ITBO20080413A1 - MACHINE FOR THE PRODUCTION OF BOTTLES WITH PRODUCT DOSES. - Google Patents

Description

DESCRIPTION

attached to a patent application for INDUSTRIAL INVENTION entitled:

MACHINE FOR THE PRODUCTION OF BOTTLES WITH PRODUCT DOSES.

The present invention relates to a machine for the production of bottles, in particular for the filling of bottles with doses of liquid or powder product and the relative closure, in particular, but not limitedly, with products for medical and / or pharmaceutical use.

The aforementioned machines for dosing and filling bottles, with a product in liquid or powder form, and the relative closure with a cap are widely known.

In fact, these machines are essentially composed, along a working direction at least by:

- a station for feeding, in succession, bottles open at an upper end or mouth;

- a station for filling bottles with pre-established doses of product; - a station for feeding, in succession, caps for closing the mouth of the bottle;

- a station for capping the bottles and their relative exit in the collection areas.

All the equipment defining the aforementioned stations are arranged in a sterile environment in order not to alter the quality of the handled product: essentially the equipment housing chambers are controlled by special protection systems for the product processing environments. Normally, hoods designed to define the sterile environment are located above the various stations.

Accessory stations can also be combined with the base stations mentioned above, such as a product weighing station and a safety capping station between cap and bottle.

Of course, the structure of each station mentioned above can be different according to the operational needs of the end customer.

The bottle feeding station, for example, can be constituted by a system for inflowing the empty and open bottles towards a carousel, suitably shaped according to the dimensions of the individual bottles, for feeding them to a linear conveyor able to bring the bottles in succession to the bottle filling station. The bottle inflow system to the carousel can be of the vibration type, for medium - low production speeds, or with the aid of augers for machines with high production speeds.

The aforementioned filling station is usually composed of a unit provided with one or more dosing elements fed by relative fluid or powder feed pumps, for the metered introduction of the fluid or powders into the bottles passing on the linear conveyor. Obviously the number of dosing elements (therefore of pumps) is a function of the productivity required of the machine.

The capping station of the machine in question usually comprises: a first carousel for withdrawing the full bottle from the aforementioned linear conveyor; a second carousel for picking up the individual caps from a warehouse station (a hopper located near the latter carousel with vibration feeding), and a third intermediate carousel connecting the first two carousels in order to allow positioning, in phase, of the bottle under the relative cap with consequent closure of the bottle itself during the journey on the second carousel. The closed bottles can pass on a fourth carousel and from there be released onto handling devices (belts or augers) for their transport to special warehouses or subsequent operations.

Alternatively, the fourth carousel can directly unload the bottles directly into collection boxes.

Even the aforementioned accessory station such as the weighing of the bottles can foresee different configurations and structures: in the first case it can be of the statistical type, that is a bottle weighed every "n" bottles, or, in a second case, it can be a continuous weight control , i.e. for each individual bottle filled.

As can already be deduced from this essential description of the machine architecture, the possible configurations to obtain a machine for making bottles are many, as, on the other hand, are the needs of the end customer.

In essence, therefore, each new machine made of this type has different characteristics, according to the different needs required by the customer: high, medium or low production speed, therefore with fewer or more feeding dosing elements; with or without weight control (when present, the latter can be requested of a statistical or continuous type); different type of feeding of the caps; different types of product output (with augers, with conveyors or directly in boxes); possible addition of the capping station.

Basically, each machine made can be defined as a special machine that is built from scratch according to the final needs of the customer. This furthermore involves the construction and assembly of the support structures, the containment casings of the stations dedicated to the specific stations ordered.

This particularity requires, for machines of this type, a specific knowledge of the sector: this therefore entails high production costs, on the one hand, and final assembly on site on the other, through highly qualified personnel in the sector.

The purpose of the present invention is therefore to obviate these drawbacks through the construction of a machine for the production of bottles, in particular for filling bottles with doses of liquid or powder product for medical use and relative closure, having a structure of simple, modular base, such as to simplify the basic composition of the machine as a whole, while maintaining the possibility of combining the stations according to the required needs. In accordance with the invention, this object is achieved by a machine for the production of bottles, in particular a machine for the production of bottles with doses of liquid or powder product comprising the technical characteristics set out in one or more of the annexed claims. The technical characteristics of the invention, according to the aforementioned purposes, are clearly verifiable from the content of the claims reported below, and the advantages thereof will become more evident in the detailed description that follows, made with reference to the attached drawings, which represent a purely embodiment exemplary and not limiting, in which:

Figures 1 to 4 illustrate relative modules or casings defining a part of the structure of the machine for making bottles, object of the present invention, all the figures are in a schematic top plan view.

Figures 5 to 7 illustrate relative closure units for defining a sterile environment in the machine for making bottles, object of the present invention, all figures are schematic top plan views;

Figures 8 to 13 illustrate relative stations of the bottle making machine, assembled in the modules of Figures 1 to 4 in schematic top plan views with some parts removed to better highlight others;

Figure 14 illustrates a first example of assembly of a machine for manufacturing bottles according to the present invention, with the pre-assembled modules and stations of Figures 8 to 13, and in a schematic top plan view with some parts removed to better highlight others;

Figure 15 illustrates a second example of assembly of a machine for manufacturing bottles according to the present invention, with the pre-assembled modules and stations of Figures 8 to 13, and in a schematic top plan view with some parts removed to better highlight others;

Figure 16 illustrates a third example of assembly of a machine for manufacturing bottles according to the present invention, with the pre-assembled modules and stations of Figures 8 to 13, and in a schematic top plan view with some parts removed to better highlight others;

Figure 17 illustrates a fourth example of assembly of a machine for manufacturing bottles according to the present invention, with the pre-assembled modules and stations of Figures 8 to 13, and in a schematic top plan view with some parts removed to better highlight others;

Figure 18 illustrates a fifth example of assembly of a machine for manufacturing bottles according to the present invention, with the pre-assembled modules and stations of Figures 8 to 13, and in a schematic top plan view with some parts removed to better highlight others.

In accordance with the attached drawings, and with particular reference to Figures 1 to 13, the machine in question is used for the production of bottles, in particular for the filling of bottles 1 and their closure with doses of liquid or powder product, which can be used. , for example but not limited to, for medical, pharmaceutical, aesthetic use, etc.

This machine, generally indicated in Figures 14 to 18 with the reference number 2, essentially comprises along a direction of development indicated by S:

- a first station 3 for feeding, in succession, the empty bottles 1 open at the top towards a conveyor 4 suitable for arranging the bottles 1 in correspondence with

- a second station 5 for filling the bottles 1 with predetermined doses of product;

- a third station 6 for feeding, in succession, members 7 for closing the bottles 1;

- a fourth station 8 for closing the upper mouth of the bottles 1 with the closing members 7 and relative advancement of the same bottles 1 in collection areas (external to the machine and which, in some examples, can be seen in the rest of the discussion) .

As illustrated in Figures 8 to 13, each of these stations 3, 5, 6, 8 is pre-assembled inside a module or casing A, B, C, D of predetermined dimensions and can be associated, the module, to the relative module or casing A, B, C, D following, previous or side by side, with respect to the development direction S.

In particular, but not limitedly, each station 3, 5, 6, 8 is pre-assembled, in its basic composition, inside a relative module or base casing A, B, C, D of predetermined dimensions.

Going into more detail, the aforementioned modules or base casings can be of at least two types B, C with different perimeter dimensions in order to obtain a machine configuration that is already usable and the example of which is visible in figure 14.

The complete typology of modules or base casings includes four typologies A, B, C, D (see figures 1 to 4):

- a first and a second modules A and B have at least an equal size or overall dimensions in width L, referred to the development direction S;

- a third and a fourth module C and D also having, between them, at least an equal size or bulk in width L1 always referred to the development direction S.

Obviously in the attached figures, modules A, B, C, D are shown in the basic overall dimensions in plan (to better understand the object of the invention), but are equipped with vertical walls in order to define closed or partially closed compartments.

Add to this that, to obtain a machine for making bottles, there are U1, U2, U3 closure units (of known type and with standardized dimensions, visible in figures 5, 6 and 7) designed to define a controlled environment along the entire length of the stations 3, 5, 6, 8, also thanks to the presence of depression members (not shown here).

Given the need for these units, the aforementioned modules or casings A, B, C, D have, individually or side by side, perimeter dimensions that coincide with the perimeter dimensions of the closing units U1, U2, U3, individually or side by side, so as to define, in reciprocal coupling, single or multiple modules in a controlled environment.

Examples of correspondence between modules and units can be seen in the machine examples of figures 14 and 15.

To obtain a non-limiting optimization of the invention of the pre-assembly of a machine with sufficient operating elements, it can be noted that:

- the aforementioned first station 3 for feeding bottles 1 can be pre-assembled in the first module A (Figure 8);

- in a second module B the second station 5 for filling the bottles 1 with predetermined product doses can be pre-assembled (Figure 9); or alternatively,

- the first station 3 for feeding bottles 1 and the second station 5 for filling bottles 1 can be pre-assembled in a second module B (example of Figure 14);

- the fourth station 8 for closing the bottles 1 can be pre-assembled in a second module B (see figure 12).

- in a third module C the third station 6 for feeding the closing elements 7 can be pre-assembled (see figure 10), or, alternatively, - in a fourth module D the third station 6 for feeding the elements is always pre-assembled 7 for closing, provided with a pre-feeding unit 6a for the closing members 7 (see Figure 12).

To confirm the validity of the solution with pre-assembled modules, these machines can be fitted with a fifth station 19 for capping the closed bottles 1 (also of a known type), and usually arranged downstream of the aforementioned fourth closing station 8, with respect to the development direction S

If the presence of this fifth station 19 is necessary, the same station can already be pre-assembled in a second module B (see figure 13), or in a first module A as shown in figure 18.

Naturally, the aforementioned stations 3, 5, 6, 8 and also the spinning station 19 are not illustrated in detail in the accompanying drawings, as they are of a type widely known in the sector and therefore the various parts of each station are schematized in basic groups. .

The first cap feeding station 3 is schematised with two feeding carousels 3a, 3b.

The second filling station 5 is schematised with pump units 5a (in a discontinuous line in Figure 9) and injection members 5b.

In the examples of machines in figures 14 to 18, the pumps and injection organs are shown, by way of example only, in different numbers to clarify that the necessary quantity of these equipment can be inserted inside the second module B. filling According to the decided productivity of the machine.

The third station 6 for feeding the closing members 7 with a hopper 6b and the optional pre-feeding unit 6a.

The fourth station 8 for closing the bottles is schematized with four feeding - capping - output carousels 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d.

The fifth spinning station 19 is schematized with three carousels 19a, 19b, 19c and an edging member 19d.

To confirm the validity of the solution described up to now, from figure 14 to figure 18, five types of machines 2 that can be assembled modularly thanks to the structures described above are illustrated.

For assembly, of course, modules A, B, C, D must provide areas or openings for connection between the outside or between module and module to allow the housing of accessory elements suitable for connecting the various stations. One of the advantages of this modularity is also given by the fact that the position of some openings on modules of the same type can be used for different accessory elements.

For example, the first module A has a first through opening 9, on its own wall, engaged by moving-feeding members 10 of the bottles 1, such as a conveyor or even an auger for high operating speeds (see figures 14, 16, 17 and 18).

In turn, the second module B can have a first opening 11, on its own wall, coinciding with a second opening 12 of the first module A, arranged alongside the second module B in figures 15 to 18, and engaged by the aforementioned conveyor 4 handling and passage of the bottles 1.

The first opening 11 of a further second module B can also be connected to a second opening 13 of a similar second module B, side by side, in which the aforementioned second station 5 for filling the bottles 1 is pre-assembled.

These two openings 11 and 13 can be engaged by means 15 for feeding - moving the bottles 1 to allow their passage, when filled, towards the fourth closing station 8 (see Figures 14 to 18).

The aforementioned second opening 13 of the second module B with the fourth closing station 8 assembled can be used for housing means 16 for transporting or collecting the bottles 1 already closed, as can be seen in the configuration of figures 15 and 17.

In the configurations illustrated in figures 14, 15, 17 and 18, the third module C provided with the third station 6 for feeding the closing members 7 is arranged alongside a second module B provided with the fourth closing station 8 and are provided with a relative connection opening 17 engaged by feeding members 18 - movement of the closing members 7.

Similarly, see figure 16, if the aforementioned fourth module D is present (with pre-feeding of the closing members 7), this latter is also arranged alongside the second module B with a fourth closure station 8 and both of the aforementioned opening 17 of link. Figure 18 illustrates a machine 2 in cut there is the fifth station 19 for capping the closed bottles 1, which is arranged downstream of the fourth closure station 8, with respect to the development direction S. In this case, a first module A is added with a fifth capping station 19 flanked to a second module B and relatively connected through a relative opening 9 of the first module A and a cited second opening 13 of the second module B. Openings 13 and 9 engaged by feeding parts 21 - handling of the bottles 1.

By detailing the configurations illustrated, in the case illustrated in figure 14, the machine solution (which we would define as the "short" type) is composed of two second modules B placed side by side and a lateral module C for the third station 6 for feeding the closing members 7 .

In this case, both the first station 3 for feeding bottles 1 and the second filling station 5 are pre-assembled in one of the second modules B. The two second module B has a first and a second opening 11, 13 engaged by feeding members 14 - movement of the bottles 1 in the direction of the fourth station 8 for closing the bottles 1.

To this machine 2, for example, a unit 100 for controlling the weight of the statistical type of the bottles 1 has been added.

The three modules (two of type B and one of type C) are completed by the locking units, in particular by two U1 units, one U2 unit and one U3 unit. Figure 15 illustrates a second machine solution 2 consisting of a first module A, two second modules B and a third module C and to which is also added a unit 101 for continuous control of the weight of the bottles 1 and an output belt 102 of the bottles 1 made.

Figure 16 illustrates a third machine solution 2 comprising a first module A, two second modules B and a fourth module D and to which a statistical control unit 100 for the weight of the bottles 1 is also applied. Figure 17 illustrates a fourth machine solution 2 comprising a first module A, two second modules B, a third module D and a further first module A for the addition of a unit 103 for unloading the finished bottles 1 into boxes 104.

Also in this solution a unit 101 for continuous control of the weight of the bottles 1 is applied.

Figure 18 illustrates a fifth machine solution 2 comprising a first module A, two second modules B, a third module D, a further first module A combined with a further third module D for the addition of the fifth station 19 for the capping of the bottles 1 and a belt unit 102 for the output of bottles 1.

Also in this solution a unit 101 for continuous control of the weight of the bottles 1 is applied.

A machine for the production of bottles thus structured, therefore, fully achieves the preset purposes, thanks to the possibility of pre-assembling the stations in modules already predetermined dimensionally.

The modularization of the stations allows a standardization of the assembly procedures of the stations themselves and a quicker and simpler combination of solutions requested by customers who are supplied with a few simple and separate connection accessories.

The modules are designed to combine precisely with the covering units for the definition of the sterile environment without dimensional adjustments during assembly and have similar dimensions to each other in order to compact and make the overall dimensions of the assembled machine linear. The invention thus conceived is susceptible of evident industrial application; it can also be subject to numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the inventive concept; all the details can also be replaced by technically equivalent elements.

Claims (19)

CLAIMS 1. Machine for the production of bottles, in particular for the filling of bottles (1) with doses of liquid or powder product and their relative closure; machine (2) comprising at least along a development direction (S): - a first station (3) for feeding, in succession, said bottles (1) empty, and open at one end or mouth, towards a conveyor (4) suitable for arranging said bottles (1) in correspondence with; - a second station (5) for filling said bottles (1) with predetermined doses of product; - a third station (6) for feeding, in succession, members (7) for closing said bottles (1); - a fourth station (8) for closing said bottles (1), that is, of the relative mouth, with said closing members (7) and relative advancement of said bottles (1) in the collection areas, said machine (2) being characterized by the fact that each said station (3, 5, 6, 8) is pre-assembled inside a module or casing (A, B, C, D) of predetermined and associable dimensions, said module (A, B, C , D), to the relative module or casing (A, B, C, D) following, previous or side by side, with respect to said development direction (S). 2. Machine according to claim 1, characterized in that each said station (3, 5, 6, 8) is pre-assembled, in its basic composition, inside a relative module or casing (A, B, C, D) base of predetermined dimensions. 3. Machine according to claim 1, characterized in that said base modules or casings are of at least two types (B, C) with different perimeter dimensions. 4. Machine according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that said modules or base casings are of at least four types (A, B, C, D) of which a first and a second module (A, B) presenting at least one equal dimension or overall dimensions in width (L), referred to said development direction (S); and a third and fourth module (C, D) also having, between them, at least an equal size or overall dimensions in width (L1) referred to said direction (S) of development. 5. Machine according to claims 1 and 2, in which there are closing units (U1, U2, U3) suitable for defining a controlled working environment along the entire length of said stations (3, 5, 6, 8), characterized from the fact that said modules (A, B, C, D) or casings have, individually or side by side, perimeter dimensions coinciding with the perimeter dimensions of said closing units (U1, U2, U3), individually or side by side, so as to define, in reciprocal coupling, single or multiple modules in a controlled environment. 6. Machine according to claim 1, characterized in that said first station (3) for feeding said bottles (1) is pre-assembled in said first module (A). 7. Machine according to claim 7, characterized in that said first module (A) has a first through opening (9), on its own wall, engaged by means (10) for moving - feeding said bottles (1). 8. Machine according to claim 1, characterized in that said second station (5) for filling said bottles (1) with predetermined product doses is pre-assembled in said second module (B). 9. Machine according to claim 8, characterized in that said second module (B) has a first opening (11), on its own wall, coinciding with a second opening (12) of a first module (A), arranged side by side. said second module (B), and engaged by a conveyor (4) for handling and passage of said bottles (1) 10. Machine according to claim 1, characterized in that said first station (3) for feeding bottles (1) and said second filling station (5) are pre-assembled in said second module (B); said second module (B) having a second opening (13) engaged by feeding-moving members (14) of said bottles (1) in the direction of said fourth station (8) for closing said bottles (1). 11. Machine according to claim 1, characterized in that said fourth station (8) for closing said bottles (1) is pre-assembled in said second module (B). 12. Machine according to claim 11, characterized in that said second module (B) has a first opening (11) for connection with a second opening (13) of a similar said second module (B), side by side, and in which pre-assembled a second station (5) for filling bottles (1); said first (11) and second (13) being engaged by means (15) for feeding - moving bottles (1) and able to allow the passage of said filled bottles (1) towards said fourth closing station (8). 13. Machine according to claim 12, characterized in that said second module (B) has at least a second opening (13), opposite to said first opening (11), with respect to a development direction (S), engaged by means ( 16) for the transport or collection of said closed bottles (1). 14. Machine according to claim 1, characterized in that in said third module (C) said third station (6) for feeding closing members (7) which can be placed side by side with said second module (B) is pre-assembled a said fourth station (8) for closing said bottles (1) is pre-assembled. 15. Machine according to claim 14, characterized in that between said third module (C) and said second module (B) there is a connection opening (17) engaged by feeding-moving members (18) of said members (7 ) closing. 16. Machine according to claim 1, characterized in that in said fourth module (D) a said third station (6) for feeding said closing members (7) provided with a pre-feeding unit (6a) is pre-assembled of the same closing organs (7). 17. Machine according to claim 1, in which there is a fifth station (19) for capping said closed bottles (1), arranged downstream of said fourth closing station (8), with respect to said development direction (S) , characterized in that said fifth capping station (19) is pre-assembled in said first module (A). 18. Machine according to claim 17, characterized in that said first module (A) is arranged side by side, i.e. downstream, of a second module (B) in which said fourth station (8) for closing said bottles ( 1); said first (A) and second (B) module being connected to each other by means of a relative opening (9, 13) engaged by means (21) for feeding - moving said bottles (1). 19. Machine according to claim 1, wherein there is present a fifth capping station (19) for said closed bottles (1), arranged next to said fourth closing station (8), with respect to said development direction (S) , characterized in that said fifth capping station (19) is pre-assembled in said second module (B).