Apparatus for the removal of liquids from containers

Abstract

An apparatus for the removal of liquids from deformable containers includes a first holding device for holding a first region of a container, and a second holding device for holding a second region of the container. The second region is arranged at a distance from the first region, with a removal device for removing liquid from the container and with a drive device which moves the second holding device in a pre-set direction of movement (L) with respect to the first holding device. The removal device is arranged on the second holding device in a removable manner and a support element is provided which supports at least one element of the removal device in the direction of movement (L) in a removal operation.

Claims

1. An apparatus for the removal of liquids from deformable containers, with a first holding device for holding a first region of a container, with a second holding device for holding a second region of the container, wherein the second region is arranged at a distance from the first region, with a removal device for removing liquid from the container and with a drive device which moves the first holding device in a pre-set direction of movement (L) towards the second holding device, wherein the removal device is arranged on the second holding device and is removable as a whole from the second holding device, and a support element is provided which supports at least one element of the removal device in the direction of movement (L) in operation, wherein the second holding device has a groove which originates from a midpoint section of the second holding device and extends through said second holding device in a radial direction to form a radial extending slit within the second holding device wherein the removal device is capable of being inserted into and removed through the groove.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus has a carrier on which at least one of the first holding device and the second holding device is arranged in a releasable manner.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the carrier has a guide device which guides the movement of at least one holding device in the direction of movement (L).

4. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the carrier has a C-shaped profile.

5. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the drive device has at least one rotatable drive spindle.

6. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the removal device has a flexible hose element.

7. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein at least one element of the removal device is designed in the form of a one-way element.

8. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the drive device comprises a single rotatable drive spindle.

9. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first holding device is adapted to receive a base region of the container, and the second holding device is adapted to receive a shoulder region of the container.

10. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the support element has a radially extending groove against which a radial projection of the removal device is supported.

11. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the removal device has a cutting element for penetrating through a container closure.

12. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the groove extends in a straight line and at a right angle to a longitudinal direction from a midpoint section of said second holding device.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the groove extends in both a longitudinal direction and a radial direction.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the space between a first holding device and the second holding device is open.

15. An apparatus for the removal of liquids from deformable containers, with a first holding device for holding a first region of a container, with a second holding device for holding a second region of the container, wherein the second region is arranged at a distance from the first region, with a removal device for removing liquid from the container and with a drive device which moves the first holding device in a pre-set direction of movement (L) relative towards the second holding device, wherein the removal device is arranged on the second holding device and is removable as a unit from the second holding device, and a support element is provided which supports at least one element of the removal device in the direction of movement (L) in operation, wherein the second holding device includes a mounting plate which is attached to a carrier element, which carrier element in turn is supported on a guide rail.

16. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein an additional plate is mounted on the mounting plate, which additional plate projects laterally beyond the mounting plate, and supported against a lower edge of the carrier element, whereby prevent the first holding element from slipping upwards when the removal device is in operation.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Further advantages and embodiments are evident from the accompanying drawings. In the drawings

(2) FIG. 1 is an overall illustration of an apparatus according to the invention;

(3) FIG. 1a is a diagrammatic illustration of a container to be emptied according to the invention;

(4) FIGS. 2a to 2e show mounting steps to explain the assembly of an apparatus according to the invention, and

(5) FIGS. 3a to 3e are illustrations of component parts of the apparatus according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(6) FIG. 1 is an illustration of an apparatus 1 according to the invention. This apparatus 1 has in this case a carrier 20 on which is arranged a first holding device 2 which receives a first region or base 10b of a container 10. This first holding device is arranged in this case on a carrier 28. The reference number 4 designates a second holding device which is used for receiving a second region, i.e., a shoulder or aperture region 10a of the container, arranged at a distance from the first region or base 10b. In this case this second holding device preferably has a recess (not visible) into which an aperture portion of the container can engage so that the container is also centred by the holding device 4 in this way. The holding device 4 is arranged in turn on a carrier element 26.

(7) It is further evident that the second holding device 4 has a radially extending groove 16 by way of which the removal device designated 12 as a whole can be inserted into the holding device 4. In this case the removal device 12 has a holding element 15 which can be supported with respect to the holding device 4 or a support element respectively of the holding device 4 in such a way that it is fixed and, in particular, cannot be moved upwards in FIG. 1. In this way, a piercing element 14 can penetrate into the container and thus remove liquid from the container. The reference number 18 designates a hose which is likewise a component part of the removal device 12 and by way of which the beverage or the liquid respectively can be removed from the container.

(8) The reference number 32 designates a cover member, by means of which the mechanism and, in particular, the drive (not shown here) are covered.

(9) In the case of an advantageous embodiment the geometrical shape of the second holding device 4 is adapted to a geometrical shape of the first holding device 2, so that when the holding devices 2, 4 are brought together by movement of holding device 2 arranged on slide 84 on drive spindle 82 (see FIGS. 2c and 2d) the container can be substantially emptied. In addition, it is advantageous for no guides or the like to be provided in the region of the container between the two holding devices 2 and 4. The Applicant has established that the plastics material containers have an adequate degree of stability and need not be supported laterally. On the other hand, supports of this type would also make the movements of the holding devices with respect to each other difficult. The second holding device 4 is preferably designed in the form of a ram which enters a region of the first holding device 2 when the holding devices are moved together.

(10) FIG. 1a is a roughly diagrammatic illustration of a container 10 to be emptied. This container 10 has in this case a base region 10b as well as a shoulder region 10a in which the aperture of the container is also situated, as well as a closure (not shown) which is pierced by the piercing device 14 when the container 10 is emptied. It would also be possible, however, for the container 10 first to be connected to the piercing device 14 and optionally also opened by the user and then for the removal device 12 to be guided into the interior of the container.

(11) FIGS. 2a to 2e show mounting steps for the assembly of an apparatus according to the invention. In this case only those components which are newly added as compared with the preceding figure are provided with reference numbers in the figures following in succession in each case. The carrier 20 is illustrated in FIG. 2a. This carrier 20 has in this case a guide rail 22 which is used to guide the movement of the first holding device. In addition, the carrier element 26 is provided which is used for receiving the second holding device. This support element has in this case a slot 27 through which the removal device 12 can be inserted.

(12) In the case of the illustration reproduced in FIG. 2b the second holding device 4 has now been inserted. In this case too, the radially extending groove 16 by way of which the removal device can be inserted, in this case likewise in the radial direction R, is again evident. This radial direction has been shown for clarification, more precisely a direction R parallel to the radial direction.

(13) The reference number 13 refers to a support element which is likewise arranged in the holding device 4. The removal device, more precisely the body of the removal device shown in FIG. 1, can be supported with respect to this support element 13, so that the latter cannot give way upwards during the emptying procedure of the container. It would also be possible in this case for the portion 15 shown in FIG. 1 to be made tapered and also for the support element to form a tapered internal cross-section.

(14) In FIG. 2c the drive 8 has now been additionally fitted.

(15) This drive 8 has a drive spindle 82 on which is arranged a slide 84, a movement of the slide 84 in the longitudinal direction L of the container, i.e. upwards and downwards in this case, being caused by a rotation of the drive spindle 82. The reference number 85 refers to a lower guide of the drive spindle 82 and the reference number 86 to an upper guide which in this case is arranged in the second holding device 4. A carrier for holding the first holding device 2 can be arranged on the slide 84. In the case of the embodiment shown here the second holding device 4 is arranged in a stationary manner and the first holding device 2 is moved upwards in order to empty the container.

(16) In FIG. 2d the carrier or the carrier element 28 respectively, which is used for holding the first holding device 2, is now also fitted.

(17) In the illustration reproduced in FIG. 2e a flexible cover 32 which covers the drive 8 has also been inserted. Finally, the lower holding device 2 is also inserted in order to arrive at the apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1.

(18) FIGS. 3a to 3e are individual illustrations of the components of the apparatus according to the invention. In this case the second holding device 4 is again shown in FIG. 3a. This second holding device 4 has a mounting plate 46 which can be screwed for example into or with the carrier element 26 shown in FIG. 2a. The reference number 42 designates a further plate which is arranged on the mounting plate 46 and which projects laterally beyond the mounting plate 46 and is thus supported against a lower edge of the upper carrier element 26. In this way, the holding device can be further prevented from slipping upwards during the removal procedure. The reference number 45 designates the actual ram element which has a recess (not shown) into which a shoulder and aperture region of the container engages. It is preferable for this ram element to have a curved shape which in a particularly preferred manner is adapted to a corresponding shaping of the first holding device 2.

(19) FIG. 3b is an illustration of the first holding device 2. In this case the shape of the base, which can be adapted for example to the contour of a container to be emptied, is evident. A continuous edge 23 can be supported against the lower carrier 28 during operation. In this case it is possible for the first holding device 2 to be raised in a simple manner from the carrier 28 thereof for dismantling and to be replaced in a simple manner in this way.

(20) FIG. 3c designates the cover 32. The latter has in this case a flexible or foldable element 32a as well as also a fastening means 32b which is used for fastening to the slide 84 on one side and to the carrier 28. During operation this fastening means 32b can be shifted upwards during the removal, without the cover 32 being pulled away.

(21) FIG. 3d is an illustration of the drive or the drive device respectively of the apparatus. In this case the spindle 82 is again shown as well as the slide 84. Furthermore, a drive motor 87 is shown, for example an electric motor, which drives the spindle 82 by way of a drive belt 89.

(22) FIG. 3e is an illustration of the lower carrier device 28. The latter has a lateral guide element 28a as well as a plurality of rollers 28b which receive between themselves a corresponding web of the guide 22. In this way, a lateral guidance of the longitudinal movement of the carrier 28 and thus also of the first holding device 2 is provided. The reference 28c designates a receiving ring which receives the first holding device 2. The reference 28d designates a support device which also supports the holding device at the bottom.

(23) The Applicant reserves the right to claim all the features disclosed in the application documents as being essential to the invention, insofar as they are novel either individually or in combination as compared with the prior art.

LIST OF REFERENCES

(24) 1 apparatus 2 first holding device 4 second holding device 8 drive 10 container 10a shoulder region 10b base region 12 removal device 13 support element 14 piercing element 15 holding element 16 groove 18 hose 20 carrier 22 guide rail 23 continuous edge 26 support element 27 slot 28 carrier 28a lateral guide element 28b rollers 28c receiving ring 28d support device 32 cover member 32a foldable element 32b fastening means 42 plate 45 ram element 46 mounting plate 82 drive spindle 84 slide 85 lower guide 86 upper guide 87 drive motor 89 drive belt R radial direction L longitudinal direction