CONTAIN A POURABLE PRODUCT

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a machine for moving and handling containers adapted to contain a pourable product, in particular a pourable food product.

BACKGROUND ART

Machines for the movement and handling of containers, such as containers adapted to contain a pourable product, preferably a pourable food product, are known.

Such machines typically comprise a number of handling and/or treatment units, each configured to perform a predetermined operation encompassed within a treating process of the above-mentioned containers.

For example, in case containers made of plastic material are to be handled and/or treated), the known machines usually comprise:

- a blowing unit, or blower, configured to obtain fully-formed containers, such as bottles, starting from known preforms made of plastic material;

- a filling unit configured to fill the containers with a predetermined quantity of pourable product;

- a capping unit configured to apply a closure (i.e. a cap) to each container previously filled; and

- a labelling unit configured to apply labels onto containers.

Furthermore, the above machines usually comprise a series of transfer units and/or conveying units, configured to transfer and/or advance the containers between each of, and within each of, the above handling units.

According to a first known machine layout, the above- mentioned handling units are arranged in succession with respect to one another along a curved processing path, along which the containers are advanced, from the first handling unit (typically the blowing unit) to the last handling unit (typically the labelling unit), and with respective transfer units arranged in between each couple of successive handling units.

In such layout, both the handling units and the transfer units are usually of the rotary type (carousel like wheels).

A second known type of machine layout is the so- called linear machine layout, in which the handling units are arranged in succession with respect to one another along a linear processing path. In such layout, the transfer unit is defined by a linear conveyor arranged beneath the succession of handling units, and comprising a plurality of receiving portions, each defining a seat configured to receive one single container to be treated. Therefore, the handling units are configured to handle and/or treat the succession of containers from above, while the containers are advanced by the linear conveyor.

The linear layout has the advantage of being simple, compact and devoid of rotary components.

Regardless of the layout, although being functionally valid, the machines for moving and handling containers adapted to contain a pourable product of the above-mentioned type are still open for further improvements.

In particular, the need is felt in the industry to improve the flexibility of the known machines for moving and handling containers.

A further need is felt to improve the aseptic conditions of the known machines for moving and handling containers.

A further need is felt to increase the modularity of the known machines for moving and handling containers.

A further need is felt to improve the overall reliability of the known machines for moving and handling containers.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a machine for moving and handling containers adapted to contain a pourable product which is designed to meet at least one of the above-mentioned needs in a straightforward and low-cost manner.

This object is achieved by a machine for moving and handling containers adapted to contain a pourable product as claimed in claim 1.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A non-limiting embodiment of the present invention will be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic top view, with parts removed for clarity, of a machine for moving and handling containers according to the present invention;

Figure 2 is a schematic top view, with parts removed for clarity, of the machine of Figure 1 according to an alternative operative configuration;

Figure 3 is a larger-scale perspective view, with parts removed for clarity, of a component of the machine of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a larger-scale schematic lateral view, with parts removed for clarity, of a component of the machine of Figure 1; and

Figure 5 is a larger-scale schematic lateral view, with parts removed for clarity, of the component of Figure 4 according to an alternative embodiment.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

With reference to Figure 1, number 1 indicates as a whole a machine for moving and handling containers 2 adapted to contain a pourable product, in particular a pourable food product.

In particular, machine 1 comprises a plurality of handling units 3, each configured to perform a respective handling and/or treating operation encompassed within a handling and/or treating process of containers 2.

It is stated that the expression handling encompasses hereby any suitable operation performable on containers 2, such as filling, capping, labelling, sanitizing, rinsing, blowing or the like.

In particular, containers 2 are defined by bottles adapted to be filled with a pourable product, to be labeled and to be capped.

According to the embodiment shown in Figure 1, machine 1 comprises:

- a filling unit 3a configured to fill, in a manner known and not described in detail, containers 2 with a predetermined amount of pourable product;

- a capping unit 3b configured to apply closures, i.e. caps, to containers 2 after filling, in a manner known and not described in detail; and - a labelling unit 3c configured to apply labels (not shown) to containers 2, preferably after capping, in a manner known and not described in detail.

Hence, capping unit 3b is arranged operatively downstream of filling unit 3a and operatively upstream of labelling unit 3c.

According to an alternative embodiment shown, machine 1 could comprise other types of handling and/or treating units such as a sanitizing unit, a blowing unit, a rinsing unit, or the like, configured to perform respective handling and/or treatment operations.

Machine 1 further comprises:

- a working table 4 having a working surface 5, preferably substantially horizontal, even more preferably flat, along which containers 2 are moved, in use;

- an input station I at which containers 2 are fed, in particular sequentially fed, in use to table 4; and

- an output station 0 at which containers 2 exit table 4.

Preferably, machine 1 includes an input device, in particular an input star wheel 6, configured to feed containers 2 to be handled and/or treated to table 4, and an output device, in particular an output star wheel 7, configured to withdraw handled and/or treated containers

2 from table 4. Conveniently, filling unit 3a, capping unit 3b and labelling unit 3c are arranged in proximity to table 4. More specifically, filling unit 3a and capping unit 3b are arranged above table 4, and therefore above working surface 5, whereas labelling unit 3c is arranged peripherally to table 4.

As visible in Figure 1, machine 1 further comprises a plurality of conveying members 8 movable onto working surface 5 according to a predetermined movement scheme and configured to receive at least one container 2 at a time at input station I, to convey such container 2 along working surface 5 and consecutively at filling unit 3a, capping unit 3b and labelling unit 3c, and to release the handled and/or treated container 2 at output station 0.

In detail, each conveying member 8 comprises (Figures 3 and 4):

- a base element 10, preferably defined by a substantially flat plate arranged parallel, in use, to working surface 5; and

- a receiving portion 11 carried by base element 10 on an upper surface 12 thereof, in particular mounted on upper surface 12, and delimiting a seat configured to receive and hold one container 2 at a time.

In greater detail, base plate 10 has a substantially square shape and has a lower surface 13, opposite to upper surface 12 and facing, in use, working surface 5.

According to an alternative embodiment not shown, each receiving portion 11 could receive more than one container 2 at a time, for example two containers 2 at a time.

Machine 1 further comprises magnetic-inductive interaction device 14 between table 4 and each conveying member 8 for producing a levitating movement of conveying members 8 with respect to working surface 5, in particular along working surface 5.

More specifically, magnetic-inductive interaction device 14 comprises:

- a plurality of individually-excitable solenoids 15 (only one shown in Figure 4) embedded in table 4 so as to be distributed along working surface 5, in particular embedded in an upper portion 4a of table 4 proximate to working surface 5; and

- a plurality of permanent magnets 16, each one carried by one respective conveying member 8, in particular embedded in the relative base plate 10.

Solenoids 15 and permanent magnets 16 are configured to magnetically couple to one another so as to magnetically interact with one another to produce the movement and levitation of conveying members 8 with respect to working surface 5. In detail, each conveyor member 8 levitates, in use and due to the interaction between the relative permanent magnet 16 and solenoids 15, at a distance A from working surface 5, during its movement along working surface 5.

According to an alternative embodiment not shown, permanent magnets could be embedded in table 4 and each solenoid 15 could be carried by one respective conveying member 8.

In light of the above, conveying members 8 and table 4 define together a linear motor for moving and levitating conveying members 8 respectively along and above working surface 5, thereby conveying containers 2 along and above working surface 5 from input station I to output station 0 and at filling unit 3a, capping unit 3b and labelling unit 3c.

In particular, each conveying member 8 is configured to translate along working surface 5 and to rotate about its own axis. More in particular, the rotation can be useful during certain handling/treatment operations, such as capping or labelling, where a rotation of containers 2 is needed.

Conveniently, the above-mentioned movement scheme is selectable among a series of movement schemes each one of which is correlated to a given spatial arrangement of handling units 3 with respect to table 4. That is, conveying members 8 are controllable to move, for example by means of a control unit known per se and not shown in detail, following respective movement schemes which depend on the spatial disposition of filling unit 3a, capping unit 3b and labelling unit 3c.

As an example, given the spatial arrangement of filling unit 3a, capping unit 3b and labelling unit 3c shown in Figure 1, conveying members 8 are controlled to move according to a movement scheme M defining a substantially annular conveying path.

According to an alternative embodiment, machine 1 could comprise any suitable combination and spatial disposition of the above handling units 3.

For example, according to the embodiment shown in Figure 2, machine 1 comprises one filling unit 3a, two capping units 3b, arranged downstream of filling unit 3a and configured to cap containers 2 in a parallel fashion to one another, and a labelling unit 3c, arranged downstream of capping units 3b.

Given the spatial arrangement of filling unit 3a, capping units 3b and labelling unit 3c shown in Figure 2, conveying members 8 are controlled to move according to a movement scheme N different from movement scheme M of Figure 1.

In particular, according to movement scheme N, conveying members 8 are controlled to convey containers 2 first to filling unit 3a, then selectively to the two capping units 3b, so that these latter can operate in parallel, and then to labelling unit 3c.

This is possible thanks to the high flexibility of conveying members 8, which are controllable to move freely and independently from one another along working surface 5 of table 4, by means of magnetic-inductive device 14.

If any alternative spatial arrangement of handling units 3 is necessary/desired, it is sufficient to set an appropriate alternative movement scheme which determines the passage of conveying members 8, and therefore of containers 2, from each handling unit 3 according to the appropriate manner and sequence.

Moreover, as shown in Figure 2, machine 1 according to the present invention allows to easily handle/treat containers 2 in parallel for a particular handling/treating process, without the need for complicated control of conveying members 8 and cumbersome modification to the machine 1 itself. This can allow to avoid or at least mitigate the harsh effect of so-called "bottleneck" operations encompassed within the handling/treatment process.

Conveniently, regardless of the particular movement scheme, conveying members 8 follow, in use, a closed-loop path, i.e. each conveying member 8, after releasing the treated container 2 at output station 0, is controlled to move at input station I, at which it receives a new container 2 to be handled/treated.

In one embodiment (Figure 5), at least one conveying member 8, preferably some of conveying members 8, even more preferably all of conveying members 8, comprise a wiping device 17 arranged in a position facing working surface 5 and configured to wipe working surface 5 during the movement of conveying member 8 along working surface 5.

Preferably, wiping device 17 is coupled to lower surface 13 of base plate 10, so as to protrude transversally, in particular orthogonally, therefrom. Wiping device 17 comprises a coupling portion 17a coupled to base plate 10 and a wiping portion 17b carried by coupling portion 17a and configured to cooperate in contact with working surface 5 in a sliding manner to wipe this latter.

For example, wiping portion 17b is defined by a brush or the like.

As visible in Figures 1 and 2, machine 1 preferably comprises a recovery station 18 configured to selectively receive/feed recoverable conveying members 8b from/to table 4. More specifically, recoverable conveying members 8b are defined either by conveying members carrying containers 2 non-nominally treated by at least one handling unit 3, and therefore containers 2 that need to be discarded, or by malfunctioning conveying members which therefore need maintenance.

Conveniently, recoverable conveying members 8b are movable along working surface according to at least one predetermined recovery movement scheme R different from movement scheme M or N.

In detail, recoverable conveying members 8b carrying containers 2 non-nominally treated by filling unit 3a are configured to be controlled by the above-mentioned control unit so as to move according a first recovery movement scheme R1 following a path, in particular the shortest path, from a position immediately downstream of filling unit 3a to recovery station 18.

Similarly, recoverable conveying members 8b carrying containers 2 non-nominally treated by capping unit 3b are configured to be controlled by the above-mentioned control unit so as to move according a second recovery movement scheme R2 following a path, in particular the shortest path, from a position immediately downstream of capping unit 3b to recovery station 18.

And similarly, recoverable conveying members 8b carrying containers 2 non-nominally treated by labelling unit 3c are configured to be controlled by the above- mentioned control unit so as to move according to a third recovery movement scheme R3 following a path, in particular the shortest path, from a position immediately downstream of labelling unit 3c to recovery station 18.

In this way, a faster recovery of recoverable conveying members 8b can be performed, since recoverable conveying members 8b do not follow the same path as conveying members 8, thereby reducing the time to reach recovery station 18.

Furthermore, recoverable conveying members 8 are promptly excluded from the handling/treatment path, so that the containers 2 non-nominally treated by a handling unit 3 are not handled/treated by the subsequent handling units 3. This leads to savings in terms of resources (pourable product, caps, labels, etc).

Preferably, machine 1 further comprises actuator means (not shown) operatively coupled to table 4 and configured to control a movement of working surface 5 along a direction transversal to the working surface 5 itself.

In particular, since working surface 5 is substantially horizontal, actuator means are configured to selectively control a lift up or a lift down of working surface 5.

Thanks to this configuration, the flexibility of machine 1 is further increased, since table 4 is adaptable to containers 2 of different formats, such as containers 2 having heights different from one another.

Actuator means can be defined by any suitable actuator devices, such as stepper motors, pneumatic pistons, hydraulic pistons, or the like.

The advantages of machine 1 according to the present invention will be clear from the foregoing description.

In particular, the use of a working table and a plurality of conveying members 8 for moving containers 2 as described above is particularly advantageous since it allows to increase the overall flexibility of machine 1.

In fact, regardless of the number and spatial disposition of handling units 3 of machine 1, the movement scheme M, N according to which conveying members 8 move along working surface 5 of table 4 can be easily adapted.

Furthermore, the modularity of machine 1 is also increased, since an appropriate number of conveying members 8 can be provided depending on the number of handling units 3 present in machine 1, or depending on the number and cadency of containers 2 to be treated.

Moreover, the overall reliability of machine 1 is increased, since the number of components cooperating in contact is reduced, given that conveying members 8 levitate above working surface 5.

In addition, the aseptic conditions of machine 1 are improved, since conveying members 8 and table 4 do not require any lubrication (due to the fact that there are no parts working in contacts with respect to one another).

Clearly, changes may be made to machine 1 as described herein without, however, departing from the scope of protection as defined in the accompanying claims.