Technical Field

The invention relates to equipment for the production and packaging of plastic packaging, and specifically to a continuous production system for production, strapping and removal from the production system of PET containers fully prepared for transportation.

Technical Level

Currently, in the PET production market, PET containers are produced, packed, and palletised by separate devices. Each such device requires ensuring safety of workers who maintain them. This increases number of devices and workers for PET production and preparation in a transportation line and prolongs production times by transporting products between each of the devices. Conventional PET production and preparation for transportation lines occupy large areas since safe distances must be maintained between the line's devices and necessary for production and preparation for transportation. The production and packaging time for PET containers on such lines depends on number of devices through which containers have to be transported.

Chinese Patent Application No. CN202011323129.8 (publication number CN112606362(A)) discloses an automatic PET container production system. The automatic PET container production system consists of blow-molding machine, container blowing machine, leak detection machine, packing machine, warehouse and high loading machine. The injection-molding machine is used to produce preforms, the container blow-molding machine is used to blow preforms into bottles. The feed end of the injection-molding machine is connected to the end of the blowmolding machine. The discharge end of the container blow-molding machine is connected to the supply end of the leak detection machine. The feed end of the packaging machine is connected to the discharge end of the leak detection machine. The warehouse is used to store produced plastic containers. The warehouse is connected to the packaging machine through a transport conveyor, and the high- position loading machine is installed in the warehouse and used for packaging and loading. The main disadvantage of the system is the space-consuming layout of the system units. The invention solves the problems of security and efficient management of production processes of PET container production and packaging facilities, as well as the large volume of space occupied by PET packaging production and preparation for transportation facilities, by reducing or eliminating the distances between PET container production facilities.

Summary of the Invention

The invention discloses a continuous production system for producing PET containers, which are produced, stacked in container "towers", strapped, and removed from the system, and the containers are completely ready for transport. Various facilities for PET production, packaging and preparation for transportation are combined into a single system using a volumetric frame and a special layout scheme for devices in the frame. The frame of the system, placement of devices and elimination of distances of transportation from one system device to another and elimination of dedicated devices allows production to be carried out continuously up to the transportation step, increasing safety of employees, reducing number of devices serviced and maintained by the employees and increasing production performance. The invention reduces need for the volume of a room occupied by equipment required for preparation for production and transportation.

When changing standard of the packaging and container, only dimensions of the container holders of manipulators and cardboard slip sheets, i.e. storage dimensions of flat sheets of cardboard material have to be changed. All other units of the system adjust automatically, according to the container production algorithm provided in the program: robot container arrangement algorithm, conveyor heights, and manipulator operation program.

Short Description of Drawings

The features of the invention which is new and non-obvious are given in the Claims. However, the invention may be best understood from the following detailed description of the invention, in which, without limiting the scope of the invention, exemplary embodiments of the invention are given in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, where:

Figure 1 shows an isometric view of the PET container production and packaging system at a first angle. Figure 2 shows isometric view of the PET container production and packaging system at a second angle.

Figure 3 shows isometric view of the PET container production and packaging system at a third angle.

Figure 4 shows arrangement of the PET container production and packaging system facilities relative to each other in space. The frame is not shown to provide a clearer view of the device's position.

Figure 5 shows arrangement of the PET container production and packaging system facilities relative to each other in space. The frame is not shown to provide a clearer view of the device's position.

Figure 6 shows position of folded cardboard flipping device of the PET container production and packaging system between the PET preform feeding hopper, the cardboard slip sheet storage, the cardboard slip sheet and the folded cardboard tray conveyor and the PET pallet conveyor.

Figure 7 shows an example of PET preform unloader.

Figure 8 shows an example of PET preform hopper.

Figure 9 shows an example of PET preform conveyor.

Figure 10 shows an example of the PET preform orientator.

Figure 11 shows inter-position of PET container manufacturing, leak testing, transportation of finished container from the leak testing unit on the finished container aggregating conveyor robot, and transfer of the finished container from the leak testing unit to the finished container aggregating conveyor system.

Figure 12 shows an example of transfer of a finished container from the leak testing unit on a finished container assembly conveyor robot.

Figure 13 shows an example of a cardboard slip sheet manipulator.

Figure 14 shows an example of a cardboard slip sheet and folded cardboard tray transport conveyor.

Figure 15 shows an example of a plastic frame manipulator.

Figure 16 shows an example of a folded cardboard tower.

Figure 17 shows an example of a first and second pallet lifter.

Figure 18 shows an example of a manufactured PET container and a cardboard slip sheet and a folded cardboard tray manipulator.

The most preferred embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the drawings. Each figure shows the same numbering of the same or equivalent item. Detailed description of embodiments of the invention

It should be understood that numerous specific details are presented in order to provide a complete and comprehensible description of the invention embodiment. However, the person skilled in art will understand that the embodiment examples do not limit the application of the invention which can be implemented without these specific instructions. Well-known methods, procedures and components have not been described in detail for the embodiment to avoid misleading. Furthermore, this description should not be considered to be constraining the invention to given embodiment examples but only as one of possible implementations of the invention. Although exemplary embodiments of the invention, or aspects thereof, as illustrated and described, comprise many components that are depicted in a particular common space or location, some components may also be remote. It should also be understood that the examples given are not limited to the components described but also comprise other members required for their functioning and interaction with other components, the existence of which is self-explanatory and therefore not detailed.

The PET container production and packaging system comprises a frame (K) for positioning and fixed attachment of system devices relative to each other; PET preform unloader (1 ) for unloading preforms out of preforms transport packaging; PET preform hopper (2) for upward feed of preforms; PET preform transport conveyor (3) for supplying PET preforms to the PET preform orientator (4); a PET preform orientator (4) for orienting the preforms so that they are fed to the PET container production unit (5) in a position ready for feeding to the blow-mold; PET container production device (5); PET container tightness-leak testing device (6); robots for moving manufactured PET containers (7.1 , 7.2), designed to transfer manufactured and tested containers from the leak testing device onto the aggregating conveyor of manufactured PET containers (8); aggregating conveyor of finished PET containers (8) for accumulation of finished PET containers under the finished container gripper (17.2); cardboard slip sheet storage (9); plastic frame storage (12); cardboard slip sheet manipulators (10) for moving cardboard slip sheets; cardboard slip sheet and folded cardboard tray conveyor (1 1 ) for longitudinal transportation of the mentioned objects; plastic frame manipulator (13) for moving frames; folded cardboard feeding tower (14) for loading and feeding folded cardboard onto the conveyor (11 ); the first pallet lifter (15) for lifting the pallet from the lower part (16.2) of the pallet transport conveyor (16) to the upper part (16.1 ) of the pallet transport conveyor (16); pallet two-level (16.1 , 16.2) conveyor (16); manipulators (17) of manufactured PET containers and cardboard slip sheets and folded cardboard trays for moving aggregated containers and cardboard slip sheets and folded cardboard trays onto the container tower; folded cardboard unloading unit (18) for turning folded cardboard; a second pallet lifter (19) for lifting the container tower from the upper part (16.1 ) of the pallet transport conveyor (16) and presenting it for strapping.

In one embodiment of the invention, the frame (K) comprises peripheral reinforcement panels (S), the frame horizontal upper lateral longitudinal members (VEsi, VES2) and the frame horizontal upper rear and front longitudinal members (VEG, VEP) interconnected in a horizontal plane at their ends. The frame (K) also comprises the frame vertical corner longitudinal members (KE), vertically connecting horizontal upper longitudinal lateral members (VEsi, VEs2) and the frame horizontal upper rear (VEG) and the front (VEp) longitudinal members with horizontal lower longitudinal members (AEsi, AEs2, AEG, AEP) respectively in the same plane, at the bottom.

The first lateral horizontal upper lateral longitudinal member (VEsi) is also connected to the intermediate horizontal lateral longitudinal member (TEHI) located in the same plane, respectively, between the horizontal upper lateral longitudinal member (VEsi) and the lower horizontal lateral longitudinal member (AEsi) using vertical intermediate longitudinal members (TEvs). The intermediate horizontal lateral longitudinal member (TEHI) is also connected to the horizontal lower longitudinal member (AEsi) by means of the vertical intermediate longitudinal members (TEv4).

The frame (K) additionally comprises at least one horizontal upper transverse longitudinal member (VSEI) extending, preferably at a right angle, between the horizontal upper lateral longitudinal members (VEsi, VEs2) and attached to them at its ends.

The frame (K) comprises at least one additional horizontal upper transverse longitudinal member (VSE2, VSES) extending, preferably at a right angle, between the horizontal upper transverse longitudinal member (VSEI), extending, preferably at a right angle, between the horizontal upper lateral longitudinal members (VEsi, VES ₂ ), and between the frame horizontal upper front longitudinal member (VEp).

The frame (K) comprises lower floor (AG) on which the first part of the PET container production and packaging system equipment is installed. The floor should preferably be part of the frame (K) and include floor panels (GSi) located between the lateral (AEsi, AES2), front (AEp) and rear (AEG) horizontal longitudinal members, which would be mounted on plurality of supporting horizontal longitudinal members (AB) extending over the full length and / or full width of the frame (K) bottom.

The frame (K) comprises floor (AAG) of a second floor on which the second part of the PET container production and packaging system equipment is built. The floor (AAG) of the second floor is also provided for access to the second floor equipment and the equipment located on the lower floor (AG). The floor is preferably a part of the frame (K) and anchored between the first intermediate horizontal lateral longitudinal member (TEHI), between the second intermediate horizontal lateral longitudinal member (TEH2), the intermediate horizontal rear longitudinal member and the intermediate horizontal front longitudinal member (TEP), where the floor panels (GS2) would be arranged. The second floor floor (AAG) panels (GS2) cover a smaller area than the lower floor (AG) panels (GS1).

In other embodiments of the invention, the frame (K) can be formed in a different configuration, which provides a solid frame in the form of a cube or rectangular parallelepiped, which should include at least the lower floor (AG) for positioning the system devices on it and the floor (AAG) of the second floor which is suitable for placing system equipment on it and hanging them on it and under it.

According to one embodiment of the invention, on the lower floor (AG), below the floor (AAG) of the second floor, there is placed a PET preform unloader (1 ), which is located near the PET preform hopper (2); PET preform hopper (2), including a part (2.1 ) for receiving PET preforms from the unloader (1 ) and a conveyor part (2.2) extending from it at an adjustable angle upwards, for the upward transport of PET preforms to the PET preform transport conveyor (3); PET preform transport conveyor (3) comprising a conveyor part (3.1 ) which is adjustable in the vertical direction and is anchored in the frame (3.2) that is fixed on the support members (VB) supporting the floor (AAG) of the second floor, which can be longitudinal supporting members horizontal to each other.

In a specific implementation of the invention, the PET preform unloader (1 ) includes a preform loading part (1.1 ), a volumetric frame (1.2) and unloading mechanism (1 .3). The unloader mechanism works in such a way that the unloader (1 ) is rotated around the unloading axis, unloading the contents of the PET preform transport package placed in the loading part (1 .1 ) in the hopper (2). The of the second floor’s floor (AAG) supporting members (VB) are preferably attached between the intermediate horizontal lateral longitudinal member (TEHI), between the second intermediate horizontal lateral longitudinal member (TEH2), the intermediate horizontal rear longitudinal member and the intermediate horizontal front longitudinal member (TEP). The PET preform transport conveyor (3) is preferably installed parallel to at least the intermediate horizontal rear longitudinal member and the intermediate horizontal front longitudinal member (TEp). The preforms are transported, preferably, to the right of the upper end of the conveyor part (2.2) of the PET preform hopper (2).

Next, substantially below the PET preform transport conveyor (3) and substantially immediately below it and preferably parallel to it, the PET preform orientator (4) is arranged. The PET preform orientator (4) comprises a part (4.1 ) for receiving PET preforms from the PET preform transport conveyor (3), through which the PET preforms enter the conveyor parts (4.2, 4.3) of the orientator (4), through which the PET preforms move in the opposite direction to the PET preform transport conveyor (3). The preform orientator (4) also comprises an output end (4.4) of oriented PET preforms, which is preferably attached via a holder to at least the horizontal longitudinal support member (VB) or the floor panel (GS2) of the of the second floor’s floor (AAG) and to the other vertical longitudinal member extending in the vertical direction from the second floor’s floor (AAG) or an intermediate horizontal rear longitudinal member (TEG). The orientator (4) is placed on the lower floor (AG), on the height-adjustable frame (4.6). The output end of the PET preforms of the orientator (4.4) is led to the PET container production unit (5), where the PET preforms are blown and PET containers are produced.

The PET container production unit (5) is placed on the lower floor (AG), where the height of the PET container production unit (5) is lower than the height of the second floor’s floor (AAG) as seen from the lower floor (AG). The PET container production unit (5) comprises the PET container cooling and tightness-leak testing unit (6). From the tightness-leak testing unit (6), the PET container is transported by at least one robot (7.1 , 7.2) for transporting the manufactured PET container. The PET container transport robot (7.1 , 7.2), preferably in the configuration of a robot arm that has more than one degree of freedom of movement, has a container gripper (SP) that is mounted at the free end of the robot arm, where the robot arm is positioned on a stand (ST), such as a column, fixed on the lower floor (AG). The transport robot (7.1 , 7.2) can transfer the container from the cooling and tightness- leak testing unit (6) onto the aggregation conveyor (8) of the manufactured containers with adjustable height. The transport robot (7.1 , 7.2) in such a configuration reduces the need for device positioning volume, and adjacent devices can be positioned relative to each other. The aggregation conveyor (8) of the manufactured containers is arranged longitudinally and preferably parallel to the PET preforms transport conveyor (3). The aggregation conveyor (8) of the manufactured containers transports the manufactured PET containers in the same direction as the PET preforms are transported by the PET preforms transport conveyor (3). At the end of the produced containers' aggregation conveyor (8), which is opposite to the end where at least one PET container transport robot (7.1 , 7.2) places the produced PET containers on the produced container aggregation conveyor (8), the first end of cardboard slip sheet and folded cardboard tray conveyor (1 1 ) is installed.

The cardboard slip sheet and folded cardboard tray conveyor (1 1 ) is positioned relatively perpendicular to the finished container aggregation conveyor (8), such that the cardboard slip sheet and folded cardboard tray conveyor (1 1 ) extends from its first end towards its second end, in the direction of the PET preforms transport conveyor (3), where the cardboard slip sheet and folded cardboard tray conveyor (1 1 ) should be located next to the height-adjustable frame (4.6) of the PET preforms orientator (4) would extend beyond it. The cardboard slip sheet and folded cardboard tray conveyor (1 1 ) comprises a frame (1 1.1 ) placed on the lower floor, members facilitating the movement of the cardboard slip sheets and folded cardboards trays along the conveyor (11 .2), such as free-rotating rollers, and the device (1 1.3) for adjusting the position of cardboard slip sheets and folded cardboards trays, at the end of the folded cardboard conveyor (11 ), at the aggregation conveyor (8) of the finished PET containers, which is controlled by the drive (11.4).

Next at the other end of the cardboard slip sheets and folded cardboards trays conveyor (1 1 ), the folded cardboards unloading unit (18) is installed, which is positioned at the same height as the transport part of the cardboard slip sheets and folded cardboard trays transport conveyor (11 ). The folded cardboards unloading unit (18) is arranged adjacent to PET preforms conveyor (2). The folded cardboards unloading unit (18) is mounted on the cardboard slip sheets and folded cardboard trays conveyor (11 ), next to the cardboard slip sheet manipulator (10). The folded cardboards unloading unit (18) grips the arriving folded cardboard by grippers, which close together to press the folded cardboard from the sides. Then the drive system simultaneously moves forward and pushes the folded cardboard and performs the unloading action. The folded cardboard remains in the same position it was in, only upside down. The folded cardboard by means of the conveyor of cardboard slip sheets and folded cardboard (1 1 ) is transported towards the manipulator (17) for placing folded cardboard and manufactured PET containers onto the container tower.

Adjacent to the unloading unit (18), along the direction of the cardboard slip sheets and folded cardboard trays conveyor (11 ) and away from the second end of the cardboard slip sheetss and folded cardboard trays conveyor (1 1 ), the cardboard slip sheet storage (9) is located, which is also adjacent to the PET preform unloader (1 ). Above the cardboard slip sheets and the folded cardboard conveyor (11 ) and substantially adjacent to the conveyor part (2.2) of the PET preforms hopper (2), the folded cardboard tower (14) is placed, the lower part of which is placed on a supporting frame (14.3), which rests on the lower floor (AG), while the upper part, with the tower loading opening (14.1 ), protrudes above the second floor’s floor (AAG), in the area of the second floor. The folded cardboard pieces are lowered from the loading opening (14.1 ) onto the cardboard slip sheets and the folded cardboard tray conveyor (1 1 ) using the cardboard tower's (14) side internal supports, whose downward vertical movement with the folded cardboard and the upward movement of the empty holders is controlled by the cardboard tower drive (14.2).

The cardboard pallet manipulator (10) is located near the cardboard pallet storage (9) for transferring cardboard pallets from the pallet storage (9) onto the end of the cardboard pallet and folded cardboard conveyor (11 ) located near the pallet storage (9). The cardboard pallet manipulator (10) is located basically near the ends of the cardboard pallets and the folded cardboard conveyor (11 ) and the pallet storage (9), where they are next to each other and on the opposite side of the PET preforms unloader (1 ) and the hopper (2).

In the specific embodiment of the invention, the cardboard pallet manipulator (10) comprises the stand (10.1 ) fixed to the lower floor (AG), the arm (10.2) sliding vertically along the stand, the first gear (10.3) controlling the sliding of the arm (10.2), longitudinal support (10.5) attached at the free end of the arm (10.2) and slidingly controlled in a horizontal direction by means of the second gear (10.4), wherein at one end of the longitudinal support, the means for gripping cardboard slip sheets (10.6), including vacuum suction cups are attached. In this configuration, the cardboard pallet manipulator (10) can be positioned in a very small area on the lower floor (AG), next to other devices of the system, ensuring the movement of the cardboard pallet gripping device (10.6) in the horizontal and the vertical directions, moving cardboard pallets from cardboard pallet storages (9) located next to each other onto cardboard slip sheet and folded cardboard tray conveyor (1 1 ).

The first pallet lifter (15) is arranged next to the first end of the cardboard slip sheet and the folded cardboard conveyor (11 ), which is located next to the finished PET container aggregation conveyor (8). The first pallet lifter (15) comprises the pallet support surface (15.1 ) on which the pallets are positioned and by which the pallets are pushed away from the lifter, the control gear (15.2) of the lifter (15) and the lifting and lowering mechanism (15.3).

From the first pallet lifter (15), along and substantially parallel to the cardboard slip sheet and folded cardboard tray conveyor (1 1 ), the pallet conveyor (16), including the upper (16.1 ) and the lower (16.2) parts, is arranged. The pallet conveyor (16) extends to the second pallet lifter (19) located at the other end of the pallet conveyor (16) next to the cardboard slip sheet storage (9).

The first pallet lifter (15), at the first end of the cardboard slip sheet conveyor (11 ), has two positions: the lower one, where it receives the pallet that has arrived on the lower part (16.2) of the pallet conveyor (16), and the upper position, to which it rises when the pallet arrives. The lateral supports of the first pallet lifter (15), moved by the cylinders, center the pallet to be in a specific, precise position, in which the container tower (B) is placed on the lifter (15). After completion, the tower is transported towards the strapper (20) on the upper part (16.1 ) of the conveyor (16). Before starting production of PET containers, the lower part (16.2) of the conveyor is loaded with pallets intended for use in packaging, until one pallet gets in the position of placing the bottle tower. After the container tower is completed, it moves through one position from the first pallet lifter (15) onto the upper part (16.1 ) of the pallet conveyor (16), and the first lifter (15) picks up another pallet from the lower part (16.2) of the pallet conveyor (16), to build a new container tower.

The second pallet lifter (19), located on the lower floor (AG) at the second end of the pallet conveyor (16), next to the cardboard slip sheet storage (9), is intended for the transfer of pallets to the lower part (16.2) of the pallet conveyor (16) for storage before starting production. Said pallet lifter (19) is also intended for lowering the completed container towers from the upper part (16.1 ) of the pallet conveyor (16) and transferring them to the strapping unit (20). The second pallet lifter (19) at the strapping unit (20) is identical to the first pallet lifter (15), located at the other end of the pallet conveyor (16), only does not have cylinders with holders for pallet centering.

The strapper (20) can be positioned next to the second pallet lifter (19), next to the slip sheet storage (9), behind and next to the frame (K) of the PET container production and packaging system.

On the second floor (AAG) of the frame (K) , directly above the cardboard slip sheet storage (9), which is located next to the PET preform unloader (1 ), the plastic frames’ storage (12) is installed, from which the frames are taken by the frame manipulator (13), installed next to the frame storage (12), above the second pallet lifter (19), located next to the slip sheet storage (9). The frame manipulator (13) moves the frames from the frame storage area (12) onto the container tower (B). The frame manipulator (13) moves in a vertical direction to compensate for the change in the height of the stack of frames and to compensate for the distance and height between the frame storage area (13) and the container tower (B).

In the specific embodiment of the invention, the frame manipulator (13) comprises the stand (13.1 ) fixed to the lower floor (AG), the arm (13.2) sliding vertically along the stand, the first gear (13.3) controlling the sliding of the arm (13.2), longitudinal support (13.5) attached at the free end of the arm (13.2) and slidingly controlled in a horizontal direction by means of the second gear (13.4), wherein the holder (13.7) of the additional vertical and horizontal movement of the frame gripper (13.6) with the third manipulator gear (13.8) for the aforementioned additional movement in the vertical and horizontal directions is slidably attached on the longitudinal holder. In such a configuration, the frame manipulator (13) can be positioned in a very small area on the lower floor (AG), next to the other system devices, ensuring the movement of the frame gripper (13.6) in the horizontal and vertical directions, moving the frames from the frame storage (12) and the upper part (16.1 ) of the pallet conveyor (16), located at a distance from each other and on different floors of the system, for placing the frame on the top of the container tower (B).

Along the finished PET container conveyor (8) and above the first end of at least part of the cardboard slip sheet and folded cardboard conveyor (1 1 ), the finished PET container and cardboard slip sheet and folded cardboard tray manipulator (17) is installed to move the PET containers from the finished container aggregation conveyor (8) on the pallet located on the first pallet lifter (15), which is located next to the first end of the cardboard slip sheet and folded cardboard tray conveyor (11 ). The PET container, the cardboard slip sheet and the folded cardboard manipulator (17) comprise the frame (17.1 ) placed and anchored between the rear wall (GS) of the frame (K) and the vertical longitudinal end members (TEG) extending from the horizontal upper transverse longitudinal member (VSEI), extending, preferably, at a right angle, between horizontal upper lateral longitudinal members (VEsi, VEs2). The manipulator (17) for removing the produced PET container from the produced container aggregation conveyor (8) and transferring cardboard slip sheets and folded cardboard also comprises a container table (17.3), with suction cups located at the bottom of the table, and the container gripper (17.2). The table (17.3) with the gripper (17.2) move together, but they have the ability to move horizontally away from each other, separating when the gripper (17.2) needs to grip the container and returning to push the gripped container onto the table (17.3) for transporting the container. Cardboard pallets or folded cardboard, by using the manipulator (17) vacuum suction cups (17.4) attached under the table (17.3), are lifted from the cardboard slip sheets and folded cardboard tray conveyor (11 ) and placed on the finished PET container tower, before the next container floor is lifted, and after building the full tower (B). The container gripper (17.2) is placed on the arranged containers, which are pressed from all sides. This prevents the containers from falling out. A quick return action is then performed, and the containers are brought onto the transfer table (17.3), transported towards the container tower (B), where the containers are quickly moved onto the placed cardboard slip sheets. When the container gripper (17.2) is released, it rises vertically and moves away, and a new floor of the container tower (B) is obtained.

In all embodiments of the invention, the PET container production and packaging system is arranged in a frame (K) forming a two-story cubic or rectangular parallelepiped volumetric shape.

On the loading side of the PET preforms, from the cardboard slip sheet storage area (9), the slip sheet manipulator (10) uses vacuum suction cups to pick up one slip sheet and place it on the slip sheet and the folded cardboard conveyor (11 ), on which the sheet moves towards the PET container aggregation conveyor (8). If folded cardboard trayss are used instead of flat cardboard slip sheets, the cardboard tower (14) is filled on the second floor, with which one folded cardboard is dropped onto the cardboard conveyor (1 1 ), and the cardboard is transported to the PET container aggregation conveyor (8). As the number of cardboard slip sheets in their storage location (9), when they are used for packaging, the slip sheet transfer manipulator (10) moves in the vertical direction to compensate for the change in the height of the sheet stack. The folded cardboard tower (14) is loaded through the opening on the second floor before production begins. Inside, the cardboards are held on the "shelves" from the edges. When a folded cardboard is inserted, it is moved down one position, and a new folded cardboard is inserted.

After completing one full floor of the container tower (B), the transfer manipulator (17) of the finished PET container aggregation conveyor (8) picks up the cardboard slip sheet, or folded cardboard tray, from the cardboard conveyor (11 ) and places it on the pallet, which is fed by the pallet accumulation conveyor (16), and by means of the pallet lifter (15) is lifted to the position of placing the bottle tower. The manipulator (17) grabs the accumulated containers with the gripper (17.2), pushes it onto the transfer table (17.3), and after transfer, places it on the slip sheet or folded cardboard tray. Next, the transfer manipulator (17) places the new cardboard slip sheet, or folded cardboard tray, and repeats the sequence of actions until the entire container tower (B) is built. After the last floor is built, the cardboard slip sheet or unloaded folded cardboard tray is placed. In this case, the folded cardboard tray that is dropped from the folded cardboard tower (14) onto the folded cardboard conveyor (11 ), travels back towards the cardboard slip sheet transfer manipulator (10), where the unloading mechanism (18) installed on the folded cardboard conveyor (11 ) tilts the cardboard, then it is transported back to the manipulator (17), where it is placed on the container tower (B).

The completed container tower (B) moves through one position on the rollers of the upper part (16.1 ) of the pallet conveyor (16). The first pallet lifter (15) descends to the lower position, and the rollers of the lower part (16.2) of the pallet conveyor (16) feed a new pallet, which is lifted. The manipulator (17) starts placing the new bottle tower bottles (B). Each time a bottle tower (B) is completed, it is moved one position. After reaching the second pallet lifter (19), on the top of the tower, from the plastic frames storage (12), the frame transfer manipulator (13) grabs the frame with grippers and moves and places it on the top of the PET container tower, on which the cardboard slip sheet or folded cardboard tray is placed.

The second pallet lifter (19) lowers the container tower and moves it to the strapping unit (20), where the container tower (B) is strapped in transverse and longitudinal direction. In each embodiment of the invention, all system devices are controlled and monitored through a central control unit that comprises a computerized system control facility. The signals from the sensors of each system device are received in the aforementioned computer control unit, processed and used to control the system devices.

In one embodiment of the invention, the external peripheral dimensions of the system frame are as follows: 5.5 m in height and 8 m in width and length.

Although the present description comprises numerous characteristics and advantages of the invention together with structural details and features, the description is given as an example of the invention embodiment. There may be changes in the details, especially in the form, size and layout of materials without departing from the principles of the invention, in accordance with the widely understood definition of terms used in claims.