Container-handling apparatus
AssigneeKHS GmbH
InventorOliver Matle
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A container-handling apparatus, in particular a filling machine for filling cans or similar containers with liquid contents, has a first transporter for a container infeed, a downstream rotor with a plurality of handling positions for handling the containers, and a second transporter downstream of the rotor and forming a container outfeed. The second transporter is a chain conveyor with at least one guide finger having first and second guide portion, which receives the as yet unsealed containers and guides them by the first guide portion initially along a first, at least partially curved transport path portion, continuously in contact with a guide rail, before the second guide portion of the guide finger then conveys the container on a straight, second transport path portion along the container treatment path.
Claims18
A container-handling apparatus, comprising:
- a first transporter configured as a container infeed for containers;
- a rotor arranged downstream of said first transporter in a handling direction and configured to rotate about a machine axis;
- said rotor having a plurality of handling positions for handling the containers;
- and
- a second transporter arranged downstream of said rotor in the handling direction and configured as a container outfeed, said second transporter having a first transport path portion which is curved, at least in sections thereof, and a substantially straight second transport path portion;
- said second transporter being a chain conveyor with at least one guide finger mounted for movement with an endlessly circulating driven conveying means, said at least one guide finger having a first guide portion and a second guide portion;
- said at least one guide finger being configured to take over a respective container, handled and treated at a handling position of said rotor and not yet closed, and to guide the container with said first guide portion initially along said first transport path portion continuously in firm contact with a guide rail in the handling direction, before said at least one guide finger conveys the container, by said second guide portion on said second transport path portion;
- said first guide portion forming a first contact surface and said second guide portion forming a second contact surface, each provided for a firm contact engagement of an outer casing surface of the respective container;
- and
- said first contact surface being a flat planar surface, and said second contact surface of said second guide portion immediately adjoining said first contact surface, via a smooth transition, and forming a concave transport pocket.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.