ITUD20120222A1 - EQUIPMENT AND METHOD FOR TRANSPORTING TRAYS FOR CONTAINERS - Google Patents

Description

"EQUIPMENT AND METHOD FOR TRANSPORTING CONTAINER LIDS"

FIELD OF APPLICATION

The present invention relates to an apparatus, and to a related method, for transporting lids for containers such as baby bottles, feeding bottles, drinking troughs, or other containers, or containers. In particular, the equipment finds application, even if not exclusively in containers and lids treatment machines, such as a washing, drying, sterilization machine.

STATE OF THE TECHNIQUE

There are known machines used for washing containers for liquids, for example but not limited to, for baby bottles, feeding bottles, drinking troughs or other containers, which can be used for the nutrition of animals such as, for example, guinea pigs or laboratory rodents or others.

It is known that the containers are, before washing, closed by means of suitable lids, or capsules, which lids are shaped with a beak to allow the animal to take the liquid contained in the container, and that they must be supplied, at the end of the wash, closed again and filled with other feed liquid.

It is known to provide machines for washing containers, which comprise a plurality of operating stations arranged in line with each other. The aforesaid machines may comprise a station for loading the closed containers, a station for removing the lids from the containers or uncovering, a washing station, a filling station and a re-closing station for the containers washed and filled, by means of the aforementioned lids. In known machines, the transfer of containers or lids between the operating stations can take place manually or automatically.

In the latter case it can be envisaged that the transfer of the lids or containers is used for transfer means such as conveyor belts, picking equipment, transport equipment or the like.

In the context of the machines under discussion, the international applications WO-A-2010/125168, WO-A-2010/140042, WO-A-2010/140043, WO-A-201 1/045256, WO are known -A-2011/138661 and WO-A-201 1/158085 in the name of the Applicant.

In particular, the international application WO-A-2010/140048 in the name of the Applicant is also known, which describes a machine for the treatment of containers of liquids which provides for automatic handling operations of the containers and lids.

This known machine comprises a loading station for the containers to be treated, an uncoupling station in which the lids are removed from each of the containers, a washing station for washing the containers without lids and a re-closing station in which the washed containers are closed with the relative lids. In particular, once the lids have been washed, they are transferred by means of transfer means to a pick-up area, in which there is a multiple pick-up device which picks them up in organized groups for subsequent reclosing operations.

For this purpose, it is desirable that there be a precise reciprocal positioning between individual picking heads of the multiple picking device and each of the lids of a specific organized group of lids to be picked up.

An object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for transporting lids which allows a precise positioning of the lids of the organized groups of lids to be picked up and which, therefore, reduces or avoids interference conditions during handling operations from a operating station to another of a container treatment machine. A further object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for transporting lids which is simple and economical. A further object of the present invention is to provide a transport method which is reliable, repeatable and effective.

In order to obviate the drawbacks of the known art and to obtain these and further objects and advantages, the Applicant has studied, tested and implemented the present invention.

EXPOSURE OF THE FOUND

The present invention is expressed and characterized in the independent claims. The dependent claims disclose other characteristics of the present invention or variants of the main solution idea.

According to embodiments of the present invention, an apparatus for transporting lids for containers is provided for transporting lids from a lid supply unit to a pick-up area and to a subsequent operating station.

The equipment includes a pick-up area configured to receive lids from the supply unit and a multiple pick-up device equipped with a plurality of pick-up heads for simultaneously picking up an organized group of lids and configured to be movable above the supply unit, between a position in the picking area and a position at the next operating station.

According to embodiments, the apparatus further comprises:

- a multiple positioning device provided with a plurality of housing seats for each individually housing one of the lids of the aforesaid organized group of lids; each of the housing seats is configured to be vertically aligned with a corresponding one of the gripping heads in the position in the pick-up area, and

- a displacement device configured to move the organized group of lids from the pick-up area towards the multiple positioning device and insert them into the housing seats.

In this way it is possible to obtain a precise and repetitive positioning of the aforementioned lids so as to make them always available in the same position for subsequent picking by the gripping heads.

With the present invention, therefore, problems of interference between parts of the gripping heads and the lids themselves are avoided, and therefore damage or manual interventions by an operator to re-establish the correct operating conditions of the treatment machine are avoided.

Embodiments also relate to a station for reclosing containers by means of lids which comprises the apparatus for transporting lids for containers expressed above.

Embodiments also relate to a machine for the treatment of containers and lids which comprises the aforementioned reclosing station.

The present invention also relates to a method for transporting lids for containers comprising transporting lids from a lid supply unit to a subsequent operating station. In particular, the transport involves the simultaneous picking of an organized group of lids, aligned along a direction of advancement defined by the supply unit, by a plurality of picking heads in one position in a picking area and delivery of said organized group of covers in one position at the next operating station.

Embodiments provide for the simultaneous displacement of the organized group of lids or sequentially of each of the lids of the organized group of lids from the withdrawal area into housing seats of a multiple positioning device, so as to be aligned along a direction parallel to the direction feed, is aligned with the gripping heads. Typically, the displacement of the lids from the pick-up area can take place laterally, that is, along a direction of transverse displacement, with respect to said direction of advancement.

In particular, housing seats for a multiple positioning device can be provided which can receive the lids which are moved and can be aligned horizontally along a direction parallel to a direction along which the gripping heads are arranged in the position in the pick-up area. . Furthermore, each of the housing seats can be vertically aligned with a corresponding gripping head in the position in the pick-up area.

Embodiments also relate to a method for reclosing containers by means of lids which comprises the method for transporting containers described above.

Furthermore, embodiments also relate to a method for treating containers and lids which comprises the method for reclosing containers by means of lids expressed above.

ILLUSTRATION OF DRAWINGS

These and other characteristics of the present invention will become clear from the following description of embodiments, provided by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the attached drawings in which:

- fig. 1 is a schematic representation of an apparatus for transporting lids for containers according to an embodiment of the present invention;

- fig. 2 is a schematic representation of a transport apparatus according to the present invention associated with a treatment machine;

- fig. 3 is a perspective view of a portion of the apparatus according to the present invention, in a first operating condition;

- fig. 4 is a plan view of a detail of the apparatus according to the present invention;

- fig. 5 is a perspective view of a part of the apparatus of fig. 3 in a second operating condition thereof;

- fig. 6 is a perspective view of a part of the apparatus of fig. 3 in its third operational condition.

To facilitate understanding, identical reference numbers have been used wherever possible to identify identical common elements in the figures.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

With reference to the attached figures, embodiments are described of a transport apparatus 10 according to the present invention, which can be used for the transport of lids 13 from a supply unit 16 of lids 13 to a additional operational station.

The supply unit 16 is configured to define a direction of advancement D of the covers 13, which is typically a linear or in any case longitudinal direction.

For example, an operating station can be a reclosing station 40 (fig. 2) configured to close containers 12 with lids 13 at the top, typically after both have been washed and dried, with the provision that, generally , the containers 12 are furthermore also filled, for example with food liquid.

The reclosing station 40 can be part of a machine 11 for treating, washing and filling containers 12 and relative lids 13. This machine 11 generally receives the dirty containers 12 capped with lids 13. The containers 12 are uncorked and washed. , drying and filling, while the lids 13, once separated from the containers 12, are also washed and dried, to then be used again to close, or recap, the cleaned and filled containers.

Typically the containers 12, for example during the treatment cycle along the machine 11, are contained in baskets 41 inside which there is a plurality of specific individual housings in which the containers 12 are arranged according to a desired positioning scheme at â € œnâ € rows and â € œmâ € columns. For example, both the â € œnâ € œ value and the â € œmâ € value can be an integer greater than or equal to two. For example, a diagram for positioning the containers 12 in a basket 41 can be of three rows by six columns, abbreviated 3x6, as shown for example in fig. 2, or 3x5, or 3x4, or even 4x6, or 4x5 or other positioning schemes.

The containers 12 under discussion may be for example baby bottles or the like, for the nutrition of small animals, such as guinea pigs, mice, hamsters and others, for example used in pharmaceutical research laboratories. The lids 13 are generally all of the same shape and size.

In embodiments, the apparatus 10 can be configured to move at least one lid 13 from a pickup area 14, which can be fed by the supply unit 16 by receiving the lids 13 along the aforementioned direction of advancement D, towards a delivery area 15 at the reclosing station 40.

Fig. 2 is used to describe a plurality of embodiments, all combinable with embodiments described here, in which the apparatus 10 is configured to handle a plurality of lids 13 at a time, in this case three lids 13. In particular, the apparatus 10 can comprise a mobile multiple pick-up device 29, which includes a plurality of pick-up heads 30. The multiple pick-up device 29 is configured to pick up an organized group of lids 13 at a time and make it available to the delivery area 15.

The gripping heads 30 can be connected to, incorporated or integrated with, or comprise, mechanical holding devices, suction devices operating at sub-atmospheric pressure, suction cup devices, magnetic holding devices, or similar devices having a holding function. and subsequent selective release of the lids 13 during handling.

In embodiments, it can be envisaged that the multiple withdrawal device 29 is also configured for reclosing the containers 12 by means of the lids 13.

In possible implementations, the gripping heads 30 can be configured according to a pattern that repeats a part, for example a column formed by â € œnâ € housing, of the housing layout of the aforementioned baskets 41.

The gripping heads 30 are configured to pick up and hold, essentially simultaneously, an organized group of lids 13 supplied by the supply unit 16.

In embodiments, the multiple pick-up device 29 can comprise a positioning carriage 42 mounted cantilevered and sliding transversely, in this case perpendicularly as indicated by the arrow F, with respect to the direction of advancement D defined by the supply unit 16, which it can typically be linear. Typically, the aforementioned gripping heads 30 are installed on the positioning carriage 42, facing downwards, to pick up the lids 13, advantageously in ordered groups, and arrange them to close the containers 12. The positioning carriage 42 thus moves the gripping heads 30 in a transverse direction, in this case perpendicular, to a processing direction X of the baskets 41 along the washing machine 11.

The gripping heads 30 are arranged together according to the positioning scheme and the distances at which the containers 12 in the basket 41 are arranged and at which the lids 13 are kept.

The gripping heads 30 can be selectively moved along a substantially vertical direction G by means of a relative actuator 43, so as to be able to be lowered and raised to pick up, support and position the lids 13 during the closing phases of the containers 12.

In this case, the positioning carriage 42 is mounted slidingly on a bridge structure 44 by means of relative linear guides 45 transversal, in this case perpendicular, to the machining direction X along the machine. The selective movement of the positioning carriage 42 is carried out by a mechanical actuator 46, in this case with a screw, for example with ball recirculation, directly connected to the positioning carriage 42 itself.

In embodiments, the supply unit 16 can be a loading station designed to feed the lids 13 in organized groups, for example formed by two, three, four or even more than four lids 13, to the pickup area 14 .

In embodiments, the pick-up area 14 is arranged immediately downstream of the supply unit 16 and can comprise, for example, a support surface. In other embodiments, for example those shown in figs.

1-3 and 5, 6, the supply unit 16 is provided with the aforementioned pick-up area 14. In embodiments, the supply unit 16 can comprise, for example, a conveyor belt 17 configured to transfer the lids 13 from a supply station, not shown in the drawings, towards the withdrawal area 14, along the aforementioned direction of advance D. Consequently, the movement, by means of suitable actuators, and the longitudinal development of the conveyor belt 17 can define the cited direction of advance D. In possible implementations, the conveyor belt 17 can be provided with lateral containment walls 38 of the lids 13.

In other embodiments the supply unit 16 can comprise transfer means such as a rotating drum, vibrating drum, or other transfer means suitable for the purpose and suitable for defining the aforementioned direction of advance D.

In embodiments, a multiple positioning device 18 configured to receive and position the organized groups of lids 13 can be interposed between the pick-up area 14 and the delivery area 15.

During the transport operations, the organized group of lids 13 to be transferred to the delivery area 15 are, each time, arranged in a precise manner, in order to be picked up and transported by the multiple picking device 29,

The multiple positioning device 18 (figs. 3 and 4) is provided with a plurality of housing or positioning seats 19, in each of which a cover 13 can be positioned in a controlled manner.

The housing seats 19 are of the same shape and mating with that of the lids 13, so as to accommodate them inside them in a precise manner.

It is believed that the housing seats 19 allow a precise and repetitive positioning of the organized groups of lids 13 and therefore avoid interference conditions that could be generated between the gripping heads 30 and the lids 13 themselves.

Each of the housing seats 19 can have a slightly larger plan dimension, for example at least 1%, optionally at least 2%, or again at least 5%, and up to a maximum of 10%, optionally a maximum of 7%, with respect to the dimension plan view of each of the lids 13.

The housing seats 19 are made in accordance with the positioning scheme of the gripping heads 30 as described above. In this way, when the multiple pick-up device 29 is positioned above the multiple positioning device 18, the housing seats 19 are axially aligned, that is, vertically aligned as seen in fig. 1, with the gripping heads 30. Consequently, the groups of covers 13 which are each time positioned in the housing seats 19 are also vertically aligned with the gripping heads 30. Furthermore, as explained in detail below, the covers 13 positioned with precision in the housing seats 19 are also aligned, typically horizontally, along a direction P parallel to the aforementioned direction of advance D.

In embodiments described using FIGS. 3-6, the multiple positioning device 18 comprises a support platform 20, for example of prismatic shape. The aforementioned housing seats 19 can be provided in this support platform 20, according to the predefined scheme.

As mentioned, the housing seats 19 made in the support platform 20 have dimensions and shape conjugated to the shape and plan dimensions of the lids 13.

Each of the housing seats 19 has a lateral opening 23 (fig. 4) for the insertion of a lid 13. Each opening 23 is made laterally so that the insertion path of the lid 13 from the withdrawal area 14 occurs tangentially, parallel to a common or parallel lying plane between the pick-up area 14 and multiple positioning device 18.

Each opening 23 has a width configured to allow passage through it of one of the covers 13, essentially without interference.

Each of the housing seats 19 is also open at the top, in order to be able to extract the cover 13 therein positioned along the extraction direction G (figs. 1, 2, and 6) transversal, for example perpendicular, to the aforementioned lying plane. common or parallel between the pick-up area 14 and the multiple positioning device 18. As mentioned, this extraction can be carried out by means of the vertically movable gripping heads 30 described above.

In embodiments described with reference to FIG. 4, the housing seats 19 are delimited at the bottom by a bottom wall 22 (fig.

4) and laterally by a lateral abutment wall 21 which has the aforementioned opening 23 through which it is possible to insert a cover 13.

The covers 13 abut against the abutment wall 2 of each housing 19 during use in a stable and precise way.

The bottom wall 22 of each of the housing seats 19 is designed to support the covers 13.

The bottom wall 22 can be arranged, during use, substantially coplanar with the withdrawal area 14 or, in other embodiments, slightly lower than it, for example by a few millimeters.

In embodiments, the aforementioned support platform 20 has an outer perimeter edge 24 which is shaped to define the openings 23 of the housing seats 19. The support platform 20 is arranged, in use, with the openings 23 facing the supply device 16, for example towards the conveyor belt 17.

In possible implementations, each of the housing seats 19 has a shaped portion 39, which for example can laterally delimit each opening 23, and which can facilitate the separation between the lids 13 and re-insertion of the latter in the housing seats 19. In the case of embodiments described using figs. 3, 5 and 6, the multiple positioning device 18 can be arranged side by side to the conveyor belt 17, or parallel to the transport direction of the covers 13 along the direction of advance D. In this way, the housing seats 19 are arranged along the direction P parallel to the feed direction D of the covers 13.

With reference to embodiments described for example using figs. 3, 5 and 6, the apparatus 10 can comprise a displacement device 25, for example by linear translation, designed to move the lids 13 made available near the pick-up area 14 towards the multiple positioning device 18 and along a direction of displacement S. In particular, the displacement device 25 can be configured to simultaneously engage all the lids 13 of an organized group of lids 13 which is supplied, for example at the pick-up area 14, and simultaneously move them towards the multiple positioning 18 causing the insertion of each of the covers 13 in the respective housing seats 19.

The displacement device 25 can be arranged in correspondence with the pick-up area 14 and on the opposite side with respect to that in which the multiple positioning device 18 is present.

In particular, the displacement device 25 is provided for translating the lids 13 from the pick-up area 14 towards the housing seats 19.

During the movement of the lids 13 it can be foreseen that they move remaining in contact at least with the withdrawal area 14 and / or the bottom wall 22 of the housing seats 19. During this operation the lids 13 are inserted through the openings 23 to position themselves stably and abutment against the abutment wall 21 of each housing seat 19. In possible embodiments, the displacement device 25 comprises a thrust element 26 for pushing the covers 13 received in the pick-up area 14 towards the device multiple positioning 18.

In possible embodiments, described for example with reference to figs. 1, 3, 5 and 6, the pushing element 26 is arranged above the transfer surface of the conveyor belt 17. The pushing element 26 has a suitable length to allow the transfer of the covers 13, in detail of an organized group of lids 13.

The thrust element 26 may comprise a fork 27, or similar U-shaped element, the prongs 27a, 27b of which are arranged laterally and substantially parallel to the longitudinal development of the conveyor belt 17 to define a concavity 27c facing the lids 13 from the supply unit 16.

The concavity 27c of the fork 27 has dimensions such as to allow the insertion and containment inside it of the lids 13 to be moved to the multiple positioning device 18, in particular of an organized group of lids 13 at a time.

In still other embodiments, the thrust element 26 may comprise a bar arranged parallel to the conveyor belt 17, a pad, or a similar component with the function of thrusting the lids 13. The displacement device 25 may also comprise a actuator 28 provided to move the aforementioned thrust element 26, and determine the displacement of the covers 13.

The activation of the actuator 28 determines the displacement of the thrust element 26 from the withdrawal area 14, in which it is in its rest condition, towards the multiple positioning device 18 in which it delivers the lids 13.

The actuator 28 can be chosen from a group comprising at least one of a linear actuator, a pneumatic actuator, an electric actuator, a hydraulic actuator, connecting rod-crank mechanisms, or similar means suitable for determining a translation of the thrust element. 26.

The apparatus 10 according to the present invention can also comprise an optical acquisition unit 31 designed to control the movements to which the lids 13 are subjected.

In an embodiment, for example that shown in figs. 3, 5 and 6, the optical acquisition unit 31 comprises at least a first detection device 32. The first detection device 32 is arranged between the supply unit 16 and the collection area 14 and is arranged to control the movement of the lids 13 towards the pick-up area 14.

The first detection device 32 can have the function of countering the number of lids 13 which are, from time to time, transferred to the withdrawal area 14.

The optical acquisition unit 31 can also comprise at least a second detection device 36, in this case two second detection devices 36, configured to detect the presence and possibly the correct positioning or alignment of the covers 13 in the seats housing 19 of the multiple positioning device 18.

Embodiments of the present invention can provide that the first 32 and the second detection device or devices 36 are selected from a group comprising at least one of a camera, a light emitter, a laser emitter, an encoder, a photodiode.

In embodiments, it can be envisaged that the supply unit 16, before the pick-up area 14, is provided with a locking device 33 having the function of selectively blocking the advancement towards the pick-up area 14 of further lids 13 . The locking device 33, in fact, allows the passage of a certain number of lids 13, possibly counted by the first detection device 32, towards the withdrawal area 14. The number of lids 13 that are passed can correspond to the number of housing seats 19 provided in the multiple positioning device 18.

In embodiments it can be provided that the locking device 33 comprises a pin 34 which can be selectively actuated by an actuator 35 which arranges it transversely to the direction of advancement D of the covers 13. In the embodiments of figs. 3, 5 and 6, two locking devices 33 are provided arranged on opposite sides with respect to the transfer belt 17.

In the embodiment of fig. 5 it is also envisaged that the apparatus 10 comprises a delimiting element 37 having the function of delimiting the withdrawal area 14 and therefore the space for containing the lids 13.

The delimiting element 37 is shaped like a plate and is arranged transversely to the direction of advancement D of the lids 13. In this way, the lids 13 advancing from the supply unit 16 towards the collection area 14, at the moment where they meet the delimiting element 37 they are blocked. The delimiting element 37 is arranged in a suitable position to allow the subsequent insertion of the covers 13 into the housing seats 19.

Specifically, the delimiting element 37 is positioned in correspondence with the last opening 23 present on the multiple positioning device 18 evaluated with respect to the direction of advancement of the lids 13.

The operation of the appliance 10 is described below with reference to figs. 1-6.

The lids 13 are made to advance by means of the conveyor belt 17, along a direction of advancement D, and towards the pick-up area 14 which is contained in the conveyor belt 17 itself or possibly separated from it. The first detection device 32 counts the number of lids 13 passing through the pick-up area 14. The locking device 33 is activated, once the predetermined number of lids 13 has been reached, to block the advancement of further lids 13.

The lids 13 advancing in the pick-up area 14, for example due to the thrust effect of the other lids 13, or due to the effect of the same advancing conveyor belt 17, are blocked by the delimiting element 37.

Both the locking device 34 and the delimiting element 37 avoid a direct control on the actuation, ie activation / deactivation, of the conveyor belt 17, which during the picking operations can be made to advance continuously.

The lids 13 are then moved, by means of the displacement device 25, from the pick-up area 14 towards the multiple positioning device 18. During the transfer, the lids 13 are inserted into the housing seats 19 where the pick-up device 29 picks them up. to make them available to the delivery area 15, typically for the purpose of reclosing, or re-capping, the containers 12 once the latter have been washed, dried and filled.

Claims (10)

CLAIMS 1. Equipment for the transport of lids (13) for containers (12) from a supply unit (16) of lids (13) to a subsequent operating station (40), comprising a pick-up area (14) configured for receiving lids (13) from the supply unit (16) and a multiple picking device (29) provided with a plurality of picking heads (30) to simultaneously pick up an organized group of lids (13) and configured to be mobile above the supply unit (16), between a position in the pick-up area (14) and a position at said subsequent operating station (40), characterized by the fact that it includes: - a multiple positioning device (18) provided with a plurality of housing seats (19) to individually house one of said lids (13) of said organized group of lids (13), each of said housing seats (19) being configured to be vertically aligned with a corresponding one of the gripping heads (30) in the position in the pick-up area (14), - a displacement device (25) configured to displace said organized group of covers (13) from said pick-up area (14) towards the multiple positioning device (18) and insert them into said housing seats (19). 2. Apparatus as in claim 1, characterized in that each of said housing seats (19) is open at the top and is provided with a lateral opening (23) for the insertion of a cover (13). 3. Apparatus as in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said pick-up area (14) and said multiple positioning device (18) have a common lying plane. 4. Apparatus as in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said supply unit (16) is configured to feed said lids (13) along a direction of advancement (D) transversal to a direction of displacement (S) of said covers (13) by said displacement device (25). 5. Apparatus as in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said multiple positioning device (18) is placed side by side with said pick-up area (14). 6. Apparatus as in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said supply unit (16) of said lids (13) comprises said pick-up area (14). 7. Apparatus as in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said handling device (25) comprises a thrust element (26) for pushing at least one of said lids (13) from the withdrawal area (14) towards the device multiple positioning (18). 8. Apparatus as in claim 7, characterized in that said thrust element (26) comprises a fork (27) whose concavity (27c) faces the lids (13) coming from said supply unit (16) and It is configured to receive said organized group of lids (13). 9. Apparatus as in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said supply unit (16), before the pick-up area (14), is provided with a locking device (33) for the advancement of said lids (13). 10. Method for transporting lids (13) for - transporting said lids (13) from a supply unit (16) of lids (13) to a subsequent operating station (40), providing at least the simultaneous removal of an organized group of lids (13), aligned along one direction (D) defined by the supply unit (16), by 5 a plurality of picking heads (30) in a position in a picking area (14) and delivery in a position at said subsequent station operational (40), characterized by the fact that it provides: - simultaneously moving the organized group of lids (13) or sequential of each of said lids (13) of said organized group of 10 lids (13) from said pick-up area (14) into housing seats (19) of a multiple positioning (18), so as to be both aligned along a direction (P) parallel to the direction of advancement (D), and aligned with the gripping heads (30), said housing seats (19) being aligned with the gripping heads (30) in the position in the withdrawal area (14).