DEVICE FOR HOLDING A CONTAINER AND TREATMENT DEVICE

Abstract

A device for holding a container in a container treatment device, for example for holding a bottle at the bottle neck thereof, includes a first clasp arm, which is arranged on a clasp carrier so as to be pivotable about a first pivot axis, and a second clasp arm, which is arranged on the clasp carrier so as to be pivotable about a second pivot axis. The first clasp arm is of longer design than the second clasp arm. The first clasp arm and the second clasp arm are pivotally coupled to one another via a coupling arrangement, wherein the clasp arms are magnetically preloaded into a closed position, and the clasp arms can be opened to receive a container passively by inserting the container. A treatment device for treating a container is also described.

Claims

1-13. (canceled)

14. A device for holding a container in a container treatment device, comprising: a first clasp arm arranged on a clasp carrier and configured to be pivotable about a first pivot axis; and a second clasp arm arranged on the clasp carrier and configured to be pivotable about a second pivot axis, wherein: the first clasp arm is longer than the second clasp arm, the first clasp arm and the second clasp arm are pivotally coupled to another via a coupling device, the first clasp arm and the second clasp arm are magnetically preloaded into a closed position, and the first clasp arm and the second clasp arm are configured to be opened to receive the container passively by inserting the container.

15. The device of claim 14, wherein the first pivot axis is arranged further away from a receiving side, on which the container is received by the device, than the second pivot axis.

16. The device of claim 14, wherein the first clasp arm forms two contact points with the container, and the second clasp arm forms one contact point with the container.

17. The device of claim 16, wherein: the first clasp arm has a first contact region with a curvature greater than a curvature of a neck region of a first container, wherein the first container is a smallest size container that can be held by the device, and the first clasp arm has a second contact region situated closer to the first pivot axis than the first contact region and the second contact region has a curvature smaller than a curvature of a neck region of a second container, wherein the second container is a largest size container that can be held by the device.

18. The device of claim 17, wherein: the first clasp arm has the two contact points in the first contact region when receiving the first container, and the two contact points comprise an outer contact point in the first contact region and an inner contact point in the second contact region when receiving the second container.

19. The device of claim 14, wherein the second clasp arm has a contact region with a curvature that is smaller than a neck region of a second container, wherein the second container is a largest size container that can be held by the device.

20. The device of claim 14, wherein the coupling device comprises: a peg element arranged on the first clasp arm, and a pocket element in engagement with the peg element and arranged on the second clasp arm.

21. The device of claim 20, wherein: the peg element comprises a softer material than the pocket element at least in a zone of contact with the pocket element, and the pocket element comprises a steel alloy.

22. The device of claim 21, wherein the softer material comprises a plastic and the steel alloy comprises a premium steel alloy.

23. The device of claim 22, wherein the plastic comprises polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyoxymethylene (POM), or a polyetherketone (PEK).

24. The device of claim 23, wherein the PEK comprises poly(ether ether ketone) (PEEK), poly(aryl ether ketone) (PAEK), poly(ether ketone ketone) (PEKK), poly(ether ether ether ketone) (PEEEK), poly(ether ether ketone ketone), (PEEKK) or poly(ether ketone ether ketone ketone) (PEKEKK).

25. The device of claim 20, wherein the peg element comprises a mounting element configured to be mounted on the first clasp arm, and the mounting element comprises a receptacle configured to receive a magnet.

26. The device of claim 14, wherein the first clasp arm comprises a magnet.

27. The device of claim 26, wherein the clasp carrier comprises at least one carrier magnet configured to act on the magnet.

28. The device of claim 26, wherein at least one contact region of the first clasp arm and the magnet are arranged on opposite sides of the first clasp arm in relation to the first pivot axis.

29. A treatment device for treating a container in a beverage filling plant, comprising: a treatment carousel; and the device of claim 14 arranged on the treatment carousel.

30. The treatment device of claim 29, wherein the first pivot axis and a central axis of the container held in the first clasp arm and the second clasp arm are situated on a line which, based on the device being arranged on the treatment carousel, intersects an axis of rotation of the treatment carousel.

31. A device for holding a container in a container treatment device, comprising: a first clasp arm arranged on a clasp carrier and configured to be pivotable about a first pivot axis; and a second clasp arm arranged on the clasp carrier and configured to be pivotable about a second pivot axis, wherein: the first clasp arm is longer than the second clasp arm, the first clasp arm and the second clasp arm are pivotally coupled to another via a coupling device, the first clasp arm comprises a magnet, the clasp carrier comprises two carrier magnets, one carrier magnet arranged in an antipolar configuration with respect to the magnet and the other carrier magnet arranged in a homopolar configuration with respect to the magnet, the first clasp arm and the second clasp arm are magnetically preloaded into a closed position, and the first clasp arm and the second clasp arm are configured to be opened to receive the container passively by inserting the container.

32. The device of claim 31, wherein the first pivot axis is arranged further away from a receiving side, on which the container is received by the device, than the second pivot axis.

33. A treatment device for treating a container in a beverage filling plant, comprising: a treatment carousel; and the device of claim 31 arranged on the treatment carousel.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0034] Further embodiments of the invention are explained in greater detail by means of the following description of the figures.

[0035] FIG. 1 shows schematically a perspective side view of a device for holding a container;

[0036] FIG. 2 shows schematically a plan view of the device from FIG. 1;

[0037] FIG. 3 shows schematically a section through the device from FIG. 2;

[0038] FIG. 4 shows schematically a plan view of a device holding a container, for holding a container according to another embodiment;

[0039] FIG. 5 shows schematically a plan view of the device from FIG. 4, holding a container of a different container type;

[0040] FIG. 6 shows schematically a plan view of a device according to yet another embodiment; and

[0041] FIG. 7 shows schematically a plan view of a treatment device for treating a container.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] Illustrative embodiments are described below with reference to the figures. In this context, elements which are the same, similar or have the same action are provided with identical reference signs in the various figures, and repeated description of these elements is in some cases omitted in order to avoid redundancy.

[0043] FIG. 1 shows schematically a perspective side view of a device 1 for holding a container. The device 1 has a clasp carrier 2, which can be attached to a transport device, in particular a star wheel or a treatment carousel, of a container treatment machine by means of fastening elements 20, here in the form of holes.

[0044] A first clasp arm 3 is arranged on the clasp carrier 2 so as to be pivotable about a first pivot axis 30. A second clasp arm 4 is furthermore arranged on the clasp carrier 2 so as to be pivotable about a second pivot axis 40. The first and the second clasp arm 3, 4 together form a clasp in which a container to be held can be held.

[0045] The first clasp arm 3 and the second clasp arm 4 are preloaded magnetically into a closed position. In order to achieve the magnetic preload, the device 1 has a magnet arrangement 6, wherein the first clasp arm 3 has a magnet 60, on which a magnetic force of two carrier magnets 62 arranged on the clasp carrier 2 acts. By means of the magnetic force, the first clasp arm 3 is pushed in the direction of the second clasp arm 4 on a receiving side 7, from which a container to be held is fed to the device 1 or can be received.

[0046] The first clasp arm 3 and the second clasp arm 4 are pivotally coupled to one another by means of a coupling device 5, with the result that, when there is a movement of the first clasp arm 3, the second clasp arm 4 undergoes a corresponding movement and vice versa. In other words, the coupling device 5 specifies a position of the first clasp arm 3 relative to a position of the second clasp arm 4. In the present case, the first and the second clasp arm 3, 4 are coupled to one another in such a way that a movement of a clasp arm 3, 4 produces a corresponding countermovement of the other clasp arm 4, 3.

[0047] The clasp arms 3, 4 are preloaded magnetically into a closed position, thus ensuring that the clasp is always in the closed position. In this arrangement, the clasp arms 3, 4 can only be opened passively. Consequently, no arrangement for actively opening the clasp arms is provided on the device 1. The opening of the clasp arms 3, 4 takes place passively, i.e. by insertion or entry of the container into the clasp, wherein the container wall pushes the clasp arms 3, 4 apart during entry. A different, active opening process by the device 1 itself, in which the container does not interact with the clasp arms 3, 4, is not envisaged.

[0048] FIG. 2 shows schematically a plan view of the device 1 from FIG. 1. Relative to the receiving side 7, the first pivot axis 30 is arranged further away than the second pivot axis 40. In other words, when the device 1 is arranged on a treatment carousel of a treatment machine, the second pivot axis 40 is arranged offset radially outward relative to the first pivot axis 30, in relation to a center of rotation of the treatment carousel. Consequently, the first pivot axis 30 is situated on a reference circle with a smaller reference circle diameter than a reference circle diameter, on which the second pivot axis 40 is situated. Furthermore, the clasp arms 3, 4 are of asymmetric design, the first clasp arm 3 being of significantly longer design than the second clasp arm 4.

[0049] The first clasp arm 3 is designed in such a way that it forms two contact points with a container (not shown) held in the device 1, wherein the first clasp arm 3 has a first contact region 32 with a curvature greater than a curvature of a locating region or neck section of a smallest container type, by which the container of the smallest container type is held by the device 1, and has a second contact region 34, situated closer to the first pivot axis 30 than the first contact region 32, with a curvature smaller than the curvature of a locating region or neck section of a largest container type, by which the container of the largest container type is held by the device 1.

[0050] The second clasp arm 4 is designed in such a way that it forms just one contact point with a container held in the device 1. In order to achieve this, the second clasp arm 4 has a contact region 42, the curvature of which is smaller than the curvature of a locating region of a largest container type, by which the container of the largest container type is held by the device 1.

[0051] The coupling device 5 is situated substantially between the first pivot axis 30 and the second pivot axis 40 and is in the form of a peg element 50 formed on the first clasp arm 3 and of a pocket element 52 which is in engagement with the peg element 50 and is formed on the second clasp arm 4. During a pivoting movement of the first clasp arm 3, the movement transmitted to the pocket element 52 by the peg element 50 ensures that the second clasp arm 4 undergoes a pivoting movement about the second pivot axis 40 which is counter to the pivoting movement of the first clasp arm 3.

[0052] In the region of a rear side 8 opposite the receiving side 7, the clasp carrier 2 has a stop 22, which limits the pivoting movement of the first clasp arm 3 on one side. By means of the stop 22, the pivoting angle of the first clasp arm 3 is limited in the clockwise direction with reference to FIG. 2. Accordingly, the position of the stop 22 prevents the clasp arms 3, 4 from being closed beyond the stop position. A maximum closed position of the clasp is thus predetermined by means of the stop 22.

[0053] The peg element 50 has surfaces 54 which are rounded on both sides and which allow sliding relative to faces 56 of complementary design on the pocket element 52.

[0054] In the region of the rounded surface, the peg element 50 includes a plastic, in the present case PEK. The pocket element 52 includes a stainless steel alloy and is consequently harder than the peg element 50. Accordingly, it is essentially only the peg element 50 which is subject to wear in the contact zones between the peg element 50 and the pocket element 52. Due to the large difference in the hardness of the materials of the pocket element 52 and of the peg element 50 and the associated unilateral wear on the part of the peg element 50, the latter is provided as a defined wearing part.

[0055] Consequently, abrasion takes place essentially only on the surfaces 54 which can give rise to irregularities and pores, and at or in which contaminants and germs can settle or be deposited. These contaminants can be removed by replacing the peg element 50 provided as a wearing part. It is not necessary to replace the pocket element 52.

[0056] FIG. 3 shows schematically a section through the device 1 from FIGS. 1 and 2 along section line A-A from FIG. 2. The pocket element 52 is formed integrally with the second clasp arm 4. The latter is fastened to the clasp carrier 2 by means of a threaded bolt 44 and a threaded hole 24 in the clasp carrier 2. In order to allow a pivoting movement of the second clasp arm 4 around the threaded bolt 44, a wearing bush 45 is arranged between the threaded bolt 44 and the second clasp arm 4.

[0057] The section furthermore reveals one of the two carrier magnets 62 and the magnet 60 of the first clasp arm 3. The carrier magnet 62 and the magnet 60 are arranged in an antipolar configuration with respect to one another. Consequently, the carrier magnet 62 and the magnet 60 attract each other. The second carrier magnet, which is not shown in this view and which is indicated by the reference sign 62 in FIG. 1, is arranged in a corresponding homopolar configuration with respect to the magnet 60, with the result that the second carrier magnet, which is not shown in FIG. 3, and the magnet 60 repel each other. Due to the attraction between the first carrier magnet 62 and the magnet 60 and the repulsion between the second carrier magnet and the magnet 60, the first clasp arm 3 is subjected to a magnetic force which preloads the first clasp arm 3 and, via the coupling device 5, likewise the second clasp arm 4 into the closed position.

[0058] FIG. 4 shows schematically a plan view of a device 1 holding a container 9, for holding a container according to another embodiment. The device 1 corresponds substantially to the device from FIGS. 1 to 3. The container 9 shown schematically in FIG. 4 is a container of the smallest container type which the device 1 is designed to hold. Since the curvature of the first contact region 32 is greater than the curvature of the container 9 in the locating region thereof, which has a first container diameter 90, the first clasp arm 3 accordingly has two contact points 36, 37 with the container 9. The contact points 36, 37 are both arranged in the first contact region 32. The second clasp arm 4 has a contact point 43 with the container 9.

[0059] The central axis 94 of the container 9 in the first pivot axis 30 are on a line 18, which, when the device 1 is arranged on a treatment carousel, intersects an axis of rotation of the treatment carousel.

[0060] FIG. 5 shows schematically a plan view of the device 1 from FIG. 4 with a schematically indicated container 9 of another container type with a second container diameter 92, which is greater than the first container diameter 90. For illustration, the first container diameter is illustrated once again in dashes at reference sign 90.

[0061] The first clasp arm 3 forms a first, outer contact point 36 and the first contact region 32 and a second, inner contact point 37 in the second contact region 34. The second clasp arm 4 and the container 9 once again have just one contact point 43. This makes it possible for the central axis 94 of the larger container 9 to be in the same position as the central axis 94 of the smaller container 9 in FIG. 4.

[0062] The central axis 94 of containers 9 of various container types is thus always in the same position in relation to the device 1. In particular, the construction of the device 1 does not lead to offsetting of the central axis 94 along the line 18 when a different container type is received. Consequently, the device 1 is capable of enabling containers 9 of different container types to be guided along the same reference circle diameter in all cases.

[0063] The central axis 94 of the container 9 and the first pivot axis 30 are once again on a line 18, which, when the device 1 is arranged on a treatment carousel, intersects an axis of rotation of the treatment carousel.

[0064] FIG. 6 shows schematically a plan view of a device 1 according to another embodiment. It corresponds in construction substantially to the abovementioned embodiments. The device 1 shown here holds a container 9 of a third container type. The first clasp arm 3 forms two contact points 36, 37 with the container 9, and the second clasp arm 4 forms one contact point 43 with the container 9.

[0065] Here, the peg element 50 is furthermore in the form of a mounting element composed of PEK for mounting on the first clasp arm 3, wherein the mounting element generally has a receptacle 38 closed by means of ultrasonic welding, in which the magnet 60 is received. The two carrier magnets 62 are arranged in corresponding receptacles 26 of the carrier 2 on both sides of the magnet 60.

[0066] Owing to the arrangement of the carrier magnets 62 and of the magnet 60, the clasp arms 3, 4 are subjected to a magnetic force, which produces a closing torque in the direction of the closed position of the clasp arms 3, 4 via the first pivot axis 30, the coupling device 5 and the second pivot axis 40, thus ensuring that the container 9 is held securely in the device 1.

[0067] FIG. 7 shows schematically a plan view of a treatment device 10 for treating a container. The treatment device 10 has a treatment carousel 14, on which a multiplicity of devices 1, 1′ for holding a container is arranged, wherein in the present case a first device 1 is shown which holds a container 9 corresponding to FIG. 4, and a second device 1′ is shown which holds a container 9′ corresponding to FIG. 5. The central axes 94 of the two containers 9, 9′ are situated on a common reference circle. Here, the devices are arranged on the treatment carousel in such a way that the line 18 intersects the axis of rotation 12 of the treatment carousel.

[0068] Furthermore, the reference circles 17, 19 of the pivot axes 30, 40 are shown. The reference circle 17 of the first pivot axis 30 is smaller than the reference circle 19 of the second pivot axis 40. Consequently, the first pivot axis 30 is arranged radially further inward in relation to the axis of rotation 12 than the second pivot axis 40, which is correspondingly offset radially outward relative to the first pivot axis 30.

[0069] Where applicable, all the individual features which are illustrated in the illustrative embodiments can be combined and/or interchanged with one another without exceeding the scope of the invention.