TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a support structure for plants designed to handle containers, in particular bottles or similar containers having a neck closed with a removab1e cap .

BACKGROUND ART

As it is known, many liquid or powder products, including not only liquid food products, such as milk, fruit juices or beverages in general, but also mineral lubricating oils, detergents, etc, are sold in a wide range of bottles or containers, which are sterilized, filled and closed in container handling plants typically including a plurality of processing stations or machines, such as rinsers, fillers, cappers and labelling machines.

These processing stations can be defined by linear machines or, more frequently, by carousel-type machines. The following description will refer to carousel-type machines only, although this is in no way intended to limit the scope of protection of the present application.

The containers to be handled are generally fed to and removed from these machines by means of a transport system including star wheels and linear conveyors.

In particular, according to a typical solution shown for instance in EP-A-1316520 , the containers are fed to the handling plant through a linear conveyor; the successive passages of the containers from that linear conveyor to the first handling machine, from each handling machine to the next one and from the last handling machine to the exit from the plant are carried out by a plurality of star wheels disposed in line.

The various star wheels and/or conveyors of the transport system are traditionally supported on a support structure defined by a massive receiving table which is in turn mechanically connected to the chassis of the handling machines so as to ensure that the relative positions of the components of the plant are maintained during production. An example of this kind of solution is shown in DE-U-2007017932.

In particular, thanks to its great structural rigidity, the massive receiving table ensures a strong support to the star wheels, so enabling the latter to rotate at high speed.

However, the massive receiving table, on the one hand, represents a significant cost factor due to the complexity of its design and construction, and, on the other hand, has numerous individual surfaces, edges, corners and undercuts defining possible starting points for undesirable contamination. Moreover, the configuration of the star wheels and conveyors on the massive receiving table is fixed and cannot be varied. In other words, such configuration is specifically designed and construed for a given layout of handling machines; any modification of the number, type or layout of such machines requires a complete redesign and reconstruction of the receiving table.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, in WO 2006/087088 and WO 2006/087109, it has been proposed to replace the massive receiving table with a tubular support structure formed by horizontal and vertical elements connected to each other in a removable way so as to allow modification of the transport system configuration .

In particular, the star wheels are rotatably mounted on respective column-shaped support casings, which define the vertical elements of the tubular structure and are in turn connected to each other and to the chassis of the handling machines by respective horizontal tubular struts.

More specifically, each support casing bears on the ground by means of a single foot and rotatably houses a ^■ driving shaft of the relative star wheel. Each support casing has one or more angularly spaced connection interfaces, which are adapted to receive respective horizontal struts; in greater detail, each connection interface can be releasably coupled to one end of a relative horizontal strut, the other end of which can be releasably coupled to the connection interface of another support casing or to a machine chassis.

The tubular configuration of the star wheel support casings and the horizontal struts permits the passage of signal and/or power electrical cables, e.g. for supplying electricity and/or control signals to the star wheel motors or to the handling machine motors.

The use of a tubular structure instead of a massive receiving table allows to minimize the surface areas in which dirty can accumulate and to increase access to the various parts of the plant by personnel for cleaning; in this way, the risk of contamination is decreased.

Besides, the adoption of removable connections among the horizontal and vertical elements of the tubular structure permits to obtain a star wheel configuration that can. be easily transported, dismantled and reassembled; moreover, it seems theoretically possible to use the same elements to assemble the transport system in different configurations.

However, this latter possibility appears to be not feasible in concrete terms; as a matter of fact, the applicant has observed that the angular positions of the connection interfaces on the star wheel support casings shown in WO 2006/087088 and WO 2006/087109 have to be determined on account of the specific layout of the handling plant to manufacture, so making impossible to use the same elements for obtaining more than one layout.

In practice, each support casing is manufactured with the exact number and angular location of the connection interfaces for receiving the pre-determined number of transversal struts on the basis of the plant layout to build. In other words, the transport system is manufactured so as to include some support casings with a single connection interface, other support casings with a pair of connection interfaces angularly spaced apart, others more with three connection interfaces, and so on.

Therefore, the real possibilities to modify such layout or to use the same components to build another plant having a different layout are perforce limited by the already fixed angular positions of the connection interfaces on the star wheel support casings.

In the light of the above, it is clear that, though advantageous in many aspects, the above solution can further be improved as to the possibility to achieve a real standardization in the production of the components of the tubular structure and a higher flexibility of assembling the transport system. Furthermore, the whole support structure as defined in this latter solution has a relatively low stiffness, which necessarily limits the speed of the star wheels in order to avoid possible overloads.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a support structure for container handling plants, having high stiffness and whose component parts may be produced in a standardized way so as to achieve a real modularity of assembly.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a support structure for container handling plants, which permits to reduce the manufacturing costs with respect to the known structures.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a support structure for container handling plants, whose component parts are adapted to contain wires and connections in a protected environment.

At least one these objects is achieved by a support structure for container handling plants, as claimed in claim 1.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A preferred, non-limiting embodiment of the present invention will be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a schematic plan view of a part of a container handling plant having a support structure in accordance with the teachings of the present invention;

Figure 2 shows a plan view of the Figure 1 support structure;

Figure 3 shows a larger-scale view in perspective of the Figure 2 support structure;

Figure 4 shows a larger-scale view in perspective of a portion of the Figure 3 support structure;

Figure 5 shows a larger-scale view in perspective of a connecting element of the support structure illustrated in Figures 1 to 4 ; and

Figure 6 shows a partially sectioned view in perspective of the Figure 5 connecting element.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Number 1 in Figure 1 indicates as a whole an example of a plant for handling containers 2, for instance bottles, in order to fill them with liquid or powder products and to close them with respective caps.

More specifically, handling plant 1 basically comprises at least two processing stations or handling machines 3, 4, known per se and schematically represented in Fig. 1, in which respective operations are carried out on containers 2, and a transport system 10 according to the present invention for feeding containers 2 to the first machine (3), for transferring them from such machine to the next (4) and for removing them from the latter .

In the example shown in Figure 1, machines 3, 4, acting in sequence on containers 2, are respectively- defined by a rinsing machine (3), to direct rinse water through the open end of containers 2, and a filling machine (4) , to introduce a predetermined volume of the liquid or powder product into each container 2; a capping machine (not shown) is normally provided downstream of filling machine 4 to provide containers 2 with relative closing caps. Handling plant 1 may also comprise other known machines, such as a labelling machine, an inspecting machine, etc.

Preferably, each machine 3, 4 is of carousel-type and basically comprises, in a known manner, a frame 6 adapted to support a container handling carrousel 7 and defining a relative axis A around which the carrousel 7 can rotate.

Transport system 10 comprises a plurality of star wheels 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 used to transfer containers 2 to and from the various machines 3 and 4. In particular, star wheel 13 is used to feed containers 2 to the first processing station, in the example shown rinsing machine 3; the next set of three consecutive star wheels 14, 15, 16 is used to pick up containrs^ exiting from rinsing machine 3 and to carry them to the following processing station, in the example shown filling machine 4; and star wheel 17 is used to transfer containers 2 from filing machine 4 to the next processing station, for instance a capping machine.

With reference to Figures 1 to 4, transport system 10 further comprises a support structure 20 for supporting star wheels 13-17.

Advantageously, support structure 20 comprises at least two table portions 21, 22 extending transversally with respect to axis A and adapted to support star wheels 13, 14, 16 and 17, and at least one tubular connecting element 23 for connecting table portions 21 and 22 and adapted to support star wheel 15.

In particular, each table portion 21, 22 has a reference plane P extending orthogonally to axis A and is delimited by a first surface 24 provided with first support housings 25, two in the example shown, and by a second surface 26 opposite to the surface 24 with respect to reference plane P and provided with second support housings 27, two in the example shown (please see in particular Figure 4).

More specifically, each table portion 21, 22 has a hollow structure comprising two walls 24', 26', opposite each other with respect to reference plane P and defining respective outer surfaces 24, 26, and a number of perimetrical walls 28 connecting the peripheral portions of the walls 24 ' , 26 ' .

Support housings 25, 27 are defined by respective cylindrical sleeves having axes B parallel to axis A and axially protruding from the respective surfaces 24, 26.

Preferably, for each table portion 21, 22, the support housings 27 are arranged in a mirror-like manner to the support housings 25 with respect to reference plane P; the support housings 25, 27 can be alternatively associated to respective star wheels 13, 14, 16, 17 or to means for supporting the relative table portion 21, 22 on the plant floor, so that said table portion 21, 22 can be overturned for defining altered layouts .

In the example shown, the surfaces 24 are top surface of the relative table portions 21, 22, whilst the surfaces 26 are bottom surfaces of the table portions 21, 22. Consequently, support housings 25 are coupled to the respective star wheels 13, 14, 16, 17, whilst support housings 27 are used to support the relative table portions 21, 22 on the plant floor.

Advantageously (Figure 4) , at least one of support housings 27 of each table portion 21, 22 defines a first connection interface 30, and connecting element 23 is provided with a pair of second connection interfaces 31 having respective axes B parallel to axis A and connected coaxially with the corresponding connection interfaces 30 of table portions 21, 22 in an orientable manner around the relative axes B.

More specifically, with particular reference to Figures 4 to 6, connecting element 23 is of self- supporting type and basically comprises a horizontal tubular strut 32 provided with the respective connection interfaces 31 at its opposite axial end portions 33.

In the example shown, each connection interface 31 is formed by a sleeve body 34 of axis B, orthogonally crossed by the relative axial end portion 33 of strut 32 and bearing on the floor by means of a foot 35, which is secured to the bottom end 36 of the sleeve body 34 in an adjustable way so as to allow, in a conventional manner, a modification of its height.

As visible in Figures 3 to 6, sleeve bodies 34 axially protrude on both sides from strut 32.

Sleeve bodies 34 and strut 32 are preferably delimited by respective cylindrical outer surfaces.

Each sleeve body 34 can be connected to the relative support housing 27 in a removable way and at the desired angular position around the relative axis B so as to allow modification of the transport system configuration. For instance, the sleeve bodies 34 and the relative support housings 27 may be secured by means of screws (not shown) in the desired angular position around the relative connection axis B.

Connecting element 23 further comprises a column- shaped support body 37, which is secured orthogonally on an intermediate portion 38 of strut 32, and on which star wheel 15 is singularly mounted.

In particular, support body 37 has an axis C parallel to axes A and B and bears on the floor by means of a single or multiple feet 40, which are secured to a bottom end 41 of the support body 37 in an adjustable way so as to allow, in a conventional manner, a modification of their heights.

As visible in Figures 4 to 6, support body 37 has a tubular configuration with a cylindrical outer surface and is crossed by the intermediate portion 38 of strut 32 so as to protrude therefrom axially on both sides.

It is pointed out that any other shape of the outer surfaces of strut 32, sleeve bodies 34 and support body 37 is possible, such as polygonal configurations.

In the case of the solution depicted in the enclosed Figures (please see in particular Figure 3) , the other support housing 27 of table portion 22 is coupled to a relative floor-standing bearing 42, whilst the other support housing 27 of table portion 21 is not used since the table portion 21 is secured, at that zone, to the frame of further components of plant 1 not shown.

Floor-standing bearing 42 is formed by a sleeve body 43 of the same type as sleeve bodies 34 of connecting element 23 and by a height-adjustable foot 44 identical to feet 35, 40 and bearing on the floor.

The advantages of support structure 20 according to the present invention will be clear from the foregoing description.

In particular, the new solution of support structure permits to obtain the plant layout by using a reduced number of table portions and component parts.

Besides, the fact that the angular position of connection between each table portion 21, 22 and the connecting element 23 can be varied around the relative connection axis B permits to use the same connecting element 23 for connecting different and/or differently oriented table portions. In other words, the same connecting element 23 is adapted to be used in any angular position of connection with relative table portions around the relative axes B.

In this way, it is possible to produce the new connecting elements 23 in a standardized way and to obtain a real modularity of assembly. It should also be noted that, during assembly of the container handling plant, the connecting element/s 23, which is/are self-supporting, may be placed as reference member/s for the next connection of the table portions, so easing this kind of operations.

Moreover, the adoption of table portions 21, 22 having mirror-like opposite surfaces 24, 26 permits to further enlarge the number of attainable layouts of container handling plants, as such table portions can be used in overturned configurations .

It is therefore clear that the real possibilities to modify an existing layout or to use the same components to build another container handling plant having a different layout are very high.

Furthermore, the above-mentioned advantages in terms of modularity and standardization are achieved together with a great stiffness of the resulting support structure deriving from the adoption of table portions; in this way, handling machines 3, 4 and star wheels 13-17 can work or rotate at high speed, as support structure 20 is able to absorb the high loads induced by such rotations and by the consequent vibrations .

Last but not least, the tubular configuration of connecting element 23 and the hollow structure of table portions 21, 22 permits the passage of signal and/or power electrical cables and/or fluid pipes and/or mechanical transmission means, etc.

Clearly, changes may be made to _v support structure 20 as described and illustrated herein without, however, departing from the scope of protection as defined in the accompanying claims .

In particular, connecting element 23 may also have at least in part a profile section or hollow configuration with an open cross section, such as a U- shaped section.