EP4232384A1 - Roue en étoile de transport pour transporter des contenants - Google Patents

Roue en étoile de transport pour transporter des contenants

Info

Publication number
EP4232384A1
EP4232384A1 EP21794370.3A EP21794370A EP4232384A1 EP 4232384 A1 EP4232384 A1 EP 4232384A1 EP 21794370 A EP21794370 A EP 21794370A EP 4232384 A1 EP4232384 A1 EP 4232384A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
container
transport
gripping
carriers
star
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Pending
Application number
EP21794370.3A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Wilfried Ehmer
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
KHS GmbH
Original Assignee
KHS GmbH
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by KHS GmbH filed Critical KHS GmbH
Publication of EP4232384A1 publication Critical patent/EP4232384A1/fr
Pending legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
    • B65G47/00—Article or material-handling devices associated with conveyors; Methods employing such devices
    • B65G47/74—Feeding, transfer, or discharging devices of particular kinds or types
    • B65G47/84—Star-shaped wheels or devices having endless travelling belts or chains, the wheels or devices being equipped with article-engaging elements
    • B65G47/846—Star-shaped wheels or wheels equipped with article-engaging elements
    • B65G47/847—Star-shaped wheels or wheels equipped with article-engaging elements the article-engaging elements being grippers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
    • B65G47/00—Article or material-handling devices associated with conveyors; Methods employing such devices
    • B65G47/74—Feeding, transfer, or discharging devices of particular kinds or types
    • B65G47/90—Devices for picking-up and depositing articles or materials
    • B65G47/902—Devices for picking-up and depositing articles or materials provided with drive systems incorporating rotary and rectilinear movements
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
    • B65G47/00—Article or material-handling devices associated with conveyors; Methods employing such devices
    • B65G47/74—Feeding, transfer, or discharging devices of particular kinds or types
    • B65G47/90—Devices for picking-up and depositing articles or materials
    • B65G47/907—Devices for picking-up and depositing articles or materials with at least two picking-up heads
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67C—CLEANING, FILLING WITH LIQUIDS OR SEMILIQUIDS, OR EMPTYING, OF BOTTLES, JARS, CANS, CASKS, BARRELS, OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; FUNNELS
    • B67C7/00—Concurrent cleaning, filling, and closing of bottles; Processes or devices for at least two of these operations
    • B67C7/0006—Conveying; Synchronising
    • B67C7/004—Conveying; Synchronising the containers travelling along a circular path
    • B67C7/0046—Infeed and outfeed devices
    • B67C7/0053—Infeed and outfeed devices using grippers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
    • B65G2201/00—Indexing codes relating to handling devices, e.g. conveyors, characterised by the type of product or load being conveyed or handled
    • B65G2201/02—Articles
    • B65G2201/0235—Containers
    • B65G2201/0244—Bottles
    • B65G2201/0247—Suspended bottles

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a transport star for transporting containers and to a container treatment system with such a transport star and to a method for transporting containers.
  • Transport devices for transporting containers are well known.
  • empty or filled containers are conveyed or transported along a transport or conveyor route, for example on predetermined transport routes between successive container treatment machines, container treatment stations or units in a production process, in particular from one treatment machine to a container treatment machine of a container treatment plant that follows in the direction of transport.
  • the containers for example bottles
  • the containers are not only transported in an upright position, for example by means of so-called belt or chain conveyors, but also in particular off the ground, i.e. hanging, for example via star conveyors or transport stars.
  • This hanging transport of bottles is also generally referred to as "neck handling".
  • Such corresponding star conveyors or transport stars or transporters are usually designed in the form of a star-wheel-like rotor or transport wheel that can be driven to rotate about a vertical machine axis and have a large number of container receptacles or container carriers on the circumference, for example in the form of grippers, clamps, etc , namely for the hanging holder of the containers, in particular as bottles, preferably PET bottles, trained container.
  • a flange which is usually also referred to as a neck ring, is formed on the containers to be transported in the neck area.
  • the container receptacles or container carriers can be designed and arranged in such a way that they grip the container below the flange or above the flange.
  • underneck gripping In technical jargon, this is often also referred to as “underneck” gripping or “overneck” gripping. It is also known to connect several corresponding transport wheels or star conveyors or star conveyors to one another in a container transport direction, i.e. to connect them to form a container transport section, with the containers being transferred on their movement path from a respective transport wheel arranged upstream in the container transport direction to a respective downstream transport wheel, in particular at transfer positions where adjacent transport wheels abut each other. Adjacent transport wheels rotate in opposite directions, that is, in opposite directions of rotation.
  • the star wheel-like transport wheels which can be driven continuously, can also have different diameters.
  • the transport wheels of a transport route are often arranged in such a way that one transport wheel with a gripping position below the neck ring and one transport wheel with a gripping position above the neck ring are arranged alternately , so that when the containers are transferred between consecutive transport wheels, there is a change from gripping "under the neck” to gripping "over the neck” - and vice versa.
  • WO 2014/026732 A1 discloses arranging the clamps of transport starwheels arranged one behind the other on different horizontal planes, so that the transport wheels can “mesh” in relation to their clamps and thus enable the containers to be transferred between adjacent transport starwheels.
  • the object of the invention is to present a transport system for transporting containers which overcomes the disadvantages of the systems known from the prior art and which, with a technically, structurally simple and space-saving design, improves the transport of containers in neck handling in container treatment systems and preferably in existing container transport routes can be integrated.
  • a transport system for transporting containers according to the features of patent claim 1 Furthermore, to solve the problem, a container carrier arrangement for mounting on a transport element of a transport system according to the features of patent claim 17, a container treatment plant with a container transport route for transporting containers according to the features of patent claim 22 and a method for transporting containers along a container transport route according to the features of patent claim 24 specified.
  • the remaining claims relate to particularly advantageous developments of the invention.
  • the invention provides a transport star for transporting containers.
  • the transport star has a vertical star axis and at least one rotor-like transport element that can be driven continuously around the star axis.
  • Distributed around the star axis on the circumference of the transport element are a large number of carrying positions for receiving the containers in a holding manner, and at least one motor drive is provided for driving the rotor-like transport element in rotation.
  • the invention is characterized in particular by the fact that a pair of container carriers is arranged at each carrying position, with a first container carrier for holding the containers in a suspended manner and a second container carrier assigned to the first container carrier for holding the containers in a suspended manner.
  • the first container carriers are arranged in a first horizontal gripper plane, which defines a first vertical position
  • the second container carriers are arranged in a second horizontal gripper plane, which defines a second vertical position.
  • the container carriers of each container carrier pair are arranged one above the other in the vertical direction and at least partially overlap.
  • Each container carrier is mounted on the transport element so that it can move radially with respect to the star axis and can be moved radially by means of an adjusting movement between at least one extended gripping position and at least one retracted release position.
  • a “pair of container carriers” is to be understood here as a unit made up of two container carriers, in which the first and second container carriers are assigned to one another and, in the assembled state, both container carriers are arranged on the same transport element and rotate with it. This means that in the operating state both container carriers of a pair of container carriers rotate together around the same star axis.
  • the container carriers of a pair of container carriers are arranged one above the other in such a way that they at least partially cover one another, in particular are not offset from one another in the circumferential direction of the transport element.
  • the container carriers of a pair of container carriers are preferably unchangeable in their relative position to one another.
  • the transport element of the transport stem can also be referred to as a revolving support or transport structure or as a support wheel or support disk or as a wheel, which has two support levels or two gripping levels, which in particular makes it possible to change the gripping height during of the circulation of the transport element is possible.
  • the container carriers according to the invention are advantageously arranged to be radially movable and can be moved between the gripping position and the release position due to the radial adjustment movement.
  • a “change of grip” can take place, namely a change from “under the neck” gripping to “over the neck” gripping or vice versa.
  • the present transport star can therefore also be referred to as an alternating star or active alternating star.
  • the first and second container carriers are on one and the same transport telement are arranged and rotate with this about the common axis of rotation formed by the star axis.
  • This advantageously ensures that the container carriers always move in the same circumferential direction.
  • the "grip" position namely when transferring the container between the container carriers of a carrying position arranged at different heights or height levels or gripper levels, this ensures that the transfer process is always precise, since the container carriers of a carrying position have exactly the same direction of movement at the transfer point - based on the Circumferential direction of the transport element - have.
  • the present transport star also has a simple structural design, since all container carriers rotate about a common axis of rotation and, furthermore, a single drive for the transport element is sufficient to also rotate all container carriers.
  • the actuating movement for moving the container carriers in and out namely the movement for moving the container carriers in and out into the extended gripping position or into the retracted release position, is preferably controlled.
  • An adjusting device or a control device or a control and/or regulation unit can be provided for this purpose, for example.
  • the controller for example, the extension movement of one container carrier of a respective carrying position can be matched to the retraction movement of the other container carrier of the same carrying position.
  • both container carriers can be moved at the same or almost the same speed and/or the movement sequence for both container carriers is synchronous but in opposite directions and/or the amount of the distance covered by both container carriers is the same or essentially the same or the amount of the distance covered by one of the two container carriers has a predetermined proportion of the amount of the distance covered by the other of the two container carriers.
  • the rotor-like transport element is preferably carried by a stationary support column and is rotatably mounted on it.
  • the motor drive for rotating the transport element can be a conventional drive that is commonly used in the technical field.
  • the motor drive can also be formed by a hollow shaft motor.
  • the first and second container carriers of each pair of container carriers are preferably arranged one above the other in a common vertical plane that accommodates the star axis. In this way it can be ensured in particular that the container carriers are arranged exactly, in particular aligned, one above the other at each carrying position and always have exactly the same direction of movement and rotational angle position during the rotation of the transport element. The transfer of the containers from the first to the second container carrier and vice versa can thus be made easier and more precise.
  • the transport star also preferably has at least one adjusting device, the adjusting device being designed and set up for adjusting and/or controlling the radial position of the container carriers and/or for performing the adjusting movement for radially extending and retracting the container carriers.
  • This adjusting device can in particular ensure that the adjusting movements for each container carrier can take place in the desired manner, in particular coordinated with one another and preferably also adapted to the rotation, in particular the rotational speed of the transport element.
  • the adjusting device is formed by at least one first and one second control cam, which are provided on the transport star in a rotationally fixed or non-rotating manner.
  • the first control cam preferably interacts with the first container carriers and the second control cam interacts with the second container carriers in order to set the respective radial position of the container carriers by means of the adjusting movement.
  • a preferred opposite movement of the container carriers of a pair of container carriers can be achieved, for example, during the rotation and in particular due to the rotation of the transport element, via the design of the cams. For example, the first container carrier of a pair of container carriers is retracted while the second container carrier of the pair of container carriers is extended to the same extent—or vice versa.
  • the actuating device can be operated by at least one linear drive, in particular be formed by a motor drive.
  • a drive can particularly advantageously be in communication with the optionally provided control and/or regulation unit in order to enable a correspondingly controlled, coordinated movement of the container carriers here as well.
  • the radial adjustment movement for moving the container carriers in and out occurs when the transport element rotates, with the container carriers being movable between the respective gripping and release positions within a predetermined rotational angle range of the rotating transport element during the rotation of the transport element, i.e. within this rotational angle range, each Container carriers are brought into the release position starting from the gripping position, or vice versa from the release position into the gripping position.
  • the specified range of rotation angles defines a range of gripping or changing.
  • the adjustment movement for retracting and the adjustment movement for extending the container carrier preferably takes place at the same or substantially the same speed.
  • the container carriers are arranged on the transport element so that they can move radially by means of at least one holding device.
  • the holding device can be designed, for example, in the form of a support arm fixed to the transport element, on which in turn the container carriers are mounted in a radially movable, in particular displaceable, manner.
  • Each container carrier particularly advantageously has at least one gripping section and one positioning section, the container carriers being mounted on the transport element via their respective positioning section.
  • the adjusting section of a respective container carrier is particularly preferably embodied in an elongate manner and extends along its length in the radial direction.
  • the adjusting section can have a slot through which the support arm of the mounting device is guided.
  • a fixed guiding and/or sliding element can also be provided on the transport star for the sliding and guiding system of the container carriers, with the guiding and/or sliding element being arranged in the vertical direction between the first and second container carriers. Sliding contact between the container carrier and the guide and/or sliding element ensures that the radial movement can be guided precisely.
  • the underside of the first container carrier, in particular its adjusting section is in sliding contact with an upper surface of the guide and/or sliding element, and at the same time the upper side of the second container carrier, in particular its adjusting section, lies against a lower surface of the guide and / or sliding element sliding on.
  • the guiding and/or sliding element can also be understood here as a grinding plate along which the container carriers slide or grind when the transport element rotates.
  • first and second container carriers may be superimposed in touching contact, slidable on each other, at each carrying position.
  • the container carriers preferably interact here by means of respective contact surfaces in the manner of slide rails or sliding guides.
  • One container carrier serves as a guide/sliding bearing for the other container carrier.
  • one of the container carriers of a pair of container carriers can have a groove and the other can have a tongue that engages in the groove.
  • one container carrier can be essentially T-shaped or have an essentially T-shaped section and the other container carrier has a corresponding recess for receiving the T-shaped section.
  • the container carriers can move relative to one another in the radial direction, but not in the circumferential direction.
  • Such a slide-rail or slide-guide-like interaction can also be understood here as a carriage guide, that is, one of the container carriers slides in the manner of a carriage guide as a carriage on the other container carrier.
  • the container carriers are preferably designed as passive gripping elements.
  • the container carriers can be designed as active gripping elements.
  • Active gripping elements are particularly preferably designed in the form of container clamps, the container clamps being movable from at least one open position into at least one gripping, closed position.
  • a controller for the container clamps is also provided, with the movement of the container clamps from the open position to the gripping, closed position and vice versa from the gripping, closed position gripping position to the open position being controlled. This movement between the stated positions is also understood as switching the active gripping elements.
  • control bolts can be provided with the aid of which the switching is carried out and/or fixed magnets are provided which cause the gripping elements to be switched.
  • the transport system described above can form a container transport route for a container treatment plant with one or more other transport systems for hanging transport of containers.
  • the further transport star or at least one of the further transport star can in particular be constructed identically or substantially identically to the transport star described above.
  • the invention also relates to a container carrier arrangement for mounting on a transport element of a transport system for hanging transport of containers.
  • the container carrier arrangement has at least one pair of container carriers with a first and a second container carrier for hanging the container and at least one holding device for fastening the pair of container carriers to the transport element.
  • Each of the pair of container carriers is provided with a respective gripping portion for gripping the containers.
  • the pair of container carriers is connected to the mounting device and the mounting device is designed in such a way that when the container carrier arrangement is installed on the transport element, the first container carrier is in a first horizontal gripper plane that defines a first vertical position and the second container carrier is in a second horizontal gripping plane Altitude defining second horizontal gripper level are arranged that the container carrier in the vertical direction are arranged one above the other and at least partially overlapping that each container carrier relative to a star axis of the Transportstems radially movable is mounted and that the gripping sections of the container carrier are spaced from each other in the assembled state in the vertical direction and preferably have a distance of about 2 mm to 5 mm, ideally between 3 mm and 4 mm.
  • the container carrier arrangement is intended in particular to be fastened to a transport element of a transport stem in a specific intended mounting position.
  • the pair of container carriers is fastened to the transport element via the holding device.
  • the holding device can be formed by a separate component or a multi-part assembly which is connected to one or to both container carriers.
  • the holding device can also be realized as a partial section of one of the two container carriers and can thus be designed in one piece with one of the two container carriers.
  • the container carrier arrangement can be understood in particular as a retrofit or conversion kit or as an assembly for converting or retrofitting a transport star, for example to convert a conventional transport star into an interchangeable star.
  • the container carrier arrangement is also to be understood as a spare part or spare part kit for a transport star that is already designed as an interchangeable star.
  • Each container carrier preferably also has an adjusting section, with the container carriers being arranged in relation to the star axis of the transport star in the intended assembled state of the container carrier arrangement in such a way that the respective adjusting sections are oriented radially on the inside and the respective gripping sections are oriented radially on the outside.
  • the container carriers have respective contact surfaces for touching, sliding contact and, in the envisaged installed state, are in contact with one another by means of the respective contact surfaces and slide along one another.
  • the container carriers preferably interact in the manner of slide rails or sliding guides.
  • the respective contact surfaces of the container carriers are preferably designed in such a way that the container carriers are in a corresponding connection via their contact surfaces, in particular are connected to one another in a form-fitting manner.
  • the container carriers are also preferably designed and connected to one another in such a way that the second container carrier is held in a supporting manner by the first container carrier or, conversely, the first container carrier is held in a supporting manner by the second container carrier.
  • the second container carrier located in the lower, second height position is carried or held by the first container carrier located in the upper, first height position, so that the second container carrier is preferably “suspended” on the first container carrier.
  • the invention also relates to a container treatment system with at least one container transport section for transporting containers, the container treatment system having at least one container treatment station or container treatment machine and the container transport section for infeed transport of the containers being arranged in front of the container treatment station or container treatment machine and/or for outfeed transport of the containers after the container treatment station or container treatment machine is arranged.
  • the container treatment system is characterized in particular by the fact that the container transport path has at least one transport star, as described above.
  • At least one labeling machine is preferably provided as the container treatment station or container treatment machine and the transport system of the container transport section is arranged in front of and/or behind the labeling machine. In this way, continuous neck handling is particularly advantageously permitted even when labeling machines are used.
  • the invention relates to a method for transporting containers along a container transport route by means of a transport system.
  • the transport star has a vertical star axis and at least one rotor-like transport element which can be driven continuously around the star axis and on its circumference around the star axis distributed a plurality of carrying positions for holding the container is arranged.
  • At least one motor drive is provided for rotating the rotor-type transport element.
  • a pair of container carriers is arranged at each carrying position of the transport element, with a first container carrier for holding the containers in a suspended manner and a second container carrier assigned to the first container carrier for holding the containers in a suspended manner.
  • the container carriers of each pair of container carriers are each mounted so that they can move radially in relation to the star axis and are arranged one above the other in the vertical direction and at least partially overlap, with the first container carriers being in a first horizontal gripper plane defining a first height position and the second container carriers being in a second height position defining second horizontal gripper level are arranged.
  • the containers are moved on a movement path over at least part of the circumference of the transport system.
  • the method is characterized in particular by the fact that on a movement path of the container that runs partially around the circumference of the transport system, a gripping height on a neck region of the container, in particular from a first gripping height in the first gripping plane above a neck ring to a second gripping height in the second gripping plane below the neck ring or from the second gripping height in the second gripping plane to the first gripping height in the first gripping plane, in that the container carriers of each carrying position are moved radially in opposite directions to one another by means of an adjusting movement in a rotational angle range that defines a gripping or changing area, namely by one in each case radially retracted release position into a radially extended gripping position and vice versa, and thereby a container transfer between the first and second container carriers takes place on the movement path of the containers within the gripping or changing area.
  • the method is preferably carried out using the transport star wheel described above and/or the container treatment system described above. It is also preferred if the transport system is driven without stopping when transporting the containers. In other words, the transport star is preferably driven continuously or without stop-and-go operation.
  • FIG. 4 shows a transport system according to an embodiment of the invention only partially and roughly schematically in a vertical partial section
  • 5a, 5b each show a greatly simplified diagrammatic plan view of a section of a container transport route with a transport star wheel according to an embodiment of the invention
  • FIG. 6a shows a container in a container neck area in a simplified view
  • Fig. 6b - 6d shown only partially and schematically a held in a carrying position container with different gripping states of the container carrier and
  • FIG. 1 shows a highly simplified, diagrammatic top view of a container treatment system 100 known from the prior art, which is used for blow molding, filling and sealing containers 2 (not visible in FIG. 1) in the form of plastic or PET bottles.
  • the individual treatment stations or treatment machines or units provided for the respective container treatments are designed as revolving treatment stations or treatment machines and are in one block together with a corresponding container treatment section S, which is used to transport the containers 2 between the treatment stations or treatment machines arranged, that is, the container treatment system 100 is realized in a compact, blocked installation.
  • the container treatment system 1 comprises a blow molding machine 110 in which the containers 2 are produced by heating and stretch blow molding using preforms.
  • the container treatment system 1 also includes a labeling machine 120, to which the containers 2 formed by blow molding are fed in a conveying or processing direction F by means of a first section of the container treatment section S.
  • the container treatment section S has a plurality of conveyor units 12, 12' arranged one behind the other, which are designed in the form of rotating star conveyors and which receive the containers 2 from the rotating treatment stations or treatment machines or pass them on to them.
  • Neighboring rotating star conveyors 12, 12' rotate in opposite directions and the containers 2 are transferred from one star conveyor 12, 12' to the next at respective adjacent areas, in particular transfer areas or transfer points, so that the containers 2 each move along a path section cover a respective part of the circumference of the star conveyors 12, 12'.
  • a filling machine 130 for filling the container 2 with the liquid product and a capping unit 140 for capping the filled container 2 are connected downstream of the labeling machine 120 in the conveying direction F, with the labeling machine 120 and the filling machine 130 also being several one behind the other over a further section of the container treatment line S arranged star conveyors 12, 12 'are connected.
  • the sealed containers 2 are forwarded to an external conveyor 150 and thus leave the area of the container treatment plant 100, for example.
  • the rotating star conveyors 12, 12' of the container treatment section S each have, for example, a spoked-wheel-like rotor which is driven to rotate about an associated vertical rotor axis and is preferably rotatably mounted on a vertical column, on the circumference of which is distributed at equal angular intervals around the rotor axis and at the same radial distance from the rotor axis
  • Container receptacles or container carriers are present, which are not shown in FIG. 1 for reasons of clarity.
  • the container receptacles or container carriers are provided, for example, as pincer-like grippers or retaining clamps, specifically for holding a container 2 in a hanging manner so-called neck rings (neck ring) 2.1.
  • neck rings neck ring
  • the rotors of the star conveyors 12, 12' In order to enable the rotors of the star conveyors 12, 12' to "comb" in relation to their holding clamps and thus enable the containers 2 to be transferred from one star conveyor 12, 12' to the other star conveyor 12, 12', the rotors of these star conveyors 12, 12 'Not only driven synchronously and in opposite directions, but the retaining clamps of the star conveyor 12 are also in a different horizontal plane than the retaining clamps of the star conveyor 12'.
  • the holding clamps of the star conveyor 12 are arranged in a horizontal plane which lies somewhat above the horizontal plane of the holding clamps of the star conveyor 12'. In the example shown in FIG.
  • the star conveyors 12 marked with vertical hatching lines are designed as so-called “overneck” grippers with a gripping position above the neck ring 2.1, and the star conveyors 12′ marked with horizontal hatching lines are designed as so-called “lower neck "Gripper designed with gripping position below the neck ring 2.1.
  • a container treatment system 100 which also includes treatment stations or treatment machines, in a similar or the same design and arrangement as in the example of Figure 1, wherein the However, container transport route S of the container treatment plant 100 is equipped with a transport system according to the invention.
  • the star conveyors 12 immediately upstream and downstream of the labeling machine 120 namely the star conveyors 12, which transfer the containers 2 to the labeling machine 120, also differ from the example in FIG or take over from the labeling machine 120, formed by "Übemeck" - gripper with gripping position above the neck ring 2.1 (marked with vertical hatching lines).
  • neck handling can be implemented in the labeling machine 120 with a given arrangement of the container transport path S, in particular while maintaining the given number of individual conveyor units, since this requires that the containers 2 be gripped "over the neck” with the gripping position above the neck -Ring 2.1 transferred to the labeling machine 120 or taken over by it.
  • FIG. 3 shows an alternative embodiment of a container treatment system 100, in which a transport system 1 according to the invention is integrated in the system to shorten the transport route, namely the container transport route S.
  • FIG. 4 shows only a simplified, reduced section of the transport star 1 in a vertical partial section.
  • This has a rotor-like transport element 3 that can be driven continuously about a vertical star axis SA, which is carried by a fixed support column 9 and is rotatably mounted on it.
  • FIG. 4 shows only a partial section, specifically as a “half-page” section starting from the vertical star axis SA, which runs approximately centrally through the transport star 1 and, in particular, also the support column 9 .
  • the transport element 3 is essentially formed by a star wheel with a predetermined diameter and comprises a star plate-like base body 3'.
  • a motor drive 7 is provided, which is effectively connected to the star wheel or transport element 3 .
  • Suitable motor drives 7 for this are, for example, drives that are known and familiar to a person skilled in the art, such as are usually used for such an application in the technical field.
  • a hollow shaft motor can also be used here.
  • a large number of carrying positions 5 are provided on the circumference of the transport element 3, in particular on the circumference of the star plate-like base body 3', distributed around the star axis SA, evenly distributed over the circumference, i.e. at equal angular distances from one another, of which the Only one is shown for simplicity.
  • container carriers 4, 6 are provided for receiving or hanging a respective container 2 namely a first container carrier 4 and a second container carrier 6 at each carrying position 5.
  • the container carriers 4, 6 are arranged in pairs and thus form a pair of container carriers at each carrying position 5, with the first and the second container carrier 4, 6 being one
  • Container carrier pairs are arranged one above the other in the vertical direction, in particular in a common vertical plane containing the star axis SA.
  • a non-rotating outer guide curve 13 is provided on the outer circumference, which in this case can also be understood as a stripper and forms an outer stop or an outer limiting means for the containers.
  • the first container carriers 4 of the transport star wheel 1 are arranged in a first gripping plane E1 defining a first height h1, such that they can grip the containers 2 at a first gripping height, namely in particular above the neck ring 2.1.
  • the second container carriers 6 of the transport stem 1 are arranged in a second gripping plane E2 defining a second height h2, in such a way that they can grip the containers 2 at a second gripping height, namely in particular below the neck ring 2.1.
  • this can also be understood to mean that the container carriers 4, 6 of each pair of container carriers of a respective carrying position 5 are arranged on the transport element 3 at a height offset relative to one another.
  • FIG. 6a shows a simplified partial view of a container 2 with a neck ring 2.1, which is held at different gripping heights on the container carriers 4, 6 in FIGS. 6b to 6d.
  • the container carriers 4 , 6 of each carrying position 5 are arranged on the transport element 3 by means of a holding device 8 .
  • the container carriers 4, 6 are fastened or connected to the star plate-like base body 3' by means of the mounting device 8, so that the container carriers 4, 6 and the mounting device 8 rotate with the transport element 3 when it rotates. namely synchronously with the transport element 3 in the same direction and speed of rotation.
  • the mounting device 8 comprises an elongate, preferably bolt-like support arm 8.1, which is partially accommodated in corresponding receiving openings in the star plate-like base body 3' and extends through these and which extends along its length essentially parallel to the star axis SA and in the vertical direction points downwards from the star plate-like base body 3'.
  • the container carriers 4, 6 are offset in height, namely spaced apart from one another in the vertical direction, and are attached to the support arm 8.1, with each container carrier 4, 6 being movably mounted on the support arm 8.1 in such a way that a movement of the container carriers 4, 6 in the radial direction relative to the Star axis SA is allowed and preferably at the same time a movement in the axial direction and preferably also in the direction of rotation, however, is prevented or blocked.
  • the container carriers 4, 6 are thus mounted in a radially movable manner on the transport element 3 and can be moved back and forth in the radial direction, in particular radially displaceable, by means of an actuating movement B indicated in FIG. Via the actuating movement B, the container carriers 4, 6 can each be moved in the radial direction between an extended gripping position GS and a retracted release position FS, with the example in Figure 4 showing the first container carrier 4 in its extended gripping position GS and the second container carrier 6 in its retracted release position FS is shown.
  • a spacer 15 is arranged between the container carriers 4, 6 arranged at a distance and offset in height on the support arm 8.1 in order to reduce the vertical distance between the container carriers 4, 6 and thus also their arrangement in their respective gripper plane E1, E2 or height h1 , h2, to specify and to comply with.
  • the container carriers 4, 6 of the example shown each have, in addition to a gripping section 4.2, 6.2, an elongated adjusting section 4.1, 6.1, which extends along its length in the radial direction of the transport element 3 and via which the container carriers 4, 6 can be movably attached to the support arm 8.1 fixed and thus radial are movably mounted on the transport element 3.
  • a slot 14 is provided in each adjusting section 4.1, 6.1 of the container carrier 4, 6, through which the support arm 8.1 is passed in each case.
  • the elongated hole 14 thus forms a reach-through opening for the support arm 8.1. It goes without saying that the container carriers 4, 6 are held on the support arm 8.1 by means of appropriate fastening means.
  • a non-rotating, fixed guide and/or sliding element 16 in the form of a sanding plate is also arranged in the transport star wheel 1 of the example shown in Figure 4, which is located between the Adjusting sections 4.1, 6.1 of the container carrier 4, 6 engages in such a way that the adjusting sections 4.1, 6.1 of the container carrier 4, 6 come into sliding and/or leading contact with the guide and/or sliding element 16.
  • the underside of the adjusting section 4.1 of the first container carrier 4 is in sliding contact with an upper surface of the guiding and/or sliding element 16, whereas the upper side of the adjusting section 6.1 of the second container carrier 6 is in sliding contact with a lower surface of the guiding and/or sliding element 16 is present.
  • a first and a second cam 11.1, 11 .2 are provided in the Transportstem 1, which are also fixedly mounted and together an adjusting device 11 for adjusting and controlling the radial Position of the container carrier 4, 6 and for exerting the radial actuating movement B when retracting and extending the container carrier 4, 6 form.
  • the first control cam 11.1 interacts with the first container carrier 4 and is in engagement with the adjusting section 4.1 of the first container carrier 4.
  • the second control cam 11.2 interacts with the second container carrier 6 and is in engagement with the adjusting section 6.1 for this purpose of the second container carrier 6.
  • the respective adjusting sections 4.1, 6.1 have an engagement groove on the free end, into which a projecting engagement section formed on the respective cam 11.1, 11.2 engages.
  • the cams 11.1, 11.2 are set up so that when the transport element 3 rotates, the container carriers 4, 6 due to the with the actuating sections 4.1, 6.1 the container carrier 4, 6 is moved radially by means of cams 11.1, 11.2 that are in engagement, namely retracted or extended.
  • the control cams 11.1, 11.2 are designed in such a way that the container carriers 4, 6 are moved in opposite directions when the transport element 3 rotates within a predetermined angle of rotation range, i.e. one of the two container carriers 4, 6 is extended and at the same time the respective other of the two container carriers 4, 6 retracted.
  • the container carriers 4, 6 of a pair of container carriers are preferably moved in and out in opposite directions synchronously, namely at the same movement or setting speed, i.e. the setting movement B for retracting takes place at the same or essentially the same speed as the setting movement B for exit.
  • the containers 2 can on their transport path when the transport star wheel 1 rotates - at least within a certain angular range the circulating path - are transferred from the first container carrier 4 to the second container carrier 6 (or vice versa).
  • FIGS 5a and 5b show a schematic plan view of two different overall arrangements selected only as examples, each showing a section of a container transport route S with two conventional star conveyors 12, 12' and a transport star 1 lying in between.
  • the star conveyors 12 are, for example, "overneck” grippers with a gripping position above the neck ring 2.1 and the star conveyors 12' are "below the neck” grippers with a gripping position below the neck ring 2.1.
  • a receiving area 20 for receiving the containers 2 from the upstream star conveyor 12 is defined in an entry area of the transport star conveyor 1 . At this takeover area 20, the transport system 1 takes over the containers 2 in the “bottom corner grip”.
  • a transfer area 21 for transferring the containers 2 to the downstream star conveyor 12' is defined.
  • the transport star wheel 1 transfers the containers 2 in the "Oberneck handle".
  • the path of movement of the containers 2 along the star conveyors 12, 12' and the transport star 1 is indicated with a dashed line, the direction of movement being indicated by arrowheads in the lines.
  • each container 2 is picked up at an associated carrying position 5 by means of the second container carrier 6 of the pair of container carriers arranged at the carrying position 5, with the second container carrier 6 in the takeover area 20 in the extended position Gripping position GS is positioned.
  • the first container carrier 4 is positioned in the retracted release position FS.
  • FIG. 6d shows the situation in the transfer area 20 with the corresponding positions of the container carriers 4, 6 in a very simplified manner.
  • FIG. 6b shows a state of the changing or gripping process as an example.
  • the container 4 is thereby transferred from the second container carrier 6 onto the first container carrier 4 .
  • a transport level of the container 2 or its conveying level remains unchanged as a result of this gripping, the container 2 is only gripped or carried at different heights h1, h2 or gripper levels E1, E2.
  • the container 2 is thus carried by means of the first container carrier 4 of the pair of container carriers due to the change in "handle".
  • the first container carrier 4 is positioned in the transfer area 21 in the extended gripping position GS and at the same time the second container carrier 6 is positioned in the retracted release position FS.
  • the situation in the transfer area 21 with the corresponding positions of the container carriers 4, 6 is shown in a very simplified manner in FIG. 6c.
  • the container carriers 4, 6 are positioned relative to one another such that they essentially coincide and that their end regions receiving the container 2, namely the gripping sections 4.2, 6.2, are essentially aligned with one another and preferably coaxially with a container axis BA of the Container 2 are oriented, whereby a particularly gentle, safe and low-vibration transfer is possible.
  • the container carriers 4, 6 are finally inside of a set-up area 40, which can also be understood as the angle of rotation area between the transfer and the takeover, are displaced radially in opposite directions to one another by means of an adjustment movement B carried out, so that after a complete revolution of the transport element 3 at the takeover position 20, each pair of container carriers is again in the corresponding position of the Figure 6d, namely in the starting position required for the takeover, is present.
  • a set-up area 40 which can also be understood as the angle of rotation area between the transfer and the takeover
  • the star conveyors 12, 12' and the transport system 1 are arranged one behind the other in such a way that the containers 2 sweep over a rotation angle range of more than 180° from the takeover area 20 to the transfer area 21, with this angle of rotation range essentially corresponding to the Reaching or changing area 30 corresponds.
  • the angle of rotation ranges from about 220° to 260°.
  • the adjusting movements B for the radial displacement of the container carriers 4, 6 are carried out, in particular monitored and regulated or controlled, in such a way that at a given rotational speed of the transport element 3, the first container carrier 4 can be fully extended from the retracted release position FS to the extended gripping position GS within the gripping or changing area 30 is possible, and vice versa and at the same time a complete retraction of the second container carrier 6 from the extended gripping position GS into the retracted release position FS.
  • appropriate regulation or control of the adjustment movements B ensures that the respective movements are carried out in the smaller rotational angle range, which essentially corresponds to the set-up area 40, in such a way that a return to the respective starting positions is guaranteed.
  • the corresponding control and/or regulation of the adjustment movements B can also be carried out by a specially provided control and/or regulation unit 10, which is in communication with the container carriers 4, 6 and/or an associated drive and which in Figure 6b is indicated as a sketch.
  • the alternative example shown in FIG. 5b differs from the example according to FIG Sweep over 180°, so that here the gripping or changing area 30 and the set-up area 40 have approximately the same angle of rotation range.
  • FIGS. 7a and 7b a pair of container carriers according to alternative embodiment variants of the transport system is shown in a highly simplified cross-sectional view.
  • the container carriers 4, 6, in particular the adjusting sections 4.1, 6.1 of the container carriers 4, 6 of a pair of container carriers are arranged one above the other at each carrying position 5 in direct touching contact, in particular sliding on one another.
  • one of the container carriers 4, 6 of the pair of container carriers is used as a guide or sliding bearing for the respective other container carrier 4, 6 of the container carrier pair.
  • the container carriers 4, 6 slidably interact via respective contact surfaces.
  • the second container carrier 6 has a groove 6a for this purpose, which can be understood as a guide groove and which extends lengthwise in the longitudinal direction of the adjusting section 6.1, i.e. in the radial direction of the transport stem 1 (the radial direction runs in the representation of Figure 7 into the plane of the paper).
  • the first container support 4 is provided with a rib-like projection 4a which engages with the groove 6a of the second container support 6 and is slidably received therein.
  • the rib-like projection 4a can also be understood as a spring, which also extends along its length in the radial direction.
  • the container carriers 4, 6 of the container carrier pair can move in the radial direction relative to each other, but not in the circumferential direction.
  • the groove 6a has an essentially T-shaped cross section and, corresponding thereto, the projection 4a is also designed as an essentially T-shaped projection 4a.
  • too--as in that of FIG. 7a--the container carriers 4, 6 work together in the manner of slide rails.
  • the second container carrier 6 is also held in a load-bearing manner on the first container carrier 4 by means of the projection 4a engaging in the groove 6a.
  • the transport system can also have a control and regulation unit 10 (see also FIG. 6b), via which the drive of the container carriers 4, 6 is controlled or regulated.
  • various of the following aspects can also be controlled or regulated - and individually and/or in any combination - namely, for example, the direction and/or speed of the respective adjustment movement B for each container carrier 4, 6, the length of the respective adjustment movement B for each container carrier 4, 6, the sequence of movements and the like, and in particular also tailored to the Rotational speed of the transport element 3.
  • the container carriers 4, 6 are active grippers or active clamps
  • these active grippers or clamps can also be opened and closed, in particular the grippers or clamps can be switched, preferably by the aforementioned control and regulation unit 10 of the transport system and/or by an additional control device, which is preferably in communication with the control and regulation unit 10 or with a higher-level machine control.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Specific Conveyance Elements (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne une roue en étoile de transport (1) pour transporter des contenants (2), qui présente un axe de roue en étoile (SA) vertical et au moins un élément de transport de type rotor (3), ledit élément de transport pouvant être entraîné en circulation autour de l'axe de roue en étoile (SA) ; une pluralité de positions de transport (5) pour retenir les contenants (2) étant réparties sur la périphérie de l'élément de transport (3) autour de l'axe de roue en étoile (SA) ; à chaque position de transport (5), une paire de porte-contenants comprenant un premier porte-contenants (4) pour retenir en suspension les contenants (2) et un second porte-contenants (6) pour retenir en suspension les contenants (2) étant prévue, ledit second porte-contenants étant associé au premier porte-contenants (4) ; les premiers porte-contenants (4) étant disposés dans un premier plan de préhension horizontal (E1) définissant une première position de hauteur (h1) et les seconds porte-contenants (6) étant disposés dans un second plan de préhension horizontal (E2) définissant une seconde position de hauteur (h2) ; les porte-contenants (4, 6) de chaque paire de porte-contenants étant disposés l'un sur l'autre dans la direction verticale et se chevauchent au moins partiellement ; et chaque porte-contenants (4, 6) étant monté sur l'élément de transport (3) pour assurer un mouvement radial relativement à l'axe de roue en étoile (SA), et pouvant être radialement déplacé entre au moins une position de préhension (GS) étendue et au moins une position de libération (FS) rétractée au moyen d'un mouvement de commande (B).
EP21794370.3A 2020-10-26 2021-10-18 Roue en étoile de transport pour transporter des contenants Pending EP4232384A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE102020128058.0A DE102020128058A1 (de) 2020-10-26 2020-10-26 Transportstern zum Transportieren von Behältern
PCT/EP2021/078755 WO2022089972A1 (fr) 2020-10-26 2021-10-18 Roue en étoile de transport pour transporter des contenants

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP4232384A1 true EP4232384A1 (fr) 2023-08-30

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EP21794370.3A Pending EP4232384A1 (fr) 2020-10-26 2021-10-18 Roue en étoile de transport pour transporter des contenants

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EP (1) EP4232384A1 (fr)
DE (1) DE102020128058A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2022089972A1 (fr)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102021129518A1 (de) 2021-11-12 2023-05-17 Krones Aktiengesellschaft Klammervorrichtung und Transportvorrichtung

Family Cites Families (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3208602A (en) * 1964-03-11 1965-09-28 Westinghouse Electric Corp Transfer device
DE102010053476A1 (de) 2010-12-04 2012-06-06 Krones Aktiengesellschaft Fördervorrichtung für Behältnisse
ITMI20120397A1 (it) * 2012-03-14 2013-09-15 Smi Spa Sistema di manipolazione di oggetti in macchine rotative
DE102012016124A1 (de) 2012-08-15 2014-05-15 Khs Gmbh Transportstern für Behälter, Behältertransportstrecke sowie Anlage zum Behandeln von Behältern
DE102015120770B4 (de) * 2015-11-30 2020-08-13 Khs Gmbh Transportstern zum Führen von Behältern in einer Behälterbehandlungsanlage
DE102016106378A1 (de) 2016-04-07 2017-10-12 Krones Ag Vorrichtung zum Behandeln von Behältern sowie Getränkeabfüllanlage
IT201700019857A1 (it) * 2017-02-22 2018-08-22 Smi Spa Sistema di movimentazione di contenitori tra unita' operative
JP6384769B1 (ja) * 2017-07-10 2018-09-05 大日本印刷株式会社 搬送装置、調整回転搬送部および搬送方法

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DE102020128058A1 (de) 2022-04-28

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