EP3178779A1

EP3178779A1 - Apparatus and method for sealing containers

Info

Publication number: EP3178779A1
Application number: EP15198156.0A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Andrea Comin; Damien KANNENGIESSER
Original assignee: Nestec SA
Current assignee: Nestec SA
Priority date: 2015-12-07
Filing date: 2015-12-07
Publication date: 2017-06-14

Abstract

An apparatus (104) for sealing containers comprises a carousel (119) with a plurality of stations (110) revolving about an axis, each station (110) comprising a holder (112) adapted to receive a container (106), and a sealing tool (114) for applying a closure to said container (106); at each station (110), the sealing tool (114) is radially mobile between a first, retracted radial position substantially aligned with the respective holder (112) at the perimeter of the carousel (119), and a second, extended radial position outboard of said holder (112).

Description

Field of the invention

The present invention concerns an apparatus for sealing containers. More particularly, it concerns an apparatus for sealing containers with a reduced amount of spillage, as well as a method for the use thereof.

Background of the invention

In the art of manufacturing-process and materials-handling equipment, it is widely known to base apparatuses for the manipulation of products on the principle of a carousel.
In typical carousel-based apparatuses, several container-retaining stations are disposed so as to revolve about a central axis, thereby constituting the wheel-like structure referred to as a carousel. From the perspective of each station, the operation of the apparatus is thus cyclical, repeating with each rotation of the carousel.
Such carousel-based apparatuses are commonly employed for performing many different steps in manufacturing processes and functions in materials handling. For example, in a container-fabricating and -filling process, apparatuses configured on the carousel principle may be employed to clean the containers, fill them with product, seal them, label them, and so forth.
It is also sometimes the case that containers are not transferred directly from one apparatus to the next; this may be a result of insufficient spatial clearance between the mechanisms of each apparatus used to carry out their respective functions, or it may simply be desirable to physically separate the apparatuses for some reason.
To this end, a special type of carousel apparatus called a "transfer wheel" is employed. A transfer wheel is simply a carousel-type apparatus whose sole function is to receive a container from a first apparatus and, through the revolution of its stations about an axis, transfer the container to a second apparatus.
An installation may thus comprise different apparatuses for achieving different functions, which either transfer the containers directly between them, or indirectly via one or more transfer wheels.
However, the rotational nature of the carousel-based apparatuses means that consecutive ones will rotate in opposite angular directions, in the same manner as gears in a gear train. This results in an acceleration in the container as it is transferred from one apparatus to the next, as the direction of the centrifugal force experienced by the container suddenly reverses. This is present whether the apparatuses in question are functional apparatuses or merely transfer wheels.
This acceleration can be disruptive to any product which is manipulated by a carousel-based apparatus, but is particularly problematic when it is applied to containers which have been filled but not yet sealed, in that it will cause a certain amount of the product contained within to slosh and spill from the container.
One instance of this is where the container is transferred from a filling apparatus to a sealing apparatus; the product may slosh at the point where the un-sealed container is transferred to the subsequent carousel-based apparatus in the installation.
This may consequently cause cleanliness problems in and around the apparatus, and negatively impact the accuracy of the dosing of the product in the containers.
There is thus a need to provide for the sealing of containers in such production lines that addresses these difficulties.

Summary of the invention

To this end, the invention is directed towards an apparatus for sealing containers, comprising a transfer wheel and a carousel constituted by a plurality of stations revolving about an axis at a substantially constant angular velocity, each of said stations comprising a holder adapted to receive a container disposed therein; and a sealing tool adapted to apply a closure to said container.
According to a first aspect, the sealing tool of each station is mobile along a radial direction between a first, retracted radial position wherein said sealing tool is substantially aligned with the respective holder at the perimeter of the carousel; and a second, extended radial position, wherein said sealing tool is disposed outboard of said carousel and coincident with said transfer wheel.
This is advantageous in that when the sealing tool is positioned in the second, extended radial position, it will extend outward from the apparatus. As a result, the sealing tool may be positioned on the mouth of an unsealed container that is still on an upstream carousel-based apparatus, for instance a filling apparatus or transfer wheel, before that container is moved onto the sealing apparatus. In this way, the mouth of the container is effectively blocked by the sealing tool during the transfer, thereby preventing any spillage of the product fluid from the container when it is transferred from the transfer wheel to the carousel of the sealing apparatus.
Preferably, the apparatus further comprises a closure-loading apparatus configured to load a closure into the sealing tool.
This is advantageous in that, when the apparatus is configured to employ a closure means which requires a separate element (e.g. a cap), that element is automatically loaded into the sealing tool. In this way, the sealing may be performed automatically and at high speed when such closure techniques are employed.
Most preferably, the apparatus is configured to load the closure into the sealing tool when said sealing tool is disposed in a third, intermediate radial position between said first, retracted radial position and said second, extended radial position.
This is advantageous in that the sealing tool is loaded with a closure and positioned onto the unsealed container in one continuous, fluid motion. The efficiency of the apparatus is thereby improved.
Most preferably, the sealing tool is further mobile in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of the carousel.
This is advantageous in that the sealing tool can be adapted for closures which require motion in the axial direction. In this way, the variety of closures which may be employed is increased.
In a preferable embodiment, the sealing tool is configured to apply a screw-on cap to the container.
This is advantageous in that as the screw-on caps commonly employed for container closures are generally convex, the apparatus will protect against splashes from the filled containers with maximum effectiveness.
More specifically, even before the container is sealed, the convexity formed by the sides of the cap will slightly overhang the mouth of the container, minimizing the amount of downward force from the sealing tool that is necessary to realize a good degree of splash protection. Wear and tear on the apparatus is thereby reduced.
Preferably, the radial position of each sealing tool is a function of the angular position of the respective station.
This is advantageous in that the operation of the apparatus is rendered predictable and consistent, in that each container is closed to the same degree at the same position in its passage through the sealing apparatus. Moreover, the setup of the apparatus is rendered easier, in that the axial position can be used as a consistent locus for the timing of the steps of the sealing process.
In a possible embodiment, the sealing tool is displaced by a mechanical linkage.
This is advantageous in that it simplifies the drive and control arrangement for the carousel, in particular because a mechanical linkage such as a cam or gear train can be driven from and synchronized with the rotation of the carousel.
In a possible embodiment, the sealing tool is displaced by a hydraulic or pneumatic actuator or an electric motor.
Such means of displacing the sealing tool are advantageous in that they will generally realize a great deal of precision in the motion they generate. Moreover, such means can also be provided so as to move the sealing tool at high speed and/or apply a high degree of force to the closure. This will increase the flexibility and capability of the apparatus so configured, in that a wider range of closures may be utilized.
According to a second aspect, there is provided an installation for filling and sealing containers, comprising an apparatus for filling containers, and an apparatus for sealing containers as described above.
Such an installation will realize the advantages of the apparatus as described above, in the production of filled and sealed containers.
Preferably, the sealing tool is aligned and configured to move synchronously with a holder on said apparatus for filling containers when said sealing tool is disposed in the second, extended radial position.
In this way, the sealing tool is pre-positioned to apply the closure to the container, thereby preventing spillage from the container during the transfer from the filling apparatus to the sealing apparatus, as discussed above.
According to a third aspect, there is provided a method for sealing a container, comprising the steps of providing a sealing apparatus as previously described; disposing the sealing tool of one of the plurality of stations into a second, extended radial position, said sealing tool being concurrently placed upon a mouth of a container; loading said container into a holder of the carousel, said sealing tool being concurrently displaced into the first, retracted radial position; and sealing the container.
This is advantageous in that it seals the container while avoiding splashing of the fluid product from the container, as discussed above.
Additionally, this is advantageous in that as the sealing tool is placed upon the container before the container is on the carousel of the sealing apparatus, the portion of the sealing carousel's rotation that is available for performing the sealing operation is maximized. Thus, the method offers a great deal of flexibility in the execution of the sealing process in particular, and the configuration of the production method in general.
In a preferable embodiment, the method further comprises a closure-loading step prior to the disposing step, said closure-loading step comprising a positioning sub-step wherein the sealing tool is disposed in a third, intermediate radial position between said first, retracted and said second, extended radial positions; and a loading sub-step wherein a closure is loaded into the sealing tool, said closure being applied to the container during the sealing step.
This is advantageous in that the method is thereby adapted to operate with sealing tools which apply separate closures, such as caps, corks, or plugs. In addition, the loading of such closure in the third, intermediate radial position means that the displacement of the sealing tool is optimized and the operation of the apparatus rendered more efficient.
In a possible embodiment, the closure is loaded into the sealing tool by a transfer wheel.
This is advantageous in that a transfer wheel will provide the closures at a consistent rate, synchronous with the rotation of the carousel of the sealing apparatus. Moreover, as mentioned above the loading can be done in such a way as to minimize unnecessary displacement of the sealing tool.
Preferably, the container is sealed by screwing on a cap, the cap being placed upon the mouth of the container during the disposing step.
This is advantageous for the reasons enumerated above.
In a possible embodiment, the sealing tool is mobile in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of the carousel.
This is advantageous in that it allows for precise, flexible positioning of the sealing tool throughout the operation cycle of the container-sealing apparatus.
In a preferable embodiment, prior to the sealing step the sealing tool is advanced towards the container in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of the carousel.
This is advantageous in that it will improve the splash-prevention and sealing attributes of the closure as discussed above.
According to a fourth aspect, the invention is drawn to a container sealed by the method as described above.
Such a container is advantageous in that it will embody the desirable aspects discussed above.

Brief description of the drawings

Additional features and advantages of the present invention are described in, and will be apparent from, the description of the presently preferred embodiments which are set out below with reference to the drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic depiction of an installation comprising an apparatus according to the invention;
Figure 2 is a representative depiction of the motion of the sealing tool of the apparatus of Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a schematic detail of a container-sealing apparatus, during a step for sealing a container; and
Figure 4 is a detail of an exemplary sealing tool of the apparatus of Figure 1.

Detailed description of the invention

The invention will now be discussed with reference to the aforementioned Figures.
Figure 1 is a schematic depiction of an installation 100 for filling and sealing containers, comprising primarily a filling apparatus 102 and a sealing apparatus 104.
The filling apparatus 102 and the sealing apparatus 104 are configured in the form of carousels. As the form of carousel-based filling apparatuses are known generally in the art, the configuration of the filling apparatus 102 will not be discussed here for the sake of simplicity. The filling apparatus 102 is fed with a stream of containers 106, which issue from a container supply 108; the result is that as the filling apparatus 102 rotates, it produces a steady stream of filled containers 106.
The installation 100 further comprises the sealing apparatus 104, which is also a carousel-based device. The sealing apparatus 104 is, similar to the filling apparatus 102, adapted to receive a continuous succession of containers 106 and apply a closure to them.
The filling apparatus 102 and the sealing apparatus 104 rotate in the same manner as a gear train: in opposite angular directions, and with a constant linear speed along the circumference of each of the filling and sealing apparatuses 102, 104. In this way, the containers 106 which have been filled on the filling apparatus 102 are continuously transferred to the sealing apparatus 104.
The sealing apparatus 104 is configured so as to have a plurality of stations 110, of which one is indicated here for clarity. Each of the stations 110 comprises a holder 112 configured to receive and accommodate one of the containers 106, a sealing tool 114, and a radial arm 116 upon which the holder 112 and the sealing tool 114 are mounted.
It should be noted that, in the embodiment depicted here in Figure 1, the radial arms 116 are configured to be telescopic. Of course, other configurations for effectuating the radial motion of the stations 110 may be envisioned.
The radial arms 116 are collectively mounted to a central spindle 118 of the sealing apparatus 104, which is made to rotate at a substantially constant angular speed as shown here. In addition, each of the stations 110 is configured such that the sealing tool 114 is mobile in the radial dimension of the sealing apparatus 104.
It will thus be considered that the plurality of stations 110 form, in the aggregate, a carousel 119. More specifically, it can be considered that the carousel 119 comprises the portions of the sealing apparatus 104 which are configured to revolve about the central spindle 118, along with the central spindle 118 itself. Other portions of the sealing apparatus 104, such as fluid supply lines, valve and control systems, and the like, may be mounted to or within the carousel, or disposed elsewhere in the installation 100.
As the containers 106 pass through the sealing apparatus 104, they are sealed, such as with a cap or other closure. A succession of sealed containers 120 is extracted from the sealing apparatus 104 by the transfer wheel 122, and subsequently borne off by the container removal system 124 for packaging, shipment, etc.
The operation of the sealing apparatus 104 will now be discussed. As mentioned above, the radial arms 116 of the sealing apparatus 104 are mobile to extend the sealing tool in the radial direction. At the angular position α, the radial arm 116 is in a first, retracted radial position, such that the sealing tool 114 at a distal end thereof is substantially aligned with the holder 114 (the position of the holder through the rotation of the sealing apparatus 104 is here denoted by the solid circular line).
As the sealing apparatus 104 rotates, the sealing tool 114 is displaced outward, such as by the telescoping action of the radial arm 116 described above. At the angular position γ, the sealing tool 114 reaches a second, extended radial position, wherein the distance between the sealing tool 114 and the central spindle is maximized; the trajectory of the sealing tool 114 is here denoted with dashed lines.
At this point, the sealing tool 114 is aligned with a container 106A disposed on the filling apparatus 102; this container 106A has been filled with a fluid product and is about to be transferred from the filling apparatus 102 to the sealing apparatus 104. At the angular position γ, the sealing tool 114 is disposed on the mouth of the container 106A.
From here, as the sealing apparatus 104 rotates the sealing tool 114 is disposed at the angular position δ. It can be seen here that, between the angular positions γ and δ, the sealing tool 114 is retracted somewhat brusquely towards the central spindle of the sealing apparatus 102. In fact, this retraction is coordinated with the motion of the container 106A, such that the sealing tool 114 is securely disposed on the mouth of the container 106A as it moves towards the inflection point 126. At the inflection point 126 the inward motion of the sealing tool 114 is halted, and the container 106A is transferred from the filling apparatus 102 to the sealing apparatus 104.
The fact that the sealing tool 114 is disposed upon the mouth of the container 106A will prevent any leaks or spills from the container 106A at the inflection point 126; the sealing tool 114 acts much in the same manner as pressing one's palm to the rim of a cup full of water, in that the seal so created is not necessarily perfect but will nonetheless effectively block most, if not all, of the fluid from sloshing or splashing from the container 106A.
From here, between the angular positions δ and ε, the sealing tool 114 applies a closure to the containers 106. At the angular position ε, the sealed containers 120 are removed from the sealing apparatus, and borne off as described above.
The closure applied to the containers may be of several different types. For instance, it may be preferable to seal the container by simply melting or crimping the end of the container, such as by thermal or ultrasonic welding. Alternatively, a mechanical closure such as a crown cork or a screw-on cap may be envisioned. Screw-on caps are particularly advantageous in that, besides being commonly used in the beverage-packaging industry, the concave, cylindrical form of the screw-on cap will provide a great effectiveness in blocking sloshing and splashing from the container.
When closures utilizing a separate piece, such as a screw-on cap, are employed, it is useful to provide a means for loading these caps into the sealing tool 114. To this end, the sealing apparatus 104 further comprises a closure-loading apparatus in the form of a cap-loading wheel 128. The cap-loading wheel 128 is simply a transfer wheel which rotates as shown so as to conduct caps (not depicted) from a cap source 130, to a point where they are coincident with the sealing tool 114 and may thereby be loaded into said sealing tool. In this way, the rapid, automatic, repeated operation of the sealing apparatus 104 is assured, as a closure has been loaded into the sealing tool 114 before the sealing tool 114 is disposed upon the container 106.
Thus, in Figure 1, it can be seen that when the sealing tool 114 is at the angular position β, it will be substantially coincident with the cap-loading wheel 128. Between the angular positions β and β', the sealing tool 114 follows the cap-loading wheel 128 as shown here and in Figure 2. At all of the points along the trajectory of the sealing tool 114 during this phase of motion, the sealing tool 114 is in a third, intermediate radial position, extended beyond the first, retracted radial position as at angular position α, but not so far as the second, extended radial position at γ.
Turning now to Figure 2, the motion of the sealing tool is examined in greater detail. In particular, the motion of the sealing tool is depicted in the form of the motion trace 200, which corresponds to the dashed line found in Figure 1.
Moreover, for each angular position, the motion of the sealing tool is indicated: a circle where the tool remains stationary, or an arrow indicating the direction in which the sealing tool is mobile.
Thus, it is apparent that between the angular positions δ and ε, the sealing tool is not mobile; this corresponds to the portion of the sealing apparatus' operation wherein the container is being sealed, e.g. by the screwing-on of a cap.
Once the station reaches the angular position α, however, the sealing tool begins to be displaced outward, first as it is positioned to be loaded with a closure at angular position β, and then to intercept a container on the filling apparatus at angular position γ as discussed above.
Once the sealing tool has reached its peak outward deflection - I.e. disposed in the second, extended radial position γ at angular position γ, it will begin to be displaced inward, between angular positions γ and δ, as it follows the container, first along the periphery of the filling apparatus' wheel and onto the sealing apparatus.
It will also be understood that the sealing tool may be displaced vertically, i.e. substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the sealing apparatus (i.e. the axis of the carousel), prior to and/or during the operation of the sealing apparatus.
Figure 3 illustrates one exemplary situation wherein such displacement is necessary: so as to follow a screw-on cap as it is positioned on the container and the container subsequently sealed.
At angular position γ, it can be seen that a cap 300 has been placed on the mouth 302 of the container 106; this is accomplished by displacing the sealing tool (not shown) vertically between the radial positions β and γ, such that the cap 300 is positioned at least by radial position γ.
Here, it can be seen that the cap 300 just barely extends past the level of the mouth 302; in the case of a screw-on cap, at this point the threads have just engaged and the cap 300 cannot be forced onto the container any further without rotating it.
Then, from angular position δ to angular position ε, a torque 304 is applied to the cap 300 to screw it onto the container; this downward trace can be clearly seen in the Figure. More particularly, at the angular position δ, the cap 300 is substantially where it was when the container 106 was at angular position γ, while at angular position ε the cap 300 is completely screwed down, yielding the sealed container 120, and at an angular position between δ and ε the cap 300 is partially screwed onto the container 106.
It is important to note that other of closures may implicate a vertical displacement of the sealing tool; for instance, corks and stoppers require a closure to be inserted into the mouth of a container. In such cases, the vertical displacement may be of a lesser or greater magnitude than that encountered in the screwing-on of a cap, and it will be recognized that the person of skill in the art will be able to configure the apparatus accordingly.
Turning now to Figure 4, an exemplary configuration for a station 110 of the sealing apparatus is discussed. The station 110 comprises a holder 112, which holds a container 106 therein, and a sealing tool 114. The holder 112 and the sealing tool 114 are both mounted to the central spindle 118 and rotate therewith about the axis X; however, while the holder 112 is in a fixed position the sealing tool 114 can move along the radial direction R.
This radial displacement is effectuated by a rolling cam follower 400, which bears on a cam surface 402. The cam surface 402 extends from a stationary portion of the central spindle 118 and varies in the distance it protrudes from said central spindle 118, such that the relative movement between the revolving sealing tool 114 and its tool support 404 and the cam surface 402 will cause the sealing tool 114 to move inward and outward.
Ideally, the distance the cam surface 402 projects from the central spindle 118 varies as a function of the angular position of the sealing tool 114; in this way, the radial movement of the sealing tool 114 is a function of its angular position. By way of example, the sealing tool 114 is depicted in the first, retracted radial position in solid lines; and in the second, extended radial position in dashed lines.
Of course, it will be readily understood that, instead of a cam-and-follower or other such mechanical arrangement, the displacement of the sealing tool 114 in the radial direction may be effectuated by other means. By way of non-limiting example, linear motors, screw drives, pneumatic/hydraulic actuators, or combinations of these and/or other means of displacing the sealing tool 114, may be envisioned.
In addition, the sealing tool 114 may be provided with a means for displacing it in the axial direction A, as discussed above. In this embodiment, this displacement is effectuated by a pneumatic actuator 406, though in other configurations hydraulic actuators, mechanical linkages (e.g cams) or electrical motors (e.g. a screw drive or a linear motor) may be employed with equal effectiveness.
The pneumatic actuator 406 may be configured to merely displace a specific part of the sealing tool 114, for instance a friction cup 408 for engaging screw-on caps; or the entire sealing tool 114, as depicted here.
It should be understood that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and without diminishing its attendant advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes and modifications be covered by the appended claims.

Claims

An apparatus (104) for sealing containers, comprising a carousel (119) comprising a plurality of stations (110) revolving about an axis (X) of said carousel (119), each of said stations (110) comprising a holder (112) adapted to receive a container (106) disposed therein; and a sealing tool (114) adapted to apply a closure (300) to said container (106); characterized in that at each station (110), the sealing tool (114) is mobile in a radial direction (R) of said carousel (119) between a first, retracted radial position wherein said sealing tool (114) is substantially aligned with the respective holder (112) at the perimeter of the carousel (119); and a second, extended radial position wherein said sealing tool (114) is disposed outboard of said holder (112).
The apparatus (104) according to claim 1, further comprising a closure-loading apparatus (128) configured to load a closure (300) into the sealing tool (114).
The apparatus (104) according to claim 2, configured to load the closure (300) into the sealing tool (114) when said sealing tool (114) is disposed in a third, intermediate radial position between said first, retracted radial position and said second, extended radial position.
The apparatus (104) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sealing tool (114) is further mobile in a direction (A) substantially parallel to the axis (X) of the carousel (119).
The apparatus (104) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sealing tool (114) is configured to apply a screw-on cap (300) to the container (106).
The apparatus (104) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the radial position of each sealing tool (114) is a function of the angular position of the respective station (110).
The apparatus (104) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sealing tool (114) is displaced by a mechanical linkage (400, 402, 404), a hydraulic or pneumatic actuator (406), or an electric motor.
An installation (100) for filling and sealing containers, comprising an apparatus for filling containers (102), and an apparatus for sealing containers (104) according to any one of the preceding claims.
The installation (100) according to claim 8, wherein the sealing tool (114) is aligned and configured to move synchronously with a holder on said apparatus for filling containers (102) when said sealing tool (114) is disposed in the second, extended radial position.
A method for sealing a container (106), comprising the steps of:
- providing a sealing apparatus (104) according to any one of claims 1 to 8;

- disposing the sealing tool (114) of one of the plurality of stations (110) into a second, extended radial position, said sealing tool (114) being concurrently placed upon a mouth (302) of a container (106);

- transferring said container (106) into a holder (112) of the sealing carousel (119), said sealing tool (114) being concurrently displaced into the first, retracted radial position; and

- sealing said container (106).
The method according to claim 10, further comprising a closure-loading step prior to the disposing step, said closure-loading step comprising a positioning sub-step wherein the sealing tool (114) is disposed in a third, intermediate radial position between said first, retracted and second, extended radial positions; and a loading sub-step wherein a closure (300) is loaded into the sealing tool (114), said closure being applied to the container (106) during the sealing step.
The method according to claim 11, wherein the closure (300) is loaded into the sealing tool (114) from a transfer wheel (128).
The method according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the container is sealed by screwing on a cap, the cap being placed upon the mouth of the container during the disposing step.
The method according to any one of claims 10 to 13, wherein the sealing tool (114) is mobile in a direction (A) substantially parallel to the axis (X) of the carousel (119).
The method according to claim 14, wherein prior to the sealing step the sealing tool (114) is advanced towards the container (106) in a direction (A) substantially parallel to the axis (X) of the carousel (119).
A container (120) sealed by the method according to any one of claims 10 to 15.