EP3325357B1 - Bearing plate for support of a container in a container treatment machine - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a container plate for receiving a container in a container treatment machine with the features of the preamble of claim 1 and a container treatment machine for labeling, printing and / or inspecting containers with a transport device and container receptacles arranged thereon for transporting the containers.

Container plates are usually used in container treatment machines in order to receive the containers to be treated on the container base and to position and / or rotate them in relation to a treatment unit. The treatment unit can be, for example, a labeling, printing or inspection unit or a combination of these units. In the case of a labeling unit, the containers are usually rotated relative to the labeling unit during transport by means of the container plate in order to apply the label to the entire circumference of the container. In order to ensure reliable container handling, the container must be fixed in a defined receiving position with a clamping force. For this purpose, the container plate acts as part of a container receptacle, for example with a centering bell, the centering bell receiving the neck of the container and the container plate receiving the bottom of the container.

The container plate itself comprises a base body which is connected via a shaft to a direct drive or a cam control of the container treatment machine. As a result, the desired rotational and / or positioning movement of the container with respect to the treatment unit is achieved. In order to secure the container against slipping in the receiving position, a receiving element with an anti-slip surface is formed on the base body, which has a sufficiently high coefficient of friction when the clamping force is applied so that the container does not slip due to the force of the treatment unit.

From the EP 2 746 176 A1 is known a container plate with a spring-loaded receiving element and therefore also a spring-loaded centering ring with which different container diameters can be accommodated without retooling the container plate.

However, it has been found that the containers are occasionally not accommodated in the correct position in the container plate and the treatment is then carried out with an inadequate quality.

The EP 0 443 617 A1 discloses a device for centering and aligning vessels with a container plate for receiving a container in a container treatment machine, with a base body for connecting the container plate to the container treatment machine and an annular receiving element arranged thereon, the container plate comprising at least one sliding element that can be raised and lowered relative to the receiving element, to slidably position the container in the receiving position.

The EP 1 508 521 A1 discloses a labeling machine with a device for centering bottles.

The DE 75 23 323 U discloses a rotating device for aligning containers.

The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a container plate with which a particularly safe and reliable positioning of the container at the receiving position is possible.

To solve this problem, the invention provides a container plate for receiving a container in a container treatment machine. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are mentioned in the subclaims.

Extensive studies have shown that if the container comes into contact with the anti-slip surface at an early stage, its movement can be inhibited and incorrect positioning in the container plate can result. Because the sliding element can be raised in relation to the anti-slip surface in the present invention, the container bottom no longer comes into contact with the receiving element during positioning. As a result, the container can be positioned at the intended receiving position even with slight forces. The sliding element can then be lowered so that the container bottom comes into direct contact with the anti-slip surface and the container is thereby secured against slipping in the receiving position. Consequently, the container plate ensures reliable and precise positioning of the container in the receiving position and protection against slipping. The container treatment can be guaranteed with constant quality.

In addition, at least one sliding element is arranged between two receiving elements. As a result, the receiving elements and sliding elements can be arranged alternately, so that the container is particularly stable both on the receiving elements and on the sliding elements. For this purpose, several receiving elements and several sliding elements can be arranged alternately.

The container plate can be arranged in a container treatment machine, which is preferably part of a beverage processing system. A container receptacle or a treatment station can comprise the container plate and a centering bell. The container plate can be arranged on a transport device, such as a carousel. The Centering bell can be provided to exert a clamping force on the container against the container plate during operation.

The containers can be bottles, cans and / or tubes made of plastic or glass. The containers can be designed to hold gaseous, liquid, solid and / or pasty products.

The base body of the container plate can be connected to a drive via a shaft and / or a connecting piece, which comprises, for example, a direct drive, a gear and / or a control cam. The base body can be designed as a circular disk-shaped plate, which is preferably arranged horizontally on the container treatment machine. The wave and / or the connecting piece can be arranged vertically with its axis of rotation. Vertical can be the direction that is directed to the center of the earth. The horizontal direction can be essentially perpendicular to this.

The receiving element can be arranged on the base body, ie in the vertical direction above and connected to the base body. The receiving element can be fastened to the base body via connecting elements, such as screws, guide bolts, springs and the like. The receiving element or a plurality of receiving elements can be arranged essentially axisymmetrically to an axis of the base body. The axis of the base body can coincide with the container axis, the motor or gear shaft. In other words, the receiving element or the receiving elements and the base body can be formed symmetrically with respect to a common axis.

"Anti-slip surface" here can mean that the receiving element is coated with an anti-slip layer. The anti-slip surface can have a coefficient of static friction in a range from 0.5 to 0.9. The anti-slip surface may comprise an anti-slip layer made of a deformable material such as rubber. As a result, the anti-slip surface adapts to the shape of the container due to the clamping force and thus increases the contact area during clamping. As a result, the container is particularly well secured against slipping. The anti-slip surface can run in a plane that optionally runs horizontally. It is also conceivable that the container plate comprises several receiving elements, the anti-slip surfaces of which run in one plane.

The sliding element can be made of a plastic material such as polyethylene, PVC or Teflon. It is also conceivable that the sliding element only has a support made of such a plastic material. The support can preferably be designed to be interchangeable. The sliding element can have a lower coefficient of static friction than the anti-slip surface, for example in a range from 0.1 to 0.3. "Liftable against the anti-slip surface" can mean here that the sliding element can be raised against the anti-slip surface in such a way that when the container is fed into the container plate, only the container base is in contact with the sliding element. "Lowerable in relation to the anti-slip surface" can mean here that the sliding element can be lowered so far that the container bottom comes into contact with the anti-slip surface. The latter can also include that the sliding element runs in one plane with the anti-slip surface, so that the container comes into contact with the anti-slip surface and the sliding element. Here that "the container is slidably positioned in the receiving position" can mean that the container slides on the sliding element until it is positioned in the receiving position with sufficient accuracy for treatment. The sliding element can after positioning be lowered to secure the container against slipping by means of the anti-slip surface.

The sliding element can be mounted with at least one spring relative to the base body and / or the receiving element. As a result, the sliding element can be lowered onto the container by means of a clamping force, for example by pressing a centering bell on the container mouth.

The at least one spring can be designed in such a way that the sliding element rises unloaded or only loaded by the gravity of the container relative to the anti-slip surface and that the sliding element lowers against the anti-slip surface when the clamping force acts in addition to the gravity of the container, for example by a centering bell. As a result, the position of the sliding element relative to the anti-slip surface can be controlled particularly simply by the clamping force. The spring is preferably designed such that the anti-slip surface does not come into contact with the container until an end stage of the clamping. The design or design of the spring can relate to its spring constant.

The receiving elements can be arranged in the shape of a cake segment in a circle, and the sliding elements each run in the form of a web in between. As a result, containers with different diameters can also be accommodated in a container plate without having to convert it. "Cake segment-shaped" here can mean that the receiving elements have the shape of a circular disk segment or a triangle. The individual receiving elements can be at a distance from one another in which the sliding elements are arranged. “Web-shaped” here can mean that the sliding elements each form a web-shaped transition in the space between two receiving elements. In other words, the sliding elements can be rectangular or likewise in the form of a cake segment between the receiving elements.

The container plate can comprise four web-shaped sliding elements, which together form a cross. This ensures that a container to be positioned always has four contact points on the cross and is thus guided safely and stably. Between the four web-shaped The receiving elements can then each be arranged in the form of cake segments in sliding elements.

The anti-slip surface can run in one plane and have an opening in which the sliding element is arranged. As a result, the structure of the receiving element and the sliding element is particularly simple. Likewise, the anti-slip surface can have several optionally circular openings, in each of which a sliding element is arranged. The openings with the sliding elements can be arranged in a regular grid. For example, the receiving element can be plate-shaped and have several circular openings in a regular grid in which the sliding elements are arranged. As a result, the container is supported at regular positions when sliding by means of the sliding elements. The sliding elements can be connected together with a body which is formed under the receiving element. The body can in turn be supported by springs in order to enable the sliding elements to be lowered and raised. It is also conceivable that each sliding element is mounted individually with a spring.

A centering ring for axially centering the container can be arranged on the base body, which is formed on its inner edge with at least one oblique centering surface, which optionally slopes inwards. The container is picked up at the edge of the container base by the centering ring and centered in the desired receiving position by the inclined centering surface and the clamping force. The inclined centering surface can be conical, for example. It is conceivable that the inner edge is formed with a plurality of centering surfaces which are inclined towards a common centering axis and / or lie on a common virtual conical surface. Furthermore, the centering surfaces can be arranged alternately with the sliding elements and / or the receiving elements. This enables the container plate to reliably position containers with different diameters on a centering axis. The centering axis can coincide with an axis of rotation of the container plate.

The receiving element and / or the sliding element can be arranged at least partially or entirely within the inner edge of the centering ring. As a result, the container first slides on the sliding elements in the vicinity of the receiving position, can then be pressed down by means of the clamping force, that is to say for example by means of a centering bell, and centered in the process by the inner edge of the centering ring. In the final phase, the container then comes into contact with the anti-slip surface of the receiving element and is thereby secured against slipping in the receiving position.

The centering ring can be mounted with at least one spring relative to the base body and / or the receiving element. This means that different diameters and container heights can be compensated for.

In addition, the invention provides with claim 12 a container handling machine for labeling, printing and / or inspecting containers with a transport device and container receptacles arranged thereon for transporting the containers, the container receptacles each comprising a container plate according to one of claims 1-11.

Due to the fact that the container receptacles each comprise a container plate with a liftable and lowerable sliding element, the containers can be slidably positioned in the receiving position without their movement being inhibited. As a result, very low positioning forces are sufficient to position the container safely and reliably at the desired receiving position.

The container treatment machine can be arranged in a beverage processing system. In particular, the container treatment machine can be arranged downstream of a beverage filling machine. The container treatment machine can be designed for labeling, printing and / or inspecting the containers and / or can comprise a labeling, printing and / or an inspection unit.

The transport device can be a linear transport device or a carousel. The carousel can be designed to be rotatable about a vertical axis. The treatment units can be arranged on the carousel or peripherally on the circumference of the carousel in a rotating or stationary manner.

The container receptacles can additionally each include a centering bell for the container mouth. As a result, the container can be centered in the region of the container mouth by the centering bell and in the region of the container bottom by the container plate at the desired receiving position. As a result, there is an exact position of the container axis in relation to the treatment units. The centering bell can be designed to be movable along the container axis, for example with a linear motor or a control cam, in order to exert a clamping force on the container against the container plate during operation.

Fig. 1A - 1D

ein Ausführungsbeispiel eines Behältertellers in einer perspektivischen Ansicht, einer Draufsicht und zwei seitlichen Schnittansichten;

Fig. 2A - 2C

ein weiteres Ausführungsbeispiel eines Behältertellers in einer perspektivischen Ansicht und zwei seitlichen Schnittansichten; und

Fig. 3

ein Ausführungsbeispiel einer Behälterbehandlungsmaschine mit einem Behälterteller.

Further features and advantages of the invention are described below with reference to the exemplary embodiments shown in the figures. It shows:

1A-1D

an embodiment of a container plate in a perspective view, a plan view and two side sectional views;

2A-2C

a further embodiment of a container plate in a perspective view and two side sectional views; and

Fig. 3

an embodiment of a container handling machine with a container plate.

In the 1A-1D is an embodiment of a container plate in a perspective view ( Fig. 1A ), in a top view ( Figure 1B ) and in two side sectional views along the section lines AA ( 1C ) and BB ( Figure 1D ) shown.

In the Fig. 1A it can be seen that the container 2 is positioned at the receiving position P in the container plate 1. The base body 3 of the container plate 1 is used for connection to the container treatment machine and is essentially in the form of a circular disk. The centering ring 6 is in turn mounted concentrically with springs 63 on the base body 3 and has a plurality of centering surfaces 61 on the inner edge, which slope obliquely inwards towards the container plate axis A and are provided for centering the container 2.

Furthermore, the receiving elements 4a-4d can be seen, which are each formed with an anti-slip surface 41. As a result, the container base is particularly well secured against slipping when it comes into contact with the anti-slip surfaces 41. In order to be able to accommodate different container sizes in the container plate 1, the receiving elements 4a-4d are designed in the form of cake segments around the axis A. In between, the sliding elements 5a-5d, as a common body, form a cross symmetrical to the axis A and are designed to be raised and lowered relative to the anti-slip surfaces 41 of the receiving elements 4a-4d. When the container 2 is lifted it slides particularly well into the receiving position P and when it is lowered the container bottom comes into contact with the anti-slip surfaces 41 of the receiving element 4a-4d and is thus secured against slipping. However, it is also conceivable that the sliding elements 5a-5d can be raised and lowered individually as separate bodies.

The anti-slip surfaces 41 of the receiving elements 4a-4d consist, for example, of rubber or the like, as a result of which the surface thereof adapts better to the shape of the container 2.

In the Figure 1B the container plate 1 is shown in a plan view. It can be seen particularly well there that the receiving elements 4a-4d are in the form of cake segments and the sliding elements 5a-5d are web-shaped in between and form a cross together. There is also a space between the sliding elements 5a-5d and the respective receiving elements 4a-4d, into which the individual centering surfaces 61 of the centering ring 6 protrude in order to be able to accommodate different container sizes in a centered manner.

In the 1C is the section A - A along the corresponding section line AA of the Figure 1B shown in a side view. The base body 3 can be seen, which can be connected via a connecting element 7, for example, to a direct drive of the container handling machine. The centering ring 6 is in turn mounted on the base body 3 via the springs 63 and can be moved along the axis A by the pressure of the container 2. First, during the centering movement, the container base is in contact with the individual centering surfaces 61 at the edge and is held in place by a force 1C centered downwards (direction R) with respect to the container plate axis A. Depending on the container height or the container diameter in the bottom region, the centering ring 6 then springs further in the direction R, so that the container bottom then comes into contact with the anti-slip surfaces of the receiving elements 41. Furthermore, it can be seen that the receiving elements 4 are firmly connected to the base body 3. Alternatively, it is conceivable that these are also spring-loaded.

In the Figure 1D The sectional view BB is shown in a side view and runs along the corresponding sectional line BB in FIG Figure 1B . A section can be seen through the sliding element 5c and through the receiving element 4a. The sliding elements 5a - 5d are supported by the springs 51 and can be lowered with a pressure on their upper side. The springs 51 are designed with respect to their spring constant so that the sliding elements 5a - 5d rise unloaded or only loaded by the gravity of the container relative to the anti-slip surface 41 and that the sliding elements 5a - 5d rise when the clamping force acts in addition to the gravity of the container, for example by a centering bell. lowered against the anti-slip surface 41.

The upper side of the sliding elements 5a-5d is first raised in relation to the anti-slip surface 41 of the receiving element 4a and the container 2 can thus be shifted slightly with respect to the axis A. If a clamping force now acts vertically downward on the container 2 (direction R), the sliding elements 5a - 5d are lowered together from the container bottom and the container 2 is centered by means of the centering surfaces 61. He still slides on the sliding elements 5a - 5d. In the final phase of the positioning, the container bottom comes into contact with the anti-slip surfaces of the receiving elements 41, as a result of which the container 2 in the receiving position is secured against slipping in the receiving position P.

Overall, therefore, through the container plate 1 in the 1A-1D ensures that the container 2 is slidably positioned in the receiving position P and is then secured against slipping by lowering the sliding elements 5a - 5d by the receiving elements 4a - 4d.

In the 2A-2C is a further, but not inventive embodiment of a container plate 1 in a perspective view ( Figure 2A ) and two side sectional views ( 2B and 2C ). The structure of the container plate 1 differs from the previous exemplary embodiment essentially in that here the anti-slip surface 41 has a plurality of circular openings 42, in each of which a sliding element 5a-5g is arranged. The sliding elements 5a-5g are spring-mounted together and can be raised and lowered relative to the anti-slip surface 41. Furthermore, it can be seen that the centering ring 6 is arranged around the receiving element 4, which has the conical centering surface 61 on its inner edge 62, which slopes inwards.

Like in the Figure 2B shown in more detail, the centering ring 6 is resiliently supported by the springs 63 relative to the base body 3. As already described in the previous exemplary embodiment, the container 2 can thereby be centered on the edge 2a of the container base 2b with respect to the container plate axis A. Furthermore, the springs 63 serve to compensate for different container heights or container diameters in the bottom area.

Furthermore, in the Figure 2B to see that the receiving element 4 is firmly connected to the base body 3. However, it is also conceivable that the receiving element 4 is also spring-mounted.

The sliding elements 5a - 5g are arranged on a common body in a cavity below the receiving element 4. This is resiliently supported by a plurality of springs 51 with respect to the base body 3. Alternatively, each of the sliding elements 5a-5g can also be individually sprung.

In the Figure 2B the sliding elements 5a - 5g which are raised in relation to the anti-slip surface 41 support the container 2, which can thereby be centered particularly precisely transversely to the axis A. If the container 2, as in the following Figure 2C shown, pressed along the axis A in the direction R against the container plate 1 by a clamping force, the sliding elements 5a - 5g are lowered. As a result, the container bottom 2b comes into contact with the anti-slip surface 41 of the receiving element 4 and is thereby secured against slipping in the receiving position.

Consequently, the container 2 with the in the 2A-2C container plate 1 shown exactly centered and thus be positioned particularly reliably in the receiving position. In addition, it is secured in this position against slipping by the anti-slip surfaces 41.

In the Fig. 3 An embodiment of a container treatment machine 10 designed as a labeling machine is shown in a side view. However, any other form of container treatment is also conceivable, for example printing or inspection. You can see the transport carousel 11 with the circumferentially arranged container receptacles 12, each of which comprises a centering bell 13 and a container plate 1 according to a previous embodiment. The container plate 1 is driven by a direct drive 14 or a cam control, not shown here. For the sake of clarity, only one container receptacle 12 is shown here, but there are a large number of such arrangements at regular angular intervals on the transport carousel 11. The transport carousel 11 rotates about its carousel axis B by means of a drive, not shown here.

In operation, the containers 2 are clamped with the container plate 1 and the centering bell 13, as described above, and positioned at the receiving position P. They are then guided past the labeling unit 15 and rotated in a defined manner about the container plate axis A with the direct drive 14, so that the label 2d is applied to the container circumference as evenly as possible.

Due to the fact that the container 2 with the container plate 1 is centered particularly precisely at the receiving position P and is secured against slipping, a correspondingly accurate labeling with consistently high quality can take place.

Claims (13)

1. Container plate (1) for receiving a container (2) in a container treatment machine (10), having a base body (3) for connecting the container plate (1) to the container treatment machine (10) and having at least two receiving elements (4a-4d) arranged thereon with an anti-slip surface (41) for securing the container (2) against slipping in a receiving position (P), wherein the container plate (1) comprises at least one sliding element (5a-5g) that can be lifted and lowered with respect to the anti-slip surface (41), in order to position the container (2) in the receiving position (P) in a sliding manner, and wherein the at least one sliding element (5a - 5g) is arranged between two receiving elements (4a-4d).
2. Container plate (1) according to claim 1, wherein the sliding element (5a - 5g) is supported relative to the base body (3) and/or the receiving element (4a - 4d) by at least one spring (51).
3. Container plate (1) according to claim 2, wherein the at least one spring (51) is designed in such a way that the sliding element (5a - 5g) is raised relative to the anti-slip surface (41) unloaded or loaded only by the container gravity and that the sliding element (5a - 5g) is lowered relative to the anti-slip surface (41) in the event of a clamping force acting in addition to the container gravity, for example by a centering bell (13).
4. Container plate (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the receiving elements (4a - 4d) are arranged in a circle in the shape of a cake segment and the sliding elements (5a - 5d) each extend between them in a web-like manner.
5. Container plate (1) according to claim 4, wherein the container plate (1) comprises four web-shaped sliding elements (5a - 5d) which together form a cross.
6. Container plate (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the anti-slip surface (41) extends in one plane and has an opening (42) in which the sliding element (5a-5g) is arranged.
7. Container plate (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the anti-slip surface (41) comprises a plurality of optionally circular openings (42) in each of which a sliding element (5a - 5g) is arranged.
8. Container plate (1) according to claim 7, wherein the openings (42) with the sliding elements (5a - 5g) are arranged in a regular grid.
9. Container plate (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a centering ring (6) for axial centering of the container (2) is arranged on the base body (3), which centering ring (6) is formed at its inner edge (62) with at least one inclined centering surface (61) which optionally slopes inwards.
10. Container plate (1) according to claim 9, wherein the receiving element (4a - 4d) and/or the sliding element (5a - 5g) is/are at least partially or completely arranged within the inner edge (62) of the centering ring (6).
11. Container plate (1) according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the centering ring (6) is supported with at least one spring (62) opposite the base body (3) and/or the receiving element (4a - 4d).
12. Container handling machine (10) for labeling, printing and/or inspecting containers (2), having a transport device (11) and container receptacles (12) arranged thereon for transporting the containers (2), wherein the container receptacles (12) each comprise a container plate (1) according to one of claims 1 - 11.
13. Container handling machine (10) according to claim 12, wherein the container receptacles (12) each comprise a centering bell (13) for the container mouth (2c).

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