WO2023078708A1

WO2023078708A1 - Container transfer device

Info

Publication number: WO2023078708A1
Application number: PCT/EP2022/079537
Authority: WO
Inventors: Engin GENCAN; Norbert Schwede
Original assignee: Khs Gmbh
Priority date: 2021-11-04
Filing date: 2022-10-24
Publication date: 2023-05-11
Also published as: AR127552A1; DE102021128722B4; DE102021128722A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a container transfer device in particular for a container cleaning machine, comprising a guiding unit for moving containers into a transfer position, said guiding unit having at least one catch that can be moved along a guiding direction. According to the invention, the at least one catch is guided along a closed non-circular curved track that includes a deflection portion which adjoins the transfer position and in which a first extent that runs perpendicular to the guiding direction is shortened.

Description

container transfer device

The invention relates to a container transfer device, in particular for container cleaning machines, with a guide device for moving containers into a transfer position, the guide device having at least one driver that can be moved along a guide direction. Within the scope of the invention, one means a position at which the container physically leaves the guide device and consequently no longer rests against the driver.

Large quantities of beverages are marketed in returnable plastic or glass bottles. To clean these returnable bottles for refilling, container cleaning machines are used within the bottling plants, which clean large quantities of returnable returnable bottles in an automated process and make them available for refilling.

Such container cleaning machines are described, for example, in EP 1 813 358 A2 and EP 2 303 478 B1. The container cleaning machines comprise a multiplicity of cell carriers which extend along a longitudinal direction of the carrier and which in turn each receive a multiplicity of container cells which are arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction of the carrier. These container cells are intended to receive the containers and convey them through the container cleaning machine. When using glass bottles in particular, the containers in the container cells can be transported and cleaned intensively by the container cleaning machine, with the greatest possible protection.

For this purpose, however, it is necessary for the containers to first be moved into the corresponding container cells via a corresponding container transfer device. Various mechanisms have been developed for this in the past, but they are all based on the principle of rotating drivers. One embodiment is known, for example, from WO 2020/245284 A1, in which individual bottles are fed in an upright position and then by slightly tilting them on a finger designed as a driver of a rotating shaft be discarded. Rotation of the shaft moves the substantially upright bottle to a flat position and then into the appropriate container cells. A similar configuration is also shown, for example, in DE 10 2015 108 391 A1.

This principle has basically proven itself. However, the corresponding container or bottle must always be conveyed from an essentially upright position to a lying position. During the transfer, the corresponding container is now tilted by almost 90°. However, such tilting is not unproblematic, since the containers are initially supported on a section of the container bottom on the driver and later on the lateral surface on a corresponding guide surface. Here, an unstable area is traversed, since due to the initially essentially upright position of the container, the catches can cause the container to stand up again. This is particularly problematic when the container has an inwardly curved container base according to a design that is frequently provided nowadays.

There is therefore an increasing effort to provide flatter guide surfaces, which cannot be implemented according to the usual design with rotating drivers or would only be possible with comparatively large diameters. In this case, however, the problem arises that on the one hand the containers have to be transported into the container cells and on the other hand the catches must be prevented from hitting the container cells.

Against this background, the invention is based on the object of specifying a container feed device which on the one hand enables the transport of containers via a comparatively flat guide surface and at the same time prevents the drivers from striking the container cells or any other downstream storage devices.

This object is achieved by a container transfer device according to patent claim 1. According to this, the at least one driver is guided along a closed, non-circular curved path, the curved path having a first deflection section adjoining the transfer position, in which a first extension running vertically to the guide direction is shortened is trained. This shortening relates to a maximum possible first extension of the driver along the entire cam track.

According to such an embodiment, it is therefore provided that the closed, non-circular curved path allows an arrangement under a comparatively flat guide surface, but at the same time there is also a possibility of deflecting the driver after reaching the transfer position and transporting it back to a receiving position , in which an adjoining container can be taken along by the driver. In this deflection section, which is adjacent to the transfer position, the vertical extension of the driver is reduced, which prevents it from being pushed onto adjoining storage facilities, e.g. B. container cells strikes.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first extension in the deflection section is shortened by 10 to 50%, preferably by 20 to 40%. This ensures that the driver projects outside the first deflection section to a sufficient extent relative to the guide track, so that the containers can be moved along a guide surface with a large contact surface. At the same time, the reduction in length in the subsequent deflection section ensures that the drivers can be brought comparatively close to the adjacent storage facilities.

Although in principle a shortening of the first extension is possible in different ways, a preferred embodiment provides that a shortening of the first extension is brought about by pivoting the at least one driver. In this case, the pivoting refers to a pivoting relative to the cam track. As a result of such pivoting, the first extension running vertically to the guide direction is reduced and at the same time a second extension running parallel to the guide direction is increased. The driver consequently pivots back a bit after reaching the transfer position in order to avoid stops, e.g. B. to avoid the subsequent container cell. At the same time, however, it is also possible for the driver to first pivot a little way into the container cell and then immediately pivot out again. According to a preferred embodiment, the at least one carrier in the first deflection section is pivoted between 10 and 50°, preferably between 20 and 45°, relative to a vertical transfer plane running through the transfer position. This vertical transfer plane represents, for example, a plane which is arranged parallel to the container cells, the container cells being arranged one after the other along this vertical transfer plane and being moved accordingly in the vertical direction. Thus, this vertical transfer level represents a kind of limitation for the pivoting of the drivers, which in principle must not be exceeded in order to be able to effectively prevent attacks. The only exception here is an embodiment in which--as already explained above--the drivers briefly engage in the container cells and then immediately move out again before the drivers can strike a wall of the container cells.

The above invention can be implemented particularly preferably if the at least one driver is moved along a revolving guide track via a drive unit designed as a chain drive. Such a chain drive consists of a large number of chain links connected to one another in an articulated manner, which are guided over at least two deflection rollers, corresponding deflection sections then being provided on the deflection rollers. The direction of guidance accordingly runs parallel to the arrangement of the chain formed by the chain links, which at the same time also defines the curved path over which the carriers are guided.

The drivers are attached to the chain or to individual chain links of the chain, with the at least one driver preferably being connected to the chain drive via a joint arrangement. The joint arrangement is rotatably connected to the chain drive at two connection points spaced one behind the other in the guide direction. Accordingly, an embodiment is provided in which the positions and the orientation of the driver are determined via two rotatable connections with the chain drive or with the chain of the chain drive. Pivoting of the driver can then be achieved, for example, in that one of these connection points is moved into the deflection section while the other connection point is arranged outside of the corresponding deflection section and is therefore not subject to any significant change in direction.

In this context, an embodiment is particularly preferred in which the joint arrangement is formed from a driver part and a guide part, with the driver part being connected directly to the driver. The driver part and the guide part are then connected to one another so as to be rotatable in a connection axis, the driver part being connected to the chain drive with a first connection point in the guide direction and the guide part being connected with a second connection point. Accordingly, the driver part, the guide part and the chain section form a triangle between the two fixed connection points, with the distance between the first connection point and the connection axis and the distance between the connection axis and the second connection point being fixed from the outset. The section of the curved path between the two connection points is also specified, with the direct distance between the two connection points also being able to change due to the changing curvature in the deflection section.

However, an essential factor for the pivoting is the fact that the driver part and the guide part are rotatably connected to one another, so that the angle defined between the driver part and the guide part can change along the cam track. If the first connection point is moved, for example, into the first deflection section behind the transfer position, then the second connection point is still in an area that is not subject to any significant deflection. The consequence of this is that the guide part pivots the driver part in the opposite direction to the guide direction, thereby causing the first extent to be shortened. The second connection point then also enters the deflection section and, after the second connection point has exited the deflection section, causes the driver part and thus also the driver arranged thereon to rise again, so that the first extent increases again.

The degree of pivoting is decisively defined by the ratio of the length of the driver part to the guide part or by the ratio of the distance between the first connection point and the connection axis to the distance between the connection axis and the second connection point. This ratio is preferably between 0.2 and 0.7, particularly preferably between 0.3 and 0.6. A particularly large pivoting of the driver can be brought about within such a ratio.

In addition, the size of the deflection roller in the first deflection section, which is decisive for the curvature of the cam track in the deflection section, is also important. In this case, the ratio of a diameter of the deflection roller to the distance between the connection axis and the second connection point is preferably between 0.6 and 0.9, particularly preferably between 0.7 and 0.8. This ensures that the second connection point is arranged outside the deflection section for as long as possible, while the first connection point runs through the deflection section. It is only because of these different directions of movement that the driver part, and thus also the driver, can pivot at all.

A preferred embodiment also provides at least two carriers, which are attached to the chain drive in an identical manner. This makes it possible, for example, for a first driver to push a container into a container cell while the second driver can simultaneously pick up another container. Two containers can be pushed into the corresponding container cells with just one run of the chain drive.

Alternatively, the at least one driver can be moved along the revolving guide track via a drive unit designed as a belt drive, instead of via a chain.

The invention is explained in more detail below using an exemplary embodiment. Show it:

1 shows a container transfer device according to the invention as part of a container cleaning machine

Fig. 2 the container transfer device according to Fig. 1

3 shows a detailed view of the deflection section according to FIG FIG. 4 shows the deflection section according to FIG. 3 with a different position of the driver

1 shows part of a container cleaning machine, with containers 1 being introduced into container cells 2 with the aid of a container transfer device. In this case, the container cells are moved in a vertical direction Z, so that an unfilled container cell 2 is always in contact with the container transfer device.

The container transfer device consists of a guide surface 3 and a drive unit 4 arranged below the guide surface 3, which is designed as a chain drive and has at least one driver s, which passes through the guide surface 3 and moves the container 1 into the container cells 2.

The exact configuration of the drive unit 4 is shown in FIG.

It is clear that the drive unit 4 is designed with a closed, non-circular curved path, with a total of two drivers 5 being arranged one behind the other in the guide direction F.

The section of the curved path 6 running in the guide direction F, which is arranged directly below the guide surface 3, is designed to be comparatively flat, so that the guide surface 3 itself can also be designed with a slight curvature. This prevents the containers 1 from tilting or standing up during the transfer into the container cells 2 .

In addition, two deflection rollers 7, 8 are indicated, which bring about a deflection of the curved track 6 and thereby form deflection sections 9, 10 of the curved track 6. The deflection section 9 is directly adjacent to the container cells 2, with the containers 1 physically leaving the drive unit 4 at the deflection section 9, so that this position of the container 1 is referred to as the transfer position within the scope of the invention.

For a better illustration, the deflection section 9 is shown in FIG. 3 in an enlarged view. From this it is also clear that the driver s is fastened to the chain drive via a joint arrangement 11 . For this purpose, a driver part 12 and a guide part 13 are provided, with the driver 5 being arranged directly on the driver part 12 and, in particular, being formed together. The driver part 12 is also rotatably attached to a first connection point 14 on the chain drive. Correspondingly, the guide part 13 is attached to the chain drive at a second attachment point 15 , with the first attachment point 14 being arranged in front of the second attachment point 15 in the guide direction F. In addition, the driver part 12 and the connecting part 13 are rotatably connected to one another via a connecting axis 16, so that the angle a between the driver part 12 and the guide part 13 can be changed. In addition, the driver part 12 has a first distance ai between the connection axis 16 and the first connection point 14 and the guide part 13 has a second distance a2 between the connection axis 16 and the second connection point 15 . The ratio between the first distance ai and the second distance a2 is preferably between 0.3 and 0.6. Furthermore, the deflection roller 7 has a diameter D, the ratio between the second section a2 and the diameter D being between 0.6 and 0.9.

Such a drive unit 4 can be used to cause the driver 5 to move, which is shown in FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D and 4E, the figures showing the driver s in different positions along the guide direction F.

According to FIG. 4A, the driver s is moved into the deflection area or to the transfer position, which is indicated by the dashed line. Here, the driver has a comparatively large vertical extent, which is shown in the form of a distance b from the cam track 6 .

According to FIG. 4B, the first connection point 14 is then moved into the deflection area 9, as a result of which the driver s is now moved to the transfer position. At the same time, the second connection point 15 is located outside of the deflection area 9, so that the driver 5 tilts in relation to the cam track 6. This tilting takes place counter to the guide direction F and has the effect that the driver 5 remains set up comparatively steeply despite passing through the deflection area 9 . After the container 1 has been transferred in the transfer position according to Fig. 4B, the first connection point 14 and thus also the driver s are transported further within the deflection area 9 in the guide direction F according to Fig. 4C, with the second connection point 15 still being outside of the deflection area 9 is arranged. This causes further tilting, as a result of which the first vertical extension, which is represented by the distance B between the driver 5 and the cam track 6, is shortened. Consequently, the cam track 6 or the drive unit 4 can be arranged closer to the container cell 2 lying against it without the driver s hitting the container cells 2 .

According to FIG. 4D, the second connection point 15 then also runs through the deflection area 9, while the first connection point 14 leaves it again. This leads to the driver 5 being set up again.

Claims

patent claims

1. Container transfer device, in particular for a container cleaning machine, with a guide device for moving containers (1) into a transfer position, the guide device having at least one driver (5) that can be moved along a guide direction, characterized in that the at least one driver (5) moves along a closed non-circular curved track (6), the curved track (6) having a first deflection section (9) adjoining the transfer position, in which a first extension running vertical to the guide direction (F) is shortened.

2. Container transfer device according to claim 1, characterized in that the first extension in the first deflection section (9) is shortened by 10 to 40%.

3. Container transfer device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a shortening of the first extension is effected by pivoting the at least one driver (5).

4. Container transfer device according to claim 3, characterized in that the at least one driver (5) in the first deflection section (9) is pivoted between 20 and 45° with respect to a vertical transfer plane running through the transfer position.

5. Container transfer device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the at least one driver (5) is guided via a drive unit designed as a chain drive (4) along a rotating curved track (6).

6. Container transfer device according to Claim 5, characterized in that the at least one driver (5) is connected to the chain drive via a joint arrangement (11), the joint arrangement (11) being at two connection points (14, 15) is rotatably connected to the chain drive.

7. Container transfer device according to Claim 6, characterized in that the joint arrangement (11) is formed from a driver part (12) and a guide part (13), which are connected to one another in a rotatable manner in a connecting axis (16) and the driver part (12) with a first in the guide direction (F) and the guide part (13) are connected to a second connection point (14, 15) with the chain drive.

8. Container transfer device according to claim 7, characterized in that the ratio of the distance (ai) between the first connection point (14) and the connection axis (16) to the distance (a2) between the connection axis (16) and the second connection point (15) is between 0.3 and 0.6.

9. Container transfer device according to one of claims 5 to 8, wherein the chain drive is deflected in the deflection sections (9, 10) via a deflection roller (7, 8).

10. Container transfer device according to claim 9, characterized in that the ratio of a diameter (D) of the deflection wheel (7) in the first deflection section (9) to the distance (a2) between the connection axis (16) and the second connection point (15) between is 0.6 and 0.9.

11. Container transfer device according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that at least two drivers (5) are provided.