Apparatus for transporting plastics preforms with elimination of disruptions

Abstract

An apparatus for transporting plastics preforms, having a first transport element that extends along a transport path of the plastics preforms and having a second transport element parallel to the first transport element. The first transport element and the second transport element are spaced apart from one another such that a gap is formed between the first transport element and the second transport element such that a base body of the plastics preforms can pass through this gap, but a support ring of the plastics preforms cannot pass through this gap. The apparatus has a hold-down device that is arranged above the transport elements and/or the mouths of the plastics preforms, wherein the hold-down device has a first hold-down element movable in two opposite directions in a longitudinal direction of the plastics preforms along with a drive device configured to cause these movements during a transport operation of the apparatus.

Claims

1. An apparatus for transporting plastics preforms, having a first transport element that extends along a transport path of the plastics preforms and having a second transport element that extends parallel to the first transport element, wherein the first transport element and the second transport element are spaced apart from one another such that a gap is formed between the first transport element and the second transport element such that a base body of the plastics preforms can pass through this gap, but a support ring of the plastics preforms cannot pass through this gap, wherein the apparatus furthermore has a hold-down device that is arranged above the transport elements and/or above the mouths of the plastics preforms, wherein the hold-down device has a first hold-down element movable in two opposite directions in a longitudinal direction of the plastics preforms along with a drive device that is configured to cause these movements during a transport operation of the apparatus.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the drive device is configured to generate periodic movements of the first hold-down element and/or the drive device is configured to generate circular movements of the first hold-down element.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus has a second hold-down element and the first hold-down element is movably arranged with respect to the second hold-down element.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the second hold-down element is arranged in a stationary position.

5. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the second hold-down element has a recess and the first hold-down element is arranged in this recess.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first transport element and/or the second transport element is designed as a transport rail.

7. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the first hold-down element is configured to perform a stroke relative to the second hold-down element that is greater than 0.1 cm and/or the first hold-down element is configured to perform a stroke relative to the second hold-down element that is less than 10 cm.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus has a transport unit for transporting the plastics preforms, wherein this transport unit has a first transport roller that is configured to rotate about a first axis of rotation and a second transport roller that is configured to rotate about a second axis of rotation.

9. An arrangement for treating plastics containers with an apparatus according to claim 1, and an apparatus for heating plastics preforms, which is arranged downstream of the apparatus in the transport direction of the plastics preforms.

10. A method for transporting plastics preforms, wherein the plastics preforms are conveyed along a first transport element, which extends along a transport path of the plastics preforms, along with along a second transport element, which extends parallel to the first transport element, wherein the first transport element and the second transport element are spaced apart from one another such that a gap is formed between the first transport element and the second transport element such that a base body of the plastics preforms passes through this gap, but a support ring of the plastics preforms does not pass through this gap, wherein the apparatus furthermore has a hold-down device that is arranged above the transport elements and/or above the mouths of the plastics preforms, wherein the hold-down device has a first hold-down element movable in two opposite directions in a longitudinal direction of the plastics preforms along with a drive device that causes these movements during a transport operation of the apparatus.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0044] Further advantages and embodiments can be seen in the accompanying drawings:

[0045] In the drawings:

[0046] FIG. 1 is a representation of an apparatus according to the invention; and

[0047] FIG. 2 is a representation of the apparatus with an upstream roller sorter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0048] FIG. 1 is a representation of an apparatus according to the invention. A first transport element 2 in the form of a first transport rail and a second transport element 4 in the form of a second transport rail are provided. Plastics preforms 10 are transported between these two transport elements 2, 4. A base body 10a of the plastics preforms, but not the support ring 10b of the plastics preforms, can pass through the gap formed between the transport elements 2, 4.

[0049] The reference sign 6 in its entirety designates a hold-down device that guides the plastics preforms during their movement or during transportation.

[0050] The hold-down device 6 has a first hold-down element 62, which is designed to be movable. In addition, the hold-down device 6 has a second hold-down element 64, which is immovably or fixedly arranged. Preferably, both the first hold-down element 62 and the second hold-down element 64 form contact surfaces that are suitable and intended for contacting the plastics preforms or their mouths.

[0051] The first hold-down element is guided or arranged in a recess of the second hold-down element 64.

[0052] In a preferred embodiment, a contact surface of the first hold-down element runs parallel to a mouth surface of the plastics preforms, more precisely a mouth surface of the plastics preforms, if they are transported in a target position.

[0053] Preferably, a contact surface of the first hold-down element runs in a plane that is parallel to a support plane formed by the transport elements 2, 4, in which the plastics preforms are transported and/or in which their support rings are supported.

[0054] Preferably, one contact surface of the second hold-down element 64 is beveled. Particularly preferably, the second hold-down element has two contact surfaces between which the plastics preforms 10 are guided. Preferably, these contact surfaces run upwards towards one another in the longitudinal direction of the plastics preforms.

[0055] Preferably, at least one contact surface of the second hold-down element runs at an angle to a support plane formed by the transport elements 2, 4, in which support plane the plastics preforms are transported and/or in which their support rings are supported.

[0056] The reference sign 68 designates a drive device that causes a movement of the first hold-down element 62 in the direction H via a connecting rod 72. As mentioned above, this is a periodic movement that is initiated by the drive device 68, which is in particular an electric motor.

[0057] The reference sign 82 designates a carrier on which the transport element 2 is arranged. A height position of the transport element 2 can also be changed in this way.

[0058] A further carrier for holding the transport element 4 is located on the rear side of the device.

[0059] FIG. 2 is a further view of an apparatus 1 according to the invention. An optional transport unit 20 is also provided here, which is preferably placed in front.

[0060] Particularly preferably, this transport unit 20 has a first rotatable roller 22 and a second rotatable roller 24. The plastics preforms are transported between these rollers 22, 24, which preferably also causes alignment.

[0061] Preferably, the transport element 2 extends in the direction of the first rotatable roller. Preferably, the transport element 4 extends in the direction of the second rotatable roller.

[0062] In a further preferred embodiment, the distance between the first rotatable roller 22 and the second rotatable roller 24 is the same as the distance between the first transport element 2 and the second transport element 4.

[0063] The apparatus 1 preferably transfers the plastics preforms to a clocking-in device such as a clocking-in star, and this clocking-in star in turn preferably feeds the plastics preforms to a heating device for heating these plastics preforms.

[0064] The applicant reserves the right to claim all features disclosed in the application documents as essential to the invention, provided that they are novel over the prior art individually or in combination. It is also pointed out that features which can be advantageous in themselves are also described in the individual figures. The person skilled in the art will immediately recognize that a particular feature described in a figure can be advantageous even without the adoption of further features from this figure. Furthermore, the person skilled in the art will recognize that advantages can also result from a combination of several features shown in individual or in different figures.