Patent Abstract:
A device for filling containers, in particular bottles and beakers with food products, in particular with low viscosity to pasty dairy and fat products, juices, waters and similar, comprising: an upper main element, a lower main element and lateral elements connecting the upper main element and the lower main element; and a plurality of support elements which are endlessly supported on rollers through the device past operating stations along the upper main element, the lateral element and the lower main element, wherein the support elements include receivers for containers which receivers are arranged in series transversal to a feed direction, wherein at least two support elements are arranged on a common frame and are run by the frame on rollers through the device in an endless manner.

Full Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of International application PCT/DE2009 001752 filed on Dec. 14, 2009. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a device for filling containers, in particular bottles or beakers with food products, in particular liquid to paste-like dairy and fat products, juices, waters and similar, including an upper main element, a lower main element and lateral elements connecting the upper and the lower main element, and a plurality of support elements which are moved on rollers in an endless manner through the device past operating stations along the upper main element, the lateral element and the lower main element, wherein the support elements include receivers for containers arranged transversal to the feed direction in series. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    A device of this type is known e.g. from EP 1 134 182. It is an automated filling device which fills food products like for example dairy products into beakers or bottles. Thus, the support elements also designated as cell plates run through the device in an endless manner while being supported at a chain. Typically the operating stations which sterilize, dry, fill and close the containers are arranged along the upper main element. Through a first lateral element, the support elements then run into the lower main element arranged below the upper main element and are fed again to the upper main element through a second lateral element. 
         [0004]    In most of the filling devices currently available in the market, the number of containers filled depends on the processing time of the slowest operating station of the chain. The chain feed is provided in a timed manner so that in a simple version, always those containers are treated which are jointly supported on a support element. However, there are also so-called double step devices in which the containers of two support elements are simultaneously treated at the operating stations. 
         [0005]    The chain drive technique is tried and tested and has been used reliably for a long time though it has substantial disadvantages. Initially there is the basic problem that the chain elongates during operations. Consequently, the distance measured in feed direction between the support elements and thus also between the containers supported by the support elements increases over time. This is problematic since dosing sterilization agents, blowing in drying air, filling the containers and also closing at particular operating stations requires a comparatively exact positioning of the containers. Consequently, centering devices are required for chain operated devices. 
         [0006]    The support elements are pulled through the device on sliding rails; furthermore a support that is approximately central in feed direction is required above a certain size of the support elements. The mass inertias that have to be overcome in combination with the movement velocities of the support elements through the device require strong and thus heavy chains. The drive wheels and motors are also sized accordingly. Thus, a device of this type includes very massive and heavy components. 
         [0007]    For quite a while, persons skilled in the art have discussed how to design a chainless drive for a device of this type. In this context, for example, the German utility model DE 210 79 U1 has been published. Herein, a lantern pinion teething is shown which directly engages the support elements and pushes the support elements through the device. Thus the lateral elements are configured as arcuate rail systems connecting the upper main element and the lower main element. The support elements are provided with spacers for moving through the lateral elements. 
         [0008]    From EP 1 495 A1 additional drive concepts are known through which the support elements, cell plate adjoining cell plate, can be pushed through a device of this type. Among other things, a worm drive conveyor is proposed in this context. 
         [0009]    Pushing the cell plates through the device has the essential advantage that a chain which has elongation problems can be omitted. As a matter of principle however, there remains the problem that excessive friction forces have to be overcome and typically a support that is central in feed direction is still required for the cell plates. Furthermore, also when pushing the cell plates through the device it is not assured that the distances of the support elements or containers in feed direction are constant. As a matter of principle there is the risk that contaminating particles collecting between the support elements, for example production residues, can add up to form considerable total deviations. 
         [0010]    Also though EP 1 495 997 A1 proposes for friction minimization to push the cell plates through the device on rollers, besides the recited summation errors, the problem remains that the support proposed for the cell plates therein cannot be used in the machine for filling bottles. Bottles are typically supported at the bottleneck when moved through the filling device. Thus, the support elements are approximately cut in halves along a row of container receivers. For inserting the bottles, the support element halves are lifted and are moved apart parallel to the feed direction. The bottle is typically inserted from above into the opening thus widened. Subsequent thereto, the support element halves are moved back into their starting positions and enclose the bottle neck. 
         [0011]    Besides the fact that splitting the support elements into support element halves augments the problem of summation errors and thus the problem of exact alignment of the support elements under the operating stations, EP 1 495 997 A1 does not permit the predescribed opening of the cell plates for inserting the bottles. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0012]    Thus, it is an object of the invention to configure a device with a chainless drive and support elements supported on rollers so that an exact positioning of the containers at the operating stations is provided. 
         [0013]    The object is achieved by a device with the features of claim  1 , in particular with the characterizing features, according to which at least two support elements are arranged on a common frame and are run by the frame on rollers in an endless manner through the device. 
         [0014]    It is an essential advantage of the invention that at least two, preferably four support elements are arranged on a common frame and positioned relative to one another. Insofar the possible summation error through collecting contaminations between the support elements is reduced at least by a factor of 2; in an advantageous embodiment it is even reduced by a factor of 4. 
         [0015]    It is provided in a particularly preferred embodiment that the rollers are arranged at the common frames of the support elements and the frames are run through the rollers on running tracks through the device. 
         [0016]    The essential advantage here is in the maintenance of the rollers. In case of a roller defect, a support element unit can simply be removed and can be replaced by a unit provided with intact rollers. The roller replacement can then be performed subsequently thereto without having to stop production. 
         [0017]    It is furthermore provided that frames are connected with one another through connection elements at least during the movement of the support elements along the operating stations. 
         [0018]    The high acceleration during feeding, thus when moving the support elements on their frames in feed direction, due to the substantial friction reduction, can have the effect that the frames do not come to a standstill at the next operating station. This generates small clearances between the particular frames which causes considerable noise during machine operation when frames contact one another. Furthermore, jolts of this type introduce high levels of stress into materials. Coupling the frames to one another, besides facilitating controlled acceleration, also provides controlled braking and positioning of the frames relative to the operating stations. Thus, a device with connected frames in this respect implements advantages of a chain drive. 
         [0019]    Thus, it is required that the connection of the frames with one another, besides the required fit clearance between the connection elements, has no clearance. 
         [0020]    In order to simplify moving the support elements on their frames from the upper main element into the lower main element, for example through a lifting device, it is provided that the connection elements arrange the frames at one another in horizontal direction; however a relative vertical movement of two adjacent frames relative to one another disengages the connection. 
         [0021]    In order to facilitate clean coupling and decoupling of the frames at one another and in order to simultaneously provide a connection of the frames with one another that essentially doesn&#39;t have any clearance, it is provided that the connection elements respectively include a groove with concave sidewalls and a respective coupling member, wherein the coupling member of a first connection element is inserted without clearance in the groove of a second connection element between the apex lines of the concave groove sidewalls. 
         [0022]    In particular the concave sidewalls of the groove expand in upward direction and in downward direction like a funnel so that a clean insertion of the coupling member is provided. Simultaneously the coupling member is run through this geometry self-acting to the tightest location of the groove in the portion of the apex lines of the sidewalls where it is inserted without clearance. 
         [0023]    The geometry for connecting the frames supporting the support elements can be substantially improved in that the coupling member includes convex side lobes aligned parallel to the groove sidewalls, wherein an arrangement of the apex line of the concave groove sidewalls approximately at the same levels and of the convex coupling member sidewalls of intermeshing connection elements provides a connection of the frames with one another that is essentially without clearance. 
         [0024]    The support elements supported on frames form an essential prerequisite that the device according to the invention can also be used for filling bottles. Consequently, it is provided that the support elements are split in half along a row, that each support element half includes partial recesses, and that partial recesses oriented towards one another of adjacent support element halves jointly form a receiver for containers, and wherein the support elements are configured vertically raisable on the common frame and are laterally movable in raised position for opening the receivers for inserting the containers. 
         [0025]    Insofar only supporting the support element halves on a common frame facilitates opening and closing the support elements analogous to prior art chain driven devices. 
         [0026]    Besides exact alignment of the containers in feed direction, the so-called longitudinal centering, also an alignment transversal to the feed direction (transversal centering) has to be provided for correct operations of the device. 
         [0027]    In chain driven filling machines which pull the support elements through the machine, essentially a correct position of the chain suffices for the transversal orientation. 
         [0028]    In devices with a chainless drive in which the support elements are essentially pushed through the device like in EP 1 495 997 A1, each support element by itself has to be transversally centered. Thus it is an object of the invention to provide a technical device that is configured accordingly. 
         [0029]    The object is achieved by a device with the features of claim  10  in particular with the features of the body of claim  10  according to which the rollers include a centering device through which the support elements are oriented transversal to the feed direction. Thus, it is provided in particular that the rollers roll on rolling paths when the support elements are fed in an endless manner and rollers and rolling track interact in a centering manner. 
         [0030]    When the rollers through which the support elements are movable through the device include the centering device themselves, a continuous centering can be provided in a manner that is technically particularly simple. It is for example conceivable that the rollers for centering run in a groove or include a separate centering arm which is supported at a groove. 
         [0031]    It is particularly preferred, however, when the rollers center the support elements in a transversal manner by interacting with the running paths. This is provided in particular in that the cross-sectional contour of the running surfaces of the rollers forms the centering device by interacting with the running surface contour of the running tracks. 
         [0032]    This type of centering is provided through the feed movement itself and is therefore continuous and permanent. Should a support element, while being fed through the device, be pressed out of its transversally centered position, e.g. through a foreign object, the feed movement by itself already provides re-centering. The centering device is provided in a technically very simply manner and has low maintenance and low wear. 
         [0033]    In a particularly preferred embodiment, it is provided that the cross-sectional contour of the running surfaces of the rollers is approximately V-shaped and the running surface contour of the running tracks is cambered in a partial circle, wherein it is presumed that the running tracks are formed by a running bar that has a circular cross-section. 
         [0034]    However, also the geometric reversal is conceivable where the running path forms an approximately V-shaped groove in which the running rollers roll with a running surface that has a cross-section of a partial circle. 
         [0035]    As described supra, it is known in the art to increase the throughput of a filling device in that the containers of two support elements are simultaneously treated at the operating stations. Thus, in the prior art, two support element halves of two support elements are moved apart parallel to the transport direction. This also is called opening the cell plates. The bottles are moved from above through the open cell plates into the contact plane of the cell plates on the chain. Subsequently, the cell plate halves are moved back again until they contact the drive chain. This is called closing the cell plates. When closing the cells, the partial recesses of the support element halves envelop the bottle neck and support the bottle. 
         [0036]    Since the cell plates have to move very far apart in order to allow the bottle element to pass through, the bottles are not inserted into two directly adjacent support elements. Instead, always two cell plates are opened that are offset from a closed cell plate. During insertion of the bottles into the support elements, the bottles are supported in their positions by suction elements. 
         [0037]    Therefore, the prior art bottle feed device with the feed devices arranged above the upper main element and the suction elements arranged below the upper main element are configured rather complex. Eventually also the time requirement for the opening movement of the support element halves is detrimental since it limits the machine timing and thus the machine throughput. 
         [0038]    Thus, it is an object of the invention to provide a novel container feed device which facilitates a quicker opening movement of the support elements with substantial configuration simplification. 
         [0039]    The object is achieved by a device with the features of claim  16 , in particular with the features of the body of claim  16  according to which the container feed device feeds the containers from below to the support elements. 
         [0040]    Differently from the prior art, the inventors have recognized that it is a substantial configuration disadvantage of the prior art bottle feeds that the entire body of the bottle has to be passed through between the support elements in order to eventually support the bottleneck that has a relatively small diameter. This type of prior art bottle feed has the consequence that the necessary large opening width causes the opening time that limits the operating cycle. Furthermore this type of feed is also the reason that support element halves have to be moved apart which are not directly adjacent to one another but are offset by at least one support element. This causes a comparatively long extension of the bottle feed device in transport direction. Also, the comparatively long movement path of the suction elements stabilizing the bottles is caused by the bottle feed from above. 
         [0041]    Based on this the inventors have recognized that the container feed from below to the support elements has essential advantages. Since only the bottle neck still has to be inserted between the support element halves, the necessary movement space and the movement time for the opening support element halves is substantially reduced. Consequently, at least two directly adjacent support elements can be outfitted with bottles. The installation space necessary for the container feed device in feed direction is substantially reduced. Also the vertical movement space for the bottles can be substantially reduced. 
         [0042]    A device is particularly advantageous which is characterized in that the container feed device lifts the containers for inserting into the container receivers and the lifting process induces the opening movement of the support element halves. 
         [0043]    In order to provide a solution with a particularly simple configuration, the container feed device is joined with the device for opening the support element halves. Thus, it is provided that the vertical lifting movement through which the bottles are moved in a direction towards the support elements at least induces the opening movement. It is provided in particular that the container feed device includes a lifting device wherein the vertical movement of the lifting device impacting the support element halves causes the opening movement of the support element halves through raising the support element halves. 
         [0044]    In one embodiment in which the support element halves include support members which engage device side slotted links and control the opening movement of the support element halves, the container feed device is the container feed device which also causes the opening of the support element halves. For this only a vertical movement is necessary which raises the support element halves. Through the interaction of support members and slotted links, the vertical movement is transformed into an opening movement of the support element halves. 
         [0045]    Thus, it is particularly advantageous that raising the containers, in particular the bottles and the vertical movement of the lifting device for opening the support element halves can be provided through a common drive. 
         [0046]    For this purpose it is only necessary that the lifter is movement coupled with the platform but arranged so that it is movable relative to the platform. 
         [0047]    Eventually the present invention also relates to a method for feeding containers to a container filling device, in particular for bottles or beakers with food products, in particular liquid to paste-like dairy and fat products, juices, waters and similar, including an upper main element, a lower main element and lateral elements connecting the upper and the lower main element, a plurality of support elements which are moved on rollers in an endless manner through the device past operating stations along the upper main element, the lateral element and the lower main element, wherein the support elements include receivers for containers arranged transversal to the feed direction in series. 
         [0048]    This method achieves the object according to which the container feeding shall be simplified through the characterizing method steps: 
         [0049]    a) feeding support elements arranged on a platform with containers; 
         [0050]    b) moving the platform to a location of the device where the containers are inserted into the support elements; 
         [0051]    c) lifting the support element halves from its contact plane for performing the opening movement; 
         [0052]    d) lifting the containers into the contact plane of the support elements; 
         [0053]    e) lowering the support element halves into the contact plane for performing a closing movement and for safely supporting the containers in the container receivers. 
         [0054]    In a particular embodiment of the method, it is provided that a raising of the platform is performed for method step c) which raising brings a lifting device into contact with the support element halves, wherein the lifting device moves the support element halves into an open position through a vertical movement relative to the platform. 
         [0055]    It is furthermore provided that the lifting device is lowered for method step e). 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0056]    Additional advantages of the invention can be derived from the subsequent description of advantageous embodiments of the invention illustrated in drawing figures, wherein: 
           [0057]      FIG. 1  illustrates an overview of the device according to the invention; 
           [0058]      FIG. 2  illustrates a partial view of the device according to  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0059]      FIG. 3  illustrates a perspective view of the support elements arranged at a frame; 
           [0060]      FIG. 4  illustrates a top view according to  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0061]      FIG. 5  illustrates a perspective view from below of the frame according to  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0062]      FIG. 6  illustrates a bottom view of the frame according to  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0063]      FIG. 7  illustrates a sectional view of the frame according to section line VII in  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0064]      FIG. 8  illustrates a partial view of the cut frame according to  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0065]      FIG. 9  illustrates a perspective view of the frame according to  FIG. 3  sitting on running rails; 
           [0066]      FIG. 10  illustrates a detail view of the connection element of a frame according to  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0067]      FIG. 11  illustrates an interaction of roller and running rail; 
           [0068]      FIG. 12  illustrates a top view of a frame according to  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0069]      FIG. 13  illustrates a sectional view of the frame according to section line XIII in  FIG. 12 ; 
           [0070]      FIG. 14  illustrates a frame vertically cut parallel to the feed direction and equipped with containers; 
           [0071]      FIG. 15  illustrates an overview of a container feed device according to the invention; 
           [0072]      FIG. 16  illustrates a slotted link sliding block according to  FIG. 15 ; 
           [0073]      FIG. 17  illustrates a vertical sectional view of the container feed device according to  FIG. 15  transversal to the feed device; 
           [0074]      FIG. 18-20  illustrates a container feed device according to  FIG. 15  in a vertical sectional view performed parallel to the feed device in different operating positions. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0075]    A device for filling container with food products is overall designated with the reference numeral  10  in the figures. 
         [0076]      FIG. 1  illustrates the device  10  in its entirety. The filling device for the containers  10  includes an upper main element OT, a lower main element UT offset there from and two lateral elements ST. 
         [0077]    Along the arrow direction X the support elements that are not designated in more detail in  FIG. 1  are supported along various operating stations  11  in the upper element OT so that it is transferable through a first lateral element ST into the lower element UT. In the lower element UT the support elements move in arrow direction Y to the second lateral element ST in order to be moved from there back into the upper main element OT. In this respect the support elements run through the device  10  in an endless manner. The operating stations  11  illustrated in  FIG. 1  are in particular a sterilization- and drying unit  12 , dosing stations  13 , a cap placement station  14  and a cap screwing station  15 . 
         [0078]      FIG. 2  illustrates a top view of a partial section of the upper main element OT in which plural support elements  16  which are also designated as cell plates are arranged behind one another in feed direction. Each support element  16  includes a plurality of container receivers  17  arranged transversal to the feed direction X. Consequently the container receivers are arranged adjacent to one another in rows R. The container receivers of plural support elements  17  arranged behind one another in feed direction X form tracks B arranged parallel to the feed direction X. 
         [0079]      FIG. 3  illustrates a frame  3  which includes two longitudinal profiles  19  arranged offset from one another and parallel with respect to the feed direction X. The support elements  16 , four in this instance contact the longitudinal profiles  19  with their ends. In the present embodiment the support elements  16  include two support element halves  20  which are provided through splitting the support elements  16  approximately in half along a row R. The longitudinal profiles  19  are arranged at one another through transversal profiles  21  and furthermore carry support rollers  22  on which the frame  18  is run through the device  10 . The longitudinal profiles  19  form connection elements  23  and their ends, wherein the connection elements are subsequently described in more detail and through which plural frames  18  can be coupled with one another. 
         [0080]    From  FIG. 4  which provides a top view of the frame illustrated in  FIG. 3  the configuration is illustrated in more detail. Besides the components described supra support members  24  are provided at the ends of the support elements halves  20  arranged parallel to the feed direction X, wherein the support members  24  are used for controlling the opening movement of the support elements halves  20 . 
         [0081]    A bottom view of the frame  18  from below according to  FIG. 3  is illustrated in  FIG. 5 . From this illustration it is apparent that the transversal profiles  21  support a support rail  25  below the support elements  16 . The support rail  25  is arranged approximately central between the longitudinal profiles  19  of the frame  18 . The contact rail  25  is used for stabilizing the support elements  16  so that the support elements  16  due to their own weight or the weight of the filled container do not sag in the center. The transversal profile  18  as evident from this figure is configured as a T profile for static reasons. 
         [0082]      FIG. 6  illustrates the top view of the bottom side of the frame  18 . This figure is supplemented over  FIG. 5  with the illustration of the position of the sectional plane VII along which the frame  18  according to  FIG. 7  is vertically cut. 
         [0083]    From the sectional view of  FIG. 7  it is initially evident that each roller  22  is rotatably arranged on a roller axis  26 . The roller axis  26  in turn is anchored in the longitudinal profile  19  of the frame. It is furthermore evident from  FIG. 7  that the rollers  22  of the frame  18  contact running bars  27  of the device  10 . 
         [0084]      FIG. 8  illustrates a detail of the sectional view according to  FIG. 7 . From this detail it is particularly evident that the roller  22  includes a circumferential V-shaped or roof shaped groove  28 . Consequently the cross section contour of the running surface  29  of the roller  22  is also approximately V-shaped. The running track configured as running bar  27  includes a circumferential cross section. The running surface  30  of the running bar  27  is formed by the surface portion oriented towards the roller  22 . As evident from  FIG. 8  the running bar  27  with its running surface  30  is inserted into the V shaped groove of the roller  22  so that the running surfaces  29  and  30  contacts one another. 
         [0085]    The illustration of  FIG. 9  illustrates a frame  18  which contacts the running bars  27  of the device  10 . The running bars  27  are arranged in the upper main element OT and in the lower main element UT so that the frames  18  with the support elements  16  are run on the running bars  27  through the device  10  in an endless manner. 
         [0086]      FIG. 10  illustrates a cut out detail based on which the configuration of the connection element  23  of the longitudinal profile  19  is described in more detail. The connection element  23  forms a portion of the longitudinal profile  19  and is respectively arranged at ends of the longitudinal profile  19  oriented towards an adjacent frame  18 . The connection element initially includes a vertically aligned groove  31  with approximately concave groove side walls  32 . Directly adjacent to the groove  31  the longitudinal profile  19  forms a coupling member  33 . The side lobes  34  of the coupling member  33  which side lobes are aligned parallel to the groove side walls  32  are configured convex. 
         [0087]    In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 10  the groove  31  and the coupling member  33  are configured so that the concave groove side wall  32  adjacent to the coupling member  33  simultaneously forms the convex side lobes  34  of the coupling member  33 . The side lobe  34  oriented away from the groove simultaneously forms the face wall of the longitudinal beam  19 . The grooves  31  thus offset the coupling members  33  from the support elements  16 . It is appreciated that connection elements  23  oriented towards one another of adjacent frames  18  are configured in a mirror image to each other. 
         [0088]    The connection elements  23  of adjacent frames  18  engage one another during a movement along the upper and lower main component OT/UT. Adjacent frames  18  are connected with one another in this manner. Thus, the frames  18  that are moved in a timed manner through the device  10  can be accelerated and decelerated in a controlled manner. The coupling member  33  in its width measured in movement direction is sized in the portion of the apex lines of the convex side walls  34  so that it is essentially inserted into the groove  31  without clearance when the apex lines of the groove side walls  32  are approximately arranged in one plane with the apex lines of the side lobes  34 . This prevents excessive noise generation when accelerating and decelerating the frames  18  through a contact of connection elements  23  of adjacent frames  18 . 
         [0089]    The coupling of the frames  18  is separated in that adjacent frames  18  are moved vertically toward one another. Thus, the coupling elements  33  slide out of the grooves  31 . This vertical movement occurs when a frame  18  switches through the lateral element ST into the lower main element UT. 
         [0090]    Compared to the prior art in which the support elements  16  contact one another, arranging the support elements directly on the frames  18  has substantial advantages. In the first place the summation errors which lead to an erroneous faulty orientation of the support elements relative to the operating stations are reduced by a factor which corresponds to the number of the support elements  16  mounted on the frames. Summation errors of this type occur when contaminants adhere between adjacent support elements  16  according to the prior art. 
         [0091]    Since according to the invention plural support elements  16  are arranged on a frame  18  and are moved through the device  19  through the frames  18  the summation errors are substantially reduced. In the frames illustrated in the embodiment which support four support elements  16  the summation error is reduced by a factor of 4. 
         [0092]    In  FIG. 11  the frame  18  that is run on the running rail  27  through the device  10  is illustrated in a perspective detail view. Special emphasis is put on a centering interaction of roller  22  and running rail  27 . The geometry of the running surfaces  29  is approximately V-shaped. The running surface  30  of the running rail  27  that has a cross section of a partial circle is disposed in the V-shaped groove of the roller which forms the roller side running surfaces  29 . It is evident that during a movement of the frame  18  through the device the running rail  27  as a matter of principle is arranged as deep as possible in the V-shaped groove of the roller  22 . In case no transversal forces occur the roller  22  is supported on the running rail  27  in a centered manner. Thus, a secure centering of the frames  18  is provided transversal to the feed direction which assures that the frames  18 , in particular the support elements  16  are correctly aligned with their container receivers  17  relative to the operating stations  11 . 
         [0093]    In case transversal forces caused by interferences impact the frames  18  during operation of the device wherein the transversal forces move the frames off center, the frames  18  immediately slide back into their correct positions due to the interfacing geometries of the running rails  27  and the rollers  22  after the transversal forces cease. 
         [0094]      FIG. 13  is a sectional view of the frame  18  along the longitudinal profile  19  according to sectional line XIII in  FIG. 12 . The support element halves  20  are supported by the pins  35 , but they are moveably arranged in vertical direction on the frames. The pins  34  are inserted into bore holes  36  formed by the longitudinal profile  19 . The vertically moveable support of the support element halves  20  is required in particular for such filling devices  10  that are used for filling bottles. 
         [0095]    The bottles  37  engaged in  FIG. 14  in the support elements  16  of a frame  18  include a bottle element  38  which transitions into a bottle neck  39  through a taper of the bottle diameter. The bottle neck  39  is provided with a radially protruding bottle collar  41  proximal to the bottle opening  40 . The bottles  37  are respectively inserted into a bottle receiver  17  with their bottle necks  39 . Thus, the bottle element  38  is arranged below the support elements  16 ; the bottle collar  41  contacts the support element  16 . For inserting the bottles into the bottle receiver  17  of the support elements  16  the invention proposes a novel container feed device which is designated with the reference numeral  50  in its entirety. This is subsequently described with reference to  FIGS. 15-20 . 
         [0096]      FIG. 15  illustrates the container feed device  50  below a frame  18  provided with support elements  16 . As illustrated in the figures the support elements  16  respectively include two support element halves  20  which are respectively provided with partial recesses. Corresponding partial recesses oriented towards one another in pairs jointly form a container receiver  17 . 
         [0097]    The container feed device  50  includes a base plate  51  above which a bottle lifting plate  52  is arranged. Above the bottle lifting plate  52  a bottle support  53  is arranged in turn. On the bottle support plate  53  sleeve shaped bottle supports  54  are applied corresponding to the number of container receivers  17 . On the bottle support plate  53  furthermore support element lifting devices  55  are arranged. The bottles  37  to be inserted into the support elements  16  are arranged within the bottle holders  54 . In the portion of the container feed device  50  the device  10  includes slotted link sliding blocks  56  which are arranged parallel to the longitudinal beams  19  of the frame  18  and above the support elements  16 . The base plate  51 , the bottle lifting plate  52  and the bottle support plate  53  are vertically moveable through a drive that is not illustrated, wherein all of the plates  51 - 53  are vertically moveable relative to one another. 
         [0098]    According to  FIG. 16  each of the sliding blocks  56  includes a slotted link  57  support which includes a vertically oriented insertion section  58  for the support members  24  of the support element halves  20 . Two respective adjacent slotted links  57  form a slotted link pair. The slanted sections  59  adjoining the vertical insertion section  58  of each slotted link pair are oriented opposite to one another. Therefore each slotted link pair includes slotted link guides  57  which are configured as mirror images relative to one another. 
         [0099]    In  FIG. 17  the container feed device  50  is illustrated in a vertical sectional view, wherein the cutting plane is arranged transversal to the feed direction. From this sectional view it is apparent that the bottle support plate  53  in the portion of each bottle support  54  includes a cutout  60 . In each cutout  60  a bottle lifting device  61  arranged which is attached to the bottle lifting plate  52 . The bottle lifting device  61  includes a vertically aligned bottle lifting support  62  that is attached at one end to the bottle lifting plate  52  and a bottle lifting plate  63  attached at another end to the bottle lifting support  62 . The bottle  37  sits on the bottle lifting plate  63  with its bottle base. 
         [0100]    The function of the container feed device  50  is now described with reference to  FIGS. 17-20 . In the portion of a container feeding which is arranged outside of the upper main element OT or the lower main element UT at the device the bottle supports  54  of the container feed device  50  are loaded with bottles  37 . Then the container feed device is moved into the portion of the upper main element OT or the lower main element UT where the bottles  37  are inserted into the support elements  16 . In the start position of the container feed device  50  illustrated in  FIG. 17  the lifting devices  55  contact the bottom side of the support element halves  20 . The bottle necks  39  are arranged below the support elements  16 . 
         [0101]      FIGS. 18-20  illustrate a vertical sectional view through a frame  18  and a container feed device  50  arranged there under, wherein the sectional plane is arranged parallel to the feed direction. Contrary to the starting position of the container feed device which is illustrated in  FIG. 17  the opening position is illustrated in  FIG. 18 . The unit including the bottle lifting plate  52  and the bottle lifting plate  53  has been vertically raised relative to the base plate  51 . The lifting devices  55  not illustrated in  FIG. 18  consequently move the support elements  20  also in vertically upward direction. The support element halves  20  leave the operating portion of the pins  35 . Simultaneously support members  24  engage the vertical insertion sections  58  of the slotted ink sliding blocks  56 . Subsequently the support members  24  move into the slanted sections  59  of the slotted links  57  which transform the vertical movement of the support element halves  20  into a lateral movement. Consequently the support element halves  20  of a support element  16  are offset from one another which widens the container receivers  17 . Thus, the support element halves  20  are moved from their contact plane A, E (the plane in which they contact the longitudinal beam  19 ) into the opening plane OE. Widening the container receivers  17  or the lateral movement of the support element half  20  controlled by the slotted links is evident in particular from their positions relative to the transversal profile  21 . While the transversal profiles  21  are arranged in the sectional view of  FIG. 13  between two support elements  16  the adjacent support element halves  20  of two support elements  16  cover the transversal profiles  21  when they are arranged in the opening plane OE. 
         [0102]    It can be furthermore derived from  FIG. 18  that the bottle necks  39  with their bottle collars  41  have a smaller diameter d than the widened container receivers  17  with its opening width D. 
         [0103]    Through the joint vertical movement of bottle lifting plate  52  and the bottle support plate  53  the bottle necks  39  move into the contact plane AE. This provides that the bottle collars  41  are arranged above the contact plane AE. Overall the unit including bottle lifting plate  52  and bottle support plate  53  was moved in vertically upward direction by the distance between contact plane AE and the opening plane OE of the support elements halves  20 . 
         [0104]      FIG. 19  illustrates the bottle insertion position of the container feed device  50 . As evident in comparison with  FIG. 18  the bottle lifting plate  52  in order to reach this position was moved vertically upward relative to the bottle support plate  53 . Through the bottle lifting devices  61  coupled with the bottle lifting plate  52  the bottles  37  are also moved vertically upward, wherein the bottle lifting devices  61  penetrate the bottle holders  54 . Through the vertical movement of the bottle lifting plate  52  the bottle necks  39  are moved into the opening plane OE of the support element halves  20 . Thus the bottle colors  41  are arranged above the support element halves  20 . 
         [0105]      FIG. 20  illustrates the closed position of the container feed device  50 . The unit including bottle support plate  53  and bottle lifting plate  52  moves downward in its entirety relative to the base plate  51  in order to reach the closed position in  FIG. 20 . The support element halves  20  supported on the lifting devices  55  not illustrated herein follow the downward movement. Thus, the slotted link guide  57  in which the support members  54  are supported provides the closing movement of the support element halves  20  which is opposite to the opening movement. After the closing movement is completed the support element halves  20  are placed into the contact plane AE again. The lateral reverse movement of the support element halves  20  in turn is evident from the positions of the support element halves relative to transversal profiles  21 . The transversal profiles  21  are now arranged at the same levels between the support element halves  20  of two adjacent support elements  16 . The performed relative downward movement is evident from the comparison of  FIGS. 19 and 20  and the distance between the upper opening  64  of the bottle supports  54  and the transversal profile  19 . 
         [0106]    After completion of the closing movement the bottle lifting plate  52  is lowered far enough so that the bottle lifting plates  63  are again arranged in the plane of the bottle support plate  53 . Subsequently the container feed device  50  is lowered far enough so that the bottle supports  54  release the bottles  37 . 
         [0107]    It is evident that the container feed device  50  described supra is also useable as a container extraction device when the movement path is reversed. In this case  FIG. 20  forms the starting position. The bottles  37  are inserted into the bottle holder  54 . The bottle lifting device  61  already supports the bottle base. Differently from  FIG. 19  the unit including bottle support plate  53  and bottle lifting plate  52  is moved vertically upward so that the lifting devices  55  not illustrated in  FIG. 20  but contacting the bottom side the support element halves  20  move the support element halves in vertically upward direction. Due to the engagement of the support members  24  into the sliding link guides  57  a lateral movement of the support element halves  20  and thus an opening of the container receivers  17  is provided. Subsequently thereto and transitioning to  FIG. 18  the bottle lifting plate  52  moves downward relative to the bottle support plate  53 . The bottles are consequently lowered relative to the support element halves  20 . A subsequent movement of bottle lifting plate  52  and bottle support plate  53  by the same amount downward relative to the base plate  51  also moves the lifting devices  55  downward which are not illustrated in  FIG. 18 . After the movement of the lifting device the support element halves  20  follow and thereafter the support element halves which are guided by the slotted link guides  57  close again. After the closing movement the container extraction device is in the position illustrated in  FIG. 17  relative to the frame  18 , wherein the position was described therein as a starting position of the container feed device  50 . In order to complete the extraction process the container extraction device now has to leave the extraction location in the upper or lower main element. The bottles are removed from the bottle supports  54  by another device that is not described in more detail and the bottles are assembled into interconnections for subsequent transportation. 
         [0108]    In summary initially a solution was presented in which the support elements  17  for the containers  37  which are run on rollers  22  through the support device  10  can be centered transversal to the feed direction. The centering is configured in a particularly simple manner through a form locking engagement of the roller  22  and the running rail  27 . 
         [0109]    Furthermore a frame  18  was presented on which the support elements  16  are moveable through the device  10  wherein the support elements are arranged in groups. This is a considerable improvement with respect to the alignment of the support elements  16  in feed direction since the support elements  16  are pushed through the device  10 , support element  16  adjacent to support element  16 , which substantially reduces the possible summation error through contaminations between the support elements  16 . Furthermore frames  18  according to the invention facilitate a coupling to one another which facilitates a controlled acceleration and deceleration. 
         [0110]    Eventually a new container feed device  50  is disclosed which is also suitable to be used as a container extraction device. It is an essential advantage of the container feed device  50  to reduce the opening travel of the support element halves  20  due to the container feed to the support element  16  from below. Consequently directly adjacent support elements  16  can be simultaneously fed with containers  37 . Furthermore it is possible compared to the double step machines known from the prior art to provide more than two support elements  16  simultaneously with containers  37  while only requiring acceptable installation space. Consequently the throughput and also the cost effectiveness of a filling device  10  can be substantially increased. 
       REFERENCE NUMERALS AND DESIGNATIONS 
       [0111]      10  device 
         [0112]      11  operating station 
         [0113]      12  sterilization- and drying unit 
         [0114]      13  dosing station 
         [0115]      14  cap placement station 
         [0116]      15  cap screwing station 
         [0117]      16  support elements 
         [0118]      17  container receivers 
         [0119]      18  frames 
         [0120]      19  longitudinal profiles of  18   
         [0121]      20  support element halves 
         [0122]      21  transversal profile of  18   
         [0123]      22  rollers of  18   
         [0124]      23  connection elements of  19   
         [0125]      24  support members 
         [0126]      25  support rail 
         [0127]      26  roller axis 
         [0128]      27  running bar 
         [0129]      28  V-shaped or roof shaped groove of  22   
         [0130]      29  running surface of  22   
         [0131]      30  running surface of  27   
         [0132]      31  groove 
         [0133]      32  groove side wall of  31   
         [0134]      33  coupling member 
         [0135]      34  side lobes of  33   
         [0136]      35  pin 
         [0137]      36  bore hole 
         [0138]      37  bottle 
         [0139]      38  bottle element 
         [0140]      39  bottle neck 
         [0141]      40  bottle opening 
         [0142]      41  bottle collar 
         [0143]      50  container feed device 
         [0144]      51  base plate 
         [0145]      52  bottle lifting plate 
         [0146]      53  bottle support plate 
         [0147]      54  bottle support 
         [0148]      55  lifting device 
         [0149]      56  slotted link sliding blocks 
         [0150]      57  slotted link guide 
         [0151]      58  vertical insertion section of  57   
         [0152]      59  slanted section 
         [0153]      60  cut out of  53   
         [0154]      61  bottle lifting device 
         [0155]      62  bottle lifting device support 
         [0156]      63  bottle lifting device plate 
         [0157]      64  upper opening of  54   
         [0158]    AE contact plane 
         [0159]    OE opening plane 
         [0160]    OT upper main element 
         [0161]    UT lower main element 
         [0162]    ST lateral element 
         [0163]    R series of container receivers  17  of a support element  16   
         [0164]    B tracks of container receiver  17   
         [0165]    X movement direction of the support elements in upper main element 
         [0166]    Y movement direction of the support elements in the lower main element

Technology Classification (CPC): 1