also relates to a container treatment station having one or more such fasteners and to a method of changing such an attachment of a container treatment station attached to such a fastener at the container treatment station.

This object is achieved by a replaceable attachment fastener at a container treatment station according to claim 1, a container treatment station according to claim 14 and a method according to claim 15. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the dependent claims.

The fastening device according to the invention comprises a first component having one, two, three or more guides and a second component designed as a matching counterpart to this component. The attachment is transferred by merging and twisting the two components relative to each other in the fastened position. The fastening device is designed such that a fixed stop is provided which prevents the twisting of the two components relative to one another in a rotational direction in the fastened position. In addition, the fastening device has an elastic, radially snap-action area, the following is called a snap area. This is designed so that it acts in the fastened position without the action of an external force as a stop, which prevents rotation of the two components relative to each other in the other direction, but can be pressed by eg radially inwardly directed pressure from outside to inside , Then it no longer acts as a stop and the attachment can be rotated out of the fastened position and separated from the container treatment station.

The fastening device according to the invention is designed so that merging and separating the two components can also be done manually without the use of other tools.

Due to the fact that the snap area reacts to radial pressure, the replacement of an attachment can be carried out ergonomically, for example with one hand, with 4 fingers gripping the attachment and the thumb actuating the snap area.

In a preferred embodiment, the acting as a stop part of the snap area is arranged next to a guide on the first component, the guide itself is provided with a fixed stop, that the snap area is in the fastened position on the other side of the guide and the essay thus secured against twisting in two directions of rotation, this backup is based on the two attacks next to a guide.

In a further preferred embodiment, the attachment is a cone for a capper or an outlet sleeve for filling valves.

In other embodiments, the attachment includes a cone for a capper that is extended by one or more elastic members that can compensate for size tolerances of closures. This allows greater flexibility in the choice of closures to be processed.

A further preferred embodiment comprises that on the side facing the second component side of the guides each have a circular arc extending rail is formed. It can be formed as a survey or depression and protrudes when connecting the two components in the second component or in the second component free areas or can serve as a receiving rail for a mounted on the second component guide rail. The arrangement of these rails can facilitate the attachment of the component, since it can prevent slippage of the two components against each other during rotation in the fastened position. The rails of a component are advantageously all on an imaginary Circle around an axis of the first component. However, it is also possible that the circular arc-shaped rails are arranged on different imaginary circles about the axis of the first component. In this case, the second component must be designed accordingly and have a matching counterpart for each guide rail, wherein the counterparts must be additionally arranged so that their sequence to the sequence of the guides of the first component fits, the components can thus be fixed together.

In one embodiment, the guides are integrally formed with the first component or formed of a different material than the rest of the component. This may be advantageous, depending on the material and application: In the one-piece case, cleaning of the component can be facilitated by the integral formation of the guides with the component, which can cause seizing of e.g. Can prevent contamination in the otherwise existing joints. In other cases, guides made of a different material than the remainder of the first component may be advantageous. For example, in the case that the material otherwise used for the component is soft or less dimensionally stable, it may be advantageous if the guides are made of a harder and more resistant material such as metal or durable plastic. In a fastening device according to the invention, a rounding of the edges of the first component can be advantageous, which can complicate the setting of impurities.

In a further embodiment, the snap area is designed as a bracket. It may be wholly or partly made of a suitable, elastic material such as metal or plastic. A bracket has the advantage that its application can be self-explanatory and that it can be accessible from the outside and easy to clean.

A further embodiment comprises that on the (outer) surface of the snap-action area a region is arranged, which is coated with a material which has a higher frictional resistance than the material from which the remaining snap region is formed. Alternatively, in another embodiment, the area on the (outer) surface of the snap area may be formed of such a material. Slipping when applying pressure to the area can be made more difficult. This makes it easier to change the attachment, since the user does not slip off so easily while pressing on the bracket, and thus better able to detach the attachment from the container treatment station.

Further embodiments include that the snap region is fastened to the first component via a region projecting from the first component. This can have the advantage that the snap area has a lower curvature and thus the material less is charged. Also, the position of the snap area can be precisely determined by an area protruding from the first component. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the snap area may also be connected directly to the first component without spacers.

In a preferred embodiment, one of the two components of the fastening device is attached to the attachment or forms part of the attachment. The counterpart is firmly connected to the container treatment station. In this case, it can firmly mean that the counterpart forms a part which can not be separated from the container treatment station or is connected to it by a type of fastening, such as, for example, screws or spot welds, which usually can only be loosened with the use of tools.

In further embodiments, a receiving possibility for each guide is formed on the second component. These receiving possibilities may include a limitation radially outward and a hook-shaped holder, which can prevent moving along the axis of rotation away from the second component.

In preferred embodiments, these receiving possibilities for the guide are designed such that one or two guides terminate laterally flush with their receiving possibility. Between the individual receiving possibilities for guides are preferably free areas in which the guides, the fixed stop and the snap area along the axis of rotation can be introduced. From this position, the two components can then be rotated against each other and guided in the fastened position.

In a further embodiment, the guides of the first component and the receptacle possibilities provided for the guides on the second component are arranged at equidistant intervals along a circle about the axis of the respective component. As a result, the weight of the attachment or force can be evenly distributed to him, which can result in increased stability of the arrangement. In this case, the various recording options can be designed similar. This can allow a simplified connection of the two components, since it does not need to be considered, which guide should reach which recording option.

In another preferred embodiment, the snap portion is attached to the first component so as to lie within the outer radius defined by the guide on the side on which it is attached to the component. On the guide on which it acts as a stop, it preferably projects beyond the outer radius defined by the guides. This is advantageous because when pressed into the fastened position, the snap area is automatically pressed inwards (eg by a possibility for receiving the guide). This will be facilitates the joining of the two components, as for the insertion of a separate operation of the snap area is not absolutely necessary, although also possible. Once the components are in the predetermined fixed position, the snap portion can snap out and then act as a stop.

A claimed container treatment station is characterized by comprising one or more attachment means for attaching a replaceable attachment according to one of the described embodiments.

The method of manually changing an attachment connected to a fastener for attaching a replaceable attachment according to one of the described embodiments to a container treatment station comprises applying pressure radially (inwardly) to the snapping region so that it no longer stops acts. It further comprises a rotation of the two components from the fixed position against each other in the direction of rotation made possible by the actuation of the snap area and the separation of the two components by removing the attachment from the container treatment station. Subsequently, another attachment is installed, comprising the steps of bringing the components together and turning them into the fastened position. As soon as the guides come to rest in the receiving possibilities, the snap area can also snap outwards and thus acts as a stop. Thus, the attachment is in the fastened position. The removal of an attachment and the attachment of an attachment can also be carried out in reverse order or with time pauses.

Figur 1

Eine Ausführungsform einer Befestigungseinrichtung zum Befestigen von einem wechselbaren Aufsatz;

Figur 2

Eine detaillierte Ansicht des ersten Bauteiles einer Ausführungsform der Befestigungseinrichtung zum Befestigen von einem wechselbaren Aufsatz von schräg oben;

Figur 3

Eine Ausführungsform der Befestigungseinrichtung zum Befestigen von einem wechselbaren Aufsatz in befestigter Position;

Figur 4

Eine weitere Ausführungsform der Befestigungseinrichtung zum Befestigen von einem wechselbaren Aufsatz;

Figur 5

Den Ablauf des Einsetzens eines wechselbaren Aufsatzes in eine Behälterbehandlungsstation mit einer Befestigungseinrichtung zum Befestigen von einem wechselbaren Aufsatz gemäß der Erfindung.

Other aspects of possible embodiments will be apparent from the following figures. Showing:

FIG. 1

An embodiment of a fastening device for attaching a replaceable attachment;

FIG. 2

A detailed view of the first component of an embodiment of the fastening device for attaching an exchangeable attachment obliquely from above;

FIG. 3

An embodiment of the fastening device for fixing a removable attachment in a fixed position;

FIG. 4

Another embodiment of the fastening device for attaching a removable attachment;

FIG. 5

The process of inserting a replaceable attachment in a container treatment station with a fastening device for attaching a removable attachment according to the invention.

FIG. 1 shows a fastening device for attaching a removable attachment. It comprises a first component 1 and a second component 2, which is designed as a counterpart to the component 1. The second component 2 comprises in the designated case three receiving possibilities 3 for guides 4. These receiving possibilities are designed so that they prevent displacement of the first component in the radial direction in the fastened position. In addition, they also prevent a separation of the components, since they engage under the component and so prevent slipping in a direction away from the second component by hook-like brackets 5. How to get in FIG. 1 sees, the first component 1 can be converted by merging the components and subsequent rotation in the fastened position. A sliding from below or the side is not possible due to the arrangement of the receiving means 3, since the receiving means 3 comprise a radial boundary and bottom hook-shaped holders 5. The guides 4 are arranged in this case equidistant along an imaginary circle. The recording options 3 are also similar in this example, so they do not differ from each other, which facilitates an assembly of the two components 1, 2, since it does not have to be considered, which guide gets into which recording option. In other embodiments (not shown here), however, the individual guides 4 and accommodating possibilities 3 of a component 1, 2 can also be designed differently from one another, so that when connecting the two components it has to be taken into account which guide comes to lie in which receptacle.

FIG. 2 shows a detailed view of the first component FIG. 1 from diagonally above. In this case, one recognizes again three guides 4a, 4b and 4c, wherein in this example the guide 4a laterally has a fixed stop 6. This stop 6 is formed in one piece with the guide 4a in this case. However, it can also be made of a different material. On the other side of the guide 4a, a snap-action region 7 is seen. In this example, this is designed as a bracket which is fastened to the first component 1 via a region 8 protruding from the first component 1. In this example, it has an optional area 9 on the outer surface, which is coated with a material or formed from a material which has a higher frictional resistance than the material from which the remaining snap area is formed, so that when applying Pressure less easily slips off. In addition, on a fastening device according to the invention for attaching a replaceable attachment to a container treatment station, arcuate rails 10 can be mounted on the guides, which serve for additional stabilization of the two components, which can be useful when turning into the fastened position. The described rails engage in this example in a free area 11 of the component 2 (see FIG. 3 ).

FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of a fastener for attaching a replaceable attachment to a container treatment station in the fastened position. Here you can see that the recording options 3 are arranged in this case not only equidistantly on a circle, but also flush with the guides 4 complete. The fixed stop of the guide 4a stabilizes the two components against rotation relative to each other in a rotational direction, while the snap element 7 acts in the here to see fixed position on the other side of the guide 4a as a stop and thus a rotation of the components against each other in the other direction prevented. As long as the snap element 7 is in this position, the two components 1, 2 are in the fastened position. Additionally is in FIG. 3 Still recognizable that the optional circular arc-shaped rail 10, which is formed in this case as a survey, but may also be formed as a recess (not shown), in this case engages in the free area 11 of the second component 2 and thus additionally slipping the two components 1, 2 can prevent relative to each other.

FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of the invention, in which the attachment comprises a cone for a capper, which is extended by a further elastic element 12, which can compensate for size tolerances of closures. In this embodiment, it can be seen that a first component according to the invention can have angular edges 13 at the point of attachment of the guide. In some embodiments, a rounded shape of these edges may be advantageous to complicate the setting of material in the edges.

FIG. 5 shows steps of the procedure of attaching an attachment according to the invention, wherein the attachment in this example comprises a capper.

FIG. 5a shows the two components 1, 2 still in a separate position.

FIG. 5b shows how the components 1, 2 are merged. The guides 4 are guided from below into the free areas next to the recording options 3. These free areas in addition to the recording options 3 must be large enough that the guides 4 and the guide 4 a with the fixed stop 6 and the snap portion 7 can be fed straight to the second component 2 and placed. Connecting the two components 1, 2 are rotated against each other, in such a way that the guides 4 get into the receiving possibilities 3. A coating of parts of the guides 4 or the whole guides 4 and / or parts of the regions or the whole area of the second component 2, which come into contact with the guides 4, for example with Teflon, in some embodiments reduce the frictional force between the two components 1, 2 (not shown here). When turning from the position of Fig. 5b in the position of Fig. 5c the snap area 7 is pushed inwards by the possibility of receiving and thus clears the way for the rotation, without the snap area having to be operated separately with eg a finger. Once the guides 4 have arrived in the receiving possibilities 3, the rotation is automatically stopped by the fixed stop 6. In this position, the snap area 7 can also snap outwards. Now that the snap area 7 acts as a stop, the fastening device is now in the fastened position.

The fastened position is in FIG. 5c to see. Removing the attachment is done in the reverse order (not shown here): By applying radial pressure (for example, with the thumb) on the snap area 7 this is pressed inwards and no longer acts as a stop. This allows the two components 1, 2 are rotated from the fixed position against each other in one direction until the guides come 4 together with fixed stop 6 and snap element 7 in the free areas next to the recording options 3. Subsequently, the two components 1, 2 can be separated.

Claims (15)

1. Fastening device for fastening a changeable attachment at a container handling station comprising a first member (1) having one, two, three, or more guides (4) and a second member (2) formed as a fitting counterpart to said first member (1), wherein said attachment can be transferred into said fastened position by uniting and rotating said members (1, 2) relative to each other,
   wherein said fastening device comprises a fixed stop (6) which in the fastened position prevents rotating said two members (1, 2) relative to each other in a rotational direction, characterized in that the fastening device is provided with an elastic, radially snapable section (7) which in the following is referred to as snap section (7) and which in the fastened position acts as a stop without application of any external force and which thus in the fastened position prevents said members (1, 2) from rotating relative to each other in the other rotational direction and which thus serves to fasten said two members (1, 2) relative to each other, wherein said snap section serving as a stop can be influenced by radially directed force such that it no longer acts as a stop and said attachment can be rotated from the fastened position and removed from said container handling station.
2. Fastening device for fastening a changeable attachment at a container handling station according to claim 1, wherein the portion of said snap section (7) acting as a stop is disposed adjacent to a guide (4a), which in turn is provided with a fixed stop (6), such that in the attached position, it is disposed on the other side of said guide (4a) and said attachment is thus secured against rotating in two rotational directions by said two stops on said guide (4a).
3. Fastening device for fastening a changeable attachment at a container handling station according to claims 1 or 2, wherein said attachment is a cone for a closer or a discharge tube for filling valves.
4. Fastening device for fastening a changeable attachment at a container handling station according to claims 1 or 2, wherein said attachment comprises a cone for a closer to which one or more elastic members (12) are added which can compensate for size tolerances of the closure.
5. Fastening device for fastening a changeable attachment at a container handling station according to one of the claims 1 to 4, wherein on the side of said guides (4) of said first member (1) facing said second member (2), a rail (10) running like a circular arc is formed which is formed as an elevation or a depression and when connecting said two members (1, 2) protrudes into said second member (2) or into free sections (11) in said second member (2) or into which a guide rail of said second member (2) can be inserted.
6. Fastening device for fastening a changeable attachment at a container handling station according to one of the claims 1 to 5, wherein said guides are integrally formed with said first member (1)
   or
   wherein said guides (4) on said first member (1) are made of material differing from the rest of said member.
7. Fastening device for fastening a changeable attachment at a container handling station according to one of the claims 1 to 6, wherein said snap section (7) is formed as a bow which is made entirely or partly of suitable elastic material such as metal or plastic.
8. Fastening device for fastening a changeable attachment at a container handling station according to one of the claims 1 to 7, wherein on the surface of said snap section (7), an area (9) is disposed which is coated with material having higher frictional resistance than the material from which the rest of said snap section is formed, or wherein the area on the surface is formed of such material so that slipping off when applying pressure on this area is made more difficult.
9. Fastening device for fastening a changeable attachment at a container handling station according to one of the claims 1 to 8, wherein said snap section (7) is fastened on said first member (1) by a portion (8) protruding from said first member (1)
   or
   is formed such that it is directly connected to said first member (1).
10. Fastening device for fastening a changeable attachment at a container handling station according to one of the claims 1 to 9, wherein a member is fastened to said attachment for a container handling station or is formed as part of said attachment and the counterpart is fixedly connected to said container handling station.
11. Fastening device for fastening a changeable attachment at a container handling station according to one of the claims 1 to 10, wherein one receiving means (3) for each guide (4) is formed in the second member (2).
12. Fastening device for fastening a changeable attachment at a container handling station according to claim 11, wherein said receiving means (3) for one or two guides (4) laterally connects flush with said guide (4).
    and / or
    wherein said guides (4) of said first member (1) and said receiving means (3) of said second member (2) provided therefor are disposed equidistantly along a circle.
13. Fastening device for fastening a changeable attachment at a container handling station according to one of the claims 1 to 12, wherein said snap section (7) is mounted on said first member (1) such that, on the side on which it is attached to said member (1), it is located within the outer radius defined by said guides (4) and on said guide (4) on which it acts as a stop, it protrudes beyond said outer radius defined by said guides (4).
14. Container handling station characterized in that it comprises one or several changeable fastening devices for fastening a changeable attachment according to one of the claims 1 to 13.
15. Method for manually changing an attachment, which is attached with a fastening device for fastening a changeable attachment at a container handling station according to one of the claims 1 to 13 to said container handling station, said method comprising:

    applying pressure to said snap section (7) so that it no longer acts as a stop;

    rotating said two members (1, 2) from the fastened position against each other in the rotational direction made possible by pressing in said snap section (7);

    separating said two members (1, 2) by removing said attachment from said container handling station;

    uniting two members (1, 2) of said fastening device for fastening another changeable attachment at a container handling station;

    rotating said two members (1, 2) against each other until said guides (4) come to rest in said receiving means (3) and said attachment is in the fastened position.

Images