EP3031773B1 - Vorrichtung und Verfahren zum Aufbringen einer Verschlusskappe auf eine Packung - Google Patents

Vorrichtung und Verfahren zum Aufbringen einer Verschlusskappe auf eine Packung Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3031773B1
EP3031773B1 EP14196690.3A EP14196690A EP3031773B1 EP 3031773 B1 EP3031773 B1 EP 3031773B1 EP 14196690 A EP14196690 A EP 14196690A EP 3031773 B1 EP3031773 B1 EP 3031773B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
cap
package
neck
tightening
mode
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.)
Not-in-force
Application number
EP14196690.3A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP3031773A1 (de
Inventor
Christer Landgren
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.)
Trepak International AB
Original Assignee
Trepak International AB
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
Application filed by Trepak International AB filed Critical Trepak International AB
Priority to EP14196690.3A priority Critical patent/EP3031773B1/de
Priority to PCT/EP2015/073245 priority patent/WO2016091421A1/en
Publication of EP3031773A1 publication Critical patent/EP3031773A1/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP3031773B1 publication Critical patent/EP3031773B1/de
Not-in-force legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

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Classifications

    • 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
    • B67B3/20—Closing bottles, jars or similar containers by applying caps by applying and rotating preformed threaded caps
    • B67B3/204—Linear-type capping machines
    • B67B3/2046—Linear-type capping machines using friction means for screwing the caps, e.g. belts or wheels
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B57/00—Automatic control, checking, warning, or safety devices
    • B65B57/02—Automatic control, checking, warning, or safety devices responsive to absence, presence, abnormal feed, or misplacement of binding or wrapping material, containers, or packages
    • B65B57/04—Automatic control, checking, warning, or safety devices responsive to absence, presence, abnormal feed, or misplacement of binding or wrapping material, containers, or packages and operating to control, or to stop, the feed of such material, containers, or packages
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B57/00—Automatic control, checking, warning, or safety devices
    • B65B57/10—Automatic control, checking, warning, or safety devices responsive to absence, presence, abnormal feed, or misplacement of articles or materials to be packaged
    • B65B57/12—Automatic control, checking, warning, or safety devices responsive to absence, presence, abnormal feed, or misplacement of articles or materials to be packaged and operating to control, or stop, the feed of wrapping materials, containers, or packages
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B7/00—Closing containers or receptacles after filling
    • B65B7/16—Closing semi-rigid or rigid containers or receptacles not deformed by, or not taking-up shape of, contents, e.g. boxes or cartons
    • B65B7/28—Closing semi-rigid or rigid containers or receptacles not deformed by, or not taking-up shape of, contents, e.g. boxes or cartons by applying separate preformed closures, e.g. lids, covers
    • B65B7/2807—Feeding closures
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B7/00—Closing containers or receptacles after filling
    • B65B7/16—Closing semi-rigid or rigid containers or receptacles not deformed by, or not taking-up shape of, contents, e.g. boxes or cartons
    • B65B7/28—Closing semi-rigid or rigid containers or receptacles not deformed by, or not taking-up shape of, contents, e.g. boxes or cartons by applying separate preformed closures, e.g. lids, covers
    • B65B7/2835—Closing semi-rigid or rigid containers or receptacles not deformed by, or not taking-up shape of, contents, e.g. boxes or cartons by applying separate preformed closures, e.g. lids, covers applying and rotating preformed threaded 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
    • B67B3/26—Applications of control, warning, or safety devices in capping machinery
    • B67B3/262—Devices for controlling the caps
    • B67B3/264—Devices for controlling the caps positioning of the caps
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B35/00—Supplying, feeding, arranging or orientating articles to be packaged
    • B65B35/10—Feeding, e.g. conveying, single articles
    • B65B35/24—Feeding, e.g. conveying, single articles by endless belts or chains
    • B65B35/243—Feeding, e.g. conveying, single articles by endless belts or chains using cooperating conveyors engaging the articles simultaneously
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B43/00—Forming, feeding, opening or setting-up containers or receptacles in association with packaging
    • B65B43/42—Feeding or positioning bags, boxes, or cartons in the distended, opened, or set-up state; Feeding preformed rigid containers, e.g. tins, capsules, glass tubes, glasses, to the packaging position; Locating containers or receptacles at the filling position; Supporting containers or receptacles during the filling operation
    • B65B43/52—Feeding or positioning bags, boxes, or cartons in the distended, opened, or set-up state; Feeding preformed rigid containers, e.g. tins, capsules, glass tubes, glasses, to the packaging position; Locating containers or receptacles at the filling position; Supporting containers or receptacles during the filling operation using roller-ways or endless conveyors

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a device and a method for applying a cap to a package. More specifically the invention relates to a device and a method for applying a threaded cap to a threaded neck of a package.
  • This type of devices comprises a conveyor, a package handling system, a cap dispenser and a cap tightening device having oppositely arranged and rotating cap tightening belts for tightening the cap on the package neck by rotation, so that the threads of the cap engages the threads of the neck.
  • Packages of this type are generally used in connection with packages for liquid foodstuff, such as milk, juice, water, yoghurt and similar, but can be used for other types of packages having a threaded neck.
  • One common type of packages of this type is carton packages having a neck and a cap of plastic materials.
  • One such type of device comprises a conveyor for transporting packages in a travel direction, wherein a cap is supplied to the top of the neck when the package passes a cap dispenser. Then, the cap is tightened by means of a cap tightening device having oppositely arranged cap tightening belts for engaging and rotating the cap onto the neck. For example, a line of packages are transported on a continuously operating conveyor, wherein the continuously conveyed packages at short intervals pass the cap dispenser and wherein caps at short intervals are tightened by means of the cap tightening belts.
  • An object of the invention is to provide a device and a method which result in a reduced number of caps not being applied properly, wherein the number of discarded packages and the amount of discarded content can be reduced. Hence, a more cost efficient device and method is achieved.
  • the present invention relates to a device for applying a threaded cap to a threaded neck of a package, comprising a container conveyor for conveying the package in a travel direction, a package handling system for supporting the packages, a cap dispenser for supplying a cap to the neck of the package conveyed by the conveyor, and a cap tightening device having a rotating first cap tightening belt and a rotating second cap tightening belt arranged opposite to the first cap tightening belt for tightening the cap on the package neck by rotation, characterised in that the device comprises a neck position sensor for detecting a position of the neck in a lateral direction perpendicular to the travel direction of the package, that at least one motor is connected to the cap position sensor, and that the cap dispenser and the cap tightening device and/or the package handling system is laterally adjustable and connected to said motor for adjusting the relative position between the package handling system and the cap dispenser and the cap tightening device according to the detected position of the neck.
  • the device comprises a neck position sensor for
  • the neck position sensor can be arranged for detecting the position of the neck in relation to a predetermined edge or side wall of the package in the lateral direction perpendicular to the travel direction of the package on the conveyor.
  • the neck position sensor is arranged for detecting a distance between the neck and the predetermined side wall of the package.
  • the first cap tightening belt can be connected to a first motor for alternatingly operating the first cap tightening belt in a non-tightening first mode and in a cap tightening second mode.
  • first mode the first cap tightening belt can be rotated in a direction and at a speed corresponding to the package handling system, and in the second mode the first cap tightening belt can be rotated in a reversed direction for tightening the cap.
  • the second cap tightening belt can be connected to a second motor for alternatingly operating the second cap tightening belt in a non-tightening first mode and in a cap tightening second mode.
  • the second cap tightening belt In the first mode the second cap tightening belt can be rotated in a direction and at a speed corresponding to the package handling system, and in the second mode the second cap tightening belt can be rotated at a higher speed and in the same direction as in the first mode for tightening the cap.
  • an efficient and precise tightening of the cap is achieved while reducing any wear on the cap tightening belts.
  • the invention also relates to a method for applying a threaded cap to a threaded neck of a package, comprising the steps of
  • a device 10 for applying a threaded cap 11 to a threaded neck 12 of a package 13 is illustrated schematically.
  • the device 10 is arranged for applying caps 11 to packages 13, such as carton packages, plastic packages or packages of a combination of carton and plastic materials.
  • the packages 13 are packages for liquid foodstuff.
  • the package 13 is formed with a flat top.
  • the package 13 is formed with an inclined top or is a gable top package.
  • the cap 11 and neck 12 are of plastic materials.
  • the neck 12 is provided in the top of the package 13 and extends at least partially vertically.
  • the neck 12 is, for example, formed as a closure spout.
  • the device 10 comprises a package handling system 14, a cap dispenser 15 and a cap tightening device 16.
  • the package handling system 14 is arranged for supporting and transporting packages 13 in a travel direction, such as a horizontal or substantially horizontal travel direction.
  • the package handling system 14 is arranged for continuously supporting packages 13 along the package handling system 14, wherein the packages 13, e.g., are arranged with a gap between them and form a line of packages 13.
  • the package handling system 14 comprises a rotating first belt 17 and an opposite rotating second belt 18 for engaging and supporting the packages 13.
  • the first and second belts 17, 18 of the package handling system 14 are arranged for engaging opposite sides, such as opposite vertical sides, of the package 13.
  • the first and second belts 17, 18 are mounted to pulleys 19 and are operated by one or more motors 20.
  • the pulleys 19 are rotated around vertical axes for transporting the packages 13 in a horizontal direction.
  • the pulleys 19 are supported by a supporting structure 21, which is illustrated schematically in the drawings and which can be of various designs.
  • the package bottoms are supported by a conveyor 22, such as a conventional conveyor for conveying the packages 13.
  • the conveyor 22 is arranged as a rotating belt or similar moving the packages 13 in the travel direction.
  • the conveyor 22 rotates in the same speed as the first and second belts 17, 18 of the package handling system 14.
  • the cap dispenser 15 is arranged for supplying caps 11 to the necks 12 of the packages 13.
  • the cap dispenser 15 comprises a chute 23 for feeding caps 11 to a cap supplying position, in which position packages 13 moving on the conveyor 22 and in the package handling system 14 engages the caps 11.
  • the chute 23 is, for example, connected to conventional cap storage and cap aligning means, which are not illustrated in the drawings.
  • the cap dispenser 15 of Fig. 1 is supported by a structure 24, which is illustrated schematically. In the embodiment of Fig. 1 the cap dispenser 15 is displaceable in relation to said structure 24, wherein a position of the cap dispenser 15 is adjustable by means of a motor 25.
  • the cap tightening device 16 is arranged for tightening caps 11 on the necks 12 of the packages 13 by rotating the caps 11.
  • the cap tightening device 16 comprises a rotating first cap tightening belt 26 and a rotating second cap tightening belt 27 arranged opposite to the first cap tightening belt 26 for tightening the cap 11 on the package neck 12 by rotation.
  • the first and second cap tightening belts 26, 27 are arranged for engaging the cap 11 and rotating the cap 11 of a package 13 being conveyed by the conveyor 22 and the package handling system 14.
  • the first cap tightening belt 26 is driven by a first motor 28, such as a servomotor, and is, for example, mounted to a first set of pulleys 29.
  • the second cap tightening belt 27 is driven by a second motor 30, such as a servomotor, and is, for example, mounted to a second set of pulleys 31.
  • the first and second cap tightening belts 26, 27 are arranged in parallel to the first and second belts 17, 18 of the package handling system 14. For example, the first and second cap tightening belts 26, 27 are rotated around vertical axes.
  • the cap tightening device 16 is connected to the cap dispenser 15, wherein the cap tightening device 16 is adjustable in the lateral direction perpendicular to the travel direction of the packages 13 together with the cap dispenser 15.
  • the cap tightening device 16 is supported by a separate structure and is, for example, adjustable in the lateral direction separate from the cap dispenser 15.
  • the device 10 comprises a neck position sensor 32 for detecting a position of the neck 12.
  • the sensor 32 is, for example, a camera, a photocell or any other suitable type of device for detecting the position of the neck 12.
  • the sensor 32 is arranged for detecting a position of the neck 12 in a lateral direction perpendicular to a travel direction of the package 13 on the conveyor 22 and in the package handling system 14.
  • the sensor 32 is connected to the motor 25 of the cap dispenser 15, wherein the position of the cap dispenser 15 is adjusted by means of the motor 25 according to the detected position of the neck 12, which is described in more detail below.
  • the position of the cap tightening device 16 is adjusted according to the detected position of the neck 12, wherein the cap tightening device 16 is aligned with the cap dispenser 15. For example, the position of the cap tightening device 16 is always adjusted according to the position of the cap dispenser 15.
  • packages 13 are conveyed in the travel direction by means of the conveyor 22 and the package handling system 14, which travel direction is illustrated by means of the arrow A in Figs. 2 and 3 .
  • the conveyor 22 and the package handling system 14 is arranged for conveying the packages 13 continuously in the travel direction A, e.g. at a constant speed.
  • the conveyor 22 and the package handling system 14 is arranged for conveying a single line of packages 13, so that one single package 13 at a time passes the sensor 32 and so that one single package 13 at a time passes the cap dispenser 15 and the cap tightening device 16.
  • packages 13 are conveyed continuously and pass the cap dispenser 15 at short intervals and are tightened at short intervals by means of the cap tightening device 16.
  • a first package 13a passes the sensor 32, wherein the position of the neck 12 of the first package 13a passing the sensor 32 is detected. Then, the relative position between the first package 13a and the cap dispenser 15 and the cap tightening device 16 is adjusted if required.
  • the sensor 32 is arranged for detecting the position of the neck 12 before the first package 13a reaches the cap supplying position of the cap dispenser 15.
  • the neck 12 After detecting the position of the neck 12 and after adjusting the relative position between the first package 13a and the cap dispenser 15 and the cap tightening device 16, the neck 12 engages a cap 11 and, by further movement of the first package 13a in the travel direction A, pulls a cap 11 from the cap dispenser 15, wherein a cap 11 is applied on the top of the neck 12 without being tightened onto the neck 12, which is illustrated in Fig. 3 .
  • the cap 11 is tilted or inclined in relation to the neck 12, wherein a front edge of the neck 12 of the first package 13a travelling in the travel direction A is brought into contact with an inner surface of the cap 11, wherein the cap 11 is removed from the cap dispenser 15 and falls down on the neck 12, so that the cap 11 is carried by the neck 12.
  • the package 13 with the cap 11 being carried on the top of the neck 12 is conveyed to the cap tightening device 16, wherein the cap 11 is tightened by rotation by means of the first and second belts 26, 27.
  • the first package 13a is finished and exits the cap tightening device 16 for further handling.
  • the relative position between a second package 13b, the second package 13b being conveyed consecutively after the first package 13a, and the cap dispenser 15 and the cap tightening device 16 is adjusted according to the detected position of the neck 12 of the second package 13b by means of the sensor 32.
  • the first package 13a is provided with a cap 11, which cap 11 is also tightened in the cap tightening device 16 before the second package 13b is provided with a cap 11.
  • the cap tightening device 16 is arranged adjustable separate from the cap dispenser 15, wherein the second package 13b can be provided with a cap 11 prior to the first package 13a exiting the cap tightening device 16.
  • one single package 13 at a time is conveyed through the cap tightening device 16, after which the relative position between the next package 13 and the cap dispenser 15 and/or cap tightening device 16 is adjusted according to the detected position of the neck 12 of the package to be provided with a cap 11.
  • the relative position between the package 13 to be provided with a cap 11 and the cap dispenser 15 and the relative position between said package 13 and the cap tightening device 16 is adjusted a predetermined period of time after detecting the position of the neck 12 by means of the sensor 32.
  • the position of the next package 13b can be detected while the first package 13a is provided with a cap 11 or while the cap 11 is tightened on the neck 12 of the first package 13a.
  • any offset between the position of the neck 12 of the first package 13a and the position of the neck 12 of the second package 13b is accounted for by lateral displacement of the second package 13b in relation to the cap dispenser 15 and the cap tightening device 16, such as by lateral displacement of the package handling system 14, or by lateral displacement of the cap dispenser 15 and the cap tightening device 16 in relation to the second package 13b, such as in relation to the package handling system 14.
  • the neck 12 of the second package 13b is aligned with the cap dispenser 15 and the cap tightening device 16, even though the position of the neck 12 of the second package 13b may vary from the neck position of the first package 13a.
  • the cap dispenser 15 and the cap tightening device 16 are displaceable in a direction perpendicular to the travel direction A of the packages 13 conveyed by the conveyor 22 and the package handling system 14.
  • the cap tightening device 16 is supported by the cap dispenser 15 and is adjustable along therewith.
  • the cap dispenser 15 supporting the cap tightening device 16 is movably connected to the structure 34 through an elongated slot 33 extending perpendicular to the travel direction A and the package handling system 14, wherein the cap dispenser 15 is movable in the slot 33 by means of the motor 25.
  • a skilled person would be able to design a structure 24 supporting the cap dispenser 15 in a plurality of different ways.
  • the senor 32 is arranged for detecting the position of the neck 12 in relation to a predetermined side wall 34 of the package 13, wherein a distance between the neck 12 and the side wall 34 is obtained.
  • a distance between the centre of the neck 12 or the edge of the neck 12 and the side wall 34 is obtained by measurement and/or calculation of data obtained from the sensor 32.
  • the device 10 comprises control means 35 for handling data from the sensor 32 and, if required, adjusting the position of the cap dispenser 15 by means of the motor 25.
  • the position of the package side wall 34 is fixed and determined by the package handling system 14, such as the position of one of the package handling system belts 17, 18.
  • the relative lateral adjustment between the package 13 and the cap dispenser 15 is less than 3 mm, such as 0.1-3 mm, 0.5-3 mm, 0.5-2 mm, 1-3 mm or 1-2 mm to compensate for manufacturing tolerances related to the neck position of the packages 13.
  • the relative lateral adjustment between the package 13 and the cap dispenser 15 is up to 50 mm, such as 1-50 mm or 1-30 mm to adjust the lateral relative positions of the package 13 and the cap dispenser 15, e.g., for packages 13 having an off-centre neck 12 and being fed in random positions on the conveyor 22 to the cap dispenser 15.
  • the second package 13b is conveyed through the cap tightening device 16 consecutively after the first package 13a, so that the second package 13b is next to the first package 13a on the conveyor 22 and in package handling system 14.
  • the second package 13b is the next package after the first package 13a in a line of packages conveyed on the conveyor 22 and in package handling system 14.
  • the position of the neck 12 of the second package 13b is detected by the sensor 32.
  • the position of the cap dispenser 15 is adjusted laterally according to the detected position of the neck 12 of the second package 13b, which is illustrated by means of the arrow C in Fig.
  • the lateral adjustment of the cap dispenser 15 takes place automatically and is effected by means of the sensor 32, the control means 35 and the motor 25.
  • the position of the neck 12 is detected for each individual package 13 in consecutive order when a line of packages 13 continuously conveyed by the conveyor 22 and the package handling system 14 in the travel direction A pass the sensor 32.
  • the position of the cap dispenser 15 and the cap tightening device 16 is adjusted, if required, for each individual package 13 in the lateral direction perpendicular to the travel direction in accordance with the detected position of the neck 12 of the package 13 to be provided with a cap 11.
  • the package handling system 14 is adjustable in the lateral direction according to the detected position of the neck 12 of the package 13 to be provided with a cap 11, so that the package 13 is aligned with the cap dispenser 15 and the cap tightening device 16.
  • the first package 13a is illustrated in the cap tightening device 16.
  • the package handling system 14 is movably guided in tracks 36 or similar, which is illustrated schematically in the drawings, wherein the package handling system 14 is displaceable along the tracks 36 in a direction perpendicular to the travel direction A of the packages 13, which is illustrated by means of the arrows D in Fig. 6 .
  • each of the package handling system belts 17, 18 are movably supported by a supporting structure 37 through the tracks 36, so that the position of the package handling system 14 can be adapted to the position of the neck 12 of the package 13 to be provided with a cap. Then, subsequent to tightening of the cap 11 of the first package 13a, the package handling system 14 is adjusted laterally by means of motors 38 and according to the detected position of the neck 12 of the second package 13b, which is illustrated by means of the arrows E in Fig. 7 to align the package 13 with the cap dispenser 15 and the cap tightening device 16.
  • a skilled person is able to design a suitable supporting structure and drive for lateral adjustment of the package handling system 14.
  • the first and second belts 17, 18 could be supported by a single structure and adjustable by a single motor.
  • FIG. 8 With reference to Figs. 8 and 9 another alternative embodiment is disclosed, wherein the package handling system 14 and the cap dispenser 15 and the cap tightening device 16 are laterally adjustable, which is illustrated in Fig. 8 by means of the arrows B and D.
  • a first package 13a is illustrated passing through the cap tightening device 16.
  • the package handling system 14 and the cap dispenser 15 are adjusted according to the detected position of the neck 12 of the second package 13b.
  • the cap tightening device 16 is adjustable together with the cap dispenser 15 or separately.
  • the package handling system 14 and the cap dispenser 15 are adjusted according to the position of the neck 12 detected by the sensor 32.
  • the cap dispenser 15 and the cap tightening device 16 are adjusted in a first direction, wherein the package handling system 14 is adjusted in an opposite second direction perpendicular to the travel direction A of the packages 13.
  • a part of any lateral offset between the neck position of the first package 13a and the neck position of the second package 13b is adjusted for by the cap dispenser 15, which is illustrated by means of the arrow F, and the remaining part of said offset is adjusted for by the package handling system 14, which is illustrated by means of the arrows G, to align the neck 12 of the second package 13b with the cap dispenser 15 and the cap tightening device 16.
  • the operation of the package handling system 14 and the cap tightening device 16 is illustrated schematically.
  • the operation of the cap tightening device 16 is illustrated more in detail.
  • the first and second belts 17, 18 of the package handling system 14 are continuously operated at the same speed and in opposite directions, which is illustrated by means of the arrows H and I, for conveying the packages 13 arranged between the first and second belts 17, 18 in the travel direction A at a constant speed.
  • the package handling system 14 is operated intermittently and/or at a varying speed.
  • the conveyor 22 is operated at the same speed as the package handling system 14.
  • the cap tightening device 16 is operable in a first mode as illustrated in Figs. 10, 12 , 13 and 15 , and a second mode as illustrated in Figs. 11 and 14 .
  • the mode of operation of the cap tightening device 16 is variable, so that the mode of operation can be changed by means of the first and second motors 28, 30, respectively, between the first and second modes.
  • the first and second cap tightening belts 26, 27 are operated at the same speed and in opposite directions, which is illustrated by means of the arrows J and K, for conveying the caps 11 arranged between the first and second cap tightening belts 26, 27 in the travel direction A at the same speed as the package handling system 14, so that the cap 11 is transported in the travel direction A without being tightened.
  • the first cap tightening belt 26 is rotated at the same speed and in the same direction as the first belt 17 of the package handling system 14, wherein the second cap tightening belt 27 is rotated at the same speed and in the same direction as the second belt 18 of the package handling system 14.
  • the first and second cap tightening belts 26, 27 are operated by means of the first and second motors 28, 30, respectively, in the second mode.
  • the mode of operation is switched from being operated by the first and second motors 28, 30 in the first mode to being operated by the first and second motors 28, 30 in the second mode.
  • the first and second motors 28, 30 are changed from first mode operation to second mode operation.
  • the mode of operation is switched from the first mode to the second mode a predetermined time after detecting the neck position by the sensor 32 or by means of a separate detector, which is not illustrated in the drawings.
  • the first cap tightening belt 26 is operated in the opposite direction as in the first mode, which is illustrated by the arrow L in Figs. 11 and 14 .
  • the first cap tightening belt 26 is rotated in the opposite direction as in the first mode by means of the first motor 28.
  • the second cap tightening belt 27 is operated in the same direction as in the first mode but at higher speed, which is illustrated by the arrow M in Figs. 11 and 14 .
  • the second cap tightening belt 27 is rotated in the same direction and at a higher speed as in the first mode by means of the second motor 30.
  • the speeds of the first and second cap tightening belts 26, 27 are adapted to each other so as to tighten the cap 11 without any of the cap tightening belts 26, 27 sliding on the cap 11.
  • the first cap tightening belt 26 in the second mode is rotated at a speed which is slower than the speed in the first mode.
  • the speed and direction of rotation of the first cap tightening belt 26 is changed when the mode of operation is changed between the first and second modes of operation, wherein only the speed of the second cap tightening belt 27 is changed when the mode of operation is changed between the first and second modes of operation.
  • the speed of the second cap tightening belt 27 is higher than the speed of the conveyor 22.
  • the speed of the first cap tightening belt 26 is, for example, lower than or similar to the speed of the conveyor 22.
  • the cap tightening device 16 when the cap 11 of a package 13 enters between the first and second cap tightening belts 26, 27 the cap tightening device 16 is operated in the first mode, wherein the cap 11 is transported in the travel direction A at the same speed as the package 13 without any tightening of the cap 11, which is illustrated in Fig. 13 .
  • the first and second cap tightening belts 26, 27 engage the cap 11 and rotate in opposite directions and at the same speed so as to convey the cap 11 along with the package 13 conveyed by the conveyor 22 and the package handling system 14. Then, the operation of the cap tightening device 16 is switched to the second mode, which is illustrated in Fig.
  • the first and second motors 28, 30 are configured to sense a change of torque applied to the first and second cap tightening belts 26, 27, respectively, for example as a change in voltage.
  • a change in voltage When the cap 11 is tightened the torque is increased and the voltage is increased correspondingly, wherein the mode of operation is changed when a predetermined voltage has been reached.
  • the cap tightening device is switched from the second mode to the first mode of operation, wherein the first motor 28 changes direction and speed and the second motor 30 changes speed to correspond to the package travel speed.
  • cap 11 of the package 13 After the cap 11 of the package 13 has left the cap tightening device 16 and no longer engages the first and second cap tightening belts 26, 27 the cap 11 of the next package 13 on the conveyor 22 enters the cap tightening device 16 for the cap 11 to be tightened.
  • FIGs. 16 and 17 another embodiment is illustrated, wherein the cap dispenser 15 is laterally displaceable through a pivot 39 or similar, so that the cap dispenser 15, the chute 23 or at least a free end of the chute 23 is rotatable around the pivot 39 as illustrated by means of the arrow O in Fig 17 for displacement of the cap supplying position of the cap dispenser 15 in the lateral direction by means of the motor 25.
  • the motor 25 is connected to the sensor 32, wherein the position of the cap dispenser 15 is adjustable according to the detected position of the neck 12.
  • the cap dispenser 15 or the chute 23 is, for example, connected to conventional cap storage and cap aligning means, which are not illustrated in the drawings, through the pivot 39.
  • the pivot comprises a vertical axis of rotation.
  • the cap tightening device 16 is supported separately from the dap dispenser 15 by means of a supporting structure 40, which is illustrated in Fig. 16 , wherein the cap tightening device 16 is laterally adjustable in the supporting structure 40 by means of a motor 41.
  • the motor 41 is, for example, connected to the sensor 32, wherein the cap tightening device 16 is displaceable perpendicular to the travel direction A, which is illustrated by means of the arrow P in Fig. 17 , according to the detected position of the neck 12.
  • the position of the cap tightening device 16 is adjusted according to the position of the cap dispenser 15.
  • the cap dispenser 15 and the cap tightening device 16 are arranged so that they always are aligned.
  • the lateral adjustment of the cap dispenser 15 and the cap tightening device 16 is, for example, synchronized, so that the position of the cap tightening device 16 and the cap dispenser 15 are adjusted according to the detected position of the package neck 12.
  • the conveyor 22, the package handling system 14 and the cap tightening belts 26, 27 can be arranged as described above with reference to other embodiments. Features of different embodiments can be combined as suitable.

Claims (15)

  1. Vorrichtung zum Anbringen eines mit einem Gewinde versehenen Deckels (11) an einen mit einem Gewinde versehenen Ansatz (12) einer Verpackung (13), die einen Verpackungsförderer (22) zum Fördern der Verpackung (13) in einer Förderrichtung (A), ein Verpackungsverarbeitungssystem (14) zum Halten der Verpackung auf dem Förderer (22), eine Deckelspendevorrichtung (15) zum Zuführen eines Deckels (11) zu dem Ansatz (12) einer Verpackung (13), die durch den Förderer (22) gefördert wird, und eine Deckelanziehvorrichtung (16) aufweist, die ein rotierendes erstes Deckelanziehband (26) und ein rotierendes zweites Deckelanziehband (27) aufweist, das gegenüber dem ersten Deckelanziehband (26) zum Befestigen des Deckels (11) auf dem Verpackungsansatz (13) mittels Rotation angeordnet ist,
    dadurch gekennzeichnet,
    dass die Vorrichtung (10) einen Ansatzpositionssensor (32) zur Erfassung einer Position des Ansatzes (12) in einer seitlichen Richtung senkrecht zur Förderrichtung (A) der Verpackung (13) aufweist,
    dass mindestens ein Motor (25, 38, 41) mit dem Deckelpositionssensor (32) verbunden ist, und
    dass die Deckelspendevorrichtung (15) und die Deckelanziehvorrichtung (16) und/oder das Verpackungsverarbeitungssystem (14) einstellbar und mit dem Motor (25, 38, 41) zum Einstellen der relativen Position zwischen dem Verpackungsverarbeitungssystem (14) und der Deckelspendevorrichtung (15) und der Deckelanziehvorrichtung (16) gemäß der erfassten Position des Ansatzes (12) verbunden ist.
  2. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, wobei die Deckelanziehvorrichtung (16) seitlich getrennt von der Deckelspendevorrichtung (15) einstellbar ist.
  3. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, wobei der Ansatzpositionssensor (32) zur Erfassung der Position des Ansatzes (12) bezogen auf eine vorbestimmte Seitenwand (34) der Verpackung (13) in der seitlichen Richtung senkrecht zur Förderrichtung (A) der Verpackung (13) auf dem Förderer (22) eingerichtet ist, und wobei die Position des Verpackungsverarbeitungssystems (14) in Bezug auf die Deckelspendevorrichtung (15) gemäß der erfassten Position des Ansatzes (12) einstellbar ist.
  4. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 3, wobei der Ansatzpositionssensor (32) zum Erfassen eines Abstands zwischen dem Ansatz (12) und der vorbestimmten Seitenwand (34) der Verpackung (13) eingerichtet ist.
  5. Vorrichtung nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei die Deckelspendevorrichtung (15) zwischen dem Ansatzpositionssensor (32) und der Deckelanziehvorrichtung (16) angeordnet ist.
  6. Vorrichtung nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei das erste Deckelanziehband (26) mit einem ersten Motor (28) verbunden ist, um das erste Deckelanziehband (26) abwechselnd in einem ersten Modus und in einem zweiten Modus zu betreiben, wobei in dem ersten Modus das erste Deckelanziehband (26) in einer Richtung und bei einer Geschwindigkeit entsprechend dem Verpackungsverarbeitungssystem (14) gedreht wird, und wobei in dem zweiten Modus das erste Anziehband (26) in einer entgegen gesetzten Richtung zum Anziehen des Deckels (11) gedreht wird, und wobei das zweite Deckelanziehband (27) mit einem zweiten Motor (30) verbunden ist, um das zweite Deckelanziehband (27) abwechselnd in einem ersten Modus und in einem zweiten Modus zu betreiben, wobei in dem ersten Modus das zweite Deckelanziehband (27) in einer Richtung und bei einer Geschwindigkeit entsprechend dem Verpackungsverarbeitungssystem (14) gedreht wird, und es in dem zweiten Modus bei einer höheren Geschwindigkeit in derselben Richtung zum Anziehen des Deckels (11) gedreht wird.
  7. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 6, wobei die ersten und zweiten Motoren (28, 30) dazu eingerichtet sind, von dem ersten Modus in den zweiten Modus bei einer vorbestimmten Zeitdauer nach dem Erfassen der Position des Ansatzes (12) zu wechseln.
  8. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 6 oder 7, wobei die ersten und zweiten Motoren (28, 30) dazu eingerichtet sind, das Drehmoment zu messen und von dem zweiten Modus in den ersten Modus zu wechseln, wenn ein vorbestimmtes Anziehmoment des Deckels (11) erreicht ist.
  9. Verfahren zum Anbringen eines mit einem Gewinde versehenen Deckels (11) auf einem mit einem Gewinde versehenen Ansatz (12) einer Verpackung (13), wobei das Verfahren folgende Schritte aufweist:
    a) Fördern einer Verpackung (13) in einer Förderrichtung (A) durch einen Förderer (22), wobei die Verpackung einen mit einem Gewinde versehenen Ansatz (12) aufweist,
    b) Erfassen einer Position des Ansatzes (12) in einer seitlichen Richtung senkrecht zur Förderrichtung (A),
    c) Einstellen einer Position eines Verpackungsverarbeitungssystems (14) und/oder einer Deckelspendevorrichtung (15) und einer Deckelanziehvorrichtung (16) mittels mindestens eines Motors (25, 38, 41) und dadurch Ausrichten der Position des Ansatzes (12) und der Position der Deckelspendevorrichtung (15) und der Deckelanziehvorrichtung (16) entsprechend der erfassten Position des Ansatzes (12),
    d) In-Eingriff-Bringen des Ansatzes (12) mit dem mit dem Gewinde versehenen Deckel (11) in der Deckelspendevorrichtung (15) mittels des Förderers (22) und Zuführen eines Deckels (11) zu dem Ansatz (12),
    e) Fördern einer einzelnen Verpackung (13), die den Deckel (11) trägt, mittels des Förderers (22) in den Eingriff mit einem sich drehenden ersten Deckelanziehband (26) und einem sich drehenden zweiten Deckelanziehband (27), das gegenüber dem ersten Deckelanziehband (26) angeordnet ist, und
    f) Anziehen des Deckels (11) auf dem Ansatz (12) durch Drehen der ersten und zweiten Deckelanziehbänder (26, 27).
  10. Verfahren nach Anspruch 9, das den Schritt des Einstellens der Deckelanziehbänder (26, 27) in seitlicher Richtung entsprechend der Anpassung der Deckelspendevorrichtung (15) umfasst.
  11. Verfahren nach Anspruch 9 oder 10, das den Schritt des Erfassens der Position des Ansatzes (12) in Bezug auf eine vorbestimmte Seitenwand (34) der Verpackung (13) und des Einstellens der Position des Verpackungsverarbeitungssystems (14) und/oder der Deckelspendevorrichtung (15) und der Deckelanziehvorrichtung (16) in Bezug aufeinander gemäß der erfassten Position des Ansatzes (12) aufweist.
  12. Verfahren nach Anspruch 11, das den Schritt des Erfassens eines Abstandes zwischen dem Ansatz (12) und der vorbestimmten Seitenwand (34) der Verpackung (13) und des Einstellens der Position des Verpackungsverarbeitungssystems (14) in Bezug auf die Deckelspendevorrichtung (15) und die Deckelanziehvorrichtung (16) gemäß des erfassten Abstandes aufweist.
  13. Verfahren nach einem der Ansprüche 9 bis 12, das die Schritte des Drehens der ersten und zweiten Deckelanziehbänder (26, 27) in einem nicht festziehenden ersten Modus, wobei die ersten und zweiten Deckelanziehbänder (26, 27) in einer Richtung und bei einer Geschwindigkeit entsprechend dem Verpackungsverarbeitungssystem (14) gedreht werden, und anschließend des Drehens der ersten und zweiten Deckelanziehbänder (26, 27) in einem den Deckel festziehenden zweiten Modus umfasst, wobei das erste Deckelanziehband (26) in einer umgekehrten Richtung wie in dem ersten Modus gedreht wird, und wobei das zweite Deckelanziehband (27) bei einer höheren Geschwindigkeit, jedoch in derselben Richtung wie in dem ersten Modus gedreht wird.
  14. Verfahren nach Anspruch 13, das den Schritt des Änderns von dem ersten Modus in den zweiten Modus zu einer vorbestimmten Zeitdauer nach dem Erfassen der Position des Ansatzes (12) und des Änderns von dem zweiten Modus in den ersten Modus umfasst, wenn ein vorbestimmtes Anziehmoment des Deckels (11) erreicht wird.
  15. Verfahren nach einem der Ansprüche 9 bis 14, das folgende Schritte aufweist:
    Fördern einer Reihe von Verpackungen (13) auf dem Förderer (22),
    Erfassen der Ansatzposition einer ersten Verpackung (13a),
    falls erforderlich, Einstellen der relativen Position zwischen dem Verpackungsverarbeitungssystem (14) und der Deckelspendevorrichtung (15) entsprechend der erfassten Position des Ansatzes (12) der ersten Verpackung (13a), und Einstellen einer Position der ersten und zweiten Deckelanziehbänder (26, 27) der Deckelanziehvorrichtung (16) gemäß der Position der Deckelspendevorrichtung (15),
    Beliefern des Ansatzes (12) der ersten Verpackung (13a) mit einem Deckel (11) durch Fördern der ersten Verpackung (13a) in Eingriff mit einem ersten Deckel (11) in der Deckelspendevorrichtung (15),
    Fördern der ersten Verpackung (13a) zu den ersten und zweiten Deckelanziehbändern (26, 27), in Eingriff Bringen des Deckels (11) damit, Anziehen des Deckels (11) der ersten Verpackung (13a), und Auslösen des Deckels (11) der ersten Verpackung (13a) von den ersten und zweiten Deckelanziehbändern (26, 27),
    Erfassen der Position des Ansatzes (12) einer zweiten Verpackung (13b), das als nächstes zu der ersten Verpackung (13a) auf dem Förderer (22) gefördert wird, und
    falls notwendig, Einstellen der relativen Position zwischen dem Verpackungsverarbeitungssystem (14) und der Deckelspendevorrichtung (15) und der Deckelanziehvorrichtung (16) gemäß der erfassten Position des Ansatzes (12) der zweiten Verpackung (13b), nachdem der Deckel (11) der ersten Verpackung (13a) von den ersten und zweiten Deckelanziehbändern (26, 27) gelöst wurde.
EP14196690.3A 2014-12-08 2014-12-08 Vorrichtung und Verfahren zum Aufbringen einer Verschlusskappe auf eine Packung Not-in-force EP3031773B1 (de)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP14196690.3A EP3031773B1 (de) 2014-12-08 2014-12-08 Vorrichtung und Verfahren zum Aufbringen einer Verschlusskappe auf eine Packung
PCT/EP2015/073245 WO2016091421A1 (en) 2014-12-08 2015-10-08 A device and a method for applying a cap to a package

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP14196690.3A EP3031773B1 (de) 2014-12-08 2014-12-08 Vorrichtung und Verfahren zum Aufbringen einer Verschlusskappe auf eine Packung

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EP3031773B1 true EP3031773B1 (de) 2017-06-21

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CN107635908B (zh) * 2015-05-07 2020-09-22 利乐拉瓦尔集团及财务有限公司 盖定位的方法和装置
ES2615927B8 (es) * 2017-01-31 2017-12-28 Sapli Solutions, S.L. Máquina de colocación de tapas en envases y método de colocación de una tapa en un envase
CN108689130A (zh) * 2018-06-15 2018-10-23 湖北文理学院 瓶盖瓶身对准装置及瓶盖瓶身对准方法
CN112591693A (zh) * 2020-12-30 2021-04-02 河南中意隆机械设备有限责任公司 一种全自动封口机

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1215123A1 (de) * 2000-12-05 2002-06-19 Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A. Positionskontrollvorrichtung für Packungen auf einer Produktionslinie
US6732487B2 (en) * 2001-11-20 2004-05-11 Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance, S.A. Post processing closure cap application
US7325369B2 (en) * 2006-02-21 2008-02-05 Luc Jalbert Apparatus including a differential for rotating a cap relatively to a container
DE102010012858B4 (de) * 2010-03-25 2020-07-09 Packsys Global (Switzerland) Ltd. Vorrichtung und Verfahren zur rotatorischen Ausrichtung eines Tubenkopfes relativ zu einem Tubenkörper

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WO2016091421A1 (en) 2016-06-16

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