EP1342667A1 - Apparatus for storing, applying and fixing lids - Google Patents

Abstract

The lid magazine (27) for a lid fitting device (20) has a base section (42) with a delivery opening (43) through which a container lid together with a clamping ring is delivered downwards. The delivery opening has at least one lid holder which is movable for its release. Above the base section is installed a magazine limiter (52) for the container lid, in half-shell form and open on one side. Independent claims are included for a use for a lid magazine, and for a fitting and sealing device for the fitting of a lid on a container, whereby a lid magazine is provided in a lid fitting station (21).

Description

The invention relates to a lid magazine for a lid placement device, for stacking container lids to be placed on containers, each surrounded by a clamping ring, with a lower base part.

Furthermore, the invention relates to a lid placement and closing device for attaching container lids enclosed by a clamping ring to containers and for closing the containers, a conveyor device being provided for transporting the containers to be closed between a lid placement station and a closing station with a closing device ,

The invention also relates to the use of a lid magazine for stacking container lids in a certain way.

DE-100 05 299 A describes a technique for closing containers, in which lids with preassembled clamping rings are arranged in stacks on a rail base part next to a conveyor device, on which the containers to be closed are transported. To close a container, the top lid of the front stack is gripped with the aid of a suction gripper, lifted off and placed on the container next to it. Then, before the lid is finally fixed on the container, the clamping lever of the clamping ring, if it is not already open, is brought into its open position, after which the lid is pressed down onto the container. The clamping ring is then narrowed to a narrower diameter at several points along its circumference with the aid of locking jaws, and the clamping lever is moved into the closed position, as a result of which the clamping ring holds the lid on the flanged rim of the container. This technique has several drawbacks, and not only is there a problem in that when the clamping lever is open, the clamping ring can fall off the lid unintentionally before the lid and the clamping ring have been placed on a container. In particular, the transfer of the respective lid together with the clamping ring from the magazine area, ie from the stack, to a container on the conveying device with the aid of the suction gripper is structurally complex and, as far as the accuracy of the placement is concerned, also problematic, which leads to errors when closing the container can. Another disadvantage is that the closing jaws, which only act locally, do not narrow evenly, but selectively Press inward of the ring body of the clamping ring, which may cause indentations on the ring body. Furthermore, the clamping rings in the area of the clamping lever and its articulation on the ring body have a greater height than in the rest of the area of the ring body, so that when the container lid and clamping rings are stacked, when the clamping levers are always approximately at the same point in the stack, they are odd Stack results or a slipping of the container lid including clamping rings within the stack is the result. As a result, there is not only the risk that the lid and the clamping rings slide off the stack, but there is also the disadvantage that the suction gripper can only pick up and transfer the lid inaccurately.

It is an object of the invention to provide a lid magazine, an advantageous use of the same, and a lid placement and closing device as stated at the beginning, wherein a safe stacking or magazine of the container lid including tensioning rings, i.e. of so-called lid sets, is possible, and in As a result, an exact placement of the lid including the clamping ring on a filled, open container and finally a quick, efficient and gentle closing of the container by the lid by pulling the clamping ring together is made possible. The aim is also to make the stacking of the container lids and clamping rings as user-friendly as possible without impairing the stability of the lid stack, and the construction in connection with the application of the lid sets to the open containers should also be as simple as possible be designed. Furthermore, the aim is to be able to quickly make adjustments in the area of the lid magazine as well as in the area of the closing mechanism with regard to changing container sizes (changing container heights as well as changing container diameters).

From EP-1 155 967 A it is known to equip container lids for closing bucket-shaped containers, so-called "hobbocks", such as for paints, chemicals, etc., with pre-assembled clamping rings which serve to fix the lids to the containers. Deviating from the previous technology, it was proposed to attach the clamping ring to the cover in the preassembled position so that the clamping lever itself is already closed and is secured, and that the ring body of the clamping ring is in a first latching position, in which the clamping ring - with the clamping lever closed - holds the lid, but is still loose and can thus be pressed over the flanged edge of a container to close a container, after which the clamping ring is transferred into a second locked position or closed position, which is narrowed in comparison. In this narrower closed position, the clamping ring can also be fixed in a form-fitting manner, by bending tongues, etc., but nonetheless a subsequent opening of the clamping ring is possible with the help of the clamping lever after the securing element has been removed, in order to access the contents of the container reach.

The invention is based in particular on the use of such cover sets with the clamping ring pre-assembled on the cover, the clamping lever of which is present in the closed position, and which is transferred from this pre-assembly position or the first locking position to a closer closing position or the second locking position for final fixing of the cover on a container , In this respect, the content of EP-1 155 967 A should also be regarded as included here by reference.

The lid magazine according to the invention of the type mentioned at the outset is characterized in that the base part has a dispensing opening through which a container lid together with the clamping ring can be extended downwards, that the dispensing opening is assigned at least one lid holder which can be moved to release it, and that an in The magazine limitation for the container lid, which is provided in half-shell form and is open on one side, is arranged.

In the case of the present cover magazine, the respective lower container cover including the clamping ring is simply released by gravity through the lower dispensing opening, the remaining covers including the clamping ring being retained above using the movable cover holder. The lid holder thus performs a separation of the container lid during its release and holding movements. The magazine limitation in half-shell form on the one hand provides a stable stacking of the container lids, while on the other hand loading the magazine from the open side (hereinafter also referred to as the front) is conveniently possible by simply inserting one or more container lids into the lid magazine from the open front attack be inserted at the magazine limit.

A continuous wall would be conceivable as a magazine limitation, but for reasons of weight saving and design simplification it can be provided that guide bars which are arranged in a manner distributed over substantially its half circumference and project from the base part are provided as a magazine limitation in alignment with the edge of the dispensing opening. The vertical guide rods form a discontinuous, i.e. interrupted magazine limit, but provide the necessary guidance, system and stabilization function for the container lid stack.

In order to reliably prevent one or the other container lid from slipping undesirably towards the open front side, it is also advantageous if the magazine limit has at least one magnetic strip for holding the container lid in the horizontal direction in the magazine limit. To simplify the design, it can also be provided that the magnetic strip is arranged on a guide rod.

In order to let the container lids fall down individually through the dispensing opening, the other container lids being securely retained above the lowest container lid, it has also proven to be advantageous if, for the individual dispensing of the container lids together with the clamping ring, at least two horizontally spaced apart from one another in the vertical direction sliding lid holder are provided. The one or more lid holders can be formed by plate-shaped parts which are displaced radially into the dispensing opening into a position below the respective container lid or else are pivoted. In practical tests, however, with regard to the usual lid shape with the middle part set lower than the edge, it has proven to be advantageous if the or each lid holder is formed by a finger that can be moved by a working cylinder. These fingers are moved radially forwards and backwards from the opening edge with the aid of a pneumatic working cylinder, for example, in order to hold or release the respective container lids. For a stable support of the container lid, it is also advantageous if several fingers are vertically spaced apart in pairs and are evenly distributed over the circumference of the dispensing opening, preferably at four positions.

In order on the one hand to be able to provide the edge of the dispensing opening as closely as possible in relation to the container lids, but on the other hand to create sufficient space for the clamping levers of the clamping rings attached to the container lids to pass through, it is also advantageous if the dispensing opening has at least one pocket, preferably two has diametrically opposed pockets for the passage of the clamping levers of the clamping rings attached to the container lids. Preferably, as mentioned, two opposing pockets are provided for the clamping levers, and in connection with this it can also be seen that the container lids with the clamping rings surrounding them, each having a clamping lever, are aligned within the magazine limit after insertion on the open side the clamping lever can be stacked alternately rotated by 180 °. Regardless of the fact that there is a greater height in the area of the tensioning lever, a stable, straight stack of lids is made possible, which is additionally kept vertically aligned by the magazine boundary, without the stack tending to tilt or slip on one side or the other.

The lid placement and closing device according to the invention of the type mentioned is characterized by the arrangement of a lid magazine according to the invention in the lid placement station directly above a container receiving space above the optionally intermittently driven conveyor. As a result, a narrow, compact design and a simplification in the construction are achieved in that the bottom container lid together with the clamping ring is simply released by gravity and falls on the container below it, which is transported up to the conveyor. This simple application of the container lid including the clamping ring to the container by gravity is also favored by the fact that the present cover sets are designed as mentioned at the beginning such that the clamping ring has the two assembly locking positions described and on the container lid initially still in the first locking position, but with closed clamping lever is attached. This ensures a good balance of the container lid when it falls onto the container underneath, and no protruding part, like an open clamping lever, interferes with this falling down of the lid.

In view of the fact that there is already a tensioning lever in the closed position in the preassembled container lid, and only a tensioning of the tensioning ring is required to close it by transferring it from the first latching position into the second latching position or closing position, an embodiment can also advantageously be provided for which is provided as a closing device for automatic closing in the closing station in the form of an open ring, the respective clamping ring on the lid placed on a container, elastically deformable closing strap on which, for example a tensioning cylinder engages via a toggle lever connected to the free ends of the strap. Such an elastically deformable closing strap enables a uniform, gentle tensioning of the clamping ring over practically the entire circumference, with the additional advantage that only a simple drive, for example with the aid of a single pneumatic clamping cylinder, is required. In order to prevent the ends of the closing band from overlapping one another in the tensioning or closing position, it is also advantageous if the free ends of the closing band in the open position are at a distance from one another which is greater than the length measured in the circumferential direction by which the Clamping ring is narrowed when closing the lid.

For the simplest possible engagement of the locking strap on the tension ring, it is favorable if the locking strap has at least one stop for a notch on the tension ring. The stop can advantageously be formed by the end face of a free end of the locking strap.

As mentioned in the lid magazine, the container lids together with the clamping ring are preferably stacked alternately rotated by 180 ° relative to one another, and accordingly the containers come with the container lids offset by 180 ° into the closing station so that the clamping ring is tensioned there and the container is closed. The respective container together with the container lid or the container lid on the container could be turned into the correct position so that the locking strap can correctly engage the clamping ring or clamping lever. However, the construction can be made simpler and more efficient if the locking strap together with the tensioning cylinder to adjust the alignment of the free ends of the locking strap to the alignment of the tensioning lever on the tensioning ring around a central one Axis is rotatably mounted. The twisting of the locking strap can also be accomplished with simpler means than would be required, for example, when twisting several locking jaws distributed over the circumference, as in the technique according to DE-100 05 299 A.

In order to achieve the desired twisting, it has also proven advantageous here if the closing strap is attached to a central, rotatably mounted spindle driven by a motor.

When there are lid sets with a closed clamping lever, as described, the diameter of the clamping ring is dimensioned relative to the diameter of the flanged edge of the container in such a way that the clamping ring does not easily fit over the container edge, but rather has to be pressed onto it with elastic deformation. Accordingly, an advantageous embodiment of the lid placement and closing device according to the invention is characterized by a vertically movable pressure plate for depressing the container lid and snapping the clamping ring onto the container edge.

With regard to the simplest possible construction of the rotating and pressing means, it is advantageous if the pressure plate is fastened to the additionally vertically adjustable spindle.

In order to determine when the locking band is rotated when the tensioning ring is in the correct position relative to the locking strap, it is also advantageous if a position transmitter controlling the rotation of the locking strap is provided for detecting the position of the tensioning lever relative to the locking strap.

For the application of the container lid together with the clamping ring to the container in the lid placement station, it is also of particular importance that the containers are attached, as for pressing the container onto the container rim by snapping the clamping ring and for clamping the clamping ring with the clamping lever already closed of the respective station are in the exactly correct position, and to ensure this, it can advantageously be provided that movable centering stops for precise positioning of the containers in and out of the path of movement of the containers in the lid placement station and / or in the closing station these stations are arranged.

In order to change the format To be able to quickly adapt the device to different types of containers, with different heights and / or different diameters, it is also advantageous if the cover magazine is exchangeable, preferably attached to a frame by means of a suspension.

In order to fix a container lid as securely as possible on a container, in addition to the mentioned locking of the clamping ring in the second locking position or final closed position, a form-fitting fixing in this closed position can also be provided, and accordingly it is also advantageous if the closing device has a squeezing mechanism, eg has a pair of crimping pliers for the positive connection of a tab provided on the clamping lever bearing arm to the clamping ring ring body.

For a format change in the area of the closing station, it is similarly favorable if the locking strap is or are interchangeably arranged with the tensioning cylinder, optionally together with the support plate and optionally with the squeezing mechanism.

It is also favorable for such a format change if the centering stops are designed with exchangeable centering jaws.

When changing to containers with a different height but with the same diameter, changing the lid magazine and the parts of the closing device mentioned can be superfluous if these components are simply adjusted in height to the container height, and it is advantageous if this is the case Cover magazine and / or the closing device is or are arranged on an auxiliary frame which is adjustably mounted in a machine frame.

• Fig. 1 einen Teil einer aus einem Behälterdeckel und einem auf diesen aufgesetzten Spannring mit geschlossenem Spannhebel bestehenden Deckelgarnitur in Draufsicht;
• Fig. 2 eine schaubildliche Ansicht einer Deckelaufsetz- und Verschließ-Einrichtung;
• die Fig. 3 und 4 diese Deckelaufsetz- und Verschließ-Einrichtung in schematischer Vorderansicht bzw. Draufsicht;
• Fig. 5 in einer schaubildlichen Darstellung die Deckelaufsetz-Station dieser Einrichtung, wobei Teile weggebrochen sind;
• die Fig. 6a bis 6d in schematischen Detailansichten, teilweise im Schnitt, der Ausgabeöffnung des Deckelmagazins zugeordnete Deckelhalter in Form von zwei gesondert beweglichen Fingern in verschiedenen Betriebsstellungen, zur Veranschaulichung der Betriebsweise beim vereinzelten Ausgeben der Deckelgarnituren nach unten;
• die Fig. 7 und 8 schematisch den unteren Teil der Deckelaufsetz- und Verschließ-Einrichtung mit der Fördervorrichtung und den im Bereich der Fördervorrichtung in der Deckelaufsetz-Station und in der Verschließ-Station vorgesehenen Positioniervorrichtungen mit Zentrierbacken in schematischer Ansicht bzw. Draufsicht;
• Fig. 9 einen Querschnitt durch die Fördervorrichtung im Bereich einer solchen Positioniervorrichtung gemäß der Linie IX-IX in Fig. 7;
• Fig. 10 eine schematische Draufsicht einer solchen Positioniervorrichtung mit Zentrierbacken;
• Fig. 11 schematisch und ausschnittsweise eine Ansicht der Verschließvorrichtung in der Verschließ-Station, unter Weglassen der Fördervorrichtung;
• Fig. 12 eine schematische Draufsicht auf diese Verschließvorrichtung;
• Fig. 13 eine Detailansicht gemäß dem Pfeil XIII in Fig. 12, zur Veranschaulichung eines Positionsgebers für die Position eines Spannrings relativ zum Verschließmechanismus;
• Fig. 14 eine schematische Draufsicht auf ein Schließband samt zugehörigem Spannzylinder der Verschließvorrichtung gemäß Fig. 12;
• Fig. 15 eine Ansicht gemäß Pfeil XV in Fig. 14;
• Fig. 16 einen Schnitt durch das Schließband gemäß der Linie XVI-XVI in Fig. 14;
• die Fig. 17 und 18 den Schließband-Verschließmechanismus zusammen mit einem Behälterdeckel samt Spannring in der Offenstellung (Fig. 17) bzw. Schließstellung (Fig. 18), jeweils in schematischer Draufsicht;
• die Fig. 19 und 20 entsprechende, im Maßstab größere Draufsichten auf jenen Bereich des Schließbandes und des Spannrings am Behälterdeckel, wo der Spannhebel vorliegt und die Schließelemente des Verschließmechanismus angreifen, und zwar ebenfalls zum einen in der Offenstellung (Fig. 19) sowie in der Schließstellung (Fig. 20);
• Fig. 21 schematisch eine Seitenansicht eines Teils des Verschließmechanismus, mit einem Quetschmechanismus in Form einer Quetschzange zum Verformen einer Lasche am Spannring nach dem Schließen oder Spannen desselben; und
• Fig. 22 in einem schematischen Schnitt im Bereich eines Behälterrandes den Vorgang des Anbringens eines Behälterdeckels samt Spannring.

The invention is explained in more detail below on the basis of preferred exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawing, to which, however, it should not be limited. Show in detail:

• Figure 1 shows a part of a lid set consisting of a container lid and a clamping ring placed thereon with a closed clamping lever in plan view.
• 2 shows a perspective view of a cover placement and closing device;
• 3 and 4 this cover placement and closing device in schematic front view or top view;
• 5 shows a diagrammatic representation of the cover placement station of this device, with parts broken away;
• 6a to 6d in schematic detail views, partly in section, of the lid opening associated with the dispensing opening of the lid magazine in the form of two separately movable fingers in different operating positions, to illustrate the mode of operation when the lid sets are dispensed downwards;
• 7 and 8 schematically show the lower part of the lid placement and closing device with the conveying device and the positioning devices with centering jaws in the area of the conveying device in the lid placement station and in the closing station, in a schematic view and plan view;
• 9 shows a cross section through the conveying device in the region of such a positioning device according to line IX-IX in FIG. 7;
• 10 shows a schematic top view of such a positioning device with centering jaws;
• 11 shows a schematic and partial view of the closing device in the closing station, with the conveying device omitted;
• 12 shows a schematic top view of this closing device;
• 13 shows a detailed view according to arrow XIII in FIG. 12, to illustrate a position transmitter for the position of a clamping ring relative to the closing mechanism;
• FIG. 14 shows a schematic plan view of a locking strap together with the associated tensioning cylinder of the closing device according to FIG. 12;
• 15 shows a view according to arrow XV in FIG. 14;
• 16 shows a section through the closing strap according to the line XVI-XVI in FIG. 14;
• FIGS. 17 and 18 show the locking strap closing mechanism together with a container lid including the tension ring in the open position (FIG. 17) or closed position (FIG. 18), each in a schematic plan view;
• 19 and 20 corresponding, larger-scale plan views of that area of the locking strap and the clamping ring on the container lid, where the clamping lever is present and the closing elements of the closing mechanism engage, also on the one hand in the open position (FIG. 19) and in the closed position (FIG. 20);
• 21 schematically shows a side view of a part of the closing mechanism, with a crimping mechanism in the form of crimping pliers for deforming a tab on the clamping ring after it has been closed or tensioned; and
• Fig. 22 in a schematic section in the area of a container edge, the process of attaching a container lid including the clamping ring.

As already mentioned in the introduction, it is already known from EP-1 155 967 A to prepare container lids with clamping rings mounted thereon, so-called cover sets, and to place these cover sets on the latter in the course of closing containers, the clamping lever of the clamping ring being in its closed position Position is secured and its bearing arm or bearing lever is fixed to the ring body in a first detent position or pre-assembly position. From this first latching position or pre-assembly position, the bearing lever of the tensioning lever during the closing process, i.e. when tensioning the clamping ring, transferred to a second locking position or final assembly position. This design can thus be assumed to be known in principle, but will be briefly explained again with reference to FIG. 1 for ease of understanding.

In Fig. 1, a part of a container lid 1 is indicated very schematically, and on this container lid 1, a clamping ring 2 in the form of an open, cross-sectionally U-shaped ring body 3 with two overlapping ends 4, 5 is placed on the circumference. On the ring body 3, a tension lever 6 is articulated at 6 ', and this tension lever 6, which is also generally U-shaped in cross section, is articulated via a joint 7 to a bearing arm or bearing lever 8, which is generally U-shaped in cross section, and at 6 "with a safety pin or Secured to the ring body 3. When the tensioning lever 6 is opened, the joint 7 therefore moves in a circular arc around the articulation point 6 'of the tensioning lever 6 on the ring body 3. The end of the bearing lever 8 containing the joint 7 is lifted away from the ring body 3, in the example shown in FIG. 1, deforming one thin material region 9 near the other End of the bearing lever 8. In this end region, a tab 10 laterally overlapping the ring body 3 in the region of the overlapping ends 4, 5 is provided on the bearing lever 8, the purpose of which will be explained in more detail below, in particular with reference to FIG. 21. On the back 11 of the end 5 of the ring body 3 remote from the tension lever end 4, two locking projections 12, 13 are attached, for example by punching out a tongue and bending it out of the back material of the ring body 3; An associated latching recess or opening 14 is provided on the bearing lever 8 in the area of the tab 10 on the back, into which the respective latching projection 12 or 13 can snap. In the first latching position or pre-assembly position shown in FIG. 1, the first latching projection 12, which is closer to the tensioning lever 6, snaps into the latching recess 14. When tensioning the clamping ring 2 by pushing or pushing the two ends 4, 5 in the direction of arrows 15, 16 shown in FIG. 1, the tab end of the bearing lever 8 is pushed off the first locking projection 12 and moved over the second locking projection 13, so that now this snaps into the recess 14. The second latching position or final closed position is thus achieved, which is brought about when the container lid 1 with the clamping ring 2 is mounted on a container (not shown in FIG. 1).

2 to 4 schematically show a lid placement and closing device 20 (hereinafter referred to as device 20), which has a lid placement station 21 and a closing station 22. Containers 24 are moved on a conveyor device 23, for example in cycles (but this is not absolutely necessary in view of the positioning device described in more detail below with reference to FIGS. 7 to 10) by the device 20.

The device 20 has a subframe 26 which can be moved vertically up and down on a machine frame (main frame) 25 and which extends in the transport direction (see the arrow in FIG. 3) over the cover placement station 21 and closing station 22 and above a container receiving space 24 '- a cover magazine 27 and a closing device 28 carries. The subframe 26 is, for example, as is evident from FIGS. 3 and 4, vertically adjustable relative to the main frame 25 with the aid of a spindle drive 29 which is only shown generally. The spindle 30 of the spindle drive 29 can be rotatably mounted on cross bars of the main frame 25 and can penetrate a spindle nut 31 connected to the auxiliary frame 26 (cf. also FIG. 3 also FIG. 5), which is fixedly attached to the auxiliary frame 26. The drive can be accomplished, for example, via a pulley 32, shown schematically in FIG. 3, from a motor (not shown in more detail) in a conventional manner.

5 shows the attachment of the cover magazine 27 to the subframe 26, the cover magazine 27 by simply attaching or hanging on the upper cross member 33 of the subframe 26 (possibly by simply inserting invisible pins on the underside into peg holes in the top of the cross member 33) is quickly detachable or replaceable. Furthermore, it can be seen that for guiding the auxiliary frame 26 on fixed vertical bars 34 of the main frame 25 (see FIGS. 2 and 3), hollow profiles 35 with a corresponding square cross section are provided; the hollow profiles 35 are connected to one another by the cross member 33 and a cross member 36 carrying the spindle bearing 31. In FIG. 5, an opening 37 can also be seen in the upper cross member 33, which in the assembled state is penetrated by the spindle 30 of the spindle drive 29 (see FIGS. 3 and 4).

A bearing plate 39 (FIGS. 2 and 3) of the closing device 28 is also fastened to support arms 38 of the subframe 26 projecting forward. This bearing plate 39 carries e.g. pneumatic pressure cylinder 40 and an electric motor 41, as will be described in more detail below with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12.

The cover magazine 27 has a base part 42, in which an output opening 43 is provided which corresponds to the size of the cover sets 1, 2. The dispensing opening 43 has, as can be seen in particular from FIG. 5 and also from FIG. 4, a general circular shape, but is provided on two diametrically opposite sides with side pockets 44, 45, through which there are stored in the cover magazine 27 above it Lid sets 1, 2 with the clamping lever areas (see FIG. 1) can pass through. To this end, it should be added that the cover sets 1, 2 are stored in the cover magazine 27 in such a way that their clamping levers 6 are alternately rotated by 180 ° relative to one another, so that an overall straight stack of container covers 1 together with clamping rings 2 is obtained in the cover magazine 27.

The container lids 1 together with the clamping rings 2 lie in detail on four lid holders 46 which are evenly distributed around the circumference of the dispensing opening 43 and are arranged in pairs one above the other. Each lid holder 46 has a finger 47 which can be pushed into the interior of the dispensing opening 43 or retracted from the dispensing opening 43, these fingers 47 being actuated with the aid of pneumatic working cylinders 48, cf. 6a to 6d in connection with FIG. 4. As can be seen, the fingers 47 are arranged vertically one above the other in pairs and guided with the aid of linear guides 49, in the exemplary embodiment shown a total of four times two fingers 47 as cover holders 46 are provided. 6a to 6d each illustrate a stack of lids 50 with only schematically drawn container lids 1 (which are to be thought of with clamping rings 2 according to FIG. 1). As can be seen here, the lids 1 have in a conventional manner a recessed main part and, in contrast, a raised and flanged edge, to which the clamping ring, which is not shown in more detail in FIGS. 6a to 6d, is attached. Such a cover stack 50 is inserted into the cover magazine 27 from the open front side thereof (ie the front, right side in FIG. 5), which can be carried out manually or by machine and cannot be described. The stack of lids 50 is placed on the lower fingers 47 (see FIG. 6a), and the container lids 1 are guided and held in the magazine delimitation 52 formed by guide rods 51 in the manner of a half-shell open towards the front. Two guide rods 51 are provided with magnetic strips 53, the magnets of the magnetic strips 53 holding the container lid 1 or clamping rings 2 in the rear bearing position in the magazine limit 52 of the lid magazine 27 and preventing undesired slipping.

It should be mentioned that, for the sake of simplicity, the cover holders 46 (see FIGS. 4 and 6a to 6d) have been omitted in the schematic representations of FIGS. 2 and 3; however, the attachment points or compressed air connections can also be seen in FIG. 2. Nevertheless, the arrangement and function of the lid holder 46 results from the representations in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6a to 6d, the following also being explained with reference to FIGS. 6a to 6d regarding the operation of the lid holder 46.

The fingers 47 together with the associated cylinders 48 are attached to the underside of the base part 42, cf. also the broken line in Fig. 6a. In the normal position, the lower finger 47 in each case is in the advanced position protruding into the discharge opening 43, and it supports the container stack 50 via the lowermost container lid 1. This normal position is shown in Fig. 6a.

If the container lids 1 are now to be discharged one after the other downwards, the upper finger 47 is also pushed radially inwards for each pair of lid holders 46, for which purpose the associated pressure cylinder 48 is accordingly supplied with compressed air. The upper fingers 47 have a comparatively thin front end section 47 'so that they can more easily enter between two container lids 1 lying one above the other. The position now reached is shown in Fig. 6b.

Then the respective lower finger 47 is withdrawn with the aid of the associated pneumatic pressure cylinder 48, so that the lowermost container lid 1 is released and, due to gravity, can fall down onto a container 24 located underneath (see FIGS. 2 and 3), see FIG. also arrow 54 in Fig. 6c. The upper fingers 47 hold the remaining container stack 50 underneath with their front, thinner end sections 47 '.

Subsequently, the lower fingers 47 are pushed radially inward again using the pneumatic cylinders 48, cf. Fig. 6d; then the upper finger 47 is withdrawn again, and the container stack 50 sinks down by one container lid height, so that the starting position according to FIG. 6a is reached again.

In order to position the containers 24 exactly in the lid placement position (in the lid placement station 21) as well as in the closing position (in the closing station 22), positioning devices 55, each with two centering stops in the form of centering jaws, are located in the area of the conveying device 23 56, 57 provided, cf. 7 to 10. It should be noted that in FIG. 8 only the centering jaws 56, 57, but not the associated drive elements, namely pneumatic working cylinders 58, 59 (cf. FIGS. 9, 10 ) are shown. 8 and 10 is the respective rest position or pass position for the Container 24 shown with full lines, but the activated positioning or centering position with dash-dotted lines. As can be seen, cf. 10 in conjunction with FIGS. 8 and 9, in order to hold the respective container 24 in the correct position, one pneumatic cylinder 58 is extended in order to pivot the associated cheek-shaped centering stop 56 into the operating position shown in broken lines, whereas the other pneumatic working cylinder 59 has its piston rod retracts in order to pivot the associated centering jaw 57 into the operating position (dash-dotted positioning position). The cylinders 58, 59 act on joints on connecting levers 60 and 61, which in turn are connected in a rotationally fixed manner to vertical shafts 62, 63, which are rotatably mounted in bearing parts 64, 65, which are connected to a frame 66 with a conveyor belt 67 and Guide rails provided conveyor 23 are attached. The pneumatic cylinders 58, 59 are also articulated alternately via brackets to the bearing parts 64, 65. The centering jaws 56, 57 are quickly connected to jaw holders 68 and 69, which are connected to the respective shaft 62 and 63 in a rotationally fixed manner, for example with the aid of one or a few bolts. Depending on the container diameter, suitable centering jaws 56, 57 can thereby be attached quickly.

The containers 24 are accordingly stopped and centered exactly in their position both in the lid placement station 21 and in the closing station 22 in order to place the respective lid clothing 1, 2 in the lid placement station 21 by simply dropping them down or the clamping ring 2 in the closing station 22 to press on the flanged upper container edge and finally to close it.

11 and 12 in the closing station 22, the pressure cylinder 40, preferably also a pneumatic pressure cylinder 40, is connected via its piston rod to a spindle 70, which is thus vertically displaceable by the pressure cylinder 40 according to double arrow 71. In addition, the spindle 70 is mounted on the bearing plate 39 in bearings 72, 73 in addition to being axially displaceable and also rotatable, wherein it is driven by the motor 41, in particular an electric motor, via a belt drive 74 and a pulley 75 wedged onto it.

At its lower end, the spindle 70 carries one Quick-change guide 76 'carries a support plate 76, on which a pressure plate 77 is suspended for pressing the container lid 1 onto or into the container 24. Furthermore, the support plate 76 carries a locking band 78 which surrounds the pressure plate 77 on the outside and which, on the one hand, rests on a nose of a bracket 79 which in turn carries a pneumatic tensioning cylinder 80; the closing band 78, on the other hand, is guided with the aid of radially outwardly projecting sliding parts 81 with radial slots on a horizontal flange of a sliding guide 82 (cf. also FIG. 15), which is likewise fastened on the underside of the support plate 76. The closing band 78 has the shape of an open ring, as can be seen in particular from FIG. 14, where the connection to the tensioning cylinder 80 can also be seen and the position of the radially outwardly projecting sliding parts 81 can be seen. Furthermore, it follows from this FIG. 14, as well as from FIG. 16, that hold-down tabs 82 project radially inwards from the closing band 78 at the upper edge over the circumference, which in operation rest on the upper side of the clamping ring 2 (see FIG. 1).

The tensioning cylinder 80 (see in particular FIG. 12) is connected with its piston rod 83 to a joint 84, via which two levers 85, 86 are also connected to one another in the manner of a toggle lever. One lever 85 is connected in an articulated manner to one end 87 of the locking strap, whereas the other, angled lever 86 is adjustably connected to a bearing block 89 via an axially adjustable bolt 88, which is indicated only schematically and which in turn is articulated at the other end 90 of the locking strap 78 is attached. The bearing block 89 serves not only for the articulated mounting of the one lever 86 at the end 90 of the locking strap 78, but also for the mounting of a crimping mechanism 91, which is designed as crimping pliers 92, as can be seen in FIG. 21; a more detailed description of this follows below.

In Fig. 12, the fully extended position of the tensioning cylinder 80 or its piston rod 83 is shown in full lines, which corresponds to the open position of the locking strap 78 (Fig. 11 and 14). The closed position of the tensioning cylinder 80, with the piston rod 83 retracted, is also shown with dash-dotted lines, in which position the toggle lever 85, 86 is folded when the joint 84 approaches the tensioning cylinder 80 and is in relation to the tensioning cylinder 80 or towards the end of the band 87, the bearing block 89 or the other end of the band 90 has been appropriately approximated to the first end of the band 87, which is regarded as fixed here. This "clamping stroke" can best be seen from the illustration in FIG. 12, but can also be seen from a comparison of FIGS. 17 and 19 with FIGS. 18 and 20.

Furthermore, a position sensor 93 can be seen in FIGS. 12 and 13, which is mounted, for example, projecting downward on the support plate 76 and contains a plurality of optical sensor elements 94 one above the other (see FIG. 13), in order to be independent of the exact height of the clamping ring 2 relative to the Support plate 76 or the locking strap 78 to detect the position of the locking strap 78 relative to the clamping ring 2. As has already been explained above, the cover sets 1, 2 are rotated alternately in the cover placement station 21, that is to say rotated with respect to one another by 180 ° with the clamping levers 6 on the clamping rings 2, and the closing mechanism 22 is then activated in the closing station 22 the spindle 70 rotated accordingly to take into account the position of the clamping lever 6 on the respective cover set 1, 2, since, as will be explained in more detail below with reference to FIGS. 17 to 20, the clamping lever 2 is always in the region of the opening of the ring of the Closing strap 78 comes to rest and there the engagement for tensioning the clamping ring 2 takes place. For this rotation, the electric motor 41 is provided, which, as described, rotates the spindle 70 via the belt transmission 74, and this electric motor 41 is actuated in a conventional manner via the position transmitter 93, which switches off the electric motor 41 as soon as seen relative to the closing strap 78 Clamping ring 2 (see also FIG. 17) with a certain characteristic mark, for example a notch 95, (see also FIG. 17 also FIG. 1) is determined in the correct position. The position transmitter 93 is of course to be attached at a location such that it can optically, for example in a conventional reflection method, scan the characteristic location on the clamping ring 2, such as the notch 95, without being impeded by other elements of the closing mechanism. Another possibility would be, for example, to mount the position transmitter 93 in the area of the other end 87 of the locking band 78 and to detect the front notch 96 on the bearing arm or lever 8 for the tensioning lever 6, where - similar to the notch 95 - on the ring body 5 the clamping forces for clamping the clamping ring 2 are to be applied. At this notch 96 comes one end 87 of the closing band 78 with its end face to the stop, whereas on the ring body notch 95 the other end of the closing band 90 comes to a stop with its end face, see FIG. 17 and 18, and in particular FIGS. 19 and 20, where the situation is shown in a partial section on a larger scale. 17 and 19 (open position), the notch 95 on the ring body 3 of the clamping ring 2 is still free, and in the course of closing or clamping the clamping cylinder 80 pulls the toggle lever 85, 86 and the bearing block 89 in these figures upper end 90 of the locking strap 78 down towards the other end 87 of the locking strap 78, on the end face of which the notch 96 has come to rest on the bearing arm or lever 8 of the clamping ring 2. When tensioning or closing, the section of the bearing lever 8 with the tab 10 slides off the first latching projection 12 and over the second latching projection 13 until it snaps through the latching recess 14 (see also FIG. 1), whereby the second latching position or closed position according to FIG 18 and 20 is reached. In this closed position, in which the clamping ring 2 fixes the lid 1 in a conventional manner to the container 24 not shown in FIGS. 17 to 20, the clamping ring 2 is finally made by deforming or squeezing the tab 10 of the bearing lever 8 fixed to the ring body 6, so that an unwanted loosening of the locking connection 13-14 is reliably prevented.

This deformation of the tab 10 can be seen from FIG. 21, the crimping pliers 92 deforming the tab 10 via their tong arms 97, 98 and mold tools 99, 100 attached to it, when it is actuated by means of a pneumatic cylinder 101. The joint 102 of the tong arms 97, 98 is provided on the bearing block 89, cf. in addition to FIG. 21 also FIGS. 17 and 18 (in FIGS. 19 and 20 the crimping pliers 92 have been omitted for the sake of clarity). From FIG. 21 it can also be seen that the bearing block 89 is connected in an articulated manner via a bearing bracket 103, which can also be seen from FIGS. 19 and 20, to the closing band 78 (not shown in FIG. 21). Furthermore, the clamping ring 2 is shown in section in FIG. 21 in the area of the tab 10 - which is present on the top and bottom of the clamping ring 2 - whereas the container 24 and the remaining clamping ring 2 were shown in view, ie a sectional view of the flanged container edge and of the lid rim in detail omitted for clarity. In FIG. 22, however, the area of the upper, flanged edge 104 of the container 24 is drawn below a lid 1 with a flanged edge 105 and with sealing compound 106 attached on the underside, the lid 1 carrying a clamping ring 2 on the circumferential side in the first latching position and with the aid of Pressure plate 77 is just pressed onto the container 24. When this is pressed on, the clamping ring 2 snaps over the container edge 104, and then it is clamped, ie constricted, with the closure band 78 shown only schematically in FIG. 22 in the manner described, the clamping ring 2 fixing the lid 1 to the container 24.

19 and 20, in particular, it can then also be seen that the bearing bracket 103 has a hold-down plate 103 'which is bevelled on the end face and which slides over the tab 10 when the locking strap 78 and tensioning ring 2 are pulled together, and this engages in firm contact with the ring body (3 in FIG. 1) of the clamping ring 2. Then, as mentioned, the crimping pliers 92 are used to squeeze the - closely fitting - tab 10 onto the ring body.

The individual components can be controlled in a conventional manner, e.g. Via a control box 107 shown in FIG. 2, which controls the motor 41, the spindle drive 29, the drive of the conveying device 23 and valves (not shown in more detail) for the compressed air supply and discharge to and from the individual pneumatic cylinders 40, 48, 58, 59, 80, 101 controls, and to which the sensor signals of the position transmitter 93 are supplied.

One end 87 of the closing band 78 can also be provided by a welded-on thicker band piece 78 '(see FIG. 19), which is also slightly bent outwards in order to make room for the tensioning lever 6.

The containers 24 are conventional per se and can be generally cylindrical or conical.

As can also be seen from the above description, not only the lid magazine 27, but also the locking mechanism, namely with the locking strap 78 together with the associated tensioning cylinder 80 and with the squeezing mechanism 91, can be changed quickly when changing to containers 24 of a different format, by simple means Removing the support plate 76 from the spindle 40 in the area of the guide or receptacle 76 '.

Claims (26)

Lid magazine (27) for a lid attachment device (20) for stacking container lids (1) to be placed on containers (24) and each surrounded by a clamping ring (2), with a lower base part (42), characterized in that the base part (42 ) has a dispensing opening (43), through which a container lid (1) together with the clamping ring (2) can be pushed out downwards, that the dispensing opening (43) is assigned at least one lid holder (46) which can be released and that is above the base part (42) a magazine limitation (52), which is provided in half-shell form and is open on one side, is arranged for the container lid (1). Cover magazine according to claim 1, characterized in that guide rods (51) are provided as magazine delimitation (52) in alignment with the edge of the dispensing opening (43) over substantially half of its circumference and projecting from the base part (42). Lid magazine according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the magazine delimitation (52) has at least one magnetic strip (53) for retaining the container lid (1) in the horizontal direction in the magazine delimitation (52). Cover magazine according to claims 2 and 3, characterized in that the magnetic strip (53) is arranged on a guide rod (51). Lid magazine according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that at least two horizontally displaceable lid holders (46) spaced apart from one another in the vertical direction are provided for the individual delivery of the container lid (1) together with the clamping ring (2). Cover magazine according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the or each cover holder (46) is formed by a finger (47) movable by a working cylinder (48). Cover magazine according to claim 6, characterized in that a plurality of fingers (47) are spaced vertically from one another in pairs and are uniformly distributed over the circumference of the dispensing opening (43), preferably at four positions. Lid magazine according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the discharge opening (43) with at least one pocket, preferably two diametrically opposite pockets (44, 45), for the passage of the tensioning lever (6) on the container lids (1) attached clamping rings (2). Use of a cover magazine according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the container cover (1) with clamping rings (2) surrounding it, each having a clamping lever (6), within the magazine limitation (52) after insertion on the open side with alignment the tensioning lever (6) can be stacked alternately rotated by 180 °. Lid placement and closing device (20) for attaching container lids (1) enclosed by a clamping ring (2) to containers (24) and for closing the containers (24), for transporting the containers (24) to be closed between a lid placement -Station (21) and a closing station (22) with a closing device (28) a conveying device (23) is provided, characterized in that in the lid placing station (21) a lid magazine (27) according to one of claims 1 to 8 is arranged directly above a container receiving space (24 ') above the conveyor device (23). Cover placement and closing device according to claim 10, characterized in that the conveying device (23) is driven intermittently. Lid placement and closing device according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the closing device (28) for automatic closing in the closing station (22) is in the form of an open ring, the respective clamping ring (2) on a container (24) attached lid (1) encompassing, elastically deformable closing strap (78), on which, for example, via a with the free strap ends (87, 90) connected toggle lever (85, 86), a clamping cylinder (80) engages. Lid fitting and closing device according to claim 12, characterized in that the free ends (87, 90) of the closing strap (78) in the open position are at a distance from one another which is greater than the length measured in the circumferential direction by which the clamping ring ( 2) is narrowed when closing the lid (1). Lid placement and closing device according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the closing band (78) has at least one stop for a notch (95, 96) on the clamping ring (2). Lid placement and closing device according to one of claims 11 to 14, characterized in that the locking strap (78) together with the tensioning cylinder (80) for adapting the alignment of the free ends (87, 90) of the locking strap (78) to the alignment of the clamping lever (6) on the clamping ring (2) is rotatably mounted about a central axis. Lid fitting and closing device according to claim 15, characterized in that the closing band (78) is attached to a central, rotatably mounted spindle (70) driven by a motor (41). Lid fitting and closing device according to one of claims 11 to 16, characterized by a vertically movable pressure plate (77) for depressing the container lid (1) and snapping the clamping ring (2) onto the container edge (104). Lid placement and closing device according to claim 16 and 17, characterized in that the pressure plate (77) is attached to the additionally vertically adjustable spindle (70). Lid fitting and closing device according to one of claims 15 to 18, characterized in that a position transmitter (93) controlling the rotation of the locking strap (78) is provided for detecting the position of the tensioning lever (6) relative to the locking strap (78). Lid placement and closing device according to one of claims 10 to 19, characterized in that in the lid placement station (21) in and out of the path of movement of the containers (24) movable centering stops for precise positioning of the containers (24) are arranged in this station are. Lid placement and closing device according to one of claims 10 to 20, characterized in that in the closing station (22) in and out of the path of movement of the container (24) movable centering stops for precise positioning of the container (24) are arranged in this station are. Lid placement and closing device according to one of claims 10 to 21, characterized in that the lid magazine is exchangeably attached, preferably by means of a suspension, to a frame (26). Lid fitting and closing device according to one of Claims 10 to 22, characterized in that the closing device (28) has a squeezing mechanism (91), for example a squeezing tongs (92), for pressing a tab (10) provided on the tensioning lever bearing arm (8) ) on the clamping ring ring body (3). Lid fitting and closing device according to one of claims 11 to 23, characterized in that the locking strap (78) with the tension cylinder (80), optionally together with the support plate (76), and optionally with the squeeze mechanism (91), are arranged interchangeably is or are. Lid fitting and closing device according to one of claims 20 to 24, characterized in that the centering stops are designed with exchangeable centering jaws (56, 57). Lid placement and closing device according to one of Claims 10 to 25, characterized in that the lid magazine (27) and / or the closing device (28) is arranged on an auxiliary frame (26) which is adjustably mounted in a machine frame (25) or are.

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