EP3453629A1 - Verfahren und maschine zum füllen und verschliessen von behältern - Google Patents

Verfahren und maschine zum füllen und verschliessen von behältern Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3453629A1
EP3453629A1 EP17306159.9A EP17306159A EP3453629A1 EP 3453629 A1 EP3453629 A1 EP 3453629A1 EP 17306159 A EP17306159 A EP 17306159A EP 3453629 A1 EP3453629 A1 EP 3453629A1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
receptacle
closure
filling
phase
rotation
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Withdrawn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
EP17306159.9A
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English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
Roberto Zoni
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.)
Sidel Participations SAS
Original Assignee
Sidel Participations SAS
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 Sidel Participations SAS filed Critical Sidel Participations SAS
Priority to EP17306159.9A priority Critical patent/EP3453629A1/de
Publication of EP3453629A1 publication Critical patent/EP3453629A1/de
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current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
    • B67C—CLEANING, FILLING WITH LIQUIDS OR SEMILIQUIDS, OR EMPTYING, OF BOTTLES, JARS, CANS, CASKS, BARRELS, OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; FUNNELS
    • B67C7/00—Concurrent cleaning, filling, and closing of bottles; Processes or devices for at least two of these operations
    • 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
    • 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
    • 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
    • B67B3/265—Devices for controlling the caps presence of a cap
    • 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
    • B67B3/268—Applications of control, warning, or safety devices in capping machinery devices for avoiding damage to the closing machine

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a filling-and-capping head for filling receptacles with a pourable product and for applying respective closures onto the receptacles after their filling.
  • the present invention also relates to a method for filling receptacles with a pourable product and capping the receptacles with respective closures with filling-and-capping heads.
  • the present invention also relates to a packaging machine comprising a plurality of filling-and-capping heads.
  • pourable products in particular pourable food products such as carbonated liquids, non-carbonated liquids, emulsions, beverages containing pulp etc., into receptacles such as containers, bottles, and the like.
  • One kind of packaging machine comprises a filling apparatus for filling the receptacles, a labeling apparatus for applying the labels on the receptacles and a capping apparatus for applying the closures onto the receptacles.
  • the filling apparatus, the labeling apparatus and the capping apparatus are of the carousel type meaning that during respectively the filling, the labeling and the capping the receptacles are advanced along respectively a filling advancement path, a labeling advancement path and a capping advancement path by means of conveying carousels.
  • the filling apparatus, the labeling apparatus and the capping apparatus are arranged in succession and are typically connected to one another by interposed conveyor devices, such as star wheels.
  • the filling apparatus comprises a plurality of filling heads arranged on the respective conveyor device, each adapted to fill one respective receptacle during its advancement along the filling advancement path.
  • the labeling apparatus comprises a plurality of treatment devices arranged on the respective conveying carousel and each one adapted to rotate one respective receptacle around its longitudinal axis during advancement of the respective receptacle along the labeling path.
  • the labeling apparatus also comprises a label sheet feed device for advancing single label sheets to the rotating receptacles for applying the label sheets on the receptacles.
  • the capping apparatus comprises a cap feeding device arranged adjacent to the respective conveying carousel for delivering the closures to the receptacles and a plurality of capping heads arranged on the respective conveying carousel for interacting with the closures positioned on the receptacles, in particular for fastening the closures in the receptacles.
  • a drawback of such kind of packaging machines is that they require a significant amount of space within a production plant.
  • One kind of these more compact packaging machines comprises a combined labeling and filling apparatus and a capping apparatus arranged in succession of the labeling and filling apparatus.
  • the labeling and filling apparatus comprises a respective conveying carousel for advancing the receptacles along an arc-shape receptacle advancement path and carrying a plurality of filling heads, each for filling one respective receptacle during advancement of the receptacles along at least a portion of the arc-shaped receptacle advancement path and each one being adapted to rotate the respective receptacle around at least a portion of the arc-shaped receptacle advancement path.
  • the labeling and filling apparatus also comprises a label sheet feeding device arranged adjacent to the respective conveying carousel for feeding single label sheets to the receptacles at a label application station arranged along the arc-shaped receptacle advancement path.
  • the filling heads actuate rotation of the receptacles around their longitudinal axis.
  • the labeling and filling apparatuses can be configured to label the receptacles prior, during or after the filling of the receptacles.
  • the labeling and filling apparatus is connected to the successively arranged capping apparatus by means of a conveyor device, in particular one or more transfer star wheels.
  • the capping apparatus comprises a conveying carousel adapted to advance the filled and labeled receptacles along an arc-shaped capping advancement path and a cap feeding device arranged adjacent to the respective conveying carousel for delivering the closures to the receptacles and a plurality of capping heads arranged on the respective conveying carousel for interacting with the closures positioned on the receptacles, in particular for fastening the closures in the receptacles.
  • Number 1 in Figure 1 illustrates as a whole a packaging machine for filling receptacles, such as containers, bottles 2 and the like with a pourable product, in particular a pourable food product, such as carbonated liquids (e.g. sparkling water, soft drinks and beer) or non-carbonated liquids (e.g. still water, juices, teas, sport drinks, liquid cleaners, wine, emulsions, suspensions, high viscosity liquids and beverages containing pulps) and to apply and fasten a respective closure 3, such as screw caps or sports caps made from polymers or metals or the like, onto the receptacles.
  • a pourable food product such as carbonated liquids (e.g. sparkling water, soft drinks and beer) or non-carbonated liquids (e.g. still water, juices, teas, sport drinks, liquid cleaners, wine, emulsions, suspensions, high viscosity liquids and beverages containing pulps) and to apply and fasten a respective closure 3, such as screw
  • packaging machine 1 is also adapted to apply label sheets 4 onto the receptacles.
  • bottles 2 being made from polymer such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PET), glass, aluminum, steel or composites.
  • PET polytetrafluoroethylene
  • each bottle 2 has a longitudinal axis A and comprises a hollow main body 5 bounded by sidewalls 6, in particular substantially parallel to axis A, a bottom wall 7 substantially perpendicular to axis A and by a top neck 8 substantially coaxial with axis A; in particular, neck 8 delimits a pouring/inlet opening of bottle 2 opposite to bottom wall 7 allowing for filling bottle 2 with the pourable product and for pouring out the pourable product from bottle 2.
  • closures 3 each having a respective inner threaded portion, in particular having a helical pattern, for interacting with a threaded portion, in particular having a helical pattern, provided on the respective neck 8 of a respective bottle 2.
  • each closure 3 comprises an outer lateral surface 4, in particular having a defined texture, even more particular being provided with a plurality of grooves (and consequently a plurality of ridges).
  • packaging machine 1 comprises:
  • packaging machine 1 also comprises a closure feeding apparatus 17 adapted to feed closures 3, in particular sterile closures 3, to feeding-and-capping heads 15.
  • closure feeding apparatus 17 is arranged adjacent to conveying carousel 12.
  • packaging machine 1 also comprises a plurality of support units 18 arranged on peripheral portion 16 and being adapted to support bottle 2 during their advancement along path P.
  • packaging machine 1 also comprises a label application device 19, in particular arranged peripherally adjacent to conveying carousel 12, and being adapted to apply respective label sheets 4 onto bottles 2 at a label application station 20.
  • a label application device 19 in particular arranged peripherally adjacent to conveying carousel 12, and being adapted to apply respective label sheets 4 onto bottles 2 at a label application station 20.
  • label application station 20 is adapted to apply one respective label sheet onto each bottle 2 during their advancement along path P.
  • label application device 19 is adapted to apply at least one label sheet onto each bottle 2 during advancement along portion P1 (i.e. during the filling of bottle 2 with the pourable product).
  • label application device 19 is adapted to apply at least one label sheet onto each bottle 2 during advancement of bottle 2 along portion P2 (i.e., during the application of the respective closure 3).
  • machine 1 also comprises an inlet conveyor, in particular an inlet star wheel 21 for feeding empty bottles 2 to inlet station 13 and an outlet conveyor, in particular an outlet star wheel 22, for receiving the filled and capped bottles 2, in particular the filled, capped and labelled bottles 2, at outlet station 14.
  • inlet conveyor in particular an inlet star wheel 21 for feeding empty bottles 2 to inlet station 13
  • outlet conveyor in particular an outlet star wheel 22, for receiving the filled and capped bottles 2, in particular the filled, capped and labelled bottles 2, at outlet station 14.
  • inlet star wheel 21 and outlet star wheel 22 each are adapted to rotate around a respective rotation axis C.
  • Inlet star wheel 21 is arranged peripherally adjacent, in particular tangential, to conveying carousel 12 at inlet station 13 and outlet star wheel 22 is arranged peripherally adjacent, in particular tangential, to conveying carousel 12 at outlet station 14.
  • conveying carousel 12 comprises a rotary body 26 adapted to rotate around axis B and carrying peripheral portion 16 and a fixed base support 27 rotatably carrying rotary body 26.
  • rotary body 26 comprises an upper support structure 28 carrying filling-and-capping heads 15 and a lower support structure 28 carrying support units 18 and, in particular being arranged below upper support structure 28.
  • upper support structure 28 and lower support structure 28 define respective zones of peripheral portion 16.
  • upper support structure 28 comprises an annular support ring and lower support structure 29 comprises an annular support disc.
  • fixed base support 27 is configured to be placed on a floor or another horizontal support platform within a product plant and comprises means 30 for controlling the orientation and/or elevation of rotary body 26.
  • support units 18 are equally spaced angularly around axis B.
  • each support unit 18 is configured to advance along a respective pedestal advancement path Q, in particular having a circular shape, by rotation of conveying carousel 12, in particular rotary body 26, around axis B.
  • path Q is parallel to path P between inlet station 13 and outlet station 14.
  • Each support unit 18 faces one respective filling-and-capping head 15 and is, in particular arranged below the respective filling-and-capping head 15.
  • Each support unit 18 comprises a pedestal 31 for supporting and centering one respective bottle 2 during advancement of the respective bottle 2 along path P.
  • each pedestal 31 is adapted to rotate around a respective rotation axis, in particular being parallel to axis B.
  • the respective rotation axis of the respective pedestal 31 is coaxial to axis A of the respective bottle 2.
  • each pedestal 31 is configured to interact at least with the respective bottom wall 7, preferentially also with the respective side walls 6 of the respective bottle 2.
  • each support unit 18 comprises means (not shown and known as such) for controlling the elevation of the respective pedestal 31 in dependence of the angular position of the respective pedestal 31.
  • such means can be configured to interact with a cam mechanism of machine 1 or they can be electronically controlled.
  • machine 1 also comprises means for controlling a base position of each pedestal 31, in particular in dependence of the height of the specific bottle type of bottles 2, in particular with reference to the respective filling-and-capping heads 15.
  • means for controlling the base position can be adapted to control e.g. the respective distance between upper support structure 28 and lower support structure 29 or these means can be adapted to control the relative distance between each one of pedestals 31 and the respective filling-and-capping head 15.
  • filling-and-capping heads 15 are equally spaced angularly around axis B.
  • each filling-and-capping head 15 is configured to advance along a respective head advancement path R, in particular having a circular shape, by rotation of conveying carousel 12, in particular rotary body 26, around axis B.
  • path R is parallel to path P between inlet station 13 and outlet station 14, even more particular path R is also parallel to path Q.
  • each head 15 comprises:
  • each head 15 also comprises an inlet opening (known as such and not shown) allowing to feed the pourable product into the respective flow channel.
  • each head 15 also comprises an actuator (known as such and not shown) adapted to control the respective shutter 35, in particular at least between an open position at which the respective shutter 35 allows the pourable product, in use, to flow from the respective outlet mouth 34 into the respective bottle 2 and a closed position at which the respective shutter 35 prevents the pourable product to flow through the respective outlet mouth 34 into the respective bottle 2.
  • an actuator known as such and not shown
  • each head 15 also comprises a pressurizing channel 15 adapted be in fluid connection with the inner space of the respective bottle 2.
  • each pressurizing channel 15 is adapted to at least feet a pressurizing fluid, in particular carbon dioxide, into the respective bottle 2 for pressurizing the respective bottle 2, in particular prior to the filling of the respective bottle 2 with the pourable product and, preferably, for receiving fluids, in particular the pressurizing fluid, present in the respective bottle 2 during the filling of the respective bottle 2 with the pourable product.
  • a pressurizing fluid in particular carbon dioxide
  • the pressurizing channel 15 is fluidically connected to a pressurizing fluid source, even more particular the pressuring channel is adapted to establish, in use, a fluid connection between the pressurizing fluid source and the respective bottle 2.
  • each head 15 also comprises a first control valve member interacting with a first valve seat provided within the respective pressurizing channel 15 for controlling, in use, the flow of the pressurizing fluid from the pressurizing fluid source through the respective pressurizing channel 15 into the respective bottle 2.
  • each first control valve member is configured to at least open or close the fluid connection between the pressurizing fluid source and the respective bottle 2.
  • each head 15 also comprises a decompression channel (not shown and known as such) adapted to establish a fluid connection with the inner space of the respective bottle 2.
  • each decompression channel is adapted to receive, in use, a residual fluid, in particular a residual gas, remaining within the respective bottle 2 after the filling of the respective bottle 2 with the pourable product and to direct the fluid away from the respective bottle 2.
  • each head 15 also comprises a second control valve member interacting with a second valve seat provided within the respective decompression channel for controlling, in particular for opening and closing, in use, the fluid connection of the respective decompression channel with the inner space of the respective bottle 2.
  • each head 15 also comprises a gripping device, in particular a clamp 37, for retaining the respective bottle 2, in particular, in use, during advancement of the respective bottle 2 along path P.
  • each gripping device, in particular each clamp 37 is moveable into a direction D2 parallel to axis E for, in use, approaching or withdrawing the respective bottle 2 to or from the respective outlet mouth 34.
  • each gripping device, in particular each clamp 37 is adapted to rotate around axis E.
  • each head 15 also comprises an actuation group 38 (only partially shown to the extent necessary for the comprehension of the present invention) for at least actuating rotation of the respective bottle 2 around its longitudinal axis A into a first direction of rotation and into a second direction of rotation.
  • actuation group 38 (only partially shown to the extent necessary for the comprehension of the present invention) for at least actuating rotation of the respective bottle 2 around its longitudinal axis A into a first direction of rotation and into a second direction of rotation.
  • first direction of rotation is anti-clockwise and the second direction of rotation is clockwise.
  • each main body 32 comprises:
  • each first rotation coupling element in particular each bearing 43, is adapted to permit rotation of the respective inner end portion 41 around the first rotation axis into the first direction of rotation and is adapted to prevent rotation of the respective inner end portion 41 around the first rotation axis into the second direction of rotation; and each second rotation coupling element, in particular each bearing 43, is adapted to permit rotation of the respective outer portion 42 around the respective second rotation axis into both the first direction of rotation and the second direction of rotation.
  • each inner end portion 41 is adapted to rotate around the respective first rotation axis into the first direction of rotation only and each outer portion 42 is adapted to rotate around the respective second rotation axis into the first direction of rotation and into the second direction of rotation.
  • each gripping device in particular the respective clamp 37, is adapted to rotate around axis E into the first direction of rotation and into the second direction of rotation due to its connection to the respective outer portion 42; and each outlet mouth 34 and the respective centering device are adapted to rotate around the respective first rotation axis only into the first direction of rotation.
  • each head 15 is configured such that, in use, during a filling of the respective bottle 2 with the pourable product, the respective actuation group 38 is configured to actuate rotation of the respective bottle 2 into the first direction of rotation and during the application, in particular the fastening of the respective closure 3 on the respective bottle 2, the actuation group 38 is configured to actuate rotation of the respective bottle 2 into the second direction of rotation.
  • each head 15 is configured such that in use, during the filling of the respective bottle 2, the respective bottle 2 and the respective outlet mouth 34 (and the respective centering device) rotate around respectively axis A and the respective first rotation axis and during the application, in particular the fastening, of the respective closure 3 onto the respective bottle 2, bottle 2 rotates around axis A, while the respective centering device (and the respective outlet mouth 34) are nonrotating around the respective first rotation axis.
  • each bearing 43 comprises an outer annular ring coupled to the respective actuation group 38 and an inner annular ring coupled to the respective inner end portion 41, and, in particular thereby to outlet mouth 34 and the respective centering device.
  • Each bearing 43 also comprises a plurality of rolling elements interposed between and coupling the respective inner annular ring and the respective inner annular ring.
  • the respective inner annular ring is adapted to rotate around the respective first rotation axis into the first direction of rotation and is adapted to prevent rotation around the respective first rotation axis into the second direction of rotation, in particular as a consequence of the interaction between the respective outer annular ring, the respective rolling elements and the respective inner annular ring.
  • each bearing 43 is of the free-wheel type.
  • Each bearing 44 comprises an outer annular ring coupled to the respective actuation group 38 and an inner annular ring coupled to the respective outer portion 42.
  • the inner annular ring is adapted to rotate around the respective second rotation axis into both the first direction of rotation and the second direction of rotation.
  • Each bearing 44 also comprises a plurality of rolling elements interposed between and coupling the respective outer annular ring and the respective inner annular ring with each other.
  • each outlet mouth 34 comprises an outlet opening 45 through which, in use, the pourable product flows out of head 15 into the respective bottle 2, having a substantially circular cross-section, the cross-section having a first inner diameter.
  • the first inner diameter is selected according to the size of the inlet/outlet opening of the kind of bottles, which are treated by machine 1.
  • each outlet mouth 34 comprises an engagement element, in particular a seal element 46, at least partially surrounding the respective outlet opening 45 and adapted to engage, in use, with the respective bottle 2, in particular the respective neck 8, in particular for sealing the inner space of the respective bottle 2 from an outer environment.
  • engagement element in particular a seal element 46
  • each centering device comprises, in particular is, a centering ring 47 being adapted to receive and to retain one respective closure 3.
  • each centering ring 47 is coaxially arranged with respect to the respective outlet mouth 34 (and the respective outlet opening 45).
  • each centering ring 47 has a second inner diameter being larger than the second inner diameter, in particular each centering ring 47 having a circular cross-section.
  • the second inner diameter being determined by an outer diameter of the respective closure 3.
  • each centering ring 47 is removably mounted, in particular to the respective inner end portion 41, so as to exchange a first kind of centering ring 47 having a given second inner diameter with a second kind of centering ring 47 having a second inner diameter distinct from the second inner diameter of the first kind of centering ring 47.
  • This is of advantage during a format change, so as to adopt head 15, in particular the centering device, to interact with a different kind of closure 3 having a different outer diameter.
  • each centering ring 47 is arranged downstream, in particular directly downstream from the respective outlet mouth 34 (and the respective outlet opening 45) with respect to the flow direction of the pourable product.
  • each centering ring 47 comprises an inner lateral interaction surface 48 adapted to interact with the respective outer lateral surface 4 of the respective closure 3.
  • each inner lateral interaction surface 48 comprises a plurality of ridges (and grooves as a consequence) adapted to engage with the respective grooves of the respective outer lateral surface 4 so as to increase, in use, the friction between inner lateral interaction surface 48 and closure 3. This is advantageous, so as to ensure that, in use, during the application, in particular the fastening) of the respective closure 3 onto the respective bottle 2, the respective closure 3 is securely retained by the respective centering ring 47.
  • each centering ring 47 also comprises a plurality of further interaction elements (not shown), in particular interaction spheres, at least partially protruding away from the respective inner lateral interaction surface 48 and being adapted to apply, in use, a radial force onto the respective closure 3 for further securing the clamping of the respective closure 3 within the respective centering ring 47.
  • further interaction elements not shown, in particular interaction spheres, at least partially protruding away from the respective inner lateral interaction surface 48 and being adapted to apply, in use, a radial force onto the respective closure 3 for further securing the clamping of the respective closure 3 within the respective centering ring 47.
  • each clamp 37 comprises a first clamp finger 49 and a second clamp finger 50 adapted to grip in cooperation the respective bottle 2.
  • the respective clamp finger 40 and the respective clamp finger 50 are adapted to engage the respective bottle 2 from opposites thereof.
  • each clamp 37 in particular the respective clamp finger 49 and the respective clamp finger 50, comprise a plurality of interaction members (not shown) protruding towards the respective outlet mouth 34 and being adapted to interact with an annular protrusion 51 of the respective neck 8 so as to increase the clamping force acting on the respective bottle 2.
  • each actuation group 38 comprises:
  • each transmission element 52 is coupled to the respective inner end portion 41 through the respective bearing 43; and to the respective outer portion 42 through the respective bearing 44.
  • rotation of the respective transmission element 52 around the respective axis E into the first direction of rotation leads to rotation of the respective inner end portion 41 and the respective outer end portion 42 around the respective axis E into the first direction of rotation and rotation of the respective transmission element 52 around the respective axis E into the second direction of rotation leads to rotation of the respective the respective outer end portion 42 around the respective axis E into the second direction of rotation while the respective inner end portion 41 is nonrotating with respect to (around) the respective axis E.
  • each head 15 also comprises a displacement group 56 adapted to move the respective gripping device, in particular the respective clamp 37, into the respective direction D2.
  • each displacement group 56 is connected to the respective outer portion 42 so as to move the respective gripping device, in particular the respective clamp 37, together with the respective outer portion 42 into the respective direction D2.
  • each displacement group 56 is adapted to control the respective gripping device, in particular the respective clamp 37, into:
  • each displacement group 56 is configured to bias the respective displacement device, in particular the respective clamp 37, into the proximal position.
  • displacement group 56 is configured to exert a biasing force such to bias the respective gripping device, in particular the respective clamp 37 in the proximal position.
  • each displacement group 56 also comprises an interaction assembly adapted to interact with a cam mechanism (not shown) of machine 1 so as to move the respective clamp 37 into the distal position, in particular through interaction with the cam mechanism.
  • closure feeding apparatus 17 is adapted to feed closures 3 to heads 15 at a cap delivery station 57 and to insert closures 3 into the respective centering devices, in particular into the respective centering ring 47.
  • closure feeding apparatus 17 is adapted to advance closures 3 along a closure feeding path S comprising at least an initial portion S1 having a circular shape (i.e. when superimposing the shape of S1 onto a circle having a defined radius, S1 covers the respective section of the respective circle), at least an intermediate portion S2 having a non-circular shape (i.e. when superimposing the shape of S2 onto a respective circle having a defined radius, S2 does not cover the respective section of the respective circle) downstream of portion S1 along path S, and at least a final portion S3 having a circular shape (i.e. when superimposing the shape of S3 onto a respective circle having a defined radius, S3 covers the respective section of the respective circle) and being parallel to a section of path P and being downstream of portion S2 along path S (see in particular Figure 7 ).
  • closure feeding apparatus 17 is also adapted to advance closures 3 into a first advancement direction and into a second advancement direction, being transversal, in particular perpendicular, to the first advancement direction, when, in use, closures 3 are placed in the proximity of the respective head 15, in particular of the respective centering device.
  • apparatus 17 comprises:
  • support arms 60 are equally spaced angularly around axis F.
  • each support arm 60 is substantially transversal to axis F and is arranged on conveying carousel 58 in such a manner to be adapted to move into a radial direction RD for being moved between an extracted configuration at which the respective support arm 60 is extracted and a retracted configuration at which the respective support arm 60 is retracted.
  • each support arm 60 is configured to be in its respective retracted configuration at pick-up station 59 and to be in its respective extracted configuration at station 57.
  • each support arm 60 is also arranged on conveying carousel 58 in such a manner that at least an end portion 61 of support arm 60 is adapted to be moved into a direction parallel to axis F, in particular parallel to axis B and axis E, in particular in the area of station 57.
  • each end portion 61 is adapted to be moved between a base position and an elevated position for delivering the respective closure 3 into the respective centering device.
  • each support arm 60 also comprises a first control group 62 adapted to control the respective support arm 60 itself between the respective retracted configuration and extracted configuration.
  • the respective control group 62 is adapted to interact with a cam 63 of apparatus 17 for moving the respective support arm 60 between the retracted configuration and the extracted configuration.
  • each control group 62 comprises at least a cam follower 64 adapted to interact with cam 63 for moving the respective support arm 60 between the retracted configuration and the extracted configuration.
  • each support arm 60 comprises biasing means (not shown) for biasing the respective support arm 60 into the retracted configuration and the control group 62 is adapted to move, in particular through interaction of the respective cam follower 64 with cam 63, the respective support arm 60 into its extracted configuration.
  • each support arm 60 also comprises a second control group (not shown) adapted to control the respective end portion 61 between the respective base position and the elevated position.
  • a second control group (not shown) adapted to control the respective end portion 61 between the respective base position and the elevated position.
  • each second control group comprises at least a support bar (not shown) carrying the respective end portion 61 and being moveable into a direction parallel to axis F.
  • each second control group also comprises a respective cam follower (not shown) adapted to interact with a further cam (not shown) of apparatus 17 so as to move the respective support bar, in particular up and down.
  • each apparatus 17 also comprises a closure feeder 65 adapted to feed closures 3, in particular sterile closures 3, to pick-up station 59.
  • closure feeder 65 comprises a closure storage 66 for providing for closures 3 and a feeding channel 67 adapted to guide closures 3 from closure storage 65 to pick-up station 59.
  • machine 1 fills bottles 2 with the pourable product and applies (and fastens) one respective closure 3 onto bottles 2 after their filling with the pourable product.
  • machine 1 also applies at least one respective label sheets 2 onto bottles 2, in particular during the filling of the bottles 2.
  • machine 1 is adapted to treat a succession of bottles 2.
  • the method will be explained in detail on the example of one bottle 2.
  • the treatment of the other bottles 2 of the succession of bottles 2 is accordingly.
  • the method of operation of machine 1 comprises at least:
  • the method also comprises a labeling phase during which at least one respective label sheet is applied on bottle 2, in particular at labeling application station 20.
  • the labeling phase is executed during execution of the filling phase or execution of the capping phase.
  • the method also comprises a feeding phase during which bottle 2, in particular empty bottle 2, is fed at inlet station 13 to the respective head 15.
  • bottle 2 is advanced by inlet star wheel 21 to inlet station 13.
  • the method also comprises an outlet phase during which bottle 2, in particular filled and capped bottle 2, even more particular filled, capped and labeled bottle 2, is delivered from the respective head 15 to delivery station 14.
  • bottle 2 is delivered from the respective head 15 to outlet star wheel 22.
  • bottle 2 is received by the respective filling-and-capping head 15 at inlet station 13 and advances along path P to outlet station 14 through rotation of conveying carousel 12 around axis B while being retained by the respective gripping device, in particular the respective clamp 37.
  • the respective head 15 advances along path R through rotation of conveying carousel 12 around axis B through inlet station 13 and outlet station 14.
  • the respective gripping device in particular the respective clamp 37, being in the distal position at inlet station 13 and at outlet station 14. Even more specifically, the respective gripping device is controlled by the respective displacement group 56 into the proximal position, in particular through interaction with the cam mechanism, at inlet station 13 and outlet station 14.
  • the respective pedestal 31 of the respective support unit 18 is in its base position at inlet station 13 and outlet station 14 so that bottle 2 is detached from the respective bottle 2 at inlet station 13 and outlet station 14 (i.e. there is no contact between the respective pedestal 31 and bottle 2).
  • the respective support unit 18, in particular pedestal 31, is positioned to support and center bottle 2. This also means that the respective support unit 18 follows the displacements bottle 2 is subjected to during advancement of bottle 2 along path P.
  • the respective gripping device in particular the respective clamp 37, is moved into its proximal position, in particular by actuation of the respective displacement group 56.
  • the cam mechanism is such that the interaction with the respective displacement group 56 is such that there is no force exerted counteracting the biasing force.
  • the respective shutter 35 is controlled into its respective open position so that the pourable product flows from the respective flow channel 33 through the respective outlet mouth 34, in particular the respective outlet opening 45, into bottle 2.
  • the respective gripping device in particular clamp 37
  • the respective outlet mouth 34 in particular the respective engagement element and the respective centering device, in particular the respective centering ring 47, by actuation of the respective displacement group 56.
  • the respective displacement group 56 interacts with the cam mechanism (for counter-acting the biasing force) so that the respective gripping device, in particular the respective clamp 37, is moved from the proximal position towards the distal position.
  • the final sub-phase is executed such that the space between bottle 2 and the centering device, in particular centering ring 47 allows insertion of the respective closure 3 into the space at cap delivery station 57.
  • a pressurizing sub-phase during which a pressurizing fluid is directed into bottle 2 and a decompression sub-phase is executed.
  • the pressurizing sub-phase is executed before the pouring sub-phase and the decompression sub-phase is executed after the pouring sub-phase.
  • the pressurizing fluid flows through the respective pressuring channel 36 into bottle 2.
  • the residual fluid remaining in bottle 2 after its filling is evacuated from bottle 2.
  • the residual fluid is directed away from bottle 2 through the respective decompression channel.
  • a first rotation sub-phase is executed during which bottle 2 is rotated around axis A into the first direction at least during a section of portion P1.
  • the respective actuation group 38 actuates rotation of the respective outer portion 42, which carries the respective gripping device, in particular the respective clamp 37, around the respective second rotation axis into the first direction of rotation.
  • the respective outlet mouth 34 (together with the respective outlet opening 45 and the respective engagement element, in particular the respective seal element 46) rotates around the respective first rotation axis into the first direction of rotation as bearing 43 allows for rotation in the first direction of rotation.
  • the respective centering device in particular the respective centering ring 47, rotates around the respective first rotation axis.
  • the labeling phase is executed at the same time as the first rotation sub-phase.
  • capping phase comprises at least the following sub-phases:
  • the respective closure 3 is interposed between bottle 2, in particular the respective neck 8, and the respective centering device, in particular the respective centering ring 47.
  • the respective closure 3 is positioned within the space between bottle 2 and the respective centering device, in particular generated during the final sub-phase.
  • the respective closure 3 advances below and parallel to the respective head 15, in particular the respective centering device.
  • the respective closure 3 advances along path S, in particular at first along portion S1, then along portion S2 and finally along portion S3.
  • the respective closure 3 is retained by the respective support arm 60, in particular the respective end portion 61.
  • the respective closure 3 is fed to pick-up station 59 to the respective support arm 60, in particular being in the retraced configuration. Then, the respective closure 3 advances along portion S1, in particular as a consequence of rotation of conveying carousel 58 around axis F while the respective support arm 60 remains in its retracted configuration.
  • the closure 3 advances along portion S2, in particular as a consequence of the rotation of conveying carousel 58 around axis F and the movement of the respective support arm 60 from the respective retracted configuration to the respective extracted configuration.
  • the respective support arm 60 moves to its extracted configuration as a consequence of actuation of the respective control group 62, even more particular as a consequence of the interaction with cam 63.
  • closure 3 continues to advance along portion S3.
  • the respective closure 3 advances the respective closure 3 advances into a first advancement direction and into a second advancement direction, wherein the first advancement direction and the second advancement direction are transversal to one another.
  • the closure 3 respective advancement path of closure 3 comprises a linear component, in particular due to a relative movement along the first advancement direction towards and into the respective centering device, and a circular component, in particular parallel to a section of portion P2 (in other words, the respective closure 3 advances such to be coaxial to the respective centering device, in particular the respective centering ring 47.
  • respective closure 3 is linearly moved relative to the respective centering device.
  • respective closure 3 is moved upwards towards and into the respective centering device, in particular the respective centering ring 47, until being retained by the respective centering device.
  • the respective closure 3 is supported by the respective support arm 60, in particular the respective end portion 61.
  • the respective support arm 60 in particular the respective end portion 61.
  • parallel to axis F leads to movement of the respective end portion 61 and the respective closure 3 into the same direction parallel to axis F.
  • the circular component of the respective advancement path during the insertion sub-phase is a consequence of the rotation of conveying carousel 58 and the linear component results from the movement of the respective support bar.
  • the respective support arm 60 is distanced from the respective closure 3 and the respective head 15.
  • the respective end portion 61 is detached from the respective closure 3 and the respective support arm 60 is controlled into its retracted configuration.
  • the approaching sub-phase is executed after the insertion of the respective closure 3 into the respective centering device.
  • the respective gripping device in particular the respective clamp 37 is moved into its proximal position so as to establish contact between bottle 2 and the respective closure 3.
  • the respective displacement group 56 biases the respective gripping device into its proximal position so that bottle 2, in particular neck 8 contact one another.
  • the respective centering device in particular the respective centering ring 47, is nonrotating around its central axis as is, as a consequence, the respective closure 3.
  • the respective actuation group 38 actuates rotation of the respective outer portion 42 around the respective second rotation axis into the second direction of rotation resulting into rotation of the respective gripping device, in particular the respective clamp 37 around axis E.
  • the respective first rotation coupling element in particular the respective bearing 43, locks the rotation of the respective inner end portion 41, i.e. the respective inner end portion 41 is impeded from rotating (is nonrotating) around the respective first rotation axis.
  • the respective bottle 2 together with the respective fastened closure 3 are distanced from the respective head 15, in particular by controlling the respective gripping device into the respective distal position.
  • the method also comprises a closure expelling phase, in particular to be executed after the capping phase, during which the closure is expelled, in particular by a pressurized fluid, from the respective centering device, in the case that during the capping phase the respective closure 3 is not correctly applied on bottle 2 (and the respective closure 3 remains within the respective centering device).
  • a closure expelling phase in particular to be executed after the capping phase, during which the closure is expelled, in particular by a pressurized fluid, from the respective centering device, in the case that during the capping phase the respective closure 3 is not correctly applied on bottle 2 (and the respective closure 3 remains within the respective centering device).
  • the pressurized fluid is provided by the respective pressuring channel 36.
  • the method also comprises an analysis phase during which the presence or non-presence of the respective closure 3 on bottle 2 is detected and/or determined and the closure expelling phase is executed if the non-presence is detected and/or determined during the analysis phase.
  • machine 1 allows to obtain a more compact packaging machine by combining at least the filling and capping within one single packaging machine.
  • An even compacted packaging machine is obtained by combining filling, labeling and capping.
  • a further advantage resides in that the filling-and-capping heads 15 are simple in structure as the centering device for retaining the respective closure 3 can be easily mounted.
  • centering device can be easily removed from the respective head 15 and can be exchanged by a new respective centering device, e.g. needed due to a format change.
  • a further advantage is that the heads 15 allow to rotate bottles 2 around the respective axes A and to simultaneously rotate the respective outlet mouths 24 so as to avoid any relative motion of the bottles 2 with respect to the respective outlet mouths 24. This allows to accelerate the filling of bottles 2 and to avoid any wear of the respective outlet mouths 24 due to a relative motion between bottles 2 and the respective outlet mouths 24. As well, rotation of bottles 2 around the respective axes A is possible during the capping while not rotating the respective closures 3.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Filling Of Jars Or Cans And Processes For Cleaning And Sealing Jars (AREA)
EP17306159.9A 2017-09-08 2017-09-08 Verfahren und maschine zum füllen und verschliessen von behältern Withdrawn EP3453629A1 (de)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP17306159.9A EP3453629A1 (de) 2017-09-08 2017-09-08 Verfahren und maschine zum füllen und verschliessen von behältern

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP17306159.9A EP3453629A1 (de) 2017-09-08 2017-09-08 Verfahren und maschine zum füllen und verschliessen von behältern

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP3453629A1 true EP3453629A1 (de) 2019-03-13

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Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN113788448A (zh) * 2021-09-03 2021-12-14 淮北矿业股份有限公司淮北选煤厂 煤炭样品的封装转运机构
CN115257188A (zh) * 2022-07-15 2022-11-01 嘉善天翔现代办公用品有限公司 一种墨盒自动装配生产装置及方法
CN117550184A (zh) * 2024-01-12 2024-02-13 北京翰林航宇科技发展股份公司 密闭数粒旋盖机

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0414031A1 (de) * 1989-08-21 1991-02-27 ALFILL GETRÄNKETECHNIK GmbH Verfahren und Vorrichtung zum Füllen von Behältern
DE4039434A1 (de) * 1990-12-11 1992-06-17 Harald R Bruder Verfahren und vorrichtung zum verschliessen von behaeltern durch aufbringen von behaelterverschluessen in einer fuellmaschine
WO2010149233A1 (en) * 2009-06-26 2010-12-29 Sidel S.P.A. Con Socio Unico Liquid bottling method and machine, in particular for carbonated liquids or oxygen sensitive liquids

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0414031A1 (de) * 1989-08-21 1991-02-27 ALFILL GETRÄNKETECHNIK GmbH Verfahren und Vorrichtung zum Füllen von Behältern
DE4039434A1 (de) * 1990-12-11 1992-06-17 Harald R Bruder Verfahren und vorrichtung zum verschliessen von behaeltern durch aufbringen von behaelterverschluessen in einer fuellmaschine
WO2010149233A1 (en) * 2009-06-26 2010-12-29 Sidel S.P.A. Con Socio Unico Liquid bottling method and machine, in particular for carbonated liquids or oxygen sensitive liquids

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN113788448A (zh) * 2021-09-03 2021-12-14 淮北矿业股份有限公司淮北选煤厂 煤炭样品的封装转运机构
CN113788448B (zh) * 2021-09-03 2022-05-27 淮北矿业股份有限公司淮北选煤厂 煤炭样品的封装转运机构
CN115257188A (zh) * 2022-07-15 2022-11-01 嘉善天翔现代办公用品有限公司 一种墨盒自动装配生产装置及方法
CN117550184A (zh) * 2024-01-12 2024-02-13 北京翰林航宇科技发展股份公司 密闭数粒旋盖机
CN117550184B (zh) * 2024-01-12 2024-04-09 北京翰林航宇科技发展股份公司 密闭数粒旋盖机

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