EP3598045B1 - Device for drying boxes, crates and the like - Google Patents

Description

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

It has therefore recently become known to dry such boxes less with a stream of air than by spinning them. This spinning usually takes place in such a way that a drive, such as a gripper, grabs the object to be dried and spins it around an axis that is usually perpendicular to the bottom of a container. For example, it is possible for the boxes to be delivered standing normally or hanging upside down and then rotated with respect to a vertical axis of rotation.

This procedure is efficient, but has the disadvantage that not all liquid is forced out of the container, but rather is sometimes pushed onto the side walls of the boxes or crates due to centrifugal force. A device and a method according to the prior art for drying boxes and crates by spinning is from the US-5,802,733 known.

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 subclaims.

A device according to the invention for drying boxes or boxes by spinning, these boxes 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 temporarily holding the objects, as well as 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.

The specified axis of rotation runs at an angle other than 90° relative to the bottom wall.

The object is thrown around an axis of rotation that is perpendicular to the bottom wall of the container. In this way, spinning or rotating the object makes it easier to force liquid out of it.

The object is a box or crate that has at least one bottom wall and one side wall, this side wall being perpendicular to the bottom wall. 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.

A side wall can be a closed wall, that is, 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 form of a network or the like. For example, the wall can be constructed from a large number of mutually parallel struts or as a grid with a large number of struts. A side wall can also consist only of individual webs and/or form a material-free window.

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

The box is particularly preferably a box made of 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 for the bottom wall to be made in one piece. The side walls can also be made in one piece, but it would also be possible for the side parts to be made in several parts.

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

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

The device preferably has a movement element which is suitable and intended to distance and/or 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 in order to be able to rotate essentially freely.

Particularly preferably, the rotating device or the drive device is suitable and intended to rotate the objects by a defined angle and in particular by an angle that represents an integer multiple of 90°. In the simplest case, it is possible for the objects to be rotated through full revolutions in order to get back onto the transport device in the same way that they were before the rotation began.

However, under other circumstances it might also be desirable to rotate the containers by an angle, for example by 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 opening facing downwards and are to be transported further with their opening facing upwards.

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

To carry out the spinning process, the holding device is moved towards the containers, for example from above or below. The holding device is a gripping device that enables 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 spin stations. In addition, the transport device can also have a carrier onto which the objects are pushed so that they can then 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. Particularly preferably, the axis of rotation 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 for the base wall itself to be rotated with respect to this axis of rotation or around 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 runs parallel to the bottom wall and in particular runs relatively close to the bottom wall or also lies in the plane of the bottom wall. It would be conceivable that the axis of rotation runs through the volume of the object (i.e., in particular intersects the side walls) or runs outside the volume of the object (i.e., for example, if the object is upright, it runs below the bottom of the object).

For example, it is possible for the axis of rotation to the bottom wall to be at a distance 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. What is achieved in this embodiment is that when rotating or spinning accordingly, liquid is forced out of the object or out of the box or box by the spinning process.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the drive device has a counterweight 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. In order to be able to compensate for the resulting imbalances, a counterweight is preferably provided. It is possible that the position of this counterweight can be shifted in order to be able to hurl different boxes or crates.

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 intended 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. The objects can thus be fed to the drive or rotating device along this straight transport path.

It is possible for the objects to be transported in a synchronized manner and 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 continuously funded. A locking device could be provided which, despite the continuous conveyance, only allows individual containers or objects or groups of containers or objects to reach the area in which they are rotated.

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

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

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

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

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 spinning movement is parallel to a longer side of the objects. However, it would also be possible for the gripping device to grip the objects on their inner wall or on the bottom wall.

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

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 into an open position, i.e. a position in which the objects are not grasped, to transfer. For example, it would be possible for the gripping devices to be reset by the actuator after the rotation has been carried out, thus releasing the grip on the objects.

The actuator is preferably a guide curve. The grip on the objects can be released by a relative movement between this guide curve and the gripping device. 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 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. Preferably, the gripping device is 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 rotated or thrown safely.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the gripping device is arranged above or below the transport path of the objects. The gripping device is preferred delivered to the objects in a direction 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 intended for rotating several objects at the same time. It is possible for these several objects to lie directly against one another, but it would also be possible for intermediate pieces to be provided, which ensure the connection between two objects.

The present invention is further directed to a method for drying by centrifuging boxes or boxes which have at least one bottom wall and at least one side wall and wherein the objects are transported by means of a transport device along a predetermined transport path and are at least temporarily held by a holding device.

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

The predetermined axis of rotation runs at an angle other than 90° relative to the bottom wall and/or at an angle other than 90° relative to a horizontal plane.

The containers are not rotated about an axis of rotation perpendicular to the bottom wall, but rather about a different (geometric) axis in order to more easily push liquid away from the container or out of the box.

Particularly preferred is a transport speed of the objects or containers or boxes at which the transport device transports them 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. Another preferred method is the transport speed 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 duration of the spinning is at least one second, preferably at least two seconds, preferably at least three seconds.

In a further preferred method, the duration of the spinning 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.

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

According to the invention, the objects are gripped by a gripping device during their rotation, the objects being transported into an area in which they are rotated or thrown.

In this area, the gripping device is moved towards the objects in order to grip them. This delivery takes place under the force of a spring device and in particular without applying further forces. Preferably, the objects are held during the spinning process only by the force of said spring device.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the engagement of the gripping device is released after the spinning process. In particular, this release occurs 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.

Fig. 1

eine schematische Darstellung einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung in einer ersten Ausführungsform und

Fig. 2

eine grob schematische Schnittdarstellung.

Further advantages and embodiments result from the attached drawings: They show:

Fig. 1

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

Fig. 2

a roughly schematic sectional view.

Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a device 1 according to the invention in a first embodiment. 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 rotation module, which generates the rotation of the objects about their axis D.

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

The reference number 4 denotes holding devices which here engage laterally on the three objects 10 arranged next to one another. The reference number 6 denotes a drive device which rotates the holding device together with the objects arranged on it. These holding devices 4 can each be delivered to the objects 10

The reference numbers 10' and 10" each identify objects that are not yet being rotated here, i.e. that are still in front of or already behind the rotation area in the transport direction T.

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

In the first position, objects can be fed to the carrier starting from the left transport section or already dried objects can be removed 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 forward 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 other objects. The support could be equipped in the form 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 imbalances from occurring when the carrier loaded with the objects 10 rotates.

Fig. 2 shows a roughly schematic sectional view of a single box with a bottom wall 10a and two side walls 10b. The reference numbers D, D1 and D2 indicate 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, with the axis of rotation D here 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 runs here in the direction of the spatial diagonal of the box, for example through two opposite corners. Another possible axis of rotation D2 also runs parallel to the floor 10a, but here under it and therefore outside the box 10.

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

The axes of rotation are preferably also inclined relative to a plane of the floor surface by an angle that 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 features disclosed in the application documents as essential to the invention, provided they are used individually or in combination are new to the state of the art. It should also be noted that the individual figures also describe features that can be advantageous in themselves. The person skilled in the art immediately recognizes that a specific feature described in a figure can be advantageous even without adopting further features from this figure. Furthermore, the person skilled in the art will recognize that advantages can also arise from a combination of several features shown in individual or different figures.

Reference symbol list

1

contraption

2

Transport facility

4

Gripping device

6

Drive device

8th

carrier

10, 10', 10"

object, box

64

engine

D, D1, D2

Axis of rotation

Y

Pivot axis

Claims (9)

1. Apparatus (1) for drying objects (10) by spinning, wherein the objects (10) being boxes or crates which have at least one bottom wall (10a) and at least one side wall, wherein the apparatus (1) having a transport device (2) which transports the objects 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 spinning the holding device with the object arranged thereon with respect to at least one predetermined axis of rotation, wherein the predetermined axis of rotation (D) extends at an angle different from 90° with respect to the base wall,
   characterized in that
   the holding device (4) is a gripping device which preferably grips the objects (10) on at least one side wall, wherein the gripping device is fed towards the objects (10) and this feeding takes place under the force of a spring device and in particular without the application of further forces.
2. Apparatus (1) according to claim 1,
   characterized in that
   the geometric axis of rotation (D) does not intersect the bottom wall.
3. Apparatus (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.
4. Apparatus (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that
   the geometric axis of rotation intersects at least one side wall.
5. Apparatus (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that
   the drive device (6) has a counterweight in order to compensate for an imbalance during the rotation of the objects.
6. Apparatus (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 in that the drive device (6) is suitable and intended to generate rotational speeds of at most 700 rpm, preferably of at most 500 rpm and preferably of at most 300 rpm.
7. Apparatus (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that
   the transport device conveys the objects (10) along a rectilinear transport path.
8. Apparatus (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.
9. Method for drying objects (10) by spinning, wherein the objects (10) are boxes or crates which have at least one bottom wall (10a) and at least one side wall, wherein the objects are transported along a predetermined transport path by means of a transport device and are held at least temporarily by a holding device (4), and wherein a drive device (6) spins the holding device with the object (10) arranged thereon with respect to at least one predetermined axis of rotation (D), wherein the predetermined axis of rotation (D) extends at an angle different from 90° relative to the bottom wall,
   characterized in that
   the holding device (4) is a gripping device which preferably grips the objects (10) on at least one side wall, wherein the gripping device is fed towards the objects (10) and this feeding takes place under the force of a spring device and in particular without the application of further forces.

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