EP0505816B1 - Apparatus for closing containers - Google Patents

Apparatus for closing containers Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0505816B1
EP0505816B1 EP92104028A EP92104028A EP0505816B1 EP 0505816 B1 EP0505816 B1 EP 0505816B1 EP 92104028 A EP92104028 A EP 92104028A EP 92104028 A EP92104028 A EP 92104028A EP 0505816 B1 EP0505816 B1 EP 0505816B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
flushing
closing tool
pressure applying
closing
ram
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 - Lifetime
Application number
EP92104028A
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German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0505816A1 (en
Inventor
Gerhard Heudecker
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.)
Krones AG
Original Assignee
Krones AG
Krones AG Hermann Kronseder Maschinenfabrik
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from DE9103889U external-priority patent/DE9103889U1/de
Application filed by Krones AG, Krones AG Hermann Kronseder Maschinenfabrik filed Critical Krones AG
Publication of EP0505816A1 publication Critical patent/EP0505816A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0505816B1 publication Critical patent/EP0505816B1/en
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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67B—APPLYING CLOSURE MEMBERS TO BOTTLES JARS, OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; OPENING CLOSED CONTAINERS
    • B67B3/00—Closing bottles, jars or similar containers by applying caps
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67B—APPLYING CLOSURE MEMBERS TO BOTTLES JARS, OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; OPENING CLOSED CONTAINERS
    • B67B3/00—Closing bottles, jars or similar containers by applying caps
    • B67B3/02—Closing bottles, jars or similar containers by applying caps by applying flanged caps, e.g. crown caps, and securing by deformation of flanges

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a device for closing vessels according to the preamble of claim 1.
  • rinsing containers or caps becomes problematic in a conventional capper whose closure feed device protrudes in at least one point close to or below the capping tools in their circulation plane, since then in the area of the closure feed device the rinsing containers collide with them or are not used at this point can.
  • the invention is therefore based on the object of providing a device for closing containers which permits quick and easy cleaning of the closing tools without major conversion work on the periphery of a closing machine.
  • the flushing element is inserted directly into the opening, into which the vessel mouth to be closed is normally immersed, the flushing element can be made very compact and flat and takes up little space. This is especially true when the flushing element is designed as a flat disc which, when inserted, is essentially flush with the underside of the closing tool. A flushing element designed in this way is hardly larger than the crown caps to be processed.
  • a particularly simple insertion of the flushing elements into the opening of a closing tool is possible if the end face of the pressure die, which is movably guided in the closing tool, is set back relative to the underside of the closing tool.
  • the pressure stamp usually has a magnet for holding the crown caps, in the simplest case a flushing element can be used which contains magnetic or magnetizable material. The rinsing element will then held only by the magnet in the opening of the closing tool.
  • the flushing element can also itself consist of magnetic material and thereby adhere to the closing tool and pressure stamp.
  • a rinsing element can also be inserted into the opening of the closing tool for rinsing if the pressure ram can be withdrawn axially into the closing tool for rinsing is.
  • a flushing element is movably mounted on the closing tool and can be brought from a standby position into a flushing position that seals the opening of the closing tool.
  • the closing tool 1 partially shown in FIG. 1 is mounted in a manner known per se axially displaceably on the circumference of a revolving carousel (not shown).
  • a pressure ram 2 is arranged coaxially, which is guided axially displaceably in the closing tool 1 and is permanently acted upon by a compression spring 21 in the direction of its rest position defined by the stop 16.
  • the end face 7 of the pressure die 2 is set back relative to the underside 6 of the closing tool 1.
  • the pressure ram 2 is penetrated by an axially extending rinsing channel 12 which extends to the end face 7.
  • the front end of the flushing channel 12 is designed as a threaded bore 11 for fastening a flushing element 3.
  • a magnet 9 for holding the crown cork 20 fed to the closing tool 1 before the actual closing process is integrated into the end face 7 of the pressure die 2. Radial between that The lower area of the pressure die 2 and that of the closing tool 1 have rinsing spaces 17 arranged between these two parts, which, in conjunction with the rinsing channel 12, enable reverse rinsing of the entire interior of the closing tool 1.
  • the lower region of the closing tool 1 is designed as a separate component which is detachably fastened to the upper part of the closing tool 1.
  • the lower, interchangeable part of the closing tool 1 contains the inner cone 15, the task of which is the flanging of the crown caps 20 after being placed on a vessel mouth.
  • the inner cone 15 also forms the opening 4 through which the mouth of a bottle can be inserted into the closing tool 1 for closure.
  • the closing tool 1 is shown in the area of a cork feeding device.
  • the cork feeding device not shown in detail, comprises a slide plate 19 which extends radially inwards from the outside of the orbit of the closing tools 1 and runs closely below the underside 6 of the closing tools.
  • the crown cap 20 resting on the push-over plate 19 is attracted by the magnet 9 of the pressure stamp 2 as it passes and adheres to the end face 7 of the pressure stamp 2 until the closing process.
  • the closing tool 1 is lowered in a known manner by a control device (not shown) onto a bottle mouth arranged concentrically below the opening 4 of the closing tool 1.
  • the pressure stamp 2 exerts pressure by its compression spring 21 to securely seal the bottle mouth. This is done in that after the crown cap 20 strikes the bottle mouth, the stop 16 formed on the pressure stamp 2 is lifted off its corresponding counter surface on the closing tool 1, as a result of which the pretensioning force of the compression spring 21 is guided to the crown cap 20 via the pressure stamp 2.
  • the flushing element 3 consists essentially of a flat, circular disc, the peripheral surface of which is adapted to the shape of the opening 4 or the inner cone 15. The peripheral surface also receives an O-ring in a groove, which forms an elastic sealing surface 14 of the flushing element 3.
  • the flushing element 3 can be screwed with its threaded pin 10 into the threaded bore 11 of the pressure die 2 until the elastic sealing surface 14 abuts the inner cone 15.
  • a hexagonal pin 22 is formed on the flushing element for screwing in.
  • the threaded pin 10 has a shoulder 23 which limits the screw-in depth by contact with the end face 7 of the pressure die 2.
  • a free space 8 between the end face 7 of the pressure ram 2 and the rinsing element 3 ensures that a large part of the end face 7 is wetted by the detergent during the rinsing process.
  • Complete reverse flushing is made possible by an oblique bore 24 branching off from the flushing channel 12.
  • Cleaning liquid introduced into the rinsing channel 12 can be directed via the oblique bore 24 into the free space 8 between the rinsing element 3 and the end face 7 of the pressure ram 2 and from there through the rinsing spaces 17 on the peripheral surface of the pressure ram 2 upwards into the spring space of the closing tool 1 climb.
  • the oblique bore 24 can be dispensed with if a flushing element, as shown in FIG. 3, is used, the threaded pin 11 of which contains a cavity 13 which connects the flushing channel 12 to the free space 8.
  • the cavity 13 can be formed, for example, by a blind hole arranged axially in the threaded pin 10 and a through hole in the shoulder 23 running perpendicular thereto.
  • the flushing element 3 shown in FIG. 3 differs from that in FIG. 2 in that instead of an outwardly projecting hexagon pin 22, two face holes 25 running parallel to one another are provided for tightening and releasing the flushing element 3. This design allows the bottom 5 of the flushing element 3 to be completely flush with the bottom 6 of the closing tool 1.
  • both the flushing channel 12 and the flushing compartments 17 can be sprayed into the open through the opening 4 from top to bottom. In this way, a complete exposure to all critical surfaces in the closing tool 1 is ensured.
  • the rinsing element 3 is configured similarly to the rinsing element shown in FIG. 2. However, the flushing element 3 is not held here by the pressure die 2, but is pressed into the inner cone 15 of the closing tool 1 by a support element 30 which can be fastened to the closing tool 1. For this purpose, the rinsing element 3 is rotatably riveted to the support element 30.
  • the cup-shaped support element 30 has a substantially U-shaped cross-section, the vertical walls 34 of the support element 30 at least partially enclosing the closing tool 1 on its lateral peripheral surface.
  • a plurality of retaining tongues 32 are fastened radially inward to the closing tool 1 and engage in an annular groove 33 formed on the closing tool 1.
  • the support element 30 is fastened in the manner of a bayonet lock in that the support element 30 is first pushed axially onto the closing tool 1 from below and then secured by twisting.
  • the closing tool 1 has flats (not shown) assigned to the holding tongues 32 on its lateral circumferential surface in the area between the annular groove 33 and its underside 6, the width of which is at least that of the holding tongues 32 corresponds.
  • FIG. 4 also shows a driver pin 35 formed on the underside 6 of the closing tool 1, the task of which is to take along a ready-made crown cork 20 in the circumferential direction of the closing tool 1 when passing through the cork feeding device indicated in FIG. 1.
  • the support element 30 has a window-shaped opening 31 through which the driver pin 35 can reach.
  • the window-shaped opening 31 is designed in such a way that the rotational movement required for fastening the support element 30 can be carried out without hindrance.
  • An attachment of the flushing element 3 to the closing tool 1, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, is expedient if an attachment to the pressure die 2 is not possible for technical reasons or if a full-surface cleaning of the end face 7 of the pressure die 2 is desired. Due to the fact that the sealing tool 1 is sealed in the opening 4, a very flat, i.e. Design that takes up little space is possible.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Sealing Of Jars (AREA)
  • Devices For Opening Bottles Or Cans (AREA)
  • Closures For Containers (AREA)

Description

Die Erfindung bezieht sich auf eine Vorrichtung zum Verschließen von Gefäßen gemäß dem Oberbegriff des Anspruchs 1.The invention relates to a device for closing vessels according to the preamble of claim 1.

Vorrichtungen der oben genannten Art sind zum Beispiel aus der DE-PS-3227244 bekannt und werden hauptsachlich in Gefäßfüllanlagen eingesetzt, mit der Aufgabe, auf ein gefülltes aber noch offenes Gefäß einen Verschluß aufzubringen. Dabei kann das Verschließwerkzeug unmittelbar vor und während des Verschließvorganges unter Umständen mit aus dem Gefäß austretendem Füllgut, beispielsweise Bierschaum, in Berührung kommen. Diese Füllgutreste können sich in den Spalten und Ritzen des Verschließwerkzeuges ablagern und bilden einen Nährboden für unerwünschte Mikroorganismen, die sich vermehren und das Füllgut in den zu verschließenden Gefäßen infizieren können. Es wird in zunehmendem Maße die Forderung erhoben, die Verschließvorrichtungen so zu gestalten, daß sie problemlos von Zeit zu Zeit gereinigt und sterilisiert werden können. Hierzu ist es erforderlich, das offene Verschließwerkzeug mit einem Spülbehälter oder einer Spülkappe zu verschließen, so daß dieses mit einem Reinigungsmedium in einem geschlossenen Kreislauf durchspült werden kann.Devices of the type mentioned above are known for example from DE-PS-3227244 and are mainly used in vessel filling systems with the task of applying a closure to a filled but still open vessel. In this case, the sealing tool can come into contact with the filling material, for example beer foam, emerging from the vessel immediately before and during the sealing process. These residues can be deposited in the crevices and crevices of the sealing tool and form a breeding ground for unwanted microorganisms that can multiply and infect the contents in the containers to be sealed. There is an increasing demand to design the closing devices so that they can be easily cleaned and sterilized from time to time. For this purpose, it is necessary to close the open closing tool with a rinsing container or a rinsing cap, so that it can be flushed through with a cleaning medium in a closed circuit.

Problematisch wird das Einsetzen von Spülbehältern oder -kappen bei einem herkömmlichen Verschließer, dessen Verschlußzuführeinrichtung an mindestens einer Stelle dicht neben oder unterhalb der Verschließwerkzeuge in deren Umlaufebene hineinragt, da dann im Bereich der Verschlußzuführeinrichtung die Spülbehälter mit dieser kollidieren bzw. an dieser Stelle nicht eingesetzt werden können. Dies trifft speziell für Kronenkorkverschließer zu, bei denen die Kronenkorken aus einem Vorratsbehälter kommend durch eine Korkenzuführeinrichtung stellungsgerecht jeweils einem Verschließwerkzeug zugeführt werden.The use of rinsing containers or caps becomes problematic in a conventional capper whose closure feed device protrudes in at least one point close to or below the capping tools in their circulation plane, since then in the area of the closure feed device the rinsing containers collide with them or are not used at this point can. This applies particularly to crown cork closers, in which the crown corks coming from a storage container are each fed to a capping tool in the correct position by a cork feeding device.

Durch weiteren Stand der Technik (DE-GM 88 15 956.6, DE-OS 39 18 504) ist es bereits bekannt, die Korkenzuführeinrichtung gegenüber den Verschließwerkzeugen höhenmäßig axial verschiebbar zu lagern, so daß ein Freiraum zum Einsetzen von Spülkappen geschaffen werden kann. Nachteilig an dieser Lösung ist die Tatsache, daß Verschließer in der Regel im Bereich unterhalb der Verschließwerkzeuge Einbauten zum Führen und Zentrieren der zu verschließenden Gefäße aufweisen. Zusätzlich können im Bereich dicht unterhalb der Verschließwerkzeuge noch mit diesen umlaufende Gaskanäle zur CO₂-Unterdeckelbegasung der Korken eingebaut sein, die praktisch keine ausreichende Axialverschiebung einer Korkenzuführeinrichtung nach unten erlauben. Darüber hinaus verursacht die verstellbare Befestigung der Korkenzuführeinrichtung einen zusätzlichen, nicht unerheblichen Bauaufwand.From further prior art (DE-GM 88 15 956.6, DE-OS 39 18 504) it is already known to store the height of the cork feeding device axially displaceably relative to the closing tools, so that a space for inserting flushing caps can be created. A disadvantage of this solution is the fact that closers generally have internals in the area below the closing tools for guiding and centering the vessels to be closed. In addition, in the area just below the capping tools, circumferential gas channels for CO₂ under-cover gassing of the corks can be installed, which practically do not allow sufficient axial displacement of a cork feeding device downwards. In addition, the adjustable fastening of the cork feeder causes an additional, not inconsiderable construction effort.

Der Erfindung liegt daher die Aufgabe zugrunde, eine Vorrichtung zum Verschließen von Gefäßen zu schaffen, die eine schnelle, bequeme Reinigung der Verschließwerkzeuge ohne größere Umbauarbeiten an der Peripherie einer Verschließmaschine gestattet.The invention is therefore based on the object of providing a device for closing containers which permits quick and easy cleaning of the closing tools without major conversion work on the periphery of a closing machine.

Diese Aufgabe wird durch die im Anspruch 1 angegebenen kennzeichnenden Merkmale gelöst.This object is achieved by the characterizing features specified in claim 1.

Dadurch, daß das Spülelement unmittelbar in die Öffnung, in die im Betrieb normalerweise die zu verschließende Gefäßmündung eintaucht, eingesetzt wird, kann das Spülelement sehr kompakt und flach ausgeführt werden und beansprucht wenig Raum. Dies gilt vor allem dann, wenn das Spülelement als eine flache Scheibe ausgebildet ist, die im eingesetzten Zustand im wesentlichen mit der Unterseite des Verschließwerkzeuges fluchtet. Ein derart gestaltetes Spülelement ist kaum größer als die zu verarbeitenden Kronenkorken.Because the flushing element is inserted directly into the opening, into which the vessel mouth to be closed is normally immersed, the flushing element can be made very compact and flat and takes up little space. This is especially true when the flushing element is designed as a flat disc which, when inserted, is essentially flush with the underside of the closing tool. A flushing element designed in this way is hardly larger than the crown caps to be processed.

Ein besonders einfaches Einsetzen der Spülelemente in die Öffnung eines Verschließwerkzeuges ist dann möglich, wenn die Stirnseite des im Verschließwerkzeug beweglich geführten Anpreßstempels gegenüber der Unterseite des Verschließwerkzeuges zurückgesetzt ist. Da in der Praxis üblicherweise der Anpreßstempel einen Magneten zum Halten der Kronenkorken besitzt, kann im einfachsten Falle ein Spülelement verwendet werden, das magnetisches oder magnetisierbares Material beinhaltet. Das Spülelement wird dann ausschließlich durch den Magneten in der Öffnung des Verschließwerkzeuges festgehalten. Das Spülelement kann aber auch selbst aus magnetischem Material bestehen und dadurch am Verschließwerkzeug und Anpreßstempel haften.A particularly simple insertion of the flushing elements into the opening of a closing tool is possible if the end face of the pressure die, which is movably guided in the closing tool, is set back relative to the underside of the closing tool. Since, in practice, the pressure stamp usually has a magnet for holding the crown caps, in the simplest case a flushing element can be used which contains magnetic or magnetizable material. The rinsing element will then held only by the magnet in the opening of the closing tool. The flushing element can also itself consist of magnetic material and thereby adhere to the closing tool and pressure stamp.

Bei hohen Spüldrücken ist es günstiger, das Spülelement formschlüssig mit dem Anpreßstempel, z.B. durch eine Verschraubung, zu verbinden.At high flushing pressures, it is cheaper to form-fit the flushing element with the pressure ram, e.g. by a screw connection.

Bei Verschließwerkzeugen mit einem Anpreßstempel, dessen Stirnseite gegenüber der Unterseite des Verschließelementes nicht zurückgesetzt ist, sondern mit dieser fluchtet oder diese sogar überragt, kann zum Spülen ebenfalls ein Spülelement in die Öffnung des Verschließwerkzeuges eingesetzt werden, wenn der Anpreßstempel zum Spülen axial in das Verschließwerkzeug zurückziehbar ist.In the case of closing tools with a pressure ram, the end face of which is not set back against the underside of the closing element, but rather is flush with or even protrudes therewith, a rinsing element can also be inserted into the opening of the closing tool for rinsing if the pressure ram can be withdrawn axially into the closing tool for rinsing is.

Bei einer besonders handhabungsfreundlichen Ausführungsform ist jeweils ein Spülelement beweglich am Verschließwerkzeug gelagert und von einer Bereitschaftsstellung in eine die Öffnung des Verschließwerkzeuges abdichtende Spülstellung bringbar.In a particularly easy-to-use embodiment, a flushing element is movably mounted on the closing tool and can be brought from a standby position into a flushing position that seals the opening of the closing tool.

Vorteilhafte Weiterbildungen der Erfindung sind Gegenstand der Unteransprüche.Advantageous developments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

Ein Ausführungsbeispiel wird anhand der Figuren näher erläutert. Es zeigen:

Fig. 1
einen Axialschnitt durch ein Verschließwerkzeug in der Betriebsphase,
Fig. 2
einen Axialschnitt durch ein Verschließwerkzeug in der Spülphase mit einem eingesetzten Spülelement,
Fig. 3
einen Axialschnitt durch ein Spülelement, das sich von der in Fig. 2 dargestellten Ausführung eines Spülelementes unterscheidet,
Fig. 4
einen Axialschnitt durch ein Verschließwerkzeug in der Spülphase mit einem am Verschließwerkzeug befestigten Spülelement,
Fig. 5
eine Draufsicht auf das Spülelement ohne das Verschließwerkzeug nach Fig. 4.
An embodiment is explained in more detail with reference to the figures. Show it:
Fig. 1
an axial section through a closing tool in the operating phase,
Fig. 2
an axial section through a closing tool in the rinsing phase with an inserted rinsing element,
Fig. 3
3 shows an axial section through a flushing element which differs from the embodiment of a flushing element shown in FIG. 2,
Fig. 4
an axial section through a closing tool in the rinsing phase with a rinsing element attached to the closing tool,
Fig. 5
4 shows a top view of the flushing element without the closing tool according to FIG. 4.

Das in Fig. 1 teilweise dargestellte Verschließwerkzeug 1 ist in an sich bekannter Weise axial verschiebbar am Umfang eines umlaufend antreibbaren Karussells (nicht dargestellt) gelagert. Im Inneren des Verschließwerkzeuges 1 ist koaxial ein Anpreßstempel 2 angeordnet, der axial verschiebbar im Verschließwerkzeug 1 geführt ist und durch eine Druckfeder 21 permanent in Richtung auf seine durch den Anschlag 16 definierte Ruhestellung beaufschlagt wird. In dieser Ruhestellung ist die Stirnseite 7 des Anpreßstempels 2 gegenüber der Unterseite 6 des Verschließwerkzeuges 1 zurückgesetzt. Der Anpreßstempel 2 wird von einem axial verlaufenden Spülkanal 12 durchsetzt, der sich bis zur Stirnseite 7 erstreckt. Das stirnseitige Ende des Spülkanals 12 ist als Gewindebohrung 11 zur Befestigung eines Spülelements 3 ausgebildet. Ferner ist in die Stirnseite 7 des Anpreßstempels 2 ein Magnet 9 zum Festhalten der vor dem eigentlichen Verschließvorgang dem Verschließwerkzeug 1 zugeführten Kronenkorken 20 integriert. Radial zwischen dem unteren Bereich des Anpreßstempels 2 und dem des Verschließwerkzeuges 1 sind zwischen diesen beiden Teilen Spülräume 17 angeordnet, die in Verbindung mit dem Spülkanal 12 eine Umkehrspülung des gesamten Innenraumes des Verschließwerkzeuges 1 ermöglichen. Der untere Bereich des Verschließwerkzeuges 1 ist aus Montage- und Verschleißgründen als separates Bauteil gestaltet, das am oberen Teil des Verschließwerkzeuges 1 lösbar befestigt ist. Das untere, austauschbare Teil des Verschließwerkzeuges 1 beinhaltet den Innenkonus 15, dessen Aufgabe das Umbördeln der Kronenkorken 20 nach dem Aufsetzen auf eine Gefäßmündung ist. Der Innenkonus 15 bildet zugleich die Öffnung 4, durch die die Mündung einer Flasche zum Verschließen in das Verschließwerkzeug 1 eintauchen kann.The closing tool 1 partially shown in FIG. 1 is mounted in a manner known per se axially displaceably on the circumference of a revolving carousel (not shown). In the interior of the closing tool 1, a pressure ram 2 is arranged coaxially, which is guided axially displaceably in the closing tool 1 and is permanently acted upon by a compression spring 21 in the direction of its rest position defined by the stop 16. In this rest position, the end face 7 of the pressure die 2 is set back relative to the underside 6 of the closing tool 1. The pressure ram 2 is penetrated by an axially extending rinsing channel 12 which extends to the end face 7. The front end of the flushing channel 12 is designed as a threaded bore 11 for fastening a flushing element 3. Furthermore, a magnet 9 for holding the crown cork 20 fed to the closing tool 1 before the actual closing process is integrated into the end face 7 of the pressure die 2. Radial between that The lower area of the pressure die 2 and that of the closing tool 1 have rinsing spaces 17 arranged between these two parts, which, in conjunction with the rinsing channel 12, enable reverse rinsing of the entire interior of the closing tool 1. For reasons of assembly and wear, the lower region of the closing tool 1 is designed as a separate component which is detachably fastened to the upper part of the closing tool 1. The lower, interchangeable part of the closing tool 1 contains the inner cone 15, the task of which is the flanging of the crown caps 20 after being placed on a vessel mouth. The inner cone 15 also forms the opening 4 through which the mouth of a bottle can be inserted into the closing tool 1 for closure.

In Fig. 1 ist das Verschließwerkzeug 1 im Bereich einer Korkenzuführeinrichtung dargestellt. Die nicht näher dargestellte Korkenzuführeinrichtung umfaßt eine sich radial von der Außenseite der Umlaufbahn der Verschließwerkzeuge 1 nach innen erstreckende Überschubplatte 19, die dicht unterhalb der Unterseite 6 der Verschließwerkzeuge verläuft. Der auf der Überschubplatte 19 aufliegende Kronenkorken 20 wird durch den Magneten 9 des Anpreßstempels 2 im Vorbeilaufen angezogen und haftet bis zum Verschließvorgang an der Stirnseite 7 des Anpreßstempels 2 an. Danach wird das Verschließwerkzeug 1 in bekannter Weise durch eine nicht gezeichnete Steuereinrichtung auf eine konzentrisch unter der Öffnung 4 des Verschließwerkzeuges 1 angeordnete Flaschenmündung abgesenkt. Sobald die Innenseite des Kronenkorkens 20 auf die durch die Öffnung 4 eintauchende Gefäßmündung auftrifft, wird die Abwärtsbewegung des Anpreßstempels 2 gestoppt, während das Verschließwerkzeug 1 zum Verformen des Kronenkorkens durch den Innenkonus 15 noch weiter abgesenkt wird. Noch bevor die Verformung des Kronenkorkens eingeleitet wird, übt der Anpreßstempel 2 durch seine Druckfeder 21 einen Anpreßdruck zum sicheren Abdichten der Flaschenmündung aus. Dies geschieht dadurch, daß nach dem Auftreffen des Kronenkorkens 20 auf die Flaschenmündung der am Anpreßstempel 2 angeformte Anschlag 16 von seiner korrespondierenden Gegenfläche am Verschließwerkzeug 1 abgehoben wird, wodurch die Vorspannkraft der Druckfeder 21 über den Anpreßstempel 2 auf den Kronenkorken 20 geleitet wird.In Fig. 1, the closing tool 1 is shown in the area of a cork feeding device. The cork feeding device, not shown in detail, comprises a slide plate 19 which extends radially inwards from the outside of the orbit of the closing tools 1 and runs closely below the underside 6 of the closing tools. The crown cap 20 resting on the push-over plate 19 is attracted by the magnet 9 of the pressure stamp 2 as it passes and adheres to the end face 7 of the pressure stamp 2 until the closing process. Thereafter, the closing tool 1 is lowered in a known manner by a control device (not shown) onto a bottle mouth arranged concentrically below the opening 4 of the closing tool 1. As soon as the inside of the crown cork 20 strikes the vessel opening which is immersed through the opening 4, the downward movement of the Pressure stamp 2 stopped, while the closing tool 1 for deforming the crown cork is further lowered by the inner cone 15. Even before the deformation of the crown cork is initiated, the pressure stamp 2 exerts pressure by its compression spring 21 to securely seal the bottle mouth. This is done in that after the crown cap 20 strikes the bottle mouth, the stop 16 formed on the pressure stamp 2 is lifted off its corresponding counter surface on the closing tool 1, as a result of which the pretensioning force of the compression spring 21 is guided to the crown cap 20 via the pressure stamp 2.

In Fig. 2 ist die Spülphase eines Verschließwerkzeuges 1 mit einem in dessen Öffnung 4 eingesetzten Spülelement 3 erkennbar. Das Spülelement 3 besteht im wesentlichen aus einer flachen, kreisrunden Scheibe, deren Umfangsfläche an die Form der Öffnung 4 bzw. des Innenkonuses 15 angepaßt ist. Die Umfangsfläche nimmt zugleich in einer Nut einen O-Ring auf, der eine elastische Dichtfläche 14 des Spülelements 3 bildet. Das Spülelement 3 kann mit seinem Gewindezapfen 10 in die Gewindebohrung 11 des Anpreßstempels 2 bis zur Anlage der elastischen Dichtfläche 14 am Innenkonus 15 eingeschraubt werden. Zum Einschrauben ist an dem Spülelement ein Sechskantzapfen 22 angeformt. Um eine Beschädigung der elastischen Dichtfläche 14 am Spülelement 3 durch zu starkes Anziehen der Verschraubung zu vermeiden, besitzt der Gewindezapfen 10 einen Absatz 23, der durch Anlage an der Stirnfläche 7 des Anpreßstempels 2 die Einschraubtiefe begrenzt. Durch den Absatz 23 wird zugleich ein Freiraum 8 zwischen der Stirnseite 7 des Anpreßstempels 2 und dem Spülelement 3 gewährleistet, so daß beim Spülvorgang ein Großteil der Stirnseite 7 durch das Spülmittel benetzt wird. Durch eine vom Spülkanal 12 abzweigende Schrägbohrung 24 wird eine vollständige Umkehrspülung ermöglicht. In den Spülkanal 12 eingeleitete Reinigungsflüssigkeit kann über die Schrägbohrung 24 in den Freiraum 8 zwischen dem Spülelement 3 und der Stirnseite 7 des Anpreßstempels 2 geleitet werden und von dort aus durch die Spülräume 17 an der Umfangsfläche des Anpreßstempels 2 nach oben in den Federraum des Verschließwerkzeuges 1 steigen.2 shows the rinsing phase of a closing tool 1 with a rinsing element 3 inserted in its opening 4. The flushing element 3 consists essentially of a flat, circular disc, the peripheral surface of which is adapted to the shape of the opening 4 or the inner cone 15. The peripheral surface also receives an O-ring in a groove, which forms an elastic sealing surface 14 of the flushing element 3. The flushing element 3 can be screwed with its threaded pin 10 into the threaded bore 11 of the pressure die 2 until the elastic sealing surface 14 abuts the inner cone 15. A hexagonal pin 22 is formed on the flushing element for screwing in. In order to avoid damage to the elastic sealing surface 14 on the flushing element 3 due to excessive tightening of the screw connection, the threaded pin 10 has a shoulder 23 which limits the screw-in depth by contact with the end face 7 of the pressure die 2. Through the paragraph 23 there is also a free space 8 between the end face 7 of the pressure ram 2 and the rinsing element 3 ensures that a large part of the end face 7 is wetted by the detergent during the rinsing process. Complete reverse flushing is made possible by an oblique bore 24 branching off from the flushing channel 12. Cleaning liquid introduced into the rinsing channel 12 can be directed via the oblique bore 24 into the free space 8 between the rinsing element 3 and the end face 7 of the pressure ram 2 and from there through the rinsing spaces 17 on the peripheral surface of the pressure ram 2 upwards into the spring space of the closing tool 1 climb.

Auf die Schrägbohrung 24 kann verzichtet werden, wenn ein Spülelement, wie in Fig. 3 dargestellt, verwendet wird, dessen Gewindezapfen 11 einen Hohlraum 13 beinhaltet, der den Spülkanal 12 mit dem Freiraum 8 verbindet. Der Hohlraum 13 kann beispielsweise durch eine axial im Gewindezapfen 10 angeordnete Sacklochbohrung und einer senkrecht dazu verlaufenden Durchgangsbohrung im Absatz 23 gebildet werden. Das in Fig. 3 dargestellte Spülelement 3 unterscheidet sich gegenüber dem in Fig. 2 noch dadurch, daß anstelle eines nach außen überstehenden Sechskantzapfens 22 zwei parallel zueinander verlaufende Stirnlochbohrungen 25 zum Anziehen und Lösen des Spülelements 3 vorgesehen sind. Diese Bauweise erlaubt einen völlig bündigen Abschluß der Unterseite 5 des Spülelements 3 mit der Unterseite 6 des Verschließwerkzeuges 1.The oblique bore 24 can be dispensed with if a flushing element, as shown in FIG. 3, is used, the threaded pin 11 of which contains a cavity 13 which connects the flushing channel 12 to the free space 8. The cavity 13 can be formed, for example, by a blind hole arranged axially in the threaded pin 10 and a through hole in the shoulder 23 running perpendicular thereto. The flushing element 3 shown in FIG. 3 differs from that in FIG. 2 in that instead of an outwardly projecting hexagon pin 22, two face holes 25 running parallel to one another are provided for tightening and releasing the flushing element 3. This design allows the bottom 5 of the flushing element 3 to be completely flush with the bottom 6 of the closing tool 1.

Um eventuell in der Gewindebohrung 11 und dem Bereich des Innenkonuses 15, an dem die Dichtfläche 14 des Spülelements 3 anliegt, anhaftende Verunreinigungen entfernen zu können, können nach dem Entfernen des Spülelements 3 sowohl der Spülkanal 12 als auch die Spülräume 17 von oben nach unten durch die Öffnung 4 ins Freie ausgespritzt werden. Auf diese Weise ist eine vollständige Beaufschlagung aller kritischen Flächen im Verschließwerkzeug 1 sichergestellt.In order to be able to remove any contaminants adhering to the threaded bore 11 and the area of the inner cone 15, against which the sealing surface 14 of the flushing element 3 rests, After removing the flushing element 3, both the flushing channel 12 and the flushing compartments 17 can be sprayed into the open through the opening 4 from top to bottom. In this way, a complete exposure to all critical surfaces in the closing tool 1 is ensured.

Bei dem in Fig. 4 erkennbaren Ausführungsbeispiel ist das Spülelement 3 ähnlich dem in Fig. 2 dargestellten Spülelement ausgebildet. Allerdings wird das Spülelement 3 hier nicht durch den Anpreßstempel 2 gehalten, sondern wird durch ein am Verschließwerkzeug 1 befestigbares Tragelement 30 in den Innenkonus 15 des Verschließwerkzeuges 1 gedrückt. Hierzu ist das Spülelement 3 drehbar mit dem Tragelement 30 vernietet. Das topfförmig ausgebildete Tragelement 30 besitzt im wesentlichen einen U-förmigen Querschnitt, wobei die senkrechten Wände 34 des Tragelements 30 das Verschließwerkzeug 1 an seiner seitlichen Umfangsfläche zumindest teilweise umfaßen. Am oberen Rand der senkrechten Wände 34 sind mehrere radial nach innen zum Verschließwerkzeug 1 gerichtete Haltezungen 32 befestigt, die in eine am Verschließwerkzeug 1 eingeformte Ringnut 33 eingreifen. Die Befestigung des Tragelements 30 erfolgt nach Art eines Bajonettverschlusses, indem das Tragelement 30 zunächst von unten axial auf das Verschließwerkzeug 1 aufgeschoben und anschließend durch Verdrehen gesichert wird. Um das axiale Aufschieben des Tragelements 30 mit den angeformten Haltezungen 32 zu ermöglichen, besitzt das Verschließwerkzeug 1 an seiner seitlichen Umfangsfläche im Bereich zwischen der Ringnut 33 und seiner Unterseite 6 den Haltezungen 32 zugeordnete Abflachungen (nicht dargestellt), deren Breite mindestens der der Haltezungen 32 entspricht.In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the rinsing element 3 is configured similarly to the rinsing element shown in FIG. 2. However, the flushing element 3 is not held here by the pressure die 2, but is pressed into the inner cone 15 of the closing tool 1 by a support element 30 which can be fastened to the closing tool 1. For this purpose, the rinsing element 3 is rotatably riveted to the support element 30. The cup-shaped support element 30 has a substantially U-shaped cross-section, the vertical walls 34 of the support element 30 at least partially enclosing the closing tool 1 on its lateral peripheral surface. At the upper edge of the vertical walls 34, a plurality of retaining tongues 32 are fastened radially inward to the closing tool 1 and engage in an annular groove 33 formed on the closing tool 1. The support element 30 is fastened in the manner of a bayonet lock in that the support element 30 is first pushed axially onto the closing tool 1 from below and then secured by twisting. In order to enable the axial pushing of the support element 30 with the molded-on holding tongues 32, the closing tool 1 has flats (not shown) assigned to the holding tongues 32 on its lateral circumferential surface in the area between the annular groove 33 and its underside 6, the width of which is at least that of the holding tongues 32 corresponds.

In Fig. 4 ist ferner ein an der Unterseite 6 des Verschließwerkzeuges 1 angeformter Mitnehmerzapfenn 35 erkennbar, dessen Aufgabe darin besteht, beim Passieren der in Fig. 1 angedeuteten Korkenzuführeinrichtung einen bereitgehaltenen Kronenkorken 20 in Umlaufrichtung des Verschließwerkzeuges 1 mitzunehmen. Um trotz dieses Mitnehmerzapfens 35 das Tragelement 30 möglichst flach, d.h. mit wenig Überstand bezüglich der Unterseite 6 des Verschließwerkzeuges 1 ausbilden zu können, besitzt das Tragelement 30 eine fensterförmige Öffnung 31, durch die der Mitnehmerzapfen 35 hindurchgreifen kann. Die fensterförmige Öffnung 31 ist so ausgestaltet, daß die zum Befestigen des Tragelements 30 erforderliche Drehbewegung ungehindert ausführbar ist.FIG. 4 also shows a driver pin 35 formed on the underside 6 of the closing tool 1, the task of which is to take along a ready-made crown cork 20 in the circumferential direction of the closing tool 1 when passing through the cork feeding device indicated in FIG. 1. In order to keep the supporting element 30 as flat as possible, i.e. To be able to form with little overhang with respect to the underside 6 of the closing tool 1, the support element 30 has a window-shaped opening 31 through which the driver pin 35 can reach. The window-shaped opening 31 is designed in such a way that the rotational movement required for fastening the support element 30 can be carried out without hindrance.

Eine Befestigung des Spülelements 3 am Verschließwerkzeug 1, wie in den Fig. 4 und 5 dargestellt, ist dann zweckmäßig, wenn eine Befestigung am Anpreßstempel 2 aus technischen Gründen nicht möglich ist oder eine vollflächige Reinigung der Stirnseite 7 des Anpreßstempels 2 gewünscht wird. Dadurch, daß die Abdichtung des Verschließwerkzeuges 1 in der Öffnung 4 erfolgt, ist trotz der Befestigung am Verschließwerkzeug 1 eine sehr flache, d.h. wenig Raum benötigende Gestaltung möglich.An attachment of the flushing element 3 to the closing tool 1, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, is expedient if an attachment to the pressure die 2 is not possible for technical reasons or if a full-surface cleaning of the end face 7 of the pressure die 2 is desired. Due to the fact that the sealing tool 1 is sealed in the opening 4, a very flat, i.e. Design that takes up little space is possible.

Claims (18)

  1. Apparatus for closing vessels, in particular bottles, with a closure, in particular crown corks, with at least one closing tool (1) which includes an opening (4) for introducing a vessel mouth to be closed as well as a flushing element (3) for cleaning and flushing the closing tool (1), characterised in that the flushing element (3) comprises a sealing surface (14) located within the opening (4) and tightly closing the opening.
  2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterised in that the sealing surface is elastic and can be applied to an inner cone (15) of the closing tool (1).
  3. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the flushing element (3) is designed as an essentially flat disc.
  4. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that inside the closing tool (1) is arranged a pressure applying ram (2) which is guided relatively movably therein, and in that in the rest position of the pressure applying ram (2) defined by a stop (16), the end face (7) of the ram (2) is set back from the lower side (6) of the closing tool (1), wherein the pressure applying ram (2) is permanently subjected to force in the direction of its rest position.
  5. Apparatus according to claim 4, characterised in that between the end face (7) of the pressure applying ram (2) which faces towards the flushing element (3), and the inserted flushing element (3), there is a free space (8) for the flushing liquid.
  6. Apparatus according to claim 4 or 5, characterised in that in the pressure applying ram (2) is integrated an essentially axially extending flushing channel (12), wherein the flushing channel (12), when the flushing element (3) is inserted, communicates with the free space (8) between the end face (7) of the pressure applying ram (2) and the flushing element (3).
  7. Apparatus according to any of claims 4 to 6, characterised in that between the pressure applying ram (2) and the closing tool (1) are formed flushing spaces (17) which communicate with a free space (8) between the end face (7) of the pressure applying ram (2) and the flushing element (3).
  8. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the flushing element (3), the closing tool (1) and/or the pressure applying ram (2) contain magnetic or magnetisable material.
  9. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the flushing element (3) is kept by the pressure applying ram (2) in the opening (4) of the closing tool (1).
  10. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the flushing element (3) comprises a threaded pin (10) which points towards the pressure applying ram (2) and which can be brought into engagement with a threaded bore (11) in the end face (7) of the pressure applying ram (2), wherein the threaded bore (11) is preferably coaxially integrated in a flushing channel (12) passing through the pressure applying ram (2).
  11. Apparatus according to claims 5 and 10, characterised in that the flushing channel (12) is connected to the free space (8) by a cavity (13) in the threaded pin (10).
  12. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the lower side (5) of the flushing element (3) is essentially aligned with the lower side (6) of the closing tool (1).
  13. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the flushing element (3) on its lower side (5) comprises two end-face holes (25) extending parallel to each other.
  14. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the flushing element (3) can be attached to the closing tool (1) to close the opening (4).
  15. Apparatus according to claim 14, characterised in that the flushing element (3) is attached to a support element (30) which essentially has a U-shaped cross-section and at least partially laterally encompasses the closing tool (1).
  16. Apparatus according to claim 15, characterised in that the support element (30) can be attached to the closing tool (1) by means of a bayonet closure.
  17. Apparatus according to either of claims 15 or 16, characterised in that the support element (30) in its region parallel to the lower side (6) of the closing tool (1) comprises a window-like opening (31).
  18. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the flushing element (3) is mounted movably on the closing tool (1) and can be moved from a stand-by position into a flushing position in which the opening (4) of the closing tool (1) is closed.
EP92104028A 1991-03-28 1992-03-09 Apparatus for closing containers Expired - Lifetime EP0505816B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE9103889U DE9103889U1 (en) 1991-03-28 1991-03-28
DE9103889U 1991-03-28
DE9201857U DE9201857U1 (en) 1991-03-28 1992-02-14
DE9201857U 1992-02-14

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0505816A1 EP0505816A1 (en) 1992-09-30
EP0505816B1 true EP0505816B1 (en) 1995-11-08

Family

ID=25958032

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP92104028A Expired - Lifetime EP0505816B1 (en) 1991-03-28 1992-03-09 Apparatus for closing containers

Country Status (5)

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US (1) US5235793A (en)
EP (1) EP0505816B1 (en)
JP (1) JPH0577887A (en)
DE (2) DE9201857U1 (en)
ES (1) ES2079089T3 (en)

Families Citing this family (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6945011B2 (en) * 2003-05-29 2005-09-20 Blackhawk Molding Co., Inc. Container closure system
DE102008030291A1 (en) * 2008-06-30 2009-12-31 Khs Ag Filling element and filling machine for filling containers
DE102008031680A1 (en) * 2008-07-04 2010-01-07 Krones Ag Device for filling containers with magnetically operated cap
DE102012021810A1 (en) * 2012-10-29 2014-04-30 Krones Ag Capper for containers
US10464109B2 (en) 2016-11-30 2019-11-05 Nolan Smith Bottle cap thread rinsing system

Family Cites Families (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
SE371983B (en) * 1972-09-22 1974-12-09 Tetra Pak Int
DE2740440C2 (en) * 1977-09-08 1982-11-11 Seitz-Werke Gmbh, 6550 Bad Kreuznach Vessel sealing machine of rotating design
DE2948633A1 (en) * 1979-12-04 1981-06-11 Holstein Und Kappert Gmbh, 4600 Dortmund DEVICE FOR CLOSING VESSELS
US4527377A (en) * 1982-07-06 1985-07-09 Mitsubishi Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Washing device in a container sealing apparatus
DE3227244C1 (en) * 1982-07-21 1984-01-05 Mitsubishi Jukogyo K.K., Tokyo Washing device for a container-closing machine
JPS5951086A (en) * 1982-08-31 1984-03-24 三菱重工業株式会社 Washer for plunger of rotary type sealing machine
DE8815956U1 (en) * 1988-12-23 1990-01-25 Holstein & Kappert Maschf
DE3918504C2 (en) * 1989-06-07 1996-03-14 Khs Masch & Anlagenbau Ag Sealing machine of all-round design

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
ES2079089T3 (en) 1996-01-01
EP0505816A1 (en) 1992-09-30
JPH0577887A (en) 1993-03-30
DE59204220D1 (en) 1995-12-14
US5235793A (en) 1993-08-17
DE9201857U1 (en) 1992-06-04

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