WO2017092996A1

WO2017092996A1 - Transport star wheel for guiding containers in a container treatment facility

Info

Publication number: WO2017092996A1
Application number: PCT/EP2016/077277
Authority: WO
Inventors: Matthias SCHOPP; Alberto Garcia
Original assignee: Khs Gmbh
Priority date: 2015-11-30
Filing date: 2016-11-10
Publication date: 2017-06-08
Also published as: DE102015120770A1; DE102015120770B4

Abstract

The invention relates to a transport star wheel for guiding containers in a container treatment facility. The aim of the invention is to provide an adjustable transport star wheel for guiding containers of different dimensions, which is cost-effective, easy to adjust and easy to clean. To this end, a transport star wheel is provided with a plurality of star pockets for arranging the containers, an adjusting device comprising a plurality of hydraulic linear units arranged in the radial direction for radially moving the star pockets, and a coupling unit connecting the star pockets to the linear units.

Description

Transport star for guiding containers in

a container treatment plant

The invention relates to a transport star for guiding containers in a container treatment plant.

Format parts, such as transport stars, are used in container treatment plants to hold and guide the containers as they pass through the system along a transport path. In this case, transport stars or a number of transport stars, eg. In the field of liquid fillers, labeling or closing machines used. The format parts are usually matched to a type of container or limited container sizes, so that when a container change and the format parts must be replaced. In order to avoid the costly change of transport stars, transport stars are known, which have adjustable star pockets in size, so that a transport star can hold containers with different diameters and lead through the container system.

With transport stars one can distinguish two different kinds. On the one hand transport stars with container grippers or container clamps for positionally accurate fixing of the container on the transport star and on the other transport stars with star pockets into which the containers run and in which the containers are guided during the rotational movement of the transport star. Stars with star pockets usually have an outer guide, with which the containers are in contact and on which the containers are pushed along by the rotating transport star.

In the known adjustable transport stars with star pockets, the size change of the star pockets by means of a rotational movement of individual star wheels. In addition, transport stars are known in which by means of the rotational movement of the star wheels, the contact areas of the star pockets are moved radially outwards, so that the distance of the contact areas is increased. The known star-shaped transport stars have an adjustment mechanism in order to effect a simultaneous and uniform adjustment of the star pockets in their size. The adjustment mechanisms are structurally extremely complex, expensive and sensitive to damage. In addition, the complicated mechanics makes the cleanability of the transport stars considerably more difficult, so that, for example, high hygienic requirements when transporting containers for food are difficult to achieve.

The invention is therefore based on the object to provide an adjustable transport star for guiding containers with different dimensions, which is inexpensive, easy to adjust and easy to clean.

The invention solves the problem by a transport star with the features of claim 1. Advantageous developments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims. In this case, all the features described in principle or in any combination are fundamentally the subject of the invention, regardless of their summary in the claims or their dependency.

The inventive star conveyor for guiding containers in a container treatment plant comprises a star wheel having a plurality of star pockets for supporting the containers, an adjusting device having a plurality of radially arranged hydraulic linear units for radially moving the star pockets and a connecting element connecting the star pockets and the linear units. Via the radial movement of the star pockets, the necessary adaptation of the star pocket to the container diameter takes place. By means of the radial alignment of the linear units and the associated radial direction of action of the linear units, a particularly simple adjustment of the star pockets is possible. In this case, the hydraulic linear units are particularly cost-effective to provide and it is a particularly small number of components needed, so that even the simplest possible cleanability of the stars, eg. When a container breakage is guaranteed.

Under the generic transport stars adjustable transport stars are understood to have star pockets for receiving containers, that is, the transport stars have on the outer circumference of a star wheel components that form star pockets and the containers can be applied to the. The generic transport stars thus have no container brackets, with which a tight enclosing the container. The star pockets are thus formed as non-cross-container receptacles. Also, the transport star has no co-axially adjustable star wheels. The generic transport stars can interact with an external guide on the container treatment plant, so that the containers are held between the outer guide and the contact surfaces in the star pocket and pushed along the outer guide.

The transport stars are especially designed for containers, such as bottles or cans. In this case, the containers for liquids, for example drinks, can be provided. The transport stars are used in particular in container treatment plants with corresponding container filling stations, labeling stations and / or closing stations. Also, appropriate maintenance and inspection devices may be present in the container treatment plant through which the containers are guided by the transport stars. In this case, the transport stars are used, for example, in the area of the transport paths between the individual stations of the container treatment plant.

Under a star wheel, a component of the transport star is understood, which has on its outer circumference star pockets for applying the container, each one star pocket for receiving a container is provided and formed. The star pockets can be formed, for example, as bulges in the outer region of the star wheel or as components arranged on the star wheel (in the region of the outer circumference) that form a star pocket.

Thus, the star pockets can be V-shaped (forked). In this case, a star wheel on a plurality of individual star pockets, which are arranged side by side in the region of the outer periphery of the star wheel. The number of individual star pockets depends on the star wheel or tank size.

For the purposes of the invention, a plurality is understood to mean at least a number of two, for example, star pockets or linear units.

The star wheels have, as already mentioned, no gripping or clamping elements for gripping or gripping a container. That is, the container comes in contact with the star pocket, abuts against this and is optionally pressed at a corresponding external pressure to this. The star pocket flanks / arms, i. The contact surfaces comprising components of the star pocket, in particular, are rigid relative to one another and can not be moved towards or away from one another as in the case of a container gripper (container clamp). By means of the star pockets, therefore, no active detection takes place, but at best a slight pressure of the container is produced on the contact surfaces on the star pocket.

An adjusting device is understood to mean a device by means of which the star pockets can be moved back and forth between two radial positions, in particular steplessly. The radial direction refers to the axis of rotation of the star wheel or the transport star.

The hydraulic linear units comprised by the adjusting device are arranged in the radial direction. That is, the hydraulic linear units are with their

Longitudinal axis aligned in the radial direction, so that the effective direction of the linear units is radial. Linear units can be understood to mean piston-cylinder units designed for operation with hydraulic fluid. About the connecting element, the linear units are connected to the star pockets, so that by means of a movement of the linear units and the radial movement of the star pockets is effected.

By means of the connecting element thus a radially acting force is transmitted from the linear units to the star pockets. The star pockets are thus in Radial direction, ie, starting from the axis of rotation of the star wheel, outwardly or in the opposite direction in the radial direction to the axis of rotation of the star wheel moves. During the radial movement of the individual star pocket, the star pocket can be displaced radially outward as a whole, without a change in the distance of the contact areas forming a star pocket taking place. The star pocket contact areas for applying the containers can thus be arranged rigidly relative to one another. The adjustment of the star pockets takes place during a container change. The star pockets are moved in particular in the non-rotating state of the star wheels in the radial direction by means of the adjusting device in its predetermined position. The movement of the star pockets, which are connected via the connecting element with the linear unit, at least largely simultaneously and by the same amount of movement. That is, the star pockets of a star wheel are synchronously adjusted by means of the adjusting device and all, starting from the axis of rotation of the transport star, moved to a same new position, which is between the two end stops, this enclosing. The hydraulic linear unit makes it possible in particular also a stepless adjustability, so that the transport stars are particularly flexible for a large number of different container sizes, in particular container diameters, can be used.

A connecting element is understood to be a connection between at least one linear unit and a star pocket, by means of which power is transmitted. In this case, the connecting element can be formed between a single linear unit and a single star pocket or alternatively between a linear unit and a plurality of star pockets, for example two star pockets. Also, the connecting element may have a plurality of partial couplings, each of which, for example, connects a linear unit with one or more star pockets. Preferably, the connecting element can also connect all linear units with all star pockets.

In this case, the connecting element in the simplest version, for example. Be a screw or plug connection. Advantageously, the connecting element, for example, coupling arms, which with a first end to a linear unit and with a second end connected to a star pocket.

To avoid complex mechanical coupling units for a synchronous adjustment movement of the star pockets, according to a development of the invention it is provided that the ratio of the number of star pockets and the number of linear units is 1: 1, 2: 1, 3: 1 or at most 4 : 1 is. In particular, a number of 4: 1 could be realized by a series connection of 2: 1 mechanisms. Thus, each linear unit can be associated with or coupled to a single star pocket. Alternatively, to minimize the number of linear units, it is possible to couple two, three or four star pockets (via the coupling unit) to a single linear unit so that the radial movement of two, three or four star pockets simultaneously Linear unit is effected. Preferably, a linear unit is connected via the coupling unit with two star pockets.

In order to improve the positional accuracy of the star pockets, it is provided according to a development of the invention that the coupling unit connects a plurality of linear units with a plurality of star pockets, preferably all star pockets with all linear units. Particularly favorable is the ratio between the number of star pockets and the number of linear units as stated above. As a result, the force transmitted from the container to the star pocket force is distributed by the coupling unit to all connected linear units at a back pressure of a container on a single star pocket, whereby the position of the star pockets is maintained particularly accurate even during operation of the star transport.

To transmit the force from the linear unit to the star pocket or in the reverse direction, the coupling unit may be formed as a direct connection, for example. As a screw or plug connection. Preferably, however, the coupling unit is formed as an indirect connection and has a coupling arm which is connected to the star pocket and the linear unit. In this case, the coupling arm, for example, be rotatably mounted on the star pocket and / or the linear unit. Depending on the configuration of the coupling unit, for example, two coupling arms can also be arranged on the linear unit, which are each connected to different star pockets. A comparatively simple embodiment for a ratio of star pockets to coupling arms can be realized by the series connection of two couplings in the ratio 2: 1.

Thus, for example, in the arrangement of the same number of linear units and Sternta- see the coupling unit be designed such that each star pocket is coupled with two linear units and each linear unit with two star pockets.

Both the linear unit and the star pocket are, as already mentioned, aligned in the radial direction. With an arrangement ratio of the star pockets and the linear units of 1: 1, the trajectory of the linear unit and the trajectory of the linear pocket coupled to the linear unit can be aligned parallel to each other (angle = 0 °). However, between the trajectory of the linear unit and the trajectory of the star pocket, an angle of> 0 ° is particularly preferred. That is, the trajectory of the linear unit and the trajectory of the star pocket are both radially, but not aligned parallel to each other, which in a particularly simple manner, the arrangement of a smaller number of linear units is made possible as a star pockets.

The star pockets can be arranged differently on the star wheel. However, particularly preferred is a radially oriented guide device between the star pocket and a main body of the transport star is arranged. The guide device can be designed, for example, as a sliding or rolling guide and allows a particularly simple movement, in particular displacement of the star pocket relative to the main body of the transport star. The guide device is designed in particular as part of the coupling unit.

As already mentioned, the linear units can be designed as piston-cylinder units, wherein the piston is mounted movably in the cylinder in the linear direction. To drive the linear units, according to a development of the invention, the Adjusting device coupled to the linear units, designed to drive the linear units drive unit.

The drive unit can, for example, be designed as a gear drive which acts on a hydraulic fluid reservoir. However, the drive unit is particularly preferably designed as a servomotor (for example servo spindle) or working cylinder, in particular as an electric linear motor or hydraulically driven linear unit, for example as a piston-cylinder unit with a pump. About the formation of the drive unit as a servomotor or as a working cylinder, a particularly accurate control of the linear units and thus a particularly accurate and easy radial adjustment of the star pockets is possible.

In order to improve the synchrony of the adjustment movement of the star pocket, i. To achieve a particularly accurate simultaneous and uniform movement of Sternta- see, the linear units are coupled in series with each other according to a development of the invention. That is, the linear units are connected to each other such that, starting from the drive unit, the hydraulic fluid flows from a linear unit into the next linear unit. As a result, the movement of the linear units or the star pockets takes place synchronously, with the exception of the slight delay due to the fluid movement of the hydraulic fluid.

According to a development of the invention, the adjusting device has a distribution unit coupled to the drive unit and the linear unit. The distributor unit controls the linear units. In this case, the distributor unit may preferably be designed such that it simultaneously controls each linear unit or at least groups of linear units or groups of linear units coupled to one another in series and introduces the hydraulic fluid into the linear units. Preferably, in this case, the linear units or groups of linear units are connected in parallel. The distributor unit can be designed as a hydromechanical synchronizing device, which generates a synchronous movement of the hydraulic linear units or linear unit groups by means of a controlled distribution of a hydraulic fluid. The synchronization device is in turn by the drive unit driven.

The drive unit and possibly the synchronization device can be arranged on the star wheel, or on the rotating part of the transport star, and rotate or rotate with it. In order to improve the cleanability and to simplify the structural design of the star wheel is provided according to a development of the invention that the drive unit is arranged on a not rotating in the rotating operation of the star wheel structure of the container treatment plant, in particular a star wheel.

For a simple transmission of the forces from the drive unit to the distributor unit or directly to the linear units, a rotation coupling is provided according to a development of the invention, which is particularly mechanically formed and formed for transmitting the driving force from the drive unit to the distributor unit or on the linear units is. For this purpose, the rotary coupling is in particular constructed such that the drive unit is only linearly displaceable and at least a part of the adjustment unit rotates with the transport star, wherein drive unit and distributor unit are connected via a mechanical coupling, which in particular comprises a bearing.

According to a development of the invention, at least one sensor for determining the position of at least one star pocket is additionally arranged. The sensor can be designed as a displacement sensor which monitors and picks up the movement of the star pocket or of the movable component of the linear unit. However, the sensor can also be designed as a position sensor which detects only the end position of the star pocket. The sensor, in particular in combination with a control unit for the adjusting device, allows a particularly precise positioning of the star pockets in a predetermined position or the monitoring of the position of the star pockets in the rotating operation of the star wheel. Subsequently, a possibly necessary readjustment can take place via a suitable control, if the sample bottle or spacers have no excess width, in order thus to ensure the required gap width or radial deflection of the star pocket by a slight retraction. If sample bottles already have the desired lane width, a readjustment can be omitted as a rule. The necessary for the hydraulic linear unit liquid fluid (hydraulic fluid) is preferably sterile water, an aqueous solution, a cooking oil or other suitable high-viscosity liquid. In particular, the liquid fluid can be designed as a liquid fluid suitable for food production.

In an advantageous development of the aforementioned embodiments, at least one sensor for determining the position of the star pockets or one of the movable elements of the drive or linear unit can be arranged on the transport star.

Provision can be made, for example, a travel sensor which receives the travel of at least one piston. Alternatively or additionally, the sensor may also be such that, when the at least one adjusting unit is moved out against a resistor, it allows regulation and / or disconnection of the system. As a result, the changeover process when changing to a new container format will be greatly simplified, because the star bag can be easily moved against a sample container and thus independently the optimal end position is found. Furthermore, the invention will be described in more detail with reference to several embodiments. Show it:

Fig. 1 shows schematically in a cross section a first embodiment of

transport star according to the invention;

2 is a schematic perspective view of a second embodiment of the transport star with two star wheel planes;

Fig. 3 shows schematically in a view the plan view of a section of a

individual star wheel of Figure 2 with guide device for radially moving star pockets.

Fig. 4 shows schematically in a perspective view of the transport star of Figure 3 with linear units.

Fig. 5 shows schematically in a cross section a section of Fig. 2;

6 shows a schematic view in a section of a further embodiment of a transport star according to the invention with a circumferential coupling element. development kinematics;

, Figure 7 shows schematically another embodiment of a starwheel with an alternative embodiment of the coupling unit. 1 shows schematically in a cross section a section of a transport star 1 according to the invention. The star wheel 1 has a star wheel 2, which is rotatably supported via a rotary bearing 3 on a star wheel 4. The star wheel 4 is part of a container treatment plant (not shown here). On the star wheel 2, a plurality of linear units 5a-5x are arranged next to one another and in the region of the outer circumference of the star wheel 2. The linear units 5a-5x are designed as double-acting hydraulic working cylinders with a cylinder 6a-6x and a cylinder-movable piston 7a-7x. At a free outer end of each piston 7a-7x a star pocket 8 for applying a container 9 is arranged. The linear units 5a-5x are aligned with the star wheel 2 in the radial direction A, so that the respective piston 7a-7x also performs a movement in the radial direction A.

To generate the radial movement A of the linear units 5a-5x, a drive unit 10 is connected via a mechanical coupling 11 to a distributor unit 12 designed here as a hydraulic cylinder. Starting from the distributor unit 12, a hydraulic fluid line 13 leads into the cylinder 6a of a first linear unit 5a. The linear units 5a-5x are connected in series. That is, the hydraulic fluid (not shown here) coming from the distributor unit 12 flows into the cylinder 6a of the first linear unit 5a, whereby the piston 7a in the cylinder 6a is moved radially outward.

In this case, the liquid fluid present in the cylinder 6a is introduced via a hydraulic connecting fluid line 14 into a cylinder 6b of a second linear unit 5b. As a result, the piston 7b of the second linear unit 5b is moved radially outwardly correspondingly and the liquid fluid present in the cylinder 6b of the second linear unit 5b is forwarded into the cylinder of the next, third linear unit 5c.

Due to the arrangement in series of the individual linear units 5a-5x be Accordingly, all pistons 7a-7x largely simultaneously and by the same path, ie synchronously, moves radially outward. Starting from the last linear unit 5x, a hydraulic fluid return line 15 leads the hydraulic fluid back into the distributor unit 12.

In operation of the star wheel 2, i. when performing a rotary movement about its axis of rotation B, the mechanical coupling 1 1 is separated, so that the distributor unit 12 rotates with the attached to the distributor unit 12 coupling part of the mechanical coupling 1 1 during operation of the star wheel 1, while the drive unit 10 with belonging to the drive unit 10 driving part of the mechanical coupling 1 1, the rotational movement of the star wheel does not carry out. Alternatively, however, the mechanical coupling of the vertical adjustment can also be permanent in operation. Fig. 2 shows an embodiment of the transport star 1 with two superposed transport star planes 1 a, 1 b, which are each formed of identical star wheels 2a, 2b. The star pockets 8 on the star wheels 2 are designed for applying containers 9, wherein in each case a star pocket 8 on the upper star wheel 2a and a star pocket 8 on the lower star wheel 2b are arranged one above the other and are provided for applying a single container 9 at two different container sections. The star pockets have a V-shaped (fork-like) contact portion 16.

Fig. 3 shows a portion of the star wheel 2a of the upper transport plane 1 a from the top (section in plan view). Clearly visible are a plurality (here 14) of star pockets 8 arranged side by side in the outer circumference of the starwheel 2a, with abutment sections 16 arranged on the outside for applying the containers 9.

Formed on the star pocket 16 is a guide body 17 designed as a sliding body, which together with a recess formed in the star wheel 2a

Guide body receptacle 18 of a guide device 19 for radially guiding the star pockets 8 is provided. By means of the formed by the guide body 17 and the guide body receptacle 18 guide device 19, the movement of the star pockets 8 in the radial direction A is ensured. Fig. 4 shows schematically in a perspective view an enlarged portion of the underside of the star wheel 2a of the upper transport star plane 1 a. In addition to the guide device 19 shown in FIG. 3, FIG. 4 shows the adjustment device 20 for the linear units 5a-5x.

The linear units 5a-5x are mounted with a first end 24a in a central receptacle 21. With a first end 24a opposite the second end 24b in the region of the piston rod 7, a connecting element 22 is arranged.

The connecting element 22 is formed from a arranged on the star pocket 8 support element 22a, which is connected to the respective second end 24b of the linear units 5a-5x. The connection is formed here by a recess in the support element 22a, through which a free end of the piston rod 7 carried out and secured with a screw 24c formed. The linear units 5a-5x are aligned in the radial direction A to the rotation axis B, thus also act in the radial direction A, so that during a movement of the piston 7a-7x, a radial movement of the star pockets 8 takes place. The linear units 5a-5x are connected in series (not shown here). For this purpose, coming from a drive unit 10 hydraulic fluid line 13 (see Fig. 1) to the first linear unit 5a, connecting lines 14 for hydraulic fluid (see Fig. 1) between the linear units 5a-5x and starting from the last linear unit 5x in the series a return line 15 arranged for hydraulic fluid back to the drive unit 12 (see Figure 1).

Fig. 5 shows schematically in a cross section a section of the transport star 1 of Fig. 2 in the region of the first linear unit 5a. At each of the star wheels 2a, 2b, a star pocket 8 is radially supported via a guide device 19. In addition, the coupling of the outer end 24b of the piston 7a with the support element 22a of the connecting element 22 can be clearly recognized.

Fig. 6 shows schematically in a view of another embodiment of a star wheel 2 with a coupling arms 25 having connecting element 22. Dabei However, the center axes D of the linear units 5a-5x are arranged radially offset to the central axes C of the star pockets 8, which are likewise arranged in the radial direction A. Between the center axis D of the linear units 5a-5x and the central axes C of the star pockets 8 is an angle α 0 °.

The star pockets 8 each have a contact area 16 and a guide device 19 designed as a slide guide. In the guide device 19 is in a base body 2c of the star wheel 2 designed as a slot-like Führungsungskörperauf- 18 trained link pin receptacle 19a, in which a guide body 17 designed as a rocker pin 19b is mounted movably in the radial direction A. Each link pin 19b is in turn connected to two pivotally mounted on the link pin 19b coupling arms 25. The coupling arms 25 are coupled with their the crank pin 19b opposite end via a rotary bearing 23 on a Kopplungsarmaufnahme 23a each with the second end 24b of a piston 7a-7x one of the linear units 5a-5x.

For each star pocket 8, a linear unit 5a-5x is arranged in each case. The ratio of the number of star pockets 8 and the number of linear units 5a-5x is thus 1: 1.

By means of the connecting element 22 formed from the coupling arms 25, the respective rotary couplings 23 and the rotatable connection with the connecting bolt 19a, all linear units 5a-5x are coupled with all the star pockets 8, at least indirectly. This embodiment allows a particularly stable positioning of the star pockets 8 and the star pockets 16 in a predetermined position.

In operation with a counterpressure on the star pocket 8, the pressure forces arising at one or more star pockets 8, acting inward in the radial direction A, are transmitted via the connecting element 22 to all linear units 5a-5x, whereby the positional stability of the star pockets 8 is markedly improved.

Fig. 7 shows schematically in a view a further embodiment of the star wheel 2 with a connecting element 22. The connecting element 22 consists of a plurality of sub-couplings 22b, each connecting two star pockets 8 with one of the linear unit 7a-7x. The connecting element 22 corresponds largely to the embodiment of FIG. 7, however, only one coupling arm 25 is rotatably arranged on each link pin 19b, so that in each case two star pockets 8 are driven by one of the linear units 7a-7x. This embodiment is particularly favorable, since the ratio of the number of star pockets 8 to the number of linear units is 2: 1, whereby a particularly small, easily controllable number of linear units 5a-5x for radially moving the star pockets 8 is arranged.

A further alternative embodiment can be achieved via a combination of the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7. For this purpose, two coupling arms 25 can engage in each link pin 19b, wherein one of the coupling arms 25 is in each case connected to a coupling arm 25 of the link pin 19b arranged on the adjacent star tab. If necessary, in order to improve the guidance, this connection can also have an additional guide device 19 with slide bolt 19b and slide bolt seat 19a in the region of the free ends of the coupling arms 25. This embodiment, not shown, according to the embodiment of Fig. 7, the ratio of 2: 1 between the number of star pockets 8 and the number of linear units and according to the embodiment of Fig. 6, a connecting element 22, all star pockets 8 with all linear units 5a -5x connects.

The linear units 5a-5x of all embodiments are designed as piston-cylinder units, which are driven by a liquid fluid (hydraulic fluid). LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

transport star

a, 1 b Transport star levels

Star rad

a upper star rad

b lower star rad

c main body star wheel

Drehlagerung star wheel

Star

a-5x linear units

a-6x cylinder

a-7x pistons

star bag

container

0 drive unit

1 mechanical coupling

2 distribution unit

3 Hydraulic fluid line

4 Hydraulic fluid connection line5 Hydraulic fluid return line

6 investment areas

7 guide body

8 guide body receptacle

9 guide device

9a connecting bolt pin

9b sliding bolt

0 adjusting device

1 central recording

2 connecting element

2a support element

2b partial coupling unit

3 pivot bearing 23a coupling arm receiver

24a first end linear unit

24b second end linear unit

24c screw

25 coupling arm

A radial direction

B Rotary axis starwheel

C central axis star pocket

D Center axis Linear unit

Claims

claims

Comprising a transport star for guiding containers (9) in a container treatment plant,

a star wheel (2) with a plurality of star pockets (8) for mounting the containers (9),

an adjusting device (20) for adapting the star pockets (8) to different container diameters with a plurality of radially arranged hydraulic linear units (5a-5x) for radially moving the star pockets (8) and

a connecting element (22) connecting the star pockets (8) to the linear units (5a-5x).

A star conveyor according to claim 1, characterized in that the ratio of the number of star pockets (8) and the number of linear units (5a-5x) is 1: 1, 2: 1, 3: 1 or 4: 1.

Transport star according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connecting element (22) connects all linear units (5a-5x) with all star pockets (8).

Transport star according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the movement path of the linear units (5a-5x) and the trajectory of the star pockets (8) are radial and not parallel.

Transport star according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a radially oriented guide device (19) between the star pocket (8) and a base body (2c) of the star wheel (2) is arranged.

Transport starter according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adjusting device (20) has a drive unit (10) which is coupled to the linear units (5a-5x) and designed to drive the linear units (5a-5x).

7. Transport starter according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the drive unit (10) is designed as a servomotor and / or working cylinder.

8. transport star according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the linear units (5a-5x) are coupled in series with each other.

9. Transport starter according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adjusting device (20) with the drive unit (10) and the linear units (5a-5x) coupled distributor unit (12).

10. Transport starter according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the distributor unit (12) is a hydromechanical synchronizing device which generates a synchronized movement of the hydraulic linear units (5a-5x) by means of a controlled distribution of a hydraulic fluid.

1 1. Transport starter according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the drive unit (10) is arranged on a rotating body of the star wheel (2) non-rotating structure of the container treatment plant.

12. Transport starter according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that between the drive unit (10) and the distributor unit (12) has a coupling, in particular a mechanical coupling (1 1), for transmitting the driving force from the drive unit (10) to the distributor unit (12) is arranged.

13. Transport starter according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a sensor for determining the position of the star pockets (8).