EP3584180B1 - Device for closing a container - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a device for closing a container by means of a cover film, with a lower part, at least one receptacle for the container mounted in the lower part, an upper part mounted in the lower part, a sealing device mounted in the upper part and a device for locking the upper part and lower part, wherein the Upper part is movable with respect to the lower part and can be converted from an open to a closed position and in the opposite direction.

Such devices are suitable for closing containers made of plastic, aluminum, paper, cardboard or the like by means of a covering film made of plastic or aluminum. However, papers that are laminated with a sealable film are also possible.

From the DE 100 31 356 A1 a device of the type mentioned is known. In this case, the receptacle for the container is mounted in the lower part in a vertically flexible manner. As a result, the receptacle received by the receptacle is pressed down together with the receptacle when, when the upper part is transferred into the closed position, the sealing device mounted in the upper part touches the receptacle and the covering film resting on it Sealing process acts. The receptacle, which is designed as a shell frame, receives a certain type of container or type of shell whose edge dimensions are matched to the frame geometry, because the container rests on the frame in the area of its edge. If different types of receptacles are to be closed, it is necessary to replace the receptacle with another receptacle.

From the DE 87 01 301 U1 a device is also known which has the features of the type mentioned above. In this case, the receptacle is designed as a shell turning frame. This rests on a flat area of the lower part. The reversible shell frame can accommodate two different types of containers, based on their edge design, with one type of container being inserted into the reversible frame from above when the reversible frame is in the appropriate position and the other type of container is then likewise inserted into it from above after the reversible frame has been reversed. This design of the receptacle as a reversible frame thus ensures a more universal use with regard to different types of containers.

Further prior art are the WO 2014/056806 and the US 2008/148690 A1 , each of which relates to a device for closing a container.

The object of the present invention is to develop a device of the type mentioned at the beginning in such a way that it can be used for different types of containers with the simplest structural design.

The object is achieved by a device which has the features of claim 1.

In the device it is provided that the lower part has a first support on one level for supporting a first receptacle for a type of container and on a level different from the first support a second support for supporting a second receptacle for a type of container.

The device thus provides different supports that are at different levels in the lower part. On these different ones

Different recordings can be positioned on the levels. When the device is operated, that receptacle is selected which is provided for the respective container type and is positioned on the support assigned to this receptacle.

In particular, it is provided that the two levels are arranged parallel to one another. In particular, the two levels are arranged parallel to a support plane of the device on a floor. Since, when the upper part is in the closed position, the sealing device stored in the upper part is usually at a constant level, parallel to the different levels of the supports of the lower part, recordings are used that have different heights. The edition that is at the higher level takes a relatively thinner recording than the other edition that is at a lower level. The upper level of the respective receptacle is the same in the above-described arrangement of the sealing device in the upper part.

The respective receptacle is designed in particular as a sealing frame. The sealing frame defines an opening into which the respective container is inserted. The surrounding edge of the container rests on the sealing frame. The cover film is connected to the container in the edge area. Two sealing frames can be combined in one unit, so that this receptacle presents itself as a turning frame or a shell turning frame.

In particular, it is provided that the first support is arranged at a higher level than the second support, the first support having support sections arranged at a distance from one another, and the first receptacle resting on the support sections. This design enables a very simple and inexpensive design of the device, especially in the area of the first edition.

In particular, the device is designed to save material in the area of the first receptacle if the first receptacle is flat, preferably designed as a plate. The plate is in particular in its storage plane rectangular. In particular, the first receptacle has an opening which is adapted to the outer contour of the type of container to be received by this receptacle for the inserted receptacle of the container.

It is considered to be particularly advantageous if the lower part is essentially formed from a sheet metal, in particular a one-piece sheet metal. This makes it possible to design the device with a reduced use of material and thus a relatively low weight. The lower part can also be made particularly simple from the sheet metal, by bending or kinking sheet metal sections.

The sheet metal is preferably made of steel, in particular it consists of stainless steel. Stainless steel is of particular advantage from the point of view of the hygienic conditions that must be placed on the device when used in the food sector.

The sheet metal has, in particular, bends to form the support sections which are arranged in one plane and on which the first receptacle rests.

The lower part can be formed exclusively from the sheet metal. For this purpose, the individual sheet metal sections produced by kinks are arranged in such a way that they stabilize themselves or the lower part. If necessary, not only the reshaped sheet metal is used to form the lower part, but also connecting means, such as riveted connections or screw connections. The connecting means can, however, also be a welded connection.

The sheet metal of the lower part preferably forms parallel wall sections of the lower part arranged at a distance from one another and the kinks are connected to the parallel wall sections in the area of kink lines, the kinks being arranged facing one another. This results in a particularly space-saving design of the lower part with the maximum internal space remaining free for the formation of the receptacle, which is mounted on the lower level is. Sufficient space is thus made available to accommodate the turning frame.

The first receptacle is preferably fixed laterally, in the direction from one to the other support section, in the lower part, in particular positive locking means are provided which fix the first receptacle in the lower part. This ensures a sufficiently secure positioning of the first receptacle in the lower part.

The second support serves in particular to support the second receptacle, which is designed as a turning frame. This reversible frame preferably has, based on a position of the reversible frame, a first opening on an upper side, which is adapted to the outer contour of the type of container to be accommodated by the interchangeable frame in the area of this upper side, for the inserted accommodation of this container, and a second opening on its underside , which is adapted to the outer contour of the type of container to be received by the turning frame in the area of this underside, for the inserted reception of this container, wherein in a first turning position of the turning frame the first opening is arranged above and the second opening is arranged below, and in a second turning position of the turning frame the the first opening is arranged below and the second opening is arranged above.

The second support preferably has a flat support surface for the second receptacle. In particular, the support surface has an extension in a longitudinal direction that is at least as large as the extension of the second receptacle in its longitudinal direction and the support surface has an extension in a transverse direction that is at least as large as the extension of the second receptacle in its transverse direction.

The second receptacle preferably has a storage level for the type of container to be received by this receptacle, which corresponds to the storage level of the first receptacle for the type of container to be received by this receptacle. When a plate-shaped receptacle is formed, its storage level thus corresponds to the storage level of the turning frame in its respective upper area.

In particular, the device is basically designed in such a way that a cutting knife arranged parallel to a pivot axis of the upper part in the lower part for separating the covering film and / or a supply roll with covering film is supported in the lower part.

The device is preferably also designed such that the device for locking has a rotatable component mounted in the upper part with an eccentric receptacle and a cylindrical component mounted in the lower part for engaging the eccentric receptacle. This ensures a secure connection of the upper part and the lower part in the closed position of the upper part, with the simple possibility of locking the upper part and the lower part together, thus holding them in a defined position and releasing the locking again in order to transfer the upper part into the open position to be able to.

Further features of the invention are presented in the description of the figures and in the subclaims, it being noted that all individual features and all combinations of individual features are essential to the invention.

Fig. 1

eine Vorrichtung zum Verschließen eines Behältnisses mittels einer Bedeckelungsfolie, veranschaulicht in einer räumlichen Darstellung, für eine im Unterteil gelagerte, auf einem relativ hohen Niveau angeordnete Aufnahme für einen Behältnistyp, mit in die Aufnahme eingesetztem Behälter,

Fig. 2

die Anordnung gemäß Fig. 1 in einer Stirnansicht, von der Bedienerseite der Vorrichtung gesehen,

Fig. 3

eine Vorrichtung zum Verschließen eines Behältnisses mittels einer Bedeckelungsfolie, veranschaulicht in einer räumlichen Darstellung, für eine im Unterteil gelagerte, auf einem relativ niedrigen Niveau angeordnete Aufnahme für einen Behältnistyp, mit in die Aufnahme eingesetztem Behälter,

Fig. 4

die Anordnung gemäß Fig. 3 in einer Stirnansicht, von der Bedienerseite der Vorrichtung gesehen.

In the figures, the invention is shown in one embodiment, for example, without being restricted to this embodiment. It shows:

Fig. 1

a device for closing a container by means of a cover film, illustrated in a three-dimensional representation, for a receptacle stored in the lower part and arranged at a relatively high level for a type of container with a container inserted into the receptacle,

Fig. 2

the arrangement according to Fig. 1 in a front view, seen from the operator side of the device,

Fig. 3

a device for closing a container by means of a cover film, illustrated in a three-dimensional representation, for one stored in the lower part and arranged at a relatively low level Holder for a container type, with the container inserted into the holder,

Fig. 4

the arrangement according to Fig. 3 in an end view, seen from the operator side of the device.

Figure description

The figures show a device 1 for closing a container 22 by means of a cover film. The device 1 has a lower part 2, an upper part 3 mounted in the lower part 2, a sealing device 4 mounted in the upper part 3 and a device 5 for locking the lower part 2 and the upper part 3. The upper part 3 is movable with respect to the lower part 2 and can be transferred from an open position illustrated in the figures into a closed position and in the opposite direction.

In the upper part 3, a separating knife 7, which is arranged parallel to a pivot axis 6 of the upper part 3 in the lower part 2, is arranged for separating the covering film in the area of the container 22 next to it. When the upper part 3 is moved into its closed position, i.e. the upper part 3 with its end facing away from the pivot axis 6 towards the lower part 2, the separating knife 7 contacts a cutting bar 8 stored in the lower part 2 and cuts through the covering film. The heated sealing device 4 makes contact with the container 22 and the covering film lying on it and closes or seals the container 22. On the side facing away from the operator, behind the upper part 3, a cylindrical roller 9 is provided in the lower part 2 for storing a roll wrapped with the covering film . The cover film is pulled from this under the lower part 2 and placed on the container 22. The device 5 for locking has a rotatable component 10 mounted in the upper part 3, which has an eccentric receptacle 11, and a cylindrical component 12 mounted in the lower part 2 for engagement in the eccentric receptacle 11. When the upper part is transferred from its open position to the almost closed position, the cylindrical component 12 engages in the eccentric receptacle 11 of the component 10 and a pivoting of the component 10 by means of a pivoting handle 13 causes the eccentric receptacle 11 to pivot further with respect to the cylindrical component 12, whereby the upper part 3 is increasingly locked with respect to the lower part 2, specifically the upper part 3 is pivoted slightly further in the direction of the lower part 2 . After the container has been closed by means of the covering film, the swivel handle 13 is moved in the opposite direction, thereby releasing the lock so that the upper part 3 can then be swiveled back into its open position in order to remove the closed container and another container in the open position to be used there for the purpose of closing.

The lower part 2 has a first support 14 for mounting a first receptacle 15 for a container type and, on a level different from the first support 14, a second support 16 for mounting a second receptacle 17 for a container type. The level of the first receptacle 15 is illustrated with N1 and the level of the second support 16 with N2. The two levels N1, N2 are arranged parallel to one another and also parallel to a support plane 18 of the device 1 on a floor.

The first support 14 is thus at a higher level than the second support 16. The first support 14 has support sections 19, 20 arranged at a distance from one another. The first receptacle 15 rests on these support sections 19, 20. The support sections 19, 20 are designed as horizontally arranged plate sections and their upper surfaces form the level N1. On these two support sections 19, 20 is thus, as the representations of the Fig. 1 and 2 can be seen, the first recording 15 on. This receptacle 15 is flat, as a rectangular plate in its storage plane. The receptacle 15 is designed as a sealing frame. It has an opening 21, which is adapted to the outer contour of the type of container to be received by the receptacle 15 or plate, for the inserted receptacle of the container.

Like that Fig. 1 and 2 As can be seen, the receptacle 15 or the plate receives a container 22 inserted into the opening 21. This is shown without content. The container 22 has only one container space and is provided with an upper circumferential edge 23, in the area of which the container 22 rests on the receptacle 15. The container 22 is thus inserted from above into the opening 21 of the receptacle 15. The cover film (not illustrated) is pulled over this container 22, which rolls off the supply roll, then the upper part 3 is transferred from the open to the closed position, the device 5 for locking is actuated and the activated sealing device 4 seals the cover film and Container in the area of its edge 23. After the sealing process, the device 5 is unlocked and the upper part 3 is returned to its open position. The sealed container 22 can then be removed and a container 22 of the same container type can be inserted into the opening 21. The same type of container is understood to mean quite different containers which, however, have to be suitable in terms of their dimensions to be received by the opening 21 when the edge 23 rests on the receptacle 15. Containers with different subdivisions and different depths can thus be used.

The lower part 2 is essentially formed from a sheet metal, in particular a one-piece sheet metal. In particular, it is made of stainless steel. Connecting means for connecting sheet metal sections of the lower part also form part of the lower part 2. For example, connecting means are used which are formed by rivet connections, screw connections or welded connections.

The sheet metal has kinks 24 to form the support sections 19, 20 arranged in one plane. The sheet metal of the lower part 2 forms parallel wall sections 25, 26 of the lower part 2 arranged at a distance from one another. The kinks 24 are connected to the parallel wall sections 25, 26 in the area of kink lines. The bends 24 are directed towards one another.

The first receptacle 15 is fixed laterally in the direction from one support section 19 to the other support section 20 in the lower part 2, in particular by means of positive locking means. They ensure precise positioning of the receptacle 15 with respect to the lower part in the effective direction of the form-fitting means.

The second support 16 has a flat support surface 27 for the second receptacle 17. The support surface 27 has an extension in a longitudinal direction, thus in the direction perpendicular to the pivot axis 6 of the upper part 3, which is at least as large as the extension of the second receptacle 17 in the longitudinal direction and the support surface has an extension in a transverse direction, thus in Direction of the pivot axis 6, which is at least as large as the extension of the second receptacle 17 in the transverse direction. The flat support surface of the second support 16 thus represents a flat floor surface for placing the second receptacle 17 on the second support 16.

While the Fig. 1 and 2 illustrate the use of the device 1 for the first receptacle 15, FIGS Fig. 3 and 4th the use of the device 1 for the second receptacle 17. The second support 16 serves to support a second receptacle 17 designed as a turning frame. The receptacle 17 or the turning frame has a first opening 28 on an upper side, based on a position of the turning frame which is adapted to the outer contour of the type of container to be received by the interchangeable frame in the area of this upper side, for the inserted reception of this container 22. Furthermore, the reversible frame has a second opening on its underside, which corresponds to the outer contour of the type of container to be received by the reversible frame in the area of this underside is adapted to receive this container inserted, wherein in a first turning position of the turning frame (as in Fig. 3 and 4th illustrated), the first opening 28 is arranged above and the second opening below, and in a second turning position of the turning frame, the first opening is arranged below and the second opening is arranged above.

The Fig. 3 and 4th show that in the opening 28 of the second receptacle 17 or the turning frame, a container 22 is inserted from above and rests with its edge 23 next to the opening 28 on the turning frame. The height and thus vertical extension of the turning frame is dimensioned such that the container 22 inserted into the opening 28 is arranged with the upper surface of its edge 23 at the same level 30 as the upper surface of the edge 23 of the container inserted into the plate-shaped first receptacle 15 according to the Fig. 1 and 2 .

The reversible frame that goes to the Fig. 3 and 4th is illustrated, can thus be used in two turned positions and thus allows the inclusion of different types of containers, according to the design and arrangement of the openings 28 and 29. It is illustrated that the reversible frame has only one upper opening 28, which is therefore only for receiving a container 22 is suitable, while several openings 29 are provided on the underside, so that in the other turning position the turning frame can accommodate several containers, quite different container types.

The device 1 can thus be used universally, on the one hand with different first receptacles 15 that are placed on the first support 14, on the other hand with different second receptacles 17 that are placed on the second support 16, which is located on the lower level.

List of reference symbols

1

contraption

2

Lower part

3

Top

4th

Sealing device

5

Device for locking

6th

Swivel axis

7th

Cutting knife

8th

Cutting stick

9

role

10

component

11

eccentric recording

12

component

13

Swivel handle

14th

first edition

15th

first shot

16

second edition

17th

second shot

18th

Support level

19th

Support section

20th

Support section

21st

opening

22nd

container

23

edge

24

Kink

25th

Wall section

26th

Wall section

27

Support surface

28

opening

29

opening

30th

level

N1

level

N2

level

Claims (15)

1. Apparatus (1) for closing a container (22) by means of a covering film/foil, having a lower part (2), at least one receptacle (15, 17) for the container (22), said receptacle (15, 17) being mounted in the lower part (2), an upper part (3) mounted in the lower part (2), a sealing device (4) mounted in the upper part (3), and a device (5) for locking the upper part (3) and lower part (2), wherein the upper part (3) is movable with respect to the lower part (2) and can be transferred from an open position into a closed position, and vice versa, characterized in that the lower part (2) has, at a level (N1), a first support (14) for mounting a first receptacle (15) for a container type and, at a level (N2) different from the first support (14), a second support (16) for mounting a second receptacle (17) for a container type.
2. Apparatus according to Claim 1, characterized in that the two levels (N1, N2) are arranged parallel to one another, in particular are arranged parallel to a bearing plane (18) of the apparatus (1) on a base.
3. Apparatus according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first support (14) is arranged at a higher level (N1) than the second support (16), wherein the first support (14) has support portions (19, 20) arranged at a distance from one another, and the first receptacle (15) can be placed on the support portions (19, 20).
4. Apparatus according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the first receptacle (15) is of flat design, preferably being designed as a plate, in particular as a plate which is rectangular in its mounting plane, wherein the first receptacle (15) has an opening (21) which is adapted to the outer contour of the container type to be accommodated by this receptable (15), for the inserted accommodation of the container (22).
5. Apparatus according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the lower part (2) is formed substantially from a metal sheet, in particular a one-part metal sheet.
6. Apparatus according to Claim 5, characterized in that the metal sheet consists of steel, in particular stainless steel.
7. Apparatus according to Claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the metal sheet has bent portions (24) for forming the support portions (19, 20) which are arranged in a plane and on which the first receptacle (15) can be placed.
8. Apparatus according to Claim 7, characterized in that the metal sheet of the lower part (2) forms parallel wall portions (25, 26) of the lower part (2) that are arranged at a distance from one another, and the bent portions (24) are connected to the parallel wall portions (25, 26) in the region of bending lines, wherein the bent portions (24) are arranged so as to be directed towards one another.
9. Apparatus according to one of Claims 2 to 8, characterized in that the first receptacle (15) is secured in the lower part (2) laterally, in the direction from one to the other support portion (19, 20), with in particular the first receptacle (15) being secured in the lower part (2) by means of form-fitting means.
10. Apparatus according to one of Claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the second support (16) serves for mounting a second receptacle (17) which is designed as a turning frame.
11. Apparatus according to Claim 10, characterized in that the turning frame has, based on a position of the turning frame, on an upper side a first opening (28) which is adapted to the outer contour of the container type to be accommodated by the turning frame in the region of this upper side, for the inserted accommodation of this container (22), and on its lower side a second opening (29) which is adapted to the outer contour of the container type to be accommodated by the turning frame in the region of this lower side, for the inserted accommodation of this container (22), wherein, in a first turning position of the turning frame, the first opening (28) is arranged at the top and the second opening (29) at the bottom, and, in a second turning position of the turning frame, the first opening (28) is arranged at the bottom and the second opening (29) at the top.
12. Apparatus according to one of Claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the second support (16) has a planar support surface (27) for the second receptacle (17), wherein the support surface (27) has an extent in a longitudinal direction that is at least as large as the extent of the second receptacle (17) in its longitudinal direction, and the bearing surface (27) thereof has an extent in a transverse direction which is at least as large as the extent of the second receptacle (17) in its transverse direction.
13. Apparatus according to one of Claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the second receptacle (17) has a mounting level for the container type to be accommodated by this receptacle (17) that corresponds to the mounting level of the first receptacle (15) for the container type to be accommodated by this receptacle (15).
14. Apparatus according to one of Claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the upper part (3) has mounted therein a severing blade (7) for severing the covering film/foil, said severing blade being arranged parallel to a pivot axis (6) of the upper part (3) in the lower part (2) and/or the lower part (2) has mounted therein a supply roll of covering film/foil.
15. Apparatus according to one of Claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the device (5) for locking has a component (10), which is rotatably mounted in the upper part (3), with an eccentric receptacle (11), and a cylindrical component (12), which is mounted in the lower part (2), for engaging in the eccentric receptacle (11).

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