[0001] The invention relates to an apparatus for transferring bottles provided with an extending
collar at their neck, such as PET-bottles or alike, from a crate having a partially
open bottom towards a conveyor engaging the neck of each bottle. Such a conveyor may
be of the type described in Dutch patent application 90.01589 of applicant, in which
two distanced endless driven conveying elements, for example belts, receive between
them the neck of each bottle.
[0002] Already apparatus are known which are able to lift bottles out of a crate. Thus lifting
means are provided which are positioned above the crate and which are lowered, engage
the neck of the bottle and lift the bottle out of the crate. It is a disadvantage
of this known apparatus that the synchronization between the lifting means, the bottles
in the crate and further conveying means requires special and complicated measures.
Further, this known apparatus is not meant for bottles provided with an extending
collar, nor can this known apparatus be used in connection with a conveyor of the
previously mentioned type.
[0003] It is an object of the invention to provide an apparatus not offering these disadvantages.
[0004] In accordance with the invention an apparatus is provided for transferring bottles
provided with an extending collar at their neck, such as PET-bottles or alike, from
a crate having a partially open bottom towards a conveyor engaging the neck of each
bottle, the apparatus comprising a conveying device for horizontally moving the crate
and lifting means which at least temporarily move onwards synchronously with the crate,
said lifting means being movable upward and downward relative to the crate for engaging
the lower side of the bottles and thus lifting these in such a way that their neck
may be gripped by the conveyor.
[0005] A supplied crate filled with bottles is positioned on the conveying device which
horizontally propels the crate. During, or previously to, this propulsion of the crates
the lifting means lift the bottles such that the neck thereof projects beyond the
upper edge of the crate. In this position the necks may be engaged by the conveyor
positioned above the conveying device for further removing the bottles.
[0006] Basically the apparatus according to the invention has fulfilled its function when
the bottles are lifted relative to the crate in such a way that their necks may be
engaged by the conveyor. Entirely removing the bottles from the crate thereafter is
carried out by the conveyor. In this respect it is essential that the distance between
the conveyor and the crate increases in the propulsion direction of the crates. For
the realization thereof there are several possibilities. It is possible that the crates,
after engagement of the bottles by the conveyor, keep on moving horizontally whereas
the conveyor follows an upwardly inclined track, such that the bottles are lifted
out of the crate. However, it is also possible that the conveyor follows a horizontal
track whereas the crates, after engagement of the bottles by the conveyor, follow
an downwardly inclined track. Now also the bottles are lifted out of the crate. A
combination of both previously mentioned possibilities also leads to a good result.
[0007] Further, it is noted that the conveyor engaging the neck of the bottles also could
comprise a stationary guiding. Generally, in such a case the increasing distance between
the conveyor and the crate will be realized by moving the crates inclined downwardly.
[0008] In a preferred embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention the conveying
device comprises at least one slide for housing at least one crate, in which slide
the lifting means are mounted movably upward and downward. The supply of the crates
to the slides occurs in a way not described further, for an expert however easy to
realize, such that each slide houses at least one crate. The lifting means, which
are part of the slides, thus are automatically positioned correctly relative to the
bottles present in the crate, such that the lifting means function in a reliable way.
[0009] Further, it is advantageous if the conveying device comprises an endless belt carrying
the slides. In such an embodiment the apparatus may operate continuously. The supplied
crates are positioned at one side of the conveying device and are removed at the other
side. In the intermediate section the removal of the bottles from the crates occurs.
[0010] It is advantageous if the lifting means are provided with follower rolls cooperating
with a stationary curved track. It is possible, for example, that each lifting means
has its own follower roll, so that through an appropriate choice of the shape of the
curved track care can be taken that each bottle is presented correctly to the neck
engaging conveyor. Lifting a bottle then occurs always at the same position of the
conveying device.
[0011] Further, an embodiment of the apparatus may be realized, in which the lifting means
are provided with such a drive mechanism, that they carry out at least a vertical
motion for lifting the bottles and successively a horizontal motion for propelling
the crates. So the lifting means now constitute the conveying device for the crate
too. Then constructively an embodiment is advantageous, in which the drive mechanism
comprises two similar endless chains or alike, which, positioned above each other,
each occupy a vertical plane and describe a mainly rectangular track, wherein the
corresponding sections of the chains are connected by a connection member carrying
the lifting means.
[0012] Further, it is constructively advantageous if the lifting means of a crate are interconnected
and are movable upward and downward together. In contrast to the previous embodiment
now all bottles are commonly moved upward and downward. The lifting means of one single
crate are now operated by one single follower roll, such that the motion of the lifting
means occurs simultaneously.
[0013] A simple constructive solution is provided by lifting means which comprise pins movable
upward and downward through the bottom of the crate. The pins are provided in a pattern
which corresponds with the pattern of the bottles in the crate, so that always one
single pin engages a single bottle.
[0014] If at least three pins are provided for each bottle to be lifted the bottle maintains
a stable position while being lifted.
[0015] According to an alternative embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention
the lifting means comprise radial projections of a vertical wheel positioned below
the conveying device, wherein a part of the circumference of the wheel is substantially
tangent with the track of the crates propelled by the conveying device and of which
wheel the circumferential velocity substantially corresponds with the propulsion velocity
of the conveying device. Because the radial projections of the vertical wheel follow
a circular track they move upward and downward relative to the crate. So these radial
projections may function as lifting means and may lift the bottles relative to the
crate.
[0016] Hereafter the invention will be elucidated referring to the drawing in which three
embodiments of the apparatus according to the invention are represented.
Fig. 1 shows, schematically and in a side elevational view, an embodiment of the apparatus
according to the invention;
Fig. 2 shows a detail of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1 on a larger scale;
Fig. 3 shows schematically the principle of an alternative embodiment of the apparatus
according to the invention, and
Fig. 4 shows schematically the principle of a third embodiment of the apparatus according
to the invention.
[0017] As can be seen in Fig. 1 the apparatus comprises in the shown embodiment a conveying
device 1 comprising slides 3 which are interconnected by an endless chain 2 or alike
and which are supported by a guiding 4. In a way not shown further the chain 2 is
driven in such a way that the slides 3 follow an endless track in the direction indicated
with arrows.
[0018] Of course, several different embodiments are conceivable for moving around such slides.
An endless slide carrying belt offers an alternative to the shown embodiment. Further,
it is conceivable that two parallel endless round-going chains are used which are
each supported in an appropriate way by chain wheels and between which the slides
are suspended. In such an embodiment a guiding 4 is not required.
[0019] At the upper side the slides 3 are provided with a recess 5 for housing a crate 6
in which the bottles 7 are positioned. Instead of recess 5 it is also possible that
the slides 3 comprise at the upper side carriers for in a controlled way receiving
a crate 6.
[0020] The crates 6 filled with bottles 7 are supplied to the apparatus through a supply
device 8 only indicated schematically. As such a supply device several devices known
per se may be used, such as a chute or a conveying belt. Appropriate means may be
provided then for at the correct moment supplying a crate 6 to a passing slide 3.
[0021] The bottles 7 present in the crates 6 are provided with an extending collar 9 at
their neck (see Fig. 2) onto which a conveyor 10 positioned above the apparatus should
engage. For example such bottles may comprise the so-called PET-bottles.
[0022] The conveyor 10 positioned above the apparatus preferably comprises a conveyor of
the type as described in Dutch patent application 90.01589, of which the conveying
elements comprise belts or alike engaging the neck of the bottles to be conveyed.
[0023] Each slide 3 comprises a lifting device 11 to be elucidated further referring to
Fig. 2, which in co-operation with a stationary curved track 12 realizes the partially
lifting of the bottles 7 out of the crate 6. The bottles 7 lifted thus are presented
to the conveyor 10 that then entirely removes the bottles from the crates 6 and discharges
them.
[0024] The empty crates 6 are, in a way not shown further, presented to a discharge device
13 indicated only schematically that may mainly correspond with the supply device
8.
[0025] The operation of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1 is elucidated further with reference
to Fig. 2. The lifting device 11 of the slides 3 comprises a number of interconnected
pins 14 which are housed movable upward and downward in recesses 15 shaped in the
slides 3. The pins 14 carry a follower roll 16 following the curved track 12. The
pins 14 of the right-hand slide 3 in Fig. 2 are in their lowermost position as a result
of the co-operation between the follower roll 16 and the curved track 12. In this
position the uppermost ends of the pins 14 do not engage the bottles 7 present in
the crate 6.
[0026] When moving further the crate 6 to the left reaches a position according to the central
crate in Fig. 2.
[0027] The follower roll 16 has been moved upward by the curved track 12 such that the pins
14 have reached their uppermost position. In this position they engage the bottom
of the bottles 7 and have lifted these bottles 7 relative to the crate 6. The distance
over which the bottles 7 are lifted is such that a neck provided with a collar 9 extends
beyond the upper edge of the crate 6. So the conveyor 10 may engage this collar 9.
[0028] While lifting the bottles 7 relative to the crate 6 the crate functions as a guiding
for the bottles 7 prohibiting the bottles from tumbling down.
[0029] Next the slide 3 with crate 6 reaches the position according to the left-handed slide
3 in Fig. 2. The follower roll 16 has left the curved track 12 and the pins 14 have
reached their lowermost position again. The bottles 7 have been removed almost entirely
from the crate 6 as a result of an upwardly inclined direction of the conveyor 10.
It is noted that generally the propulsion velocity of the conveyor 10 equals the propulsion
velocity of the conveying device 1, so that no relative velocity occurs between the
bottles 7 conveyed by the conveyor 10 and the crates 6 which could result in jamming.
[0030] Many alternative embodiments of the apparatus according to the invention are conceivable.
Only as an example an embodiment is mentioned, in which the lifting device for lifting
the bottles 7 is not movable upward and downward through a curved track 12 but through
separately activatable drive means, such as cylinder-piston assemblies. Further, the
shape of the curved track 12 may be varied widely too. Although the curved track extends
in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 only over a small part of the entire apparatus it is possible
too that the curved track extends all the way around, such that the follower rolls
16 are always received in this curved track.
[0031] For the sake of completeness the following is noted. In the crates 6 to be emptied
the bottles are positioned in a special pattern beside and behind each other. The
pins 14 of the lifting device 11 may be provided in correspondence with this pattern.
However, this means too that a number of adjacently positioned conveyors 10 for discharging
the bottles 7 are applied. The basic principle of the apparatus according to the invention
does not change however.
[0032] An alternative embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention is shown in
Fig. 3. One can see a part of an endless conveyor 16 with carriers 17 for crates 6.
Below the conveyor 16 a vertical wheel 18 is positioned having radial projections
19. Part of the circumference of the wheel 18 is substantially tangent to the track
of the crates 6 propelled by the conveyor 16. The circumferential velocity of the
wheel 18 substantially corresponds with the propulsion velocity of the conveyor 16.
As a result of the cooperation between the radial projections 19 and the bottles 7
present in the crate 6 these bottles 7 are lifted in the way illustrated. So these
bottles may be received successively by the conveyor 10 and may be discharged.
[0033] Of course in such an embodiment the shape of the crates 6, in which the bottles 7
are present, should enable the movement therein of the radial projections 19.
[0034] In Fig. 4 a different alternative embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention
is illustrated. In this embodiment two endless chains 20 and 21 are provided which
are each positioned in a vertical plane and follow a substantially rectangular track
and which extend around guiding rolls 22. Corresponding sections of the chains 20
and 21 are interconnected by a connection member 24 carrying the lifting means 23.
If now the chains 20 and 21 are driven synchronously the connection member 24 will
follow a nearly rectangular track, while maintaining its illustrated upright position.
In the position illustrated in full lines the connection member 24 is in a track section
where it moves vertically upwards (as a result of the direction of movement of the
chains 20 and 21 indicated by arrows). Now with the lifting means 23 it may engage
the bottles 7 in a crate 6 which is present on an appropriate support 25. So the bottles
7 are lifted. Next the connection member 24 will follow the horizontal track sections
of the chains 20 and 21, as indicated in the uppermost dotted position of the connection
member 24. Now the lifting 23 have not only lifted the bottles 7, but also propel
the crate 6 along the support 25.
[0035] At the opposite vertical track section of the chains 20 and 21 the connection member
24 is moved downwardly vertically and will be moved back through the lowermost horizontal
track sections (as indicated by the dotted represented position). Now the crate is
freed.
[0036] Previously it has been described how, using the apparatus according to the invention,
bottles can be removed from crates 6 and can be supplied to a conveyor 10. However,
basically it is conceivable too that the apparatus according to the invention is used
for transferring bottles 7 from a conveyor 10 into the crates 6. In this respect mainly
a reversal of the direction of motion of the several parts of the apparatus would
be sufficient. In such a case only care should be taken to realize a proper synchronization
between the supply of the bottles 7 by the conveyor 10 and the supply of the crates
6 by the slides 3. The required devices belong to the domain of control engineering
and do not fall within the scope of the invention.
[0037] The invention is not limited to the embodiments described before which can be varied
widely within the scope of the invention.
1. Apparatus for transferring bottles provided with an extending collar at their neck,
such as PET-bottles or alike, from a crate having a partially open bottom towards
a conveyor engaging the neck of each bottle, the apparatus comprising a conveying
device for horizontally moving the crate and lifting means which at least temporarily
move onwards synchronously with the crate, said lifting means being movable upward
and downward relative to the crate for engaging the lower side of the bottles and
thus lifting these in such a way that their neck may be gripped by the conveyor.
2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the conveying device comprises
at least one slide for housing at least one crate, in which slide the lifting means
are mounted movably upward and downward.
3. Apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the conveying device comprises
an endless belt carrying the slides.
4. Apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the lifting means are
provided with follower rolls cooperating with a stationary curved track.
5. Apparatus according to claim I, characterized in that the lifting means are provided
with such a drive mechanism, that they carry out at least a vertical motion for lifting
the bottles and successively a horizontal motion for propelling the crates.
6. Apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that the drive mechanism comprises
two similar endless chains or alike, which, positioned above each other, each occupy
a vertical plane and describe a mainly rectangular track, wherein the corresponding
sections of the chains are connected by a connection member carrying the lifting means.
7. Apparatus according to one of the claims 1-6, characterized in that all lifting
means of a crate are interconnected and are movable upward and downward together.
8. Apparatus according to one of the claims 1-7, characterized in that the lifting
means comprise pins movable upward through the bottom of the crate.
9. Apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that at least three pins are provided
for each bottle to be lifted.
10. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the lifting means comprise
radial projections of a vertical wheel positioned below the conveying device, wherein
a part of the circumference of the wheel is substantially tangent with the track of
the crates propelled by the conveying device and of which wheel the circumferential
velocity substantially corresponds with the propulsion velocity of the conveying device.