HOLD AND CENTERING DEVICE, CONTAINER TREATMENT DEVICE AND METHOD FOR TREATING CONTAINERS

Abstract

The invention relates to a holding and centering device for containers, comprising a fixing section (3) which enables the holding and centering device to be fixed to a transport element of a container treatment device, and at least one holding section (4, 4′) which is designed to pick up and hold a container (2) which is to be treated. Said holding and centering device is characterized by two holding sections (4, 4′) which are arranged opposite each other, by means of which respectively one container (2) which is to be treated, can be fixed.

Claims

1-17. (canceled)

18. An apparatus comprising a holding-and-centering device for holding and centering a container, said holding-and-centering device comprising a fixing section, a first holding-section, and a second holding-section, wherein said fixing section enables said holding-and-centering device to be fixed to a structure of a container-treatment machine, said structure being selected from the group consisting of a treatment station and a transport element, wherein said first holding-section is configured to pick up and hold a first container, wherein said second holding-section is configured to pick up and hold a second container, wherein said first holding-station and said second holding-station are on opposite sides of said fixing section, and wherein said holding-and-centering device is detachable from said structure.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, further comprising a first rotor and a second rotor, wherein said first rotor is coupled to said second holding-element, wherein said second rotor is coupled to said first holding-section, wherein, as a result of said first rotor, said second holding-section is able to develop an angular velocity relative to said fixing section, wherein, as a result of said first rotor, said second holding-section is able to develop an angular velocity relative to said first holding-section, wherein, as a result of said second rotor, said second holding-section is able to develop an angular velocity relative to said fixing section, and wherein, as a result of said second rotor, said first holding-section is able to develop an angular velocity relative to said second holding-section, said apparatus further comprising an electromagnetic drive coupled to said first and second rotors.

20. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein said first container is clamped in a mouth region thereof by a fluid-actuated clamp.

21. The apparatus of claim 18, further comprising a source of pressurized fluid in fluid communication with an interior of at least one of said first and second containers.

22. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein said first holding-section is rotatable relative to said fixing section and wherein said second holding-section is rotatable relative to said fixing section.

23. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein said first holding-section comprises a first axis-of-rotation for rotation of said first holding-section about said fixing section, wherein said second holding-section comprises a second axis-of-rotation for rotation of said second holding-section about said fixing section, and wherein said first axis-of-rotation is coincident with said second axis-of-rotation.

24. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein said fixing section is arranged between said first holding-section and said second holding-section.

25. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein said holding-and-centering device further comprises a first clamp, wherein, after said first holding-section has been pushed by a section into a mouth region of said first container, said first clamp fixes said first container, wherein, to fix said first container, said first clamp moves radially outward to apply a pressure to an internal periphery of a wall of said first container, said apparatus further comprising a second clamp that moves radially outward to apply a pressure to an internal periphery of a wall of said second container after said second holding-section has been pushed into a mouth region of said second container, wherein, as a result, said second clamp fixes said second container.

26. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein said first holding-section comprises a spring-loaded clamp for clamping said first container at a mouth region thereof.

27. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein said first and second holding sections are configured to be pushed, at least by a section, through mouth regions of said first and second containers and into interiors of said first and second containers.

28. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein said holding-and-centering device further comprises a pneumatic clamp, wherein said pneumatic clamp is a constituent of said first holding-section, and wherein said pneumatic clamp clamps a mouth region of said first container.

29. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein said first and second holding sections are driven together to rotate relative to said fixing section.

30. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein said first holding-section is driven to engage in a first rotary-motion relative to said fixing section, wherein said second holding-section is driven to engage in a second rotary-motion relative to said fixing section, and wherein said first rotary-motion differs from said second rotary-motion in at least one of angular velocity and direction.

31. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein said first and second holding sections are configured for holding said first and second containers in such a way that container mouths of said first and second containers face one another.

32. The apparatus of claim 18, further comprising an electromagnetic direct drive and a rotor section, wherein said rotor is coupled to at least one of said first and second holding-sections, wherein, as a result of said rotor, at least one of said first and second holding-sections is configured to develop an angular velocity relative to said fixing section.

33. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein each of said first and second holding sections comprises a clamp for clamping a corresponding one of said first and second containers in a mouth region thereof.

34. The apparatus of claim 18, further comprising a feeding apparatus, said feeding apparatus comprising a swivel mechanism configured to swivel a container about an axis perpendicular to a vertical container-axis of said container, and a container transport path on which containers to be treated are moved in a transport direction from a container inlet to a container outlet, said container transport path being formed by at least one transport-and-treatment element that can be driven to rotate about a vertical machine axis and that has a plurality of treatment stations, said holding-and-centering unit being one of a plurality of identical holding-and-centering units for at least one of aligning, centering, holding, and moving said containers at treatment stations during said treatment, wherein, as a result of their detachability, each of said holding-and-centering units is transferable, together with containers held thereon, from one transport-and-treatment element to a successive transport-and-treatment element, and wherein said feeding apparatus is configured such that that pairs of containers are fed to said holding-and-centering devices with mouth regions thereof facing each other.

35. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein said first and second holding sections comprise grippers.

36. The apparatus of claim 18, further comprising a container transport path on which containers to be treated are moved in a transport direction from a container inlet to a container outlet, said container transport path being formed by at least one transport-and-treatment element that can be driven to rotate about a vertical machine axis and that has a plurality of treatment stations, wherein said holding-and-centering unit is one of a plurality of identical holding-and-centering units for at least one of holding, centering, aligning, and moving said containers at treatment stations during said treatment, wherein, as a result of their detachability, each of said holding-and-centering units is transferable, together with containers held thereon, from one transport-and-treatment element to a successive transport-and-treatment element.

37. A method comprising treating containers, wherein treating container comprises moving said containers on a container-transport path, wherein moving said containers on a container-transport path comprises moving said containers from a container inlet along a path that leads from said container inlet toward a container outlet, wherein said container-transport path is formed by at least one transport-and-treatment element, wherein said at least one transport-and-treatment element is a transport-and-treatment element that is drivable to rotate about a vertical machine axis thereof, wherein said at least one transport-and-treatment element comprises a plurality of treatment stations, said method comprising, during treatment of said containers, at least one of holding, centering, aligning, and moving said containers using holding-and-centering units, wherein at least one of holding, centering, aligning, and moving said containers using holding-and-centering units comprises using at least one of said holding-and-centering units to hold two containers that are to be treated so that said two container that are to be treated are lying opposite one another, wherein using at least one of said holding-and-centering units to hold two containers that are to be treated comprises using first and second holding sections that are arranged lying opposite one another, said method further comprising detaching holding-and-centering units from treatment stations at which said holding-and-centering units are detachably attached and transferring said holding-and-centering units to successive to corresponding subsequent treatment stations, wherein transferring said holding-and-centering units to successive to corresponding subsequent treatment stations comprises transferring said holding-and-centering units together with containers held by said holding-and-centering units.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] These and other features of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description and the accompanying figures, in which:

[0035] FIG. 1 shows a schematic side view of a holding-and-centering device with two containers arranged on it according to a first embodiment;

[0036] FIG. 2 shows a side view of a holding-and-centering device with two containers arranged on it according to a second embodiment;

[0037] FIG. 3 shows a detailed view of the holding-and-centering device of FIG. 2;

[0038] FIG. 4 shows a schematic view of a container treatment device; and

[0039] FIG. 5 shows a schematic sectional view of a printing segment with a holding-and-centering device arranged on it.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] FIG. 1 shows a holding-and-centering device 1 used to hold and fix containers 2 during treatment thereof. In the particular example described herein, container treatment includes printing directly on the container 2 using an inkjet print head. However, the apparatus and methods described herein are applicable to other forms of container treatment.

[0041] The holding-and-centering device 1 includes a fixing section 3. This fixing section 3 enables the holding-and-centering device 1 to be fixed relative to a transport element of a container treatment machine or to a treatment station that is provided on a transport element of a container treatment machine. An example of such a treatment station is a printing segment 20 as shown in FIG. 5.

[0042] The fixing section 3 has a circular cross-section that projects radially outward relative to the other sections, and in particular, relative to those sections of the holding-and-centering device 1 that are above and below the fixing section 3. As a result, upon engaging a pick-up section 23 configured with a complementary shape and provided at a treatment station, as shown in FIG. 5, the holding-and-centering device 1 accurately fixes its position relative to that treatment station or whatever on that treatment station will be used to treat containers 2, such as one or more print heads. In some embodiments, the holding-and-centering device 1 uses an electromagnetic force to hold itself at the transport element or treatment station.

[0043] The holding-and-centering device 1 comprises first and second holding sections 4, 4′ for holding or fixing containers 2 relative to itself. The first and second holding sections 4, 4′ lie at opposite free ends of the holding-and-centering device 1.

[0044] In some embodiments, the first and second holding sections 4, 4′ hold the containers 2 in the regions of their container mouth 2.1. The holding-and-centering device 1 is particularly configured to hold a pair of containers 2 in such a way that the containers' respective vertical container axes are coaxial with the holding-and-centering device 1. In one embodiment, the first holding section 4 suspends a first container downward, while the second holding section 4′ holds a second container upside-down so that it lies with the container mouth 2.2 held pointing downward. As a result, the two containers lie opposite each other with their respective container mouths facing each other across the fixing section 3.

[0045] The holding-and-centering device 1 also comprises one or more rotor sections 6. The particular embodiment shown in FIG. 1 has first and second rotor sections 6, 6′ that rotate the first and second holding sections 4, 4′, thereby rotating the two containers.

[0046] In some embodiments, the first and second rotor sections 6, 6′ and the first and second holding sections 4, 4′ are permanently interconnected sections that are mounted so as to be able to rotate relative to the fixing section 3. As a result, the containers held at the holding-and-centering device 1 rotate together relative to the fixing section 3.

[0047] In other embodiments, the first and second holding sections 4, 4′ and their associated first and second rotor sections 6, 6′ are mounted so as to be able to rotate independently of one another relative to the fixing section 3. As a result, the two containers rotate independently of one another relative to the fixing section 3.

[0048] In some embodiments, the fixing section 3 forms a fixed primary-part. The first and second holding sections 4, 4′ and the corresponding first and second rotor sections 6, 6′ are components of a secondary part that is mounted so as to be able to rotate relative to the fixed primary-part.

[0049] In other embodiments, the first holding-section 4 and its associated first rotor-section 6 form a first secondary-part while the second holding-section 4′ and its associated second rotor-section 6′ form a second secondary-part, with the first and second secondary-parts being able to rotate relative to the fixing section 3, i.e. the primary part, independently of one another.

[0050] During container treatment, the first and second rotor sections 6, 6′ rotate the corresponding first and second containers about their respective vertical container axes. This rotation allows the containers to be printed upon all over their respective outer surfaces.

[0051] In some embodiments, the first and second rotor sections 6, 6′ each form the rotor of an electromagnetic direct drive. In such embodiments, each of the first and second rotor sections 6, 6′ includes peripherally arranged permanent magnets. These permanent magnets interact with a stator coil provided on the transport element to form an electromagnetic direct-drive that rotates a container 2. In this way, the first and second holding sections 4, 4′ can be driven to rotate together or independently of one another by the first and second rotor sections 6, 6′.

[0052] A variety of mechanisms are available to hold containers 2 at the holding-and-centering device 1. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the container has a mouth region 2.1 that includes a container mouth 2.2 and a protrusion 2.3. An example of a protrusion 2.3 is the container's neck ring. In this embodiment, a clamp 5 that is brought into contact with the container's mouth generates a tightening force on a gripping section thereof. This gripping section engages behind the protrusion 2.3.

[0053] FIG. 2 shows an alternative embodiment in which the first and second holding sections 4, 4′ are at least partially pushed into the container's interior through its mouth region 2.1. In this embodiment, each of the first and second holding sections 4, 4′ has a clamp 5 that clamps the container 2 at the mouth region 2.1 thereof.

[0054] In the particular embodiment shown, the clamp 5 of the first holding section 4 includes radially-displaceable balls 5.1 distributed in rows around the periphery of the first holding section 4. These rows are displaced relative to each other along the container's vertical axis. As a result of their being radially displaceable, when the first holding section 4 is pushed into the mouth region 2.1, the balls 5.1 press up against the inner face of the container's wall in its mouth region. This fixes the container 2 relative to the first holding section 4.

[0055] The clamping mechanism associated with the second holding section 4′ is identical to that associated with the first holding section 4.

[0056] In some embodiments, a spring urges the radially-displaceable balls 5.1 radially outward. When a holding section 4, 4′ is introduced into the mouth region 2.1, the balls 5.1 are least partly pushed inwards. The spring's restoring force thus results in a clamping force.

[0057] In an alternative embodiment, a pressurized-fluid drive can be used to urge the radially-displaceable balls 5.1 from an at least partly retracted position into an advanced position. In some embodiments, the pressurized fluid is a gas, so that the pressurized-fluid drive is a pneumatic drive.

[0058] The fixing section 3 and the rotor sections 6, 6′ include channels for applying increased internal pressure to the containers. FIG. 3 shows a sectional view of the holding-and-centering device 1 in which compressed air or a vacuum actuates the clamp 5.

[0059] A channel system 7 in the holding-and-centering device 1 supplies compressed or aspirated air from the fixing section 3 to the holding sections 4, 4′. The channel system 7 incorporates a non-return valve 7.1. A coupling between the fixing section 3 and either the transport element or the container-treatment device provides the necessary pneumatic input. This pneumatic input is either a supply of compressed air or a source of vacuum.

[0060] Each holding section 4, 4′ includes at least one chamber 4.1 that is coupled to the channel system 7. The radially-displaceable balls 5.1 couple to the chamber 4.1 in such a way that, when pressure is applied to the chamber 4.1, the radially-displaceable balls 5.1 move radially outward to clamp the container 2 into position after the respective section 4, 4′ has been introduced through the container's mouth region 2.1.

[0061] Some embodiments also include a channel connection into the container's interior. This permits application of increased internal pressure into the container 2. In these embodiments, it is useful to increase clamping pressure at the container's mouth in the region of the holding sections 4, 4′ to prevent the container 2 from being blown off. Such embodiments therefore include a gas restrictor 7.2 downstream of the chamber 4.1 or downstream of the channel section of the channel system 7 that leads to the chamber 4.1 and upstream of the outlet opening to the container's interior.

[0062] During the transfer by the conveyor, and hence, when leaving the coupling station, a non-return valve maintains the positive or negative pressure during the entire process until the subsequent release from the transport apparatus.

[0063] FIG. 4 shows a container treatment device 10 having a container inlet 11 that receives standing containers 2. A container feed 13 feeds containers in first and second rows. Containers in the first row remain standing upright as they enter a container treatment unit 15. Containers in the second row encounter a swivel mechanism 14. The swivel mechanism 14 swivels the containers into an upside-down position. As a result, containers in the second row enter the container-treatment unit 15 in an inverter, or upside-down orientation.

[0064] In some embodiments, the swivel mechanism 14 swivels the container about a pivot axis that is perpendicular to the container's vertical axis. The swivel mechanism 14 does so by gripping the container in the region of its container mouth. A suitable transport star wheel can carry out this swiveling as the container is being transported along its transport path.

[0065] As a result of the action of the container feed 13, a pair of containers enters the container-treatment unit 14 with their mouth regions facing one another. These containers are then attached to a holding-and-centering device 1, which holds them by their respective mouth regions 2.1. The pair of containers, which is now held by a holding-and-centering device 1, then passes through the container-treatment unit 15. It does so in such a way that the same holding-and-centering device 1 holds the same pair of containers throughout its journey through the whole container treatment unit 15.

[0066] In some embodiments, the container treatment unit 15 directly prints on containers. Among these embodiments are those in which the container treatment unit 15 is modular. In such embodiments, the container treatment unit 15 comprises plural modules that are immediately adjacent to one another along a transport direction. Each module is formed from an identical base unit that is equipped with functional elements required for the specific task to be carried out by that particular module. Examples of functional elements include print segments for printing containers 2, and curing devices for curing ink that has been applied to a container.

[0067] The individual modules are arranged immediately adjacent to one another and are driven synchronously in opposite directions. This enables the holding-and-centering device 1 to be easily transferred from one to the next. The totality of modules thus forms a conveyor that moves the containers 2 inside the container treatment unit 15 along a container transport path that has a plurality of deflections and on which the container treatment is effected. Since the holding-and-centering device 1 can be transferred from one module to the next, it is possible for one holding-and-centering device 1 to hold the same pair of containers 2 over the entire transport path through container treatment unit 15.

[0068] At the end of container treatment device 10, after the containers have been released from the holding-and-centering device 1, a further swivel mechanism 14 rotates the upside-down containers so that they are right-side up again. As a result, all the containers 2 will be conveyed away in with their container bases facing downward.

[0069] In some embodiments, the container treatment unit 15 uses inkjet printer heads to directly print on containers. In such cases, the container treatment unit 15 includes one or more transport elements, each of which has periphery that bears printing segments configured for container printing. FIG. 5 shows an example of a printing segment 20 engaged with a holding-and-centering device 1 that is holding a pair of containers 2.

[0070] The printing segment 20 comprises at least a first print head 21 and a second print head 22. Each of the first and second print heads 21, 22 is associated with a corresponding container 2 from the pair of containers. In the illustrated embodiment, the first print head 21 is in the upper region of the printing segment 20 and the second print head 22 is in the lower region of the printing segment 20.

[0071] Alternatively, the printing segment 20 features multiple groups of print heads, with each group of the print heads being associated with one container 2 of the pair of containers. In some embodiments, the first and second print heads 21, 22 are displaceable independently of one another along a direction that is parallel to a vertical machine axis. The ability to displace the first and second print heads 21, 22 makes it possible for each of the first and second print heads 21, 22 to print on any position on a container's wall.

[0072] A pick-up section 23 on the printing segment 20 matches a corresponding portion of the fixing section 3. This permits the holding-and-centering device 1 to engage the printing segment 20 at a particular position that is reproducible from one engagement to the next.

[0073] In some embodiments, one or more electromagnets can be at the printing segment 20 in the region of the pick-up section 23. By turning these electromagnets on and off, it becomes possible to hold and release the holding-and-centering device 1 at the printing segment 20.

[0074] In some embodiments, the printing segment 20 includes first and second stator coils 24, 25 that cooperate with the corresponding first and second rotor sections 6, 6′ to form one or more electromagnetic direct drives. These electromagnetic drives rotate the containers 2 about their vertical container axes. As a result, it is possible to rotate the containers 2 relative to the corresponding first and second print heads 21, 22. This makes it possible for the print head to print anywhere on the wall of the containers 2.

[0075] In some embodiments, it is not necessary for both of the containers 2 of the pair of containers to rotate independently of one another. This may occur, for example, if the container feed 13 feeds pairs of containers in such a way that both containers have the same rotational alignment. In that case, only a single stator coil 24 is needed. This single stator coil 24 moves both containers 2 simultaneously.

[0076] The printing segment 20 also includes a fluid feed 26 for enabling pressurized fluid to pressurize the interiors of the containers 2. Doing so significantly improves the containers' stability during printing. An example of a pressurized fluid is compressed air. However, in some embodiments, the pressurized fluid is a sterile or sterilizing gaseous and/or vaporous medium.

[0077] In some embodiments, a pressure generator inside the printing segment 20 forms the fluid feed 26. In other embodiments, the fluid feed 26 is a fluid connection within the printing segment 20 that connects to a channel system 8 provided in the holding-and-centering device 1. This channel system 8 connects to a central source of pressurized fluid.

[0078] The channel system 8 includes a first channel 8.1 and second channels 8.2. The first channel 8.1 runs in the fixing section 3. This first channel 8.1 connects to the fluid feed 26. The second channels 8.2 connect the first channel 8.1 to the interior of the container. Each second channel 8.2 thus opens out into a container's interior.

[0079] The invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments. However, the scope of the invention is not limited by the embodiments but by the scope of the following attached claims.