WO2016103156A1

WO2016103156A1 - Method for moving containers and rotary machine for orienting containers in bulk which actuates said method

Info

Publication number: WO2016103156A1
Application number: PCT/IB2015/059844
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mario Lanfranchi
Original assignee: Lanfranchi S.R.L.
Priority date: 2014-12-22
Filing date: 2015-12-21
Publication date: 2016-06-30
Also published as: EP3237312A1

Abstract

Method and Apparatus for treating containers aligned by an orienting machine, wherein within said rotary machine, a plurality of bulk containers are selected and ordered and possibly aligned or straightened, characterized in that it provides for extracting the container (thus selected and ordered and possibly aligned or straightened) in at least one pick-up point of the orienting machine and subsequently bringing it back at least once inside the orienting machine, where it is moved according to a same rotary path analogous to that of the previously-selected containers; said steps of extraction and interior reintroduction able to be completed multiple times during the 360° movement, corresponding to a complete revolution of the machine.

Description

TITLE: METHOD FOR MOVING CONTAINERS AND ROTARY

MACHINE FOR ORIENTING CONTAINERS IN BULK WHICH ACTUATES SAID METHOD

DESCRIPTION FIELD OF APPLICATION OF THE INVENTION

The present finding is inserted in the field of orienting machines and of treatment lines downstream of such machines.

STATE OF THE ART

Orienting machines are known; examples thereof are found in the documents EP1590276, EP1601594, EP1209103, EP0877711, US4825995, US4825995.

It is also known to arrange a series of transfer means, usually of rotary star conveyor type, for the containers thus selected and aligned by said orienting machines and in-line operating, with a series of stand-alone machines, further steps of filling, capping, labeling, inspection, and finally packaging .

EXPOSITION AND ADVANTAGES OF THE FINDING

Object of the present finding is to provide the art with a new work method for the movement of the containers after the orienting machine.

Another object of the invention is to create a more compact work system, optimizing the bulk and also the costs of the transfer lines.

Said objects and advantages are all attained by the method for moving containers and rotary machine for orienting bulk containers actuating said method, object of the present finding, which is characterized for that provided in the below-reported claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

This and other characteristics will be more evident from the following description of several embodiments illustrated, as a mere non-limiting example, in the enclosed drawing table, of which : • Figure 1 illustrates a overall scheme of the apparatus actuating the claimed moving method.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FINDING

With particular reference to figure 1, reference number 1 indicates an orienting machine for containers (bottles, preform bottles), preferably made of plastic. Said orienting machine, as known, comprises means for selecting the containers, and positioning them according to a suitable position. Generally, the containers are selected laid-down via a series of means known with the technical term of lifting elements, then they are made to fall into cradles and separators which provide for their straightening. In any case, the present finding already functions with the container selected and in some manner arranged on the machine, ready to be extracted and moved according to a path better described hereinbelow.

Usually, the containers vertically fall inside the machine, they slide on a slide surface, and from here they are advanced e.g. on an annular path inside the orienting machine.

The invention arises in this context.

Forming the object of the finding is the method for treating the containers 3 selected or aligned by an orienting machine, wherein within said rotary, a plurality of bulk containers are selected and ordered and possibly aligned or straightened .

The method provides for extracting the container, thus selected and ordered and possibly aligned or straightened, in at least one pick-up point of the orienting machine and subsequently bringing it back at least once inside the orienting machine, where it is moved according to a same rotary path analogous to that of the previously-selected containers; said steps of extraction and interior reintroduction able to be completed multiple times during the 360° movement corresponding to a complete revolution of the machine.

As can be inferred from figure 1, the step of reintroduction occurs at at least one distance pitch with respect to that where the container is picked up by the first extraction means.

The method provides for completing, on the container that is straightened and brought outside, one or more operating steps on the container itself.

Also forming the object of the finding is the rotary apparatus comprising at least one apparatus for orienting bulk containers, and one or more devices 10 for extracting and one or more devices for reintroducing the same container inside the machine; during a complete revolution of the rotary machine which selects and orders the bulk containers, the container which is picked up at least once returns into the machine before then exiting once again at a different pick-up point.

The reintroduction devices reintroduce the container at at least one distance pitch with respect to that where the extraction device picked up the container.

In addition, said reintroduction means reintroduce the container on the same movement level of the container selected by the orienting machine, or alternatively said reintroduction means reintroduce the container on a different circular movement path or level than that of the container selected by the orienting machine, specifically on a lower path or level.

Said extraction and reintroduction means are devices such as star conveyors or rotary carousels which pick up and transfer and release the container by means of mechanical or pneumatic gripping systems or equivalent systems.

Said extraction and reintroduction means are means for supporting the container that are moved by a catenary; said catenary exits at at least one point of the orienting machine, driving with it the corresponding support means and the container, then subsequently returning inside the apparatus in order to deliver the container back inside the machine, after at least one further operating step has been completed thereon.

From that stated above, it is clear that at least one extraction means carries the selected container on at least one carousel or machine or work station on which one or more work steps is executed, on their own or in combination, such as: steps of filling, labeling, sealing or capping, orientation, inspection, analysis of the seal etc....; at the end of at least one of said steps, the reintroduction means delivers the container back inside the orienting machine.

Claims

C LA I M S

1. Method for treating containers aligned by an orienting machine, wherein within said rotary machine, a plurality of bulk containers are selected and ordered and possibly aligned or straightened, characterized in that it provides for extracting the container (thus selected and ordered and possibly aligned or straightened) in at least one pick-up point of the orienting machine and subsequently bringing it back at least once inside the orienting machine, where it is moved according to a same rotary path analogous to that of the previously-selected containers; said steps of extraction and interior reintroduction able to be completed multiple times during the 360° movement corresponding to a complete revolution of the machine.

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the step of reintroduction occurs at at least one distance pitch with respect to that where the container is picked up by the first extraction means.

3. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that it provides for completing, on the container that is straightened and brought outside, one or more operating steps on the container itself.

4. Rotary apparatus characterized in that it comprises at least one apparatus for orienting bulk containers, and one or more devices for extracting and one or more devices for the reintroduction of the same container inside the machine; during a complete revolution of the rotary machine which selects and orders the bulk containers, the container that is picked up returns at least once inside the machine before exiting once again at a different pick-up point.

5. Apparatus, according to claim 4, characterized in that said reintroduction devices reintroduce the container at at least one distance pitch with respect to that where the extraction device has picked up the container.

6. Apparatus, according to claim 4, characterized in that said reintroduction means reintroduce the container on the same movement level of the container selected by the orienting machine.

7. Apparatus, according to claim 4, characterized in that said reintroduction means reintroduce the container on a different circular movement path or level than that of the container selected by the orienting machine, specifically on a lower path or level.

8. Apparatus, according to claim 4, characterized in that said extraction and reintroduction means are devices such as star conveyors or rotary carousels which pick up and transfer and release the container by means of mechanical or pneumatic gripping systems or equivalent systems.

9. Apparatus, according to claim 4, characterized in that said extraction and reintroduction means are means for supporting the container that are moved by a catenary; said catenary exits at at least one point of the orienting machine, driving with it the corresponding support means and the container, then subsequently returns inside the apparatus in order to deliver the container back inside the machine, after at least one further operating step has been completed thereon.

10. Apparatus, according to claim 4, 8, 9, characterized in that at least one extraction means carries the selected container on at least one carousel or machine or work station on which one or more work steps is executed, on their own or in combination, such as: steps of filling, labeling, sealing or capping, orientation, inspection, analysis of the seal etc.... ; at the end of at least one of said steps, the reintroduction means delivers the container back inside the orienting machine.