Device and method for grouped feeding of containers to a cyclical processing machine

An apparatus for grouped take-up and feeding of a container-group of containers to a cyclical processing machine having a cyclical take-up device for taking up the group of containers includes an intake, a feed, and a transfer apparatus arranged in a transfer region between the intake and the take-up device. The intake forms a closed conveyor section that comprises a linear section, a conveyor, and carrying-and-holding elements that convey containers in a continuous container stream along the conveyor section. The feed uses mechanical propulsion to convey suspended containers to individually transfer the suspended containers to the carrying-and-holding elements. The transfer apparatus has rotatable grippers for taking up a container group from the container stream and after having taken up the group of containers, feeding the group of containers to the cyclical take-up device.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is the national stage of international application PCT/EP2018/078405, which claims the benefit of the Nov. 20, 2017 priority date of German application 10 2017 127 322.0, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The invention relates to a device and associated method for the grouped feeding of containers to a cyclical processing machine.

BACKGROUND

In a filling installation, it is usual to have a stream of containers. This stream is often a narrow one, with only one row of containers.

Some container-processing machines accept containers in groups rather than one at a time.

To accommodate these container-processing machines, some way must exist to turn a stream of containers into a container group that can be fed in parallel. This would be a mechanical analog to a serial-to-parallel converter.

SUMMARY

Taking this as a basis, the object of the present invention is to provide a device and an associated method for the grouped feeding of containers to a cyclical processing machine, by means of which the individual containers can be conveyed suspended, via an intake device, along a conveyor section to the cyclical processing machine.

An important aspect of the device according to the invention is to be seen in that the grippers of the transfer apparatus are configured for taking up the containers of the group of containers, moved along the conveyor section portion, such as to rotate or pivot about a vertical axis of rotation. Particularly advantageously, as a result of the rotating or pivoting configuration of the grippers of the transfer apparatus, the take-up or transfer respectively of the containers can be adjusted to the continuous, i.e. non-interrupted, conveying movement of the containers, i.e. the gripper opening of the grippers can be pivoted into the moved continuous container stream without any interference, in such a way that a simultaneous take-up of a group of containers from the moved container stream is possible without any problem.

In this context, the expression “continuous container stream” in the region of the intake device is understood to be a container stream which may indeed be fed to the intake device by means of a feed device permanently and free of interruption, with a speed which, as a rule, very largely remains constant, but which, in or at the intake device can undergo a division into part groups. In this situation, these part groups can be moved in or at the intake device at different speeds.

To further advantage, the grippers of the transfer apparatus are configured for gripping the containers at or above a container neck, or, with containers formed by PET bottles, at or above a neck ring of a PET bottle. As a result, the grippers of the transfer apparatus can be of simpler configuration, for example as a closable cut-out opening of a holding plate element, wherein the grippers of the transfer apparatus comprise at least two gripping arms, by means of which it is also possible to hold the containers by force-fit or non-positive fit in the region of the container neck or the neck ring.

Preferably, the grippers of the transfer apparatus can be rotated or pivoted in synchrony with one another, wherein, for example, for this purpose a common drive device is provided, by means of which the grippers of the transfer apparatus are connected with regard to their drive in order to produce a synchronous rotational or pivoting movement of the grippers about the respective axis of rotation. The grippers of the transfer apparatus comprise, for example, two mutually opposed gripper arms, of which the free end regions enclose a gripper opening for inserting and holding the container neck between the two gripper arms. The grippers of the transfer apparatus further comprise a gripper opening axis, which extends from the axis of rotation perpendicular and radially outwards between the two gripper arms, over the gripper opening.

To further advantage, the rotation or the pivoting of the grippers of the transfer apparatus is adjusted to the linear conveying movement of the containers in the linear conveyor section portion, and specifically in such a way that interference-free pivoting of the gripper opening inwards to take up the container neck or neck ring is ensured.

In a particularly preferred embodiment variant, the grippers of the transfer apparatus are arranged parallel to and at a distance from the linear conveyor section portion, wherein in each case a gripper of the transfer apparatus is provided for taking up a container from a gripper of the intake device.

For further preference, the carrying and holding elements of the intake device are held by an endlessly circulating transport element, and project sideways outwards from the conveyor section. To particular advantage, the conveyor element can be formed by a conveyor chain or a conveyor rail with associated carriage elements or drawing module, wherein the grippers are secured to the chain links or the carriage elements.

Further, a number of conveying modules can be provided which can be controlled and driven mutually independently. A drawing module in this situation comprises a number of carrying and holding elements which corresponds to the number of the containers or group of containers which must be transferred in the specified operating mode cyclically into the processing machine.

Likewise the object of the invention is a method for the grouped take-up and feeding of a group of containers to a cyclical processing machine, in particular a filling machine, comprising an intake device, a feed device, and at least one cyclical take-up device for taking up the group of containers, with which a continuous container stream is fed via the feed device of the intake device, which forms an endlessly circulating conveyor section with at least one, preferably linear, conveyor section portion, wherein the containers are conveyed along the conveyor section suspended from a plurality of carrying and holding elements. Particularly advantageously, by means of a transfer apparatus comprising a plurality of rotatable or pivotable grippers, the containers are taken up in the form of a group of containers from the continually moved container stream in a transfer region between the intake device and the take-up device, group by group, and the containers which are taken up are fed in groups to the cyclical take-up device, wherein, for the grouped take-up of the containers, the rotation or pivot movement of the grippers of the transfer apparatus of the conveyor device is adjusted to the conveying movement of the containers along the conveyor section portion. To particular advantage, in this situation the grippers are rotated or pivoted in synchrony with one another.

Further advantageously, at the transfer from the intake device to the cyclical take-up device, the carrying and holding elements are moved continuously along the conveyor section, i.e. the conveying movement as such is not interrupted or stopped; rather, the intake device is continually operated.

In one aspect, the invention features an apparatus for grouped take-up and feeding of a group of containers to a cyclical processing machine having a cyclical take-up device for taking up the group of containers. Such an apparatus includes an intake, a feed, and a transfer apparatus that is arranged in a transfer region between the intake and the take-up device. The intake forms a closed conveyor section that comprises a linear section, a conveyor, and carrying-and-holding elements. The carrying-and-holding elements cooperate to convey containers in a continuous container stream along the conveyor section. The feed uses mechanical propulsion to convey suspended containers to individually transfer the suspended containers to the carrying-and-holding elements. The transfer apparatus comprises grippers for taking up a group of containers from the continuous container stream at the linear section and after having taken up the group of containers, feeding the group of containers to the cyclical take-up device. Each of the grippers rotates about a vertical axis-or-rotation thereof.

The expression “essentially” or “approximately” signifies in the meaning of the invention deviations from the exact value in each case by +/−10%, preferably by +/−5%, and/or by deviations in the form of changes which are not of significance with regard to the function.

As used herein, “mechanical” propulsion or conveyance of containers is to be regarded as excluding conveyance by blowing air against the containers to propel them.

As used herein, the meaning of “to rotate” includes the meaning of “to pivot.”

Further embodiments, advantages, and possible applications of the invention also derive from the following description of exemplary embodiments and from the Figures. In this situation, all the features described and/or represented in the images are in principle the object of the invention, individually or in any desired combination, regardless of their relationship in the claims or reference to them. The contents of the claims are also made constituent parts of the description.

For elements of the invention which are the same or have the same effect, identical reference numbers are used in the Figures. In addition, for easier overview, only reference numbers are represented in the individual FIGS which are required for the description of the respective FIG.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1shows a feeding apparatus1that feeds containers B to a cyclical processing machine20, the details of which are omitted and replaced by a dashed line. The apparatus1is typically either upstream of the cyclical processing machine20or a constituent of the cyclical processing machine20.

An example of a cyclical processing machine20is a filling machine that fills groups of containers B. Among these are linear fillers. A linear filler receives a group of containers B equally-spaced along a line with their container axes being parallel to each other.

The feeding apparatus1features an intake2, a rotating feed3, and a linear cyclical take-up device4.

The take-up device4takes up a group of containers B. A transfer apparatus5, which is arranged in a transition region10between the intake2and the take-up device4, transfers a group of containers B from the intake2to the take-up device4.

The intake2forms an endlessly circulating conveying oval path TS that has opposed and parallel first and second linear sections LTS*, LTS. Corresponding first and second deflection sections US, US* connect the linear sections LTS*, LTS to form an oval path.

The intake2includes carrying-and-holding elements2.1that suspend containers B by their neck rings. An endlessly circulating conveyor2.2holds the carrying-and-holding elements2.1so that they project outwards from the conveyor section TS.

In some embodiments, the conveyor2.2is configured as a conveyor chain having chain links. In other embodiments, the conveyor2.2includes a conveyor rail2.3that guide associated carriages.

A carrying-and-holding element2.1is mounted on each such carriage. In some embodiments, the carrying-and-holding elements2.1are secured to chain links in a releasable manner. As shown inFIG. 2and inFIGS. 7a-7f, the carrying-and-holding elements2.1are isolated from the conveyor2.2

The embodiment shown inFIG. 1has only one conveyor2.2. Thus, all carrying-and-holding elements2.1and their accompanying containers B move together. As can be seen inFIGS. 2 to 5, each carrying-and-holding element2.1engages a container B at its neck. Typically, the container B is a PET bottle that has a neck ring for this purpose.

The rotating feed3transfers containers B to the intake2, and in particular, to the carrying-and-holding elements2.1. The illustrated rotating feed3is a star having grippers3.1that grip containers by their neck rings and convey the suspended containers B about its axis RA in a rotation direction RR from an intake region to an outlet region. At the outlet region, the grippers3.1transfer the containers B to corresponding carrying-and-holding elements2.1. These carrying-and-holding elements2.1are also formed as grippers. To achieve an interference-free transfer, the feeder's rotation speed matches that of the intake2.

The containers thus transferred eventually reach the second linear section LTS. At the second linear section LTS, the transfer apparatus5takes up a group of containers B.

The transfer apparatus5includes grippers5.1. Each such gripper5.1picks up a containers B of a container group and transfers the containers B to the cyclical take-up device4. The gripper5.1is configured to rotate or pivot about its vertical axis DA. As a result, the gripper5.1rotates synchronously with a container's linear movement as that container moves along the intake2.

In operation, as a moving carrying-and-holding element2.1conveys a container B along the second linear section LTS, a gripper5.1engages it by the neck and pivots it out of the second linear section LTS, thus disengaging it from the carrying-and-holding element2.1. This take-up occurs over a rotation angle that is less than 180°.

Each gripper5.1includes two mutually opposed arms. Each arm has a free end. Together, the free ends define an opening into which a container's neck can be introduced. As shown inFIG. 7a, the gripper's arms extend symmetrically along either side of an opening axis GA. The opening axis GA is perpendicular to the vertical axis DA.

As shown inFIG. 4, a common drive5.2causes all the grippers5.1to pivot together about their respective vertical axes DA. The opening axes GA of the grippers5.1are thus always parallel with each other.

The number of grippers5.1in the transfer apparatus5depends on how many containers are in a container group. In the illustrated embodiment, a group has ten containers. Consequently, there are ten grippers5.1. However, the subject matter of the invention includes other numbers of grippers5.1.

FIG. 3shows a side view of the transfer apparatus5with the cyclical take-up device4arranged underneath it as it would be seen from the second linear section LTS.FIG. 4shows a perspective view of the transfer apparatus5andFIG. 5shows an end view of the transfer apparatus5.

The transfer apparatus5takes up containers5on a group-by-group basis and transfers the containers B, as a group, to the cyclical take-up device4, which is typically part of the processing machine20.

The illustrated take-up device4is shown in simplified form as a carrier plate having as many cut-outs as there are containers B in a container group. Each cut-out is shaped to engage a container's neck ring. The carrier plate takes up a group of containers and processes them in the container-processing machine20, for example by filling them.

To permit interference-free transfer, the gripper arms5.1and the sections of the carrying-and-holding element that engage the neck ring occupy planes that are vertically offset from each other. This configuration can be seen inFIG. 5, in which the gripper's arms1lie in a horizontal plane above the horizontal plane accommodating the gripping sections of the gripper2.1. This makes it possible for the arms to pivot inwards into the continuous container stream without any interference.

FIGS. 7a-7fshow six snapshots of the transfer apparatus5during the course of a transfer of a group of containers.

FIG. 7ashows the containers B moving continuously in the conveying direction TR along the second linear section LTS. Each carrying-and-holding element2.1of the intake device2holds a container by its neck ring. The container neck is taken up in a gripper take-up that opens outwards, i.e. in the direction of the conveying device5. The container B can therefore be released in the direction of the transfer apparatus5by opening the carrier-and-holding element2.1. The gripper's opening axis GA is oriented obliquely to the conveying direction TR. As a result, clockwise rotation of the gripper5.1about its vertical axis DA pivots the opening axis GA inwards.

FIG. 7bshows the gripper5.1open and ready to receive an approaching container B. The gripper's opening axis GA lags the particular container B that the gripper5.1is aiming to catch. However, the drive5.2pivots the gripper5.1fast enough so that the gripper axis GA will catch up to the container B, as shown inFIG. 7c.

FIG. 7cshows the opening axis GA now perpendicular to the container's longitudinal axis BA. At this point, the gripper5.1is able to take up the container B.

InFIG. 7d, the gripper5.1has taken up the container B. Meanwhile, the drive5.2continues to rotate the gripper5.1so that the opening axis GA continues its clockwise rotation.

InFIG. 7e, the gripper's continued rotation has cleared the container B from the second linear section LTS. The containers B are now oriented along a row with the opening axes GA of all the grippers5.1being colinear.

FIG. 7fshows the opening axes GA of the grippers5.1further rotated so that they are now parallel to each other and facing the take-up device4.

During the handover of the container group from the transfer device5to the cyclical take-up device4, more containers B keep coming. In fact,FIG. 7eshows that a leading container B has already arrived. However, with correct timing, it is possible to return the grippers5.1back to the position shown inFIG. 7ain time to take up the next group of containers B.

InFIG. 9, carriages35.1are grouped to define a drawing module35. Each carriage35.1carries a carrying-and-holding element2.1. The number of carriages35.1matches the number of containers in a container group.

In the illustrated embodiment, the drawing module35includes a drive36, such as a servomotor. This drive36pulls the drawing module35in a controlled manner in much the same way that a locomotive would pull a consist. Thus, a drawing module35with its own drive36can be accelerated independently of other drawing modules35. For example, it is possible for the drive36to simply halt the drawing module35at a particular location, for example at the transfer region10. In some embodiments, there are two more drawing modules35, each of which is driven by its own drive36.

Some embodiments feature the conveyor rail2.4implemented as a toothed rail, much like a cog railway. In such embodiments, the drive36has a corresponding toothed wheel to engage the rail2.4. In some embodiments, the drive unit36can also suspend a container, in which case the drive unit36is also a carrying-and-holding element2.1.

Other embodiments rely on an electromagnetic linear drive. In such embodiments, the conveyor rail2.3functions as a stator. In such cases, either the drive unit36can have a magnet. Alternatively, each of the carriages35.1can have a magnet. As used herein, “magnet” refers to both permanent magnets and ferromagnetic components. In the latter case, the carriages are not coupled to each other and can therefore move independently.

In the embodiment shown inFIG. 9, the two drawing modules35are connected by corresponding belts41,42to a servo drive40a,40b. In effect, the servo drive40a,40btakes the place of the drive unit36inFIG. 8. In the present example, the drawing module35located in the transfer region10connects to an outer belt41via a corresponding coupling element2.4and the other drawing module35, which is at the intake's transfer region, connects to an inner belt42via a coupling2.4. Since different servo drives40a,40bdrive the different belts, the two drawing modules35operate independently of one another on the conveyor rail2.3. The adjacent side in each case serves as a passive guide and deflector of the respective belt.

In an alternative embodiments, the belts41,42are guided and driven on different height levels. In such cases, coupling elements are equipped such that an unobstructed drive of both belts can take place.

The foregoing embodiments are configurable to conform to other numbers of drawing modules35and corresponding drives. By mechanically coupling several servomotor units40a,40b, to the corresponding drawing modules35, it has proven possible to operate as many as eight such drive modules35independently of one another in an intake device2.

The drawing modules35and their carriages are able to continuously take-up containers B from the feed device3. The containers B of a group of containers that have been taken up by a respective drawing module35are conveyed in a controlled manner by the associated drive unit or servomotor unit to the transfer region10. Once there, they are taken off or taken up cyclically by the take-up device4. The newly-emptied drawing module35or carriage is then conveyed back to the feed device3, to take up containers B from there.

In general the principle applies to this device and method, with all their embodiments, that ideally the containers are held suspended from the feed device as far as the transfer and take-up at the take-up device of the cyclical processing machine, for which purpose they can be gripped, held, and/or carried in the region of the container neck or a neck ring (above or below) by a clamp or a gripper.

The invention had been described heretofore by way of exemplary embodiments. It is understood that numerous modifications and derivations are possible without thereby departing from the inventive concept underlying the invention.