ES358542A1 - Container rinsing and combining apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

Container handling apparatus in a bottle rinsing machine comprises a horizontally movable endless conveyer R to which container carrying pockets 60 are pivotally connected for movement about the pivots between vertically erect and pendent positions, first means 48 adjacent one portion of the endless path of the conveyer R to bring containers C into registration with successive pockets 60, second means 74 adjacent another portion of the endless path to receive containers C from the pockets 60 upon arrival, and pocket guiding means 61, 62 to first pivot the pockets 60 loaded with containers C into pendent positions to invert them, and later to restore the pockets 60 to vertically erect positions whereby the containers 60 are unloaded by the means 74. In the construction described, four conveyers R are fed by a single conveyer (15) (Fig. 14, not shown) via respective conveyers 18. Each of the latter lead on to a respective rotary table 21 associated with a star wheel comprising the first means 48. The sockets 60 are formed with respective apertures 60b (Fig. 9) to permit the entry of the containers C which then have their bases successively engaged by a cam 45a (Fig. 5, not shown) the purpose of which is to push them into the upper part of the pocket 60. The container is held in this upper position, throughout the rinsing operation, by a cam bar 67 (Fig. 4). The pockets are successively inverted by the action of cam rails 61, 62, which engage followers 59 respective to each pocket. An arm 58 carrying the follower 59 and rigid with the associated pocket 60 is pivotally connected to the conveyer chain 51 of the conveyer R. The rails 61, 62 are curved and their positions superimposed as shown in Fig. 4, thereby acting on the follower 59 to bring about the inversion of the pockets 60. The container is maintained in the upper end of the pocket by the action of the cam bar 67. While inverted, the containers are passed over rinsing jets 65. Similar means brings about the return of the pockets to their original attitude (Fig. 13, not shown). A cam bar (68), (69), corresponding to the bar 67 maintains the containers in the pockets during this operation and then allows them to fall into a position in which they are in register with the side aperture 60b of the pocket so that they can be guided by a rail 70 into pockets 73 of a recessed wheel 74. The latter feeds alternate pockets of a conveyer 23 which also serves another of the conveyers R. In a modification (Fig. 18), the follower 59 and cam rail 61, 62 are replaced by similar respective members 105, 106 and 107, but the cam 45, cam rail 67, and cam rails 68 and 69, are replaced by a control member 101 carried by each pocket 60. The member 101 engages the base of the container and pivots upwards to force the latter into the upper end of the pocket 60, by the action of a follower 99 and an associated cam rail 100.