EP3386870B1 - Container treatment machine - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a container treatment machine according to the preamble of claim 1.

In known container handling machines of this type, for example, for empty container labeling, an empty PET container is transferred to a labeling carousel via a neck-handling infeed star. In the labeling carousel, the container is clamped axially between the centering element of the centering head and a bottle plate and is stabilized in shape, for example, by means of compressed air. After labeling, possibly with additional rotation of the container, the container is transferred to a neck-handling discharge star. In order to achieve a perfect container transfer in the outlet, the container neck or an optionally provided support ring of the container must be at a predetermined transfer level relative to the outlet star, otherwise the transfer in the outlet star does not work. With the tendency towards increasingly lighter and unstable containers, it cannot be ruled out, despite the application of compressed air, that the clamping between the centering element and the container plate will deform the container, for example in the area below the container neck or support ring, whereby the container neck or the support ring will move after the Labeling is no longer at the transfer level and cannot be transferred properly. In addition, a vertically movable container plate with a complex mechanical lifting unit is required for a clean transfer from the infeed star to the labeling carousel. Furthermore, an inlet fitting adapted to the container diameter is usually provided.

With one off EP 2 218 648 A known container treatment machine, the container is centered in the container neck area via a centering element on an optionally provided centering plate, and is stabilized for labeling by the application of compressed air. The centering element and the centering plate are interchangeable set-up parts. The centering head carries a pull-off sleeve which, when actuated, releases the clamped container after labeling for transfer to the outlet. The container treatment machine is contained in a block in which a stretch blow molding machine is provided upstream and a filler is provided downstream. The infeed and outfeed transport lines are either star wheels or linear conveyors. Additional devices for holding and / or centering the container or for taking over or transferring it are not provided in the labeling carousel.

At the off DE 44 16 373 C1 known container treatment machine, no neck handling principle is applied. A transfer level from the inlet into the machine and from the machine into an outlet is established by a transport shoe and one for the transport shoe provided recess defined in the turntable. When labeling, the container is held in a certain rotating and height position by the interaction of a clamp and a tulip. This position results from the fact that a guide track pushes the container into the tulip via the transport shoe. The tulip is in a predetermined clamping position and cannot be adjusted in height. The clip of the holding device on the tulip also has a predetermined position.

From the EP 1 251 074 A2 a container treatment machine according to the preamble of claim 1 is known.

Further state of the art can be found in EP 1 264 771 A , EP 2 258 623 B1 and WO 2015/058889 A1 .

The invention is based on the object of improving a container treatment machine of the type mentioned at the outset with regard to the neck handling of the container regardless of any changes in height of the container during the manipulations. Part of the task is also a structural simplification of the container treatment machine.

The problem posed is achieved with the features of claim 1.

The active neck clamp not only additionally secures the container during its manipulation between the inlet and outlet transport routes, but also actively brings the container back to the predetermined transfer level before it is transferred to the outlet transport route, regardless of any container deformations that may have occurred, so that the transfer to the outfeed transport line is carried out properly. The centering element, which acts on the container mouth, aligns the container with its central axis exactly perpendicularly. The container is brought directly onto the container plate or into a container plate sink by means of the centering element and the entrainment of the neck clamp. It is therefore no longer necessary to lift the container plate, which means that there is no need for complex mechanical lifting units for the container plate. Since the neck clamp already helps with the takeover, there is no need for complex inlet fittings. The neck clamp attached to a star, for example, takes over the container properly from the infeed transport path, for example an infeed star with active neck handling clamps. After the container has been taken over and the container is lowered, for example via a centering stroke curve acting on the centering element, the neck clamp may be temporarily opened in order to release the clamped container for subsequent rotation. Should during the container treatment, e.g. B. a labeling process, the container are pressed together by the clamping and change its height, so the neck clamp carried along by the centering element is lowered accordingly. Before the container is transferred to the outlet transport section, the neck clamp is closed again in order to hold the container before the centering element is lifted off the container mouth. The motion control then raises the neck clamp with the gripped container back to the prescribed transfer level before it is transferred. The active adjustment of the neck clamp in the assembly means that the container plate does not need to be lifted. In order not to have to open the neck clamp during container handling with rotation of the container, the neck clamp can be equipped with rollers. As a result, the container treatment machine works with constant reliability regardless of the nature and / or stability of the containers being treated.

The neck clamp is expediently arranged with a movement guide in a holder of the assembly that optionally defines the transfer level directly or indirectly and is adjustable relative to the holder. The neck clamp can then only move strictly in the direction of movement of the centering element, which is also guided in the holder.

To carry the neck clamp along at least one end portion of the adjustment path of the centering element to the clamping position, the centering element or the movement guide of the neck clamp has at least one that extends transversely to the adjustment directions of the centering element and neck clamp and a stop of the movement guide of the neck clamp or the centering element aligned driver. The driver thus transmits at least part of the adjustment movement of the centering element, preferably in the direction of the clamping position, synchronously to the neck clamp holding the container. This eliminates the need for a separate adjusting drive for this adjusting movement of the neck clamp. However, a separate drive could alternatively be used for the neck clamp, which works synchronously with the movement of the centering element.

In a preferred embodiment, in the passive position of the centering element and when the neck clamp is at the transfer level, an idle stroke is set between the driver and the stop. The idle stroke is, for example, conveniently dimensioned so that the centering element only takes the neck clamp with it when the centering element essentially comes into force-transmitting contact with the mouth of the container. In addition, the idle stroke ensures that the centering element is sufficiently far outside the path of movement of the container mouth in the passive position when the container is taken over or transferred by the neck clamp.

The centering element is expediently designed as an inflation device for applying pressure to the container which is in the clamping position and held by the neck clamp. By applying pressure, for example with compressed air or sterile air, the dimensional stability of the container is temporarily increased during the treatment.

In one embodiment, the motion control of the neck clamp has at least one, preferably pretensioned, spring element which acts on the neck clamp in the adjustment direction to the transfer level. Alternatively, a motion drive could be provided for this. The spring element brings the neck clamp with the container held by it back to the correct transfer level, regardless of the synchronous or leading return movement of the centering element to the passive position.

In a structurally simple and functionally reliable embodiment, the spring element for adjusting the neck clamp is arranged on a bolt that can be adjusted with the neck clamp and penetrates a transverse yoke of the movement guide. To define the transfer level and, preferably, to set the idle stroke, the bolt has a stop which interacts with the cross yoke. This stop ensures that the neck clamp is not clamped on the bracket. In order to be able to adjust the transfer level to the type of container, at least one exchangeable spacer element can also be provided.

In order to ensure that the neck clamp with the held container is reliably returned to the transfer level in spite of damage to the spring element or a spring break, the motion control can have a catch curve in addition to the spring element, which, preferably, also defines the transfer level and at least during the adjustment of the centering element for passive position interacts with a button connected to the neck clamp, for example a roller running on the catch curve.

In an expedient embodiment, the centering head is arranged in a guide and, preferably secured against rotation, in a linearly movable manner on the holder and is adjusted relative to the holder by a linear drive together with the centering element. In an alternative embodiment, the centering element can even be driven to rotate in order to set the container in rotation. If the rotation of the container is generated, for example, via the container plate, the centering element can be arranged freely rotatable relative to the centering head. A ball bearing is ideal for this. Alternatively, only the centering element could be adjusted relative to the centering head by the linear drive.

In an advantageous embodiment, the linear drive has a stationary lowering curve for a button arranged on the centering head, e.g. B. a roller, and at least one return spring acting for the passive position, which, preferably, is installed between a stop of the guide and the centering head. The return spring holds the button on the lowering curve so that the centering head or the centering element is properly returned to the passive position.

The possible adjustment path of the centering element relative to the holder and for actively transferring the container onto the container plate and for centering the container on the container plate is expediently longer than the distance between the holder and the stationary between the inlet and outlet transport routes, at least when the container is being manipulated Container plate. This measure also determines the clamping of the container during treatment. The container plate expediently has a centering depression for centering.

In one embodiment, the neck clamp comprises two gripping arms which can be pivoted apart in a controlled manner against spring or magnetic force. If the neck clamp is equipped with rollers, these rollers act on the inside of the gripping arms to allow the container to rotate despite the neck clamp being closed. The gripping arms are pivoted apart, for example, by means of a cam.

The assembly is favorably arranged with other similar ones in a carousel of a labeling or printing machine. The infeed and outfeed transport routes can be either clamp-fitted stars or air conveyors, among other things.

The carousel can be incorporated into an independent labeling and / or printing machine that works between the inlet and outlet transport routes.

However, the labeling and / or printing machine is particularly expediently contained in a block which comprises a container stretch blow molding machine upstream and a filling machine downstream, with stars in between each being provided with brackets.

In an expedient embodiment, the linear drive of the centering element or centering head is double-acting and comprises at least one force and / or displacement sensor for detecting actuating and / or holding forces of the linear drive and / or current positions of the centering element and / or the neck clamp and to report them to a higher-level controller. This principle is off EP 2 258 623 B1 known.

With this concept, particularly light and / or thin-walled containers can be safely manipulated and treated. Incidentally, the container handling machine is in all common on the market bottle tables such. B. servo bottle tables, belt bottle tables, turnstile bottle tables and bottle tables with mechanical table curve, can be used. Here, the active lowering and centering of the container on the container plate is an important aspect, because otherwise common guide sets can be at least partially simplified or completely omitted.

The container to be treated, which is preferably an empty PET bottle, expediently has a support ring on the container neck. The neck clamp engages the container neck, for example on the side of the support ring facing the container mouth and immediately adjacent to it. As a result, a thread usually provided on the container neck is not damaged, nor is the cooperation between the centering element and the container mouth impaired.

In an expedient embodiment, the neck clamp is equipped with rollers on the gripping arms that hold the container neck and roll on the container neck when the container rotates. For example, two small plastic rollers are sufficient here. As a result, the neck clamp no longer needs to be opened when the container rotates, but at most when it is taken over and / or transferred.

Also disclosed here is a method for treating containers in a continuous flow in a container treatment machine, in which method each container is temporarily clamped in the direction of its longitudinal axis in the flow and deformations of the container in the direction of the longitudinal axis cannot be ruled out due to the clamping can cause difficulties during the discharge of the container due to height deviations. According to the method, the discharge conditions are compensated for despite possible container deformations by moving a neck clamp holding the container neck in the direction of clamping with the container contents, which actively brings the container back to the predetermined transfer level before the discharge and thus for a correct transfer and correct discharge conditions cares. The method is therefore independent of the dimensional stability of the container being treated and uses the fact that the preformed container neck area is sufficiently resistant to deformations that may result from clamping and that deformations only occur in other areas of the container and not in the container neck area where the neck brace engages.

Fig. 1

eine Perspektivansicht einer Ausführungsform einer Baugruppe einer Behälterbehandlungsmaschine, in einer Behälter-Spannstellung,

Fig. 2

einen Teil einer anderen Ausführungsform der Baugruppe mit der gleichen Funktion wie in Fig. 1, und in der Behälter-Spannstellung, allerdings bei geöffneter Neck-Klammer,

Fig. 3

eine schematische Seitenansicht zu Fig. 2, und

Fig. 4

eine Seitenansicht der Ausführungsform von Fig. 3 in einer Passivstellung und mit geschlossener Neck-Klammer.

Embodiments of the subject matter of the invention are explained with the aid of the drawing. Show it:

Fig. 1

a perspective view of an embodiment of an assembly of a container treatment machine, in a container clamping position,

Fig. 2

part of another embodiment of the assembly with the same function as in Fig. 1 , and in the container clamping position, but with the neck clamp open,

Fig. 3

a schematic side view to Fig. 2 , and

Fig. 4

a side view of the embodiment of FIG Fig. 3 in a passive position and with a closed neck clamp.

the Figs. 1 to 4 indicate at least part of an assembly B, which is part of a container handling machine, for example as a non-limiting field of application of a carousel a labeling machine and / or printing machine for applying labels, prints, logos or the like to container 1, in particular empty PET bottles. The container handling machine containing at least one such assembly B can be operated as an independent machine, or can be incorporated in a block which z. B. includes a stretch blow molding machine upstream and a filler downstream, possibly even a closer. The containers 1 are treated continuously and conveyed according to the neck handling principle. The container treatment machine in the carousel, for example, a series of identical assemblies B having inlet and outlet transport routes E, A, z. B. with at least one transport star with passive (actuated by the containers) neck brackets or active (open and / or closed) neck brackets, which convey the container 1 individually into and out of the assembly. Alternatively, the infeed and outfeed transport routes could be linear conveyors or air conveyors. The carousel can peripherally and adjacent to the path of movement of each assembly B at least one labeling unit, for. B. a control module for wrap-around labels, (or a printing unit, for example with an inkjet printer) and possibly a module for rolling on the applied labels.

In the in Fig. 1 As shown in the embodiment of the assembly, a container 1 that has been taken over is clamped in the direction of its longitudinal axis for the treatment and is held in the container neck region by a neck clamp 2. The clamping is carried out by a driven centering element 3 which is movable in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the container and which engages the container mouth and pushes the container against an in Fig. 1 container plate not shown ( Figs. 2 to 4 indicated by the reference numeral 20) applies with pressure. The clamped container 1 is optionally acted upon with compressed air via the centering element 3 to increase its dimensional stability for the treatment.

The neck clamp 2, which is movably mounted parallel to the centering element 3 on guide rods 12, is supported by at least one spring element 4 in Fig. 1 acted upon in the upward direction. A centering head 5 connected to the centering element 3 via a guide rod 17 is displaceably guided on an upper part 14 fixed to a bracket 18, which is moved, for example, by a linear drive L against the force of return springs 9 into the in Fig. 1 shown clamping position is brought. The linear drive comprises, for example, a button 6 arranged on the centering head 5, typically a roller, which interacts with a stationary lowering curve 15 during the rotary movement of the carousel.

Alternatively, the assembly B for the centering element 3 could have an independent linear drive which, if necessary, works double-acting.

For safety reasons, a linear drive can also be provided for the neck clamp 2 which, when the centering head 5 is in its uppermost position, lifts the neck clamp 2, which is guided by the guide rods 12, even if the spring elements 4 break, for example a button 7, for example a roller, arranged on a bracket connecting the guide rods 12 interacts with a stationary catch cam 16. With properly working spring elements 4, the catch curve 16 does not need to intervene.

For the centering head 5 14 guide rods 11 are arranged on the upper part. Furthermore, a bolt 10 provided in the upper part 14 to prevent rotation is integrated into the assembly B.

With the guide rod 17 of the centering element 3 or the centering element 3, a driver 13 is connected, which extends transversely to the directions of movement of the neck clamp 2 and the centering element 3 in this embodiment above the upper part 14 and thus interacts with the bracket connecting the guide rods 12 that the neck clamp 2 must follow the adjustment of the centering element 3 against the force of the spring elements 4, at least over the end phase of the adjustment path into the clamping position shown.

The neck clamp 2 is opened, for example, by a rocker switch 8 using a cam (not shown) or a rotary drive, and is opened by spring or magnetic force (in Fig. 1 not shown) brought into the gripping position shown.

the Figs. 2 to 4 show a detailed variant of the assembly B with essentially the same function as the embodiment in FIG Fig. 1 . In the Fig. 2 and 3 The neck clamp 2, which in the embodiment shown has two gripping jaws 2a, 2b pivotable in opposite directions on a carrier 25 attached to the guide rods 12, is opened by a cam 23 via the rocker switch 8 against the force of a spring 22, for example around the container 1 to be able to rotate around its longitudinal axis in the clamped state. Alternatively (indicated by dashed lines) the gripping arms 2a, 2b with rollers 30, for. B. plastic rollers, which allow the rotation of the container 1 with the neck clamp 2 closed and then roll in the gripping position on the container neck area.

The container neck area can be equipped with a support ring 19 below an external thread. The neck clamp 2 is positioned in such a way that it engages the side of the support ring 19 facing the container mouth and directly adjacent to it.

The centering element 3, which can for example have a ball-bearing and thus freely rotatable, conical lower part 3 a, dips into Fig. 3 into the container mouth 1 and, via the driver 13, presses the neck clamp 2 and the container 1 in the direction of and finally against the container plate 20, which is preferably formed with a container plate depression 21 serving for centering. This generates the restraint required for the treatment, with compressed air optionally being blown into the container 1 via the centering element 3 in order to stabilize its shape for the treatment. The clamping of the centered container enables it to be handled and, if necessary, rotated at a predetermined position.

If the container 1 is rotated about its longitudinal axis during the treatment, the rotary movement can be applied either via the container plate 20 or alternatively via the centering element 3, the lower part 3a of which in this case does not need to be rotatably arranged. For this purpose, a rotary drive (not shown) can act on the guide rod 17, for example.

The two guide rods 12 of the neck clamp 2 are in the Figures 2-4 guided in a movement guide 24 which is mounted on the holder 18 and has an upper cross yoke 28. The guide rods 12 are thereby connected to a yoke 25 lying above the transverse yoke 28, on which the in the Figs. 2 to 4 embodiment shown engages a spring element 4 with bias. The spring element 4 is threaded onto a bolt 26 which is anchored in the yoke 25 and slidably passes through the cross yoke 28. A head 27 attached to the lower end of the bolt 26 forms a stop for cooperation with the cross yoke 28. The stop 27 defines a transfer level N, which is applied to the respective clamp of the outlet, which takes over the container 1 after the treatment from the neck clamp 2. Transport route A is coordinated. In the clamping position in Fig. 2 the neck clamp 2 is positioned below the transfer level N. In order to be able to set or change the transfer level N as required, a spacer element 27a can be assigned to the stop 27.

The driver 13 attached here at the upper end of the centering element 3 works together with the upper side of the yoke 25 on the guide rods 12 in order to take the neck clamp 2 with it when the centering element 3 is adjusted against the force of the spring element 4, so that the neck clamp 2 remains positioned below the support ring 19 due to the clamping and always on the support ring 19 despite any deformations of the container 1.

In the side view in Fig. 3 the neck clamp 2 is lowered so far via the driver 13 that the stop 27 is below the cross yoke 28.

Fig. 4 illustrates a passive position of the centering element 3, which is based on the Fig. 1 explained linear drive L is raised relative to the holder 18, with a cone 29 arranged on the lower part 3a releases the container mouth and is located at a distance above this. The neck clamp 2 is raised by the spring element 4, the driver 13 maintaining an idle stroke X towards the top of the yoke 25. The stop 27 or the spacer element 27a rests on the underside of the cross yoke 28 and defines the transfer level N for the neck clamp 2 or the retaining ring 19 for transfer to the outlet transport section (or for taking over the container from the inlet transport section through the neck clamp 2).

The distance a, seen in the direction of movement of the neck clamp 2, between the top of the yoke 25 and the retaining ring 19 or the underside of the neck clamp 2 is constant and defined by the stop 27 or the spacer element 27a. The distance b, on the other hand, between the lower end of the container 1 and the retaining ring 19 is variable due to any deformations of the container 1 that may have occurred during the treatment or during clamping. By raising the neck clamp 2, the container 1 is lifted off the container plate 20 so that it can be transferred or taken over exactly with the container neck at the transfer level N without hindrance.

Claims (18)

1. Container treatment machine, in particular an empty container labelling machine, comprising at least one assembly (B) for handling a container (1) according to a neck handling principle during treatment in the container treatment machine after being transferred from an infeed transport path (E) in order to be transferred into a outfeed transport path (A), the assembly (B) having a centring head (5) comprising a centring element (3) that can be linearly adjusted between a passive position and a clamping position via an adjustment path, and a container plate (20) being provided in alignment with the centring head (5), the container (1) being clamped, for treatment in the direction of its longitudinal axis, between the centring element (3) and the container plate (20) by the centring element which grips the container mouth and applies pressure to the container (1) against the container plate (20), characterised in that a neck clamp (2) which can be adjusted with respect to a defined transfer level (N) and in parallel with the adjustment path of the centring element (3) and can be actively opened and closed is provided at least for temporarily holding the container (1) in the container neck region, in that the neck clamp (2) can be moved synchronously with the centring element (3) within the adjustment path of the centring element (3) towards and at least into the clamping position, and in that, when the centring element (3) is adjusted into the passive position, the neck clamp (2) can be returned to the transfer level (N) with the container (1).
2. Container treatment machine according to claim 1, characterised in that the neck clamp (2) is arranged with a movement guide (24) in a holder (18) of the assembly (B) and can be adjusted relative to the holder (18), the holder (18) preferably defining the transfer level.
3. Container treatment machine according to claim 2, characterised in that the centring element (3) or the movement guide (24) has at least one driver (13) which extends transversely to the adjustment directions of the centring element (3) and neck clamp (2) and is aligned with a stop of the movement guide (24) of the neck clamp (2) or the centring element (3).
4. Container treatment machine according to claim 3, characterised in that, in the passive position of the centring element (3) and when the neck clamp (2) is placed on the transfer level (N), an idle stroke (X) between the driver (13) and the stop is set.
5. Container treatment machine according to claim 1, characterised in that the centring element (3) is designed as an inflation device for applying pressure to the container (1) which is centred by the centring element (3) in the clamping position and held by the neck clamp (2).
6. Container treatment machine according to claim 1, characterised in that the movement guide (24) of the neck clamp (2) has at least one spring element (4) which biases the neck clamp (2) in the adjustment direction towards the transfer level (N) and is preferably pretensioned.
7. Container treatment machine according to claim 4 and/or claim 6, characterised in that the spring element (4) is arranged on a bolt (26) which can be adjusted with the neck clamp (2), passes through a cross-beam (28) of the movement guide (24) and, in order to define the transfer level (N) and preferably set the idle stroke (X), has a stop (27) interacting with the cross-beam (28), and preferably at least one exchangeable spacer element (27a).
8. Container treatment machine according to claim 6, characterised in that, preferably in addition to the spring element (4), a catch cam (16) is provided which, at least when the centring element (3) is adjusted towards the passive position, interacts with a button (7) of the assembly that is connected to the neck clamp (2).
9. Container treatment machine according to claim 2, characterised in that the centring head (5) is movably arranged on a guide (11) of the holder (18, 14) and can be adjusted by a linear drive (L) together with the centring element (3) that can preferably be driven in rotation or freely rotated relative to the centring head (5).
10. Container treatment machine according to claim 9, characterised in that the linear drive (L) has a stationary lowering cam (15) for a button (6) arranged on the centring head (5), and at least one return spring (9) which acts in the direction of the passive position and is preferably installed between a stop of the guide (11) and the centring head (5).
11. Container treatment machine according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the adjustment path of the centring element (3) relative to the holder (18) for actively transferring the container (1) to the container plate (20) and centring on the container plate (20) is longer than the distance between the holder (18) and the container plate (20) that is stationary in the vertical position at least during handling of the container (1) between the infeed and outfeed paths (E, A), and in that the container plate (20) preferably has a centring cam (21).
12. Container treatment machine according to claim 1, characterised in that the neck clamp (2) has two gripping arms (2a, 2b) which can be pivoted apart in opposite directions in a controlled manner against spring or magnetic force (22).
13. Container treatment machine according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the assembly (B) is arranged with others in a carousel of a labelling or printing machine, and in that the infeed and outfeed transport paths (E, A) are either starwheels provided with clamps, or air transporters.
14. Container treatment machine according to claim 13, characterised in that the carousel is part of an independent labelling or printing machine.
15. Container treatment machine according to claim 13, characterised in that the labelling or printing machine is contained in a block which comprises a container stretch-blow moulding machine upstream of the labelling and/or printing machine and a filling machine downstream thereof.
16. Container treatment machine according to claim 9, characterised in that the linear drive (L) is double-acting and comprises at least one force and/or displacement sensor for detecting actuating and/or holding forces of the linear drive (L) and/or current positions of the centring element (3) and/or the neck clamp (2) and reporting these to a higher-level controller.
17. Container treatment machine according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the container (1), preferably a PET bottle, has a support ring (19) on the container neck, and in that the neck clamp (2) grips the container neck on the side of the support ring (19) facing the container mouth and adjacent thereto.
18. Container treatment machine according to claim 12, characterised in that, on the gripping arms (2a, 2b), the neck clamp (2) is provided with rollers (30), preferably plastics rollers, that hold the container neck and roll off the container neck during rotation of the container (1) and in the gripping position of the neck clamp (2c).

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