DE102021127329A1 - Device for feeding caps to a capper in a beverage bottling plant - Google Patents

Abstract

Device (20) for supplying closures (2) to a closure device (10) for closing containers with the closures (2), preferably in a beverage bottling plant, the device (20) having: a closure channel (21) for supplying the closures (2) to the capper (10), the capping chute (21) being arranged and set up in such a way that the caps (2) are guided and transported along a transport path defined by the capping chute (21); and a stopping device (23) having a stopper (230) arranged to decelerate and stop the supply of the caps (2) to the capper (10) in the capping chute (21) along a braking distance (B).

Description

technical field

The present invention relates to a device for supplying closures to a closure for closing containers with the closures, preferably in a beverage bottling plant.

State of the art

Cappers are known for applying caps to filled containers, for example for applying crown caps or screw caps to bottles in beverage bottling plants. A capper in a rotary design has a rotating carousel on the circumference of which a number of capping elements and associated container holders are mounted. The container to be closed is transferred to a container holder of the carousel via a container feed, for example via a transfer star wheel, and is closed with a closure by means of an associated closing element during transport along a pitch circle of the carousel. Such a capper is for example in DE 10 2012 103 518 A1 described.

The caps are usually fed to the capper via a capping chute, through which the caps are either transferred directly to the capper or to a so-called pick wheel, which is arranged in front of the actual capper and the caps provided by the capping chute in a continuous stream on the required division/clocking brings. In order to ensure that the closures produced in a separate device or system reach the capper in the correct manner, the closures are provided in advance by means of a provision device, including, for example, a sorting and/or alignment of the closures. In this case, the supply device is usually arranged above the capper and is connected to the capper via the capping chute, in which the sorted and correctly aligned caps are guided. The caps then slide from the supply device to the capper due to their own weight or driven in some other way. Such a system of capper, delivery device and capping chute is, for example, from DE 10 2018 129 548 A1 out.

In regular operation it can happen that there is no container to be sealed in the capper due to a malfunction or for other reasons. A gap occurs in the sequence of containers to be sealed. In this case, the cap chute should not transfer a cap to the capper, otherwise the excess cap may cause malfunctions in the capper. For this reason it is known to install a stopper on the capping chute, the task of which is to block the flow of caps to the capper when necessary. The stopper includes an actuatable finger which, when required, engages the closure channel and stops closure feeding. A shutter feeder with a stopper is shown, for example, in DE 10 2012 110 102 A1 described.

Such a stopper causes an abrupt stop, as a result of which, due to the mass inertia of the following closures, a high dynamic pressure builds up on the front closures, which can damage or deform the closures. Such damage or deformation of the closures can lead to closures jamming in the closure channel, thus preventing the closure feed from being restarted, or causing malfunctions in the closure unit. Manual intervention by an operator is required, which reduces plant productivity.

Presentation of the invention

An object of the present invention is to provide an improved device for feeding caps to a capper, preferably in a beverage bottling plant, in particular to reduce any damage/deformation of the caps and/or to optimize the plant productivity.

The object is achieved by a device having the features of claim 1. Advantageous developments follow from the dependent claims, the following description of the invention and the description of preferred exemplary embodiments.

The device according to the invention serves to supply closures to a capper for capping containers with the closures. The device is particularly preferably used in a beverage bottling plant, for example for bottling water (still or carbonated), soft drinks, beer, wine, juice, smoothies, milk products, mixed drinks and the like.

The device comprises a capping chute for feeding the caps to the capper, the capping chute being arranged and set up in such a way that the caps are guided and transported along a transport path predetermined by the capping chute. The closure channel thus has a shape and dimensions corresponding to the closures, viewed in cross section perpendicular to the transport path, so that the caps in the capping chute can move along the defined transport path in the direction of the capper.

The device also has a stopping device with a stopper which, according to the invention, is set up to decelerate and stop the supply of the closures to the closure device in the closure channel along a braking distance. In other words, the shutters are not stopped abruptly when the shutter feeding is stopped, but the stopper is a cushioning stopper by decelerating the shutters along a certain distance, thus stopping the shutter feeding smoothly. The braking distance naturally defines a distance greater than zero. The stopper is designed to slow down along the braking distance, i.e. it does not include minimal and unintentional deformations, vibrations and the like, caused by material or design, as well as any design-related play between components.

Because the cap supply is not stopped abruptly in the event of an interruption, but the caps are slowed down along a braking distance, the dynamic pressure and thus the force on caps in the area of the stopping device, caused by subsequent caps, is slowly and gently reduced. The gentle force reduction prevents damage and/or deformation of the closures when stopping the closure supply. Mechanical interventions after machine stops are not necessary or can at least be reduced, which optimizes the system efficiency.

The stopper preferably comprises a stop element designed in the manner of a pin, pen or finger, in which case the stopper is set up to move the stop element into the closure channel in such a way that the supply of the closures to the closure can be blocked. If the supply of caps to the capper is to be interrupted, the stopping device moves the stop element into the capping channel, for example by means of a corresponding triggering device, so that the flow of caps to the capper is blocked. The triggering device can actuate the stop element, for example, electrically, magnetically, hydraulically, pneumatically or purely mechanically. In order to ensure the braking distance, the stop element is particularly preferably mounted so that it can be displaced along the closing channel. A mechanically simple and reliable stopper is realized in this way.

Alternatively, the stopper can have a rotatably mounted stop wheel with a plurality of circumferentially arranged engagement sections which can each be brought into engagement with a closure in the closure channel in order to stop the supply of closures to the closure. The stop wheel is preferably a gear wheel with a pitch matching the locks in the lock channel, the engagement portions being formed by the teeth of the gear wheel. In this way, a mechanically simple, reliable and versatile stopper is realized.

The stopping device preferably has a braking device which is connected to the stopping wheel and is set up to stop rotation of the stopping wheel, i.e. to block it or to brake it to a standstill. The stop wheel is rotatably mounted on the braking device, with the gentle braking of the closure feed preferably being achieved in that the braking device brakes the stop wheel in a controlled manner over a certain angle of rotation, which corresponds to the braking distance. This can be achieved, for example, in that the braking device includes a variable-speed electric motor, for example a synchronous motor, and a corresponding controller.

The stopper is preferably mounted so that it can be displaced along the braking distance. For this purpose, the stopper, for example specifically a bearing of the stop wheel or stop element, can be slidably installed by means of a guide. The guide is preferably attached to a support which is stationary relative to the closure channel. The braking distance can be adjusted flexibly and well-defined by mechanically simple means by mounting the stopper so that it can be displaced along the braking distance.

The stopping device preferably has a damping device which is set up to damp a displacement of the stopper along the braking path, as a result of which the closure supply is braked particularly gently.

The damping device can be formed by an elongate, elastic part, for example a spring, which is fastened on one side to the holder and on the other side to the stopper. In this way, the damping device can be implemented in a mechanically simple and reliable manner. Alternatively, the damping device can work pneumatically or magnetically. For example, instead of the elastic part, a pneumatic cylinder can be installed between the holder and the stopper, which can also dampen or gently brake the movement of the closures.

The closure channel is preferably arranged and set up in such a way that the closures can be transported along the transport path due to the force of gravity, with the closure channel running at least in sections inclined (relative to the horizontal) and/or vertically for this purpose. In this way, the caps can be transported in the cap channel without a dedicated drive. In this case, the braking distance preferably has a vertical (vector) component, as a result of which the construction is mechanically particularly simple and reliable. The braking distance can essentially run entirely in the direction of gravity.

Alternatively or additionally, the propulsion of the closures in the closure channel towards the capper can be generated or supported in some other way, for example by a magnet unit in the case of metal closures such as crown caps.

It should be noted that the designations of spatial relationships such as "horizontal", "vertical", "above", "below" etc. are clearly determined by the intended use and installation position of the device. The vertical coincides with the direction of gravity.

The closure channel is preferably set up in such a way that there is always a maximum of exactly one closure at a given position on the transport path. In other words, the closures move in the closure chute one behind the other along the transport path, which simplifies the controlled supply to the capper and the separation.

The above-mentioned object is also achieved by a system or a device with a closure for closing containers, a device connected thereto for feeding closures to the closure according to one of the embodiment variants presented above, and a delivery device which is set up to supply closures for closing the Provide containers and transfer them to the device for feeding closures.

The features, technical effects, advantages and exemplary embodiments described in relation to the device for feeding caps to the capper apply analogously to the device defined above.

The capper can have a pick wheel onto which the caps are placed via the capping chute. The pick wheel is a star-wheel-shaped feed device which brings the closures provided by the closure chute in a continuous stream to the spacing or timing specified in the closure unit. If necessary, a pick wheel can be dispensed with in that the closures are transferred from the closure chute to a transfer platform, for example. The transfer platform is set up in such a way that the closures placed on it can be picked up and further processed by closure members of the closure unit.

The supply device is preferably set up to sort and/or align the closures. For this purpose, the provision device can have a closure reservoir, preferably of a cylindrical design, which is set up to accommodate a large number of closures. The closure reservoir can have an agitator for mixing and/or conveying and/or aligning the closures. Crown caps, screw caps or corks, for example, can be used as closures.

The stopping device is preferably set up to decelerate the supply of the caps to the capper in the capping channel during the transition from an operating state in which the caps are to be fed to the capper to a stop state in which the cap supply to the capper is to be interrupted, along the braking distance. The transition from the operating state to the stop state and vice versa takes place as required, for example in the event of a technical fault in the capper. In this way it can be effectively prevented that, in the event of a gap in the sequence of containers to be sealed, the sealing chute transfers superfluous seals to the sealer, where the seals could otherwise cause problems.

Further advantages and features of the present invention can be seen from the following description of preferred exemplary embodiments. The features described therein can be implemented on their own or in combination with one or more of the features set out above, insofar as the features do not contradict one another. The following description of preferred exemplary embodiments is made with reference to the accompanying drawings.

character list

• 1 eine schematische, dreidimensionale Übersichtsansicht einer Vorrichtung umfassend einen Verschließer, eine Vorrichtung zur Zufuhr von Verschlüssen an den Verschließer sowie eine Bereitstellungsvorrichtung für die Verschlüsse;
• 2a schematisch eine Stoppvorrichtung mit einem gedämpften Stopper in einem ersten Zustand; und
• 2b schematisch eine Stoppvorrichtung mit einem gedämpften Stopper in einem zweiten Zustand;
• 3 schematisch eine Stoppvorrichtung mit einem gedämpften Stopper gemäß einem weiteren Ausführungsbeispiel; und
• 4 schematisch eine Stoppvorrichtung mit einem gedämpften Stopper gemäß einem weiteren Ausführungsbeispiel.

Preferred further embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail by the following description of the figures. show:

• 1 a schematic, three-dimensional overview of a device comprising a capper, a device for feeding caps to the capper and a provision device for the caps;
• 2a schematically a stopping device with a damped stopper in a first state; and
• 2 B schematically a stopping device with a damped stopper in a second state;
• 3 schematically a stopping device with a damped stopper according to a further embodiment; and
• 4 schematically a stopping device with a damped stopper according to a further embodiment.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments

Preferred exemplary embodiments are described below with reference to the figures. Elements that are the same, similar or have the same effect are provided with identical reference symbols in the figures, and a repeated description of these elements is sometimes dispensed with in order to avoid redundancy.

The 1 shows a device 1 with a closure device 10 for closing containers (not shown in the figures) with corresponding closures 2 (cf. 2a , 2 B , 3 and 4 ) and a device 20 for feeding caps 2 to the capper 10.

The device 1 is preferably a plant part of a filling plant for filling containers with a filling product. In particular, the device 1 is used in a beverage bottling plant, for example for bottling water (still or carbonated), soft drinks, beer, wine, juice, smoothies, milk products, mixed drinks and the like.

In order to be able to close the filled, open containers in the closing device 10 , closures 2 that have been sorted and aligned with respect to their spatial position are fed to this from a supply device 30 arranged above the closing device 10 . In the supply device 30, for example, closures 2 arriving unsorted are sorted. For this purpose, the supply device 30 can have a closure reservoir 31, preferably of a cylindrical shape, which is set up to accommodate a large number of closures 2. The closure reservoir 31 can have an agitator for mixing, conveying and, if necessary, aligning the closures 2 .

Crown caps, screw caps or corks, for example, can be considered as closures 2 .

To feed the caps 2 from the supply device 30 to the capper 10 , the device 20 for supplying caps 2 with a cap chute 21 is arranged between the supply device 30 and the capper 10 .

The closure channel 21 is connected to the lower area of the closure reservoir 31 in such a way that the closures 2 can be placed from the closure reservoir 31 into the closure channel 21 . The closure chute 21 is set up in such a way that the closures 2 are guided along a transport path defined by the closure chute 21, whereby they are particularly preferably conveyed along the transport path by their own weight, i.e. due to the force of gravity. In the present exemplary embodiment, the closure channel 21 is largely inclined with respect to the horizontal and runs vertically in sections.

The closure channel 21 has a shape and dimensions corresponding to the closures 2, viewed in cross section perpendicular to the transport path, so that there is always a maximum of exactly one closure 2 at a given position of the transport path. In other words, the caps 2 move one behind the other in the capping channel 21 along the transport path, with the capping channel 21 being designed like a slide so that the caps 2 slide down the capping channel 21 in the direction of the capper 10 after leaving the cap reservoir 31 .

A transfer segment 22 adjoins the closure chute 21 in the area of the capper 10 , through which the closures 2 are brought into a horizontal alignment and are transferred from the closure chute 21 to the capper 10 .

In the present exemplary embodiment, the closures 2 are transferred by the transfer segment 22 to a pick wheel 11 which is conceptually regarded here as a component of the closure device 10 . The pick wheel 11 is a star-wheel-shaped feed device, which brings the closures 2 provided by the transfer segment 22 in a continuous stream to the pitch or timing specified in the closure unit 2 . The pick wheel 11 transfers the closures 2 accordingly to closure members 12 which are arranged on the periphery of a carousel and set up to close the containers with a closure 2 each.

According to an alternative exemplary embodiment, a pick wheel 11 can be dispensed with in that the closures 2 are transferred from the transfer segment 22 to a transfer platform, for example. The transfer platform is set up so that the closures 2 stored on it the closing elements 12 of the capper 10 can be added and further processed.

The device 20 for feeding caps 2 also has a stop device 23 which is set up to interrupt the flow of caps 2 from the capping chute 21 to the capper 10 if necessary, for example if there is a technical fault in the capper 2 . The stopper 23 is preferably arranged at a vertical portion of the shutter chute 21, tending towards the lower portion of the shutter chute 21.

An embodiment of the stop device 23 is in the 2a and 2 B shown, showing the different states of the stopping device 23. The 2a shows a state of the stopping device 23 during regular operation, herein also referred to as "operating state" while the 2 B 12 shows a state of the stopper 23 during an interruption of the shutter supply, also referred to herein as a “stop state”.

Further exemplary embodiments of the stopping device 23 are shown in FIGS 3 and 4 shown. In all cases, the stopping device 23 has a dampening stopper 230 which is set up to brake the closure feed in the closure channel 21 along a braking distance B greater than zero during the transition from the operating state to the stop state. In other words, the shutters 2 are not stopped abruptly, but the stopper 230 rides or rotates a certain distance, thus smoothly stopping the shutter supply.

Coming back to the 2a and 2 B In this embodiment, the stopper 23 includes a stopper wheel 231 having engaging portions 231a each engageable with a shutter 2 to stop shutter feeding. In the simplest case, the stop wheel 231 is a gear wheel with a pitch matching the closures 2, the engagement sections 231a being formed by the teeth of the gear wheel.

The stop wheel 231 is rotatably mounted on a bearing 232 and is preferably freely rotating in the operating state. Alternatively, the stop wheel 231 may function as a regulator to regulate the speed of the inflow of the shutters 2 .

The stopping device 23 also has a braking device 233 which is set up to stop the stop wheel 231 . This is preferably done electrically, ie the braking device 233 can be implemented by an electric motor or by an electrically actuatable lock. The actuation of the braking device 233 can be wireless or as in the 2a and 2 B indicated wired. Alternatively, pneumatic, hydraulic, magnetic or purely mechanical means for implementing the braking device 233 can also be considered. By actuating the braking device 233, the stop wheel 231 is stopped, thereby blocking the inflow of closures 2, as in FIG 2 B shown.

According to the present embodiment, the stop wheel 231 is slidably mounted along the braking distance B. For this purpose, the bearing 232 can be slidably installed by a guide 234 . The guide 234 is attached to a bracket 235 which is stationary relative to the closure channel 21 .

According to the present exemplary embodiment, the stopping device 23 also has a damping device 236, which damps a displacement of the bearing 232 along the guide 234 in the event of a transition from the operating state to the stopping state. The damping device 236 can be formed by an elongate, elastic part, for example a spring, which is fastened to the holder 235 on one side and to the bearing 232 on the other side. Alternatively, the damping device can work pneumatically or magnetically.

Little or no force acts in the direction of gravity on the stop wheel 231, which preferably rotates freely in the operating state, so that the stop wheel 231 is in an upper position. As soon as the braking device 233 comes into action and the stop wheel stops/brakes/locks, the weight of the closures 2 located above the stop wheel 231 pushes the stop wheel 231 along the guide 234 downwards. This downward movement of the stop wheel 231 is decelerated by the damper 236, whereby the shutter feed does not stop abruptly but is stopped smoothly over the deceleration distance B.

The 3 FIG. 12 shows an alternative embodiment of the stop device 23 in which the stop wheel 231 is replaced by a stop element 237. FIG. The stop element 237 is designed in the manner of a pin, pen or finger. If the supply of caps 2 to the capper 10 is to be interrupted, the stopping device 23 moves the stop element 237 into the capping channel 21 by means of a corresponding triggering device 238, so that the flow of caps 2 to the capper 10 is blocked. The triggering device 238 can actuate the stop element 237 electrically, magnetically, hydraulically, pneumatically or purely mechanically.

In the embodiment of 3 is also installed a damping device 236 in the case of transition from the operating state in the stop state, the shutter feed does not stop abruptly, but stops smoothly along the stopping distance B. The damping device 236 can as above with respect to the 2a , 2 B set out to be constructed.

The 4 shows another exemplary embodiment of the stopping device 23, in which a dedicated damping device 236 is dispensed with. In this case, the gentle braking of the closure feed is achieved by a stop wheel 231 with the associated braking device 233 (cf. 2a and 2 B) is installed and the braking device 233 is set up in such a way that during the transition from the operating state to the stop state, the closure supply in the closure channel 21 is braked along a braking distance greater than zero. This can be achieved in that the braking device 233 includes a variable-speed electric motor, for example a synchronous motor, which is set up to brake the stop wheel 231 in a controlled manner over a certain angle of rotation, which corresponds to the intended braking distance.

In the embodiment of 4 the stop wheel 231 is mounted stationarily to the locking channel 21, the position being adjustable by the guide 234, for example. In this case, however, a guide 234 can also be dispensed with.

Because the closure supply is not stopped abruptly during the transition from the operating state to the stop state, but instead the closures 2 are decelerated along a braking distance B greater than zero, the dynamic pressure and thus the force on the closures 2 located below, in the area of the stopping device 23, is caused by the overlying fasteners 2, slowly and gently dismantled. The gentle reduction in force prevents damage and/or deformation of the closures 2 when the closure supply is stopped. Mechanical interventions after machine stops are not necessary or can at least be reduced, which optimizes the system efficiency.

As far as applicable, all of the individual features that are presented in the exemplary embodiments can be combined with one another and/or exchanged without departing from the scope of the invention.

Reference List

1

contraption

2

closure

10

capper

11

pick wheel

12

closing element

20

Device for feeding caps to the capper

21

locking channel

22

handover segment

23

stopping device

230

stopper

231

stop wheel

231a

engagement section

232

storage

233

braking device

234

guide

235

bracket

236

damping device

237

stop element

238

release device

30

deployment device

31

breech reservoir

B

braking distance

QUOTES INCLUDED IN DESCRIPTION

This list of documents cited by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent Literature Cited

• DE 102012103518 A1 [0002]
• DE 102018129548 A1 [0003]
• DE 102012110102 A1 [0004]

Claims (14)

Device (20) for supplying closures (2) to a closure device (10) for closing containers with the closures (2), preferably in a beverage bottling plant, the device (20) having: a capping chute (21) for feeding the caps (2) to the capper (10), the capping chute (21) being arranged and set up in such a way that the caps (2) are guided and transported along a transport path predetermined by the capping chute (21). become; and a stopping device (23) with a stopper (230) arranged to decelerate and stop the supply of the caps (2) to the capper (10) in the capping chute (21) along a braking distance (B). Device (20) after claim 1 , characterized in that the stopper (230) comprises a pin, pin or finger-like stop element (237) and the stopper (230) is set up to retract the stop element (237) into the closure channel (21) that the The supply of the caps (2) to the capper (10) can be blocked, the stop element (237) preferably being mounted displaceably along the capping channel (21). Device (20) after claim 1 , characterized in that the stopper (230) comprises a rotatably mounted stop wheel (231) with a plurality of circumferentially arranged engagement sections (231 a) which are used to stop the supply of the closures (2) to the closure device (10) in the closure channel (21), respectively are engageable with a closure (2). Device (20) after claim 3 , characterized in that the stopping device (23) has a braking device (233) which is connected to the stopping wheel (231) and is set up to stop rotation of the stopping wheel (231), the braking device (233) preferably comprising a variable-speed electric motor . Device (20) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the stopper (230) is mounted to be displaceable along the braking distance (B), the stopping device (23) preferably having a guide (234) on which the stopper (230) is movably installed. Device (20) after claim 5 , characterized in that the stopping device (23) has a damping device (236) which is set up to dampen a displacement of the stopper (230) along the braking distance (B). Device (20) after claim 6 , characterized in that the damping device (236) comprises an elongate, elastic part, preferably a spring, which is fixed on one side to a holder (235) which is stationary relative to the closure channel (21) and on the other side to the stopper (230) is attached. Device (20) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the closure channel (21) is arranged and set up in such a way that the closures (2) can be transported along the transport path by gravity, the closure channel (21) being inclined at least in sections and/or runs vertically. Device (20) after claim 8 , characterized in that the closure channel (21) is set up in such a way that there is always a maximum of exactly one closure (2) at a given position of the transport path, so that the closures (2) in the closure channel (21) are one behind the other along the transport path move. Device (20) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the braking distance (B) has a vertical component, preferably running in the direction of gravity. Device (1), preferably in a beverage bottling plant, with a capper (10) for capping containers, a device (20) connected thereto for feeding caps (2) to the capper (10) according to one of the preceding claims and a supply device (30 ) which is set up to provide closures (2) for closing the containers and to transfer them to the device (20) for supplying closures (2). Device (1) after claim 11 , characterized in that the supply device (30) is set up to sort and/or align the closures (2). Device (1) after claim 12 , characterized in that the provision device (30) has a closure reservoir (31) which is set up to accommodate a large number of closures (2), the closure reservoir (31) preferably being an agitator for mixing and/or conveying and/or aligning the Has closures (2). Device (1) according to one of Claims 11 until 13 , characterized in that the stopping device (23) is set up to the supply of the closures (2) to the capper (10) in the closure channel (21) in the transition from an operating state in which the closures (2) the to be fed to the capper (10) to be decelerated along the braking distance (B) to a stop state in which the cap supply to the capper (10) is to be stopped.

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