WO2003053824A1

WO2003053824A1 - Method and device for handling bottles

Info

Publication number: WO2003053824A1
Application number: PCT/EP2002/014536
Authority: WO
Inventors: Herwig Hirschek
Original assignee: Autefa Automation Gmbh
Priority date: 2001-12-20
Filing date: 2002-12-19
Publication date: 2003-07-03
Also published as: DE20120700U1

Abstract

The invention concerns a method and a device for handling bottles (4) in a bottle installation equipped with several bottle production systems, said bottles (4) being conveyed in several rows up to a bottle transfer system (15) via specific transport lines (5, 6, 7, 8). The bottle transfer system (15) comprises a mobile gripping device (16) provided with several individually controllable grip elements (17, 18, 19 20) designed to selectively transfer the bottles conveyed in rows up to said bottle transfer system on one or several mobile intermediate supports (22). Therefor, a monitoring device controls the number of bottles on the transport lines (5, 6, 7, 8) and consequently controls the bottle transfer system (15).

Description

DESCRIPTION

Method and device for treating bottles

The invention relates to a method and a device for treating bottles with the features in the preamble of the main method and device claim.

Such a bottle treatment device is known from WO00 / 69760. It is integrated in a bottle system and has a bottle transfer unit with a movable gripping device which is equipped with a plurality of gripping elements for converting bottles fed in series onto one or more movable intermediate carriers. The bottles are fed from a single connected blowing machine via one or more conveyor lines.

If a bottle system comprises several bottle generators and in particular blow molding machines for plastic bottles and the bottles are to be fed to a central palletizer or the like, it is known from practice to first bring the individual conveyor lines of the bottle producers together into a common strand and then after a certain conveying length to be divided into several individual strands or conveyor lines again. This happens primarily with air conveyors and has the disadvantage that the common conveyor line is extremely loaded and must have a high conveying speed. In addition, these merging of conveyor lines slow down the overall performance and require the installation of buffer sections. Any disruptions in the shared conveyor chain, e.g. by falling over bottles or the like, put the whole immediately

Bottle system silent. On the other hand, the common strand allows differences in production output balance the individual blow molding machines with each other and still ensure a uniform bottle feed and so-called balance on the bottle transfer device. In addition to the load and speed problem for the common strand, this also results

Difficulties in processing different types of bottles.

The invention is therefore based on the object of demonstrating a better bottle treatment technology.

The invention solves this problem with the features in

Process and device main claim.

The claimed methods and device for bottle treatment enable row-selective implementation of the bottles. This can be done by means of a bottle converter and the individually controllable gripping elements. Here, the bottle converter is connected to several parallel and proprietary conveyor lines from different bottle producers. The usual merging of conveyor lines with subsequent splitting can be dispensed with. Any performance differences between the bottle producers are compensated for by the row-selective implementation.

The bottle treatment technology according to the invention has the advantage that lower conveying speeds and shorter conveying paths can be used. This is also beneficial for cooling blown plastic bottles. In addition, any malfunctions in the area of the blow molding machines or their conveying lines, for example due to bottles falling over, can be better absorbed, with impairments to the entire bottle system being avoided. The bottle treatment technology according to the invention allows the plant operator to work with any number of bottle producers. Their number and performance can also be changed during production. Through the monitoring device and the selective

Bottle changes are automatically recognized and taken into account any changes in the bottle supply. Furthermore, it is possible to produce different types or formats of bottles in the connected bottle producers and to feed them to the bottle converter, which recognizes the respective bottle types using the monitoring device and automatically converts them to separate intermediate carriers or, in a selectable mixture, to common intermediate carriers. The so-called bottle producers can also be of different types and e.g. consist of unpacking machines, unscramblers for erecting and tidying pile of random bottles or the like.

On the output side, one or more further processing devices can be connected to the bottle converter. These can be palletizers with any connected packaging equipment, but also intermediate storage, filling systems, labeling stations, etc.

Further advantageous refinements of the invention are specified in the subclaims.

The invention is shown schematically, for example, in the drawings. Show in detail:

Figure 1 is a schematic and partially broken plan view of a

Bottle system with several bottle producers and a common bottle treatment device,

Figure 2 is an enlarged overview of the

Bottle treatment plant with the bottle converter of Figure 1 and

Figure 3: an even more detailed and enlarged view of the

Bottle converter of Figure 2.

A bottle system (2) is shown in detail in FIG. It contains several separately arranged and independently working bottle producers (3), each with their own, proprietary conveyor lines (5,6,7,8). In Figure 1, two bottle producers (3) are arranged in the section shown. Two other bottle producers are next to it in the area not shown. Of these, the conveyor lines (7,8) are shown in Figure 1. The bottle producers (3) can be present in any number and arrangement.

The bottle producers (3) can be of any type. In the exemplary embodiment shown, blow molding machines are used to use plastic bottles made of polyethylene, e.g. HDPE or made of polyethylene terephthalate PET. For the sake of clarity, these bottles (4) are only shown in FIG. 3.

Alternatively, bottles (4) can be made from any other materials. The bottle producers (3) can alternatively also be unpacking devices from externally supplied bottle containers. This can be, for example, bottles made of plastic, glass or the like, which are delivered as new goods by an external manufacturer or as return bottles.

In a further variant, the bottle producers (3) can be designed as so-called unscramblers, which erect, arrange and dispense bottles delivered in random piles. The aforementioned variants are not shown for the sake of clarity.

A bottle treatment device (1), which consists of one or more bottle converters (15) and furthermore one or more trays (22, 23), is integrated in the bottle system (2), which can also include more than the four bottle producers (3) mentioned ) or so-called intermediate supports. One or more can be connected to the bottle converter (15) on the output side

Further treatment devices (25) can be connected, which are arranged externally or are part of the bottle treatment device (1) and fall within the scope of delivery. In the exemplary embodiment shown there is a palletizer (25) with a connected packaging device (30).

The bottle producers (3) give the bottles separately from one another via their proprietary conveyor lines (5,6,7,8)

(4) off. For this purpose, the conveyor lines (5,6,7,8) one or more suitable conveyors (9) in the area of

Have bottle maker (3). This can e.g.

Be an air conveyor. In the embodiment shown, each conveyor line (5,6,7,8) has a single air conveyor

(9) • The conveyor lines (5, 6, 7, 8) are connected in parallel next to one another on the input side of the bottle converter (15) and feed the bottles (4) in several parallel rows. In the area of the bottle converter (15), the conveyor lines (5,6,7,8) have a conveyor (10) for a preferably stationary transport of the bottles (4). This can be, for example, a rotating plate chain conveyor, a belt conveyor or the like. This standing conveyor (10) can have any suitable training.

If the conveyors (9, 10) are designed differently, there is a changer in the area of the conveyor lines (5, 6, 7, 8) at a suitable point, with which the bottles (4) coming from the bottle producer (3) can be taken from the overhead conveyor or air conveyor (9) are brought onto the standing conveyor (10).

The various bottle producers (3) with their proprietary conveyor lines (5,6,7,8) are connected independently and parallel to each other to the bottle converter (15) and convey their bottles (4) directly to the bottle converter (15). A merging of conveyor lines (5, 6, 7, 8) is preferably dispensed with here, so that on each conveyor line (5, 6, 7, 8) only the bottles (4) of the respectively connected one

Bottle producer (3) reach the bottle converter (15).

The conveyor lines (5,6,7,8) can be assigned to the bottle producers (3). Alternatively, at least in the area of the standing conveyor (10), they can also be part of the bottle treatment device (1) and be part of its scope of delivery. The same applies, if applicable, to the changers between overhead and standing conveyors (9, 10).

The bottle converter (15) has at least one

Gripping device (16) which can be moved on a frame (21) transversely to the conveying direction (24) of the conveying lines (5,6,7,8) is stored. The gripping device (16) has a plurality of individually controllable gripping elements (17, 18, 19, 20) which are preferably designed as row grippers for the bottles (4) brought upright and in rows in the takeover area (12). The number of gripping elements (17, 18, 19, 20) is preferably the same as the number of conveyor lines (5, 6, 7, 8) connected to the bottle converter (15).

The gripping elements (17, 18, 19, 20) can be designed in any suitable manner and have e.g. movable clamping or clamping jaws with which the upright bottles (4) can be gripped on the neck or a collar or in another suitable area.

The gripping elements (17, 18, 19) can be controlled separately and individually. You only take over and grab the bottles (4) from the desired and controlled conveyor lines (5,6,7,8). As shown in Figure 3, e.g. during a transfer process, only the gripping elements (18, 19, 20) are activated and carry bottles (4). The fourth gripping element (17) is empty and not activated. For the sake of clarity, the bottles (4) are only shown in the lower picture area in the gripping elements (18, 19, 20). In reality, however, the row grippers (17, 18, 19, 20) grasp a complete row section of bottles (4) and are filled or filled with bottles (4) over their entire length.

The individual control of the gripping elements (17, 18, 19) also enables a variable gripping technique for different types of bottles (4). The bottles (4) are gripped in different places and in different ways. The length of the row grippers (17, 18, 19, 20) preferably corresponds to the length of the trays or intermediate carriers (22, 23), which are arranged on one or two sides next to the transfer area (12) on the bottle converter (15). By moving the row sections of bottles (4), a so-called bottle layer is formed on the trays (22, 23), which corresponds, for example, to the size of the pallet, but can otherwise have any other format.

The gripping device (16) is mounted on the frame (21) so that it can move transversely and also has a further axis of movement in height, so that the gripped bottles (4) are lifted from the conveyors (10) and lowered onto the intermediate carriers (22, 23) and can be put on. There may also be other axes of movement, e.g. allow the bottles (4) to tilt when they are placed on the tray (22, 23). In addition, the gripping elements (17, 18, 19, 20) can be arranged on the gripping device (16) such that they can move relative to one another and can have their own drive. As a result, different lateral distances between the bottles (4) in the takeover area (12) on the conveyor lines (5, 6, 7, 8) and in their packing position on the tray (22, 23) can be compensated. In addition to this transverse mobility, the gripper elements (17, 18, 19, 20) can also be movable relative to one another in the longitudinal direction in order to be able to place adjacent rows of bottles on the tray (22, 23) with a gap. Figure 3 shows this arrangement. In terms of its design, the gripping device can be designed like the embodiments from WO00 / 69760.

The bottle treatment device (1) or the bottle converter (15) further comprise a monitoring device (13) with which the bottle occupancy on the conveyor lines (5, 6, 7, 8) is determined in the takeover area (12). For the sake of clarity, that is Monitoring device (13) only shown schematically in Figure 2. This monitoring device (13) determines whether and how many bottles (4) are located in the takeover area (12) on the individual conveyor lines (5, 6, 7, 8) and where they are currently positioned.

As shown in FIG. 3, the bottle feed on the feed lines (5,6,7,8) can be different. This can have different causes and e.g. related to different production capacities of the bottle producers (3). The standing conveyors (10) of the individual conveyor lines (5,6,7,8) preferably work at the same speed. Alternatively, they can also have different speeds in adaptation to the generator capacity.

The monitoring device (13) can be constructed in any suitable manner. In the preferred embodiment, it is an optical measuring device, in particular a camera system with an image evaluation. It captures in the takeover area

(12) all four connected conveyor lines (5,6,7,8) at the same time. Alternatively, the monitoring device

(13) also include several individual systems that are assigned to a smaller number of funding lines (5,6,7,8). The monitoring device (13) is connected to the

Control of the bottle treatment device (1) and the _. Bottle converter (15) connected. The gripping device (16) and the individually controllable gripping elements (17, 18, 19, 20) are controlled according to the data supplied by the monitoring device (13) about the occupancy of the individual conveyor lines (5, 6, 7, 8).

During the selective bottle transfer, the monitoring device (13) determines on which conveyor lines (5, 6, 7, 8) in the transfer area (12) a sufficient number of bottles (4) are available in the transfer position and from which Gripping device (16) detected and can be converted to the tray (22,23). Here it is automatically recognized whether individual conveyor lines (5,6,7,8) are completely empty, which can be the case, for example, in the event of a conscious shutdown or a fault in the connected bottle producer (3) and possibly also in the associated conveyor line. It is also determined whether a possibly slower or lower capacity conveyor line (5,6,7,8) is not yet sufficiently filled. The gripping device (16) with its gripping elements (17, 18, 19, 20) is selectively controlled in accordance with these determinations and measurement results, as well as data evaluation, so that only the ready-made bottles are gripped by the sufficiently filled conveyor lines (5, 6, 7, 8) and be implemented. In the other conveyor lines, the bottle transport can continue during the transfer time until these are also sufficiently filled in the takeover area (12). In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, after the bottles (4) have been placed on the tray (22), the gripping device (16) in the next cycle grips bottles from the more filled conveyor lines (5, 7) with the row grippers (17, 19) and implement and leave the row grippers (18, 20) assigned to the other less filled conveyor lines (6, 8) inactive. In the subsequent implementation cycle, these currently skipped conveyor lines (6,8) are then cleared. The selective bottle conversion is highly flexible and takes into account all temporary and current conditions and bottle assignments on the conveyor lines (5,6,7,8).

The conveyor lines (5,6,7,8) or their standing conveyors (10) are open at the ends (11) on the exit side. Any excess bottles (4) that could not be gripped and moved in time can be pushed out and handed over to a bottle collector (14), eg a suitable large container. Bottles that may have fallen on the conveyor lines (5,6,7,8) can also be pushed off be, as shown in Figure 3 at the end (11) of the conveyor line (5). This prevents disruptions in the conveyor operation and the conveyors (9, 10) can continue to run without interruption. The bottles (4) can be brought back manually or mechanically from the bottle collector (14) into the conveying cycle and, if necessary, transferred separately to the trays (22, 23).

In order to compare the cycle times of the bottle transfer unit (15) and its transfer cycles and the conveying speed of the bottles (4) on the individual conveyor lines (5,6,7,8), additional storage zones or temporary intermediate storage on the conveyor lines (5,6,7,8 ) be arranged at a suitable point in front of the takeover area (12).

As soon as a tray (22, 23) is filled, it is loaded with a suitable conveyor, e.g. transported in a shuttle and replaced with a new empty tray (22, 23). In order not to hinder the transfer cycles during this tray change, are in the preferred

Embodiment two trays (22, 23) to the left and right of the takeover area (12). When changing the one tray (22), an empty tray (23) is already available on the other side for the uninterrupted bottle transfer.

In the preferred embodiment, bottles (4) of the same type are produced by the bottle producers (3) during operation and delivered to the bottle converter (15). Alternatively, different bottles (4) can be produced by the bottle producers (3), e.g. vary among each other according to type and format. In this case, the different bottles (4) can be selectively converted to the associated tray (22, 23) via the selective bottle conversion and there in the same way

Bottle layers can be put together. Alternatively, any mix is possible. In the embodiment shown, the loaded trays (22, 23) are fed directly to the connected palletizer (25). In the embodiment shown, the latter has a frame-like frame that runs around the outside, on which two robots (26, 27) can travel back and forth separately. The first robot (26) has a suitable gripping device with which the entire bottle layer can grip the trays (22, 23) that are ready in each case and can be transferred to a palletizing station. The second robot

(27) has a different type of gripping device with which the respectively required pallet parts (28), e.g. Bottom pallet, intermediate layers, lids, etc. are taken from the appropriate storage locations and also brought to the palletizing station in the order required. As a result, the pallet (29) is built up from the bottle layers and the pallet parts (28). As soon as this is finished, it is fed via a suitable transport system to the downstream packaging device (30), where it is provided with a suitable packaging and e.g. is surrounded with a shrink film and with fastening tapes.

Modifications of the embodiment shown are possible in various ways. On the bottle converter (15) e.g. less or more than the four bottle converters (3) shown are connected. In the case of a larger bottle layer (2), the bottle treatment device (1) can contain more than one bottle transfer device (15). The bottle changer

(15) can also comprise several gripping devices (16) to increase the transfer capacity, which can be moved on a common frame (21) or on separate frames. In the embodiment shown, the bottle converter (15) is designed as a multi-axis robot with two or more linear axes (22) in accordance with WO 00/69760. Alternatively, the robot can also alternatively or additionally ^'have one or more rotary axes. In particular, it can be designed as a multi-axis articulated arm robot. In the embodiment shown, the conveying lines (5, 6, 7, 8) are each in one strand from the bottle producer (3) to

Bottle treatment device (1) pulled through. Alternatively, branching can take place, with one conveyor line (5,6,7,8) each being divided into two or more conveyor lines. The conveyor lines (5, 6, 7, 8) are preferably guided separately from one another. In variation of this, an intersection by means of switches or the like is possible at least in places.

Instead of the palletizer (25) and the possibly connected packaging device (30), the further processing device (25) can be designed as an intermediate storage, washing system, filling system or the like for the bottles (4).

in a further variation, the conveying lines (5, 6, 7, 8) can be on the ends and in the takeover area (12)

Positioning devices, e.g. have pivoting stops or the like in order to position the rows of bottles for takeover. In this way, the monitoring device (13) can be relieved, which otherwise determine the assumption of the row position of the bottles (4) which is appropriate for the takeover and correspondingly control the gripping elements (17, 18, 19, 20) via the control. In addition, the standing conveyor (10) in the takeover area (12)

Have a stowage function and slide against the jammed bottles (4).

The design of the individual machine components of the bottle treatment device (1) is also variable. LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

Bottle handling device cylinder system bottles producers, blow molding bottle conveying line conveying line conveying line conveying line conveyor, air conveyor conveyor, article conveyor end of the conveyor line take-over zone surveillance device bottle collector bottle transfer gripping device gripping element row grippers gripping element row grippers gripping element row grippers gripping element row gripper rack tray, intermediate support tray, intermediate support conveying direction for further processing device palletizer robot robot range part rack packaging device

Claims

1.) Method for treating bottles (4) in a bottle system (2) with several bottle producers (3), the bottles (4) being lined up by at least one bottle converter (15) which has a movable gripping device (16) with several gripping elements ( 17, 18, 19, 20) are implemented on one or more movable intermediate carriers (22, 23), characterized in that the bottles (4) are supplied by different bottle producers (3) via proprietary conveyor lines (5, 6, 7, 8) ) are fed to the bottle converter (15) in several parallel rows and are transferred row-selectively with individually controllable gripping elements (17, 18, 19, 20) to the intermediate carrier (s) (22, 23), with the bottle occupancy being monitored by a monitoring device (13) the conveyor lines (5,6,7,8) monitored and the bottle transfer device (15) is controlled.

2.) Bottle treatment device for one

Bottle system (2) with a plurality of bottle producers (3), the bottle treatment device (1) having at least one bottle transfer device (15) with a movable gripping device (16), which has a plurality of gripping elements (17, 18, 19, 20) for transferring rows of bottles is equipped on one or more movable intermediate carriers (22, 23), characterized in that the bottle converter (3) is connected to several parallel, proprietary conveyor lines (5, 6, 7, 8) from different bottle producers (3), the bottle converter ( 3) a monitoring device (13) for the bottle loading on the conveyor lines

(5,6,7,8) and individually controllable gripping elements (17,18,19,20) for a row-selective implementation of the Contains bottles (4).

3.) Bottle treatment device according to claim 2, characterized in that the conveyor lines (5, 6, 7, 8) at least in the takeover area

(12) of the bottle converter (3) have a conveyor (10) for a standing bottle transport.

4.) Bottle treatment device according to claim 2 or o 3, characterized in that the monitoring device (13) is designed as an optical measuring device, preferably as a camera system.

5 5.) Bottle treatment device according to claim 2, 3 or 4, characterized in that the conveyor lines (5, 6, 7, 8) have open ends (11).

6.) Bottle treatment device according to claim 5, characterized in that a bottle collector (14) for excess or faulty, in particular overturned bottles (4) is arranged at the open ends (11). 5

7.) Bottle treatment device according to one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that the bottle converter (15) is connected on the output side to a further treatment device (25), in particular a palletizer.

5