EP3598045A1 - Device for drying objects, in particular boxes, crates and the like - Google Patents

Abstract

Device (1) for drying objects (10) and in particular boxes or boxes, these boxes or boxes having at least one bottom wall (10a) and at least one side wall, the device (1) having a transport device (2) which the Objects transported along a predetermined transport path and a holding device (4) which is suitable and intended for temporarily holding the objects, and a drive device (6) which is suitable and intended to hold the holding device with the object arranged thereon with respect to at least one predetermined axis of rotation to turn. According to the invention, the specified axis of rotation (D) extends at an angle different from 90 ° with respect to the bottom wall.

Description

The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for drying objects and in particular boxes or crates. In the area of the beverage manufacturing industry, but also generally in the area of the packaging industry, it is known that crates or boxes, which are used in particular for the transport of goods, are washed after being used in order to be refilled. After such washing processes, it is known that these boxes are dried. For this purpose, the boxes are usually exposed to a strong air stream in the prior art, which blows off liquid from the surfaces of the boxes. However, this procedure is associated with a very high level of noise and is also wasteful of energy, since corresponding ventilation fans have a high energy requirement.

For this reason, it has recently become known to dry such boxes less with an air stream than by spinning them. This spinning usually takes place in such a way that a drive, such as a gripper, grips the object to be dried and spins it about an axis which is usually perpendicular to the bottom of a container. For example, it is possible for the boxes to be delivered in a normal standing or inverted manner and then to be rotated with respect to a vertical axis of rotation.

This procedure is efficient, but has the disadvantage that not all of the liquid is forced out of the container, but in some cases is only forced onto the side walls of the boxes or crates due to the centrifugal force.

The present invention is therefore based on the object of making such drying processes more effective. These objects are achieved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments and further developments are the subject of the dependent claims.

A device according to the invention for drying objects and, in particular, boxes or crates, these crates or boxes having at least one bottom wall and at least one side wall, has a transport device which transports the objects along a predetermined transport path. In addition, a holding device is provided which is suitable and intended for the temporary holding of the objects, and also a drive device and / or rotating device which is suitable and intended for rotating the holding device with the object arranged thereon with respect to at least one predetermined axis of rotation.

According to the invention, the predetermined axis of rotation extends at an angle different from 90 ° with respect to the bottom wall.

In contrast to the prior art, it is proposed that the object be rotated about an axis of rotation that is not perpendicular to the bottom wall of the container. In this way, liquid can be forced out of it more easily by spinning or rotating the object.

The object is advantageously a box or a crate which has at least one bottom wall and one side wall, wherein this side wall can be perpendicular to the bottom wall, for example. Particularly preferably, the box or the object has at least two side walls in addition to the bottom wall. The box or box particularly preferably has at least three and preferably four side walls.

Under a side wall, this can be both a closed wall, that is to say a wall without an opening, but it can also be a wall that has a large number of perforations. In addition, the wall can also be formed in the manner of a network or the like. For example, the wall can be constructed from a multiplicity of struts parallel to one another or also as a grid with a multiplicity of struts. A side wall can also consist only of individual webs and / or form a material-free window.

It is possible that the wall itself is rigid, but it would also be possible for the side wall to be flexible. The bottom wall can also be both rigid and flexible. The box can be a foldable or foldable box, but it can also be a box that is not foldable or always remains in the same state.

The crate is particularly preferably a crate which is produced from a plastic.

The bottom wall can also preferably be designed as a continuous or closed wall, but it would also be possible for the bottom wall to also have openings. It is also possible that the bottom wall is formed in one piece. The side walls can also be formed in one part, but it would also be possible for the side parts to be formed in several parts.

In a preferred embodiment, the drive device has an electric motor and in particular a servomotor. However, other motors, such as fuel-operated motors, are also conceivable as drive devices.

The drive device is particularly preferably a servomotor. In this way it is possible to rotate the object by a precisely predetermined angle of rotation, for example five to ten full revolutions. In this way, the container can be redefined after the rotation or can be arranged in a defined position on the transport device.

The device preferably has a movement element which is suitable and intended to space and / or to decouple the object from the transport device at least during its rotation. For example, the object could also be lifted (briefly) from the transport device during its rotation so that it can essentially rotate freely.

The rotary device or the drive device is particularly preferably suitable and intended for rotating the objects by a defined angle and in particular by an angle which represents an integral multiple of 90 °. In the simplest case, it is thus possible for the objects to be rotated through full revolutions in order to get back to the transport device in the same way that they had before the start of the rotation.

In other circumstances, however, it could also be desirable to rotate the containers through an angle, for example, through an angle that is an integer but odd multiple of 90 °, especially if, for example, the transport orientation of a rectangular container is to be changed. It would also be possible to rotate the containers by an odd multiple of 180 °, for example if the boxes are delivered with their openings facing downwards and are to be transported further with their openings facing upwards.

The transport device can be, for example, a conveyor belt on which the objects are conveyed. In addition, however, it could also be side guide belts that hold the objects to be dried between them and transport them in this way.

With regard to the holding device, it is conceivable that it is brought up to the containers in order to carry out the centrifuging process, for example it is fed to the containers from above or below. Furthermore, it is possible that the holding device also has gripping elements which enable the objects to be gripped.

It would also be conceivable for the rotating device to rotate the objects together with part of the transport device.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the transport device has a feeding transport device which brings the objects to the respective spinning stations. In addition, the transport device can also have a carrier on which the objects are pushed in order to be gripped by the gripping device.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the geometric axis of rotation does not intersect the bottom wall of the respective objects. The axis of rotation particularly preferably does not intersect a horizontal plane in which the bottom wall is also located.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the geometric axis of rotation runs parallel to a plane of the bottom wall. In this case it is possible that the bottom wall itself is rotated with respect to this axis of rotation or about this axis of rotation.

In a further preferred embodiment, the geometric axis of rotation runs parallel to a plane of the bottom wall or within a plane of the bottom wall. In this embodiment, it is proposed that the axis of rotation run parallel to the bottom wall and in particular run relatively close to the bottom wall or also lie in the plane of the bottom wall. It would be conceivable that the axis of rotation runs through the volume of the object (that is, in particular intersects the side walls) or runs outside the volume of the object (that is, for example, when the object is standing upright it runs below its bottom.

For example, it is possible for the axis of rotation to be at a distance from the bottom wall that is less than half the height of the object, preferably less than a third of the height of the object and preferably less than a quarter of the height of the object. With this configuration it is achieved that, with a corresponding rotation or spinning, liquid is forced out of the object or out of the box or the box by the spinning process.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the drive device has a counterweight in order to compensate for an imbalance during rotation. As mentioned above, the container is preferably rotated about an axis of rotation which is near the bottom of the container. For this reason, the objects are preferably not rotated around an axis, which contains the focus. A counterweight is preferably provided in order to be able to compensate for the imbalances that arise in this way. It is possible that the position of this counterweight can be shifted so that different boxes or crates can be thrown in this way.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the drive device is suitable and intended to generate rotational speeds of at least 20 revolutions per minute, preferably of at least 40 revolutions per minute.

In a further preferred embodiment, the drive device is suitable and designed to generate a rotational speed of at most 700 revolutions per minute, preferably at most 600 revolutions per minute, preferably at most 500 rpm and preferably at most 300 rpm.

In a further preferred embodiment, the transport device transports and / or conveys the objects along a straight transport path. In this way, the objects can be fed to the drive or rotating device along this straight-line transport path.

It is possible for the objects to be transported in a clocked manner and so one after the other of the containers to be fed to the spinning process. However, it would also be possible for the objects to be funded continuously. For example, a locking device could be provided that, despite the continuous conveyance, only allows individual containers or objects or groups of containers or objects to get into the area in which they are rotated.

In a further advantageous embodiment, a plurality of drive devices for rotating the objects can also be provided. In particular, this drive device can be arranged one behind the other in the transport direction.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the above-mentioned axis of rotation of the containers is parallel to the transport path.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the device has a housing, which is used to catch or shield the liquid, for example water, thrown away by the centrifuging process.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the device has an additional drying device, for example in the form of a fan. Cooling air for the drive motors can also be used for additional drying. However, due to the drying that has already taken place, this fan can be dimensioned smaller than is customary in the prior art.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the holding device is a gripping device which preferably grips the objects on at least one side wall. The gripping device particularly preferably grips the objects on two side walls and particularly preferably on two opposite side walls. The gripping device can contact the objects on an outside of the side walls or on an inside of the side walls.

The gripping device particularly preferably grips the objects in such a way that the axis of rotation of the centrifugal movement is parallel to a longer side of the objects. However, it would also be possible for the gripping device to grasp the objects on their inner wall or also on the bottom wall.

In a further preferred embodiment, the gripping device is a gripping device preloaded by a tensioning means, in particular a spring device. It is preferably possible for this clamping means to urge the gripping device into a closed position, i.e. in a position in which she holds at least one object. This has the advantage that the objects are gripped automatically by the gripping device without the action of additional forces. In this way, the objects can be held without additional forces and / without additional energy supply when the rotation is carried out.

In a further preferred embodiment, the device has actuators which are suitable and intended to move the holding device and / or gripping device from a closed position and / or a position in which the objects are held in an open position, i.e. a position in the position the objects are not gripped, to convict. It would be possible, for example, for the gripping devices to be reset by the actuator after the rotation has been carried out, and the grip on the objects is thus released.

The actuator is preferably a guide curve. A relative movement between this guide curve and the gripping device can be used to release the objects. However, the actuator can also have a drive, such as in particular but not exclusively an electric drive, a pneumatic drive and / or a hydraulic drive.

The gripping device can have approximately two holding elements, such as clamping jaws, which contact the objects on two opposite surfaces and thus clamp them. These holding elements preferably extend in the transport direction of the objects.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the gripping device is suitable and intended for gripping several objects and in particular boxes, in particular at the same time. The gripping device is preferably suitable and intended for gripping at least two objects, preferably for gripping at least three objects.

In a further preferred embodiment, the gripping device can have contact elements which contact the objects. In a further advantageous embodiment, these contact elements can be interchangeable, for example to enable adaptation to different objects.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the gripping device is arranged stationary in the transport direction of the objects. However, as mentioned above, the gripping device is preferably also rotatable about the above-mentioned axis of rotation.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the device has a cage device into which the objects can be moved during the spinning process. In this way, the objects can be safely rotated or flung.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the gripping device is arranged above or below the transport path of the objects. The gripping device is preferred in delivered in a direction towards the objects that is essentially perpendicular to the transport path of the objects. However, it would also be conceivable for gripping elements of the gripping device to move on a circular path.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the drive device is suitable and determined for the simultaneous rotation of several objects. It is possible for these multiple objects to lie directly against one another, but it would also be possible for intermediate pieces to be provided which each ensure the connection between two objects.

The present invention is further directed to a method for drying objects and in particular for boxes or crates, these crates or boxes having at least one bottom wall and at least one side wall, and the objects being transported along a predetermined transport path by means of a transport device and by a holding device at least temporarily.

Furthermore, a drive device rotates the holding device with the object arranged thereon with respect to at least one predetermined axis of rotation.

According to the invention, the predetermined axis of rotation runs at an angle different from 90 ° with respect to the bottom wall and / or at an angle different from 90 ° with respect to a horizontal plane.

It is therefore also proposed on the process side that the containers are not rotated, as is customary in the prior art, about an axis of rotation perpendicular to the bottom wall, but rather about a (geometric) axis deviating therefrom, in order in this way to force liquid away from the container or to push out of the box.

A transport speed of the objects or containers or boxes at which the transport device transports them is particularly preferred is greater than 0.2 m / s, preferably greater than 0.3 m / s, preferably greater than 0.4 m / s and preferred greater than 0.5 m / s and preferably greater than 0.6 m / s. In a further preferred method, the transport speed is less than 3 m / s, preferably less than 2.5 m / s, preferably less than 2 m / s, preferably less than 1.5 m / s.

In a further preferred method, the spinning time is at least one second, preferably at least two seconds, preferably at least three seconds.

In a further preferred method, the spinning time is less than 20 s, preferably less than 15 s, preferably less than 12 s, preferably less than 10 s, preferably less than 8 s and particularly preferably less than 6 s.

In a further preferred method, the objects are boxes or crates. In a further preferred method, these boxes or crates are conveyed upside down at least temporarily, that is to say with a filling opening facing downwards.

In a further preferred method, the objects are gripped by a gripping device during their rotation. It is conceivable that the objects are transported to an area in which they are rotated or spun.

In this area, the gripping device is preferably delivered to the objects in order to grip them. This infeed is preferably carried out under the force of a spring device and in particular without the application of further forces. The objects are preferably held only by the force of the spring device during the turning and / or spinning process.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the engagement of the gripping device is released after the spinning process. In particular, this release takes place against the force of the spring device. This release is preferably carried out by an additional force and in particular by the force of an actuator.

Further advantages and embodiments result from the attached drawings:

In it show:

Fig. 1

a schematic representation of a device according to the invention in a first embodiment and

Fig. 2

a rough schematic sectional view.

Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a device 1 according to the invention in a first embodiment. In this case, a transport device is provided, which is designated here in its entirety by 2, but has two transport sections. These transport sections are interrupted by a rotary module, which generates the rotation of the objects about their axis D.

The reference numeral 8 denotes a carrier, which is suitable and intended for receiving a total of 3 objects here. The objects can be rotated with respect to the axis of rotation D together with this carrier 8.

The reference numeral 4 denotes holding devices which here act laterally on the three objects 10 arranged one against the other. Reference number 6 denotes a drive device which rotates the holding device together with the objects arranged thereon. These holding devices 4 can each be delivered to the objects 10

The reference numerals 10 'and 10 "each denote objects that are not yet rotated here, that is to say that they are still in front of or behind the rotation region in the transport direction T.

The carrier itself can also be pivoted here about a pivot axis Y arranged vertically in the figure between a first position and a second position.

In the first position, objects can be fed to the carrier from the left transport section, or objects that have already dried can be discharged to the right onto the second transport section.

In the second position, the objects on the carrier 8 can be rotated about the axis D for drying.

In this way, continuous operation is possible because three objects can always be pushed after the drying process. A locking device (not shown) prevents the supply of further objects 10 during the drying phase.

The carrier 8 can also have a drive device for transporting the objects. However, it would also be possible for the objects to be pushed onto the carrier by further objects. The carrier could be equipped in the manner of a cage, which is rotatable in its entirety with respect to the axis of rotation D. Furthermore, a counterweight (not shown) could be present, which prevents the occurrence of imbalances when the carrier loaded with the objects 10 is rotated.

Fig. 2 shows roughly schematically a sectional view of a single box with a bottom wall 10a and two side walls 10b. The reference symbols D, D1 and D2 identify three possible axes of rotation. It can be seen that the axis of rotation D runs parallel to the floor 10a and here along the longitudinal direction L of the box, the axis of rotation D running above the floor through the interior R of the box 10 and also through the two side walls 10b.

The axis of rotation D1 here runs in the direction of the space diagonal of the box, for example, through two opposite corners. Another possible axis of rotation D2 likewise runs parallel to the base 10a, but here under this and thus outside the box 10.

In addition to the three axes of rotation D, D1 and D2 shown, other axes of rotation are also conceivable, for example an axis of rotation which is perpendicular to the axis of rotation D and also perpendicular to the plane of the figure. In a preferred embodiment, rotation axes which are perpendicular to the bottom surface 10a are excluded.

The axes of rotation are preferably also inclined relative to a plane of the base surface by an angle which is greater than 10 °, preferably greater than 20 °, preferably greater than 30 °, preferably greater than 40 ° and particularly preferably greater than 50 °.

The applicant reserves the right to claim all the features disclosed in the application documents as essential to the invention, provided that they are used individually or in combination the state of the art are new. It is further pointed out that features that may be advantageous in themselves were also described in the individual figures. The person skilled in the art immediately recognizes that a certain feature described in a figure can be advantageous even without the adoption of further features from this figure. The person skilled in the art also recognizes that advantages can also result from a combination of several features shown in individual or in different figures.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

contraption

2

transport means

4

gripper

6

driving means

8th

carrier

10, 10 ', 10 "

Object, box

64

engine

D, D1, D2

axis of rotation

Y

swivel axis

Claims (10)

Device (1) for drying objects (10) and in particular boxes or boxes, these boxes or boxes having at least one bottom wall (10a) and at least one side wall, the device (1) having a transport device (2) which the Objects are transported along a predetermined transport path and a holding device (4) which is suitable and intended for temporarily holding the objects, and a drive device (6) which is suitable and intended for the holding device with the object arranged thereon with respect to at least one predetermined axis of rotation to shoot
characterized in that
the predetermined axis of rotation (D) runs at an angle different from 90 ° with respect to the bottom wall. Device (1) according to claim 1,
characterized in that
the geometric axis of rotation (D) does not intersect the bottom wall. Device (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
the geometric axis of rotation (D) runs parallel to a plane of the bottom wall or within the plane of the bottom wall. Device (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
the geometric axis of rotation intersects at least one side wall. Device (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
the drive device (6) has a counterweight in order to be balanced by an imbalance Compensate rotation of objects. Device (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
the drive device (6) is suitable and intended to generate rotational speeds of at least 20 rpm, preferably of at least 40 rpm, preferably of at least 60 rpm, preferably of at least 100 rpm, and / or that the drive device (6) is suitable and intended to produce rotational speeds of at most 700 rpm, preferably of at most 500 rpm and preferably of at most 300 rpm. Device (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
the transport device conveys the objects (10) along a straight transport path. Device (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
the holding device is a gripping device which preferably grips the objects on at least one side wall. Device (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
the drive device is suitable and intended for the simultaneous rotation of several objects. Method for drying objects (10) and in particular boxes or boxes, these boxes or boxes having at least one bottom wall (10a) and at least one side wall, the objects being transported along a predetermined transport path by means of a transport device and by a holding device (4 ), at least temporarily, and wherein a drive device (6) rotates the holding device with the object (10) arranged thereon with respect to at least one predetermined axis of rotation (D), characterized in that
the predetermined axis of rotation (D) runs at an angle different from 90 ° with respect to the bottom wall.

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