JPS6331932A - Vessel carrying system - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Abstract] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Industrial Applications and Prior Art Soft drinks such as carbonated soda are now commonly made from PE.
It is packaged in plastic containers known as T-containers and sold at retail to consumers. In addition, other plastic containers are used and developed for beer, salad dressings, and other foods, and for cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and other commercial products.

These plastic containers undergo a number of different operations and/or forming operations within the container, including filling, cleaning, applying and curing a protective coating, labeling, and filling operations.

The present invention is directed to a system for handling plastic containers and moving them through various work steps in a quick and efficient manner.

The system according to the invention includes an infeed conveyor for processing and conveying a single file of newly formed, uncoated plastic containers. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the containers are received by the flight conveyor in an upright position. The transfer conveyor redirects the containers in a generally horizontal direction and moves them in time and spacing to a carrier mechanism on a carrier conveyor.

A carrier conveyor is located adjacent to the transfer conveyor to collect horizontally redirected containers and transport them to successive finishing operations. The carrier conveyor includes an endless conveying member in the form of an endless chain that is suitably mounted and driven. A series of container carrier mechanisms are attached to the carrier chain and move the containers in time and spacing for a third time on the transport manbearer. The carrier mechanism advances to grasp the neck of each container, remove the container from the transport conveyor, and move the container to the next finishing operation. This method of transport allows the entire container under the neck ring to be coated, labeled, printed or otherwise processed. In a typical finishing operation, a moving carrier mechanism positions the container in the coating chamber and rotates the container to provide sufficient rotational movement to coat the container throughout and ensure uniform coverage. Ensure that the liquid is evenly distributed without running or soaking, then move the container to the curing oven. Pending Patent Application No. 686.741 (1984l)
θ, March 31) discloses a method and apparatus for coating and curing plastic containers.

The problem that the invention seeks to solve is that, in the case where one or more carrier mechanisms or containers are not received, one configuration would be to remove such a difficult part that would not be engaged in subsequent finishing operations such as coating. Orient the mechanism along the path. This is because a mechanism without a container will contaminate the gripping head if coated.

Means for Solving the Problems It is an object of the present invention to provide a container, in particular a plastic container, with a protective coating on the outside of the container, after which the coating is cured, so that the container can be used for storing soda, ketchup, etc. It is an object of the present invention to provide a container handling system that moves eight containers through successive container or filling operations in order to prepare them for receiving consumable products.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel mechanism for receiving, holding, rotating, and rotating containers as they pass through successive finishing operations.

Yet another object of the present invention is to configure the carrier mechanism so that the mechanism that does not receive a container passes through a different path than the one that receives the container.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a transport mechanism that grips the neck of each container, thereby leaving the entire exterior surface of the container open for operations such as protective coating, inspection labeling, and printing. It's about doing.

Still other objects of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from understanding the design attached hereto or by practicing the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to FIG. 1, a container conveying system 1o includes an infeed conveyor 12 for moving flat-sided containers 14 through a directional chute 16 in which the containers are conveyed substantially along their flat-sided surfaces 18. Orient parallel to the direction of. For other containers with cylindrical bodies:
A chute of the type shown in FIG. 8 is used to feed the transport conveyor. This is useful enough to send containers in single file. The conveyor 20 (FIG. 1) includes sidewall members 2 evenly spaced along the conveying surface.
Between the next flight conveyors formed by 6, a retraction conveyor 22 is included for receiving the individual conveyors in place. The transport conveyor also includes a text section support conveyor 28. The body support container is flighted and has an upright split member 30 for supporting and positioning the container after it has been redirected from a vertical position to a horizontal position.

Usually each flight consists of spaced apart segments 3
0 and an intermediate smooth member 32, on which the container is placed in a horizontal position. The shape and construction of these flight conveyor members is compatible with the shape of the containers depicted in FIGS. 1-5. It should be understood that the shape of the flight section of the transfer conveyor can be modified as necessary to accommodate containers of different shapes, including cylindrical containers as illustrated in FIG. It is.

The transport conveyor also includes a container neck support and positioning conveyor 34. The conveyor 34 includes a series of cradle 36 having an airfoil cradle member 38 for engaging and supporting the neck of each container. Neck cradle 38 is centrally aligned with body support segment 32 and cooperates therewith to provide proper support and proper positioning of each container on the transport conveyor. See especially FIGS. 4 and 5.

As best seen in Figures 2 and 3, the pull conveyor, transfer conveyor and neck conveyor segment 2
4.26.30.32, and 36 are each 8 in the direction of conveyance by means of suitable brackets 40 fixing them to spaced chain conveyors 42.
It is attached for the purpose of commanding. The conveyor chain is conveyed over a sprocket 44 attached to a suitable drive@46 in a known manner.

As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the conveyor also includes a neck-engaging guide 48 for guiding each of the eight containers from a vertical position to a horizontal position, thereby is efficiently transported laterally from its inlet conveyor member to the body support conveyor and the neck support conveyor. Of course, each segment of the conveyor
It should be understood that, as best shown in the Figures and FIG.

Container transport conveyor 50 includes a conveyor 52 that moves in time with the transport conveyor and includes support rails 54 and retaining rails 56 for supporting container carrier mechanism 49 at spaced apart ends thereof. The container carrier mechanisms are cantilevered along runner rails 62, 64, respectively above outer chains 66 and
It includes a carrier chain of double links 60 (FIG. 6) located below the runner surface of the inner chain 66.

A pin member 70 is secured to the chain and extends substantially the entire length of carrier mechanism 49. The carrier pins and chains are oriented to hold the container in a horizontal position while they are moved during operation of the container. The outer housing 72 is mounted for axial sliding and coaxial rotation relative to a fixed pin. Outer housing 72 and inner housing 74 are attached to internal pins by sliding bearings.

The sliding bearing is not shown and allows telescopic sliding of the carrier mechanism relative to the internal pin. Preferably, the carrier housing inner portion 74 engages the pin for this sliding movement only when the outer housing 72 is rotated by the rotatable mount 76 relative to the pin and inner housing. The internal spring 78, which is held by a collar 80 secured to the pin 72, is urged into the extended position, as shown in the right-hand view of FIG. The cam follower 82 forms part of the carrier housing and has the effect of stretching the carrier member on the right side of FIG. 6 against an internal compression spring when the cam follower rides on the cam surface 84.

This configuration configures the carrier mechanism for rotational movement about the axis of the carrier spindle on the stationary inner sleeve. Additionally, the carrier mechanism is axially movable along the internal pins due to its attachment to the inner sleeve through the wheel members.

The container carrier mechanism includes suitable members for gripping and holding each container by its neck 14a.

The gripping member is an open-ended collet 88 and the outer housing 7
It is preferable that it is recessed at the end of 2. Colette 88 (
Figure 7) is generally cylindrical in shape and has a cylindrical wall divided into several segments 90 and divided into three by a slit 92 extending from the open end of the collar to the midpoint of the cylindrical wall. Preferably, it is divided. The three segments cooperate to "grasp" the neck of the container and provide support for the container. The inner contour 94 of the collet engages the outer contour 96 of the container neck 14a. A suitable resilient collet member 98 surrounds the collar and urges the segments into the operable neck engagement position.

The operation of the carrier member is shown in FIG. 6, in which the conveying chain is supported by upper (62) and lower (64) cantilever rails. It should be understood that the pins are mounted at intervals on a continuous and endless carrier chain with parallel chain extensions. Internal support pins 70 are mounted through the hub of each chain link and extend inwardly for substantially the entire length of the outer carrier housing. The free end of the carrier member is supported by a support rail by sliding or rolling friction. To load the container, the carrier mechanism engages the cam surface 84 and extends the carrier housing axially against the force of the internal spring. The carrier head and bottle move in time,
When aligned with each other, the gripping heads engage to secure the respective containers, as shown on the left side of FIG. It has been observed that the engagement of the carrier collet 88 with the container shoulder 14G is sufficient to maintain the chuck in the extended position;
As a result, it is possible to successfully overcome the gap 100 between cam members 84 and 85, as best seen in FIG. If desired, a hold-down belt of the type used in connection with the embodiment of FIG. 8 can be used to hold the container. As mentioned above, a carrier member that is not engaged with a container does not have this retaining engagement and therefore
The carrier mechanism passes through the cam gap to its internal spring 78.
is retracted by the force of the sprayer and follows a separate path behind the slotted spray machine wall to prevent the gripping head 86 from spraying and contaminating the collet 88.

FIG. 8 shows a modified embodiment of the invention for handling cylindrical containers 14. FIG. Generally, the transfer conveyor 110 includes endless chain members 112 spaced apart and driven in a suitable manner to convey successive V-blocks 114 that receive containers from an over-rad feeder chute 116. Each V-block has a base portion 118 and an upwardly open container 12 having sloped and intersecting V-shaped side walls 122.
0 and receives and supports a cylindrical container as shown. The front face 124 of each block has a notch 126
and receives the neck of each container behind the neck ring 14c. The neck ring serves as a reference surface for aligning the carrier mechanism. Notsuchi neck ring 1
4c and the container shoulder 14d to restrain the container against 8 motion along the longitudinal axis of the container while the container lies within the block. As shown in FIG. 8, the carrier mechanism moves toward the bottle, grips the bottle by its neck, and transports it to the next container operation.

Infinite overhead belt 12 driven at line speed
8 engages with the container, and after the engagement, the carrier mechanism 49 prevents the container from coming out of the block. This stopping action is particularly necessary when the carrier mechanism attempts to cross the cam gap 100.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications to the container transport system may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a cutaway elevation view showing the infeed conveyor, transfer conveyor and carrier mechanism conveyor; FIG. 2 is a container being redirected from a vertical position to a horizontal position and loading the container into the carrier mechanism; 3 is an end view illustrating the movement and support of the container as it moves from vertical to horizontal; FIG. 5 is an elevational view corresponding to FIG. 4; FIG. 6 is a side view of a flight conveyor supporting containers in a horizontal position; FIG.
FIG. 7 is an elevation view of the carrier mechanism as the carrier engages containers on the transport conveyor; FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the carrier gripping head used to grip containers for eight shifts by the carrier conveyor; The figure is a sketch of a modified embodiment illustrating the feeding of cylindrical containers to a transport conveyor and collection by a carrier conveyor. lO... Container conveyance system, 12... Feeding conveyor, 14... Flat side container, 14a... Container neck, 14c... Ring neck, 14d... Shoulder, 14
g...Shoulder part, 16...Direction chute, 18...Side wall, 20...8 feed conveyor, 22...Retraction conveyor, 24...Infinite flight conveyor belt, 26...Side wall member , 28... Main body support conveyor, 30... Upright dividing member, 32... Intermediate smooth member, 34... Support and positioning conveyor, 36... Support cradle, 38
...Airfoil cradle member, 40...Bracket, 4
2... Chain conveyor, 44... Sprocket,
46... Drive shaft, 48... Neck engagement guide, 49...
... Container carrier mechanism, 50... Container conveyor,
52... Conveyor, 54... Support part, 56... Holding part, 58... Carrier chain, 60... Double link, 62... Runner rail, 64... Runner rail, 66... - Outer chain, 68... Inner chain, 70... Internal support bin, 72... Outer housing, 74... Inner housing, 76... Mount, 7
8... Internal spring, 80... Collar, 82... Follower, 84... Cam surface, 86... Member, 88...
Open end collet, 90... Segment, 92... Slit, 94... Inner contour, 96... Outer contour, 98
... Elastic collet, 100... Gap, 110...
Transfer container, 112... upwardly opened container, 14
...■ Block, 116... Overhead feeder chute, 11B... Foundation part, 120... Upward opening ν and container, 124... Front, 128... Infinite overhead belt. r'-

Claims (10)

[Claims] (1) a transport conveyor for receiving and holding containers in a substantially horizontal position; a transport conveyor having a plurality of container receiving segments for receiving and supporting containers with container necks oriented in a common direction; a transport conveyor having means for engaging and supporting the necks of individual containers and restraining the containers against axial movement; a carrier conveyor having a plurality of carrier members mounted thereon; a reach of the carrier members; said carrier member being mounted for axial movement to expand the carrier member; extending the carrier member to grip individual containers by their necks, whereby the containers are removed from the conveyor and one or more containers are removed from the conveyor; A container transport device for a container having a neck, a body and a longitudinal axis, comprising: means for transporting the container to a container operation as defined above. (2) a retraction conveyor for vertically receiving containers from a supply means; a body support conveyor; a neck support conveyor; said body support conveyor and neck support conveyor cooperating to orient the containers substantially horizontally; and containers. 2. The container conveying device according to claim 1, further comprising means for guiding the container from a vertical direction to a horizontal direction. (3) The container conveying device according to claim 2, wherein the guide means moves the container laterally from the drawing conveyor when redirecting the container. (4) The container conveying device according to claim 1, wherein the container receiving segment cooperates with the neck portion of the container to prevent the bottle from moving in the axial direction. (5) The container conveying device according to claim 4, wherein the container receiving segment has a container for receiving the container and a notched front wall for restraining movement of the container. (6) In a container conveying device for containers having a neck, a body, a longitudinal axis and a neck ring, means for feeding the containers; a conveyor for receiving and supporting the containers in a substantially horizontal position; a conveyor having a plurality of container receiving segments for receiving and supporting containers having container necks oriented in the direction of; means for engaging and supporting the necks of each container and at least one axially a transport conveyor having means for restraining movement of the containers; means for engaging the side walls of the containers and retaining them in segments; a transport conveyor having a plurality of carrier members mounted thereon; and a reach of the carrier members. a carrier member mounted for axial sliding movement to extend the carrier member; means for extending the carrier member and individually gripping the neck of each container; a path whereby the carrier and the conveyor are separated; 1. A container conveying device, characterized in that when the container is followed, the container is removed from the conveyor and conveyed to the next container operation. (7) The container receiving segment has a V-shaped container for receiving a cylindrical container.
Container conveyance device as described in section. (8) The container receiving segment has a notched side wall and engages a front wall notch to receive the container between the neck ring and the container shoulder. The container conveyance device described. 9. A container conveying apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the side wall engaging means comprises overhead endless belt means moving at the speed of the conveyor and engaging the side walls of the containers. (10) The container conveyance device according to claim 1 or 6, wherein the conveyor and the carrier conveyor move at the same time and interval.