CN113710413B

CN113710413B - Bending assembly for a cover

Info

Publication number: CN113710413B
Application number: CN202080030362.9A
Authority: CN
Inventors: M·斯卡隆; A·贝鲁奇; A·F·布西纳罗
Original assignee: IMA Industria Macchine Automatiche SpA
Current assignee: IMA Industria Macchine Automatiche SpA
Priority date: 2019-04-23
Filing date: 2020-04-22
Publication date: 2024-02-02
Anticipated expiration: 2040-04-22
Also published as: CN113710413A; EP3959032A1; IT201900006222A1; WO2020217186A1

Abstract

There is provided a bending assembly (1) for a cover, comprising a cover (2), the cover (2) having a closing shell (20), the closing shell (20) having a base and a cylindrical wall, the cylindrical wall being provided with a peripheral edge (2 a), the peripheral edge (2 a) being receivable on an inner wall of a warranty seal (21), the bending device comprising a clamping member (3) designed for firmly connecting the closing shell (20), and a deforming member (4) comprising a locking element (400) and a deforming ring (42), the deforming ring (42) being mounted so as to be slidable around the locking element (400), wherein the clamping member (3) and the locking element (400) are mutually movable along a common main axis (1 a) between a rest position, in which the locking element (400) is moved away from the clamping member (3), and a locking position, in which the locking element (400) is moved through the closing shell (20) when the closing shell (20) is connected by the clamping member (3); wherein the deforming ring (42) is mounted slidable along the spindle (1 a) and movable relative to the locking element (400) between a holding position, wherein the deforming ring (42) and the clamping member (3) are located at a first predetermined distance, and a bending position, wherein the deforming ring (42) and the clamping member (3) are located at a second predetermined distance smaller than the first predetermined distance, wherein the deforming ring (42) is configured and shaped to abut against an outer wall of the peripheral edge (2 a) when the deforming ring (42) is in the bending position and the locking element (400) is in the locking position, such that the peripheral edge (2 a) is plastically deformed by a pressure exerted only on an outside of the peripheral edge (2 a).

Description

Bending assembly for a cover

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a bending assembly for a cover.

In particular, the present invention relates to a bending assembly designed as a closed housing capable of assembling a lid, wherein a protective seal portion is contained within the lid housing for lids intended primarily for the food field.

Background

As is known, food covers are characterized by two main components: a closure housing and a product assurance seal for proving proper closure of the food container or indicating that it has been opened.

An example of a warranty seal is a ring consisting of a screw cap on a common liquid bottle (such as soft drink, water or other liquid) that is inserted by interlocking it with a closed housing.

As previously mentioned, the processing of the caps is generally carried out by highly automated machines capable of processing a plurality of parts (in particular caps) in series.

In particular, these machines may comprise a rectilinear or rotary mechanism comprising a main shaft, aligned or radially arranged with respect to a central axis, designed for removing the caps or portions of caps from a continuous line, and designed for processing the caps themselves, or at least parts thereof, along a processing line.

Once the process is complete, the finished caps will be transported back to the production line away from the processing machine.

Typically, there is at least one cutting step and one coupling step during the cap production cycle.

In the cutting step, the clamping member removes a portion of the cover, typically a warranty seal, in order to cut the latter and prepare it for connection to the containment vessel.

Typically, the cutting is performed by a rotating blade centered with respect to the clamping member, and therefore both the clamping member and the cutting member are equipped with rotating or static spindles that are synchronized and centered with respect to each other to achieve precision machining.

Similarly, the coupling step is performed by means of a gripping member equipped with a rotating spindle that overlaps the portions of the cover with each other, and a crushing member designed to close a portion of the casing by plastic deformation processing, while the latter is rotated by the spindle.

Thus, in order to complete the coupling, it is necessary to wait for the breaking member to pass through the entire edge of the cover, in particular the perimeter defined by the closure shell.

Thus, the described prior art comprises some significant drawbacks.

In particular, the breaking member, such as a movable probe in a predetermined direction, needs to be perfectly coordinated with the machining line and within the time required to complete the spindle rotation.

Thus, any inaccuracy may result in multiple subsequent errors in the cap processing, which can have a catastrophic effect on production.

Furthermore, the processing time, in particular the coupling time, is strictly dependent on the path taken by the crushing member, and therefore is not very fast compared to machines performing other processing steps, with the result that the production speed of the finished cap is slowed down.

Disclosure of Invention

In this case, the technical task of the present invention is to devise a bending assembly for a cover which is able to substantially avoid at least some of the drawbacks mentioned above.

In the technical task, an important object of the present invention is to obtain a bending assembly which is easily and permanently synchronized with the supply lines of the cover and the cover part, so as to connect the warranty seal with the closure shell.

Another important object of the present invention is to produce a bending assembly that is capable of increasing the production speed of the finished cap, but avoiding the loss of efficiency and coupling safety.

Drawings

The features and advantages of the present invention will be set forth in the following detailed description of some preferred embodiments of the invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a side cross-sectional view of a bending assembly for a cover according to the present invention, wherein bending has been completed;

FIG. 2 shows a simplified diagram of a portion of a cap tooling apparatus including a cap and/or a bending assembly of cap components according to the present invention;

FIG. 3a is a schematic view of the cover prior to bending; and

FIG. 3b shows a schematic view of the cover after bending to form the connecting seat;

FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional side view of a bending assembly for a cover according to the present invention with the deformable ring in a bent position and the locking element in a locked position; and

fig. 5 shows a cross-sectional side view of the bending assembly for a cover according to the invention, wherein the deformation ring is in the holding position and the locking element is in the rest position.

Detailed Description

In this document, when measured values, shapes and geometric references (e.g., perpendicularity and parallelism) are associated with "approximate" or other like terms (e.g., "nearly" or "substantially"), they are understood to mean that there are no measurement errors or inaccuracies due to production and/or manufacturing errors, and most importantly, that there are no slight differences in the values, measured values, shapes or geometric references associated therewith. For example, if associated with a value, these terms preferably indicate a deviation of no more than 10% of the value itself.

Furthermore, when terms such as "first," "second," "upper," "lower," "primary," and "secondary," are used, they do not necessarily identify an order, relational priority, or relative position, but rather they may be used simply to distinguish between different components more clearly.

Unless otherwise indicated, the measurements and data reported herein should be considered as being made in International Standard atmospheric ICAO (ISO 2533:1975).

Referring to the drawings, a bending assembly for a cover according to the present invention is indicated as a whole by reference numeral 1.

The assembly 1 comprises bending means designed for manufacturing a plurality of caps 2 and at least one cap 2.

In general, the assembly 1 is preferably part of a processing apparatus 10 for a lid 2.

The device 10 is preferably a device designed for processing various types of caps 2, such as screw caps 2 for glass bottles or the like, such as for closing paper and/or plastic packages, such as by the company rileThe produced package is used for containing fruit juice or milk and the like.

Preferably, the processed cover 2 generally comprises at least two parts: a closure housing 20 (e.g., made of metal) and a warranty seal 21 (e.g., made of a polymeric material).

The closure housing 20 is part of a cap designed to close a bottle. It may be made of various materials, such as polymeric materials or metals, more specifically aluminum, with or without internal threads. Typically, but not necessarily, the cap 2 may also include knurled or perforated portions to improve the effectiveness of the grip and to enable the user to easily screw the cap.

However, the seal 21 is preferably an annular portion, e.g. made of a polymer, which interlocks with the interior of the closure housing 20 at the housing edge.

In particular, the closure housing preferably defines a peripheral edge 2a.

The peripheral edge 2a is a portion of the closure housing 20 designed to accommodate the warranty seal 21 and preferably corresponds to a portion of the closure housing 20 in the vicinity of the opening.

Thus, the seal 21 is preferably mounted substantially along the peripheral edge 2a of the closure housing 20.

Furthermore, the peripheral edge 2a is generally larger in cross-section than the rest of the closure housing 20 so as to form a sort of shoulder, thus forming a circular seat.

In summary, the closure casing 20 defines a base and a cylindrical wall provided with a peripheral edge 2a on the inner wall of which a warranty seal 21 can be accommodated.

The apparatus 10 preferably comprises at least a bending device and at least a part of the assembly line 7.

The assembly line 7 is preferably a conveyor capable of moving the caps 2 or cap members 2 (e.g., the closure housing 20 and the warranty seal 21), respectively, along a predetermined trajectory.

In particular, the assembly line 7 may be composed of a plurality of elements designed to define an assembly path 7a.

The assembly path 7a may be defined by conveyor rollers or other gripping elements that move and are designed to transport objects thereon.

In the prior art, there are many examples of different assembly lines 7 on the market that define different assembly paths 7a.

The assembly line 7 also defines an assembly plane 7b.

The fitting plane 7b comprises the fitting path 7a and is preferably a plane along which the cover 2 or the cover part 2 is placed.

For example, if the assembly line 7 comprises conventional conveyor rollers, the assembly plane 7b is defined by the surface of the belt on which the rollers move, while the assembly path 7a is defined by the direction of movement of the belt applied on the rollers.

In any case, along at least a portion of the assembly path 7a, the apparatus 10 preferably comprises one or more components 1.

Thus, the bending assembly 1 preferably defines a transfer station comprised within the apparatus 10 itself.

If the cover 2 is of the type described above, the device 10 may comprise means dedicated to cutting the warranty seal 21 and the corresponding assembly line 7, as well as an assembly 1 dedicated to closing the coupling between the casing 20 and the warranty seal 21. The latter is therefore preferably operatively connected to two assembly lines 7, of which in detail one transports the warranty seal 21 from the cutting device and the other transports the closure housing 20.

As previously mentioned, the assembly includes a bending device.

The bending means preferably define at least one main axis 1a.

The spindle 1a preferably defines the machine direction of the assembly 1.

Thus, when the assembly 1 is part of the apparatus 10, the spindle 1a is preferably perpendicular to the assembly plane 7b.

The bending device preferably comprises at least one clamping member 3 and one deforming member 4.

Here we do not discuss and describe motor means for driving the members 3, 4, as they are known in the art or they are easy to produce, mainly piston engines or more generally designed to allow movement of an object in a specific direction.

Furthermore, the motor means may be powered by various means and the members 3, 4 may be operatively connected to motors independent of each other, or to a single motor coordinating the movement of both members 3, 4.

The clamping member 3 is preferably designed to permanently connect at least a portion of the cover 2.

In particular, the clamping member 3 is preferably designed to firmly connect the closure housing 20. It is ensured that the seal 21 itself can be prepared and already partly enclosed within the closure housing 20 and can thus also be connected to the clamping member 3.

However, it is ensured that the seal 21 is preferably connected to the deformation member 4.

Thus, the clamping member 3 comprises a first portion 30 and a second portion 31.

Preferably, the first portion 30 and the second portion 31 are mutually movable along the spindle 1a to lock the closure housing 20. In particular, the relative movement between the portions 30, 31 enables the closure housing 20 to be permanently locked.

In particular, the first portion 30 defines a support plane 3a.

The support plane 3a is preferably perpendicular to the main axis 1a. Thus, for example, the support plane 3a may be coplanar with respect to the assembly plane 7b or parallel to the same assembly plane 7b.

The second portion 31 defines a machining plane 3b.

The machining plane 3b is preferably perpendicular to the main axis 1a.

Thus, for example, the machining plane 3b may also be coplanar with respect to the assembly plane 7b or parallel to the same assembly plane 7b.

Preferably, the second portion 31 completely encloses the first portion 30 in such a way that at least one working seat is formed when the planes 3a,3b are spaced apart from each other.

The tooling seat is preferably a chamber substantially enclosed in which the housing 20 is partially contained. Furthermore, the closure shell 20 is preferably located on the support plane 3a, and the peripheral edge 2a at least partially encloses said closure shell 20 and protrudes towards the machining plane 3b.

In a preferred embodiment, the first portion 30 may thus be a cylinder centered along the main axis 1a, and the second portion 31 may be a hollow cylinder concentric with the first portion 30.

In this way, the tooling seat is substantially reverse-shaped to at least a portion of the closure housing 20.

Furthermore, the first portion 30 is preferably fixed between the two portions 30, 31, while the second portion 31 is moved and advanced along the main shaft 1a so as to separate the planes 3a, 3b. Thus, when the arrangement of the assembly 1 is arranged in the device 10, the support plane 3a is preferably coplanar with the assembly plane 7b.

In particular, the second portion 31 preferably advances towards the deformation member 4.

The deformation member 4 is preferably designed to plastically deform the cover 2. In particular, the deforming member 4 is designed to deform the cover 2 at the peripheral edge 2a when moving relative to the gripping member 3, so as to form a connecting seat 22 on the cover 2.

The connecting seat 22 is thus basically a chamber formed by the deformed peripheral edge 2a, ensuring the locking of the seal 21 inside it.

The deformation member 4 and the gripping member 3 deform the peripheral edge 2a plastically under pressure, advantageously by mutual translation along a single pass of the spindle 1a.

The deformation member 4 defines a first plane 4a.

The first plane 4a is preferably perpendicular to the main axis 1a.

Thus, for example, the first plane 4a may also be parallel to the assembly plane 7b.

Furthermore, the deformation member 4 comprises a locking element 400.

The locking element 400 is preferably configured to lock the closure housing 20 on the clamping member 3 on command.

In this respect, the clamping member 3 and the locking element 400 are moved relative to each other along the spindle 1a. Thus, the clamping member 3 and the locking element 400 define at least one rest position, in which the locking element 400 is remote from the clamping member 3, and a locked position, in which the locking element 400 passes through the closure housing 20 when the closure housing 20 is connected by the clamping member 3.

More specifically, locking element 400 includes a hollow cylinder 40.

The hollow cylinder 40 is part of a deformation member defining a first plane 4a. The term "planar" means that the hollow cylinder 40 defines at least one lower annular edge designed to enable the locking element 400 to perform its intended operation. The hollow cylinder 40 thus preferably has a lower annular edge lying on the first plane 4a, so that the first plane 4a is aligned with the support plane 3a when the locking element 400 is in the locking position.

In addition, as previously described, the hollow cylinder 40 may also be used to attach the warranty seal 21. In this case, the hollow cylinder 40 is preferably designed to remove the warranty seal 21 by inserting itself into the warranty seal 21 and removing it from, for example, the assembly path 7a.

Thus, the hollow cylinder 40 preferably has dimensions compatible with ensuring the seal 21.

The locking element 400 preferably further comprises a piston 41.

The piston 41 extends along the longitudinal axis 1a. In particular, the piston 41 is arranged within at least a portion of the hollow cylinder 40, so that the hollow cylinder 40 is concentric and slides along the main shaft 1a with respect to the piston 41, and vice versa.

Furthermore, it is designed for pushing a portion of the cover 2 along the spindle 1a. Specifically, the piston 41 defines a second plane 4b.

The second plane 4b is preferably perpendicular to the main axis 1a.

Thus, the second plane 4b may also be parallel to the assembly plane 7b. Furthermore, when the piston 41 and the hollow cylinder 40 are in the locked position, the second plane 4b is placed coplanar with the first plane 4a.

On the other hand, when the piston 41 pushes the closure housing 20 away from the hollow cylinder 40 and the locking element 400 is in or about to reach the rest position, the planes 4a, 4b are spaced apart from each other and the second plane 4b protrudes towards the clamping member 3.

The deformation member 4 further comprises a deformation ring 42.

The deformation ring 42 is preferably mounted such that it can slide around the locking element 400. Furthermore, the deformation ring 42 is mounted so that it can slide along the spindle 1a and move with respect to the locking element 400, in particular along said spindle 1a.

Thus, with respect to the locking element 400, the deformation ring 42 defines at least one holding position, wherein said deformation ring 42 and the clamping member 3 are at a first predetermined distance, and a bent position, wherein the deformation ring 42 and the clamping member 3 are at a second predetermined distance smaller than the first predetermined distance.

Advantageously, when the deformation ring 42 is in the bent position and the locking element 400 is in the locking position, the deformation ring 42 is configured and shaped to abut against the outer wall of the peripheral edge 2a of the closure housing 20.

Therefore, the peripheral edge 2a of the closure housing 20 is plastically deformed when pressure is applied only to the outside of the peripheral edge 2a of the closure housing 20.

Specifically, the deforming ring 42 is configured to cooperate with the locking element 400 to drag the locking element 400 from the rest position to the locking position when the deforming ring 42 is moved from the rest position to the bent position along a predetermined stretch.

Specifically, the locked position is reached before the deformation ring 42 reaches the bent position.

More specifically, the deformation ring 42 moves smoothly on the hollow cylinder 40.

The deforming ring 42 preferably cooperates with the hollow cylinder 40 such that when bending is completed, the deforming ring 42 drags the hollow cylinder 40 from the locked position to the rest position as the deforming ring 42 moves from the bent position to the retaining position.

The deformation ring 42 starts to drag the hollow cylinder 40, and then after the deformation ring 42 has traveled a first predetermined stretch without any drag. Preferably by dragging to both the rest position and the holding position.

To define drag, the deformation ring 42 includes teeth 42a. Thus, the teeth 42a are preferably mounted to slide within the seats 40 a. The seat 40a preferably defines a predetermined stretch with its own travel.

Furthermore, the seat 40a preferably extends along the spindle 1a and is formed on the hollow cylinder 40.

The latter cooperates with the hollow cylinder 40 in terms of the movement of the piston 41, so that when the hollow cylinder 40 moves from the locking position to the rest position under the dragging of the deformation ring 42, as described above, the piston 41 remains in the locking position inside the closure housing 20 for a predetermined period of time until the hollow cylinder 40 is removed from the closure housing 20.

Thus, the piston 41 can exert its repulsive force on the cap 2, ensuring that the cap remains on the clamping member 3.

The movement of the various components may be free or may be opposite or counter to the opposing elements.

In particular, the deformation ring 42 preferably acts opposite to the first elastic means 43 when in said bent position.

This means that when the deformation ring 42 exerts a pushing force on the peripheral edge 2a, the pushing force also depends on the stiffness of the first elastic means 43 employed in the deformation member 4.

Similarly, the assembly 1, in particular the deformation member 4 of the bending device, also comprises second elastic means 44.

When the hollow cylinder 40 has been in the rest position, the second elastic means 44 preferably cooperate with the piston 41 to bring it from the locking position to the rest position.

Basically, the second elastic means 44 exert a resilient force tending to restore the original configuration of the locking element 400, wherein the first plane 4a and the second plane 4b are coplanar.

Thus, the first and second elastic means 43, 44 may comprise various opposing means. They preferably comprise respective springs mounted around the piston 41.

Therefore, the clamping member 3 and the deforming member 4 are substantially preferably aligned along the main axis 1a.

In this respect, the assembly 1 may comprise coupling means 5.

The coupling means 5 are configured to mechanically connect at least a part of the clamping member 3 and a part of the deformation member 4.

In particular, they define a C-shape, also called a velvet neck.

The coupling means 5 thus connect the members 3, 4 so that they are always aligned with the spindle 1a.

In particular, when the bending means are included in the device 10, as previously described, the main axis 1a is perpendicular to the assembly plane 7b, and therefore the coupling means 5 preferably define a C-shape along a plane perpendicular to the assembly path 7a.

Furthermore, the coupling means 5 preferably comprise at least two positioning holes 50.

The locating holes 50 are suitably arranged at the ends of the C-shape.

They are preferably designed to accommodate at least a part of the clamping member 3 and a part of the deformation member 4, respectively. In this way the members 3, 4 can remain relatively locked.

Specifically, the positioning hole 50 is preferably centered along the spindle 1a.

Thus, the positioning hole 50 defines an end of the guide 51.

The guide 51 is essentially a preferred track defined by the locating hole 50, in which locating hole 50 the processed cover 2 is passed through by the members 3, 4. Thus, the guide 51 essentially defines the alignment portion of the members 3, 4.

The machining guide 51 is preferably also suitably centered along the spindle 1a.

Thus, when the closure housing 20 and the warranty seal 21 are arranged within the guide 51, coupling is possible.

In addition to what has been described, the bending device of the assembly 1 comprises an auxiliary member 6.

The auxiliary member 6 is preferably essentially an additional machining element of the members 3, 4 and the members 3, 4 may be machined together or alternately.

The auxiliary member 6 also preferably defines a movement direction 6a.

The direction of movement 6a is basically the direction in which the auxiliary member 6 can be moved in order to machine the cover 2 or the cover part 2 through the bending device.

The movement direction 6a is preferably incident on the spindle 1a. More suitably, the direction of movement 6a is perpendicular to the main axis 1a.

If the bending means are part of the device 10, the direction of movement 6a is preferably parallel or aligned with the assembly plane 7b. Furthermore, it is preferably incident on a suitably perpendicular assembly path 7a.

The auxiliary member 6 is thus designed to move in a movement direction 6a to interact with the cover 2 or a component of the cover 2, preferably the closure housing 20. In particular, the auxiliary member 6 preferably interacts with the closure housing 20 in the guide 51 at predetermined time intervals.

For example, in this respect, the auxiliary member 6 may comprise a clamp designed for locking the cover 2 or a component thereof in a predetermined position on the clamping member 3 using friction. In particular, the auxiliary member 6 is designed to arrange the closure shell 20 on the support plane 3a of the first portion 30, in a central position with respect to the spindle 1a. In this case, the auxiliary member 6 is basically a means for positioning the cover 2 in the guide 51 so as to enable correct machining by means of the members 3, 4.

The auxiliary member 6 may then be arranged at the free end of the assembly 1 or partly encapsulated in the coupling means 5.

The coupling means 5 preferably comprise a through cavity 52.

The through cavity 52 preferably extends along the direction of movement 6a within the coupling device 5 and is designed to accommodate at least a portion of the auxiliary member 6.

Thus, the through cavity 52 functions like a groove in which the auxiliary member 6 can be moved forward or backward.

The invention also includes a new method for bending a cover. Of course, the method is implemented using the assembly 1 as described above.

Thus, the method comprises at least one preparation step, one ligation step and one activation step.

In the preparation step, the assembly 1 is prepared. In detail, therefore, in the preparation step, a cap 2 is prepared, the cap 2 having a closed casing 20, the closed casing 20 having a base and a cylindrical wall, the cylindrical wall being provided with a peripheral edge 2a, on the inner wall of which edge 2a warranty seal 21 can be housed, as well as a bending device as described above.

In the connecting step, the closure shell 20 is then firmly connected to the clamping member 3.

In the activation step, the deformation ring 42 is activated from the holding position to the bent position, preferably by abutting against the outer wall of the peripheral edge 2a of the closure housing 20, so that the peripheral edge 2a of the closure housing 20 is plastically deformed when pressure is applied only on the outer wall of the peripheral edge 2a of the closure housing 20.

Furthermore, during the activation step, the locking element 400 is preferably in contact with the base of the closure housing 20 before the deformation ring abuts against the closure housing 20.

The bending assembly of the cover 1 according to the invention has important advantages.

In fact, the bending means of the assembly 1 enable the coupling between the closure housing 20 and the guarantee seal 21 to be obtained by performing a single translational movement, without the need to use a spindle rotatable about the main shaft 1a.

Furthermore, the configuration of the clamping member 3 additionally ensures the efficiency of the deformation, which enables a significant increase in the processing speed within the apparatus 10.

A further advantage of the assembly 1, in particular of the bending device, is therefore that it can be more easily and permanently synchronized with the supply lines of the cover and the cover part, in order to connect the warranty seal 21 with the closure housing 20.

In summary, another advantage is that the bending means of the assembly 1 are safe, firmly fixing the cover 2 part inside the guide 51.

Changes may be made to the invention which fall within the scope of the inventive concept as defined in the claims. In this context, all details may be replaced with equivalent elements and the materials, shapes and dimensions may be any.

Claims

1. A bending assembly (1) for a cover, comprising:

-a cover (2) having:

-a closed casing (20) with a base and a cylindrical wall provided with a peripheral edge (2 a), and

-a warranty seal (21) independent of the closure shell (20) and separate from the closure shell (20) and receivable on the inner wall of said peripheral edge (2 a), and

-bending means comprising:

clamping means (3) designed for firmly connecting the closure housing (20),

-a deformation member (4) comprising a locking element (400) and a deformation ring (42), the deformation ring (42) being mounted so as to be slidable around said locking element (400),

-the clamping member (3) and the locking element (400) are mutually movable along a shared main axis (1 a) between a rest position and a locking position, wherein in the rest position the locking element (400) is moved away from the clamping member (3), and wherein in the locking position the locking element (400) passes through the closing housing (20) when the closing housing (20) is attached by the clamping member (3);

-the deformation ring (42) is mounted so that it can slide along the spindle (1 a) and move with respect to the locking element (400) between a holding position, in which the deformation ring (42) and the clamping member (3) are at a first predetermined distance, and a bending position, in which the deformation ring (42) and the clamping member (3) are at a second predetermined distance smaller than the first predetermined distance,

the bending assembly (1) is characterized in that

-when the deformation ring (42) is in the bent position and the locking element (400) is in the locked position, the deformation ring (42) is configured and shaped against the outer wall of the peripheral edge (2 a) of the closure housing (20), the peripheral edge (2 a) of the closure housing (20) being plastically deformed by a pressure applied only on an outer portion of the peripheral edge (2 a) of the closure housing (20), thereby forming a connection seat (22) formed by the deformed peripheral edge (2 a), within which connection seat (22) the warranty seal (21) is locked with respect to the closure housing (20).

2. Bending assembly (1) according to claim 1, wherein the clamping member (3) comprises at least one first portion (30) and one second portion (31), the first portion (30) and second portion (31) being mutually movable along the main axis (1 a) so as to lock the closure housing (20).

3. Bending assembly (1) according to claim 2, wherein the first portion (30) defines a support plane (3 a) perpendicular to the main axis (1 a), the second portion (31) defines a machining plane (3 b) perpendicular to the main axis (1 a) and completely encloses the first portion (30) in such a way that the planes (3 a,3 b) form, when the planes (3 a,3 b) are spaced apart, at least one machining seat is created, wherein the closure shell (20) is located on the support plane (3 a) and the peripheral edge (2 a) at least partially encloses the closure shell (20).

4. A bending assembly (1) according to claim 3, wherein the first portion (30) is a cylinder centred along the main axis (1 a), the second portion (31) is a hollow cylinder concentric with the first portion (30), the shape of the working seat being opposite to at least a portion of the closing shell (20).

5. Bending assembly (1) according to claim 1, wherein the deformation ring (42) cooperates with the locking element (400) so as to drag the locking element (400) from the rest position to the locking position when the deformation ring (42) moves along a predetermined stretch from the rest position to the bending position, the locking position being reached before the deformation ring (42) reaches the bending position.

6. Bending assembly (1) according to claim 1, wherein the deformation ring (42) acts against the first elastic means (43) when in the bending position.

7. Bending assembly (1) according to claim 1, wherein the locking element (400) comprises a piston (41) extending along the main shaft (1 a) and a hollow cylinder (40) concentric with respect to the piston (41) and sliding along the main shaft (1 a).

8. Bending assembly (1) according to claim 7, wherein the deformation ring (42) comprises teeth (42 a), said teeth (42 a) being mounted in seats (40 a) extending along the main shaft (1 a) and being formed on the hollow cylinder (40).

9. Bending assembly (1) according to claim 7, wherein the deformation ring (42) cooperates with the hollow cylinder (40) when the deformation ring (42) is moved from the bending position to the holding position, so as to drag the hollow cylinder (40) from the locking position to the rest position at the end of bending, the deformation ring (42) starting to drag the hollow cylinder (40) after having traveled the first pretension without any drag, reaching both the rest position and the holding position.

10. Bending assembly (1) according to claim 9, wherein the piston (41) cooperates with the hollow cylinder (40) so that when the hollow cylinder (40) moves from the locking position to the rest position under the dragging of the deformation ring (42), the piston (41) remains in the locking position inside the closing housing (20) for a predetermined time and until the hollow cylinder (40) has been removed from the closing housing (20).

11. Bending assembly (1) according to claim 10, comprising second elastic means (44), which second elastic means (44) cooperate with the piston (41) to bring it from the locking position to the rest position when the hollow cylinder (40) has been in the rest position.

12. Bending assembly (1) according to claim 11, wherein the first and second elastic means (43, 44) comprise respective springs mounted around the piston (41).

13. Bending assembly (1) according to claim 7, wherein the piston (41) has an abutment head lying on a second plane (4 b) and the hollow cylinder (40) has a lower annular edge lying on a first plane (4 a), the first and second planes lying coplanar at least when the piston (41) and hollow cylinder (40) are in the locked position.

14. Bending assembly (1) according to claim 1, comprising an auxiliary member (6) defining a direction of movement (6 a) incident with the spindle (1 a) and designed to interact with the cover (2) within a predetermined time interval, the auxiliary member (6) comprising at least one clamp designed to lock the cover (2) in a predetermined position on the clamping member (3) using friction.

15. A cap processing apparatus (10) comprising at least a portion of an assembly line (7) for the caps (2), the caps (2) defining an assembly path (7 a) and an assembly plane (7 b) comprising the assembly path (7 a) and at least one bending assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 14, the bending assembly (1) being arranged on the assembly plane (7 b) in such a way that the main axis (1 a) is perpendicular to the assembly plane (7 b).

16. A method of bending a cover comprising the steps of:

-preparing a cap (2), said cap (2) having:

-a closing casing (20), said closing casing (20) having a base and a cylindrical wall with a peripheral edge (2 a) thereon, and

-preparing a bending assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 14;

-firmly connecting the closing casing (20) with the clamping member (3),

-activating the deformation ring (42) from the holding position to the bending position by abutting against the outer wall of the peripheral edge (2 a) of the closure housing (20) so that the peripheral edge (2 a) of the closure housing (20) is plastically deformed when pressure is exerted on the outer wall of the peripheral edge (2 a) of the closure housing (20), the locking element (400) being in contact with the base of the closure housing (20) before the deformation ring abuts against the closure housing (20), thereby forming a connection seat (22) formed by the deformed peripheral edge (2 a), the securing seal (21) being locked relative to the closure housing (20) within the connection seat (22).