CN212244484U

CN212244484U - Capping device and capping machine for applying closure elements to respective containers

Info

Publication number: CN212244484U
Application number: CN201922165406.6U
Authority: CN
Inventors: 恩里科·卢卡尼
Original assignee: Sidel SpA
Current assignee: Sidel SpA
Priority date: 2018-12-07
Filing date: 2019-12-06
Publication date: 2020-12-29
Anticipated expiration: 2029-12-06
Also published as: DE202019106761U1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a capping device for applying a closure element to a corresponding container; the capping device comprises an actuating portion (4) and an engaging portion (6), the actuating portion (4) being configured to be engaged by an actuating member designed to cause an operating movement of the actuating portion (4), while the engaging portion is mounted to the actuating portion (4) and is configured to receive and retain at least one respective closing element and to apply the respective closing element to a respective container. The capping device is intended to be treated by means of a liquid which, during use, flows at least through the actuating portion (4), and comprises a discharge device (14) configured to allow the discharge of the liquid from the actuating portion (4). And to capping machines for applying closure elements to respective containers.

Description

Capping device and capping machine for applying closure elements to respective containers

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a capping device for applying a closing element, in particular a cap, even more preferably a threaded cap, to a respective container, in particular a container containing a pourable product, preferably a pourable product of the food product type.

Background

It is known that many pourable products, such as liquid products (for example mineral oils, lubricating oils or washing substances), liquid products of the food type (for example milk, fruit juices, drinks with pulp or drinks in general) or granular or powdered products (for example flour, sugar, salt, etc.), are sold in containers of different shapes and sizes and made of different materials (for example bottles or cartons or tins), which at the end of the filling process are subjected to a closing operation in special machines, commonly known as capping machines.

Generally, known capping machines form part of more complex processing machines designed to perform various subsequent processing operations on the containers, such as filling, closing and labelling, the final operations being performed before, during or after filling and/or capping.

Conventional capping machines generally comprise at least one carousel rotating about an axis (preferably a vertical axis), which in turn comprises a plurality of peripheral seats (receiving seats) for respective containers and a plurality of capping devices, generally called "capping heads", which are arranged in alignment, preferably vertically, with the respective peripheral seats and can be selectively actuated in order to apply a corresponding closure element, for example a corresponding cap, on each container.

Typically, the receptacles and capping heads for the containers are evenly distributed about the carousel axis and rotated about the axis by the carousel.

The capping head is also able to perform a downward/upward movement in order to perform the operation of applying the caps onto the corresponding containers during the carousel rotation movement.

More precisely, in some cases the upward/downward movement of the capping head is a translational movement parallel to the axis of the carousel; in other cases, the upward/downward movement of the capping head is a rotational/translational movement, i.e. a movement having a translational component parallel to the carousel axis and a rotational component about its axis parallel to the carousel axis.

Feeding the containers and caps to be closed to the carousel by means of respective conveying means (for example starwheels and/or linear conveyors); similarly, the closed containers are extracted and removed from the carousel by means of other conveying means, which in this case also usually consist of star wheels and/or linear conveyors.

In general, a capping head of known type comprises:

an actuating portion, generally arranged on top of the capping head and designed to be connected to an actuating member, generally an actuating shaft, coaxially arranged with respect to the axis of the capping head and configured to perform the above-mentioned rotary/translational movement of the capping head; and

an engagement portion, generally arranged on the bottom of the capping head, mechanically connected to the actuation portion and configured to receive and hold in sequence a plurality of caps to be applied and to apply them in sequence to respective containers.

In detail, the actuation portion is provided with a receptacle, generally formed in the top axial end of said actuation portion and designed to be engaged by the aforesaid actuation shaft.

In more detail, the actuating shaft is rigidly connected to the receptacle in a releasable manner, for example by means of a threaded coupling. It is known in the art that a cleaning process is required periodically for the capping machine, and in particular for the capping device, to ensure a proper level of hygiene for the capping process.

Typically, at the end of each production cycle, the treatment is carried out using a cleaning liquid (typically water or water with a cleaning substance dissolved therein) which is supplied to the top of the capping machine.

In this manner, cleaning fluid flows over each of the outer components of the capping machine, and thus over each of the outer components of the capping head.

Although they are operationally effective, the applicant has noted that capping machines, and in particular capping units, operating in accordance with the above-described arrangements can be further improved.

In particular, there is a need in the art to maximize the drainage of the capping device after the cleaning process.

SUMMERY OF THE UTILITY MODEL

It is an object of the present invention to provide a capping device that is extremely reliable and low-cost, while satisfying the aforementioned requirements associated with known types of capping devices.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by a capping device as described below. Providing a capping device for applying a closure element to a respective container; the capping device comprises: -an actuating portion configured to be engaged by an actuating member designed to cause an operating movement of said actuating portion; and-an engagement portion mounted on said actuation portion and configured to receive and retain at least one respective closure element and to apply the respective closure element on the respective container; the capping device is treated by means of a liquid which, during use, flows through at least the actuating portion; the capping device comprises a discharge device configured to allow discharge of the liquid from the actuating portion.

Drawings

In order to facilitate the understanding of the present invention, a non-limiting preferred embodiment thereof is described by way of example only and with the aid of the accompanying drawings, in which:

figure 1 is an axial section of a capping device according to the present invention, with parts removed for greater clarity; and

fig. 2 is a perspective view, partly in section, of the capping device according to fig. 1, with some parts removed for greater clarity.

Detailed Description

With reference to the figures, numeral 1 indicates as a whole a capping device for applying closure elements, in particular caps 2, to respective containers 3 (only one of which is schematically shown in fig. 1), in particular containers intended to contain pourable products, preferably of the food product type.

According to a known configuration, not described in detail, the capping device 1 forms part of a capping machine (known per se and not shown) configured to apply caps 2 onto respective containers 3 (for example bottles).

According to a preferred embodiment, the capping machine comprises at least one carousel (not shown) which rotates about a longitudinal axis, preferably a vertical axis.

The carousel in turn comprises a plurality of receptacles for respective containers 3 and a plurality of capping devices 1 arranged in alignment, preferably vertically, with respective peripheral seats.

Preferably, the receptacles and the capping devices 1 are evenly distributed about the carousel axis and are rotated about the same axis by the carousel.

For the sake of simplicity of description, reference will be made below to a single capping device 1 for applying caps 2 to respective containers 3.

However, the functional and structural features described below for this capping device 1 apply to all capping devices of a capping machine.

In particular, the capping device 1 has a longitudinal axis a, which is preferably vertical and parallel to the carousel axis during use, and can be selectively actuated to apply the respective cap 2 to the respective container 3.

According to this preferred non-limiting embodiment, the container 3 is a bottle, preferably made of plastic or glass or aluminium, and the cap 2 is a pre-threaded (internal), preferably removable, cap configured to be screwed onto the neck 3a of said bottle.

According to an alternative embodiment, not shown, the container 3 is a bottle, preferably made of plastic or glass or aluminium; in this case, the cap 2 is a crown cap (crown cap) configured to be applied to the container 3 by means of pressure.

As can be seen from fig. 1, the capping device 1 basically comprises:

an actuation portion 4 configured to be engaged by an actuation member, in particular by an actuation shaft 5, designed to cause an operating movement of said actuation portion 4; and

an engagement portion 6 mounted on the actuating portion 4 and configured to receive and retain the cap 2 and to apply said cap 2 to the respective container 3.

In detail, the actuation portion 4 is arranged coaxially with respect to the axis a on the top 7 of the capping device 1 and is provided with a receptacle 8, this receptacle 8 being formed in the axial top end of the actuation portion 4 and being designed to be engaged by the actuation shaft 5.

In more detail, the receptacle 8 is coaxially arranged with respect to the axis a, and the actuating shaft 5 is housed, preferably mounted, even more preferably rigidly mounted, in a releasable manner, for example by means of a threaded coupling, within the receptacle 8.

Thus, the actuating shaft 5 is also arranged coaxially with respect to the axis a.

In particular, the actuating shaft 5 is suitably rotatably connected to the capping machine in a known manner not described in detail, and carries the capping device 1 in such a way that the capping device 1 is suspended vertically along the axis a.

In detail, the actuation shaft 5 is configured to transmit (imprart) a roto-translational motion to the capping device 1, defining the above-mentioned operating motion.

In the case where the cap 2 is a crown cap (not shown), the movement transmitted by the actuation shaft 5 is a translational movement.

According to an alternative embodiment not described, the actuation shaft 5 transmits a purely rotational movement during use.

In this particular example, the actuation shaft 5 is configured to transmit a translational motion along the axis a and a rotational motion about the axis a.

In view of the above description, the actuation portion 4 is rotatable about the axis a.

The engagement portion 6 is arranged coaxially with respect to the axis a on the bottom 9 of the capping device 1 and is provided with an engagement seat 10, which engagement seat 10 is formed in the axial bottom end of the actuation portion 4 and is designed to receive, hold and release the cap 2.

Preferably, the engagement seat 10 is arranged coaxially with respect to the axis a.

More precisely, the engagement portion 6 is connected to the actuation portion 4 by means of a connecting portion 11 known per se and not described in detail.

In detail, the actuation portion 4 and the engagement portion 6 are provided with

cavities

12 and 13, respectively, which

cavities

12 and 13 are configured to be engaged by opposite parts of the connection portion 11. Thus, the connecting portion is arranged along the central portion 15 of the cover device 1.

In more detail, the connection portion 11 comprises a plurality of mechanical elements (bearings, seals, thrust bearings, bushes, magnetic clutches) known and not described in detail, which are necessary for operating the capping device 1 and for performing the capping process correctly and predefinitedly.

During use, the capping machine, in particular the capping device 1, should be subjected to a treatment, in particular a washing treatment, which is carried out by means of a liquid, preferably a washing liquid, such as water or water with one or more washing substances dissolved therein.

Preferably, said washing treatment is performed periodically, for example at the end of each production cycle, and is intended to ensure a proper level of hygiene of the capping process.

In detail, the cleaning liquid is supplied (e.g., sprayed) toward the capping device 1.

Thus, the cleaning liquid flows through the actuating portion 4 during use and then falls by gravity onto the rest of the capping device 1 (i.e. the connecting portion 11 and the engaging portion 6).

The applicant has noted that it may happen that any residual washing liquid flowing over the actuation shaft 5 may penetrate into the receptacle 8, thereby adversely affecting the hygiene of the capping process.

In order to overcome this technical problem, the capping device 1 comprises a discharge device 14, the discharge device 14 being configured to allow the discharge of the washing liquid from the actuation portion 4, in particular from the receptacle 8.

As can be seen in the figures, the discharge device 14 comprises a plurality of discharge channels 16, in the example shown four discharge channels 16, for the washing liquid that may be present in the receptacle 8 provided in the actuating portion 4.

More precisely, each discharge channel 16:

via an opening 17, in particular an axial through hole, in fluid connection with the receptacle 8 on the first end 16a of the discharge channel 16; and

via an opening 18, in particular a radial through hole, in fluid connection with the environment outside the actuation portion 4, in particular with the environment outside the closure device 1, on a second end 16b of the discharge channel 16 opposite to the first end 16 a.

Each discharge channel 16 therefore extends radially from axis a towards the aforesaid external environment inside actuating portion 4.

Preferably, the discharge passage 16 is substantially linear.

According to an alternative embodiment, not shown, the discharge channel 16 may have one or more curved sections.

In view of the above, the discharge channel 16 is configured to allow discharge of washing liquid from the receptacle 8 in a radial direction due to the action of centrifugal forces acting on the actuation portion 4 during the above-mentioned rotational movement transmitted by the actuation shaft 5 during use.

As can be seen in fig. 2, the receptacle 8 comprises an axial bottom wall 19, which bottom wall 19 defines an axial stop surface for the actuating shaft 5.

In detail, the bottom wall 19 has an annular form coaxial with the axis a and is provided with the above-mentioned axial opening 17. In more detail, the axial opening 17 is arranged circumferentially on the bottom wall 19 with respect to the axis a, so as to collect, during use, the washing liquid removed from said axis a by the action of the above-mentioned centrifugal force.

In particular, each discharge channel 16 is conveniently arranged in an axial position below the bottom wall 19, so as to promote the flow of the washing liquid, due to gravity, from the receptacle 8 towards said discharge channel 16.

As shown in the figures, the actuating portion 4 has an outer profile 20, which outer profile 20 is inclined with respect to the axis a by an angle comprised between 0 ° and 89 °, preferably between 0 ° and 45 °.

In other words, the outer contour 20 has no surface perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the axis a, i.e. a horizontal or substantially horizontal surface.

In this way, an accumulation of cleaning liquid on the outer contour 20 is prevented.

In the same way, the connecting portion 11 and the engaging portion 6 have respective outer profiles which do not have a horizontal or substantially horizontal surface.

According to this preferred non-limiting embodiment, the capping device 1 further comprises an ejection member, in particular a rod 21, which is positioned coaxially with respect to the axis a and is arranged at least partially within the actuation portion 4, the engagement portion 6 and the connection portion 11, and is configured to eject the cap 2 from the engagement seat 10 in the event that the cap 2 remains within the engagement seat 10 due to non-standard operating conditions.

In detail, the rod 21 is arranged coaxially with respect to the axis a, is housed inside the capping device 1 and passes through the actuating portion 4, the connecting portion 11, and a portion of the engaging portion 6.

In more detail, the stem 21 is inserted inside the device 1 through the receptacle 8 and the cavity 12 and is partially housed inside the cavity 13.

More precisely, the lever 21 is mounted on the actuating portion 4 by its top 21 a. Even more precisely, the rod 21 is connected to the actuating portion 4 by means of a bushing 23, the bushing 23 being arranged radially between the rod 21 and the actuating portion 4 and projecting partly inside the receptacle 8.

The stem 21 comprises a thrust member, in particular a tip 22, which projects axially from an axial bottom end 21b of said stem 21.

During use, the tip 22 is configured to penetrate axially from the top down into the engagement seat 10, so as to push out the cap 2 remaining in the engagement seat 10 after capping operations.

The applicant has noticed that in some cases any of the above-mentioned residual cleaning liquid may seep out of the receptacle 8 inside the cavity 12 through the bushing 23, thus coming into contact with the above-mentioned mechanical elements and shortening their useful life.

Advantageously, the capping device 1 further comprises a sealing element, preferably an O-ring 24, operatively, in particular radially, arranged between the stem 21 and the actuation portion 4, in particular between the stem 21 and the bushing 23.

Basically, the O-ring 24 is in contact with the bushing 23 and the rod 21 and is compressively mounted between the bushing 23 and the rod 21.

The O-ring 24 thus forms a fluid seal between the environment outside the actuation portion 4 and the environment inside the actuation portion 4, in particular between the receptacle 8 and the cavity 12.

In this way, cleaning liquid is prevented from flowing from the receptacle 8 to the interior of the closure 1.

Preferably, the capping device 1 further comprises a further sealing element, preferably an O-ring 25, operatively, in particular radially, arranged between the stem 21 and the engagement portion 6.

The O-ring 25 defines a fluid right seal between the environment outside the joint part 6 and the environment inside the joint part 6.

Basically, the O-ring 25 is in contact with the engaging portion 6 and the rod 21 and is compressively mounted between the engaging portion 6 and the rod 21.

In this way, any penetration of the cleaning liquid into the joint portion 6 is prevented. Furthermore, any lubricant, such as oil and grease, contained within the engaging portion 6 and the connecting portion 11 is prevented from penetrating towards the engaging seat 10 and therefore towards the neck 3a of the container 3 to be or already capped.

The operating principle of the capping device 1 according to the present invention will be described below with particular reference to an initial condition in which the cap 2 to be applied is received and held by the engaging seat 10 and the container 3 to be capped is placed under the engaging portion 6, in particular coaxially with respect to the engaging seat 10.

In this case, the actuation shaft 5 causes a translational movement of the device 1 towards the container 3; when the thread of the cap 2 comes into contact with the thread on the neck 3a, the actuation shaft 5 transmits a rotational movement to the actuation portion 4, which is transmitted to the engagement portion 6 via the connection portion 11.

Once the cap 2 is screwed down, the device is removed from the container 3 with a corresponding upward axial translation movement.

At this time, the rod 21 is operated to penetrate into the engaging seat 10. If the cap 2 is present therein, the cap 2 is pushed out with pressure by the tip 22.

The drain channel 16 allows draining any residual cleaning liquid present in the receptacle 8 during and/or after the cleaning process. Furthermore, the O-

rings

24 and 25 seal the interior of the actuating portion 4, the connecting portion 11 and the engaging portion 6 in a fluid-tight manner.

The outer contour 20 in the form of an incline prevents any accumulation of cleaning liquid.

By looking at the characteristic features of the capping device 1 according to the present invention, the advantages obtainable with said device can be clearly seen.

In particular, due to the discharge channel 16, the O-

rings

24 and 25 and the outer contour 20 in the form of an inclination, the discharge capacity of the cover device 1 and the liquid-tight sealing of its inner components are improved.

This results in longer service life of the components and more hygienic capping process.

Finally, it is clear that modifications and variations can be made to the capping device 1 described and illustrated herein without thereby departing from the scope of protection defined by the claims.

Claims

1. Capping means for applying the closure elements to the respective containers; the capping device comprises:

-an actuation portion (4) configured to be engaged by an actuation member designed to cause an operating movement of said actuation portion (4); and

-an engagement portion (6) mounted on the actuation portion (4) and configured to receive and retain at least one respective closure element and to apply the respective closure element on the respective container;

the capping device being treated by means of a liquid which, during use, flows at least through the actuating portion (4);

the capping device comprises a discharge device (14) configured to allow the liquid to be discharged from the actuation portion (4).

2. A capping device according to claim 1, wherein the actuating portion (4) is provided with at least one receptacle (8), the receptacle (8) being designed to be engaged by the actuating member;

and wherein the discharge means (14) is configured to allow discharge of the liquid from the receptacle (8).

3. A capping apparatus as claimed in claim 2, having a longitudinal axis (a);

the actuation portion (4) being rotatable about the longitudinal axis (A);

the receptacle (8) is arranged coaxially with respect to the longitudinal axis (A);

wherein the discharge device (14) comprises at least one discharge channel (16) provided in the actuating portion (4) for discharging the liquid, the discharge channel (16) being in fluid connection with the receptacle (8) on a first end (16a) thereof and with an environment outside the actuating portion (4) on a second end (16b) thereof opposite to the first end (16 a).

4. A closure device according to claim 3, wherein the discharge channel (16) extends radially from the receptacle (8) and is configured to allow discharge of the liquid from the receptacle (8) due to the effect of centrifugal forces acting on the actuating portion (4) during the operating movement during use.

5. A closure device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the receptacle (8) comprises an axial bottom wall (19), the bottom wall (19) defining an axial stop surface for the actuating member;

and wherein the discharge channel (16) is arranged in a position axially below the bottom wall (19).

6. A capping device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, having a longitudinal axis (A);

wherein the actuation portion (4) has an outer profile (20), the outer profile (20) being inclined at an angle of between 0 ° and 89 ° with respect to the longitudinal axis (A) so as to prevent the liquid from accumulating on the outer profile (20).

7. A closure device according to claim 6, wherein the outer profile (20) is inclined at an angle of between 0 ° and 45 ° with respect to the longitudinal axis (A).

8. The capping device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the engagement portion (6) comprises an engagement seat (10), the engagement seat (10) being configured to receive, retain and release the closure element;

the capping device further comprises an ejection member arranged at least partially within the actuation portion (4) and the engagement portion (6) and configured to eject the closure element from the engagement seat (10);

wherein the means for covering further comprise at least one sealing element operatively arranged between the ejector member and the actuation portion (4) and defining a fluid seal between an environment external to the actuation portion (4) and an environment (12) internal to the actuation portion (4).

9. The capping device according to claim 8, further comprising at least one further sealing element operatively arranged between the ejector member and the engagement portion (6) and defining a fluid seal between an environment external to the engagement portion (6) and an environment (12) internal to the engagement portion.

10. Capping device for applying a closure element to a respective container, said capping device comprising:

-an actuation portion (4) configured to be engaged by an actuation member designed to cause an operating movement of said actuation portion (4);

-an engagement portion (6) mounted on the actuation portion (4) and configured to receive and retain at least one respective closure element and to apply the respective closure element to the respective container; and

-an ejection member arranged at least partially within the actuation portion (4) and the engagement portion (6) and configured to eject the closure element from the engagement portion (6);

the capping device further comprises at least one sealing element operatively arranged between the ejector member and the actuation portion (4) and defining a fluid seal between an environment external to the actuation portion (4) and an environment (12) internal to the actuation portion (4).

11. The capping device according to claim 10, further comprising at least one further sealing element operatively arranged between the ejector member and the actuation portion (4) and defining a fluid seal between an environment external to the actuation portion (4) and an environment (12) internal to the engagement portion (6).

12. A closure arrangement according to claim 10 or 11, which is treated by means of a liquid which, during use, flows at least through the actuating portion (4);

wherein the capping device comprises a discharge device (14), the discharge device (14) being configured to allow discharge of the liquid from the actuation portion (4).

13. A capping device according to claim 12, wherein the actuating portion (4) is provided with at least one receptacle (8), the receptacle (8) being designed to be engaged by the actuating member;

14. A capping apparatus as claimed in claim 13, having a longitudinal axis (a);

the actuation portion (4) being rotatable about the longitudinal axis (A);

15. A closure device according to claim 14, wherein the discharge channel (16) extends radially from the receptacle (8) and is configured to allow discharge of the liquid from the receptacle (8) due to the effect of centrifugal forces acting on the actuating portion (4) during the operating movement during use.

16. A closure device according to claim 14, wherein the receptacle (8) comprises an axial bottom wall (19), the bottom wall (19) defining an axial stop surface for the actuating member;

17. A capping apparatus as claimed in claim 16, having a longitudinal axis (a);

18. A closure device according to claim 17, wherein the outer profile (20) is inclined at an angle of between 0 ° and 45 ° with respect to the longitudinal axis (a).

19. A capping machine for applying closure elements to respective containers, the capping machine comprising at least one capping device according to any one of claims 1 to 18.