Transport device and method for transporting containers in a manner revolving about a vertical machine axis

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11795010-B2
Application number	US-202017426421-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 12, 2020
Priority date	Mar 11, 2019
Publication date	Oct 24, 2023
Grant date	Oct 24, 2023

Abstract

A container-transport machine that selectively ejects container includes a transporter that is movable relative to a base and grippers arranged at the transporter. Each gripper suspends a container that is to be transported. An actuator is arranged at the base so as to be stationary relative to the transporter. The actuator is disposed at an ejection position for participating in selectively ejecting an individual container. A selectively-actuatable air nozzle disposed on the base at the ejection position promotes ejection of a container when an opening lever of a gripper interacts with the actuator while the opening lever passes through an ejection position.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. An apparatus comprising a container-transport machine that selectively ejects a defective container, said container-transport machine comprising
a base,
a transporter,
grippers,
an actuator, and
a nozzle,
wherein said base is stationary,
wherein said transporter is movable relative to said base,
wherein said grippers are arranged at said transporter,
wherein one of said grippers suspends said container during transport thereof,
wherein each of said grippers comprises an opening lever that interacts with said actuator while said opening lever passes through an ejection position,
wherein said actuator is arranged at said base to be stationary relative to said transporter,
wherein said actuator is disposed at said ejection position for participating in selectively ejecting an individual container,
wherein said nozzle is disposed on said base at said ejection position, and
wherein said nozzle is selectively actuatable to promote discharge of said container.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said actuator is arranged opposite an opening in said gripper and radially-inward relative to said gripper.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said gripper comprises first and second gripper arms that pivot towards each other to grip said container, wherein said opening lever is arranged on said first gripper arm on a side of a pivot axis of said first gripper arm that is opposite an opening in which said gripper receives said container.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said actuator magnetically interacts with said opening lever in a contactless manner.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said actuator interacts with said opening lever using a current- generated magnetic field.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said nozzle is configured to direct an air jet to impact said container, wherein said air jet applies a force that moves said container radially outward.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said nozzle is configured to direct an air jet to impact said container, wherein said air jet applies a force that moves said container radially outward and vertically downward.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said nozzle is configured to direct an air jet to impact said container, wherein said air jet applies a force that moves said container vertically downward.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said nozzle is configured to direct a jet of air to impact said container, wherein said jet impacts a surface of said container to exert a force directed at a non-zero angle that is up to ten degrees relative to a transport direction in which said container is transported.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said nozzle is configured to cause said container to be completely ejected in less than a hundred milliseconds.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said actuator is movable relative to said base between an actuating position and a transport position, wherein, in said actuating position, said actuator is disposed to interact with said lever, and wherein, in said transport position, said actuator is disposed to inhibit interaction with said lever.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said actuator comprises a roller that interacts mechanically with said lever.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said actuator magnetically interacts with said opening lever in a contactless manner and wherein said actuator is mechanically switchable.

14. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said actuator magnetically interacts with said opening lever in a contactless manner and wherein said actuator is electrically switchable.

15. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said nozzle is disposed such that an air jet impinging on said container avoids imparting rotation to said container during ejection thereof.

16. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said nozzle is disposed such that an air jet impinging on said container at said container's center of gravity.

17. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said interaction between said lever and said actuator is one that avoids mechanical loading.

18. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said interaction between said lever and said actuator is one that causes mechanical loading.

19. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said gripper is configured to suspend said container from a neck ring thereof.

20. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a linear drive at said base, said linear drive being secured to said actuator for causing said actuator to move axially between a position at which said actuator interacts with said lever and a position at which said actuator avoids interaction with said lever.

Assignees

• Khs Gmbh

Inventors

• Schug Nils
• Fahldieck Andreas
• Wolf Uwe

Classifications

• B65G47/847 Primary

  the article-engaging elements being grippers · CPC title

• B65G47/525

  using fluid jets · CPC title

• B65G2201/0244

  Bottles · CPC title