EP0209890B1 - Container-closing device - Google Patents

Container-closing device Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0209890B1
EP0209890B1 EP86110048A EP86110048A EP0209890B1 EP 0209890 B1 EP0209890 B1 EP 0209890B1 EP 86110048 A EP86110048 A EP 86110048A EP 86110048 A EP86110048 A EP 86110048A EP 0209890 B1 EP0209890 B1 EP 0209890B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
sections
frame
flanging
retaining part
container
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired
Application number
EP86110048A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0209890A1 (en
Inventor
Wagner Gmbh & Co Wilhelm
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Wilhelm Wagner & Co GmbH
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Wilhelm Wagner & Co GmbH
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Wilhelm Wagner & Co GmbH filed Critical Wilhelm Wagner & Co GmbH
Priority to AT86110048T priority Critical patent/ATE39894T1/en
Publication of EP0209890A1 publication Critical patent/EP0209890A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0209890B1 publication Critical patent/EP0209890B1/en
Expired legal-status Critical Current

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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B7/00—Closing containers or receptacles after filling
    • B65B7/16—Closing semi-rigid or rigid containers or receptacles not deformed by, or not taking-up shape of, contents, e.g. boxes or cartons
    • B65B7/28—Closing semi-rigid or rigid containers or receptacles not deformed by, or not taking-up shape of, contents, e.g. boxes or cartons by applying separate preformed closures, e.g. lids, covers
    • B65B7/2842—Securing closures on containers
    • B65B7/285—Securing closures on containers by deformation of the closure
    • B65B7/2857—Securing closures on containers by deformation of the closure and the container rim

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a device for closing containers according to the preamble of claim 1.
  • the crimping frame has a total of four section groups with three sections each for the four sides of a lid.
  • Each section group has a middle straight section, which is tiltably supported on a rod against spring action, whereas the other two sections (corner sections) of the individual section group serve to flare half a corner round the lid and are firmly arranged on the rod in question.
  • Each rod is fastened to an articulated web which is articulated on the upper part of the device and whose end facing away from the upper part is held in a guide of a holding part and is guided in a straight line.
  • a crimping frame divided into four sections is first moved into position with respect to an edge region of the lid placed on the container, which is angled downwards at right angles. Then the sections are moved horizontally inwards under the edge flange of the respective container by means of cam mechanisms. Then a vertical relative movement between an upper frame and the crimping frame is carried out to complete the flanging of the cover around the edge flange.
  • This sequence of movements is complex and requires precise coordination of the various individual movements that follow one another in time. In the event of contamination and wear and tear, the individual movements and their mutual coordination can become imprecise with all the disadvantages resulting therefrom, including poor flanging or even damage to the container or lid when closing.
  • all sections of the crimping frame can perform corresponding crimping movements so that the lid can be evenly crimped and pressed evenly firmly onto the edge flange of the container, so that good, uniform closure of the container can be achieved.
  • the device according to the invention is structurally simple and reliable and insensitive to contamination. It also manages with fewer sections of the crimp frame than the device according to FR-A 2 204 534.
  • the four-bar linkages are insensitive to dirt and wear-resistant due to their rotary bearings, so that even after a long period of operation, the lid can be precisely flanged around the edge flanges of the containers.
  • the relative movements of the sections of the crimp frame to the upper part bring about the flanging of the respective cover around the edge flange of the respective container, the articulated quadrilaterals making it possible in the simplest way to achieve the inward and upward movements of the sections of the crimp frame relative to the upper part without the risk of damaging the cover .
  • the four-bar linkages can advantageously be designed in the manner of parallel crank drives that can be driven to oscillate or pivot movements, i.e. the four axes of rotation of the individual four-bar linkages form the corner points of a parallelogram, the shape of which changes depending on the pivoting movements of the link bars of this four-bar linkage.
  • the parallel crank mechanism By means of the parallel crank mechanism, the section in question can be moved back and forth parallel to itself relative to the holding part on an arc-shaped path.
  • the crimping frame can preferably have a total of four sections. This is particularly useful for containers with approximately rectangular contours and rounded corners, of which an embodiment is shown in the drawing. However, depending on the shape of the container, more or fewer sections than four sections can be provided. In the case of round containers, for example, it is often useful to make do with three sections, the centers of which can be arranged offset in relation to one another by 120 ° central angles.
  • the sections can preferably be approximately the same size.
  • the containers can preferably be menu trays as are used for ready meals. However, containers of greater depth can also be provided. The containers can also be provided for other foods or other goods for which the flanging is sufficient for storage.
  • the containers can preferably be made entirely or essentially of metal, in particular aluminum minium, or also from other materials, such as plastic, metal-laminated cardboard or the like.
  • the flexible covers consist at least partially of metal tape or foil, preferably of coated or uncoated aluminum tape or foil.
  • the lids can preferably be presented to the closing device as sheets (blanks) which are still flat or as pre-formed lids, for example with the edge bent vertically downward. The lid cut is adapted to the respective container shape.
  • the cover blank is a flat sheet, which is placed on the filled container to seal it, first placed on the edge flange so that it is outstandingly flat, then the entire flanging of the area protruding beyond the edge flange of the container can be done by this sheet serving as a cover the crimp frame are carried out.
  • the movements of the sections of the crimp frame made possible by the four-bar linkage can be brought about by any suitable drive, these sections being expediently moved synchronously. However, movement sequences staggered in time are also expedient in some cases, for example if a certain folding of the cover is to be associated with the flanging.
  • a drive can act on one or more joint webs of the individual quadrangle or on the relevant section or other suitable locations. It is particularly expedient to effect this drive by at least one joint bar of the four-bar linkage having a joint rod rotatably articulated at one end, the other end of which is rotatably articulated on a pressure member that can be moved up and down relative to the holding part.
  • all these joint rods can expediently be articulated on the same common pressure member or also on separate pressure members.
  • the pressure member can be moved particularly expediently through the upper part against the action of resilient return means.
  • the translation of the movement of the upper part into a faster movement of the sections, which is required in this case, can be achieved in a simple manner by the individual joint rod being articulated on a joint web between its axes of rotation assigned to the four-bar linkage.
  • the container in question can be held in any way during the closing process. In the simplest case, it can only sit on a flat surface and be held by the upper part pressed against it. It is also possible to hold it by separate stamps, frames or the like. It can preferably be provided that the container is inserted into a centering frame, the upper edge of which rests against the underside of the edge flange of the respective container in such a way that this edge flange still protrudes on all sides sufficiently far beyond the upper edge of the centering frame for the flanging of the cover.
  • This centering frame can also be used to bring about the entire movement sequence of all parts of this device that cooperate in the closure of the respective container through the lid, namely the movement of the upper part, the four-bar linkage and, if provided, the pressure member and / or the holding part.
  • the centering frame only needs to perform a single vertical up and down movement per closing process. Instead of such a centering frame, such a vertical upward and downward movement can also be carried out by another carrier for the container. However, it is also possible to carry out the closing process by means of a vertical upward and downward movement of the holding part or a combined movement of the holding part and centering frame or the like.
  • the closing device 9 shown in the drawing is used to close bowl-shaped containers 13 which are approximately rectangular in plan view - in particular menu bowls, each of which has obliquely upward-facing side walls, rounded corners and a circumferential edge flange 14 - by means of lid 10 forming sheet-like flat lid blanks from whole or in essentially foil or tape consisting of metal, preferably by means of coated (e.g. with lacquer) or uncoated aluminum foil or aluminum tape.
  • the container 13 has an outline which corresponds approximately to the outline of the closed crimp frame 23 with the difference that it is somewhat smaller.
  • This device has the crimp frame 23 consisting of four sections 23 '. In FIGS. 1-4, only one section 23 'of this crimping frame 23 is shown, specifically cut along the section line 1-1 of FIG. 5. Sections 23' which are adjacent to one another are in relation to the sections perpendicular to the image plane of FIG. vertical center planes 41, 41 'of the horizontally standing container 13 are formed in mirror image. Each section 23 'is carried by a quadrangle 60. These quadrangles 60 are 45 ° to these planes 41 and 41 'and to the adjacent joint quadrilaterals 60 are arranged at 90 ° to each other and are formed identically among themselves.
  • a plate-shaped, horizontally directed upper part 11 is located at a distance above a centering frame 12 which can be driven upwards and downwards to vertical lifting movements.
  • This is carried by vertical rods 17, 31, which are slidably supported in bearing sleeves 18, 31 'in a straight line, which are fastened in a holding part 19 which is held stationary above the upper part 11.
  • This holding part 19 can be a plate or the like. It is also possible to provide a plurality of holding parts for the four-bar linkage 60, for example a separate holding part for each four-bar linkage 60, which can be adjusted in position to adjust the four-bar linkage concerned.
  • the outline of the upper part 11 corresponds approximately to the outline of the edge flange 14 of the container 13.
  • the upper part 11 In the open position of the closing device shown in FIG. 2, the upper part 11 is moved into its lowest position relative to the holding part 19 by a return spring 32, which is supported on the holding part 19 and presses on the upper part 11, in which an upper, protruding part , A stop forming edge bead 33 of the rod 31 rests on the bearing sleeve 31 'of the holding part 19 so that the upper part 11 cannot move further down.
  • a return spring 32 which is supported on the holding part 19 and presses on the upper part 11, in which an upper, protruding part , A stop forming edge bead 33 of the rod 31 rests on the bearing sleeve 31 'of the holding part 19 so that the upper part 11 cannot move further down.
  • an upward movement of the centering frame 12 can move it against the force of the return spring 32 up to the highest position shown in FIG. 1, in which the stop 33 is at a distance above the bearing sleeve 31 '.
  • a further sleeve 29 is also slidably mounted concentrically to it in a straight line, at the lower end of which a pressure member 28 designed as a horizontal plate is fixedly arranged.
  • This pressure member 28 can also be formed in one or more parts, in the latter case its parts can in turn be expediently adjustable in relation to one another for adjustment.
  • a vertical rod 35 is fastened to this pressure member 28, which is supported in a straight line on a bearing sleeve 35 'which is fixedly arranged on the holding part 19 and has at its upper end an edge bead 37 serving as a stop, which in the open position of the closing device on the bearing sleeve 35' to limit the downward movement of the pressure member 28 rests.
  • the pressure member is constantly loaded by a return spring 36, which is supported on the holding part 19, in the downward direction and is against the action of this compression spring 36 by the upper part 11 during its upward movement, which can be effected by the centering frame 12, up to the highest shown in FIG. 1 Position can be moved vertically upwards.
  • two mutually parallel hinge rods 26 are each rotatably supported with their lower ends about a common axis of rotation, such as 61, parallel to the four axes of rotation of the associated hinge quadrilateral 60, these two hinge rods 26 on two mutually parallel inner ones Articulated webs 22 of the relevant quadrilateral 60 are pivoted at their upper ends.
  • the axis of rotation 62 of this articulation is also parallel to the axes of rotation 63-66 of the four-bar linkage.
  • the axis of rotation 62 of the two articulated rods 26 assigned to the relevant quadrilateral 60 is located between the axes of rotation 65, 66 of this quadrilateral assigned to the articulated rods 22.
  • the upper ends of these joint webs 22 are rotatably mounted on the inner leg 51 of a U-shaped carrier 20, which is fixedly arranged on the underside of the holding part 19 (axis of rotation 65).
  • the lower ends of the two articulated webs 22 of the relevant quadrangle 60 are rotatably mounted on an upwardly directed arm 25 which is fixedly arranged on the relevant section 23 '(axis of rotation 66).
  • Extending parallel to the hinge webs 22 of the individual four-bar linkage is an equally long, straight hinge web 21, the lower end of which is rotatably articulated about an axis of rotation 64 on an arm 24 fixed to the relevant section 23 'and the upper end of which is connected to outer legs 50 of the respective one Carrier 20 is pivoted about the axis of rotation 63.
  • the distances between the axes of rotation 63 and 64 of the relevant four-bar linkage are the same as the distances between the axes of rotation 65 and 66 from one another.
  • the distances between the axes of rotation 63 and 65 of the respective four-bar linkage 60 from one another are the same as the distances between the axes of rotation 64 and 66 thereof.
  • each quadrilateral joint 60 forms a parallel crank mechanism.
  • the sections 23 'and the upper part 11 are secured relative to the holding part 19 against rotation by the quadrangles 60 and the articulated rods 26 which move them.
  • the upper part 11 forms an abutment for the edge flange 14 when the cover 10 is flanged.
  • the centering frame 12 is also secured against rotation and by a drive device, not shown, from a lowermost position, in which its upper edge 53 is located next to a support plate 61 'for the respective container 13, up to the position shown in FIG. 1 vertically movable, the support plate 61 'moving along part of this path.
  • the hinge rods 26 reach through openings in the sections 23 '.
  • This closing device works for closing containers 13 by means of lids 10 as follows:
  • the relevant container 13 filled with food or the like is applied to the support 61 ′ and then the centering frame 12 is moved upwards to center this container 13 into the position shown in FIG. 2.
  • a flat blank made of metal or a metal foil or tape having a rectangular outline will be used as the cover 10 can, placed on a circumferential curl 15 of the edge flange 14 of the container 13 so that it protrudes uniformly on all sides over the edge flange 14.
  • the upper, peripheral edge of the preferably forming a closed ring centering frame 12 then lies directly at the transition from the side wall of the container 13 into the edge flange 14 on the underside of the edge flange, so that this edge flange 14 is still considerably above the centering frame 12 in for attachment of the cover 10 by flanging around the edge flange 14 survives sufficient dimensions.
  • the centering frame 12 is moved further vertically upwards and then abuts the upper part 11, whereby the cover 10 is clamped between the edge 53 of the centering frame 12 and the upper part 11 together with the inner end of the edge flange 14 and thereby also against displacement during the further Flanging is secured.
  • This upper part 11 has on its underside a circumferential bevel 16 which is approximately as wide as the edge flange 14 of the container 13 pressed against it by the upward movement of the centering frame 12, so that the edge flange 14 is thereby removed from the horizontal position in FIG. 2 in the slightly inclined downward position shown in Fig. 3 is bent, which is favorable for the strength of the container 13.
  • this upper part 11 is moved vertically upwards by the centering frame 12 and as a result thereof is moved over the edge flange 14 protruding area of the lid 10 in the position shown in Fig. 3 bent downwards at right angles.
  • the upper part 11 is then moved together with the centering frame 12 against the force of its return spring 32 further up and then abuts the pressure member 28.
  • each section 23 'inwards and upwards which are brought about by the articulated quadrilaterals 60 and the articulated rods 26 in that the articulated rods 26 by the pressure member 28 being carried vertically upwards the upper part 11 can be moved upwards.
  • the articulated rods 26 move the articulated webs 22 and thus also the articulated webs 21 from the position shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 via the intermediate position shown in FIG. 4 to the end positions shown in FIG. 1 in a counterclockwise direction. This is done synchronously for all quadrilaterals 60.
  • This pressing takes place simultaneously through all four sections 23 '.
  • the sections 23 ' are moved up and toward one another by the four-bar linkages 60 until the wide gaps 28' originally present between them according to FIG. 5 are reduced to practically zero.
  • the sections 23 'thus practically form a closed ring which, with its crimped edges 46, lies opposite the edge flange 14 on the underside with the interposition of the flanged lid edge area and presses this lid edge area against this underside of the edge flange 14 for the purpose of firm flanging.
  • the pressing force can be adjusted by the height of the end position of the centering frame 12. The higher this end position, the greater this pressing force.
  • the upper part 11 supports the edge flange 14 against this pressing force.
  • this closing device is opened again by moving the centering frame 12 downwards.
  • the return springs 32 and 36 then push the pressure member 28 and the upper part 11 back into the positions shown in FIG. 2 with appropriate transfer of the sections 23 'into their open positions, which are also shown in FIG. 5.
  • the downward movements of the pressure member 28 and the upper part 11 are ended as soon as the stops 33 and 37 of the rods 31 and 35 come to rest on the respective bearing sleeves 31 'and 35' of the holding part 19.
  • the centering frame 12 then moves still further down to its starting position, in which the filled and now closed container 13 can be removed from the support 61 ', for example pushed further or otherwise guided away from it and a new one, not yet closed container can be applied in place on this support 61 'for the purpose of closing by a lid 10.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Closing Of Containers (AREA)
  • Electrical Discharge Machining, Electrochemical Machining, And Combined Machining (AREA)
  • Glass Compositions (AREA)
  • Refuse Collection And Transfer (AREA)
  • Closures For Containers (AREA)

Abstract

1. A device for closing containers (13), preferably pre-prepared food dishes, which in each case comprise a circumferential rim flange (14), by means of a flexible lid (10) formed entirely or partially from metallic ribbon or metal foil, which device (9) comprises a flanging frame (23) divided into a plurality of displaceable sections (23'), which are used for flanging the respective lid (10) around the rim flange of the respective container, the sections (23') of the flanging frame (23) being displaceably held and guided on at least one retaining part (19) by means of hinged bars (21, 22) and the device also comprising at least one upper part (11), which is displaceable relative to the retaining part (19) and against which the respective lid (10) can come to rest, characterised in that the sections (23') of the flanging frame (23) can be held and guided on the retaining part (19), of which there is at least one, by means of link quadrilaterals (60) which comprise the hinged bars (21, 22), such that the link quadrilaterals (60) allow for the inward and upward movements of the sections (23') relative to at least one upper part (11), which movements are necessary for the flanging.

Description

Die Erfindung betrifft eine Vorrichtung zum Verschließen von Behältern gemäß dem Oberbegriff des Anspruches 1.The invention relates to a device for closing containers according to the preamble of claim 1.

Bei einer bekannten Vorrichtung dieser Art (FR-A 2 204 534) weist der Bördelrahmen für die vier Seiten eines Deckels insgesamt vier Sektionsgruppen mit je drei Sektionen auf. Jede Sektionsgruppe weist eine mittlere gerade Sektion auf, die auf einer Stange gegen Federwirkung kippbar gelagert ist, wogegen die anderen beiden Sektionen (Eckensektionen) der einzelnen Sektionsgruppe dem Umbördeln je einer halben Eckenrundung des Deckels dienen und fest an der betreffenden Stange angeordnet sind. Jede Stange ist an einem am Oberteil der Vorrichtung angelenkten Gelenksteg befestigt, dessen vom Oberteil abgewendetes Ende in einer Führung eines Halteteiles gehalten und geradegeführt ist. Es ist ferner ein Schließrahmen vorgesehen, der die vier mittleren geraden Sektionen des Bördelrahmens zum Umbördeln der geraden Umbördelungsbereiche des Deckels auf den sie tragenden Stangen nach oben kippt, so daß hier Andrücken der geraden umgebördelten Deckelbereiche an die Unterseite des Randflansches des Behälters erreicht werden kann, wie es für guten Verschluß des Behälters nötig ist. Dagegen können sämtliche Eckensektionen nicht durch den Schließrahmen nach oben gedrückt werden und dürfen durch die sie tragenden Stangen nicht so weit bewegt werden, daß die umgebördelten Eckenbereiche auch an den Randflansch angedrückt werden, da sonst wegen ihrem schrägen Bewegungsweg die Gefahr des Abscherens der Deckelfolie bestände. Die Umbördelung ist deshalb ungleich und an den Behälterecken ungenügend.In a known device of this type (FR-A 2 204 534), the crimping frame has a total of four section groups with three sections each for the four sides of a lid. Each section group has a middle straight section, which is tiltably supported on a rod against spring action, whereas the other two sections (corner sections) of the individual section group serve to flare half a corner round the lid and are firmly arranged on the rod in question. Each rod is fastened to an articulated web which is articulated on the upper part of the device and whose end facing away from the upper part is held in a guide of a holding part and is guided in a straight line. There is also a closing frame which tilts the four middle straight sections of the crimp frame for flanging the straight flanging areas of the lid onto the rods carrying them, so that the straight flanged lid areas can be pressed against the underside of the edge flange of the container. as is necessary for good closure of the container. On the other hand, all corner sections cannot be pushed upwards by the locking frame and must not be moved so far by the bars carrying them that the flanged corner areas are also pressed against the edge flange, otherwise there would be a risk of the cover film being sheared off due to their oblique movement. The flanging is therefore uneven and insufficient at the corners of the container.

Bei einer weiteren bekannten Vorrichtung (DE-Gbm 8 122 539) wird ein in vier Sektionen aufgeteilter Bördelrahmen zunächst in Stellung gegenüber einem nach unten rechtwinklig abgewinkelten Randbereich des auf den Behälter aufgesetzten Deckels bewegt. Dann werden die Sektionen mittels Kurvengetrieben horizontal nach innen unter den Randflansch des jeweiligen Behälters bewegt. Danach wird eine vertikale Relativbewegung zwischen einem oberen Rahmen und dem Bördelrahmen zur Vollendung des Umbördelns des Deckels um den Randflansch durchgeführt. Dieser Bewegungsablauf ist aufwendig und bedarf genauer Abstimmung der verschiedenen, zeitlich aufeinanderfolgenden Einzelbewegungen. Im Falle von Verschmutzungen und durch Verschleiß können die Einzelbewegungen und ihre gegenseitigen Abstimmungen ungenau werden mit allen sich hieraus ergebenden Nachteilen einschließlich schlechter Umbördelung oder sogar Beschädigungen des Behälters bzw. Deckels beim Verschließen.In another known device (DE-Gbm 8 122 539), a crimping frame divided into four sections is first moved into position with respect to an edge region of the lid placed on the container, which is angled downwards at right angles. Then the sections are moved horizontally inwards under the edge flange of the respective container by means of cam mechanisms. Then a vertical relative movement between an upper frame and the crimping frame is carried out to complete the flanging of the cover around the edge flange. This sequence of movements is complex and requires precise coordination of the various individual movements that follow one another in time. In the event of contamination and wear and tear, the individual movements and their mutual coordination can become imprecise with all the disadvantages resulting therefrom, including poor flanging or even damage to the container or lid when closing.

Es ist Aufgabe der Erfindung, ausgehend von diesem Stand der Technik eine einfache und betriebssichere Vorrichtung dieser Art zu schaffen, die festes Umbördeln des Deckels am gesamten Randflansch ermöglicht.It is an object of the invention to provide a simple and reliable device of this type, based on this prior art, which enables the cover to be firmly flanged over the entire edge flange.

Diese Aufgabe wird durch eine Vorrichtung gemäß Anspruch 1 gelöst.This object is achieved by a device according to claim 1.

Bei dieser erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung können alle Sektionen des Bördelrahmens sich entsprechende Bördelbewegungen ausführen, so daß der Deckel gleichmäßig umgebördelt und gleichmäßig fest an den Randflansch des Behälters angedrückt werden kann, so daß guter gleichmäßiger Verschluß des Behälters erreichbar ist. Die erfindungsgemäße Vorrichtung ist baulich einfach und betriebssicher und verschmutzungsunempfindlich. Auch kommt sie mit weniger Sektionen des Bördelrahmens aus als die Vorrichtung nach der FR-A 2 204 534.In this device according to the invention, all sections of the crimping frame can perform corresponding crimping movements so that the lid can be evenly crimped and pressed evenly firmly onto the edge flange of the container, so that good, uniform closure of the container can be achieved. The device according to the invention is structurally simple and reliable and insensitive to contamination. It also manages with fewer sections of the crimp frame than the device according to FR-A 2 204 534.

Die Gelenkvierecke sind wegen ihrer Drehlagerungen gegen Verschmutzung unempfindlich und verschleißarm, so daß sich auch nach langer Betriebszeit genaues Umbördeln der Deckel um die Randflansche der Behälter erreichen läßt. Die Relativbewegungen der Sektionen des Bördelrahmens zum Oberteil bewirken dabei die Umbördelung des jeweiligen Deckels um den Randflansch des jeweiligen Behälters, wobei die Gelenkvierecke die für die Umbördelung erforderlichen Einwärts- und Aufwärtsbewegungen der Sektionen des Bördelrahmens relativ zum Oberteil auf einfachste Weise ohne Beschädigungsgefahr des Deckels erreichen lassen.The four-bar linkages are insensitive to dirt and wear-resistant due to their rotary bearings, so that even after a long period of operation, the lid can be precisely flanged around the edge flanges of the containers. The relative movements of the sections of the crimp frame to the upper part bring about the flanging of the respective cover around the edge flange of the respective container, the articulated quadrilaterals making it possible in the simplest way to achieve the inward and upward movements of the sections of the crimp frame relative to the upper part without the risk of damaging the cover .

Die Gelenkvierecke können vorteilhaft in Art von zu Pendel- oder Schwenkbewegungen antreibbaren Parallelkurbelgetrieben ausgebildet sein, d.h., daß die vier Drehachsen des einzelnen Gelenkviereckes die Eckpunkte eines Parallelogramms bilden, dessen Gestalt sich in Abhängigkeit der Schwenkbewegungen der Gelenkstege dieses Gelenkvierecks ändert. Durch das Parallelkurbelgetriebe wird die betreffende Sektion parallel zu sich selbst relativ zum Halteteil auf kreisbogenförmiger Bahn hin- und herbewegbar.The four-bar linkages can advantageously be designed in the manner of parallel crank drives that can be driven to oscillate or pivot movements, i.e. the four axes of rotation of the individual four-bar linkages form the corner points of a parallelogram, the shape of which changes depending on the pivoting movements of the link bars of this four-bar linkage. By means of the parallel crank mechanism, the section in question can be moved back and forth parallel to itself relative to the holding part on an arc-shaped path.

Es ist jedoch auch möglich, den Gelenkvierecken andere Ausbildungen zu geben, so daß die Sektionen dann nicht parallel zu sich selbst verschiebbar sind, sondern ihren Translationsbewegungen noch Schwenkbewegungen (Kippbewegung) überlagert sind, was auch in komplizierten Fällen das Umbördein der Deckel um die Randflansche von Behältern ermöglicht.However, it is also possible to give the articulated quadrilaterals other designs, so that the sections are then not displaceable parallel to themselves, but their translational movements are still superimposed on swiveling movements (tilting movement), which in complicated cases also involves the flanging of the covers around the edge flanges Allows containers.

Vorzugsweise kann der Bördelrahmen insgesamt vier Sektionen aufweisen. Dies ist insbesondere bei Behältern mit ungefähr rechteckförmigen Umrissen und abgerundeten Ecken zweckmäßig, von denen ein Ausführungsbeispiel in der Zeichnung dargestellt ist. Man kann jedoch je nach Behältergestalt auch mehr oder weniger Sektionen als vier Sektionen vorsehen. Bei runden Behältern kann man bspw. oft zweckmäßig mit drei Sektionen auskommen, deren Mitten um jeweils 120° Zentriwinkel relativ zueinander winkelversetzt angeordnet sein können. Die Sektionen können vorzugsweise ungefähr gleich groß sein. Bei den Behältern kann es sich vorzugsweise um Menüschalen handeln, wie sie für Fertiggerichte verwendet werden. Es können jedoch auch Behälter größerer Tiefe vorgesehen sein. Die Behälter können auch für andere Lebensmittel oder sonstige Waren vorgesehen sein, für deren Aufbewahrung die Umbördelung ausreicht. Die Behälter können vorzugsweise ganz oder im wesentlichen aus Metall, insbesondere Aluminium, oder auch aus anderen Materialen, wie Kunststoff, metallkaschierter Pappe oder dergl. bestehen. Die biegsamen Deckel bestehen zumindest teilweise aus Metallband oder -folie, vorzugsweise aus beschichtetem oder unbeschichtetem Aluminiumband bzw. -folie. Die Deckel können der Verschließvorrichtung vorzugsweise als noch ebene Blätter (Zuschnitte) oder als bereits vorgeformte Deckel bspw. mit vertikal nach unten umgebogenem Rand vorgelegt werden. Der Deckelzuschnitt ist der jeweiligen Behälterform angepaßt. Wenn, wie besonders vorteilhaft, der Deckelzuschnitt ein ebenes Blatt ist, das auf den gefüllten Behälter zu dessen Verschließen zuerst auf dessen Randflansch diesen überragend flach aufgelegt wird, dann kann das gesamte Umbördeln des über den Randflansch des Behälters überstehenden Bereichs dieses als Deckel dienenden Blattes durch den Bördelrahmen durchgeführt werden.The crimping frame can preferably have a total of four sections. This is particularly useful for containers with approximately rectangular contours and rounded corners, of which an embodiment is shown in the drawing. However, depending on the shape of the container, more or fewer sections than four sections can be provided. In the case of round containers, for example, it is often useful to make do with three sections, the centers of which can be arranged offset in relation to one another by 120 ° central angles. The sections can preferably be approximately the same size. The containers can preferably be menu trays as are used for ready meals. However, containers of greater depth can also be provided. The containers can also be provided for other foods or other goods for which the flanging is sufficient for storage. The containers can preferably be made entirely or essentially of metal, in particular aluminum minium, or also from other materials, such as plastic, metal-laminated cardboard or the like. The flexible covers consist at least partially of metal tape or foil, preferably of coated or uncoated aluminum tape or foil. The lids can preferably be presented to the closing device as sheets (blanks) which are still flat or as pre-formed lids, for example with the edge bent vertically downward. The lid cut is adapted to the respective container shape. If, as is particularly advantageous, the cover blank is a flat sheet, which is placed on the filled container to seal it, first placed on the edge flange so that it is outstandingly flat, then the entire flanging of the area protruding beyond the edge flange of the container can be done by this sheet serving as a cover the crimp frame are carried out.

Die durch die Gelenkvierecke ermöglichten Bewegungen der Sektionen des Bördelrahmens können durch irgend einen geeigneten Antrieb herbeigeführt werden, wobei diese Sektionen zweckmäßig synchron bewegt werden. Jedoch sind auch zeitlich versetzte Bewegungsabläufe in manchen Fällen zweckmäßig, wenn bspw. mit dem Umbördeln eine bestimmte Faltung des Deckels verbunden werden soll. Ein solcher Antrieb kann an einem oder mehreren Gelenkstegen des einzelnen Gelenkviereckes oder an der betreffenden Sektion oder anderen geeigneten Stellen angreifen. Besonders günstig ist es, diesen Antrieb dadurch zu bewirken, indem an mindestens einem Gelenksteg des Gelenkviereckes ein Gelenkstab mit seinem einen Ende drehbar angelenkt ist, dessen anderes Ende drehbar an einem relativ zum Halteteil vertikal auf- und abbewegbaren Druckglied angelenkt ist. Dabei können zweckmäßig alle diese Gelenkstäbe an demselben gemeinsamen Druckglied oder auch an gesonderten Druckgliedem angelenkt sein. Das Druckglied kann besonders zweckmäßig durch das Oberteil gegen die Wirkung von federnden Rückstellmitteln bewegt werden. Die in diesem Falle erforderliche Übersetzung der Bewegung des Oberteiles in eine schnellere Bewegung der Sektionen läßt sich auf einfache Weise dadurch erreichen, indem der einzelne Gelenkstab an einem Gelenksteg zwischen dessen dem Gelenkviereck zugeordneten Drehachsen angelenkt ist.The movements of the sections of the crimp frame made possible by the four-bar linkage can be brought about by any suitable drive, these sections being expediently moved synchronously. However, movement sequences staggered in time are also expedient in some cases, for example if a certain folding of the cover is to be associated with the flanging. Such a drive can act on one or more joint webs of the individual quadrangle or on the relevant section or other suitable locations. It is particularly expedient to effect this drive by at least one joint bar of the four-bar linkage having a joint rod rotatably articulated at one end, the other end of which is rotatably articulated on a pressure member that can be moved up and down relative to the holding part. In this case, all these joint rods can expediently be articulated on the same common pressure member or also on separate pressure members. The pressure member can be moved particularly expediently through the upper part against the action of resilient return means. The translation of the movement of the upper part into a faster movement of the sections, which is required in this case, can be achieved in a simple manner by the individual joint rod being articulated on a joint web between its axes of rotation assigned to the four-bar linkage.

Während des Verschließvorganges kann der betreffende Behälter in irgendeiner Weise gehalten sein. Im einfachsten Fall kann er nur auf einer flachen Unterlage aufsitzen und durch das an ihn angedrückte Oberteil gehalten sein. Es ist auch möglich, ihn durch gesonderte Stempel, Rahmen oder dergl. zu halten. Bevorzugt kann vorgesehen sein, daß der Behälter in einen Zentrierrahmen eingesetzt wird, dessen oberer Rand an der Unterseite des Randflansches des jeweiligen Behälters so anliegt, daß dieser Randflansch noch für das Umbördein des Deckels ausreichend weit nach außen über diesen oberen Rand des Zentrierrahmens allseitig übersteht. Dieser Zentrierrahmen kann dabei auch dazu benutzt werden, den gesamten Bewegungsablauf aller an dem Verschließen des jeweiligen Behälters durch den Deckel mitwirkenden Teilen dieser Vorrichtung herbeizuführen, nämlich die Bewegung des Oberteiles, der Gelenkvierecke und, falls vorgesehen, des Druckgliedes und/oder des Halteteiles. Der Zentrierrahmen braucht dabei nur eine einzige vertikale Auf- und Abwärtsbewegung pro Verschließvorgang durchzuführen. Anstelle eines solchen Zentrierrahmens kann eine solche vertikale Auf- und Abwärtsbewegung auch durch einen anderen Träger für den Behälter durchgeführt werden. Es ist jedoch auch möglich, den Verschließvorgang durch eine vertikale Auf- und Abwärtsbewegung des Halteteiles durchzuführen oder eine kombinierte Bewegung von Halteteil und Zentrierrahmen oder dergl.The container in question can be held in any way during the closing process. In the simplest case, it can only sit on a flat surface and be held by the upper part pressed against it. It is also possible to hold it by separate stamps, frames or the like. It can preferably be provided that the container is inserted into a centering frame, the upper edge of which rests against the underside of the edge flange of the respective container in such a way that this edge flange still protrudes on all sides sufficiently far beyond the upper edge of the centering frame for the flanging of the cover. This centering frame can also be used to bring about the entire movement sequence of all parts of this device that cooperate in the closure of the respective container through the lid, namely the movement of the upper part, the four-bar linkage and, if provided, the pressure member and / or the holding part. The centering frame only needs to perform a single vertical up and down movement per closing process. Instead of such a centering frame, such a vertical upward and downward movement can also be carried out by another carrier for the container. However, it is also possible to carry out the closing process by means of a vertical upward and downward movement of the holding part or a combined movement of the holding part and centering frame or the like.

In der Zeichnung ist ein Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung dargestellt. Es zeigen:

  • Fig. 1 einen gebrochenen Teillängsschnitt durch eine Verschließvorrichtung gesehen entlang der Schnittlinie 1-1 der Fig. 5 gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung in der Endstellung eines Bördelvorganges,
  • Fig. 2 einen Ausschnitt aus Fig. 1, wobei jedoch die Verschließvorrichtung sich in ihrem geöffneten Zustand vor Beginn eines Schließvorganges befindet,
  • Fig. 3 einen der Fig. 2 entsprechenden Teilschnitt bei einer Stellung der Verschließvorrichtung, in der der Umbördelungsvorgang eine erste Phase erreicht hat,
  • Fig. 4 die Verschließvorrichtung nach Fig. 3 in einer Stellung gemäß einem weiteren Fortschritt des Bördelvorganges,
  • Fig. 5 eine Draufsicht auf die vier Sektionen des Bördelrahmens, wobei die Gelenkvierecke auch mit dargestellt und die sie tragenden Schenkel ihrer Träger geschnitten dargestellt sind.
In the drawing, an embodiment of the invention is shown. Show it:
  • 1 shows a broken partial longitudinal section through a closing device along the section line 1-1 of FIG. 5 according to an embodiment of the invention in the end position of a flanging process,
  • 2 shows a detail from FIG. 1, but with the closing device in its open state before the start of a closing process,
  • 3 shows a partial section corresponding to FIG. 2 in a position of the closing device in which the flanging process has reached a first phase,
  • 4 shows the closing device according to FIG. 3 in a position according to a further progress of the flanging process,
  • Fig. 5 is a plan view of the four sections of the crimp frame, wherein the four-bar linkage is also shown and the legs of their carrier carrying them are shown in section.

Die in der Zeichnung dargestellte Verschließvorrichtung 9 dient dem Verschließen von in Draufsicht ungefähr rechteckförmigen schalenförmigen Behältern 13 - insbesondere Menüschalen, die jeweils schräg nach oben gerichtete Seitenwände, abgerundete Ecken und einen umlaufenden Randflansch 14 aufweisen - mittels Deckel 10 bildenden blattförmigen ebenen Deckelzuschnitten aus ganz oder im wesentlichen aus Metall bestehender Folie oder Band, vorzugsweise mittels beschichteter (bspw. mit Lack) oder unbeschichteter Aluminiumfolie oder Aluminiumband. In Draufsicht hat der Behälter 13 einen Umriß, der dem Umriß des geschlossenen Bördelrahmens 23 ungefähr mit dem Unterschied entspricht, daß er etwas kleiner ist.The closing device 9 shown in the drawing is used to close bowl-shaped containers 13 which are approximately rectangular in plan view - in particular menu bowls, each of which has obliquely upward-facing side walls, rounded corners and a circumferential edge flange 14 - by means of lid 10 forming sheet-like flat lid blanks from whole or in essentially foil or tape consisting of metal, preferably by means of coated (e.g. with lacquer) or uncoated aluminum foil or aluminum tape. In plan view, the container 13 has an outline which corresponds approximately to the outline of the closed crimp frame 23 with the difference that it is somewhat smaller.

Diese Vorrichtung weist den aus vier Sektionen 23' bestehenden Bördelrahmen 23 auf. In den Figuren 1-4 ist jeweils nur eine Sektion 23' dieses Bördelrahmens 23 dargestellt, und zwar geschnitten entlang der Schnittlinie 1-1 der Fig. 5. Einander benachbarte Sektionen 23' sind in Bezug auf die zur Bildebene der Fig. 5 senkrechten, vertikalen Mittelebenen 41, 41' des horizontal stehenden Behälters 13 spiegelbildlich ausgebildet. Jede Sektion 23' wird von einem Gelenkviereck 60 getragen. Diese Gelenkvierecke 60 sind zu diesen Ebenen 41 bzw. 41' jeweils um 45° und zu den benachbarten Gelenkvierecken 60 um jeweils 90° winkelversetzt angeordnet und unter sich gleich ausgebildet.This device has the crimp frame 23 consisting of four sections 23 '. In FIGS. 1-4, only one section 23 'of this crimping frame 23 is shown, specifically cut along the section line 1-1 of FIG. 5. Sections 23' which are adjacent to one another are in relation to the sections perpendicular to the image plane of FIG. vertical center planes 41, 41 'of the horizontally standing container 13 are formed in mirror image. Each section 23 'is carried by a quadrangle 60. These quadrangles 60 are 45 ° to these planes 41 and 41 'and to the adjacent joint quadrilaterals 60 are arranged at 90 ° to each other and are formed identically among themselves.

Bei geöffneter Verschließvorrichtung 9 befindet sich im Abstand oberhalb eines zu vertikalen Hubbewegungen auf- und abwärts antreibbaren Zentrierrahmens 12 ein plattenförmiges, horizontal gerichtetes Oberteil 11. Dieses ist von vertikalen Stangen 17, 31 getragen, die in Lagerhülsen 18, 31' geradegeführt gleitbar gelagert sind, die in einem oberhalb des Oberteiles 11 ortsfest gehaltenen Halteteil 19 befestigt sind. Infolge dieser Lagerung kann das Oberteil 11 sich nicht drehen, sondern nur vertikale Auf- und Abwärtsbewegungen relativ zum Halteteil 19 ausführen. Dieses Halteteil 19 kann eine Platte oder dergl. sein. Es ist auch möglich, mehrere Halteteile für die Gelenkvierecke 60 vorzusehen, bspw. für jedes Gelenkviereck 60 ein gesondertes, zur Justierung des betreffenden Gelenkviereckes lageeinstellbares Halteteil. Der Umriß des Oberteiles 11 entspricht ungefähr dem Umriß des Randflansches 14 des Behälters 13.When the closing device 9 is open, a plate-shaped, horizontally directed upper part 11 is located at a distance above a centering frame 12 which can be driven upwards and downwards to vertical lifting movements. This is carried by vertical rods 17, 31, which are slidably supported in bearing sleeves 18, 31 'in a straight line, which are fastened in a holding part 19 which is held stationary above the upper part 11. As a result of this mounting, the upper part 11 cannot rotate, but can only perform vertical upward and downward movements relative to the holding part 19. This holding part 19 can be a plate or the like. It is also possible to provide a plurality of holding parts for the four-bar linkage 60, for example a separate holding part for each four-bar linkage 60, which can be adjusted in position to adjust the four-bar linkage concerned. The outline of the upper part 11 corresponds approximately to the outline of the edge flange 14 of the container 13.

Es können anstelle des einzigen Oberteiles 11 auch mehrere Oberteile nebeneinander angeordnet sein, wobei im Falle mehrerer Oberteile diese vorzugsweise zur Justierung relativ zueinander lageverstellbar sein können.Instead of the single upper part 11, several upper parts can also be arranged next to one another, in the case of several upper parts these can preferably be positionally adjustable relative to one another for adjustment.

In der in Fig. 2 dargestellten, geöffneten Stellung der Verschließvorrichtung ist das Oberteil 11 durch eine Rückstellfeder 32, die sich am Halteteil 19 abstützt und auf das Oberteil 11 drückt, in ihre relativ zum Halteteil 19 unterste Stellung bewegt, in der ein oberer, abstehender, einen Anschlag bildender Randwulst 33 der Stange 31 auf der Lagerhülse 31' des Halteteiles 19 aufliegt, so daß das Oberteil 11 nicht weiter nach unten wandern kann. Es kann jedoch durch eine Aufwärtsbewegung des Zentrierrahmens 12 gegen die Kraft der Rückstellfeder 32 nach oben bis in die in Fig. 1 dargestellte höchste Stellung bewegt werden, in der sich der Anschlag 33 im Abstand oberhalb der Lagerhülse 31' befindet.In the open position of the closing device shown in FIG. 2, the upper part 11 is moved into its lowest position relative to the holding part 19 by a return spring 32, which is supported on the holding part 19 and presses on the upper part 11, in which an upper, protruding part , A stop forming edge bead 33 of the rod 31 rests on the bearing sleeve 31 'of the holding part 19 so that the upper part 11 cannot move further down. However, an upward movement of the centering frame 12 can move it against the force of the return spring 32 up to the highest position shown in FIG. 1, in which the stop 33 is at a distance above the bearing sleeve 31 '.

Auf der Lagerhülse 18 ist ferner eine weitere Hülse 29 konzentrisch zu ihr geradegeführt gleitbar gelagert, an derem unteren Ende ein als horizontale Platte ausgebildetes Druckglied 28 fest angeordnet ist. Auch dieses Druckglied 28 kann ein- oder mehrteilig ausgebildet sein, wobei in letzterem Falle seine Teile wiederum zweckmäßig zur Justierung zueinander lageverstellbar sein können.On the bearing sleeve 18, a further sleeve 29 is also slidably mounted concentrically to it in a straight line, at the lower end of which a pressure member 28 designed as a horizontal plate is fixedly arranged. This pressure member 28 can also be formed in one or more parts, in the latter case its parts can in turn be expediently adjustable in relation to one another for adjustment.

An diesem Druckglied 28 ist eine vertikale Stange 35 befestigt, die an einer am Halteteil 19 fest angeordneten Lagerhülse 35' geradegeführt gelagert ist und an ihrem oberen Ende einen als Anschlag dienenden Randwulst 37 aufweist, der in der geöffneten Stellung der Verschließvorrichtung auf der Lagerhülse 35' zur Begrenzung der Abwärtsbewegung des Druckgliedes 28 aufliegt. Dabei wird das Druckglied ständig durch eine Rückstellfeder 36, die sich am Halteteil 19 abstützt, in abwärtiger Richtung belastet und ist gegen die Wirkung dieser Druckfeder 36 durch das Oberteil 11 bei dessen durch den Zentrierrahmen 12 bewirkbarer Aufwärtsbewegung bis in die in Fig. 1 dargestellte höchste Stellung vertikal aufwärts bewegbar.A vertical rod 35 is fastened to this pressure member 28, which is supported in a straight line on a bearing sleeve 35 'which is fixedly arranged on the holding part 19 and has at its upper end an edge bead 37 serving as a stop, which in the open position of the closing device on the bearing sleeve 35' to limit the downward movement of the pressure member 28 rests. The pressure member is constantly loaded by a return spring 36, which is supported on the holding part 19, in the downward direction and is against the action of this compression spring 36 by the upper part 11 during its upward movement, which can be effected by the centering frame 12, up to the highest shown in FIG. 1 Position can be moved vertically upwards.

An jeder der vier Ecken dieses Druckgliedes 28 sind jeweils zwei zueinander parallele Gelenkstäbe 26 mit ihren unteren Enden um eine gemeinsame, zu den vier Drehachsen des zugeordneten Gelenkviereckes 60 parallele Drehachse, wie 61, drehbar gelagert, wobei diese beiden Gelenkstäbe 26 an zwei zueinander parallelen inneren Gelenkstegen 22 des betreffenden Gelenkviereckes 60 mit ihren oberen Enden drehbar angelenkt sind. Die Drehachse 62 dieser Anlenkung ist ebenfalls parallel zu den Drehachsen 63-66 des Gelenkviereckes. Die Drehachse 62 der dem betreffenden Gelenkviereck 60 zugeordneten beiden Gelenkstäbe 26 befindet sich zwischen den den Gelenkstäben 22 zugeordneten Drehachsen 65, 66 dieses Gelenkviereckes. Diese Gelenkstege 22 sind mit ihren oberen Enden an dem inneren Schenkel 51 eines U-förmigen Trägers 20, der fest an der Unterseite des Halteteils 19 angeordnet ist, drehbar gelagert (Drehachse 65). Die unteren Enden der beiden Gelenkstege 22 des betreffenden Gelenkviereckes 60 sind an einem nach oben gerichteten, an der betreffenden Sektion 23' fest angeordneten Arm 25 drehbar gelagert (Drehachse 66). Zu den Gelenkstegen 22 des einzelnen Gelenkviereckes erstreckt sich parallel ein gleich langer, gerader Gelenksteg 21, dessen unteres Ende um eine Drehachse 64 an einem an der betreffenden Sektion 23' fest angeordneten Arm 24 drehbar angelenkt ist und dessen oberes Ende an äußeren Schenkeln 50 des betreffenden Trägers 20 drehbar um die Drehachse 63 angelenkt ist. Die Abstände der Drehachsen 63 und 64 des betreffenden Gelenkviereckes voneinander sind genauso groß wie die Abstände der Drehachsen 65 und 66 voneinander. Die Abstände der Drehachsen 63 und 65 des betreffenden Gelenkviereckes 60 voneinander sind genauso groß wie die Abstände seiner Drehachsen 64 und 66 voneinander. Hierdurch bildet jedes Gelenkviereck 60 ein Parallelkurbelgetriebe.At each of the four corners of this pressure member 28, two mutually parallel hinge rods 26 are each rotatably supported with their lower ends about a common axis of rotation, such as 61, parallel to the four axes of rotation of the associated hinge quadrilateral 60, these two hinge rods 26 on two mutually parallel inner ones Articulated webs 22 of the relevant quadrilateral 60 are pivoted at their upper ends. The axis of rotation 62 of this articulation is also parallel to the axes of rotation 63-66 of the four-bar linkage. The axis of rotation 62 of the two articulated rods 26 assigned to the relevant quadrilateral 60 is located between the axes of rotation 65, 66 of this quadrilateral assigned to the articulated rods 22. The upper ends of these joint webs 22 are rotatably mounted on the inner leg 51 of a U-shaped carrier 20, which is fixedly arranged on the underside of the holding part 19 (axis of rotation 65). The lower ends of the two articulated webs 22 of the relevant quadrangle 60 are rotatably mounted on an upwardly directed arm 25 which is fixedly arranged on the relevant section 23 '(axis of rotation 66). Extending parallel to the hinge webs 22 of the individual four-bar linkage is an equally long, straight hinge web 21, the lower end of which is rotatably articulated about an axis of rotation 64 on an arm 24 fixed to the relevant section 23 'and the upper end of which is connected to outer legs 50 of the respective one Carrier 20 is pivoted about the axis of rotation 63. The distances between the axes of rotation 63 and 64 of the relevant four-bar linkage are the same as the distances between the axes of rotation 65 and 66 from one another. The distances between the axes of rotation 63 and 65 of the respective four-bar linkage 60 from one another are the same as the distances between the axes of rotation 64 and 66 thereof. As a result, each quadrilateral joint 60 forms a parallel crank mechanism.

Die Sektionen 23' und das Oberteil 11 sind relativ zum Halteteil 19 gegen Drehen durch die Gelenkvierecke 60 und die sie bewegenden Gelenkstäbe 26 gesichert.The sections 23 'and the upper part 11 are secured relative to the holding part 19 against rotation by the quadrangles 60 and the articulated rods 26 which move them.

Das Oberteil 11 bildet für den Randflansch 14 ein Widerlager beim Umbördeln des Deckels 10.The upper part 11 forms an abutment for the edge flange 14 when the cover 10 is flanged.

Der Zentrierrahmen 12 ist ebenfalls gegen Drehen gesichert und durch eine nicht dargestellte Antriebsvorrichtung aus einer untersten Stellung, in der sein oberer Rand 53 sich neben einer Auflageplatte 61' für den jeweiligen Behälter 13 befindet, bis in die in Fig. 1 dargestellte Stellung vertikal nach oben bewegbar, wobei sich die Auflageplatte 61' auf einem Teil dieses Weges mitbewegt. Die Gelenkstäbe 26 greifen durch Öffnungen in den Sektionen 23' hindurch.The centering frame 12 is also secured against rotation and by a drive device, not shown, from a lowermost position, in which its upper edge 53 is located next to a support plate 61 'for the respective container 13, up to the position shown in FIG. 1 vertically movable, the support plate 61 'moving along part of this path. The hinge rods 26 reach through openings in the sections 23 '.

Diese Verschließvorrichtung arbeitet zum Verschließen von Behältern 13 mittels Deckeln 10 wie folgt:This closing device works for closing containers 13 by means of lids 10 as follows:

Zuerst wird der betreffende, mit Lebensmitteln oder dergl. gefüllte Behälter 13 auf die Auflage 61' aufgebracht und dann wird der Zentrierrahmen 12 zur Zentrierung dieses Behälters 13 nach oben bis in die in Fig. 2 dargestellte Stellung bewegt. Bereits vorher oder jetzt wird als Deckel 10 ein ebener Zuschnitt aus Metall oder Metall aufweisender Folie oder Band, der rechteckförmigen Umriß haben kann, auf eine umlaufende Einrollung 15 des Randflansches 14 des Behälters 13 so aufgelegt, daß sie allseitig gleichmäßig über den Randflansch 14 übersteht. Der obere, umlaufende Rand des vorzugsweise einen geschlossenen Ring bildenden Zentrierrahmens 12 liegt dann unmittelbar am Übergang von der Seitenwand des Behälters 13 in den Randflansch 14 an der Unterseite des Randflansches an, so daß dieser Randflansch 14 noch erheblich über den Zentrierrahmen 12 in für die Befestigung des Deckels 10 durch Umbördeln um den Randflansch 14 ausreichenden Maße übersteht. Der Zentrierrahmen 12 wird weiter vertikal nach oben bewegt und stößt dann an das Oberteil 11 an, wodurch der Deckel 10 zwischen den Rand 53 des Zentrierrahmens 12 und dem Oberteil 11 zusammen mit dem inneren Ende des Randflansches 14 eingeklemmt wird und hierdurch auch gegen Verschieben beim weiteren Umbördeln gesichert wird. Dieses Oberteil 11 weist an seiner Unterseite eine umlaufende Abschrägung 16 auf, die ungefähr so breit wie der an sie durch die Aufwärtsbewegung des Zentrierrahmens 12 angedrückte Randflansch 14 des Behälters 13 ist, so daß hierdurch der Randflansch 14 aus der horizontalen Stellung in Fig. 2 in die in Fig. 3 dargestellte, schwach schräg nach unten gerichtete Stellung gebogen wird, was für die Festigkeit des Behälters 13 günstig ist. Bei dieser Aufwärtsbewegung des Zentrierrahmens 12 aus der Stellung nach Fig. 2 in die Stellung nach Fig. 3 wird nach dem Ankommen des Zentrierrahmens 12 am Oberteil 11 dieses Oberteil 11 durch den Zentrierrahmen 12 vertikal nach oben mit bewegt und hierdurch wird der über den Randflansch 14 überstehende Bereich des Deckels 10 in die in Fig. 3 dargestellte Stellung rechtwinklig nach unten abgebogen. Das Oberteil 11 wird dann zusammen mit dem Zentrierrahment 12 gegen die Kraft seiner Rückstellfeder 32 weiter nach oben bewegt und stößt dann an das Druckglied 28 an. In dieser Stellung des Oberteiles 11 befinden sich die unteren, im Querschnitt L-förmigen Bördelkanten 46 der Sektionen 23' wie dargestellt im Abstand unterhalb des Randflansches 14 des Behälters 13. Bis zu dieser in Fig. 3 dargestellten Stellung des Oberteiles 11 haben sich die Sektionen 23' noch nicht bewegt. Nunmehr erfolgt jedoch bei der weiteren Aufwärtsbewegung der Zentrierrahmen 12 eine kreisbogenförmige Bewegung jeder Sektion 23' nach innen und oben, die durch die Gelenkvierecke 60 und die Gelenkstäbe 26 dadurch bewirkt werden, indem die Gelenkstäbe 26 durch die vertikal nach oben erfolgte Mitnahme des Druckgliedes 28 durch das Oberteil 11 nach oben mit bewegt werden. Und zwar bewegen hierdurch die Gelenkstäbe 26 die Gelenkstege 22 und damit auch die Gelenkstege 21 aus der in Fig. 2 und 3 dargestellten Stellung über die in Fig. 4 dargestellte Zwischenstellung bis in die in Fig. 1 dargestellten Endstellungen in Gegenuhrzeigerrichtung nach oben. Dies erfolgt für alle Gelenkvierecke 60 synchron. Durch die Übersetzung dieser vertikalen Aufwärtsbewegung des Druckgliedes 28 in eine schnellere Bewegung der durch das Druckglied 28 mittels der Gelenkvierecke 60 gemeinsame synchron zueinander bewegten Sektionen 23' erfolgt die dem Einwärts- und Aufwärtsbiegen des über den Randflansch 14 überstehenden Randbereiches des Deckels 10 dienende Einwärts- und Aufwärtsbewegung der Bördelkanten 46 schneller als die Aufwärtsbewegung des Oberteiles 11. Der Zentrierrahmen 12 wird bis in die in Fig. 1 dargestellte Stellung so weit nach oben bewegt, daß die inneren freien Schenkel 47 der Bördelkanten 46, deren oberen Stirnkanten der Abschrägung 16 des Oberteiles angepaßt sind, die Einrollung 15 des Randflansches 14 hintergreifen und den hierdurch umgebördelten Bereich des Deckels 10 fest an die Unterseite des Randflansches 14 andrücken. Dieses Andrücken erfolgt durch alle vier Sektionen 23' gleichzeitig. Bei dieser Aufwärtsbewegung des Druckgliedes 28 werden die Sektionen 23' durch die Gelenkvierecke 60 nach oben und aufeinander zu bewegt, bis die ursprünglich zwischen ihnen gemäß Fig. 5 vorhandenen breiten Spalten 28' praktisch zu Null reduziert sind. In dieser Endstellung des Bördelrahmens 23 bilden also seine Sektionen 23' praktisch einen geschlossenen Ring, der mit seinen Bördelkanten 46 dem Randflansch 14 untenseitig lückenlos unter Zwischenfügung des umgebördelten Deckelrandbereiches gegenüberliegt und diesen Deckelrandbereich an diese Unterseite des Randflansches 14 zwecks fester Umbördelung andrückt. Die Andrückkraft läßt sich durch die Höhe der Endstellung des Zentrierrahmens 12 einstellen. Je höher diese Endstellung ist, um so größer wird diese Andrückkraft. Das Oberteil 11 stützt den Randflansch 14 gegen diese Andrückkraft ab.First, the relevant container 13 filled with food or the like is applied to the support 61 ′ and then the centering frame 12 is moved upwards to center this container 13 into the position shown in FIG. 2. Already before or now, a flat blank made of metal or a metal foil or tape having a rectangular outline will be used as the cover 10 can, placed on a circumferential curl 15 of the edge flange 14 of the container 13 so that it protrudes uniformly on all sides over the edge flange 14. The upper, peripheral edge of the preferably forming a closed ring centering frame 12 then lies directly at the transition from the side wall of the container 13 into the edge flange 14 on the underside of the edge flange, so that this edge flange 14 is still considerably above the centering frame 12 in for attachment of the cover 10 by flanging around the edge flange 14 survives sufficient dimensions. The centering frame 12 is moved further vertically upwards and then abuts the upper part 11, whereby the cover 10 is clamped between the edge 53 of the centering frame 12 and the upper part 11 together with the inner end of the edge flange 14 and thereby also against displacement during the further Flanging is secured. This upper part 11 has on its underside a circumferential bevel 16 which is approximately as wide as the edge flange 14 of the container 13 pressed against it by the upward movement of the centering frame 12, so that the edge flange 14 is thereby removed from the horizontal position in FIG. 2 in the slightly inclined downward position shown in Fig. 3 is bent, which is favorable for the strength of the container 13. During this upward movement of the centering frame 12 from the position according to FIG. 2 into the position according to FIG. 3, after the centering frame 12 arrives at the upper part 11, this upper part 11 is moved vertically upwards by the centering frame 12 and as a result thereof is moved over the edge flange 14 protruding area of the lid 10 in the position shown in Fig. 3 bent downwards at right angles. The upper part 11 is then moved together with the centering frame 12 against the force of its return spring 32 further up and then abuts the pressure member 28. In this position of the upper part 11, the lower, in cross-section L-shaped flanged edges 46 of the sections 23 'are, as shown, at a distance below the edge flange 14 of the container 13. Up to this position of the upper part 11 shown in FIG. 3, the sections have one another 23 'not yet moved. Now, however, with the further upward movement of the centering frame 12 there is an arcuate movement of each section 23 'inwards and upwards, which are brought about by the articulated quadrilaterals 60 and the articulated rods 26 in that the articulated rods 26 by the pressure member 28 being carried vertically upwards the upper part 11 can be moved upwards. In this way, the articulated rods 26 move the articulated webs 22 and thus also the articulated webs 21 from the position shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 via the intermediate position shown in FIG. 4 to the end positions shown in FIG. 1 in a counterclockwise direction. This is done synchronously for all quadrilaterals 60. By translating this vertical upward movement of the pressure member 28 into a faster movement of the sections 23 'which are moved synchronously with one another by the pressure member 28 by means of the articulated quadrilaterals 60, the inward and outward bending of the edge region of the cover 10 which projects beyond the edge flange 14 takes place Upward movement of the flanged edges 46 faster than the upward movement of the upper part 11. The centering frame 12 is moved up to the position shown in FIG. 1 so far that the inner free legs 47 of the flanged edges 46, the upper end edges of which are adapted to the bevel 16 of the upper part are, engage behind the curl 15 of the edge flange 14 and press the region of the cover 10 flanged thereby firmly onto the underside of the edge flange 14. This pressing takes place simultaneously through all four sections 23 '. During this upward movement of the pressure member 28, the sections 23 'are moved up and toward one another by the four-bar linkages 60 until the wide gaps 28' originally present between them according to FIG. 5 are reduced to practically zero. In this end position of the crimp frame 23, its sections 23 'thus practically form a closed ring which, with its crimped edges 46, lies opposite the edge flange 14 on the underside with the interposition of the flanged lid edge area and presses this lid edge area against this underside of the edge flange 14 for the purpose of firm flanging. The pressing force can be adjusted by the height of the end position of the centering frame 12. The higher this end position, the greater this pressing force. The upper part 11 supports the edge flange 14 against this pressing force.

Nach diesem beschriebenen Verschließen des Behälters 13 durch den Deckel 10 wird diese Verschließvorrichtung wieder geöffnet, indem der Zentrierrahmen 12 nach unten bewegt wird. Dabei drücken dann die Rückstellfedern 32 und 36 das Druckglied 28 und das Oberteil 11 wieder in die in Fig. 2 dargestellten Stellungen unter entsprechendem Überführen der Sektionen 23' in ihre geöffneten, auch in Fig. 5 dargestellten Stellungen zurück. Die Abwärtsbewegungen des Druckgliedes 28 und des Oberteiles 11 sind beendet, sobald die Anschläge 33 und 37 der Stangen 31 und 35 auf den betreffenden Lagerhülsen 31' und 35' des Halteteiles 19 zum Aufliegen kommen. Der Zentrierrahmen 12 bewegt sich dann noch weiter nach unten in seine Ausgangsstellung zurück, bei der der gefüllte und nunmehr verschlossene Behälter 13 von der Auflage 61' abgenommen werden kann, bspw. weitergeschoben oder auf sonstige Weise von ihr weggeführt werden und ein neuer, noch nicht verschlossener Behälter an seiner Stelle auf diese Auflage 61' zwecks Verschließens durch einen Deckel 10 aufgebracht werden kann.After this described closing of the container 13 by the lid 10, this closing device is opened again by moving the centering frame 12 downwards. The return springs 32 and 36 then push the pressure member 28 and the upper part 11 back into the positions shown in FIG. 2 with appropriate transfer of the sections 23 'into their open positions, which are also shown in FIG. 5. The downward movements of the pressure member 28 and the upper part 11 are ended as soon as the stops 33 and 37 of the rods 31 and 35 come to rest on the respective bearing sleeves 31 'and 35' of the holding part 19. The centering frame 12 then moves still further down to its starting position, in which the filled and now closed container 13 can be removed from the support 61 ', for example pushed further or otherwise guided away from it and a new one, not yet closed container can be applied in place on this support 61 'for the purpose of closing by a lid 10.

Claims (13)

1. A device for closing containers (13), preferably pre-prepared food dishes, which in each case comprise a circumferential rim flange (14), by means of a flexible lid (10) formed entirely or partially from metallic ribbon or metal foil, which device (9) comprises a flanging frame (23) divided into a plurality of displaceable sections (23'), which are used for flanging the respective lid (10) around the rim flange of the respective container, the sections (23') of the flanging frame (23) being displaceably held and guided on at least one retaining part (19) by means of hinged bars (21, 22) and the device also comprising at least one upper part (11), which is displaceable relative to the retaining part (19) and against which the respective lid (10) can come to rest, characterised in that the sections (23') of the flanging frame (23) can be held and guided on the retaining part (19), of which there is at least one, by means of link quadrilaterals (60) which comprise the hinged bars (21, 22), such that the link quadrilaterals (60) allow for the inward and upward movements of the sections (23') relative to at least one upper part (11), which movements are necessary for the flanging.
2. A device according to claim 1, characterised in that the link quadrilateral (6) is formed as a parallel- crank four-bar linkage, which can effect a predetermined reciprocating movement.
3. A device acccording to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that each link quadrilateral (60) can be driven by at least one hinged rod (26), which is hinge connected at one end to at least one hinged bar (22) of the respective link quadrilateral (60) and at its other end to a compression member (28), the compression member (28) and the retaining part (19) being displaceable relative to one another vertically up and down so as to cause the link quadrilateral (60) to move.
4. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the retaining part (19) of the device is rigidly arranged and the upper part (11) is displaceable vertically up and down.
5. A device according to claim 3 or 4, characterised in that the compression member (28) is displaceable relative to the retaining part (19) by means of the upper part (11) and is preferably loaded by restoring spring means (36).
6. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the upper part (11) is loaded by restoring spring means (32).
7. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it comprises a centring frame (12) for the respective container (13).
8. A device according to claim 7, characterised in that the centring frame (12) comprises an upper edge (53), which can come to rest against the rim flange (14) of the respective container (13), such that said rim flange still projects to a considerable degree on all sides beyond the centring frame and can be clamped between the upper part (11) and said upper edge of the centring frame (12).
9. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the entire sequence of movements for the closure of the respective container can be effected by the vertical upward and downward movement of the centring frame (12) and/or of the retaining part (19).
10. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that in the region of the rim flange (14) of the respective container (13), the upper part (11) comprises downwardly inclined surfaces (16) which serve to bend the flange rim (14) obliquely downwards.
11. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that rectilinear guiding means (18, 29) for the rectilinear guidance of the upper part (11) and /or of the compression member (28) are arranged on the retaining part (19).
12. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the flanging frame (23) comprises a total of four sections (23').
13. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it designed for closing containers (13) having an approximately rectangular or square profile with rounded corners or for closing round containers.
EP86110048A 1985-07-23 1986-07-22 Container-closing device Expired EP0209890B1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AT86110048T ATE39894T1 (en) 1985-07-23 1986-07-22 DEVICE FOR CLOSING CONTAINERS.

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE3526312 1985-07-23
DE3526312 1985-07-23

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0209890A1 EP0209890A1 (en) 1987-01-28
EP0209890B1 true EP0209890B1 (en) 1989-01-11

Family

ID=6276523

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP86110048A Expired EP0209890B1 (en) 1985-07-23 1986-07-22 Container-closing device

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0209890B1 (en)
AT (1) ATE39894T1 (en)
DE (1) DE3661710D1 (en)

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
NL9101357A (en) * 1991-08-07 1993-03-01 Metaltech V O F METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CLOSING A PACKAGE
DE102021126743A1 (en) * 2021-10-15 2023-04-20 BVM Brunner GmbH & Co. KG side edge folder

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2252927C2 (en) * 1972-10-27 1974-10-31 Eugen 7000 Stuttgart Schierle Device for closing trays with aluminum foil or the like
DE2935479C3 (en) * 1979-09-01 1982-02-25 HD-Ekco N.V., Genk Device for closing a container with a lid made of plastically deformable material.

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE3661710D1 (en) 1989-02-16
ATE39894T1 (en) 1989-01-15
EP0209890A1 (en) 1987-01-28

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