EP1519891A1

EP1519891A1 - Device for screwing and crimping a cap on a neck

Info

Publication number: EP1519891A1
Application number: EP03750785A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Guy Denom; Jean-Marie Bourreau
Original assignee: Pechiney Capsules SAS
Current assignee: Amcor Flexibles Capsules France SAS
Priority date: 2002-07-04
Filing date: 2003-07-01
Publication date: 2005-04-06
Anticipated expiration: 2023-07-01
Also published as: DE60304340D1; CA2491195A1; AR040282A1; FR2841889A1; EP1519891B1; RU2005102702A; US7299602B2; PL373051A1; MXPA05000113A; ATE321727T1; WO2004005181A1; FR2841889B1; AU2003269006A1; DE20321564U1; BR0312411A; DE60304340T2; US20050204710A1; RU70877U1; ES2263014T3

Abstract

The invention concerns a device (1) comprising a rotating capping head (2) with axial displacement. Said device is characterized in that the head (2) is provided with means for screwing a cap (8) on the neck (70), and means for crimping the cap beneath said crimping ring (701), said axial displacement including a first axial displacement of said head (2) activating said screwing means and a second axial displacement of said head (2) activating said crimping means, so as to produce successively, and in one single axial displacement of said head (2), a screwing step and a crimping step constituting the capping process. The inventive device (1) provides the advantage of enabling the cap to be screwed and crimped in one single and same step.

Description

DEVICE FOR SCREWING AND CRIMPING A CAPSULE ON A CHUTE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to the field of capping containers, in particular bottles, and typically the screwing and crimping of screw cap caps on bottles with threaded necks.

STATE OF THE ART

The crimping of capsules is generally carried out using a capping head with movable rollers which operates according to the principle described in French patent No 978 537. The essential elements of the crimping head include in particular:

- a spring-loaded ejector, fitted with a profiled end-piece, with axial displacement by means of a slide fixed to the frame of the capping machine,

a rotary crown (driven in rotation by means not shown) having a slide as a hub and on which rods are fixed, each of which carries, at its end, a roller with free axial rotation,

- springs acting on all of the rods so that the rollers exert radial pressure on the capsule during the actual crimping or on the profiled end piece depending on the phase of the crimping cycle,

- guide means. During the crimping of an overcap capsule, the rotary crown, the rods and the rollers are in rotation, and, while the tip presses on the head of the capsule, there is a relative (axial) displacement of the crown rotary, rods and rollers in relation to the assembly constituted by the ejector and the skirt of the capsule: little by little, the rollers, which initially pressed against the profiled end piece, pressed against the skirt of the capsule and crimped it.

On several occasions, the applicant has already improved the existing crimping heads, either by modifying the profile of the rollers, as described in French patent No. 2,469,379, or even by varying the hardness of the rollers, as described in the French patent. No. 2,675,495, or finally by varying the number or the configuration of the rollers, as described in French patent No. 2,710,905. Furthermore, screw heads are also known.

PROBLEMS POSED

Until now, the operation of capping bottles with threaded necks with a metal screw cap has been carried out in two passes or stages, with two different pieces of equipment:

a step of screwing the capsule, using a screwing head,

- then a crimping step, using a crimping head.

The present invention aims to carry out in a single step and with a single piece of equipment the two screwing and crimping operations, so as to reduce the capping investment, that is to say the cost of the capping equipment or devices, to reduce the capping time, to reduce the size of the capsule equipment. To this end, the Applicant has developed a device making it possible to carry out in a single pass the complete operation of screwing and crimping the closure cap.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention, the device for capping a neck of a container provided with an axis of symmetry, typically a bottle, comprising a threaded upper portion of height Hf provided with at least one thread of N turns and a portion lower or ring crimping, using a screw cap capsule provided with a crimpable head, typically metallic, comprises a capping head capable of rotating at a rotation speed Ω, by means of rotation , along an axis of rotation common with said axis of symmetry, and with axial displacement so as to bring together, during said encapsulation, by means of axial displacement, said head of said neck typically axially fixed, and is characterized in that said head is provided with means for screwing said capsule to said threaded upper portion of said neck, and means for crimping said skirt under said crimping ring, said axial movement comprising a first axial movement of said head activating said means screwing and a second axial movement of said head activating said crimping means, so as to have successively, and in a single axial movement of said head, a screwing step and a crimping step constituting said capping.

Thus, with the device according to the invention, a single axial displacement of the head makes it possible to carry out successively the screwing of the capsule then its crimping, which solves the problems posed since a single head is sufficient where two heads and two separate pieces of equipment were necessary with the usual means of the prior art.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

All the figures relate to the invention.

Figures 1 to 6b are schematic views or sections in a vertical plane passing through the axis of rotation (20) of the capping head (2) and the axis of symmetry (71) of the neck (70) to be capped .

Figure 1 is a schematic view of the capping device (1).

Figures 2 to 5 are left half-views of the capping head (2) during different phases of the capping, as the head (2) descends relative to the neck (70) to be encapsulated: - FIG. 2 represents the head (2) before the start of the screwing of the closure cap (8) on the neck (70), FIG. 3 represents the head (2) at the end of the screwing of the capsule (8), but before compression of the seal (81) of the capsule,

- Figure 4 shows the head (2) after compression of the seal (81) and start of tilting of the crimping arm (40), - Figure 5 shows the head (2) at the end of crimping.

Figures 6a and 6b relate to the head which has been manufactured, Figure 6a being a view of the major part of the head (2), while Figure 6b is an enlarged view of the lower part of the head.

FIGS. 7a to 7c represent diagrams relating to the axial displacements of the head or of its different parts.

FIG. 7a corresponds to the displacements - on the ordinate - of the different parts of the head during a single cycle - on the abscissa, namely first a descent of the head and then an ascent.

Figure 7b shows schematically several cycles (3 cycles) consisting of linear portions, while in Figure 7c, the movement of the head is sinusoidal.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention, during said first movement, said screwing means can ensure rotation of said capsule (8) relative to said neck (70), with a speed of rotation of said capsule (8) typically close to said speed of rotation Ω of said head (2). In fact, as soon as the support piece (6) comes into contact with the screw cap, it rotates it at speed Ω.

This contact may correspond to a predetermined axial force, and for this, as illustrated in particular in FIGS. 2 and 3, said screwing means may comprise means, typically an R0 spring (60), exerting on said head (82) of said capsule (8) a force F0 typically ranging from 20 N to 150 N, during all or part of said screwing step. According to the invention, said crimping means can comprise at least two arms or spreaders (40), each arm (40) being carrying at its lower end a crimping wheel (41), articulated so as to be able to be brought closer to said neck (70) during said crimping step and spaced from said neck (70) during said screwing step.

As appears in particular in FIGS. 3 to 5, said head (2) can comprise a means, typically an R2 spring (42), for exerting on said head (82) of said capsule (8) a force F2 typically ranging from 500 N to 1500 N after said screwing step and during all or part of said crimping step.

As can be seen in Figure 4, said means for exerting said force F2 can be actuated typically before said knobs (41) are pressed against said skirt for crimping said skirt (80), so as to compress axially said capsule (8) against said neck (70) and its flange, in particular when said capsule (8) comprises a compressible seal (81) to be compressed before the crimping step in order to seal the plugging of said capsule (8) on said neck (70).

According to one embodiment of the invention, said head (2) can comprise: a) a support C3 (3), typically cylindrical, secured to a fixed frame (10), capable of turning along said axis of rotation (20) with said rotation speed Ω typically predetermined and possibly constant, and to move axially relative to said neck (70) according to an axial displacement D3, b) a tubular body C2 (4), coaxial and interior with respect to said support C3 (3), but able to move axially relative to said support C3 (3) according to an axial displacement D2, said support C3 (3) comprising a lower stop (30) to limit the axial displacement of said tubular body C2 (4) and exerting on said body tubular C2 (4) a force F2, typically thanks to a spring R2 (42), c) a central body Cl (5), coaxial with said tubular body C2 (4), typically hollow, secured to said tubular body C2 (4) for said displacement D2 typically thanks to a set of bearings, typically needle bearings (45), said tubular body C2 (4) forming a hub for said central body Cl (5) acting as an axle, d) a means of partial coupling in rotation of said body tubular C2 (4) and said central body Cl (5), a rotation of said tubular body C2 (4) causing a rotation of said central body Cl (5) only during said screwing step, the rotation of said central body Cl (5 ) being capable of being interrupted by the appearance of an opposing torque C at the end of screwing, e) said central body Cl (5) comprises a support piece C0 (6) intended to drive said capsule (8) in rotation and able to move axially with respect to said central body Cl (5) according to a displacement D0 typically corresponding to the height of said threaded portion (700) of said capsule (8), an upper stop (51) for said support piece ( 6) and a spring R0 (60) exerting on said support piece C0 (6) a force F0, so e ensuring a rotational coupling of said head (2), via said support piece C0 (6), and of said capsule (8), and in forming said screwing means, f) said arms or spreaders (40) of said crimping means are axially integral with said tubular body C2 (4) and orientable by means of a secondary axis of rotation (44) typically integral with said tubular body C2 (4).

Said crimping means may comprise a cam (32) axially integral with said support C3 (3), each of said arms (40), typically rigid, comprising an upper part (400) typically provided with a roller or a roller or shoe sliding (401), and a wheel holder arm (402) carrying said wheel (41), so that said second movement causes temporary cooperation of said cam (32) and said roller or shoe (401), bringing said dial (41) of said neck (70) for said crimping.

According to a modality of the invention illustrated schematically in Figure 1, said support C3 (3) of said head (2) can be secured to an arm (12), typically horizontal, and is free to rotate relative to said arm (12 ), said support C3 (3) and said arm (12) respectively forming an axle / hub assembly, said arm (12) serving possibly a support for a motor forming said rotation means (13) capable of driving said support C3 (3) in rotation.

Said arm (12) and said fixed frame (10) can cooperate, typically thanks to a vertical column (14), so as to ensure said axial movement D3 of the support C3 (3) by translation of said arm (12) in a vertical plane , typically by virtue of an auxiliary motor (11) serving as means of axial displacement.

However, according to another embodiment of the invention (not shown in a figure), said arm (12) can be loaded on a rotary turret and be part of a set of n capping heads (2), with n typically going from 2 to 12, the supports C3 (3) meshing on a central pinion to produce the rotation of said supports C3.

According to the invention, said means for partially rotating coupling of said tubular body C2 (4) and of said central body C1 (5) can be a magnetic or electromagnetic coupling, typically thanks to facing magnets (43, 50) carried by said tubular body C2 (4) and said central body Cl (5). These facing magnets are typically chosen so that the torque exerted on the capsule is at most equal to 80% of the value of the limit torque corresponding to the irreversible deformation or to the destruction of the capsule.

It is advantageous that at the end of the screwing step, said support piece C0 (6) is able to come into abutment against said upper stop (51), so that said central body C1 (5) and said tubular body C2 (4) can transmit to the head (82) of said capsule (8) said force F2.

The speed of rotation Ω and the speed V of movement of said head (2) during said first movement can be controlled so as to satisfy the relation V = Hf. Ω / N, so as to synchronize the rotation of said capsule (8) and the speed of descent on the neck (70) during said screwing step, the typical values of Hf, Ω and N being: 5 mm to 20 mm for Hf, 150 rpm to 500 rpm for Ω, 0.5 to 5 for N, the total number of rotations ranging from 10 to 25. Thus, there is no risk of deformation of the threads of the capsules.

Another object of the invention is constituted by the method of capping a bottle using the capping device (1) according to the invention using a capping head (2) ensuring the screwing and crimping of a screw cap (8) on the threaded neck (70) of said bottle or container (7) and in which, said bottle (7) having been previously placed opposite said head, typically by horizontal displacement step by step, or possibly continuously, of said bottle (7) and alignment of said axes of rotation (20) and of symmetry (71), and immobilized during a time T corresponding to a capping cycle, said head is subjected to a cyclic movement of duration T with respect to said neck (70) typically comprising a descent of said head from a high point to a low point, with a descent time Td of said head during which, said capsule having been previously supplied and placed on said neck, is EFFEC first killed said screwing during a time Tdv then said crimping during a time Tds, said descent time Td being substantially equal to the time necessary to effect said first and said second displacements, then an ascent time Tr from said head, said bottle once capped being moved and replaced by a new bottle to be capped typically when said head is at said high point. FIG. 7a schematically illustrates the different displacements (on the ordinate) as a function of time during a cycle T (on the abscissa).

In this method, said cyclic movement of said head (2) can be a sinusoidal movement typically obtained by the cooperation of a connecting rod and a crank, as illustrated in FIG. 7c. It can possibly be a continuous circular movement typically obtained using a cam.

Said cyclic movement of said head can be is a movement composed of linear parts at constant speed, typically obtained with hydraulic cylinders, as illustrated in FIG. 7b. In this case, the ascent time Tr may be less than the descent time Td, and typically at least twice as small. EXAMPLE OF IMPLEMENTATION

Figures 6a and 6b constitute an embodiment of a head (2) according to the invention, Figures 2 to 5 are more schematic intended to explain the operation of the head (2) shown in Figures 6a and 6b. In order not to burden Figures 3 to 5, the references shown in Figure 2 have not been repeated in Figures 3 to 5.

ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

The invention makes it possible to solve the problems posed and makes it possible to carry out, in a single step and with a single piece of equipment, the two screwing and crimping operations.

On the one hand, the device according to the invention, if it is slightly more expensive than a screwing device or a crimping device, is very much lower than the investment cost of the sum of two. The same applies to the cost of maintaining the device according to the invention. On the other hand, the Applicant has observed that the device according to the invention makes it possible to increase the production rates.

Finally, the device according to the invention makes it possible to halve the size on the ground of the screwing and capping means proper.

LIST OF REFERENCES

Capping device 1

Fixed frame 10

Axial displacement means (auxiliary motor). 1 1

Horizontal arm 12 Rotation means (motor) of 2 13

Vertical column 14

Capping head 2

Rotation axis 20

Support C3 3 Lower stop 30

Rotational coupling of 3 and 4 31 Cam cooperating with 401 32

Tubular body C2 4

Arms or spreaders 40

Upper part 400 Roller or shoe 401

Wheel arm 402

Crimping spring 403

Arm return spring 40 404

Crimping wheel 41 Spring R2 42

Partial rotation coupling (magnets). 43

Secondary axis of rotation 44

Bearings (needle) between 4 and 5 ... 45

Centering device 46 Central body Cl 5

Partial rotation coupling (magnets). 50

Upper stop 51

End cap adaptable to neck 52

Support piece C0 6 Spring R0 60

Bottle, container 7

Neck 70

700 threaded upper portion

Bottom portion or ring 701 Axis of symmetry 71

Cap 8

Crimp skirt 80

Compressible seal 81

Head 82 Bottle holder, container 9

Claims

1. Capping device (1) of a neck (70) of a container (7) provided with an axis of symmetry (71), typically a bottle, comprising a threaded upper portion (700) of height Hf provided with '' at least one thread of N turns and a lower portion or crimping ring (701), using a screw cap (8) with a head (82) and a crimpable skirt ( 80) metallic, said device (1) comprising a capping head (2) capable of rotating at a speed of rotation Ω, by means of rotation (13), along an axis of rotation (20) common with said axis of symmetry (71), and with axial displacement so as to bring together, during said encapsulation, by means of an axial displacement, said encapsulation head (2) of said neck (70) typically axially fixed, characterized in that: a) said capping head (2) is provided with a means for screwing said capsule (8) to said threaded upper portion (700) of said neck (70), and a hub n for crimping said skirt (80) under said crimping ring (701), said axial movement comprising a first axial movement of said capping head (2) activating said screwing means and a second axial movement of said capping head ( 2) activating said crimping means, b) said screwing means ensures, during said first displacement, a rotation of said capsule (8) relative to said neck (70), said screwing means comprising means exerting on said head (82 ) of said capsule (8) a force

F0 typically going from 20 N to 150 N, during all or part of said screwing step, so as to have successively, and in a single axial displacement of said capping head (2), a screwing step and a crimping step constituting said capping.

2. Device according to claim 1 wherein said screwing means ensures said rotation with a speed of rotation of said capsule (8) typically close to said speed of rotation Ω of said capping head (2).

3. Device according to claim 2 wherein said screwing means comprises a RO spring (60) exerting on said head (82) of said capsule (8) said force F0.

4. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein said crimping means comprises at least two arms or spreaders (40), each arm (40) being carrying at its lower end a crimping wheel (41), articulated so as to be able to be brought closer to said neck (70) during said crimping step and separated from said neck (70) during said screwing step.

5. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein said capping head (2) comprises means, typically an R2 spring (42), for exerting on said head (82) of said capsule (8) a force F2 ranging typically from 500 N to 1500 N after said screwing step and during all or part of said crimping step.

6. Device according to claim 5 wherein said means for exerting said force F2 is actuated typically before said knobs (41) are applied against said skirt for crimping said skirt (80), so as to compress said capsule axially (8) against said neck (70) and its rim, in particular when said capsule (8) comprises a compressible seal (81) to be compressed before the crimping step in order to seal the closure of said capsule ( 8) on said neck (70).

7. Device according to any one of claims 4 to 6 wherein said capping head (2) comprises: a) a C3 support (3), typically cylindrical, secured to a fixed frame (10), able to rotate along said axis of rotation (20) with said rotation speed Ω typically predetermined and possibly constant, and to move axially with respect to said neck (70) according to an axial displacement D3, b) a tubular body C2 (4), coaxial and interior with respect to said support C3 (3), but able to move axially relative to said support C3 (3) according to an axial displacement D2, said support C3 (3) comprising a lower stop (30) to limit the axial displacement of said tubular body C2 (4) and exerting on said tubular body C2 (4) a force F2, typically by means of a spring R2 (42), c) a central body Cl (5), coaxial with said tubular body C2 (4 ), typically hollow, secured to said tubular body C2 (4) for said displacement D2 typically by means of a set of bearings, typically needle bearings (45), said tubular body C2 (4) forming a hub for said central body Cl ( 5) acting as an axle, d) a means for partially rotating said tubular body C2 (4) and said central body C1 (5), a rotation of said tubular body C2 (4) not causing said body to rotate central Cl (5) that during said screwing step, the rotation of said central body Cl (5) being capable of being interrupted by the appearance of an opposing torque C at the end of screwing, e) said central body Cl (5) comprises a support piece C0 (6) intended to drive said capsule (8) in rotation and able to dep lacing axially with respect to said central body Cl (5) according to a displacement DO typically corresponding to the height of said threaded portion (700) of said capsule (8), an upper stop (51) for said support piece (6) and a spring R0 (60) exerting on said support piece C0 (6) a force F0, so as to ensure a coupling in rotation of said capping head (2), via said support piece C0 (6), and said capsule (8), and in forming said screwing means, f) said arms or spreaders (40) of said crimping means are axially integral with said tubular body C2 (4) and orientable by means of a secondary axis of rotation (44) typically integral with said tubular body C2 (4).

8. Device according to claim 7 wherein said crimping means comprises a cam (32) axially integral with said support C3 (3), each of said arms (40), typically rigid, comprising an upper part (400) typically provided with a roller or a roller or sliding shoe (401), and a wheel support arm (402) carrying said wheel (41), so that said second movement causes temporary cooperation of said cam (32) and said roller or shoe (401), bringing said wheel (41) closer to said neck (70) for said crimping.

9. Device according to any one of claims 7 to 8 wherein said support C3

(3) of said capping head (2) is secured to an arm (12), typically horizontal, and is free to rotate relative to said arm (12), said support C3 (3) and said arm (12) respectively forming an axle / hub assembly, said arm (12) possibly serving as a support for a motor forming said rotation means (13) capable of rotating said support C3 (3).

10. Device according to claim 9 wherein said arm (12) and said fixed frame (10) cooperate, typically thanks to a vertical column (14), so as to ensure said axial movement D3 of the support C3 (3) by translation of said arm (12) in a vertical plane, typically by means of an auxiliary motor (11) serving as a means of axial displacement.

11. Device according to claim 9 wherein said arm (12) is embedded on a rotary turret and form part of a set of n capping heads (2), with n typically ranging from 2 to 12, the supports C3 (3 ) meshing with a central pinion to produce the rotation of said supports C3.

12. Device according to any one of claims 7 to 11 in which said means for partially rotating coupling of said tubular body C2 (4) and of said central body Cl (5) is a magnetic or electromagnetic coupling, typically by facing magnets ( 43, 50) carried by said tubular body C2 (4) and said central body Cl (5).

13. Device according to any one of claims 7 to 12 in which, at the end of the screwing step, said support piece C0 (6) is capable of coming into abutment against said upper stop (51), so that said central body C1 (5) and said tubular body C2

(4) can transmit to the head (82) of said capsule (8) said force F2.

14. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 13 wherein the speed of rotation Ω and the speed V of movement of said capping head (2) during said first movement are controlled so as to satisfy the relation V = Hf. Ω / N, of so as to typically synchronize the rotation of said capsule (8) and its descent on the neck (70) during said screwing step, Hf, Ω and N being respectively between 5 mm and 20 mm for Hf, 150 rpm and 500 rpm for Ω and 10 rpm and 25 rpm for N.

15. A method of capping a bottle using the capping device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 14 wherein said capping head (2) provides the screwing and crimping of a screw cap ( 8) on the threaded neck (70) of said bottle or container (7), and in which, said bottle (7) having been previously compared with said head, typically by horizontal displacement step by step, or possibly continuously , of said bottle (7) and alignment of said axes of rotation (20) and of symmetry (71), and immobilized during a time T corresponding to a capping cycle, said head is subjected to a cyclic movement of duration T relative to said neck (70) typically comprising a descent of said head from a high point to a low point, with a descent time Td of said head during which, said capsule having been previously supplied and placed on said neck, is made of first there edit screwing for a time Tdv then said crimping for a time Tds, said descent time Td being substantially equal to the time necessary to effect said first and said second displacements, then an ascent time Tr of said head, said bottle once capped moved and replaced by a new bottle to be capped typically when said head is at said high point.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein said cyclic movement of said capping head (2) is a sinusoidal movement typically obtained by the cooperation of a connecting rod and a crank.

17. The method of claim 15 wherein said cyclic movement of said head (2) is a continuous circular movement typically obtained using a cam.

18. The method of claim 15 wherein said cyclic movement of said head is a movement composed of linear parts at constant speed, typically obtained with hydraulic cylinders.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein the ascent time Tr is less than the descent time Td, and typically at least twice as small.