EP3178779A1 - Appareil et procédé pour étancher des récipients - Google Patents

Appareil et procédé pour étancher des récipients Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3178779A1
EP3178779A1 EP15198156.0A EP15198156A EP3178779A1 EP 3178779 A1 EP3178779 A1 EP 3178779A1 EP 15198156 A EP15198156 A EP 15198156A EP 3178779 A1 EP3178779 A1 EP 3178779A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
sealing
sealing tool
container
carousel
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP15198156.0A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Andrea Comin
Damien KANNENGIESSER
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.)
Nestec SA
Original Assignee
Nestec SA
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 Nestec SA filed Critical Nestec SA
Priority to EP15198156.0A priority Critical patent/EP3178779A1/fr
Publication of EP3178779A1 publication Critical patent/EP3178779A1/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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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
    • B67B3/2013—Closing bottles, jars or similar containers by applying caps by applying and rotating preformed threaded caps by carousel-type capping machines
    • B67B3/2033—Closing bottles, jars or similar containers by applying caps by applying and rotating preformed threaded caps by carousel-type capping machines comprising carousel co-rotating capping heads

Definitions

  • 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.
  • Such carousel-based apparatuses are commonly employed for performing many different steps in manufacturing processes and functions in materials handling.
  • apparatuses configured on the carousel principle may be employed to clean the containers, fill them with product, seal them, label them, and so forth.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • the sealing tool when the sealing tool is positioned in the second, extended radial position, it will extend outward from the apparatus.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • the apparatus further comprises a closure-loading apparatus configured to load a closure into the sealing tool.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • the sealing tool is further mobile in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of the carousel.
  • 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.
  • the sealing tool is configured to apply a screw-on cap to the container.
  • 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.
  • each sealing tool is a function of the angular position of the respective station.
  • the sealing tool is displaced by a mechanical linkage.
  • 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.
  • an installation for filling and sealing containers comprising an apparatus for filling containers, and an apparatus for sealing containers as described above.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • the method is thereby adapted to operate with sealing tools which apply separate closures, such as caps, corks, or plugs.
  • 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.
  • the closure is loaded into the sealing tool by a transfer wheel.
  • the container is sealed by screwing on a cap, the cap being placed upon the mouth of the container during the disposing step.
  • the sealing tool is mobile in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of the carousel.
  • the sealing tool prior to the sealing step the sealing tool is advanced towards the container in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of the carousel.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • the radial arms 116 are configured to be telescopic.
  • other configurations for effectuating the radial motion of the stations 110 may be envisioned.
  • each of the stations 110 is configured such that the sealing tool 114 is mobile in the radial dimension of the sealing apparatus 104.
  • the plurality of stations 110 form, in the aggregate, a carousel 119.
  • 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.
  • 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 radial arms 116 of the sealing apparatus 104 are mobile to extend the sealing tool in the radial direction.
  • 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).
  • the sealing tool 114 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 ⁇ , 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.
  • 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 ⁇ , the sealing tool 114 is disposed on the mouth of the container 106A.
  • the sealing tool 114 is disposed at the angular position ⁇ . It can be seen here that, between the angular positions ⁇ and ⁇ , 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 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.
  • the sealing tool 114 applies a closure to the containers 106.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • FIG. 2 the motion of the sealing tool is examined in greater detail.
  • 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 .
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • the sealing tool begins to be displaced outward, first as it is positioned to be loaded with a closure at angular position ⁇ , and then to intercept a container on the filling apparatus at angular position ⁇ as discussed above.
  • the sealing tool Once the sealing tool has reached its peak outward deflection - I.e. disposed in the second, extended radial position ⁇ at angular position ⁇ , it will begin to be displaced inward, between angular positions ⁇ and ⁇ , as it follows the container, first along the periphery of the filling apparatus' wheel and onto the sealing apparatus.
  • 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.
  • 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 ⁇ and ⁇ , such that the cap 300 is positioned at least by radial position ⁇ .
  • 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.
  • 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 ⁇ , the cap 300 is substantially where it was when the container 106 was at angular position ⁇ , while at angular position ⁇ the cap 300 is completely screwed down, yielding the sealed container 120, and at an angular position between ⁇ and ⁇ the cap 300 is partially screwed onto the container 106.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • the displacement of the sealing tool 114 in the radial direction may be effectuated by other means.
  • linear motors, screw drives, pneumatic/hydraulic actuators, or combinations of these and/or other means of displacing the sealing tool 114 may be envisioned.
  • the sealing tool 114 may be provided with a means for displacing it in the axial direction A, as discussed above.
  • 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.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Sealing Of Jars (AREA)
  • Filling Of Jars Or Cans And Processes For Cleaning And Sealing Jars (AREA)
EP15198156.0A 2015-12-07 2015-12-07 Appareil et procédé pour étancher des récipients Withdrawn EP3178779A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP15198156.0A EP3178779A1 (fr) 2015-12-07 2015-12-07 Appareil et procédé pour étancher des récipients

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP15198156.0A EP3178779A1 (fr) 2015-12-07 2015-12-07 Appareil et procédé pour étancher des récipients

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP3178779A1 true EP3178779A1 (fr) 2017-06-14

Family

ID=54838195

Family Applications (1)

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EP15198156.0A Withdrawn EP3178779A1 (fr) 2015-12-07 2015-12-07 Appareil et procédé pour étancher des récipients

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EP (1) EP3178779A1 (fr)

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2505355A1 (de) * 1975-02-08 1976-08-19 Enzinger Union Werke Ag Fuell- und verschliessaggregat fuer flaschen
EP0414081A2 (fr) * 1989-08-24 1991-02-27 ALFILL GETRÄNKETECHNIK GmbH Procédé et dispositif pour remplir et fermer des récipients
JPH04294786A (ja) * 1991-03-12 1992-10-19 Shibuya Kogyo Co Ltd 充填装置
DE4415227A1 (de) * 1994-04-30 1995-11-02 Mewes Gmbh Verfahren zum Aufschrauben von Behälterverschlüssen und Verschraubmaschine hierzu
EP0808773A1 (fr) * 1996-05-23 1997-11-26 ROBINO & GALANDRINO S.p.A. Machine pour la pose de disques inviolables thermosoudables sur des bouteilles de vin ou similaires

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2505355A1 (de) * 1975-02-08 1976-08-19 Enzinger Union Werke Ag Fuell- und verschliessaggregat fuer flaschen
EP0414081A2 (fr) * 1989-08-24 1991-02-27 ALFILL GETRÄNKETECHNIK GmbH Procédé et dispositif pour remplir et fermer des récipients
JPH04294786A (ja) * 1991-03-12 1992-10-19 Shibuya Kogyo Co Ltd 充填装置
DE4415227A1 (de) * 1994-04-30 1995-11-02 Mewes Gmbh Verfahren zum Aufschrauben von Behälterverschlüssen und Verschraubmaschine hierzu
EP0808773A1 (fr) * 1996-05-23 1997-11-26 ROBINO & GALANDRINO S.p.A. Machine pour la pose de disques inviolables thermosoudables sur des bouteilles de vin ou similaires

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