WO1997018154A1

WO1997018154A1 - Rotary distributor rotating apparatus for the handling of objects, in particular containers, with a revolving joint for the transport of fluid between a support assembly and a rotating assembly

Info

Publication number: WO1997018154A1
Application number: PCT/EP1996/004976
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hans Werner Hees; Michael Schmidt
Original assignee: Hans Werner Hees
Priority date: 1995-11-14
Filing date: 1996-11-13
Publication date: 1997-05-22
Also published as: AU7624196A; EP0861205A1; CA2235732A1; DE19681039D2; ES2144272T3; EP0861205B1

Abstract

The invention relates to rotating apparatus (1) for the handling of objects, in particular containers (20), for example for the filling of said containers. The rotating apparatus comprises a support assembly (10) and a rotating assembly (14) driven by a rotary drive and rotatable in relation to the support assembly (10). The invention proposes that on the rotating assembly there is provided at least one discharge opening (46) for discharge of the fluid for cleaning a covering wall (22) stationary while the rotating assembly is turning, and optionally other fixed components (30). The at least one discharge opening (46) is connected to a fixed cleaning fluid supply by way of a revolving joint (42). The invention proposes that the revolving joint comprises a revolving joint support fixed or fixable to the support assembly to prevent rotation, and a revolving joint rotating unit connected or connectable to the rotating assembly (14) for rotation together. Said two rotating joint components are rotatably mounted on each other by axially directed sliding surfaces.

Description

Rotary distributor rotary device for the treatment of objects, in particular containers, with a rotary connection for the fluid transport between a stator assembly and a rotor assembly

description

The present invention relates to a rotary device 0 for treating objects, in particular containers such as bottles, in particular for cleaning or / and filling or / and closing or / and labeling or / and separating or / and sorting and / or aligning the containers or Ge ¬ objects, comprising a stator assembly, a rotor assembly that is rotatable relative to the 5 stator assembly and driven by a rotary drive, receptacles for the objects assigned to the circumference of this rotor assembly, treatment devices for treating the objects, and a rotor assembly that at least partially surrounds the rotor assembly , stationary cover wall during the rotary drive of the rotor assembly.

With such rotary devices, it is often necessary to regularly clean the inside of the cover wall facing the rotor assembly. The cover wall can be a protective wall which is intended to protect against contact with the rotor, the treatment devices or other components, which is intended to protect against noise (acoustic protection), which is intended to provide privacy protection or which is intended to protect against contamination. In the case of protection against soiling, for example the rotor group or the treatment devices can be protected against soiling from the outside, for example if the rotary device is in a dusty atmosphere, or the environment of the rotary device can be protected against through the treatment of objects caused pollution are protected. As an example, reference is made in particular to a rotary device in the form of a bottle filling device, in which bottles have a Fillers, such as a drink, are filled. It can happen that certain amounts of the filler are sprayed during filling. The cover wall then prevents the area around the bottle filling device from being contaminated by the filling agent.

In conventional rotary devices of the type mentioned, the cover wall and possibly other stationary components of the device have previously been cleaned manually, for example by spraying with a hose, provided that the cover wall has corresponding openings or only partially encloses the rotor assembly. For particularly high demands on the cleanliness or if no cleaning openings were provided in a cover wall completely surrounding the rotor assembly, the cover wall could also be at least partially dismantled in order to enable cleaning of the cover wall and possibly the other stationary components.

Against the background of the efforts to increase productivity, particularly recently, the cleaning options described are no longer satisfactory both for beverage filling devices and, more generally, for rotary devices for treating objects. In the special case of beverage filling devices, it can be foreseen that, at least in the long term, the cleaning options described will no longer suffice due to greatly increasing hygiene requirements in the future.

In contrast, it is an object of the invention to provide a rotary device of the type mentioned which enables simple and reliable cleaning of the cover wall from the inside and possibly other stationary components of the device. To achieve this object, it is proposed that at least one outflow opening for the exit of a cleaning fluid, in particular a cleaning liquid, for cleaning the cover wall and possibly other stationary components of the device be arranged on the rotor assembly, and that this at least one outflow opening is connected via a rotary connection to a stationary cleaning fluid supply.

Because at least one outflow opening, preferably a plurality of outflow openings, is provided on the rotor assembly, the cover wall can be cleaned easily and reliably from the inside. For this purpose, the cleaning fluid, in particular the cleaning liquid, is fed via the rotary connection to the at least one outflow opening and directed against the inside of the cover wall and, if appropriate, to the other stationary components. The rotor assembly can be rotated so that the cleaning agent reaches the entire inside of the cover wall and all other stationary components to be cleaned. The rotor assembly can rotate continuously during cleaning operation or can also be stopped at certain rotary positions, for example in order to clean particularly dirty areas of the cover wall or particularly dirty stationary components. The outflow openings are preferably designed as nozzles, which direct a cleaning fluid jet onto the cover wall or the other components to be cleaned. For this purpose, the cleaning fluid can be fed to the nozzles under a pressure which is substantially higher than that of normal pressure, so that a high-pressure cleaning effect is obtained as in a high-pressure cleaning device. If the cleaning fluid is steam, for example, there is a steam jet cleaning effect as in the case of a steam jet cleaning device.

In addition to water, possibly with cleaning additives, special liquid cleaning chemicals are also suitable as cleaning liquids. It goes without saying that after application of a special liquid cleaning chemical, if necessary, it can be cleaned with water in a final cleaning step in order to remove residues of the cleaning chemical. In all cases, cleaning can be done essentially by machine without the cover wall or parts of the cover wall having to be removed. The cover wall also does not need to have openings for cleaning purposes, since manual cleaning by hosing with a hose or the like can be omitted. In addition to the at least one outflow opening arranged on the rotor assembly, one or more stationary outflow openings can also be provided, for example on the cover wall, which enable the rotor assembly to be cleaned mechanically.

The invention is particularly advantageous in the case of a beverage filling device, since the highest hygiene requirements can be met using the invention. Dried or possibly dried beverages adhering to the inside of the cover wall or other stationary components can be reliably removed, whereby special cleaning chemicals or steam can be used. If steam is used, there is also a heat sterilization effect in addition to the cleaning effect.

In particular, the invention offers the possibility of carrying out the cleaning operating phases fully automatically at certain time intervals. For this purpose, the working operation of the rotary device, in particular the filling operation of the beverage filling device, is normally interrupted for a respective cleaning operation phase. However, it cannot be ruled out that in special applications the working operation of the rotary device will continue during the respective cleaning operation phase.

As can already be seen from the foregoing, the invention can not only be expediently applied to beverage filling devices or bottle filling devices. As already mentioned at the beginning, the rotary device can also be a device for separating or / and sorting and / or aligning objects, for example Trade containers such as bottles, or even lids for closing containers. For example, these objects (containers or lids) can be fed to the rotary device, in particular the rotor assembly, into groups comprising a plurality of objects, in which the objects are disordered. The objects are then separated in the rotary device, sorted or sorted out and aligned if necessary. However, there are also other applications, in particular in production and processing technology, such as automatic milling machines, automatic lathes, automatic drilling machines, other automatic shaping machines and the like.

With regard to the design of the rotary connection, it is proposed that the rotary connection comprises a rotary connection stator which is fixed or can be fixed against rotation on the stator assembly and a rotary connection rotor which can be connected or connected to the rotor assembly for common rotation, these two rotary connection components being connected to one another by axially directed sliding surfaces are rotatably mounted.

Axially oriented sliding surfaces can be machined relatively easily and, in contrast to radially oriented sliding surfaces, less strict manufacturing tolerances are possible. It is even preferred that the two pivot connection components have radial play relative to one another. Since then only relatively rough manufacturing tolerances have to be met with regard to the radial dimensions, the rotary connection can be produced very inexpensively. There are also great cost advantages when installing the rotary connection on the rotary device, since no particularly strict tolerances have to be observed here either. For example, a certain deviation between the axis of rotation of the rotary connection rotor and the axis of rotation of the rotor assembly can be compensated for by the radial play, so the two axes of rotation do not need to be completely coaxial with one another. if the axes are substantially parallel to one another and are spaced from one another such that this spacing can be compensated for by the radial play. This aspect is particularly important when the rotary connection is replaced or when the rotary connection together with the at least one outflow opening (on corresponding pipelines or the like) is retrofitted to a conventional rotary device.

To seal the rotary connection, separate sealing lips, sealing rings or the like can be provided, in particular adjacent to the sliding surfaces. But not only for reasons of cost, it is particularly advantageous if the sliding surfaces are simultaneously designed as sealing surfaces. Sealing elements such as sealing lips, sealing rings and the like are usually made from materials which are softer and less abrasion-resistant than conventional materials from sliding surfaces. Such sealing elements can therefore wear out over time and then have to be replaced. The sliding surfaces simultaneously designed as sealing surfaces according to the preferred embodiment can be designed in such a way that they have sufficient sealing action over the entire service life of the rotary device, so that there is less maintenance and repair work.

Axially acting adjusting means can be attached to at least one of the two rotary connection components, which are suitable for holding the two rotary connection components in sealing contact relative to one another. The adjusting means can be provided to compensate for a certain abrasion on the sealing surfaces, so that the sealing effect is retained despite the abrasion. However, the actuating means can also be provided so that the two rotary connection components do not have to be kept constantly in a sealing arrangement relative to one another. The latter embodiment is preferred if the cleaning of the cover wall and possibly the other stationary components is carried out only in phases, ie not continuously is carried out during the working operation of the rotary device. Since the rotary connection rotor rotates with the rotor assembly during operation, the sliding surfaces and possibly the entire rotating connection may heat up due to the friction occurring between the sliding surfaces. Such heating can occur in particular if the sliding surfaces are held relative to one another in a sealing system.

o During a cleaning operation phase (provided the fluid flow exceeds a certain minimum fluid flow), excessive heating or heating of the sliding surfaces or the entire rotary connection is avoided by the heat generated by the friction being transported away by the cleaning fluid . In a pure work operation without a simultaneous cleaning operation phase, such removal of frictional heat by the cleaning fluid is not possible. If the sliding surfaces are not in a sealing system during the pure working operation, the friction between the sliding surfaces is reduced or, if necessary, essentially eliminated, so that little or almost no frictional heat is generated. There is then no danger that the sliding surfaces or the rotary connection will overheat during the pure work operation and possibly be damaged thereby. 5

One of the two rotating connection components can be designed with mutually facing sliding surfaces and the other of the two rotating connection components can be designed with mutually facing sliding surfaces. The two rotary connection components preferably form an annular chamber for the fluid distribution, that is to say for the distribution of the cleaning fluid, the annular chamber being sealable or sealed, in particular in the region of the sliding surfaces. By providing the annular chamber, a uniform fluid distribution is possible with the pressure conditions remaining essentially constant. The annular chamber can also be provided for feeding several of the annular chamber through corresponding feed openings Mix fluid in the annular chamber so that a fluid mixture emerges from the annular chamber through one or more corresponding outlet openings.

One of the two rotary connection components can form a radially open annular groove, within which the other rotary connection component is received with its sliding surfaces. The rotary connection can thus be produced relatively simply and inexpensively, as a result of which the manufacturing costs of the entire rotary device are correspondingly reduced. The cost-effective producibility of the rotary connection is particularly important in the case of rotary connections provided for retrofitting, since it is easier for those who decide on retrofitting to be convinced that retrofitting is worthwhile.

The annular chamber can be delimited radially between a bottom of the annular groove of the one rotary connection component and a peripheral surface of the other rotary connection component. The ring groove can be open radially outwards or radially inwards. If there is sufficient space available in the radial direction, the variant with an annular groove which is open radially outward is preferred. The rotary connection can then be assembled particularly easily and from the rotary connection component accommodated in the annular groove with its sliding surfaces, pipes or the like can extend radially outward for the supply or discharge of fluid.

The one rotary connection component can be composed of two partial components in a division plane located between its two mutually facing sliding surfaces. The two rotary connection components can thus be easily assembled to form the rotary connection. In particular, the rotary connection component to be received with its sliding surfaces in the annular groove can be inserted in a sandwich-like manner between the two partial components. At least one of the two mutually facing sliding surfaces can be arranged on an axially movable flange of the one rotary connection component, this flange preferably being exposed to the action of axially acting actuating means arranged on this one rotary connection component. This results in the advantages already given above in connection with the actuating means, the embodiment specified here being able to be implemented without great constructional and technical outlay. It is particularly advantageous if the axially acting actuating means are formed by an inflation hose which is supported or can be supported on a support surface of the one rotary connection component adjacent to the flange. With the use of an inflatable hose as an adjusting means, an even application of force to the flange is possible over the entire length of the hose when the hose is inflated. The inflation hose is preferably ring-shaped, that is to say designed as a ring hose, so that the sliding surfaces for sealing contact can be loaded uniformly over the entire respective ring surface.

Because of the simple construction, actuating means in the form of an inflatable hose also result in a particularly high level of reliability (reliability, low susceptibility to repairs) and the constructional and manufacturing outlay is extremely low, so that there are great cost advantages compared to other actuating means, such as actuators or the like. The inflation hose can be inflated with a gas, in particular with air, or also with a suitable liquid for exerting pressure on the sliding surfaces over the flange.

The inflation hose can be accommodated in an annular groove of a support plate of the one rotary connection component which bears against the flange. The manufacturing outlay for such an annular groove is low. The ^'support plate may with, εein sandwiched connected one revolving joint component by tension rods, for example screws, said tie rods in the case of subdivision of one revolving joint component if necessary, also hold these partial components together in partial components.

Of the two rotary connection components, one can be made of metal, preferably stainless steel, and the other can be made of plastic. Polyethylene can be used in particular for the production of the rotary connection component from plastic. However, other plastics can also be considered.

When the one rotary connection component is designed with an axially movable flange, this rotary connection component is preferably made of plastic and, if desired, is designed with at least one weakening recess which favors the axial deflectability of the flange. The rotating connection component in question 5 can thus be produced easily and the flange is elastic in the case of an elastic plastic, either to exert a desired compressive force on the sliding surfaces or, in the case of actuating means, in particular the inflation hose (if the latter is not inflated 0) Provide suitable restoring force to relieve the sliding surfaces. The force exerted on the sliding surfaces or the restoring force can be set by appropriately dimensioning the at least one weakening recess; in the latter case, the actuating means may only need 5 to exert a relatively small force to move the flange.

The rotary connection stator can be attached to the cover wall or also on a separate support structure, to which the cover wall may also be attached. At least one driver of the rotor assembly is preferably provided for driving the rotary connection rotor. The driver can engage directly on the rotary connection rotor, or also on a fluid transport tube or the like fixed to the rotary connection rotor, possibly connected to the annular space. As already mentioned above, the sliding surfaces in the working operation of the rotary device can lie opposite one another essentially without any sealing force and can be pressed against one another in a sealing manner for cleaning operation phases. If the rotary device is not cleaned at the same time when the rotary device is in operation, so if the rotary connection "runs dry", harmful heating or heating of the sliding surfaces or the rotary connection due to frictional heat is avoided.

The rotary connection stator can be U-shaped in the axis-containing cross section with a radially outwardly open annular groove, the rotary connection rotor preferably being designed as an annular body accommodated in the groove with a radial fluid connection.

The rotary connection can be ring-shaped and, if desired, enclose part of the rotor assembly. If the rotor assembly is, for example, a filling device for filling containers, in particular a beverage filling device, the filler (in particular the beverage) can be supplied to the rotor assembly via conventional rotary distributors with an axial filler inflow, while the cleaning fluid is supplied to the rotor assembly non-axially becomes. The terms "axial" and "non-axial" refer to the essentially coincident or closely adjacent axes of rotation of the rotor assembly or of the rotary connection rotor. Axial supply means that the filler is supplied essentially along the axis of rotation of the rotor assembly, and non-axial supply means that the fluid is not supplied to the rotary distributor along the axis of rotation. Due to the annular design of the rotary connection, many conventional rotary devices can be retrofitted with the rotary connection and a corresponding line system with at least one outflow opening. Mounts for objects, in particular the containers, can be provided on the rotor assembly. The treatment devices can be arranged stationary or connected to the rotor assembly for common rotation. The cover wall can have passage openings for object conveying devices, in particular container conveying devices, which feed the objects, in particular the containers, to the rotor assembly or remove them. The rotary connection is preferably arranged in an upper region or above the rotor assembly.

As already indicated in the above explanations, the rotary device can have a line system which has at least one outflow opening. The line system having at least one outflow opening and / or the rotary connection can be designed for retrofitting on the essentially operational rotary device. Conventional rotary devices can thus be retrofitted or converted into a rotary device according to the present invention.

According to another aspect, the invention relates to a rotary connection for the fluid transport between a stator assembly and a rotor assembly, in particular in a rotary device as described above. The rotary connection comprises a rotary connection stator which is fixed or can be fixed against rotation to the stator assembly and a rotary connection rotor which can be connected or connected to the rotor assembly for common rotation, these two rotary connection components being rotatably supported on one another by axially directed sliding surfaces. The slewing ring can, moreover, have at least one further feature of the slewing ring of a rotary device according to the invention in accordance with the preceding description.

Reference is made in particular to the design of the rotary connection with radial play between the rotary connection stator and the rotary connection rotor, the ring-shaped design of the rotary connection and also the possibility of designing the sliding surfaces as sealing surfaces, the sliding surfaces possibly not being kept in sealing contact with one another. The advantages explained above result.

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to an embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 5.

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a rotary device according to the invention in the form of a bottle filling device in a side view with a cover wall shown in section.

FIG. 2 shows an enlarged detail of FIG. 1, the rotary connection of the bottle filling device being shown in section.

FIG. 3 shows a top view or a view from above into the bottle filling device which is open at the top.

Figure 4 shows the rotary connection of the bottle filling device partially cut in plan view with a section along line IV-IV in Figure 5a.

FIG. 5 shows a section according to FIGS. 5a and 5b

VAB-VAB of Figure 4 in two different operating states of the slewing ring and one in Figure 5c

Section along line VC-VC in Figure 4 in the operating state of the slewing ring according to Figure 5b.

The bottle filling device 1 shown in the figures, for example for filling beverages, comprises a stand assembly 10 in the manner of a base cabinet and a rotor assembly 14 which is rotatably mounted relative to the stand assembly 10 and which is essentially overhung in the stand assembly 10 or in the stand assembly 10 and on a support structure 12 is stored. The support structure comprises in the vertical direction from the top of the stator assembly 10 and vertical supports 12a attached to it and horizontal supports 12b attached to the upper ends of the vertical supports 12a, which extend above the rotor assembly 14. The rotor assembly is thus arranged between the stator assembly 10 and the horizontal support 12b.

A wide variety of variants are conceivable with regard to the structure of the carrier structure, with FIG. 1 and FIG. 3 showing slightly different variants. According to the embodiment in FIG. 3, three horizontal beams 12b and, accordingly, three vertical beams 12a are provided, with two adjacent horizontal beams enclosing an angle of approximately 120 ° between them. Other deviations between FIG. 1 and FIG. 3 are due to the fact that not all of the components shown in FIG. 1 are shown in FIG. 3, or that there are slightly different exemplary embodiments. These deviations are of no relevance for the explanation of the invention, so that these deviations do not have to be considered further below.

The rotor assembly 14 has a conveying and filling rotor 16, which is also referred to below only briefly as a conveying rotor 16. The conveyor rotor 16 is rotatably mounted about a vertical axis of rotation on a stationary, vertically extending rotor shaft structure 18. The upper end of the rotor shaft structure 18 is fastened to the vertical supports 12a.

The conveyor and filling rotor 16 can be driven by means of a rotary drive arranged in the interior of the stator assembly 10, the rotary drive being able to drive the conveyor rotor 16 continuously or / and intermittently. If the conveying and filling rotor 16 rotates continuously during the filling of the bottles 20 shown in FIG. 1, a particularly high filling performance (number of bottles filled per unit of time) can be achieved. The conveying and filling rotor 16 is enclosed by a cover wall 22 in the manner of a circular cylinder jacket which is coaxial with the axis of rotation of the conveying rotor, as can be seen particularly well from FIG. The cover wall extends from the top of the stand assembly to the top of the vertical beams. So that the rotor assembly is completely enclosed, the cover wall 22 can additionally comprise a plate-shaped wall section, not shown in the figures, with a circular outline, which is arranged in a horizontal plane and adjoins the upper edge of the circular cylinder jacket section of the cover wall 22. The rotor assembly 14 would then be completely enclosed by the cover wall 22 and the stator assembly 10.

The bottle filling device 1 is only shown in detail in FIGS. 1 to 3 insofar as is necessary for an understanding of the invention. With regard to the general structure of bottle filling devices, various variants are well known; In this respect, FIGS. 1 to 3 represent the bottle filling device only schematically. For example, the cover wall 22 naturally has passage openings for the bottles, and bottle conveying devices are provided which convey the bottles 20 to the conveying and filling. feed rotor 16 in a suitable manner and remove it from this again.

The conveying and filling rotor 16 comprises an upper circular cylindrical section 16a and a lower circular cylindrical section 16b. On the circular cylindrical section 16b, holders for the bottles to be filled are arranged directly above the stand assembly 10. The brackets are distributed over the circumference of the conveyor rotor 16 and have equidistant distances in the circumferential direction between adjacent brackets. Of the holders, only holder plates 24 are shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, on which the bottles 20 come to rest. In addition to the holder plates 24, not shown holding means are provided which hold the bottles 20 secure in particular against slipping off the support plates 24 under the action of centrifugal force.

A treatment device in the form of a filling device 26 is assigned to each holder plate 24. More precisely, a respective filling device 26 is attached to the upper circular-cylindrical portion 16a of the conveying and filling rotor 16 above each holder plate 24 (offset in the vertical direction with respect to the holder plate). The filling devices 26 o are therefore connected to the conveying and filling rotor 16 in exactly the same way as the holding plates 24 for common rotation. Each filling device 26 comprises an axially stationary section 26a connected to the conveyor rotor section 16a via a web 28 and a telescope-like section 26a received in the stationary section 26a and in axial, ie. H. vertical section movable lower section 26b. The lower section 26b has a filler neck and can be lowered with the filler neck onto the respective bottle 20 arranged on the associated holder plate 24 in order to fill it with a filler, in particular a beverage. The lower section 26b has a filling sleeve 26c at the lower end, which surrounds the filling neck and the uppermost section of the bottle neck when the respective bottle is being filled, in order to avoid splashing of the filler as far as possible. Nevertheless, contamination of the interior of the bottle filling device within the cover wall 22, in particular the inside of the cover wall 22 and other components of the bottle filling device arranged in this interior, cannot be completely prevented when the bottles are filled.

The filler is fed to the filling device from the inside of the conveying and filling rotor 16. Delivery hoses and the like provided for this purpose are, however, not shown in FIGS. 5 1 to 3 for the sake of simplicity. The filler is fed to the delivery and filling rotor 16 via the rotor shaft structure 18, either from below through the stands assembly 10 or from above through at least one of the vertical supports 12b. As can be seen in FIG. 2, a horizontal beam 12b is designed as a tube. The rotor assembly 14 accordingly comprises a feed pipe for the filler. The feed pipe runs coaxially to the axis of rotation of the delivery and filling rotor 16 and a conventional, well-known and also known as a rotary distributor rotary connection is provided, which connect the feed pipe to corresponding pipes of the delivery and filling rotor 16 leading to the filling devices 26.

To control the filling devices 26 and the holding means assigned to the holding actuators 24, two circular ring control cams 30 coaxial to the axis of rotation of the feed rotor 16 are attached to the vertical supports 12a; the annulus control curves 30 are therefore stationary. Each filling device 26 is assigned two control curve scanning stamps 32, which scan the two control curves with a scanning head sliding along a respective control curve 30. The scanning stamps 32 are more or less displaced radially inward by the respective control curve as a function of the rotational position of the conveying and filling rotor 16 that has been reached. The resulting radial positions of the scanning stamps correspond to control commands for the respective filling device and the respective holding means. In particular, depending on the radial position of at least one associated scanning stamp 32, a filler valve of the filling device 26 is actuated and the lower portion 26b of the filling device is raised or lowered. The valves and the lower section 26b can be actuated purely mechanically or, for example, pneumatically; in the latter case, a separate compressed air supply must be provided.

As already mentioned above, a certain degree of contamination of the interior of the bottle filling device with filler cannot be completely avoided. Particularly in the case of beverages as fillers, hygienic problems (colonization with germs) arise if the interior of the bottle filling device including the inside of the cover wall 22, the other stationary components and of course the rotor assembly 14 itself are not regularly cleaned thoroughly. For this purpose, the bottle filling device has a first cleaning device 40 for cleaning the inside of the cover wall 22, the control cams 30 and other stationary components, not shown in detail, in the interior 2 of the bottle filling device. The first cleaning device 40 o comprises a rotary connection 42, which can also be referred to as a rotary distributor, and a line system 44 connected to the delivery and filling rotor 16 for common rotation and connected to the rotary connection 42 and having a plurality of outflow openings 46 designed as nozzles the first cleaning device 40 a supply line 48 from a cleaning fluid supply to the rotary connection 42 fastened to the carrier structure 12.

The line system 44 consists of a first section 44a 0 and a section 44b diametrically opposite with respect to the axis of rotation of the conveying and filling rotor 16. The two line system sections each comprise a pipe line which first extends radially outward from the rotary connection 42 and then bends downwards in the vertical direction, from which pipe line sections branch off, at the ends of which the nozzles 46 are arranged. According to the illustration in FIG. 1, each line system section 44a or 44b has four nozzles with which, in particular, the annular control cams 30 can be sprayed from above and below. Of course, even more nozzles can be provided. If, for example, the interior 2 of the bottle filling device is also closed at the top by a corresponding wall section, it is preferred that this wall section can also be sprayed off by appropriate nozzles. 5

In a cleaning operating phase of the bottle filling device, the conveying and filling rotor 16 is set in rotation and Cleaning fluid, in particular a cleaning liquid, via the feed line 48, the rotary connection 42, the line system 44 which rotates with the delivery and filling rotor 16 to the outflow openings or nozzles 46. The nozzles 46 each 5 direct a fluid jet onto a respective cover wall section or another stationary section of the bottle filling device. The cleaning fluid jet directed onto a cover wall section travels when the conveying and filling rotor 16 rotates over an annular surface of the inside of the cover wall, so that the entire inner circumference of the cover wall 22 can be sprayed with the cleaning fluid and thus cleaned. The same applies to the stationary components in the interior of the beverage filling device. After several revolutions of the conveying and filling rotor 16, the entire inner circumference of the cover wall 22 and the staionic components to be cleaned by means of the first cleaning device 40 have been sprayed several times with cleaning fluid. It goes without saying that a plurality of different cleaning fluids can be used in succession, for example first a liquid cleaning chemical, then water for removing the cleaning chemical and possibly also steam for sterilization. An extremely high purity and sterile conditions can thus be achieved.

It should also be added that the bottle filling device can have, in addition to the first cleaning device 40, a second cleaning device for cleaning the rotor assembly 14. The second cleaning device preferably has a stationary line system, which is attached to the inside of the cover wall 22 0 or to the support structure 12, and stationary outlet openings, preferably designed as nozzles, which direct cleaning fluid onto the rotor assembly in order to clean it. The entire interior of the bottle filling device can thus be cleaned very thoroughly and, if necessary, also sterilized. In the following, the first cleaning device 40 is described in more detail, in particular with regard to the design of the rotary connection 42 (for this purpose, reference is made in particular to FIGS. 2, 4 and 5).

The rotary connection 42 essentially consists of two components, namely a rotary connection stator 50 made of plastic (polyethylene) and a rotary connection rotor 52 made of stainless steel. The ring-shaped (circular) rotary connection stator consists of three partial components 50a, 50b and 50c sandwiched together and is held together by tie rods in the form of screws 54a with a respective nut 54b. For this purpose, the rotary connection stator 50 has a plurality of through holes 56 extending through the partial components 50a, 50b and 50c, into which the screws 54a are inserted from one side and tightened on the other side with a respective nut. As can be seen in FIG. 4, the through holes 56 are arranged equidistantly on a circle in the circumferential direction and approximately halfway between the inner edge 58a and the outer edge 58b of the rotary connection stator 50. The number of through bores 56 and thus the tie rods or screws 54a is dimensioned such that the three partial components 50a, 50b and 50c are pressed uniformly against one another along the circle defined by the through bores 56. For this purpose, the surfaces of the partial components touching one another (bottom side of the partial component 50a and top side of the partial component 50b as well as the bottom side of the partial component 50b and the top side of the partial component 50c) are made flat.

An axis of symmetry can be associated with the rotary connection stator 50, with respect to which the rotary connection stator 50 (without taking into account the through bores 56 and other bores) is largely rotationally symmetrical. The through bores 56 run parallel to this to the upper and Underside of the partial components of orthogonal axis of symmetry.

The rotary connection stator 50 is stationary in the interior 2 of the bottle filling device 1 above the conveying and filling rotor 16 such that it encloses the rotor shaft structure 18; the rotor shaft structure 18 thus extends through the ring hole 60 of the rotary connection stator 50. The rotary connection stator 50 is fastened below the horizontal supports 12b by three fastening anchors 62 to these horizontal supports 12b. For this purpose, the Drehverbindungεεtator 50 three through holes 64 with Größ ^e rem Durchmeεεer alε the Durchgangεbohrungen 56 that the inner edge 58a näher¬ are present as the through holes 56 and corresponding to the arrangement of the horizontal beam 12b are arranged so that each horizontal beam 12b is a fastening anchor 62 and a through hole 64 is assigned.

The respective fastening anchor 62 is designed as a threaded rod and extends in the vertical direction through a corresponding through-hole in the horizontal support 12b and through the through-hole 64 through all three partial components 50a, 50b and 50c. The fastening anchors or threaded rods are each fixed to the respective horizontal support 12b by means of two nuts 63, and the rotary connection rotor 52 is fastened to the respective fastening anchor by means of two further nuts 63. The rotary connection rotor 52 is arranged in such a way that its axis of symmetry essentially coincides with the axis of rotation of the conveying and filling rotor 16.

In the outer circumferential surface of the rotary connection stator 50, an annular groove 70 which is open radially outward is formed, specifically in the lower end region of the uppermost partial component 50a and in the upper end region of the central partial component 50b. The two partial components 50a and 50b lie against one another in a horizontal division plane, these being horizontal Partition plane divides the annular groove 70 into a lower and an upper section, which are symmetrical to each other.

The annular groove 70 comprises a radially outer section that is wider in the axial direction and a radially inner section that is less wide in the axial direction, which adjoin one another in steps. The radially outer section is delimited in the axial direction by two annular surfaces 72a and 72b, which are designed as sliding surfaces and lie in a respective horizontal plane. These two ring surfaces 72a and 72b, hereinafter referred to as sliding surfaces, are thus facing each other.

In the radially outer section of the annular groove 70, the rotary connection rotor 52 is accommodated, which is designed as a rotationally symmetrical ring body (with a vertical axis of symmetry in the arrangement described). The rotary connection rotor 52 has on its top and on its underside an annular surface 74a or 74b lying in a horizontal plane; these ring surfaces are also designed as sliding surfaces and are referred to below as sliding surface 74a or sliding surface 74b. Of the two sliding surfaces 74a and 74b facing away from one another, the sliding surface 74a is opposite the sliding surface 72a and the sliding surface 74b is opposite the sliding surface 72b.

The rotary connection stator 50 and the rotary connection rotor 52 are supported on one another via the sliding surfaces 72a, 72b and 74a and 74b. As can be seen from FIG. 5, the rotary connection rotor 52 has radial play relative to the rotary connection stator 50, since a diameter related to the inner circumference 81 of the rotary connection rotor 52 is larger than that of the circular cylindrical interface between the inner and the outer outer portion of the ring groove 70 related diameter. At the transition between the radially inner and the radially outer section of the annular groove 70, a circular cylindrical ring surface 76a and 76b is formed on the upper partial component 50a and on the lower partial component 50b, respectively Limit radial play of the rotary connection rotor 52 relative to the rotary connection stator 50. These surfaces can therefore also be referred to as stop surfaces 76a or 76b.

5

An annular chamber 82 is formed between the inner circumferential surface 81 of the rotary connection rotor 52 and a bottom 80 of the annular groove 70 lying opposite this; this annular chamber corresponds essentially to the radially inner section of the annular groove 70. Two axial blind bores are connected to the annular chamber 82, which extend through the partial component 50a and end in the partial component 50b. These blind bores 84, which are diametrically opposed to one another, act as connections for the cleaning fluid, around this the

15 feed ring chamber 82. The blind bores 84 are therefore also referred to below as connection bores. A supply section 48a or an end section 78b of the supply line 48, which branches off from the supply line 48, is connected to the two connection bores 84.

20th

The rotary connection rotor 52 has two diametrically opposite through bores 90a and 90b which extend in the radial direction. These through bores 90a and 90b also function as connections to which the section

25 44a or 44b of the line system 44 is connected. The connection is made via a pipe section 45a or 45b of the line system section 54a or 54b which is fixed in the respective through hole 90a or 90b. The respective pipe section 45a or 45b is essentially rigid with

30 connected to the rotary connection rotor 52 and extending in the radial direction.

On the upper side of the conveying and filling rotor 16, two drivers 92a and 92b are fixed, each having a finger section that extends 3s in the axial direction. A through hole is provided in the upper end section of the respective finger section through which the pipe section 45a or 45b extends. The drivers are only slightly offset radially outward relative to the rotary connection rotor 52, so that the drivers engage close to the rotary connection rotor 52 on the pipe section 45a or 45b. 5 During the rotation of the conveying and filling rotor 16, this takes along the rotary connection rotor 52 via the drivers 92a and 92b and the pipe sections 45a and 45b, with damage to the pipe sections due to the points of engagement of the drivers close to the rotary connection rotor 52, in particular o bending of the pipe sections is avoided due to increased forces acting on the pipe sections due to lever effects. The rotary connection rotor 52 is thus connected to the conveying and filling rotor 16 and thus to the entire rotor assembly 14 for common rotation, while the rotary connection stator 50 is fixed to the stator assembly 10 by means of the support structure 12 against rotation.

The rotary connection 42 has two operating states. In a first operating state, which can also be referred to as a "dry-running operating state", the sliding surfaces 52a, b and 54a, b function solely as sliding surfaces and enable low-friction rotation of the rotary connection rotor 52 relative to the rotary connection stator 50 In the first operating state, the sliding surfaces 72a and 74a and the sliding surfaces 72b and 74b rest against one another only with a slight exertion of force. The axial distance between the sliding surfaces 74a and 74b of the rotary connection stator 50 can slightly exceed the axial distance between the sliding surfaces 74a and 74b of the rotary connection rotor 52. In the first operating state, the annular chamber 82 is not sealed in the radially outward direction.

In a second operating state, which can also be referred to as the "fluid transport operating state", the sliding surfaces 72a and 74a and the sliding surfaces 72b and 74b are pressed against one another by adjusting means to be described in more detail, so that these sliding surfaces also function as sealing surfaces. The In this second operating state, annular chamber 82 is sealed radially outwards by the sliding surfaces acting as sealing surfaces. However, due to the pressing force causing the sealing surfaces of the sliding surfaces, the friction between the sliding surfaces 72a and 74a and between the sliding surfaces 72b and 74b is increased. The resulting heat of friction is then easily removed when fluid flows from the supply line 48, through the connection bores 84, through the annular chamber 82, and through the through bores 90a and 90b into the line system 44.

To provide the two operating states of the rotary connection 42, the sliding surface 72b is arranged on an axially movable flange 94 of the middle partial component 50b. The flange 94 is designed with a weakening recess in the form of an annular groove 98 which is open axially upward in order to increase the axial mobility or deflectability of the flange 94 and thus the sliding surface 72b.

The adjusting means for deflecting the flange 94 comprise an annular groove 100 which is open axially upwards and is semicircular in cross section in the upper side of the lower partial component c. In this annular groove 28, an inflatable, annular tube 102 is received, which can also be referred to as an inflatable tube or annular tube. For example, a simple bicycle tube can also be used as the tube. The tube 102 has a connecting piece 104 (in the case of a bicycle tube, the bicycle valve receptacle), which extends axially downward and projects beyond the underside of the lower partial component 50c. A compressed air line 106 is connected to the connecting piece 104, so that the inflation hose 102 can optionally be pressurized, that is to say inflated, or the air in the inflation hose 102 can be released again. If the inflation hose 102 is inflated, it feels the annular groove 100 completely and presses against the underside of the central partial component 50b, mainly in the region of the flange 94. The inflation hose is supported on the Partial component 50c; this partial component 50c can accordingly also be referred to as a support plate.

The two operating states can be clearly seen in FIG. 5, s In FIG. 5a the inflation hose 102 is not or only insignificantly inflated, so that it exerts essentially no compressive force on the flange 94. The rotary connection 49 is accordingly in the first operating state. In FIGS. 5b and 5c, the inflation hose is inflated and exerts an axially upward compressive force on the flange 94, so that it is deflected against one another for the sealing engagement of the sliding surfaces 72a and 74a and the sliding surfaces 72b and 74b. The rotary connection 42 is accordingly in the second operating state.

With regard to the sealing of the annular chamber 82, it should also be added that it is sealed radially inwards. For this purpose, an annular groove 110, which is open axially downward and in which an O-ring 112 is received, is provided on the underside of the uppermost partial component 50a. This O-ring 122 is only

20 indicated in Figure 5b.

The design of the rotary connection 42 described now makes it possible for the sliding surfaces 72a and. When the bottle is being filled, that is to say during the operation of the bottle filling device

25 74a and the sliding surfaces 72b and 74b lie opposite one another essentially without any sealing force, so that only extremely little friction occurs between them. For this purpose, the rotary connection 42 is brought into the first operating state (dry-running operating state) by no compressed air on the inflation hose

30 102 is present or air contained in the hose is discharged so that it is not inflated.

The working operation of the bottle filling device for cleaning operation phases is interrupted at certain time intervals. In these cleaning operating phases, the sliding surfaces 72a and 74a and the sliding surfaces 72b and 74b are pressed against one another in a sealing manner by compressed air on the inflation hose 102 is applied in order to inflate the latter and to exert the compressive forces on flange 94 which are necessary for pressing on the sliding surfaces. The rotary connection 42 is then in the second operating state (fluid transport operating state) and cleaning fluid is transported from the cleaning fluid supply via the feed line 48, the annular chamber 82, the line system 44 to the nozzles 46. As already described above, the nozzles 46 direct a respective cleaning fluid jet, in particular a cleaning liquid jet, onto the inside o of the cover wall 22 and towards other stationary components (such as, for example, the circular ring control curves 30), in order to clean them. After the cleaning has ended, that is to say after the cleaning operating phase has ended, the air is let out of the inflation hose 102 again, so that the rotary connection 42 returns to the first operating state and the operation of the bottle filling device can be continued.

It is obvious that the rotary connection 42 can be used in all cases in which fluid has to be transferred from a stator assembly to a rotor assembly. The orientation of the axis of rotation of the rotor assembly is not important. The axis of rotation of the rotor assembly can thus also be arranged horizontally or inclined with respect to the horizontal or vertical, with a corresponding orientation of the axis of rotation of the rotary connection rotor. The rotary connection according to the invention with adjusting means is particularly advantageous particularly when the fluid does not have to be constantly transferred from the stator assembly to the rotor assembly. As long as no fluid has to be transferred to the rotor assembly, the rotary connection is brought into the first operating state (dry-running operating state), so that only slight friction occurs between the rotary connection stator and the rotary connection rotor. This reduces the wear on the slewing ring and there is no risk of the slewing ring overheating due to frictional heat. To transfer the fluid to the rotor assembly, the rotary connection is then switched to the second operating state (fluid transport drive state) brought. The increased friction occurring in this operating state due to the sealing contact of the sliding surfaces is - as stated - harmless, since the frictional heat that is generated is transported away via the fluid. For retrofitting purposes, the rotary connection according to the invention with radial play between the rotary connection rotor and the rotary connection stator and, if appropriate, in the form of a ring is particularly advantageous.

In summary, the invention relates to a rotary device for treating objects, in particular containers, for example for filling the containers. The rotary device comprises a stator assembly and a rotor assembly that is rotatable relative to the stator assembly and driven by a rotary drive. According to the invention, at least one outflow opening for the discharge of a cleaning fluid is provided on the rotor assembly for cleaning a cover wall which is stationary during the rotary operation of the rotor assembly and optionally other stationary components. The at least one outflow opening is connected to a stationary cleaning fluid supply via a rotary connection. It is proposed for the rotary connection that the rotary connection comprises a rotary connection stator which is fixed or can be fixed on the stator assembly against rotation and a rotary connection rotor which can be connected or connected to the rotor group for common rotation, these two rotary connection components being connected to one another axially directional sliding surfaces are rotatably mounted.

In addition to the above-proposed configurations of the rotary device according to the invention (in which, in deviation from the information, a cover wall which at least partially surrounds the rotor assembly, while the rotary operation of the rotor assembly is stationary, there may also be omitted cover wall and in which at least one outflow opening for the outlet of the rotor assembly Cleaning fluids for cleaning the cover wall and / or other stationary components of the rotary device) or the rotary connection according to the invention, further advantageous configurations are possible. For example, it is proposed as a particularly advantageous embodiment that at least one sliding surface of at least one of the two rotary connection components is formed on an elastically deformable ring plate and that this ring plate, at a radial distance from the sliding surface, is a loading zone for the loading by an axially directed position - Has force, a support zone for the ring plate being provided in a further ring zone, in particular in an intermediate zone between the sliding surface and the loading zone, so that an axial movement of the sliding surface occurs, in particular an axial movement, as a result of actuating force being applied to the loading zone , which is opposite to the direction of the actuating force.

This results in a particularly simple construction of the rotary connection according to the invention, whereby its manufacturing costs are kept low. Furthermore, the rotary connection according to the invention can be designed to be particularly low in the axial direction according to this proposal, for example by the fact that any adjusting means provided are offset primarily in the radial direction and at most only insignificantly in the axial direction, that is to say in the white direction ¬ substantially in the same axial area of the rotary connection as the sliding surfaces are arranged. The low overall height of the rotary connection in the axial direction also contributes if the elastically deformable ring plate made of metal, for example Stainless steel is made, so that particularly small dimensions of the ring plate in the axial direction are possible.

The elastically deformable ring plate preferably forms with its sliding surface a boundary wall of an annular ring groove which is open in the radial direction and which receives the respective other rotary connection component. The ring plate can be mounted on a ring plate carrier (for example made of plastic) to form the support zone between the ring plate and the ring plate carrier. In this context it is proposed that axially acting adjusting means (for example in the form of at least one inflation hose) are arranged on the ring plate carrier in the area of the loading zone.

Two ring plates can be arranged on the ring plate carrier, the sliding surfaces of which receive the respective other rotary connection component between them. This configuration of the rotary device or the rotary connection is particularly preferred.

In the absence of an external actuating force, the sliding surface of the ring plate is preferably out of sealing contact with an associated mating sliding surface of the respective other rotary connection component, the sliding surface and the mating sliding surface being transferable by introducing an actuating force from the outside and sealing contact. With a first operating state of the rotary connection (working operation of the rotary device), the sliding surfaces can lie opposite one another essentially without any sealing force and can be pressed against one another in a sealing manner for a second operating state of the rotary connection (cleaning operating phase of the rotary device). In the first operating state, excessive heating or heating of the sliding surfaces due to frictional heat is thus avoided in spite of a possibly provided rotational movement of the two rotary connection components relative to one another. The actuating force only needs to be applied to set the second operating state, so that the actuating means which may be provided for this purpose are only used during this second operating state. In the event of a failure of the actuating force, for example due to a failure of the actuating means or a possibly provided pressure medium supply for the actuating means, the first operating state is inevitable, so that the normal working operation of the rotary device is not disturbed.

In order to prevent excessive heating or heating of the sliding surfaces or the rotary connection even in the second operating state in the event of rotation of the rotary connection components relative to one another, it is particularly advantageously proposed that the rotary connection have supply means for a sliding and / or heat dissipation fluid, which allow the supply of the sliding and / or heat dissipation fluid to sliding surfaces of the rotary connection.

The friction between the sliding surfaces can be reduced by a corresponding supply of the sliding and / or heat flow fluid and the resulting frictional heat minimized or excessive frictional heat dissipated, so that the rotary connection can have a particularly long service life and essentially none or requires minimal maintenance.

The sliding or / and heat dissipation fluid can be formed by the cleaning fluid. A separate supply of sliding or / and heat dissipation fluid compared to the stationary cleaning fluid supply provided according to the invention is therefore unnecessary.

The supply of sliding or / and heat dissipation fluid to the sliding surfaces can be effective outside of cleaning periods, for example in that outside cleaning periods a cleaning fluid flow that is reduced compared to the cleaning periods and only serves the purpose of reducing friction or heat dissipation is supplied or that extra Half of cleaning periods, a sliding or / and heat-dissipating fluid (in particular a sliding or / and heat-dissipating liquid, for example water) is supplied in relation to the cleaning fluid.

For the supply of the sliding and / or heat dissipation fluid, supply means independent of a line system of the cleaning fluid can be provided.

With regard to a low axial overall height of the rotary connection, it is preferred if of the connections cleaning fluid connection on the rotary connection stator, cleaning fluid connection on the rotary connection rotor, possibly provided sliding and / or heat dissipation fluid connection of the rotary connection and (in the case of actuating means) if necessary The provided pressure medium connection of the rotary connection has at least one connection, preferably all connections are designed as radial connections.

The invention is explained in more detail below on the basis of a further exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 and 7.

FIG. 6 shows in FIG. 6a a cross section through a rotary connection according to the invention along line AA in FIG. 6b, which could be provided instead of the rotary connection in FIGS. 4 and 5 in the rotary device according to the invention, and one in FIG. 6b Top view of the rotary connection of Figure 6a according to the direction of vision indicated by the arrow B.

FIG. 7 shows in FIG. 7 a a section through the rotary connection of FIG. 6 along line VIIA-VIIA in FIG. 6b and in FIG. 7b shows a section through this rotary connection according to line VIIB-VIIB in FIG. 6b. The second exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 6 and 7 is described below only with regard to the differences from the first exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 5; in this respect, reference is expressly made to the preceding description of the first exemplary embodiment. Components of the second exemplary embodiment which correspond in function to those of the first exemplary embodiment are provided with the same reference numerals, but in each case are provided with an increase by the number 200.

The deviations which are essentially rotationally symmetrical with respect to an axis of symmetry S which is essentially vertical according to FIG. 6 except for FIG. 6, like the rotary connection 42 in FIGS. 1 to 5, comprises a rotary connection stator 250 and a rotary connection rotor 252. The rotary connection stator 50 comprises two ring plates 320a and 320b attached to an annular ring plate carrier 322 at its axial ends by means of tie rods (screws 254a with nuts 254b), which protrude radially outward over the ring plate carrier 322 and which face one another radially outwardly projecting over the ring plate carrier 322 Surfaces serve as sliding surfaces 272a and 272b.

The ring plates 320a and 320b are made of stainless steel and are elastically deformable. The ring plates 254a, 254b hold the ring plates axially in the area of a support zone lying radially further inward from the sliding surfaces, the ring plates abutting the ring plate carrier 322 in the area of the ring-shaped support zone and also radially further inside.

Radially outside the support zone defined by the tie rods 254a, 254b, the axial dimension of the ring plate carrier 122, as can be seen in FIG. 7, is somewhat reduced, so that the axial distance between the sliding surfaces 272a and 272b with corresponding elastic deformation of the ring plates 320a, 320b and also (to a certain extent) the tie rod by exercising a corresponding actuating force on the ring plates can be reduced in an area lying radially further inward from the support zone. For this purpose, adjusting means in the form of two inflation hoses 5 302 a and 302 b are provided radially further inward from the support zone.

The inflation hoses 302a and 302b are each arranged in an axial groove which is open in the axial direction and is covered by a radially inner ring section of the ring plate 320a or 320b of the ring plate carrier 322, which is preferably made of plastic, and is used for loading tion of the axially opposite ring section of the respective ring plate 320a or 320b with an axially directed actuating force in order to achieve an axial movement of the sliding surface 274a or 274b which is opposite to the direction of the actuating force when the sliding surfaces 274a and 274b match the respective one associated, axially opposite sliding surface 274a or 274b of which (also in the area of the sliding surfaces 274a and 274b) rotary connection rotor 252 made of plastic are to be brought into sealing contact or sealing engagement (second operating state of the rotary connection 242) .

In order to exert the axially directed actuating forces on the ring plates 320a, 320b, the pressure hoses 302a and 302b defining an action zone are expanded by introducing a pressure medium via pressure medium lines 306a, 306b. In order to bring the rotary connection 242 from the second operating state (fluid transport operating state) back into the first operating state (dry-running operating state), the pressure medium (in particular compressed air) is again released from the inflation hoses, so that one from the elastic deformation of the Elastic restoring force originating from ring plates 320a and 320b axially removes the sliding surfaces 274a, 274b from one another and thus brings them out of sealing engagement with the sliding surfaces 274a and 274b of the rotary connection rotor 252. To seal the annular chamber 282 for the fluid transport operating state radially inward, the axially between the annular plates 320a, 320b and radially between an outer peripheral surface forming the bottom 280 of the annular groove 270 of the annular plate carrier 322 and the inner peripheral surface 281 of the annular rotary member Connection rotor 252 is limited, two O-rings 312a and 312b arranged in a respective annular groove of the ring plate carrier 322 are provided, which radially outside the tie rods 254a, 254b on the mutually facing surfaces of the ring plates 320a and 272b having the sliding surfaces 272a and 272b Attack 320b sealingly.

In order to be able to further reduce the already significantly reduced friction in the first operating state (dry-running operating state) due to the lack of sealing engagement between the mutually associated sliding surfaces 272a and 274b or 272b and 274b, or in order to reduce the frictional heat correspondingly resulting from this reduced friction to be able to discharge independently of the supply of the fluid to be transported in the second operating state (for example cleaning fluid in the case of the bottle filling device 1) via the connection bores 284 to the annular chamber 282, the rotary connection stator 250 has, in addition to the connection bores 284 directed radially in the exemplary embodiment described a further, likewise 5 radially directed connection bore 330 (cf. FIG. 6), via which, in particular in the first operating state (dry-running operating state), a fluid that is separate from the fluid to be transported in the second operating state (sliding b between heat dissipation fluid, for example water) to the annular chamber 282 and 0 so that it can be supplied to the sliding surfaces 272a, 274a, 272b, 274b. Due to the lack of sealing engagement between the mutually assigned sliding surfaces in the first operating state, this sliding or heat dissipation fluid will escape to a certain extent between the sliding surfaces. However, this can, in particular if the sliding or heat dissipation fluid is simple water, in favor of a further reduced friction or improved heat dissipation in the first operating mode. Condition and thus further increased service life of the rotary connection are accepted, the emerging amount of sliding or heat dissipation fluid not being very large when this fluid is supplied to the annular chamber 282 at low pressure, which generally leads to substantial reduction of the friction between the sliding surfaces will suffice. In the second operating state, which is used for fluid transport, on the other hand, one will often work with comparatively high pressures, so that for this operating state the sealing engagement between the axially directed sliding surfaces 272a, 274a and 272b, 274b, which are assigned to each other, due to the large pressure otherwise occurring at high fluid pressure Loss of fluid will be indispensable.

As already mentioned, the connection bores 284 for the fluid supply are directed radially in the second operating state, so that the fluid to be transported is supplied to the annular chamber 282 from the radial inside. FIG. 6b shows two threaded bores 232 adjacent to the connection bore 284 for fastening a connection flange of a corresponding fluid supply line to the rotary connection stator 250. The pressure medium is also supplied to the inflation hoses 302a and 302b from the radially inside (cf. FIG. 7a) and the fluid outflow from the annular chamber 282 via the rotary connection rotor 252 likewise takes place in the radial direction, namely radially outwards (cf. through bore 290a and pipe section 245a in Figure 7b). The same applies to the possible supply of a sliding or / and heat dissipation fluid via the likewise radially directed bore 330 in the rotary connection stator 250. This radial alignment of all fluid and pressure medium connections results in a particularly low overall height of the rotary connection 242 in the axial direction (Axis S). The rotary connection 242 can thus often be retrofitted even in the case of particularly restricted space with an essentially ready-to-use rotary device (for example a bottle filling device). It should also be added to the rotary connection rotor 252 that it bears a stainless steel ring 336 in an annular groove which is open to the outside in an annular main rotor part 334 made of plastic and which has holes 338 aligned with the through bores 290 s for the passage of the one to be transported Has fluids and to which the pipe sections 245 (pipe section 245a in FIG. 7b) are welded, so that via the bores 290, 338 and the annular chamber 282 a fluid connection between the connection bores 284 and the line system adjoining the pipe sections 245 (which leads to the nozzles 46 in the case of the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 1). To seal is seen concen 5 ^'~ iεch to the bore 338 in the stainless steel ring 336, a part between the main rotor 334 and the stainless steel ring 336 sealingly effective seal ring 340 forward.

In an application according to FIG. 1, the rotary connection rotor 252 can be driven in rotation as shown there via the pipe sections 245. Alternatively, it is proposed that the rotary connection rotor 252 be driven by means of flexible traction elements, for example traction cables, which act on one side on a rotatably driven rotor assembly and on the other hand on the rotary connection rotor, preferably via one between the rotor assembly and the traction element and / or between the traction element and the rotating connection rotor effective securing element, for example in the form of a shear bolt. In this way, a malfunction of the operation of the rotary device due to incorrect operation (sealing engagement of the sliding surfaces when the rotating connection rotor rotates without the supply of fluid to be transported and without the supply of sliding or heat dissipation fluid) blocking rotating connection rotor is avoided, since after response of the securing element for releasing the rotary drive connection between the rotor assembly and the rotary connection rotor, a free rotation of the rotor assembly is possible. Such a shear bolt, on which the tension element engages, could, for example, be inserted into one or Several of the four axial bores 342 shown in FIG. 6b can be inserted in the rotary connection rotor 252.

Claims

claims

1. Rotary device (1) for treating objects, in particular containers such as bottles (20), in particular for cleaning or / and filling or / and closing or / and labeling or / and separating or / and sorting or / and aligning the containers (20) or objects, o comprising a stator assembly (10), a rotor assembly (14) rotatable relative to the stator assembly (10) and driven by a rotary drive, the receptacles assigned to the circumference of this rotor assembly (14) (24) for the objects (20), treatment devices (26) for treating the objects (20) and, if desired, a cover wall (22) which at least partially surrounds the rotor assembly (14) and is stationary during the rotary drive of the rotor assembly (14) ), characterized in that 0 at least one outflow opening (46) on the rotor assembly (14) for the exit of a cleaning fluid, in particular a cleaning liquid, for cleaning g of the cover wall (22) or / and other stationary components (30) of the device (1) is arranged, and that this has at least one outflow opening via a rotary connection (42; 242) is connected to a stationary cleaning fluid supply.

2. Rotary device according to claim 1, characterized in that the rotary connection (42; 242) one at the

Stand assembly (10) against rotation fixed or fixable rotary connection stator (50; 250) and a rotatable with the rotor assembly (14) ver¬ connectable or connected rotary connection rotor (52; 252), these two rotary connection components (50, 52; 250, 252) to each other by axially directed Sliding surfaces (72a, 74a, 72b, 74b; 272a, 274a, 272b, 274b) are rotatably mounted.

3. Rotary device according to claim 2, characterized in that the two rotary connection components (50,

52; 250, 252) have radial play relative to one another.

4. rotary device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the sliding surfaces (72a, 72b, 74a, 74b; o 272a, 272b, 274a, 274b) are simultaneously formed as sealing surfaces.

5. rotary device according to claim 4, characterized gekenn¬ characterized in that axially acting adjusting means (102; 302a, 302b) are attached to at least one of the two rotating connection components (50; 250), which are suitable for the two rotating connection components (50, 52; 250; 252) to keep relative to each other in a sealing system.

6. Rotary device according to one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that one (50; 250) of the two rotary connection components (50, 52; 250, 252) with mutually facing sliding surfaces (72a, b; 272a, b) and the other (52; 252) of the two rotary connection components (50, 52; 250, 252) is designed with sliding surfaces (74a, b; 274a, b) facing away from one another.

7. Rotary device according to one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that the two rotary connection 0 components (50, 52; 250, 252) together form an annular chamber (82; 282) for the fluid distribution, which in the area of the sliding surfaces (72a, 74a, 72b, 74b; 272a, 274a, 272b, 274b) is sealable or sealed.

5 8. rotary device according to one of claims 2 to 7, characterized in that one of the two Drehverbin¬ components (50, 52; 150, 152) (50; 252) forms a radially open annular groove (70; 270) within which the respective other rotary connection component (52; 252) is received with its sliding surfaces (74a, b; 274a, b).

9. Rotary device according to claim 8, characterized gekenn¬ characterized in that the annular chamber (82; 282) radially between a bottom (80; 280) of the annular groove (70; 270) of the one rotary connection component (50; 250) and a peripheral surface ( 81; 281) of the other rotary connection component (52; 252) is limited.

10. rotary device according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the annular groove (70; 270) is open radially outwards.

11. Rotary device according to one of claims 6 to 10, characterized in that the one Drehverbindungskom¬ component (50) in a between their two mutually facing sliding surfaces (72a, b; 272a, b) located division plane from at least two partial components (50a, 50b ; 320a, 320b, 322) is composed.

12. Rotary device according to one of claims 6 to 11, characterized in that at least one (72b; 272a, b) of the two mutually facing sliding surfaces (72a, b; 272a, b) on an axially movable flange (94; 320a, b) which is arranged a rotary connection component (50; 250) and that this flange (94; 320a, b) is exposed to the action of axially acting actuating means (102; 302a, b) arranged on this one rotary connection component (50; 250).

13. Rotary device according to claim 12, characterized in that the axially acting adjusting means are formed by a preferably annular inflation hose (102; 302a, b) which is attached to a flange (94; 320a, b). adjacent support surface of the one rotary connection component (50; 250) is supported or can be supported.

14. Rotary device according to claim 13, characterized in that the inflation hose (102; 302a, b) in an annular groove (100; 300a, b) of a support plate (50c; 322) resting on the flange (94; 320a, b) ) which includes a rotary connection component (50; 250).

15. Rotary device according to claim 14, characterized in that the support plate (50a; 322) is connected to the one rotary connection component (50; 250) by means of tie rods (54a, b; 254a, b) in a sandwich-like manner, this tie rod in the case the division of a rotary joint

15 manure component (50; 250) in partial components (50a, 50b; 320a, 320b, 322) if desired also holds together these partial components (50a, 50b).

16. Rotary device according to one of claims 2 to 15, 20, characterized in that one of the two rotary connection components (50, 52; 250, 252) (52; 250) in the region of their sliding surfaces (74a, 74b; 272a, 272b ) made of metal, preferably stainless steel, and the other (50; 252) in the area of its sliding surfaces (72a, 72b; 274a, 274b) is made of plastic.

17. Rotary device according to claim 16, characterized gekenn¬ characterized in that when executing a rotary connection component (50) with an axially movable flange (94)

30 this rotary connection component (50) is made of plastic and, if desired, is designed with at least one weakening recess (98) which favors the axial deflectability of the flange (94).

35 18. Rotary device according to one of claims 2 to 17, characterized in that the rotary connection stator (50; 250) is attached to the cover wall.

19. Rotary device according to one of claims 2 to 18, characterized in that the rotary connection rotor (52; 252) by at least one driver (92a, 92b) of the rotor assembly (14) can be driven.

20. Rotary device according to one of claims 5 to 19, characterized in that the sliding surfaces (72a, 74a, 72b, 74b; 272a, 274a, 272b, 274b) in working mode of the rotary device (1) lie opposite one another in an essentially seal-free manner and are sealing for cleaning operating phases are pressed against each other.

21. Rotary device according to one of claims 2 to 20, characterized in that the rotary connection statator (50; 250) in the axis-containing cross section is U-shaped with a radially outwardly open annular groove (70; 270) and the rotary connection rotor (52; 252) as an annular body accommodated in the groove (70; 270) with a radial fluid connection (90a, b; 290).

22. Rotary device according to one of claims 2 to 21, characterized in that the rotary connection (42; 242) is annular and if desired encloses a part of the rotor assembly (14).

23. Rotary device according to one of claims 1 to 22, characterized in that brackets (24) for the objects (20) are provided on the rotor assembly (14).

24. Rotary device according to one of claims 1 to 23, characterized in that the treatment devices

(26) arranged stationary or connected to the rotor assembly (14) for common rotation.

25. Rotary device according to one of claims 1 to 24, characterized in that the cover wall (22) through- has outlet openings for object conveying devices which feed the objects (20) to the rotor assembly or remove them.

26. Rotary device according to one of claims 1 to 25, characterized in that the rotary connection (42; 242) is arranged in an upper region or above the rotor assembly (14).

27. Rotary device according to one of claims 1 to 26, characterized in that a line system (44) having at least one outflow opening (46) and / or the rotary connection (42; 242) for retrofitting to the substantially operational rotary device (l ) are trained.

28. Rotary device according to one of claims 2 to 16 and 18 to 27, characterized in that at least one sliding surface (272a, b) at least one (250) of the two rotary connection components (250, 252) on an elastically deformable ring plate (320a, b) is formed and that this ring plate (320a, b) at a radial distance from the sliding surface (272a, b) has a loading zone for the loading by an axially directed actuating force, in a further ring zone, in particular in an intermediate zone between the Sliding surface (272a, b) and the loading zone, a support zone for the ring plate (320a, b) is provided, so that an axial movement of the sliding surface (272a, b) occurs, in particular an axial movement which runs in opposite directions, when the loading zone is actuated to the direction of actuation.

29. Rotary device according to claim 28, characterized in that the elastically deformable ring plate

(320a, b) with its sliding surface (272a, b) a boundary wall of an annular, open in the radial direction forms an annular groove (270) which receives the respective other rotary connection component (252).

30. Rotary device according to claim 28 or 29, characterized in that the ring plate (320a, b) on one

Ring plate carrier (322) is supported to form the support zone between the ring plate (320a, b) and the ring plate carrier (322) and that axially acting actuators (302a, b) are arranged on the ring plate carrier (322) in the area of the loading zone .

31. Rotary device according to claim 30, characterized in that two ring plates (320a and 320b) are arranged on the ring plate carrier (322), the sliding surfaces (272a, b) of which the other rotary connection component (252) between them to record oneself.

32. rotary device according to one of claims 28 to 31, characterized in that the sliding surface (272a, b) of the ring plate (320a, b) in the absence of an external actuating force except sealing contact with an associated mating sliding surface (274a, b) each other rotational connection component (252) and can be brought into sealing contact by the introduction of an actuating force from the outside.

33. rotary device according to one of claims 1 to 32, characterized in that the rotary connection (52; 252) supply means (48, 48b, 84; 330 or 248b, 284) for a sliding and / or heat dissipation fluid, which has the supply allow the sliding or / and heat dissipation fluid to slide surfaces (72a, b, 74a, b; 272a, b, 274a, b) of the rotary connection (52; 252).

34. Rotary device according to claim 33, characterized in that the sliding or / and heat dissipation fluid is formed by the cleaning fluid.

35. rotary device according to claim 33 or 34, characterized in that the supply of sliding or / and heat dissipation fluid to the sliding surfaces (272a, b, 274 a, b) is temporally effective outside of cleaning periods.

36. Rotary device according to claim 35, characterized in that independent supply means are provided for the supply of the sliding and / or heat dissipation fluid from a line system (48) of the cleaning fluid.

37. rotary connection for the fluid transport between a stator assembly (10) and a rotor assembly (14), in particular in a rotary device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 36, characterized in that the rotary connection (42; 242) one on the stator construction Group (10) against rotation fixed or fixable Dre¬ connection connection stator (50; 250) and with the rotor assembly (14) for common rotation connectable or connected rotation connection rotor (52; 252), wherein these two rotation connection components (50, 52;

250, 252) against each other by axially directed sliding surfaces

(72a, 74a, 72b, 74b; 274a, 274b, 272b, 274b) are rotatably mounted, if desired in connection with at least one further feature according to one of Claims 3 to 36.