EP3106402A1 - Prozess und vorrichtung zum verschliessen und bedrucken/etikettieren eines behälters - Google Patents

Prozess und vorrichtung zum verschliessen und bedrucken/etikettieren eines behälters Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3106402A1
EP3106402A1 EP16173671.5A EP16173671A EP3106402A1 EP 3106402 A1 EP3106402 A1 EP 3106402A1 EP 16173671 A EP16173671 A EP 16173671A EP 3106402 A1 EP3106402 A1 EP 3106402A1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
container
printing
labelling
closing
closure
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.)
Granted
Application number
EP16173671.5A
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English (en)
French (fr)
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EP3106402B1 (de
Inventor
Paolo Pagliarini
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.)
GEA Procomac SpA
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GEA Procomac SpA
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Publication date
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Publication of EP3106402A1 publication Critical patent/EP3106402A1/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP3106402B1 publication Critical patent/EP3106402B1/de
Active legal-status Critical Current
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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65C—LABELLING OR TAGGING MACHINES, APPARATUS, OR PROCESSES
    • B65C3/00—Labelling other than flat surfaces
    • B65C3/06—Affixing labels to short rigid containers
    • B65C3/08—Affixing labels to short rigid containers to container bodies
    • B65C3/14—Affixing labels to short rigid containers to container bodies the container being positioned for labelling with its centre-line vertical
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J3/00—Typewriters or selective printing or marking mechanisms characterised by the purpose for which they are constructed
    • B41J3/407—Typewriters or selective printing or marking mechanisms characterised by the purpose for which they are constructed for marking on special material
    • B41J3/4073—Printing on three-dimensional objects not being in sheet or web form, e.g. spherical or cubic objects
    • 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

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a process and an apparatus for closing and printing/labelling containers.
  • the most relevant reference sector is the bottling of products, in particular food.
  • label is understood to mean the application of a label, preferably using an adhesive.
  • printing is understood to mean printing, preferably ink-jet printing, carried out directly on the walls of the container.
  • Known bottling lines include specific and distinct apparatus respectively predisposed for closure of the container and for printing/labelling the container.
  • WO2012/022746 discloses a carousel provided with a plurality of printing stations suitable for receiving the already-closed container. Internally of each printing station, the container is mobile vertically in order to be positioned at printing heads or preparation or finishing devices of the printing.
  • an object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for closing and printing/labelling containers which requires smaller resources and lower additional costs than the known solutions, in particular having a smaller volume and a simplified structure with respect to the known solutions.
  • a further object of the present invention is to provide a method for closing and printing/labelling containers in which the working times are reduced and in which the labelling/closing operations are overall simplified.
  • a further object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and a process for closing and printing/labelling containers which enables a broad versatility of use, in particular being applicable for both PET and HDPE.
  • the specified technical task and the set objects are substantially attained by an apparatus for closing and printing/labelling containers, comprising:
  • Each printing/labelling station preferably comprises a rest plate and a hood configured as anti-rotation devices.
  • Each locking device preferably comprises means for blocking the container between the rest plate and the hood and a device for applying a torque to the rest plate of the container.
  • the rest plate is preferably configured so as to shift towards or away from at least a printing/labelling position.
  • the rest plate is preferably configured so as to shift substantially along the longitudinal axis of the container.
  • the application unit is preferably external to the printing/labelling stations.
  • an application unit is provided internally of each printing/labelling station.
  • the stated technical task and specified objects are substantially attained by a process for closing and printing/labelling a container comprising:
  • At least the step of screwing the concave closure on the neck of the container is carried out while the container is subjected to application of the label or to printing.
  • the step of screwing the concave closure on the neck of the container is carried out internally of the same printing/labelling station.
  • the step of applying a concave closure onto the mouth of the container preferably comprises steps of:
  • the step of applying a concave closure onto the mouth of the container is preferably carried out externally of the corresponding printing/labelling station.
  • the step of applying a concave closure onto the mouth of the container is carried out internally of the corresponding printing/labelling station.
  • the container is preferably predisposed in the corresponding printing/labelling station, aligning the container between a rest plate and a hood.
  • the container when the step of applying a concave closure onto the mouth of the container is carried out externally of the corresponding printing/labelling station, the container is predisposed in the printing/labelling station already with the closure resting on the mouth thereof.
  • the rest plate and the hood are preferably to be blocked on the container provided with a closure resting on the mouth thereof.
  • the rest plate and hood are configured as anti-rotation devices.
  • the step of screwing the concave closure on the neck of the corresponding container is carried out by applying a torque to the rest plate when the container is blocked between the rest plate and the hood.
  • the torque is preferably at least 1.5 Nm.
  • the step of screwing the concave closure on the neck of the corresponding container is carried out by applying a torque to the hood when the container is blocked between the rest plate and the hood.
  • the step of applying a label to the body of the container or printing the body of the container is preferably carried out while the container is aligned and not blocked between the rest plate and the hood.
  • the step of shifting the container arranged in the corresponding printing/labelling station is preferably included for bringing the container into or distancing it from at least a printing/labelling position.
  • the step of screwing the concave closure on the neck of the corresponding container is carried out while the container shifts forward to and/or away from said at least a printing/labelling position.
  • the container is preferably shifted substantially along the longitudinal axis of the container.
  • the step of screwing the concave closure on the neck of the corresponding container preferably comprises a sub-step of preliminary screwing and a sub-step of completion.
  • the step of applying a label to the body of the container or printing the body of the container is preferably carried out between the sub-step of preliminary screwing and the sub-step of completion.
  • the sub-step of preliminary screwing is preferably carried out by controlling the number of revolutions, and the sub-step of completion is carried out by controlling the torque applied.
  • number 1 indicates an apparatus for closing and printing/labelling containers 2, in the following indicated as apparatus 1.
  • the containers 2 are made of a thermoplastic material, preferably PET or HDPE.
  • concave closure 10 is meant a capsule or a cap comprising a base 10a and a lateral surface 10b which extends from the base 10a and defines therewith a cavity (see figure 4 ).
  • the closure 10 On the opposite side of the base 10a, the closure 10 has an opening destined to accommodate the mouth 2a of a container 2.
  • the apparatus 1 is preferably of the rotating carousel type, as illustrated in figure 1 .
  • the closing apparatus 1 is of a linear type.
  • the apparatus 1 comprises an application unit 3 of closures configured for applying, in particular resting and pressing, a concave closure 10 on the mouth 2a of each container 2 and a plurality of locking devices 4.
  • each closure 10 is preferably rested on the mouth 2a of the corresponding container 2 and is then pressed on such mouth 2a.
  • the closure 10 can be dropped from above onto the mouth 2a of the container 2 by means of guides. In the bottling sector, this is referred-to as "a la volèe" gripping.
  • the pressing of the closure 10 on the mouth 2a is done by means of an inclined plane P encountered by the container 2 during movement thereof.
  • the inclined plane P is the lower plane of a circular sector located above the mouths 2a of the containers 2, as illustrated in figure 1 .
  • the application unit 3 of the closures 10 can comprise an isolator 5 ( figure 2 ) adapted to define a controlled-contamination environment 6 containing at least the neck 2b of the containers 2.
  • the controlled-contamination environment 6 preferably has a volume that extends into a restricted zone about the neck 2b of the containers 2.
  • the controlled-contamination environment 6 extends up to containing at least the bague 2c of the containers 2 while the body 2d of the containers is external to the environment 6, as illustrated in figure 2a .
  • the controlled-contamination environment 6 extends up to containing also a zone just below the bague 2c, so that the majority of the body 2d of the containers 2 is external to such environment 6.
  • the technical term "bague” relates to a circumferential protuberance of the neck 2b of the container 2, located below the threaded zone of the neck 2b.
  • the application of the closures 10 on the mouth 2a of the containers 2 in such controlled-contamination environment 6 enables preserving the internal sterility, so that the containers 2 can be blocked by screwing the closures 10 externally of such zone (i.e. in a non-sterile zone), in the example in a traditional capper (not aseptic).
  • the containers 2 are transferred from the application unit 3 to the plurality of locking devices 4 as described in the foregoing.
  • Each locking device 4 is configured so as to screw the concave closure 10 on the neck 2b of the corresponding container 2.
  • the apparatus 1 comprises a plurality of printing/labelling stations 7, each of which is configured to apply a label to the body 2d of the container 2 or to print the body 2d of the container 2.
  • Each printing/labelling station 7 originally comprises a locking device 4 of the closures.
  • Each printing/labelling station 7 preferably comprises a rest plate 8 and a hood 9 configured as anti-rotation devices.
  • the rest plate 8 is configured for coupling with the bottom 2e of the container 2 so that the container 2 is drawn in rotation about a longitudinal axis L of extension thereof, following a rotation imparted on the plate 8.
  • the rest plate 8 comprises radial ribbings or recesses counter-shaped with respect to the bottom 2e of the container 2.
  • the plate 8 comprises gripping devices of the walls of the container 2 configured for making the plate 8 and the container 2 solidly constrained in rotation.
  • the hood 9 has an internal surface that is complementarily shaped with respect to the external surface of the closure 10, for example knurled.
  • Each locking device 4 comprises means for axially blocking the container 2 between the rest plate 8 and the hood 9.
  • the rest plate 8 and/or the hood 9 are mounted with respect to the support structure of the corresponding printing/labelling station 7 so as to be able to shift relatively, forward to and/or away from the container 2.
  • the hood 9 is alternatively gripper-configured for locking on the closure 10.
  • Each locking device 4 preferably further comprises an application device of a torque to the rest plate 8 of the container 2, for example an actuator device, not illustrated.
  • each locking device 4 comprises an application device of a torque to the hood 9.
  • the rest plate 8, and with it the hood 9, is preferably configured so as to shift, preferably parallel to the longitudinal axis L of the container 2, forward to or away from at least a printing/labelling position denoted by A)-E) in figure 3F .
  • the locking device 4 is therefore configured for screwing the closure 10 on the neck 2b of the corresponding container 2 in such a way as to seal it and make the seal definitive.
  • the lateral surface 10b of the closure 10 is internally threaded so as to be screwed on the external thread of the neck 2b of the container 2.
  • a movement system of the containers 2 is preferably included between the application unit 3 and the printing/labelling stations 7, to prevent reciprocal contact between the containers.
  • this movement system comprises at least a transfer star bearing a plurality of pliers operatively active on the neck 2b of the containers 2.
  • the movement without reciprocal contact has the aim of ensuring the microbiological integrity of the product, in particular preventing the crushing of the containers 2 which might cause the raising of the closures 10.
  • the apparatus can comprise an application unit 3 for each printing/labelling station 7, arranged internally of the printing/labelling station 7.
  • the concave closure 10 is applied on the mouth 2a of the corresponding container 2.
  • a first step illustrated in figure 2
  • the concave closure 10 is rested on the mouth 2a of the corresponding container 2 for example gripped "a la volèe".
  • the first step can take place in the controlled-contamination environment 6.
  • a second step again illustrated in figure 2
  • the concave closure 10 is pressed on the mouth 2a of the corresponding container 2. For example, this pressure is exerted by the inclined plane P.
  • This second step can also take place in the controlled-contamination environment 6.
  • the concave closure 10 is then screwed on the neck 2b of the corresponding container 2 so as to seal it.
  • a label is applied to the body 2d of each container 2 or printing the body 2d of the container 2 arranged in a corresponding printing/labelling station 7.
  • the step of applying the label or printing the body 2d of the container 2 at least the step of screwing the concave closure 10 on the neck 2b of the same container 2 is originally carried out.
  • the step of screwing the concave closure 10 on the neck 2b is carried out in the corresponding printing/labelling station 7 of the container 2.
  • the step of applying a concave closure 10 on the mouth 2a of each container 2 is preferably carried out externally of the corresponding printing/labelling station 7.
  • each container 2 is predisposed in the corresponding printing/labelling station 7, with the concave closure thereof 10 already applied on the mouth 2a thereof.
  • the step of applying a concave closure 10 on the mouth 2a of each container 2 is also carried out internally of the corresponding printing/labelling station 7, i.e. while the container 2 is arranged in the corresponding printing/labelling station 7.
  • the step of predisposing each container 2 in a corresponding printing/labelling station 7 is attained by aligning the container 2 between the rest plate 8 and the hood 9 of the corresponding printing/labelling station 7. Further, the rest plate 8 and the hood 9 are locked on the container 2 provided with a closure 10.
  • the hood 9 is preferably lowered on the container 2 up to coupling with the closure 10 so as to axially block the container 2 between the rest plate 8 and the hood 9.
  • the hood 9 shaped as gripper is locked on the closure10.
  • the step of screwing each concave closure 10 on the neck 2b of the corresponding container (2) is preferably carried out by applying a torque to the rest plate 8 while the container 2 is blocked between the rest plate 8 and the hood 9.
  • the torque is preferably at least 1.5 Nm. Owing to the shape of the plate 8, the rotation of the plate 8 draws the container 2 in rotation with respect to the closure 10, constrained by the hood 9. Alternatively, torque is applied to the hood 9 when the container 2 is blocked between the rest plate 8 and the hood 9.
  • the container 2 is shifted preferably along the longitudinal axis L thereof, so as to bring it into or distance it from at least a printing/labelling position A-E.
  • the step of screwing each concave closure 10 can be carried out while the container 2 is translating forward to or away from at least a printing/labelling position.
  • the step of screwing each concave closure 10 on the neck 2b of the corresponding container 2 preferably comprises:
  • the step of applying a label to the body 2d of each container 2 or printing the body 2d of each container 2 is carried out between the sub-step of preliminary screwing and the sub-step of completion.
  • the step of applying a label to the body 2d of each container 2 or printing the body 2d of each container 2 is preferably carried out while the container 2 is aligned and not blocked between the rest plate 8 and the hood 9.
  • Each container 2 provided with a closure 10 applied on the mouth 2a thereof is predisposed in a corresponding printing/labelling station 7, aligned between the rest plate 8 and the hood 9 ( figure 3A ).
  • the closure 10 is applied in the corresponding printing/labelling station 7.
  • the hood 9 is lowered or locked so as to axially block the container 2 between the rest plate 8 and the hood 9.
  • the plate 8 is shifted with the container 2 so as to bring it into the configuration shown in figure 3B , corresponding to a preliminary step of the printing suitable for modifying the surface tension of the walls of the container 2 and making them suitable for printing, for example a plasma or UV treatment.
  • the preliminary screwing is carried out during the step of transfer towards such position and/or during the preliminary step of the printing, while controlling the number of revolutions completed by the plate 8 with respect to the hood 9.
  • the container 2 is shifted in the configurations illustrated in figures 3C-3D-3E for printing in which the container 2 is aligned and not blocked between the rest plate 8 and the hood 9.
  • the hood 9 is slightly raised or opened (in the case of cone pliers) with respect to the closure 10 for preventing vibrations which would negatively influence the printing.
  • the step of screwing each concave closure 10 on the mouth 2b of the corresponding container 2 is interrupted. In this way, as well as avoiding damaging vibrations, the need to compensate for the height variations of the container-cap group (co-penetrating elements) by obliging the linear motor of the hood 9 to perform a shifting is eliminated.
  • the container 2 is shifted in the configuration of figure 3F in which the polymerisation of the ink takes place.
  • the hood 9 is newly lowered or locked on the closure 10 so as to block the container 2 and carry out the sub-step of completion of the screwing, controlling the torque applied to the plate 8.
  • the printing/labelling step and in particular the preliminary or final steps of the printing/labelling are used for completing the screwing of the closures so as to reduce the number of components of the line and the passage times in the line.
  • the solution is particularly suitable in the case of sterile containers in which the step of application of the closure is carried out in an aseptic environment.
  • the capper as it is known today, constituting a separate machine, can be eliminated, and the capping function can be integrated without extra resources and additional costs into the labelling machine, with great flexibility.
  • the same solution can be used for containers made of PET and HDPE.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Labeling Devices (AREA)
EP16173671.5A 2015-06-16 2016-06-09 Prozess und vorrichtung zum verschliessen und bedrucken/etikettieren eines behälters Active EP3106402B1 (de)

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ITUB20151427 2015-06-16

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EP3106402A1 true EP3106402A1 (de) 2016-12-21
EP3106402B1 EP3106402B1 (de) 2018-05-16

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Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2018532614A (ja) * 2015-08-31 2018-11-08 ザ プロクター アンド ギャンブル カンパニー 物品上に物質を堆積させるための平行動作の方法
JP2019034542A (ja) * 2017-08-11 2019-03-07 ゼロックス コーポレイションＸｅｒｏｘ Ｃｏｒｐｏｒａｔｉｏｎ オブジェクトの印刷中に３次元（３ｄ）オブジェクトを回転させるためのシステム及び方法
CN110116978A (zh) * 2019-06-17 2019-08-13 广州凤天包装材料有限公司 一种喷涂原料进行自动封口的设备

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2539857A1 (de) * 1975-09-08 1977-03-17 Wuema Maschinenbau Gmbh Verfahren und vorrichtung zum fuellen und etikettieren von behaeltern
EP0052045A1 (de) 1980-11-07 1982-05-19 Etablissements LARRIEU - BEDIN "LA GIRONDINE" Automatische Maschine zum Verschliessen und Etikettieren von Flaschen oder ähnlichen Behältern
DE8912069U1 (de) * 1989-10-11 1990-01-25 Mayer, Helmut, Dipl.-Ing., 5407 Boppard, De
EP0414031A1 (de) * 1989-08-21 1991-02-27 ALFILL GETRÄNKETECHNIK GmbH Verfahren und Vorrichtung zum Füllen von Behältern
WO2012022746A1 (de) 2010-08-18 2012-02-23 Volker Till Vorrichtung und verfahren zum bedrucken von behältern

Family Cites Families (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE4008847A1 (de) * 1990-03-20 1991-09-26 Granini Gmbh Anlage zum aseptischen fuellen und zum aseptischen verschliessen von flaschen

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2539857A1 (de) * 1975-09-08 1977-03-17 Wuema Maschinenbau Gmbh Verfahren und vorrichtung zum fuellen und etikettieren von behaeltern
EP0052045A1 (de) 1980-11-07 1982-05-19 Etablissements LARRIEU - BEDIN "LA GIRONDINE" Automatische Maschine zum Verschliessen und Etikettieren von Flaschen oder ähnlichen Behältern
EP0414031A1 (de) * 1989-08-21 1991-02-27 ALFILL GETRÄNKETECHNIK GmbH Verfahren und Vorrichtung zum Füllen von Behältern
DE8912069U1 (de) * 1989-10-11 1990-01-25 Mayer, Helmut, Dipl.-Ing., 5407 Boppard, De
WO2012022746A1 (de) 2010-08-18 2012-02-23 Volker Till Vorrichtung und verfahren zum bedrucken von behältern

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2018532614A (ja) * 2015-08-31 2018-11-08 ザ プロクター アンド ギャンブル カンパニー 物品上に物質を堆積させるための平行動作の方法
JP2019034542A (ja) * 2017-08-11 2019-03-07 ゼロックス コーポレイションＸｅｒｏｘ Ｃｏｒｐｏｒａｔｉｏｎ オブジェクトの印刷中に３次元（３ｄ）オブジェクトを回転させるためのシステム及び方法
CN110116978A (zh) * 2019-06-17 2019-08-13 广州凤天包装材料有限公司 一种喷涂原料进行自动封口的设备
CN110116978B (zh) * 2019-06-17 2021-07-27 临沂盛方机械设备有限公司 一种喷涂原料进行自动封口的设备

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