WO2006082604A1

WO2006082604A1 - Plant adapted to produce plastic containers

Info

Publication number: WO2006082604A1
Application number: PCT/IT2005/000533
Authority: WO
Inventors: Massimo Tomasella; Luigi Tomasella
Original assignee: C.M.T. S.R.L.
Priority date: 2005-02-04
Filing date: 2005-09-19
Publication date: 2006-08-10
Also published as: ITPN20050008A1

Abstract

A plant adapted to produce plastic containers comprises a loading feed box (1) of preforms (3), an elevator (12) and an aligner (8) of the preforms (3) in order to arrange them according to a regular sequence, so that said preforms could be inserted into e next blower; thanks to an aligner (18) the preforms (3) are falling down from an elevator (12) into a tank (19), whereas an eccentric vane (21) should spread said preforms in correspondence of tank (19) bottom, in such a way that heaps are avoided, which could block the plant.

Description

"Plant adapted to produce plastic containers"

The present invention relates to a first part of a plant adapted to produce plastic containers, said first part particularly comprising a loading feedbox of preforms, an elevator and an aligner of said preforms, in order to arrange them according to a regular sequence, said sequence being necessary for inserting preforms into a next blower of said plant.

In similar plants, operator is in charge to load preformes in the interior of machinery, which should pour them in the interior of a feedbox. In correspondence of its bottom a conveyor belt is present, which, in its turn, is in charge to push preforms towards elevator. This latter one comprises a spline belt, which should elevate preforms in correspondence of an upper floor.

Then, preforms are feeding aligner, which should align preforms by means of a roller device, where its axis is downwards inclined, so that preforms result aligned thanks also to force of gravity. In such a situation, preforms, which are not aligned, are swerved in such a way that can re-enter in correspondence of initial step, up to they result aligned. The sorting operation between aligned and not aligned preforms is obtained thanks to mechanical spiral means, which are adapted to rotate together with a plurality of shovels when preforms are leaving aligner.

A drawback of traditional aligners is given by a particular align device, which is offered to each kind of blower, according to next blower volume characteristics.

Drawbacks of said traditional loading, elevation and align preform plants, are justified by the fact that, mainly for big dimension aligner devices, preforms are subjected to a rubbing operation of each preform against the close ones. Such an operation is increased in correspondence of bottom of the loading feedbox, for substantially two reasons: the first one, due to each preform weight one on the others, and the second one due to conveyor belt movement.

A further drawback of traditional similar plants is connected with a plurality of elevator problems:

- at first, difficulty to keep quite centered elevator belt, such a difficulty being the main reason of its breakage problems together with high service costs; rubbing of preforms on contact with elevator conveyor belts and also with loading feedbox, causes a progressive belt crumbling with consequent increase of number of services, as well as dust, which should pollute, thanks to electrostatic attraction, preform composition material, compromising blowing -process; conveyor elevator belt is usually made by a continuous belt for specific elevator requirements, said belt being entirely substituted also when just a part is subjected to breaking or to wear and tear. Many expedients were adopted mainly in order to obviate last drawbacks. They just partially reduce it, but compromising a simple plant carrying out, an increase of component number and therefore of its costs, of its complexity as well as of simplicity, assemblage and service for said plant.

Further faults can be verified particularly on high production plants. They are due to the necessity to substantially increase the length of aligner rollers. Indeed such a length is necessary in order to satisfy the quite high request of aligned preforms from blower.

Consequently, the increase of plant costs should match the rise of technical problems' which are depending on vibration of rollers during their rotation. Such a problem wasn't up to now solved, in spite of all the expedients adopted in the interior of rollers.

At last, problems connected with the plant dimensions shouldn't be ignored, especially for high productivity plants. This is why Clients must be satisfied with an entire plant lay-out, storage charges, packing and transport costs.

In order to obviate to described drawbacks, the plant according to the invention intends toj propose substantially simple and effective planning.

Particularly, the plant according to the invention is characterized by means adapted to represent the aligner for preforms, which are falling from the elevator into a tank through a slide and adapted to spread said preforms and to align them, obtaining! in such a way a substantial optimization of number and alignment times of preforms before blower.

Furthermore, the , plant according to the invention is characterized by means adapted to guarantee a substantial feeding constancy from loading feedbox to elevator, as well as to ensure that number of preforms, which leave said feedbox, is substantially indipendent from number of preforms entering said loading feedbox.

At last, the plant according to the invention is characterized by elevator means adapted to lift preforms to un upper floor, said elevator means being made both of modular elements, which are obtained with a substantially hard plastic, in order to optimize running and maintenance of a conveyor belt, said modular elements being made of decomposable elements, which are in charge to lift preforms and of further elements, which are connecting said modular elements. j ;

These and further characteristics will be apparent from the following description and from klleged drawings, where: i

Fig.l represents a perspective view of the plant according to the invention;

Fig.2 represents a perspective view of a loading-feedbox;

Fig.3 represents a perspective view of the plant according to the invention, particularly with a section view of loading feedbox;

Fig.4 represents a perspective view of an aligner of the plant according to the invention;!

Fig.5 represents a front view of said aligner; Fig.6 represents a section of aligner taken according to lines A-A of Fig.5; Fig.7 represents a plant view of aligner with preforms; Fig.8 represents a perspective view of an elevator; Fig.9 represents a perspective view of an elevator belt.

The plant according to the invention comprises a loading feedbox 1 (Figs.1,2,3), which comprises a tank 2, where a plurality of preforms 3 are loaded in a way known per se (Figs.6, 7).

Tank 2 presents, in correspondence of a bottom 4 (Fig.3) an opening 6. Through said opening 6, preforms 3, loaded into the tank 2, are feeding, as it will apparent later, a foundation 7 (Figs.1,2, 3).

Said foundation 7 comprises a conical or the like shaped structure 8 (Fig.3), which is adapted to rotate around a vertical axis. The conical structure 8 is defined by a cylindrical fixed wall 9 (Figs.1,2,3), which is provided with at least an opening 11 (Fig.2), through which preforms 3 are leaving in order to feed at least an elevator 12.

Tank 2, bottom 4, opening 6 and the foundation 7 are basing , fixed, on a metallic structure 13 (Figs.1,2, 3).

Tank 2, bottom 4, opening 6, foundation 7, conical structure 8, cylindrical wall 9 and opening 11 represent means adapted to guarantee a substantial feeding constancy from loading feedbox 1 to elevator 12, as well as to ensure that number of preforms 3, which leave said feedbox 1 , are substantially independent from number of preforms 3, which enter said feedbox 1.

Preforms 3, which are leaving through opening 11, are feeding the elevator 12, (Figs.1,3,4,8), which comprises an elevator belt 14. This one is made of substantially hard plastic, e.g. polipropylene, said belt 14 being made both of modular elements' 16 (Fig.9) by hard plastic, e.g. adapted for food, said elements 16 being made of decomposable elements, which are in charge to lift preforms, and further elements 17, which are connecting said modular elements 16.

The elevator 12, the elevator belt 14, the components 16, the component 17 represent elevator means, which are adapted to lift preforms 3 to an upper floor in order to optimize operation and maintenance of conveyor belt 14, said belt 14 being made both of modular elements 16 made of substantially hard plastic, e.g. of plastic for food, said modular elements 16 being made of decomposable elements, which are in charge to lift preforms 3, and of further elements 17, which are connecting said modular elements 16.

In such a way, preforms are lifted up to an operative height, which allows to feed an aligner 18 (Figs.1,3,4,5,6,7).

As it will be apparent forwards, aligner 18 dimensions are reduced with respect to traditional aligners, whereby a more compact structure is obtained.

A slide, not represented in the drawings, is connected to tank 19, which is adapted to reduce noise produced by preforms 3, which are falling from elevator 12, as well as to reduce preform tear, which is due to their direct mutual touch in tank 19.

A vane 21 is present in tank 19 (Figs.4,5,6,7), which should spread preforms 3 on the tank 19 bottom, in such a way that a heap of preforms could be avoided, which could make the plant stop.

Tank 19 and vane 21 are made of plastic material for food, so that a noise, due to preforms 3 falling into tank 19, could be substantially reduced..

Indeed duty of tank 19 is to collect preforms, which are falling from elevator 12 Therefore, its position, as well as its shape and its material should satisfy such a requirement.

Rotation of vane 21 is clockwise (Fig.6), thanks to an electrical motor 22. Vane 21 rotation is eccentric, in order to improve a preform scattering, avoiding in such a way a plant block running.

Rotating rollers 23 (Fig.4,5,6) are controlled by a motor 24, said motor being adapted to cause two rotating rollers to rotate in a mutually opposite sense, in a way known per se. Said rollers 23 are arranged on an upwards inclined plan (Fig.6), so that the preforms 3 alignment process could be improved, what will be apparent forwards, thanks to force of gravity.

Rollers 23 are made of plastic atossic material in order to optimize friction coefficients of their surface.

A further advantage is given by noise reduction caused by preforms 3 movement between rollers 23.

Distance between rollers 23 should be adjusted according to kind and dimensions of preforms 3, in such a way that roller rotation happens simultaneously with preform sliding on rollers.

Distance adjustment between rollers 23 allows an adjustment of distance between a couple of containment walls 26 (Fig.6), which are placed below rollers 23 and an adjustment of a couple of transport belts 27 distance . All that in order to adjust plant working with a plurality of preform 3 shapes and dimensions.

Said adjustments are obtained by means of a plurality of angular transmissions, which allow to obtain said adjustments according to a substantially simple way, through control of rollers distances, by acting on just one bolt.

Said belts 27 (Fig.6) should collect preforms 3 aligned and transported up to blower plant, as it will be apparent later.

The containment walls 26 are made of self-lubricating material, which allows a substantially easy falling of preforms 3 from rollers towards transport belts 27, as well as substantially reduces passage noise of preforms 3, which are in touch with containment walls 26. Transport belts 27 substantially represent the only element, which could be subjected to friction in the plant according to the invention.

Motor 24 (Fig.5) produces a movement transmission system both to transport belts 27 and to rotating rollers 23, obtaining in such a way a substantial reduction of costs relating not only to power consumption, but also to plant maintenance.

As the movement transmission system of two transport belts 27 is maintained distinct, it is now possible to change one belt avoiding to involve the other one. In such a way service times are minimized and simplified.

A vane 28 (Figs.1,3, 6) is adapted to be controlled in its rotation by an electrical motor 29 anticlockwise (Fig.4), so that non aligned preforms 3 could be recycled. Said preforms 3, which are pushed back, are driven to be aligned inside containment walls 26, increasing in such a way machine productivity, thanks to elimination of scrapped preforms. Indeed every preform is substantially realigned.

Aligner 18, tank 19, vane 21, rotating rollers 23, containment walls 26, transport belts 27, vane 28 represent means adapted to represent the aligner 18 for preforms 3, which are falling down from the elevator 12 into a tank 19 through a slide 20 and adapted to spread said preform after aligning them, obtaining in such a way a substantial optimization of number and alignment times of preforms 3 before blower.

Plant according to the invention is adapted to work according to following way: preforms 3 are loaded, in a way known per se, into tank 2 of loading feedbox l;

- conical structure 8 allows preforms 3 quantity, which are leaving opening 1 1, to be constant in the bottom of tank 2, thanks to its rotation. Therefore no excessive store of preforms is obtained, such a store could cause problems during loading process of preforms 3 on elevator belt 14, as well as it could cause rubbing problems among said preforms and tank 2 bottom.

It could be possible to adjust such a preform quantity, which are leaving opening 11 of wall 9 by varying spin velocity of conical structure 8. In addition it could be right to proceed according to a substantially preliminary way with an adjustment of distance between tank 2 and conical structure 8, depending on preform 3 dimensions.

Practically it is possible to adjust such a position of tank 2 on metallic structure 13, whereas foundation 7 remains fixed to said metallic structure. Preforms 3 are therefore feeding the elevator 12, whose elevator belt 14 is lifting said preforms thanks to plurality of components 16. which are lifted to a operative height, which is feeding aligner 18.

Said aligner should collect preforms 3, which are falling from elevator 12 into a tank 19. Said tank is provided in correspondence of its bottom with the rotating vane 21, which is spreading preforms 3 in such a way that could avoid heaps of said preforms 3 with consequence that they could stop the plant. Preforms 3, after a first spreading, could come in touch with rotating rollers 23, which could help their alignment process. Said rollers 23 are conveying preforms 3 towards containments walls 26, where they could slide down, due also to their weight. They could assume an orientation, which is due to force of gravity (Fig.7).

The presence of containment walls 26 helps to direct preform 3 falling movement from rotating rollers 23 to transport belts 27. Such a movement of preforms 3 towards transporting belts 27 is substantially simplified by containment walls 26, which are manufactured with auto-lubricating material, in such a way that their noise is reduced during preform passage.

The preforms, which are falling, are gathering, as well as leaning their collar on the two transport belts 27. Said belts, which are directing upwards, are completing the alignment process of preforms 3 and conveying the preforms up to outside from aligner 18.

The duty of rotating vane 28 is to push back all not aligned preforms 3, which are pushed to be aligned with their collars in correspondence of room between transport belts. An advantage of described plant in comparison with traditional plants is represented by elimination of conveyor belt of traditional loading feedbox with the consequent elimination of a plurality of problems: belt centering is able to eliminate problems of machine maintenance and stop; dust, which derives from belt wear crush, due to touch with preforms 3; excessive dimensions of traditional plants, characterized by the same productivity (preforms/hour).

The elimination of conveyor belt, which is obtained thanks to the rotating conical structure 8, allows the following advantages:

- control of number of preforms, which are moving in correspondence of foundation 7 and of number of preforms, which are leaving opening 11, are independent from number of pieces, which are entering tank 2. Indeed structure 8, .which is connected in the same tank 2, really represents a batcher of preforms 3. These ones are pushed towards opening 11, due to rotation of conical structure 8;

- conical structure 8, thanks to its rotation, eliminates possibility that preforms 3 are obstructing opening 1 1 , avoiding in such a way, any danger that an excessive store preforms is obtaining; the elimination of preform heap in loading feedbox 1, as well as the fact that preforms movement is now accomplished by conical structure 8, instead that by conveyor belt, reduces danger of preforms rubbing, particularly of preforms, which are in touch with conveyor belt, which is now eliminated. In such a way the problem of dust, which is due to preforms rubbing, is solved. It is to be pointed out that said dust could create problems during blowing process; reduction of electrical consumption, which is due to the elimination of conveyor belt; feeding process of preforms 3 to elevator 12 is now constant, also because the quantity of preforms is now able to eliminate jam in the elevator 12, as well as wear of preforms and of conveyor belt.

As for elevator 12, the advantages could be summarized according to the following way: - modularity of elevator belt 14 allows to vary both functionality and dimensions of said belt. It is sufficient to substitute/add components 16/17 (Fig.10); furthermore said modularity is now allowing substitution just of worned/damaged components also with the assistance of plant maintenance operator;

- new conception of elevator belt 14 is now able to solve belt centering problems, substantially reduces its maintenance and simplifies its assembly and its possible substitution; as for component 16, which should lift preforms 3, it is adapted to collect more and different dimension preforms 3 than traditional belts;

- elevator belt is obtained thanks to material, which is substantially better in terms of aggression from chemical agents.

As for the aligner 18, its conception results innovative, due to following reasons: the aligner has dimensions reduced with respect to the dimensions of traditional aligners, being the same the production volume of preforms, as the component 19,21,23,26,27,28 assembly allows a substantial reduction of dimensions. Productivity of preforms/hours shouldn't be reduced; furthermore the aligner 18 is provided with a greater operation velocity in terms of pieces/hours; the non aligned preforms 3 are pushed back and recycled between containment walls 26, thanks to vane 28, obtaining in such a way the elimination of their reject.

The plant according to the invention is provided with innovative performance, which is connected to the following advantages: the plant is provided of lay-out flexibility, which represents an essential aspect, under a point view not only of installation costs, but also of logistical costs;

- volume of worked preforms, which should feed blowing plant, results adjustable also through the velocity variation of motors 24, allowing said plant adapted to work with a plurality of performances of blower plant;

- the operation velocity of preforms/hour, which are worked and obliged to feed blower plant, results substantially adapted to produce more preforms than traditional plants. Such a result is obtained thanks to innovative conception of loading feedbox 1, which is provided with a conical structure 8. Said innovative conception regards also elevator 12, which is provided with elevator belt 14, as well as aligner 18, whci is porovided with vane 21, rollers 23, containment walls 26, transport belts 27and vane 28; noise produced by movement of preforms results substantially reduced, thanks to use of plastic material, such as material for food.

Thanks to innovative performance with traditional plants, the plant according to the invention represents a substantially technological improvement with respect of similar plants.

Claims

1. Plant adapted to produce plastic containers, particularly comprising a loading feedbox (1) of preforms (3), an elevator (12) and an aligner (18) of said preforms (3) in order to arrange them according to a regular sequence, said sequence being necessary for inserting preforms into a next blower, characterized by means (19,21 ,23,26,27,28) adapted to represent the aligner (18) for preforms (3), which are falling down from the elevator (12) into a tank (19) through a slide and adapted to spread said preforms after aligning them, obtaining in such a way a substantial optimization of number and alignment times of preforms (3) before blower.

2. Plant according to Claim 1. characterized by means (28) adapted to increase plant productivity thanks to elimination of preforms (3) rejected process, said preforms (3) being now all aligned.

3. Plant according to Claims 1 ,2, characterized in that said means (28) are made of a rotating vane (28).

4. Plant according to Claim 1, characterized in that an eccentric vane (21), which is made by plastic material for food, should spread preforms (3) in correspondence of tank (19) bottom, in such a way that heaps are avoided, which could block the plant.

5. Plant according to Claim 1, characterized by two rotating rollers (23), which are controlled by a motor (24), said motor (24) being adapted to cause two rotating rollers (23) to rotate in a mutually opposite sense, said rollers (23) being arranged on an upwards inclined plan, in order that preforms (3) alignment process could be improved, thanks to force of gravity, said rollers (23) being made of atossic plastic material, so that friction coefficient and noise could be reduced.

6. Plant according to Claim 5, characterized by at least a couple of containment walls (26), said walls being adapted to control falling of preforms (3) from rotating rollers (23) to a couple of transport belts (27), said containment walls (26) being made of self-lubricating material, which allows a substantially easy falling down of preforms (3), and substantially reduces passage noise of preforms (3).

7. Plant according to Claim 6, characterized in that distance between rotating rollers (23), between containment walls (26), which are placed immediately below rollers (23), and between transport belts (27) are adjustable, each one, by means of a plurality of angular transmissions, which are adapted to make the adjustment of axis distances according to a substantially simple way, by operating acting on just one bolt, so that it could be possible to adjust plant operations with a plurality of preform shapes and dimensions.

8. Plant adapted to produce plastic containers, particularly comprising a loading feedbox (1) of preforms (3), an elevator (12) and an aligner (18) of said preforms (3), in order to arrange them according to a regular sequence, said sequence being necessary for inserting preforms into a next blower, characterized by means (2,4,6,7,8,9,11) adapted to guarantee a substantial feeding constancy from loading feedbox (1) to elevator (12), as well as to ensure that number of preforms (3), which leave said feedbox (1), is substantially indipendent from number of preforms (3) entering said loading feedbox (1).

9. Plant according to Claim 8, characterized by a conical shape structure (8) or the like, which is defined by a cylindrical fixed wall (9), said wall (9) being provided with at least an opening (11) through which preforms (3) are leaving in order to feed at least an elevator (12).

10. Plant according to Claims 8,9, characterized in that control of number of preforms (3), which are moving in correspondence of foundation (7) and of number of preforms (3), which are leaving opening (11) are independent from num,ber of pieces, said pieces being entering tank (2), thanks to a conical structure (8), which represents a batcher of preforms (3), said preforms (3) being pushed towards opening (11) by means of structure (8) rotation.

11. Plant according to Claims 8-10, characterized by a rotary conical structure (8), which is adapted to eliminate possibility that preforms (3) are obstructing opening (1 1), avoiding in such a way any danger that .an excessive store of preforms is obtained.

12. Plant according to Claims 8-11, characterized in that rotary conical structure (8) is adapted to reduce danger of preform rubbing, in such a way that problem of dust, which is due to preform rubbing is solve.

13. Plant adapted ,to produce plastic containers, particularly comprising a loading feedbox (1) of preforms (3), an elevator (12) and an aligner (18) of said preforms (3), in order to arrange them according to a regular sequence, said sequence being necessary for inserting preforms into a next blower, characterized by elevator means (12,14,16,17) adapted to lift preforms (3) to un upper floor, said elevator means being made both of modular elements (16), which are obtained with a substantially hard plastic, in order to optimize running and maintenance of a conveyor belt (14), said modular elements (16) being made of decomposable elements, which are in charge to lift preforms (3) and of further elements (17), which are connecting said modular elements (16).

14. Plant according to Claim 13, characterized by a modularity of elevator belt (14), said modularity allowing a variation of both functionality and dimensions of said elevator belt (14), a substitution of one or more worned or damaged components (16,17) being possible, whereas an addition of one or more components (16,17) being necessary for increasing length of elevator belt (14).

15. Plant according to Claims 13,14, characterized in that said elevator belt (14) should solve belt centering problems, substantially by reducing its maintenance and simplifying its assembly and possible part substitution.

16. Plant according to Claims 13-15, characterized in that component (16) should lift preforms (3), as well as should collect more and different dimension preforms (3).

17. Plant according to Claims 1,8,13, characterized by a substantial lay-out flexibility, which should optimize installation and logistical costs.

18. Plant according to Claim 17, characterized in that volume of worked preforms (3), which should feed blowing plant results adjustable also through velocity variation of motor (24), by making said plant adapted to offer performances better than traditional plants and adapted to satisfy requirements of an innovative blower.

19. Plant according to Claim 18, characterized by means adapted to reduce noise produced by preform movement, said means being depending on plastic material, such as plastic for food.