DE102005018160A1 - Closing machine for round or non-round metal cans has supply mechanism for metal bodies and lids and relatively rotatable sleeve elements around shaft which can be adjusted in speed for fine adjustment to shape of can - Google Patents

Abstract

The closing machine has a supply mechanism (3) for the metal bodies (1) and lids (2). Several sleeve elements (10, 20, 30) can rotate relative to one another about a common axis (5) whereby the relative rotation is converted into a movement of a closing mechanism (26,36) from and to the common axis to control the movement of the metal bodies in the lid area. The sleeve elements have their own drives. When the shape of the metal can is to be changed only the relative speeds have to be altered.

Description

The The invention relates to a sealing machine for round and non-round metal packaging.

Capping machines for round cylindrical metal packaging are known in many forms, for example from the EP 0 290 874 B1 , Round cylindrical metal packages are commonly referred to as cans. These have a jacket or can body and substantially flat end or cover plates perpendicular to the cylinder axis.

sealing for metal packaging serve the flat tops and bottoms (covers) of the To connect and crimp cans with the can body. For this Both the flat cover sheets and the can bodies are each the closing machine supplied aligned and then over rollers and biased with springs Lever beaded and folded.

additional Problems occur when with sealing machines also non-circular metal packaging should be closed. So these are for example quadrangular or elliptical cans (more correctly: cylindrical cans with quadrangular or elliptical cross-section). They too have a coat and two essentially flat, but not circular, but square, elliptical etc. cover sheets.

Known sealing for non-circular metal packaging are able to up to 40 doses in the machine per minute too close, For high-performance machines maybe a few more. To a complicated system with levers and springs has to be used, the above Closed and shaped curves controlled become. This complicated system must be new for every concrete can shape be conceived. It is required that the metallic rollers along a Verschließstück to the square or elliptical edge run around and each around properly folded and beaded metal areas around this edge press down.

After this the cans went through this first mechanism and on one side are closed, they are then turned by 180 ° and fed to another machine, in which then the bottom the cans are also closed from above. The cans are during this process empty. The mentioned methods serve to produce empty cans, in the later over one special filling mechanism in prepared openings into corresponding content is filled, in particular dangerous goods liquids like gasoline, oil and more.

One special problem arises then, even if only minor changes on the shape of the non-round cans or metal packaging should be made, for example, if a quadrangular The area of the corners can be rounded or sharpened should or if elliptical doses even slightly changed shape or orientation of the ellipse should be made. It must then completely new mechanisms for the crimp, Pressure and closing process built and for one conversion be provided, with the conversion about that Tedious and often more takes as a day. While During this time, the entire system is still and can not be used become.

The considerable changeover times and the necessary design of always new systems with Levers, springs, closing and shape curves is very expensive.

task the invention it is in contrast, a sealing also for to propose non-round metal packaging, which is easier to convert.

These Task is solved through a capping machine for the close of metal packaging with round or non-circular cross-section and with a central axis perpendicular to the cross section, with feed mechanisms for metal packaging hulls and Metal packaging lids, with several relative to each other a common axis rotatable elements whose relative rotation in a movement of a closing mechanism from and to the common Axis of the rotatable elements implemented and so in a movement to precise Control of the metal packaging hulls used in the lid area becomes.

With This invention will not only be possible, the conversion of Significantly simplify plants and thus reduce downtimes to greatly reduce the size of entire plants.

It will also possible, a much higher one To provide throughput as 40 or 60 cans per minute. At first embodiments The invention could achieve this throughput practically to 120 cans per Minute more than doubled.

These are now instead of the known drive of the locking mechanism 'on complicated levers, springs, runways and the sliding clearly different structures used. Movements are focused on relative movements of elements that rotate about a common axis, albeit at different speeds.

When Drive these elements for Their rotation is used in particular servomotors. These enable a particularly sensitive and precise Control of the relative speeds of the elements to each other.

Of the Construction of the sealing machine in a preferred embodiment is characterized by a wave on the center line of the central axis of the Metal packaging hulls aligned for closing is, by several coaxial arranged on the shaft and around this rotatable sleeve elements, by a drive, with each one of the sleeve elements with a controllable changeable rotation speed for one Rotation about the center line of the shaft is drivable by a Lever support, the one with the sleeve elements runs through, through a lever assembly that rotates with another of the sleeve members and from the lever carrier is worn such that the relative rotational speed of the sleeve members leads to a rotation of the lever assembly about the axis of the lever carrier, and by closing elements at the lever arrangements, by the movement of the lever arrangement against the metal packaging hulls to close the same can be pressed with the metal packaging cover plates.

The sealing now works with a shaft on which in particular three sleeve elements (under circumstances more, but three are usually optimal), run.

These three sleeve elements are each preferably on two axially spaced sections with radially encircling teeth fitted. Each sleeve element So it has almost two integrated gears, the common and thus rotatable synchronously about the centerline of the shaft, but with each other are firmly connected. One of these gears serves to drive the sleeve element for his rotary motion around the shaft. Here, a servomotor engages via a corresponding toothed wheel a, that meshes with this first gear of the sleeve member. The other of these gears serves as an output and thus the movement of another with a combing in it Geared element.

Three sleeve elements So with three servomotors are very precisely driven so that each with different or the same speed around the same shaft is turning. The three provided as output gears provide So relative speeds available to each other.

The gears can So have a different rotational speed, where This bypass rate is also controlled.

core the whole in a first practical embodiment is a first sleeve member with a first upper gear coming from a first servomotor is driven and the sleeve member offset in a precisely known rotational speed. This first sleeve member runs along For example, constant speed around and provides a similar Speed at its second intended for downforce Gear available.

These takes care of the movement of all elements of the closing mechanism around the still standing can. would it's just this sleeve element, that would be all elements always at the same distance from the center line of the Wave and thus the central axis of the non-round metal packing, would this stationary metal packaging but constantly orbiting.

Concentric within this sleeve element with the first two gears is a second sleeve element, also with a first, upper gear. To train this, is this second sleeve element axially slightly longer as the first, outer sleeve member educated. The gear is outside practically the same as the first, but of this one in his speed completely independently drivable. The second sleeve element thereby has a relative speed to the first, the while the rotation can constantly change or change. This then applies accordingly for a corresponding second Gear on the axially lower side of the sleeve member.

This Gear is used for adjusting a lever, which the crimping rollers wearing. The crimping rollers themselves are mentioned as mentioned already through the first sleeve element turned around the metal packaging. The lever will go through the second sleeve member and its lower gear closer to the central center brought or from this, depending on the specific, desired distance of the crimping roller according to the concrete form of the quadrangular or elliptical Packing and their distance from the center at this specific place of the edge.

The Bypassing of the can contour and the delivery of the closing rollers or crimping rollers Now takes place through the differential speeds of the drives to each other.

The lever is preferably carried by a lever carrier, which is part of the first Sleeve element driven construction is. The relative speeds of the two sleeve elements are comparatively small; Thus, they only cause a swing back and forth of the lever to the lever carrier.

One third, under the first and second sleeve member, respectively between the shaft and the second sleeve member concentrically arranged sleeve member is again longer in the axial direction than the two aforementioned sleeve elements and also has a gear, which in turn with a third Servomotor is in communication. Again, this is on the axially different Side provided an output. This ensures a corresponding position another lever, which carries a Nachbearbeitungsrolle, the used in the crimping process becomes. The function is the same as that for the crimping rollers.

The Post-processing roller and the first flanging roller are at 90 ° intervals seen with regard to the central shaft, two more Crimping and Post-processing rollers are the first two roles in each case 180 ° opposite and lead at the same time the beading processes on the opposite side Page and its postprocessing. These can be due to their parallel Mode of action and usually symmetrical cross-sectional area the metal packaging of each of the corresponding second or third sleeve element and thus the second or third synchronous motor or other drive be supplied with.

Theoretically is conceivable instead of an arrangement of four such roles in 90 ° distance also an arrangement of 6 rolls in each 60 ° distance or of 8 rolls in 45 ° distance, what in terms of space requirements but only for large metal packaging or Cans could be considered. It However, it should be noted that under certain circumstances further sleeve elements, Drives and gears needed Since the can-symmetry in many cases, although a mirror symmetry, but none for 60 ° turns having.

at the consideration of the running machine shows that the first very complicated appearing process is very easily transparent, since only three sleeve elements different, albeit similar quickly turn around the same axis and two of the gears easily a toothed wedge, or lever during their rotation relative swing back and forth while he turns around the shaft.

The Circulation speed of the sleeve elements and therefore the gears can by a belt drive and running on the belt drive servomotors very fine and changing adjusted.

By a slightly changed one Software in the control of the servomotors move the sleeve elements and thus the output gears immediately differently, so that the lever arrangement another drain around the Metal packing, the comparatively easily foreseen, considered and adjusted can be. A change of the can shape can be practically alone by switching within the software, ie by choosing one other program. Naturally also needs the locking part which is comparatively easy and a change and a conversion of the system within an hour or two allows. About that In addition, a changeover is also much more different Cans possible. Also more common Changes in smaller total quantities can be made so profitable when the appropriate locking parts are kept.

The Using the machine becomes much more versatile. she is characterized by a high degree of flexibility. A change of the can diameter or the can format is determined by a simple, for example, menu-guided Input of dimensions or other data by the user on Operating panel reached, with only a few format change parts are needed. Form curves and closing curves along with scanning rollers as in the prior art are no longer needed. Also the Number of revolutions for closing a certain metal packaging can be changed almost arbitrarily.

Farther can also be a sequence correction in some areas on the circumference of the can respectively.

There The servomotors and the entire system have become much easier is and no longer on the suspension travel and return times consideration must be taken, the machine can run much faster, in attempts there are cycle times of 140 and even almost Have yielded 150 cans per minute.

As a result, now the step of turning the cans to close them on the bottom has already become a delaying moment. As it has been shown, it is possible by installing a second system upside down due to the technically much more accurate to be positioned can bodies and can covers, to close the cans from below, the waves and levers from the bottom attack on the can , This means that the intermediate step of turning around can be omitted, even the turning mechanism, which in turn can cost to the 50,000.00 EUR, is no longer needed, what the Kos Then, for the machine again slightly reduced.

in the The following is an embodiment of the invention with reference to the drawings described in more detail.

It demonstrate:

1 a schematic representation, partially in section, of a closing machine according to the invention;

2 an enlarged view of the area immediately above the metal packaging to be closed;

3 to 10 8 different schematic views from above on the non-round metal packaging to be closed.

The in the 1 Sealing machine shown serves to seal non-circular metal packaging. To recognize right below is a can body 1 , This can body can be elliptical or square, which can not be seen in the side view. Above the can body or metal packaging hull 1 there is a metal packaging cover plate 2 , In the illustrated situation, these two elements have already been fed from the side to the capping machine. You are on a mechanism with a device 3 for feeding and aligning the metal packaging. This has - indicated by an arrow - the metal packaging hull 1 and the metal packaging cover sheet 2 already placed on top of each other and both lifted directly below the other elements. All of this is done at high speed with one metal wrap after the other.

The capping machine itself has in particular a basic structure or holder 4 , This is in the 1 in particular by a vertical stand which carries the various other movable and immovable parts.

An essential part of the sealing machine in this embodiment is a shaft 5 , In the illustrated embodiment, this wave 5 vertical, fixed and not rotating. The device 3 for feeding and aligning the metal packaging therefore has the metal packaging body 1 and the metal packaging cover sheet 2 Already aligned to the shaft so that the center axis of the metal packaging hull 1 , the metal packing cover sheet 2 and the wave 5 all fall on each other.

To the shaft 5 are concentric three sleeve elements 10 . 20 and 30 arranged. These three sleeve elements can wrap around the shaft 5 However, they are not axially movable to her. There may be embodiments in which a rotatability of the shaft 5 and an axial displaceability of the sleeve members 10 . 20 . 30 However, this is usually not required and is therefore not provided in the illustrated embodiment.

For each of the sleeve elements 10 . 20 . 30 is each a drive 11 . 21 . 31 intended. Shown in the drawing is only a first drive 11 , in the form of a servomotor. This servo motor drives above a belt drive above the bracket 4 the capping a drive shaft, the vertical and thus parallel to the shaft 5 stands and in particular ends down in a gear. This gear meshes with a gear 12 , This gear 12 is a part of the sleeve element 10 Being the ultimate of the three sleeve elements 10 . 20 . 30 can be seen.

The three sleeve elements 10 . 20 . 30 have a different axial length so that they are coaxial with each other around the shaft 5 can be arranged, but each axially further extend and thus accessible from the outside. For the first, outer sleeve element 10 This causes it to be in the middle of the shaft 5 accessible from the outside, so that there too the gear 12 for driving the first sleeve element 10 can be recognized as part of the sleeve element. Since you only see it from the side, the teeth of this gear is only hinted at.

From the second, middle sleeve element 20 and the third, inner sleeve member 30 are also the gears 22 respectively 32 to recognize. Here is not shown that the drives 21 and 31 in a similar form as the drive 11 engage in these gears of the sleeve elements.

The speed with which the three sleeve elements 10 . 20 . 30 around the shaft 5 Turn is different controllable, as they are different drives 11 . 21 . 31 are driven. However, the speeds are not very different, so that the relative speed of the sleeve elements can be finely adjusted. Overall, however, the speed results in the more recognizable and still described elements 15 . 25 . 26 . 35 and 36 to be in a circuit around the area where the metal packing cover sheet is 2 on the metal packaging hull 1 to be crimped.

The first, outer sleeve element 10 owns on its bottom, the metal packaging lid sheet 2 and the metal packaging hull 1 nearer a gear 13 for the downforce, with a lever carrier 15 will be carried.

The second, middle sleeve element 20 carries a gear 23 for the downforce. With this gear is a lever assembly 25 turned. This lever arrangement 25 sits on the lever carrier 15 , Now turns the gear 23 for the output faster than the gear 13 for the output of the first, outer sleeve member, this leads to the lever assembly 25 around the lever carrier 15 is turned more or less slightly.

This in turn causes the closer to the metal packaging hull 1 and the metal packaging cover sheet 2 zoomed in or out of this. In this way, very sensitive a delivery of the crimping roller 26 be made to beading.

The third inner sleeve element works in the same way 30 with a gear 33 for its downforce, on the other side a lever arrangement 35 and a post-processing role 36 also delivered. When crimping and closing of metal packaging, it is regularly appropriate, first with a crimping roller 26 and then with a post-processing role 36 the same passage of the elements of metal packaging hull to be joined 1 and metal packaging lid sheet 2 to edit.

Now, if the shape of the metal packaging to be closed to be changed, only the relative velocities must be changed, with which the sleeve elements 10 . 20 . 30 through the drives 11 . 21 . 31 are driven. This can be prepared for any conceivable form by a corresponding software program that performs the control of the servo motors.

In the 2 The same mechanism is shown, but this time for enlargement without the drive 11 to better recognize the individual elements.

The 3 to 10 show successively seen from above, as the crimping roller 26 and the post-processing role 36 relative to the lever carrier 15 behavior.

It is therefore a view approximately parallel to the wave 5 from above, with the entire mechanism omitted.

One sees, then, that in the sequential succession of images in the 3 to 10 the lever carrier 15 in a circle around the roughly rectangular metal packaging hull 1 herumkreist. It should be noted that here are several levers 15 is provided, as well as several roles must be delivered in each case.

The lever carriers 15 each carry the lever arrangements 25 respectively 35 with the crimping and finishing rolls 26 . 36 , These roles therefore primarily revolve around these roles 26 . 36 in the same way the metal packaging hull 1 however, upon closer inspection, they change their distance from the central axis of the shaft 5 or the metal packaging hull 1 and so closely match the shape of the metal packaging hull 10 at. It is stated in each case that, of course, an approximation and then also a removal from the metal packaging body must be provided.

It shows 3 the beginning of the employment of the I-rolls, these are the Vorrollen or flanging rolls 26 ,

4 shows that the I-rollers or crimping rollers 26 are now employed.

5 shows that the II rolls or finished rolls or rework rolls 36 now start to be hired.

6 shows that the II-rolls or post-processing rolls 36 are now employed.

7 shows that the I-rolls or flanging rolls 26 now learn the beginning of the shutdown.

8th shows that the I-rolls or flanging rolls 26 are now turned off.

9 shows that now the II-rolls or post-processing rolls 36 learn the beginning of the shutdown.

10 shows that the II-rolls or wrap-up rolls are now turned off.

When Example is selected a can format 164 × 125 / R20.

1

Metal packaging Hull

2

Metal packaging cover sheet

3

contraption for feeding and aligning the metal packaging

4

bracket and basic structure of the capping machine

5

Wave, fixed here and not turning

10

first, outer sleeve member

11

first Drive or first servomotor

12

gear for driving the first sleeve element

13

gear for the output

15

lever support

20

second, middle sleeve element

21

second Drive or second servomotor

22

gear for driving the second sleeve element

23

gear for the output

25

lever assembly

26

flanging

30

third, inner sleeve element

31

third Drive or third servomotor

32

gear for driving the third sleeve element

33

gear for the output

35

lever assembly

36

post-roll

Claims (7)

Sealing machine for closing metal packaging with a round or non-circular cross-section and with a central axis perpendicular to the cross-section, with feeding mechanisms ( 3 ) for metal packaging hulls ( 1 ) and metal packaging lids ( 2 ) characterized by several relative to each other about a common axis ( 5 ) rotatable elements ( 10 . 20 . 30 ), whose relative rotation in a movement of a closing mechanism ( 26 . 36 ) from and to the common axis ( 5 ) of the rotatable elements ( 10 . 20 . 30 ) and so for a movement for precise control of the metal packaging hulls ( 1 ) is used in the lid area. Closing machine according to claim 1, characterized by a shaft ( 5 ), on whose center line the central axis of the metal packaging hulls ( 1 ) is aligned for closing, by a plurality of coaxial on the shaft ( 5 ) and about these rotatable sleeve members ( 10 . 20 . 30 ), by a drive ( 11 . 21 . 31 ), with each one of the sleeve elements ( 10 . 20 . 30 ) with a controllably variable rotational speed for rotation about the center line of the shaft ( 5 ) is driven by a lever carrier ( 15 ) connected to one of the sleeve elements ( 10 ), by a lever arrangement ( 25 . 35 ) connected to another of the sleeve elements ( 20 . 30 ) and from the lever carrier ( 15 ) is carried such that the relative rotational speed of the sleeve members ( 10 . 20 . 30 ) to a rotation of the lever arrangement ( 25 . 35 ) about the axis of the lever carrier ( 15 ), and by closing elements ( 26 . 36 ) on the lever arrangements ( 25 . 35 ) caused by the movement of the lever arrangement ( 25 . 35 ) against the metal packaging hulls ( 1 ) for closing the same with the metal packaging cover sheets ( 2 ) are depressible. Closing machine according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that as a drive for the rotatable about the common axis elements or the sleeve elements ( 10 . 20 . 30 ) Servo motors ( 11 . 21 . 31 ) are used. Closing machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that three sleeve elements ( 10 . 20 . 30 ) with three independent drives ( 11 . 21 . 31 ) are provided. Closing machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each sleeve element ( 10 . 20 . 30 ) with a gear ( 13 . 23 . 33 ) equipped with another, one of the drives ( 11 . 21 . 31 ) driven gear ( 13 . 23 . 33 ) combs. Closing machine according to claim 5, characterized in that each sleeve element ( 10 . 20 . 30 ) with a second gear ( 23 ), which serves as an output. Closing machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each sleeve element ( 10 . 20 . 30 ) with one of the drives ( 11 . 21 . 31 ) is connected via a belt drive.