FR2477133A1 - METHOD AND DEVICE FOR REPAIRING SURFACE-DAMAGED GLASS CONTAINERS, IN PARTICULAR RAYED GLASS BOTTLES - Google Patents

Abstract

METHOD AND DEVICE FOR REPAIRING SURFACE DAMAGED GLASS CONTAINERS, IN PARTICULAR SCRATCHED GLASS BOTTLES. TO REPAIR SURFACE DAMAGED GLASS CONTAINERS, AT LEAST THE DAMAGED AREAS, ESPECIALLY ON THE CYLINDRICAL PART OF THE CONTAINER BODY, A THIN FILM OF A LOW SURFACE TENSION PLASTIC MATERIAL IS APPLIED. THE INSTALLATION FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROCESS INCLUDES MEANS OF TRANSPORT 3, 4, 5, 6 TO RUN THE CONTAINERS 1 INDIVIDUALLY THROUGH A FIRST SECTION INCLUDING DRYING MEANS 10, 11, 12 A SECOND SECTION 21 INCLUDING A MECHANISM APPLICATION OF THE PLASTIC COATING AND A THIRD SECTION 37 FOR DRYING OR CURING THE PLASTIC COATING. APPLICATION: ESPECIALLY TO REUSED GLASS BOTTLES (CONSIGNED).

Description

Method and device for repairing containers in -

  damaged glass on the surface, especially bottles

scratched glass.

  The appearance of the returnable bottles deteriorates over time as a result of scratches in the area of the lower edge and the upper edge of the cylindrical body of the bottles. Beverage bottlers who attach great importance to the external appearance of the bottles are therefore obliged to sort the glass bottles in order to eliminate the scratched bottles, although the latter are, moreover,

in perfect condition.

  It is already known to provide the bottles with a coating

  plastic coating or coating, with a view to

  protection of bottles, but also for decorative purposes

  ration. This plastic coating is intended for

  protect the glass from scratches and prevent the

  The wall of the container is weakened by scratches. The coating must also be chosen so that it withstands the multiple stresses that multi-reuse bottles suffer. It is true that in this case, the glass container itself is protected against scratches, but it is not the same with respect to the plastic coating. In case of multiple reuses of the bottles, the plastic coating therefore takes on an unpleasant aspect (patent applications DE na

2,503,813 and 2,334,466).

  In order to prolong the possibility of using bottles thanks to a still pleasant aspect, it has already been proposed to give the bottles a special shape according to which a narrow projecting rim is provided at the edge. upper and lower edge of the body of the bottle. This rim certainly undergoes scratches during use, but the traces of scratches on this rim less detract from the appearance of the bottle, because of their limitation to a narrow band, that traces of scratches spread over the smooth surface of the Bottle on

an extended area. -

  It is further known to apply to glass containers, by mpression, a layer of plastic material

  soluble or decomposable. in usual cleaning agents

  the. This layer of plastic matt must serve as decoration and replace a usual labeling of containers, using printed cutouts, metal or paper (see on this subject patent application

DE 2,558,312).

  The present invention aims to indicate a means for allowing prolonged use of containers subject to

risk of scratches.

  This object is achieved, according to the invention, by a method of repairing glass containers damaged on the surface, in particular scratched glass bottles, by the fact that in the damaged areas on the surface, the recessed and / or striped areas. are filled with a plastic material entering these areas due to its low surface tension. Preferably, the filling of hollow and / or striped areas

  is effected by the fact that at least the endometrium zones are

  magées on the surface of a thin film, of plastic

  (up to 10a thick).

  While according to the known methods, the glass container is protected by the plastic coating against scratch marks, the present invention indicates an absolutely different way of admitting the traces of scratches, but to eliminate these traces of scratches by the thin coating of plastic material and thus restore the pleasant appearance of the bottle. Since it is not a question of protecting the bottle against scratch marks, but of making the marks of scratches invisible, only a comparatively very thin plastic coating is applied. the requirements concerning the scratch resistance imposed on the plastic material are not very high since, preferably, the plastic coating is renewed at each reuse. Although, as a general rule, the whole bottle is coated, a local coating

  in the superficial areas exposed to scratches, is suf-

  cient. The holding of the plastic material on the bottle can be improved by the application of the plastic material to a thickness providing watertightness. In this case, the risk of premature separation is limited to marginal areas. In the case where the plastic film is porous, however, the water can act substantially on the entire surface in the direction of detachment. The risk of detachment can obviously be reduced in this case by a plastic material having an appropriate adhesion to the bottle. According to another embodiment of the invention, use is made of a plastic material which is insoluble in water,

  but which dissolves, peels off or breaks down in a

  sive of cleaning. The removal of the film then takes place at the same time as the cleaning to which the container owes any

way to be submitted.

  Good results have been obtained using a material

  hardening plastic under ultra-violet exposure

  purples. So that during handling that the container undergoes after the application of the plastic material, the surface of the container does not lose its pleasant appearance, it is advantageous

  to use a plastic material that is insensitive to

  mechanical quotations, particularly insensitive to shocks and / o scratches. As already indicated, the requirements imposed on such a plastic material need not be particularly high because the plastic coating is preferably

  renewed after each reuse of the bottle.

  Since, as a general rule, plastics

  must not change the appearance of the bottle, but must

  make invisible the marks of scratches, we use a plastic that is colorless or is colored in the

same color as the container.

  The application of the plastic coating can be

  do it in a variety of ways. Following a first mode of

  tion, the application is made by sublimation with a gaseous plastic material, condensing on the container. According to other embodiments, the application is carried out by spraying or by rolling application of a liquid plastic material or by immersing the container in a bath of water.

Z477133

  liquid plastic material, or by pouring liquid plastic material on the container. It is also possible to apply by rolling or for example to. brush a pasty plastic material. Preferably, the container is dried, in particular with the application of heat, before the application of the plastic, if necessary after cleaning, so that the plastic material can be applied to the entire surface,

without bullEset smoothly.

  In the case where it is not possible to give the plastic coating, already during application, the desired thickness, it is possible to establish this thickness by eliminating excess plastic by dripping, blowing or scraping. Preferably, the drying is carried out, in particular by ultraviolet rays, after the application or after the adjustment of the thickness of the layer

of plastic material.

  A device for carrying out the method of repairing damaged glass containers on the surface is characterized by transport means which transport the containers individually through a plurality of sections of

  successive treatments, the first section of which presents

  means for drying the surface of the containers and the seconcbun mechanism for applying the plastic coating. The second section may be followed by a section with drying means and in particular hardening

  plastic coating.

  The first section preferably has nozzles

  supplied with blowing air as drying means.

  In order to eliminate the moisture possibly remaining on the surface to be coated with the container, it is provided, according to another characteristic of the device, that the first section has, in its end part, rollers heated on

  which roll cylindrical containers.

  The drying of wet containers can be done in a particularly effective manner using squeegees applicable against the surface of the containers. This pre-drying of the containers is advantageously carried out before drying with blowing air. The doctor blades are preferably shaped

24Y7133

  of blade and can be applied parallel to the axis against the cylindrical surfaces of the containers. The containers are subjected to the action of a drive system which imparts to the containers a rotational movement so that the entire surface is subjected to the action of blade-shaped scrapers. Squeegees and blowing nozzles can be arranged

  on an entrance star and turn with the star input.

  The means of transport for the first treatment section may be a conveyor screw and an entry star following this screw. The input star is preferably followed by a rotary member (rotary table with receiving locations for the containers, distributed on the periphery) as transport means for the second

treatment section.

  In order to be able to coat the containers with the parade, the application device is advantageously animated with a movement in synchronism with the containers to be coated. The application mechanism may consist of several spray heads. In order to be able to apply the plastic material metered to the surface of the containers, each spray head comprises nozzles known per se, capable of being actuated by pulses. Nozzles can be ordered individually or in groups (Siemens Zeitschrift, year 51, issue 4, April 1977, pages 219-221). Each spray head may be in the form of a strip extending over the coating height of the container, the container being subjected to the action of a drive system, in particular a head or a tray turning rotating rotation of the container. When rotating the container about its axis, the container is coated on its entire periphery. The spray head can also be in the form of a vertically movable ring

  on the lining height of the container.

  Instead of spraying the plastic material on the container, it is also possible to apply it by rolling or printing. In this case, the application mechanism is constituted by a band extending along the treatment section. However, it is also possible to realize the application mechanism in the manner of a labeling station,

  comprising one or more moving rollers or pallets

  plucking the plastic material on the containers.

  The devices provided on the third section, for drying, are preferably constituted by radiators, in particular ultraviolet ray radiators. It is particularly advantageous to combine the device with a labeling machine. In this case, it is not

  no need to provide additional means of transport.

  The existing means of transport, in particular the element

  rotating, transport the bottles to the labeling machine-

  b. Referring to the accompanying drawing, the object of the invention will be described in more detail; on the drawing:

  FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of a device

  repair of glass bottles; Figure 2 is a plan view of an input star; Figure 3 is an axial section of the input star according to Figure 2; Figures 4 to 7 show several embodiments of mechanisms of application; FIG. 8 illustrates a device for drying

  or curing the plastic coating.

  The bottles 1 to be repaired are transported in a row by means of a vane conveyor belt 2 to a first treatment section. In the first part of this treatment section, the conveying means comprises a screw 3 which brings the bottles to a predetermined reciprocal distance. The transport means in the second part of the first processing section comprises an input star 4. The input star 4 is followed by a rotary element 5. constituted by a rotary table comprising a

  multitude of reception locations for bottles 1.

  The output of the device is constituted by an output star

  6 followed by a pallet conveyor 7.

  The principle structure of this device is known per se for bottling machines. On these machines, it is also known to place the bottles on rotating trays and to enter them by heads to be able to print the bottles a rotational movement. Because of this structure Z4f7133 known per se, it is not necessary to describe it in detail, especially since it is not essential for the

  method and device according to the invention.

  In the embodiment of Figure 1, a blower box 8,9 is disposed on both sides of the transport path, box from which blown air is blown by nozzles 10,11 against the bottles 1 at

  to dry. The bottles dried by blowing air reach

  Then, the entry star 4 comprises a plurality of rotating, heated, surface-rollers 12.

  flexible side, against which the bottles

  The cylinders are thus heated and the residual moisture is removed from their surface. In addition, the heating has the additional function that no moisture can condense on the

  surface before the application of the plastic material.

  The rotary element 5 is arranged beneath a hood 14 to which blowing air is sent by the blast boxes 8. The volatile solvents released in the volatile form of the plastic coating are extracted together

  with the air blowing through an outlet 15.

  Instead of blowing 8.9 with the nozzles 10, 11 fed with blowing air, it is also possible to provide other means for drying wet bottles. In the case of the embodiment of Figures 2 and 3, there is provided a special input star 4a. This input star has lower and upper pairs of support rollers 16,17 for the bottles. By these pairs of support rollers 16, 17, the bottles are pushed against an outer guide 18. During the rotation of the input star, the bottles 1 rotate about their axis. At each receiving location for a bottle 1 is associated with a doctor blade 19 which scrapes the liquid from the surface of the bottle 1. The thus pre-dried bottles then arrive in the nozzle zone 20 fed with air blowing and completing the operation of drying. It is possible

  to blow hot air to. using the nozzles, in order to preheat

  iron the bottles. This gives the same effect as

  heated rollers 12 of FIG.

  As soon as the bottles 1 have left the star of entry,

  they reach the second treatment section 21.

  This second treatment section is equipped with one of the

  application mechanisms of Figures 4 to 7.

  The application mechanism according to FIG. 4 comprises several spraying heads 23 in the form of a vertical strip,

  evolving along a closed trajectory 22, passing

  laterally or externally along the transport path of the bottles. The spray heads 23 move in synchronism with the receiving locations of the bottles 1. The bottles 1 rotated about their axis by rotary plates 26 known per se, are subjected to the action of the heads of the bottles. spraying 23 until each bottle has rotated 3600 in front of a spray head 23. The spray heads 23 are connected by lines 24 to a common inlet 25 for the

plastic material.

  The application mechanism of FIG. 5 differs from the application mechanism of FIG. 4 by the spray heads. The spray heads 27 according to FIG. 5 are annular and are driven by a jack 28,

  * back and forth over the entire height of the bottles

  the. As in the embodiment of FIG. 4, the sprayheads can move in a closed, fixed path and move over part of the transport path with the bottles, and it is also possible to associate a spray head. at each bottle receiving location. On the other hand, in the case of annular spray heads, it is not necessary to print on bottles

  a rotational movement about their axis.

  In the embodiment of FIG. 6, the mechanism

  Application of the invention comprises an elastic band 31 rolling on rollers 29, 30, in contact with which the bottles 1 roll. The plastic is, as is known for the gluing rollers of labeling machines, applied to the using an application roll 32 on the elastic band 31. The thickness of the layer can be adjusted to

the help of uneracle 33.

  The application mechanism of FIG. 7 corresponds, in its structure, to a large extent to that of a labeling machine. The domed surface application members 34 are rotatably or oscillatably mounted on a rotatable support 35. The appmcation elements 34 roll on a plastic fed roller 36 in the manner of a sizing roll. The applicator elements thus coated with plastic material on the curved surface then roll on the bottles 1 rotating about their axis and thus coat or coat the bottle 1. As is known for the labeling machines, it is possible, by means of a non-uniform drive system, by a

  appropriate curvature of the coated surface of the

  34 and by mounting this element, to coat the entire surface of the bottle without or with relative movement

  between the bottle and the surface of the application element 34.

  This gives a coating of uniform thickness.

  The bottle coated by one or the other of the application mechanisms, then arrives in the third processing section 37 in which radiators 38, in particular infrared radiators, are arranged

  on both sides for the drying or hardening of the coating.

  plastic material. The length of this treatment section depends on the residence time required for drying. As shown in Figure 1, there is still a last processing section 39 in the rotary element 5. On this last processing section, it is possible to mount a

  or more than usual labeling machines.

Claims (34)

  1. Method of repairing end-glass containers   surface areas, in particular striped glass bottles, characterized in that in the areas damaged on the surface, the hollow and / or striped areas of a plastic material penetrating these areas are filled by means of its low surface tension.   2. Process according to Claim 1, characterized in that at least the areas damaged on the surface are coated.   a thin plastic film (thickness up to 10pm).   3. Method according to claim 2, characterized in that the plastic film is applied in a   thickness ensuring waterproofness.   4. Process according to any one of the claims   1 to 3, characterized in that a plastic material is used.   tick that does not come off in the water but dissolves,   takes off or breaks down in a cleaning detergent.   5. Process according to any one of the claims   1-4, characterized in that a plastic material is used.   tick hardening under irradiation of ultraviolet rays.   6. Process according to any one of the claims   1 to 5, characterized in that a material is used   plastic insensitive to mechanical stresses, in parti-   insensitive to shocks and / or scratches.   7. Process according to any one of the claims   1 to 6, characterized in that a material is used   colorless or colored plastic in the color of the containers.   8. Process according to any one of the claims   1 to 7, characterized by the fact that the sublimation is applied using a gaseous plastic material condensing on the container.   9. Process according to any one of the claims   1 to 7, characterized in that the application is carried out   by spraying a liquid plastic material.   10. Process according to any one of the claims   1 to 7, characterized in that the application is carried out   by rolling with a liquid or pasty plastic material.   11. Process according to any one of the claims   1 to 7, characterized by the fact that the immersion is applied to the containers in a bath of liquid plastic material.   12. Process according to any one of the claims   1 to 7, characterized in that the application is carried out   pouring a liquid plastic material on the containers.   13. Process according to any one of the claims   1 to 12, characterized by the fact that the glass container is dried before the application of the plastic material, the case after cleaning.   14. Process according to Claim 13, characterized   by the fact that drying is carried out by scraping and / or ration and / or blowing.   15. The method of claim 13 or 14, wherein   characterized by the fact that drying is carried out with application,   especially simultaneous, heat.   16. Process according to any one of the claims   1 to 15, characterized in that the thickness of the plastic coating layer is adjusted by dripping and / or   blowing and / or scraping the excess plastic.   17.Procedure according to any of the claims   1 to 16, characterized by drying, in particular   hardened, the plastic coating.   18. Device for implementing the following method   any one of claims 1 to 17, characterized by   the fact that it comprises conveying means (3,4,5,6) conveying the containers (1) individually through several successive treatment sections, the first section of which has means (10,11,12,19,20) for drying the surface of the containers and the second section a mechanism   application (22 to 36) for the plastics material.   19. Device according to claim 18, characterized in that the second section (21) is followed by a section (37) with devices (38) for drying, in   particularly the curing of the plastic coating.   20. Apparatus according to claim 18 or 19, characterized in that the first section comprises nozzles (10,11,20) supplied with blowing air, as means for drying.   21. Device according to any one of the   cations 18 to 20, characterized in thatAt the first section has, in its end portion, heated rollers (12) in contact with which roll cylindrical containers (1).   22. Apparatus according to any of the claims   18 to 21, characterized in that the first section has, as means for drying, squeegees (19) which can be applied against the surface containers.   23. Device according to claim 22, characterized in that the doctor blades (19) are blade-shaped and can be applied parallel to the axis against the cylindrical containers (1) which can be driven in   rotation about their axis by a drive system.   24. Device according to claim 22 or 23, characterized in that the doctor blades (19) and the nozzles   blowing (20) are arranged on an input star (4a).   25. Apparatus according to any of the claims   18 to 24, characterized in that the transport means for the first treatment section comprise a conveyor screw (3) and an input star (4) making following this screw.   Apparatus according to any of the claims   cations 18 to 25, characterized in that the means of   transport for the second and third   (21,37) comprise a rotary element (4) (rotary table with receiving locations for the containers, distributed on its periphery).   27. Device according to any one of the   18 to 26, characterized in that the application mechanism (22 to 36) comprises one or more members of application (23,27,31,34).   28. Apparatus according to any one of the   cations 18 to 27, characterized in that the or application members (23,27,31,34) of the application mechanism (22 to 36) are advanced in synchronism with the containers (1) to be coated. Device according to Claim 27 or 28, characterized in that the application member (23, 27) is   realized in the form of a spray head.   30. Device according to claim 29, characterized in that the spray head has nozzles controllable by pulses. 31. Process according to claim 30, characterized   in that the nozzles can be individually controlled or in groups.   Apparatus according to any of the claims   29 to 31, characterized in that each spray head (23) is in the form of a strip extending over the entire coating height of the container (1) and that   container (1) is associated with a drive system, in particular   a rotating head or turntable (26)   the container (1) rotates about its axis.   33. Apparatus according to any one of the claims   29 to 31, characterized in that the spray head (27) is in the form of a height displaceable ring of the container (1) to be coated.   Apparatus according to any one of the claims   cations 14 to 28, characterized in that the application mechanism (34 to 36) is constructed in the manner of a labeling station, the at least one movable roll or pallet applying the plastic to the containers (1). and a drive system, in particular a rotatable head or turntable (26), which causes the container (1) to rotate about its axis, being associated in particular with each container.   36. Apparatus according to any of the claims   14 to 35, characterized in that the drying devices arranged on the third section (37) consist of radiators (38), in particular infrared radiators.   37. Device according to any one of the   14 to 36, characterized in that one or more labeling machines (40) are or are disposed on the   treatment path (39) - following the treatment path- (37) for drying.