EP2978674B1 - Holder for a container receptacle and container receptacle - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a holder for a container receptacle according to the preamble of claim 1, and as shown in EP 1 251 074 A2 For the handling of containers, such as bottles, cans, bottles and the like. Filled through a filling opening with flowable, pasty or solid products and - before or afterwards - on a section of a Container wall are provided with a label or a print, a variety of container receptacles and holders are known which position the container during filling and / or for labeling or printing in a predetermined position and with respect to a predetermined axis, usually the container axis, center.

For printing the containers, for example, screen printing or tampon printing methods are used. However, their use results in not yet filled PET containers, especially in empty PET bottles, regularly to deformation of the printing surface, whereby the printed image is usually of poor quality.

In addition to screen printing and tampon processes electrostatic printing heads are often used, which operate on the inkjet printing or Tonejet principle. However, a special problem here is that during the printing process, part of the printing ink does not reach the area of the container outer surface to be printed but is sprayed into the surrounding air. Thus, an aerosol of finely divided ink or ink particles formed, which is additionally swirled and distributed by the usually transported at a relatively high speed and also rotating around the axis for printing containers.

Thus, elaborate measures must be taken to prevent contaminants from entering and leaving the containers. This applies in particular if, according to the product to be filled, hygienic regulations are to be adhered to, for example in the food, cosmetics or medical sector.

DE 10 2009 013 477 A1 Therefore proposes for a printing device, a container receptacle, in which the bottle to be printed between a bottle plate and a holder in the form of an axially movable punch is rotatably clamped. Each container receptacle is also surrounded during the printing process by a protective sleeve, which is provided for sucking sprayed ink with a suction device. Complementary is inside the protective sleeve and in the direction of rotation in front of the print head, a rod-shaped electrode is provided, which is acted upon by an increased DC voltage to direct the ink targeted to the surface to be printed and to counteract the formation of paint mist.

At an in DE 10 2006 001 223 A1 disclosed apparatus for printing on bottles or other containers, the respective bottle for controlled rotation during printing with its bottle mouth held in a Einspannhalterung, which is driven by a drive about a printing station axis coaxially with the bottle axis circumferentially. With its bottom, the bottle abuts against a turntable-like support element during the printing process. By designed as a holder clamping fixture and the support the respective bottle should be accurately positioned and centered. In order to adjust the print head with respect to the surface of the bottle to be printed with the shortest possible distance, additional adjustment or distance holding elements in the form of rollers are provided, with which the print head is supported outside the surface to be printed on the bottle. In order to further improve the printed image and to be able to apply the ink more selectively on the bottles, a corona element is provided on the printing device, with which the outer surface of the bottle is charged electrostatically. Furthermore, it is possible to pressurize the bottle before the printing process via the bottle mouth with a deionized or electrically charged gaseous medium, for example, deionized or electrically charged air, to also achieve a print quality improving electrostatic charge of the bottle.

A major disadvantage of these known container receptacles is that the printing of not yet filled PET containers is problematic because they deform quickly when aligning and centering within the container receptacles, especially when clamping between the holders. In particular, when clamping relatively thin-walled containers in the container receptacle, considerable deformations not only of the printing surface but of the entire container may occur, as a result of which the printed image is massively worsened or even printing becomes impossible. Thin-walled PET bottles already exhibit inaccurate shape inaccuracies that can disturb the printed image.

A further disadvantage is that it can not be reliably prevented that impurities, in particular ink residues or paint mist, can penetrate into the interior of the not yet filled and thus not yet sealed containers by the printing process. However, a renewed cleaning and disinfecting the container leads to increased costs, which is not desirable, especially in modern printing and bottling plants.

The aim of the invention is therefore to overcome these and other disadvantages of the prior art and to provide a holder for a container receptacle, which makes it possible to receive a container quickly and accurately in the container receptacle and a deformation of the container both during clamping as well to prevent it during the printing process. The holder should also be constructed inexpensively by simple means and support the centering of the container in the container receptacle. The aim is also a possible low-friction rotation of the container within the container receptacle. Furthermore, any contamination of the container volume, i. no impurities should enter the container.

Main features of the invention are specified in claim 1 and in claim 10. Embodiments are the subject of claims 2 to 9.

• ▪ einen ersten Abschnitt, der an oder in der Behälteraufnahme drehfest montierbar ist,
• ▪ einen zweiten Abschnitt, der um eine Längsachse drehbar an dem ersten Abschnitt gelagert ist, und der eine Dichtfläche aufweist, die zur Abdichtung der Behälteröffnung eines in die Behälteraufnahme eingesetzten Behälters vorgesehen ist, und
• ▪ eine Druckleitung, die den ersten Abschnitt und den zweiten Abschnitt durchsetzt und durch die Dichtfläche hindurch ausmündet.

A holder for a container receptacle, which is provided for receiving containers, each container having a container opening with an opening edge, a container wall and a container bottom has, among others

• A first section, which is rotatably mountable on or in the container receptacle,
• A second section, which is mounted rotatably about a longitudinal axis on the first section, and which has a sealing surface which is provided for sealing the container opening of a container inserted into the container receptacle, and
• ▪ a pressure line, which passes through the first section and the second section and opens out through the sealing surface.

With such a holder, it is possible for a container inserted into the container receptacle - as soon as it comes to rest with the opening edge of its container opening on the sealing surface of the second section - to act on the pressure line with an internal pressure, whereby the container stabilized from inside and molded becomes. Consequently, the container can no longer be deformed or even crushed during clamping between the holder and a counter-holder within the container receptacle. Moreover, printing processes can now be used even with relatively thin-walled containers, which load the container from the outside with a force, such as the pad printing, screen printing or laser printing process. The built-up by the pressure line in the container internal pressure always acts as a counter force and always reliably prevents deformation of the container.

In addition, reduced by the internal pressure inaccuracies of elastic or thin-walled containers, especially when it comes to rotationally symmetrical container such as bottles or cans is. Thus, an increased print quality can be achieved even with non-contact printing method. This applies in particular to an automatic, computer-controlled high-speed HD color printing of PET bottles and similar hollow bodies by contactless direct printing.

Due to the rotatable mounting of the second portion of the holder at the first portion of the container inserted into the container receptacle can be taken up or stored rotating and driven, which allows, for example, the use of various printing methods. For this purpose, the container is preferably aligned with its container axis coaxially with the longitudinal axis of the first section of the holder, wherein the container opening with its opening edge faces the holder and is pressed against the sealing surface of the second section.

The holder thus acts not only as a clamping or fixing within the container receptacle, but above all as a rotary feedthrough, which allows the safe and accurate recording of empty unfilled, thin-walled PET containers, some already have wall thicknesses of only 0.1 mm , Due to the internal pressure that can build up on the pressure line in the container, the entire container is stabilized in itself, so that he does not when clamping in the container receptacle - for example, between a (counter) holder, which receives the container bottom, and the holder more deformed or even crushed. The container is stably stored for subsequent processes.

The sealing surface formed on the second rotating section of the holder, which is provided for sealing the container opening, prevents, on the one hand, that the medium introduced into the container via the pressure line can escape too quickly. On the other hand, at least during the printing process no impurities or color particles can penetrate into the container. This is further assisted by the increased internal pressure built up in the container, i. even if the container opening with its opening edge should not lie completely close to the sealing surface, no impurities can penetrate from the outside into the container.

Another advantage of the invention is the retrofitting of existing container receptacles with a holder according to the invention. Existing pick-up devices can therefore also accommodate soft / elastic containers in the future by retrofitting in addition to fixed, ie stable containers, without damaging or deforming them become. Thus, there is a cost effective way to expand the application of existing container recordings.

Constructively, it is favorable if the pressure line extends at least in sections coaxially to the longitudinal axis, wherein the second portion of the holder is preferably rotatably mounted around the pressure line. This makes it possible to form the pressure line as part of a rotation axis, in particular no rotational coupling within the pressure line is necessary, which keeps the manufacturing costs for the holder extremely low. Instead, a rotary seal is preferably formed between the second section and the pressure line, which is designed, for example, as a tube. Thus, the pressure line and the bottle opening receptacle are sealed cost-effective and easy to maintain each other.

The pressure line preferably opens in an outlet opening, which is arranged concentrically to the longitudinal axis. Thus, the medium supplied through the pressure line to the container is always filled centrically to the longitudinal axis in the container, which may also be provided with smaller filling openings.

An important embodiment of the invention provides that the sealing surface of the second portion is formed on an end face remote from the first portion of the second portion, i. the sealing surface is preferably perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and faces the container opening. Thus, the container along the longitudinal axis of the holder in the direction of the longitudinal axis against the second portion and thus pressed against the sealing surface, whereby a tight connection is formed.

The invention further provides that the sealing surface is concave relative to the end face of the second section. The sealing surface thus also forms a centering device for the container, which is always aligned centrally to the longitudinal axis or to the axis of rotation. With such a centering device container is always positioned in a printer device at the correct distance to a coloring printer unit. In addition, the container can be aligned with its container axis on the longitudinal axis of the holder, so that no rotation occurs during rotation and the distance to the printer unit is constant.

Manufacturing technology, it is advantageous if the sealing surface concentric with the longitudinal axis forms a conical surface or a truncated cone surface. This also has the advantage that when the holder and holder are brought together, ie when the container is clamped in the container receptacle, a radial alignment of the container takes place relative to the longitudinal axis and thus relative to the container opening. The concave or conical and in the direction Container opening aligned sealing surface has the further advantage that neither the seal nor another component of the holder protrudes into the container opening and thus into the container, which is particularly important in sterile containers for the food, cosmetic and medical industries.

In order to achieve both an optimal sealing effect, but also to achieve an optimal static friction between the opening edge of the container opening and the sealing surface, the latter is provided with a coating. This makes it possible to bring an already rotating container when clamping in the container receptacle to the holder until the opening edge of the container opening comes to rest on the sealing surface. The opening edge engages the sealing surface and, due to the existing static friction, carries with it the second portion of the holder so that the second portion rotates together with the container relative to the clamped first portion.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the sealing surface is formed on a sealing element which is detachably inserted into the second section, wherein the second section is provided for this purpose with a corresponding receptacle for the sealing element. As a result, it is quickly and easily possible to adapt the sealing surface of the holder to the respective container to be received and its container opening. For example, differently shaped and / or inclined surfaces can be used for different types of containers. In addition, adhesion friction jumps are avoided when sliding into the centering position. The detachable arrangement of the sealing element also makes it possible to replace this quickly and conveniently, it should be defective.

Another important embodiment of the invention provides that the first section rotatably mounted on the second portion along the longitudinal axis is slidably mounted relative to the first section by a lift. This lift can serve, for example, to trigger switching operations, to actuate switching elements or to open and close a valve in the pressure line. Another advantage of the lift dimension is that it dampens or cushions the placement of the container against the second portion, further reducing the risk of deformation of the container.

Without contact with the container, the stroke dimension is preferably stretched, ie, the second portion is positioned at a defined distance from the first section. If, on the other hand, the container bears against the sealing surface and if it is pressed against the holder for some distance, the stroke is compressed until, for example, the second portion bears against the first portion or until a stop stops the movement of the second portion. With hanging positioning of the Holder can satisfy the gravity to bring the second section in its distance position to the first section. Alternatively or additionally, a spring element between the first portion and the second portion of the holder may be used. It proves to be particularly favorable in practice to provide a stroke of at least 2 mm and a maximum of 7 mm.

In order to keep the friction between the first portion and the second portion low during a rotation of the container in the container receptacle, a ball bearing is provided between the first portion and the second portion. Preferably, the ball bearing is formed without a cage. It thus allows both the rotational and the lifting movement between the first portion and the second portion of the holder. Furthermore, the ball bearing should be dry running, especially in the food industry, so that no lubricants get into and on the containers. An advantage is a dry running ball bearing when using bearing parts made of glass materials and / or composite materials.

Overall, the rotational movement of a container about its longitudinal axis when attaching the container opening to the sealing surface of the second section via the sealing surface with defined static friction transmitted to the second portion by the embodiment of the holder, the low friction with respect to the first rotatably clamped in the container receptacle first section rotate can. The second section thus rotates with the container, while the first section together with the pressure line forms the axis of rotation. The wear is extremely low and the concave sealing surface always closes tightly with the container opening and at the same time centers the container in the container receptacle.

The holder thus forms a rotary union with pressure line, which makes it possible to use a relatively sensitive thin-walled container, e.g. made of PET, clamped in the container receptacle without the container is deformed or even destroyed, because even before the container is fully clamped, is built on the pressure line in the container, the necessary stabilizing pressure.

To realize the pivotal mounting of the second section on the first section of the holder with a lift, the invention provides that the first section is provided with a shaft at its end facing the second section, wherein on the outer circumference of the shaft at least in sections a running surface for the balls of the Ball bearing is formed. The shaft also carries, at its end facing the second section, an attachment or extension which continues with its outer circumference the shaft and the running surface. The latter is concave radially to the longitudinal axis, that is, it forms a raceway for the balls of the ball bearing, with a cylindrical central portion, a first side portion facing the first portion and a second side portion facing the second portion. Here, the side portions of the tread are employed in opposite directions at an angle oblique to the longitudinal axis, ie, the side portions form conical surfaces which form stop surfaces for the balls of the ball bearing in the longitudinal direction of the longitudinal axis.

Thus, the balls of the ball bearing on the one hand during a rotation of the second portion relative to the first portion in the circumferential direction roll on the tread, which ensures a low-friction pivot bearing. At the same time, the balls can move in the direction of the longitudinal axis along the cylindrical central portion of the tread, which allows a linear movement between the second portion and the first portion in the axial direction. At this time, the balls at the first and second side portions of the tread each find a stop, i. the amount of lift between the first and second portions of the holder is determined by the axial height of the cylindrical tread and the spacing of the side portions.

A further embodiment of the invention provides that in the pressure line, a valve is arranged, which is coupled to a valve release. With such a valve, the supply of a medium, which is to be supplied through the pressure line to the container, can be precisely controlled. In particular, it is possible to stop the flow when no bottle is in contact with the second portion of the holder. If, on the other hand, a container with its opening edge comes into contact with the sealing surface of the second section, the valve can be opened via the valve release. For this purpose, it is provided that the valve release can be actuated by the second section mounted longitudinally displaceably on the first section, wherein the valve release can be mechanically or electrically coupled to the valve. For example, the valve release is a stylus extending essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis. This can have a rotatable ball at its tip. Opposite the stylus then slides over a ring track, which is formed on the second section. To reduce friction and to increase the service life, it is advisable to form the annular path through a sliding ring, which may be formed of a material having a low coefficient of friction and low wear. For maintenance purposes, the ring should also be interchangeably attached to or in the second section.

In a special embodiment, the valve actuator is pressure-sensitive, i. it opens the valve from a certain definable or adjustable force that acts on the valve release, so that it is ensured that the valve in the pressure line opens as soon as the container is loaded with the defined or preset force during clamping. If the valve opens during the linear movement of the second section, the container is filled with the pressure medium and stabilized from the inside, so that the bottle is not deformed or even crushed during the further clamping process. Other or additional detection means, e.g. optical devices or sensors are not necessary to trigger the valve actuator. The valve release is preferably pressure-sensitive in the direction of the longitudinal axis. Thus, the stroke and the attachment of the holder at the bottle opening for triggering the valve can be used. By means of the preset release force, the release time can be specified exactly, so that even extremely thin-walled containers can be inserted into the container receptacle. The triggering time is independent of the container type and does not need to be readjusted when changing the container.

Of particular advantage is thus the ability to open the valve in the pressure line immediately after the contact of the container with the sealing surface of the first portion of the holder on the valve release before the second section has reached its end position at the end of the stroke over the first section. This ensures that the full pressure is formed in the container before the container has reached its end position and thus its clamping position within the container receptacle. For this purpose, the valve release is coupled to the stroke dimension. This is possible above all by the arrangement of the valve release between the first and the second section of the holder. In addition to the triggering force can thus be given the triggering path to reliably prevent the container is deformed or crushed during clamping with the holder. Further advantages arise when the valve and the pressure line form a preassembled unit. This not only simplifies the manufacture and assembly of the holder, it simplifies above all repair and maintenance work, because wear components can be replaced quickly and easily. This also applies if the valve release is part of the assembly.

• ▪ einen Halter (zur Halterung des Behälterbodens eines in die Behälteraufnahme eingesetzten Behälters, wobei der Halter um eine Längsachse drehbar gelagert ist, und
• ▪ einen Halter nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 9,
• ▪ wobei der zweite Abschnitt des Halters an dem ersten Abschnitt um die Längsachse drehbar gelagert ist, und
• ▪ wobei der Abstand zwischen dem Halter und dem Halter durch ein Spannmittel veränderbar ist.

A container receptacle according to the invention for receiving containers, each container having a container opening with an opening edge, a container wall and a container bottom, has

• A holder (for holding the container bottom of a container inserted into the container receptacle, wherein the holder is rotatably mounted about a longitudinal axis, and
• A holder according to one of claims 1 to 9,
• Wherein the second portion of the holder is rotatably mounted on the first portion about the longitudinal axis, and
• ▪ wherein the distance between the holder and the holder is changeable by a clamping means.

With such a container receptacle, e.g. can be used in a printing device, the container during printing with an internal pressure can be applied, so that in particular empty and unfilled PET containers are not deformed during clamping between the holder and a counter-holder. At the same time it is ensured that no contamination during handling and / or printing process in the container, so that sterile containers can be handled or processed. By applying pressure also inaccuracies in shape of elastic containers are reduced, which has a favorable effect on the printed image. Thus, the container receptacle is particularly suitable for receiving lightweight PET bottles.

Depending on the configuration of the holder, the above-described further advantages of the respective embodiment with the container receptacle are realized.

Fig. 1

eine Schrägansicht eines erfindungsgemäßen Halters, teilweise im Schnitt;

Fig. 2

eine Schnittansicht einer anderen Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäßen Halters; und

Fig. 3

eine schematische Darstellung einer Behälteraufnahme mit einem erfindungsgemäßen Halter.

Further features, details and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the wording of the claims and from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawings. Show it:

Fig. 1

an oblique view of a holder according to the invention, partly in section;

Fig. 2

a sectional view of another embodiment of a holder according to the invention; and

Fig. 3

a schematic representation of a container receptacle with a holder according to the invention.

The in Fig. 1 generally designated 10 holder is used for holding and fixing a container B in a container receptacle 100, as shown for example schematically in FIG Fig. 3 is shown. The container receptacle 100 serves for receiving and handling a container B, for example a bottle, a can, a cup, a bottle and the like, which is to be filled through a container opening B1 with a flowable, pasty or solid product. Before filling the container B, it is provided with an imprint on a section (unspecified) of its container wall B3. For this purpose, several of the container receptacles 100 are in a (not further described) Printing device arranged, the print heads with corresponding print images on the container walls B3 of the container B apply.

For the printing process, it is usually necessary that the container B rotates about its own axis AB. For this purpose, the container B is with its container bottom B4 on a lower holder 110 which can receive the container bottom B4 force, shape and / or frictional engagement. The holder 110 is driven by a motor about a rotation axis a. It is further mounted adjustably by means of a clamping means 120 along the axis of rotation a, so that the distance L between the lower holder 110 and the holder 10 arranged above it can be changed, in particular for clamping the container B between the holders 10, 110. For the recording and fixing the upper holder 10, the container receptacle 100 has a receptacle 101.

The holder 10 has - like the Fig. 1 and 2 show - a first portion 20 which is rotatably mounted with a shaft 21 in the receptacle 101 of the container receptacle 100. The receptacle 101 is provided for this purpose with suitable (not shown) clamping means. A (also not shown) anti-rotation ensures that the first portion 20 of the holder 10 can not rotate relative to the container receptacle 100.

The first portion 20 is constructed substantially cylindrical. He has a cylindrical housing 22 which forms a receiving space 13 and which is provided at its receiving 101 facing the end with a lid 23. On the lid 22, the shaft 21 is formed. The housing 22, the cover 23 and the shaft 21 are formed substantially coaxially to a longitudinal axis A, which is concentric with the axis of rotation a when the holder 10 is mounted with its shaft 21 in the receptacle 101.

At its end facing away from the receptacle 101 and the shaft 21, the housing 22 merges into a second shaft 24, which is likewise formed coaxially to the longitudinal axis A. The shaft 24 has a cylindrical outer periphery 25 and a cylindrical passage opening 14, which is provided at the end with an internal thread 15. In the shaft 24, an attachment 27 is inserted from below, the shaft 271 is provided with a corresponding (unspecified) external thread. The shaft 271 carries a head 272, which continues with its outer periphery 28, the outer circumference 25 of the shaft 24. The attachment 27 is also provided with a cylindrical passage opening 274, which continues the passage opening 14 of the shaft 24 of the same diameter.

One recognizes in the Fig. 1 and 2 in that the outer periphery 25 of the shaft 24 and the outer periphery 28 of the cap 27 together form a peripheral surface 94 having a cylindrical central portion 95, a first side portion 96 facing the first portion 20 and an oppositely-formed second side portion 97, the outer diameter of the central portion 95 is smaller than the outer diameter of the outer peripheries 25 and 28, and wherein the side portions 96, 97 are formed substantially flat and inclined at an angle (not specified) relative to the central portion 95. In this way, in the axial direction results in a substantially concave surface profile, which is cylindrical in the middle and conical at the end. As Fig. 2 In addition, as shown in more detail, the tapered first side portion 96 and the cylindrical center portion 95 are formed on the shaft 24 while the tapered second side portion 97 is formed on the attachment 27. The cylindrical central portion 95 thus ends in the transition from the shaft 24 to the attachment 27, which is detachably connected to the shaft 27 via the thread 15.

At the first portion 20, a second portion 30 is rotatably mounted, which is also constructed substantially cylindrical. It has a cylindrical housing 31, which is provided at its the first portion 20 facing region with a ball bearing 90. This has a cylindrical ring 91 which is fixedly inserted into a first receptacle 33 in the housing 31. In the ring 91 balls 92 are mounted captive in a (unspecified) annular channel. The ball bearing 90 is thus formed without a cage, wherein the ring 91 and the balls 92 are made of a composite material. It is non-magnetic, FDA-compliant, maintenance-free and it can be operated without lubricant.

How the particular Fig. 2 shows the second portion 30 of the holder 10 is mounted on the shaft 24 of the first portion 20, preferably plugged, wherein the axial height of the ball bearing 90 is selected within the housing 31 such that the balls 92 of the ball bearing 90 with little play on movement the central portion 95 of the peripheral surface 94 rest. The balls 92 can thus roll in the circumferential direction on the peripheral surface 94, while the second portion 30 rotates relative to the first portion about the longitudinal axis A, ie, the peripheral surface 94 forms a tread for the balls 92 of the ball bearing 90. At the same time, however, the balls 92 can also move in the direction of the longitudinal axis A on the cylindrical central part 95 of the tread 94, ie the second section 30 can not only rotate relative to the first section 20, but can also perform a linear movement along the longitudinal axis A. , in particular between two end positions.

In a first end position of the second section 30 (see Fig. 2 ), the balls 92 are not only on the central portion 95 of the tread 94 at. They also abut on the first side portion 96 of the tread 94 in the direction of the longitudinal axis A. Because the side portion 96 is set at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis A, the balls 92 can not move further up. The substantially conical side portion 96 thus forms a first stop for the balls 92 and thus a stop for the movement of the second portion 30 in the direction of the first portion 20. If the balls 92 of the ball bearing 90 at the first stop the stroke Z is almost used up and the second portion 30 is located opposite the first portion 20 in a first axial position.

In a second end position of the second section 30 (see Fig. 1 ), the balls 92 bear against both the central portion 95 of the tread 94 and the second side portion 97 of the tread 94. Because this section 97 is also set at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis A, the balls 92 can not move further down. The substantially conical side portion 97 thus forms a second stop for the balls 92 and thus a stop for the movement of the second portion 30 in the opposite direction. The second portion 30 of the holder 10 is now in a predetermined by the stroke Z maximum distance to the first portion and thus in a second axial position.

Thus, the rotatably mounted on the first portion 20 second portion 30 along the longitudinal axis A relative to the first portion 20 - independently of the rotational movement - slidably mounted between the first and the second axial position to the stroke Z, wherein the axial length of the stroke Z from the axial height of the central portion 95 of the tread 94 and thus the axial distance between the side portions 96 and 97 is predetermined.

At its opposite end of the ball bearing 90, the second portion 30 is provided with a second receptacle 36 which is open to the end face 32 of the housing 31. In the receptacle 36, a sealing element 50 is inserted frontally coaxial with the longitudinal axis A is substantially cylindrical and provided with a central passage opening 54. The latter has the same inner diameter as the passage openings 14 and 274 of the shaft 24 and the attachment 27th

The rear side 57 of the sealing element 50 is supported flat on the bottom 37 of the receptacle 36, while the opposite front side 51 forms a sealing surface 52 which serves to seal the container opening B1 of the container B inserted into the container receptacle 100 is provided. The sealing surface 52 is substantially concave, in particular frustoconical in cross-section. It has a (not designated) concentric with the longitudinal axis A lying circular central part and a (also unspecified) conical edge portion.

The sealing element 50 is releasably inserted by means (not shown) fixing means in the receptacle 36 so that it can be replaced at any time against another sealant 50. Each sealant 50 therefore always has the same dimensions with respect to the recess 36. The diameter of the middle part and the dimensions of the edge portion of the sealing surface 52, however, may vary from sealant to sealant, for example, to use container B of different dimensions in the container receptacle 100, in particular container B, the different sized container openings B1 with different diameter opening edges B2 exhibit.

The conical design of the sealing surface 52, which is formed on the side facing away from the first portion 20 end 32 of the second portion 30, has the advantage that the container B after insertion into the lower holder 110 of the container receptacle 100 and after the attachment of the opening edge B2 is automatically centered on the sealing surface 52 by activating the clamping means 120 to the longitudinal axis A and the axis of rotation a, so that the container axis AB is always aligned concentrically to the longitudinal axis A and the axis of rotation a and the container B is rotated almost free of imbalances even at high speed can be.

The holder 10 for the container receptacle 100 further has a pressure line 60, which passes through the first portion 20 and the second portion 30 and opens through the sealing surface 52 therethrough. Via the pressure line 60 a preferably gaseous medium is passed, e.g. Compressed air, preferably sterile compressed air. Therefore, if a container B with its container opening B1 coaxial with the longitudinal axis A at the sealing surface 52 of the holder 10, the container can be filled with the gaseous medium, wherein also in the container B, a defined pressure can be built up, so that the container B stabilized from the inside.

The pressure line 60 is formed within the first portion 20 substantially by a through hole 61 which begins in the upper shaft 21 and ends in the lid 23. At both ends in each case an internal thread 62, 63 is formed. The provided at the upper end in the shaft 21 internal thread 62 is used for connecting a pressure line through which the gaseous medium to the holder 10 and the pressure line 60 is supplied. The formed in the cover 23 internal thread 63 receives a pipe section 64, which with a matching (unspecified) external thread is provided. This pipe section 64 extends through the receiving space 13 in the housing 22 and is at its end facing away from the second section 20 in a pipe section 65, the passage opening 14 in the shaft 24, the through hole 274 in the attachment 27 and the passage opening 54 in the sealing element 52 with little play interspersed. The pipe section 66 opens into an outlet opening 66, which is formed concentrically to the sealing surface 52. Thus, the second portion 30 is mounted rotatably about the coaxial with the longitudinal axis A and the axis of rotation a extending pressure line 60.

Between the through-bore 61 and the pipe section 66, a valve 70 (not described in further detail) is formed, which is coupled to a valve release 80.

The valve 70 is preferably a mechanical valve with a movable valve element 71, which interrupts the flow of gaseous medium through the pressure line 60 in a first position, namely the closed position, and in a second position, namely the open position, the flow of the medium allows the pressure line 60.

The valve element 71 may be formed, for example, as a slide element, which is displaceably mounted along the longitudinal axis A on the pipe section 64. However, the valve element 71 may also be formed as a membrane element or as a tilting element, which are each movably mounted in a valve housing 72. Each valve element 71 is held by a defined force in the closed position. This defined force can be generated, for example, by a spring element 73, which directly loads the valve element 71. However, it is also possible to generate the force with the medium conducted in the pressure line by passing it via a bypass (not shown in more detail) onto the valve element 71. The valve member 71 is in its closed position, the second portion 30 of the holder is relative to the first holder 20 in its second axial position.

The valve actuator 80 is arranged in the housing 22 of the first portion 20 stylus 81 which is mounted longitudinally displaceable in a recess 82 parallel to the longitudinal axis A of the holder 10.

The stylus 81 has a second end 30 of the holder 10 facing first end 83. With this, it is permanently on the end face 38 of the housing 31, the end 83 slides over the end face 38 when the second portion relative to the first Section 20 turns. In order to minimize the friction between the stylus 81 and the housing 31, the stylus 81 is rounded at its end 83. But he can also with a (not be shown) ball, which is formed end in the stylus 81, wherein the ball rolls on rotation of the second portion 30 on the end face 38. In order to increase the wear resistance, a sliding ring 39 can be used in the end face 38, on which the feeler pin 81 slides. With the slide ring 39 but also the friction between stylus 81 and housing 31 can be further reduced. The stylus 81 further has an end 85, facing the second portion 20, which is in operative connection with the valve element 71. This operative connection is designed such that upon actuation of the stylus 81 in the direction of the shaft 21, the valve element 71 is brought from the closed position to the open position. If required, this can also be done with power assistance, for example by means of a suitable lever mechanism or a spring element. It is also conceivable to use the pressure of the medium guided in the pressure line by passing it to the valve element 71 via a bypass (likewise not shown). The valve member 71 is in its open position, the second portion 30 of the holder is relative to the first holder 20 in its first axial position

It can be seen that the stylus 81 and with it the valve 70 can be actuated via the rotatably mounted second section 30 of the holder 10, in particular can be opened. As soon as the second section 30 is moved toward the first section 20 of the holder 10 along the longitudinal axis A, the stylus 81 resting permanently on the housing 31 is also moved along the longitudinal axis A and pushed into the housing 22. In this case, the Venitl 70 is opened via the operative connection between the stylus 81 and the valve element 71 and the guided in the pressure line 60 medium can flow out of the outlet opening 66.

By means of the force acting on the valve element 71 and / or over the length of the stylus 81, it can be precisely defined at which point and at which time the valve 70 opens when the rotating second section 30 moves axially toward the first section 20. In order to change the length of the stylus 81, this is preferably formed in two parts, wherein the two (unspecified) parts of the stylus 81 are telescopically guided into each other, preferably via a thread. About the definable force acting on the valve element 71, the stylus 81 is also sensitive to pressure.

If a container B in the in Fig. 3 shown container receptacle 100 is used and the two holders 10, 110 moved towards each other to clamp the container between the holders 10, 110, the container B comes with its container opening B1 to the sealing surface 52 for concern. By the shape of the container B is initially automatically centered to the longitudinal axis A of the holder out. At the same time, the second portion 30 of the holder 10 receives the rotational movement of the container B, without burdening it axially. Now pushes the turning Container B the co-rotating second portion 30 of the holder 10 further along the longitudinal axis A to the first portion 20, is actuated via the second portion 30 of the valve actuator 80, which in turn after reaching a defined contact pressure on the part of the container and / or after covering a defined Distance along the stroke Z, immediately the valve 70 opens. From now on, the medium conducted in the pressure line 60 flows into the container B, whereby it is stabilized from the inside. The container B can now be completely clamped between the holders 10, 110 until the second portion 30 reaches its first axial position relative to the first portion, in which the stroke Z is almost used up.

As the Fig. 1 and 2 show further, the pipe section 64 and the pipe section 65 are preferably integrally formed. Also, the valve 70 may be fixedly connected to the pipe section 64, so that the valve 70 and the pressure line 60 form a preassembled unit. Thus, the assembly of the holder 10 of the invention designed as particularly simple.

The invention is not limited to one of the above-described embodiments, but can be modified in many ways. Thus, the first portion 20 can be fixed instead of the shaft 21 directly in the receptacle 101. Furthermore, the sealing surface 52 may be provided with a coating if necessary. The sealing surface 52 can also project radially over the housing 31, depending on the size of the container B.

It can be seen that a holder 10 for a container receptacle 100, which is provided for receiving containers B, each container B having a container opening B1 with an opening edge B2, a container wall B3 and a container bottom B4, has a first portion 20, the or in the container receptacle 100 rotatably mounted, a second portion 30 which is rotatably mounted about a longitudinal axis A to the first portion 20, a sealing surface 52 which is provided for sealing the container opening B1 of a container inserted into the container 100 B, and a pressure line 60 which passes through the first section 20 and the second section 30 and opens out through the sealing surface 52, wherein the second section 30 is rotatably mounted around the pressure line 60. The rotatably mounted on the first portion 20 second portion 30 is slidably mounted relative to the first portion 20 by a stroke Z along the longitudinal axis A, wherein the second portion 30 via a valve actuator 80 actuates a valve 70 which is coupled to a valve actuator 80 is. <B> LIST OF REFERENCES </ b> a axis of rotation 63 inner thread FROM Axle (container) 64 pipe section B container 65 pipe section B1 container opening 66 outlet B2 opening edge 70 Valve B3 container 71 valve element B4 container bottom 72 valve housing L distance 73 spring element Z lift degree 80 valve actuator 10 holder 81 feeler 13 accommodation space 82 recess 14 Through opening 83 first end 15 inner thread 85 second end 20 first section 90 ball-bearing 21 shaft 91 ring 22 casing 92 Bullet 23 cover 94 Peripheral surface / tread 24 shaft 95 midsection 25 outer periphery 96 first page section 26 The End 97 second side section 27 essay 100 container receptacle 271 shaft 101 admission 272 head 110 holder 274 Through opening 120 clamping means 28 outer periphery 30 second part 31 casing 32 front 33 first recording 36 second shot 37 ground 38 face 39 sliding ring 50 sealing element 51 front 52 sealing surface 54 Through opening 57 back 60 pressure line 61 Through Hole 62 inner thread

Claims (10)

1. A holder (10) for a container receptacle (100) which is provided for receiving containers (B), wherein each container (B) has a container opening (B1) with an opening rim (B2), a container wall (B3) and a container base (B4),

   a) with a first section (20) which is non-rotatably mounted on or in the container receptacle (100),

   b) with a second section (30) which is mounted on the first section (20) so as to be rotatable about a longitudinal axis (A) and a sealing surface (52), which is provided to seal the container opening (B1) of a container (B) inserted into the container receptacle (100),

   c) with a pressure line (60) which passes through the first section (20) and the second section (30) and opens out through the sealing surface (52),

   d) a ball bearing (90) is provided between the first section (20) and the second section (30) and

   e) the first section (20) is provided with a shank (24) at its end facing the second section (30), whereas a running surface (94) for the balls (92) of the ball bearing (90) is formed on the outer circumference (25) of the shank (24) at least in sections,

   characterised in that the shank (24) carries an attachment (27) at its end (26) facing said second section (30), which prolongs with its outer circumference (28) the shank (24) and the running surface (94), whereas the running surface (94) is concave radially to the longitudinal axis (A), with a cylindrical central section (95), a first side section (95) facing said first section (20) and a second side section (97) facing said second section (30), whereas the side sections (96, 97) of the running surface (95) are inclined in opposite directions with an oblique angle with respect to an angle to the longitudinal axis (A).
2. A holder according to claim 1, characterised in that the second section (30) is rotatably mounted around the pressure line (60).
3. A holder according to claim 1, characterised in that the sealing surface (52) of the second section (30) is formed on one end face (32) of the second section (30) facing away from said first section (20).
4. A holder according to claim 3, characterised in that the sealing surface (52) is concave, relative to the end face (32) of the second section (30).
5. A holder according to one of the claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the sealing surface (52) is formed on a sealing element (50) which is detachably inserted into the second section (30).
6. A holder according to any of the claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the second section (30) is mounted rotatably at the first section (20) along the longitudinal axis (A) relative to the first section (20) which can be displaced by a stroke amount (Z).
7. A holder according to any of the claims 1 to 6, characterised in that a valve (70) is arranged in the pressure line (60) which is coupled to a valve trigger (80).
8. A holder according to claim 7, characterised in that the valve trigger (80) is operable from the second section (30) mounted longitudinally and displaceably on the first section (20).
9. A holder according to claim 7 or 8, characterised in that the valve (70) and the pressure line (60) form a preassembled construction unit.
10. A container receptacle (100) for receiving containers (B), wherein each container (B) has a container opening (B1) with an opening rim (B2), a container wall (B3) and a container base (B4), characterised by

    a) a holder (110) for supporting the container base (B4) of a container (B) inserted into the container receptacle (100),

    b) wherein the holder (110) is rotatably supported about a longitudinal axis (A) and

    c) with a holder (10) according to one of the claims 1 to 9,

    d) whereas the first section (20) of the holder (10) is non-rotatably mounted on or in the container receptacle (100),

    e) wherein the second section (30) of the holder (10) is rotatably mounted on the first section (20) about the longitudinal axis (A), and

    f) wherein the distance (L) is variable between the holder (110) and the holder (10) by a tensioning means (120).

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