WO2006097796A2 - A system to optimize the feeding of bottles in filling plants - Google Patents

Abstract

A system to optimize the feeding of bottles in filling plants characteritzed by the fact that it comprises a synchronizing star (K) with peripheral alveoli having the same pitch as a synchronized filling machine (R) to allow the simultaneous engagement of two converging and synchronized blowing machines (S1; S2) equipped with double-pitched (U1; U2) exit wheels (2P).

Description

A system to optimize the feeding of bottles in filling plants

Field of the art

The present invention refers to the manufacturing technology of bottling

plants. International classification N 67 G.

State of the art

The change of the bottle format in synchronized blowing or filling

plants is notoriously problematic. The problem to be solved is to change the

bottle format without affecting the filling capacity. The solution proposed by

the present invention consists in conveying the bottles produced by two

distinct blowing machines into a single synchronizing star that allows to

handle two simultaneous flows of bottles on a single synchronized filling

machine.

The hourly production of the filling machine doubles when two small-

format blowing machines perform the feeding. Furthermore, the hourly

production of the filling machine remains elevated also when only one

blowing machine, producing large format bottles, is operating, while the

second one is off.

It is of course obvious that the cost of the mould for large bottles can be

reduced by half if a single blowing machine is used. It is also evident that the

wear on a single blowing machine for large formats can be limited because the speed of rotation can be reduced while maintaining the same volumetric

production capacity of the synchronized filling machine.

Description

The invention is now disclosed in details with reference to the figures of

the drawings hereby attached as an unrestrictive example.

Figure 1 represents schematically the combined engagement of two

synchronized blowing machines ( Sl; S2 ) that simultaneously feed a single

filling machine (R) having the pitch (P). The distinctive synchronizing star

(K), through the middle wheels (Hl; H2), is simultaneously engaged with both

the exit wheels ( Ul; U2 ) of both blowing machines ( Sl; S2) having pitch

(2P).

It should be highlighted that the filling machine (R) is fed at the pitch

(P) by both the combined flows of bottles coming at pitch (2P) and engaging

on the synchronizing star (K). The bottles fed by the blowing machine (Sl) are

graphically represented by white circles, while the bottles fed by the blowing

machine (S2) are represented graphically by black circles. It can be noticed

that the combined flow of bottles that enter the filling machine (R) is

graphically represented by black circles alternated with white circles

advancing at the resulting pitch (P). Figure 2 represents the single blowing machine (Sl) that feeds the

synchronizing star (K) with the bottle indicated with white circles with pitch

(P) coming from the blowing machine with pitch (2p). It can be noticed that

the change of pitch happens in the synchronized passage from the exit star

(Ul) to the middle star (Hl) engaging with the synchronizing star (K).

Figure 3 shows the operating position of the single blowing machine

(S2) that feeds on a single line the synchronizing star (K) with bottles

graphically represented with black circles with pitch (P) while coming from

the blowing machine having pitch (2P).

The pitch change occurs in the synchronized passage from the exit star

(U2) to the middle wheel (H2) engaging with the synchronizing star (K).

hi the figures each single detail is marked as follows:

Hl is the middle wheel for the synchronized engagement between the

exit wheel (U2) and the synchronized (K).

H2 is the middle wheel for the synchronized engagement between the

exit wheel (U2) and the synchronizing star (K).

K is the synchronizing star for the combined engagement of two

blowing machines.

P is the pitch of the filling machine.

R is the filling machine with pitch (P). Sl and S2 indicate the two blowing machines with molds having pitch

2P.

Ul; U2 indicate the exit wheels with adjustable pitch of the two

blowing machines Sl; S2.

The evidence of the figures highlights the simplicity of operation and

realization of the system object of the present invention. The invention of

course allows for several variations of practical realization as far as the

dimensioning and proportioning of the various components, as well as the

technological choices of the building material are concerned.

The inventive core of the present invention is centered on the

introduction of a synchronizing star that allows the combined simultaneous

engagement of the bottles coming from two distinct blowing machines

operating at pitch 2P to feed a single filling machine (R) with pitch (P).

All the feeding systems for filling plants that will be designed according

to the characteristics as basically described, illustrated and hereinafter

claimed, will be therefore considered as being part of the protection sphere of

the present invention.

Claims

Claims

1. A system to optimize the feeding of bottles in filling plants

characterized by the fact that it comprises a synchronizing star (K) with

peripheral alveoli having the same pitch (P) as a synchronized filling

machine (R) to allow the simultaneous engagement of two converging

and synchronized blowing machines (Sl; S2) equipped with double-

pitched (Ul; U2) exit wheels (2 P).

2. A system to optimize the feeding of bottles in filling plants, as in the

previous claim, characterized by the fact that, after the adjusting of the

pitch of the exit wheel (U1;U2) of a single blowing machine (Sl; S2)

engaged and synchronized to the pitch (P) of the filling machine (R),

one of the two blowing machines (Sl; S2) can be kept inactive for any

management or maintenance reason.