EP3640149B1 - Vorrichtung und verfahren zum anbringen eines verschlusselements an einen aufnahmebehälter einer kartusche, insbesondere einer kartusche für elektronische zigaretten - Google Patents

Vorrichtung und verfahren zum anbringen eines verschlusselements an einen aufnahmebehälter einer kartusche, insbesondere einer kartusche für elektronische zigaretten Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3640149B1
EP3640149B1 EP19202259.8A EP19202259A EP3640149B1 EP 3640149 B1 EP3640149 B1 EP 3640149B1 EP 19202259 A EP19202259 A EP 19202259A EP 3640149 B1 EP3640149 B1 EP 3640149B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
closure element
centering unit
receptacle body
centering
receptacle
Prior art date
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Application number
EP19202259.8A
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English (en)
French (fr)
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EP3640149A3 (de
EP3640149A2 (de
Inventor
Luca Testoni
Andrea Dondini
Maurizio SANMARTINI
Luca Lanzarini
Luca Federici
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GD SpA
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GD SpA
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Priority to PL19202259T priority Critical patent/PL3640149T3/pl
Publication of EP3640149A2 publication Critical patent/EP3640149A2/de
Publication of EP3640149A3 publication Critical patent/EP3640149A3/de
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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B7/00—Closing containers or receptacles after filling
    • B65B7/16—Closing semi-rigid or rigid containers or receptacles not deformed by, or not taking-up shape of, contents, e.g. boxes or cartons
    • B65B7/161—Sealing filled ampoules
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B7/00—Closing containers or receptacles after filling
    • B65B7/16—Closing semi-rigid or rigid containers or receptacles not deformed by, or not taking-up shape of, contents, e.g. boxes or cartons
    • B65B7/28—Closing semi-rigid or rigid containers or receptacles not deformed by, or not taking-up shape of, contents, e.g. boxes or cartons by applying separate preformed closures, e.g. lids, covers
    • B65B7/2807—Feeding closures
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B7/00—Closing containers or receptacles after filling
    • B65B7/16—Closing semi-rigid or rigid containers or receptacles not deformed by, or not taking-up shape of, contents, e.g. boxes or cartons
    • B65B7/28—Closing semi-rigid or rigid containers or receptacles not deformed by, or not taking-up shape of, contents, e.g. boxes or cartons by applying separate preformed closures, e.g. lids, covers
    • B65B7/2821—Closing semi-rigid or rigid containers or receptacles not deformed by, or not taking-up shape of, contents, e.g. boxes or cartons by applying separate preformed closures, e.g. lids, covers applying plugs or threadless stoppers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B59/00—Arrangements to enable machines to handle articles of different sizes, to produce packages of different sizes, to vary the contents of packages, to handle different types of packaging material, or to give access for cleaning or maintenance purposes
    • B65B59/003—Arrangements to enable adjustments related to the packaging material

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for applying a closure element to a receptacle body.
  • the field of specific interest refers to producing cartridges for electronic cigarettes operating by vaporization.
  • these cartridges contain flavored liquid which, during operation, is evaporated by the cigarette.
  • these cartridges are also designed to generate vapor therein.
  • Figure 6 is an exploded view of the structure of a common cartridge of the type indicated.
  • This comprises a generally tubular outer body 101, within which a further tubular body 103 is inserted.
  • a mouthpiece 105 closes a first end of the body 101 and connects internally to a corresponding end of the inner body 103.
  • a vaporizing unit 107 closes the opposite end of the body 101 and connects to the corresponding end of the inner body 103.
  • a seal is usually interposed between the unit 107 and the body 101.
  • the flavored liquid is contained in the cavity formed between the inner wall of the body 101 and the outer wall of the body 103.
  • the body 103 instead defines a passage for the vapor, which is placed in communication with the outside through the mouthpiece 105.
  • the unit 107 carries the electrical means for heating the liquid, which include an electrical resistance and electrical contacts 108 for establishing an electrical connection with the power source of the electronic cigarette when the cartridge is applied to the cigarette.
  • the unit 107 has an inner mouth 109, from which the vapor produced by heating the flavored liquid is dispensed, and which goes directly to couple with the corresponding end of the inner tubular body 103.
  • the present invention has been developed to create the closure of the body 101 with the vaporizing unit 107 in the context of an industrial production method of cartridges of the type described above.
  • US2017/259948 and US2003/056466 disclose prior art that may be of some interest as technical background.
  • US2017/0259948 discloses an apparatus (and the corresponding operating process) for applying a closure element to a receptacle body of a cartridge, comprising: a conveying line comprising supports movable along said line, which are each provided with at least one seat for receiving a receptacle body, said mobile supports conveying a plurality of receptacle bodies along said line, a centering unit comprising a first and a second centering cavity, which are provided with guide surfaces configured to guide said receptacle body and said closure element, respectively, into a predetermined reciprocal position, for applying said closure element onto said receptacle body, as an effect of inserting said receptacle body and said closure element into said first and second cavities respectively; wherein said first and second cavities are aligned with one another along a reference axis and communicate with one another; at least one device for moving said supports for inserting said
  • the present invention proposes, in general, a new solution for applying a closure element to a receptacle, which relates to:
  • the solution described herein relates, in general, to an apparatus and a method for applying a closure element onto a receptacle body.
  • a further preferred application concerns, instead, producing cartridges for aerosol generators in the pharmaceutical field.
  • the solution described herein relates to an apparatus comprising:
  • the centering unit acts as a reference for the correct alignment position between the receptacle body and the closure element, and is arranged to guide both the two components into this position, through the two indicated cavities.
  • centering unit means, on the other hand, that the head that picks up the closure elements, and the mobile supports that carry the receptacle bodies, do not have to guarantee any precise positioning of the respective components.
  • the apparatus described herein is arranged to simultaneously perform the closure of a plurality of receptacle bodies.
  • the gripping head is equipped with a plurality of pick-up units to simultaneously pick up a plurality of closure elements.
  • the centering unit is arranged with a series of pairs of cavities, equal to the number of receptacle bodies to be closed in a cycle, each including a first and a second cavity as described above.
  • the centering unit is arranged to simultaneously guide the indicated plurality of receptacle bodies and closure elements, into the respective alignment positions.
  • This operation can be carried out by the centering unit regardless of the positions in which the individual components are located, with respect to the devices by which they are carried, before being inserted into the centering unit.
  • the apparatus comprises a conveying line consisting of a guide 2, on which a plurality of slides 4 that carry supports 6 for housing the receptacle bodies 111 are movable.
  • the receptacle body 111 corresponds to the set of bodies 101 and 103 and the mouthpiece 105.
  • the conveying line is arranged with a drive system of the slides 4 consisting of a linear electric motor.
  • this type of drive system offers the advantage of allowing the control of advancing individual slides 4 independently of the other slides, with reference to all the kinematic parameters or direction, speed and acceleration.
  • the conveying line can be of a different type with respect to that shown in the figures.
  • this conveying line may comprise a conveyor belt on which the indicated movable supports are mounted and which draws these supports along the expected advancing path.
  • the belt can be wound on pulleys, of which at least one is motorized to drive the movement of the belt.
  • each support 6 comprises a support bracket 22 which is fixed to the base structure of the slide 4, and which defines a support plane P above for the respective body 111 which is placed on said support.
  • each support 6 is, furthermore, arranged with an assembly 24 able to support the body 111 in a vertical position.
  • this assembly is provided with abutment walls 26, 32 which entirely or partially surround the outer side wall of the body 111, so as to contain it laterally.
  • each abutment wall and the respective opposite wall are mutually positioned at a distance slightly greater than the size of the body 111 in the corresponding plane.
  • the assembly 24 is arranged to hold the body 111 allowing it to make small movements.
  • each assembly 24 is arranged to simultaneously hold two bodies 111.
  • the conveying line interfaces with a line 42 for supplying the closure elements 107. With reference to the mentioned application example, these correspond to the vaporizing unit 107 of Figure 6 .
  • the elements 107 can be carried by the line 42 on trays, on which they are arranged according to a succession of rows that extend along the same movement direction of the line 42.
  • This line consists of a single conveying branch which moves the trays in the two opposite directions, respectively, to carry the loaded trays to the conveying line 2 and to return the empty trays to a loading station for the elements 107.
  • the supply line 42 comprises two parallel branches of the indicated type, which are synchronized to operate in an offset manner, so that when the trays of a branch lie at the line 2, the trays of the other branch are located at the loading station.
  • the apparatus 10 comprises a gripping head 12 for removing the closure elements 107 from the supply line 42 and for applying them onto the receptacle bodies 111.
  • the head 12 is carried by a motion-drive device 14 which is arranged to move the head along one or more directions so that it can operate the aforesaid functions.
  • this device consists of a manipulator robot.
  • the head 12 is arranged with one or more pick-up units 16, each comprising a tubular rod 161 connected to a suction unit 162, for example, a Venturi system; a duct is connected to the unit 162 consisting of a Venturi system, (not shown in the figures) for supplying the air.
  • a pick-up unit 16 each comprising a tubular rod 161 connected to a suction unit 162, for example, a Venturi system; a duct is connected to the unit 162 consisting of a Venturi system, (not shown in the figures) for supplying the air.
  • the pick-up unit 16 operates by vacuum.
  • a vacuum condition is created inside the tubular rod 161, and the closure element attracted by this condition comes into contact with the lower edge of the rod.
  • the rod 161 has, in the illustrated case, a diameter smaller than the width of the elements 107.
  • the head 12 is equipped with a plurality of pick-up units 16, in order to operate simultaneously on several closure elements 107.
  • the rods 161 of these units are arranged according to an array corresponding to that with which the closure elements 107 are supplied by the line 42.
  • the rods 161 are, in particular, ordered in a row, at a distance from each other that is substantially equal to the distance separating the individual closure elements 107 of the same row. This distance can be defined by the midline.
  • the gripping head 12 is arranged to operate with the rods 161 of the pick-up units 16 arranged in an orientation parallel to the direction Z (see the reference system shown in Figure 1 ) .
  • the pick-up operations of the elements 107 carried out by this head, and their application onto the bodies 111, are carried out due to the movement of the rods 161 along the same direction Z.
  • this movement is performed by the manipulator robot.
  • the apparatus described here can - in any case - be arranged to perform the aforesaid functions along other directions, for example along the direction X or the direction Y.
  • the rods 161 are mounted on the supporting structure of the gripping head 12 through interposition of elastic elements 163, so that they are singularly yieldable along the direction Z.
  • the elastic element 163 is interposed between the single unit 16 and the supporting structure of the head 12.
  • the elastic element in question can be integrated within the unit 16 and act directly on the rod 161.
  • this yielding behavior on the part of the individual rods 161 makes it possible to compensate for any locking or interlocking conditions that may occur for a single pick-up unit 16 during application of the element 107 onto the body 111, allowing other units to complete their operations.
  • the units 16 hold the elements 107 by vacuum, in a condition in which they are held against the lower edges of the rods 161.
  • the elements 107 can be subjected to small displacements in the plane perpendicular to the direction of the rods 161, although they continue to be kept by these.
  • the apparatus 10 also comprises a centering unit 18, which, as already anticipated above, has the function of positioning the receptacle bodies 111 and the closure elements 107 in a predetermined reciprocal position, for correctly applying the closure elements on the receptacle bodies.
  • this positioning may relate to alignment of the receptacle body and the closure element along a reference axis, and/or rotation of the two components about a reference axis until it assumes a given orientation.
  • the centering unit 18 is arranged with one or more pairs of cavities 181, 182 internally defining guide surfaces 181A, 182A able to guide the element 107 and the body 111, respectively, into corresponding positions in order to establish the aforesaid reciprocal predetermined position, due to their insertion in these cavities.
  • the two cavities 181, 182 extend from two opposite sides of the centering unit 18. They are mutually aligned defining the same reference axis R, which, in the illustrated example, is oriented along the Z direction.
  • the person skilled in the art will understand that the orientation direction of this axis R depends on the direction along which the gripping head 12 acts to perform the capping operation.
  • the two cavities 181 and 182 communicate with each other to allow application of the element 107 onto the body 111, directly inside the same centering unit 18, after the two components have been correctly positioned.
  • the centering unit 18 is intended to be interposed between the gripping head 12 and the supports 6, and the two components 107, 111 are inserted within the cavities 181 and 182 at the two opposite sides of the centering unit, until they reach the predetermined reciprocal position.
  • the guide surfaces 181A and 182A both have a generally conical conformation. More generally, these surfaces have a concave conformation which defines a geometric axis corresponding to the axis R, and has decreasing sections along the same axis, for each surface in the direction directed towards the other surface. This decreasing behavior starts from the outer opening of the corresponding cavity, until it reaches a section that reproduces at least a part of the section of the closure element or of the receptacle body according to geometry and dimensions.
  • the centering unit 18 is carried by a structure 190, which is arranged to retain the cavities 181, 182 and the reference axis R in position, relative to the reference system X, Y, Z.
  • This area of the conveyor line in which the centering unit is located is, in fact, the capping station of the apparatus.
  • the structure 190 is equipped with a movement system, which is configured to move the centering unit 18 along the direction Z, for the functions that will be described below.
  • This system can, for example, comprise a linear guide device controlled by a linear actuator, for example, a screw actuator.
  • the centering unit 18 defines a plurality of centering members.
  • the centering unit 18 is arranged with a plurality of cavities 181 and 182, equal to the number of pick-up units 16, in order to be able to operate simultaneously on all the elements 107 and the bodies 111 which are carried, by the pick-up units 16 and by the slides 4, in the capping station.
  • the various pairs of cavities 181 and 182 are mutually positioned according to an array corresponding to that provided for the pick-up units 16. In various preferred embodiments, as well as in the one illustrated, these pairs are, in particular, arranged in a row and positioned at a mutual distance equal to the distance provided between the individual rods 161 of the pick-up units 14. This distance can be defined by the midline.
  • the centering unit 18 has a modular structure comprising a support plate 183, on which an array of separate formations of blocks 184, which each define a pair of cavities 181, 182 is mounted.
  • the single formation comprises at least two blocks 184 arranged with respective walls able to delimit a corresponding part of the two cavities 181, 182, and also define a respective portion of the guide surfaces 181A, 182A described above.
  • each formation comprises four blocks 184, 185 positioned, two by two, according to a reciprocal opposite arrangement.
  • the blocks 184, 185 of the various formations are mounted on the plate 183 with the possibility of adjusting their position along the direction X and/or the direction Y, by screw means and, possibly, cam means.
  • This configuration of the centering unit 18 allows precise definition of the geometry, the dimensions and the position of all the cavities 181 and 182.
  • the geometry and dimensions of the cavities 181 and 182 may also vary between the different apparatuses based on the specific applications for which they are intended.
  • the apparatus 10 also includes a control unit - not shown - to govern the operations of the devices described.
  • the supports 6 receive the bodies 111 at a loading station for these bodies.
  • the supports 6 After loading, the supports 6 advance along the line until they reach the capping station. Clearly, upstream of this station, along the line 2, additional stations can be arranged to perform a series of operations before closing the receptacle bodies 111.
  • the supply line 42 supplies the closure elements 107 arranged in a succession of rows.
  • the gripping head 12 picks up the first row of closure elements 107 (the one closest to the conveying line 2), by means of the units 14, and places it above the centering unit 18.
  • the gripping head 12 is positioned above the centering unit 18 so that the rods 161 are substantially aligned, each with the reference axis R of a corresponding pair of cavities 181, 182 of the centering unit ( Figure 5A ).
  • the gripping head 12 and the supports 6 are positioned, respectively, above and below the centering unit 18, the gripping head makes, at that point, a downward movement, along the direction Z, to insert the elements 107 within the corresponding cavities 181 of the centering unit 18 ( Figure 5B ).
  • the surfaces 181A of these cavities guide the elements 107 into the respective predetermined reference position.
  • the surfaces 182A of these cavities guide the bodies 111 into the respective predetermined reference position.
  • assemblies 24 of the supports 6 already perform a function of positioning the bodies 111, so that the latter will be present below the centering unit according to a relatively precise positioning.
  • the action exerted by the surfaces 182A can therefore either consist of a very limited adjustment of the position of these bodies with respect to the seats in which they are received in the supports 6 (for example of the order of millimeters), or even only in accompanying them inside the centering unit, this depending on how the individual bodies 111 are positioned on the respective supports 6.
  • the gripping head 12 makes a further downward movement along the direction Z, while the centering unit 18 remains stationary, so as to insert the elements 107 within the upper openings of the bodies 111 ( Figure 5D ).
  • closure elements 107 present themselves to have been moved from the cavities 181 to the inside of the cavities 182.
  • the centering unit 18 first moves upwards, freeing the now closed bodies 111 from the engagement ( Figure 5E ). Subsequently, the gripping head 12 also moves upwards.
  • This sequence for releasing the bodies 111 is the preferred one, since in this way, when the centering unit separates from the elements 111, the gripping head 12, which still engages the elements 107, blocks these against the bodies 111, preventing them from being pulled away by the centering unit 18 by friction.
  • the apparatus described herein can also comprise, downstream of the capping station, a beater device 17, able to further press the closure elements 107 against the bodies 111, so as to complete coupling of those elements 107 that, for any reason, had not been correctly coupled in the capping station.
  • This device can, for example, comprise a plurality of pressure blocks which have an elastic structure or are combined with elastic elements, and are carried by a structure that is mobile along the direction Z, in order to precisely press against the elements 107.
  • the elastic behavior of these blocks allows avoidance of transmitting any overloading on the bodies 111 and on the supports 6 that carry them.
  • the apparatus described here can also provide a vision system, arranged downstream of the capping station and of the beating device, to identify any defective or damaged products to be sent to the scrap.
  • the function performed by the centering unit 18 ensures - on the one hand - correct closure of the bodies 111 by the elements 107, and - on the other hand - considerably facilitates the functions of the gripping head 12 and of the supports 6.
  • these devices can operate according to fast kinematic laws, since small misalignments that could occur during their movement, in any case, are corrected and compensated by the centering unit.
  • the solution described herein is able to perform the capping operation simultaneously on a plurality of components, precisely using the head 12 described, as the only gripping device.

Claims (16)

  1. Vorrichtung zum Anbringen eines Verschlusselements (107) an einem Aufnahmebehälter (111) einer Kartusche, insbesondere einer Kartusche für elektronische Zigaretten, umfassend:
    - eine Förderlinie (2) mit entlang der Linie bewegbaren Trägern (6), die jeweils mit mindestens einem Sitz zum Aufnehmen eines Aufnahmebehälters (111) versehen sind, wobei die bewegbaren Träger (6) eine Vielzahl von Aufnahmebehältern (111) entlang der Linie befördern,
    - einen Greifkopf (12) zum Aufnehmen mindestens eines Verschlusselements (107) aus einer Linie zum Zuführen von Verschlusselementen (107) zum Verschließen der Aufnahmebehälter (111);
    - eine Zentriereinheit (18), die in einer Verschließstation der Vorrichtung angeordnet ist,
    wobei:
    - die Träger (6) entlang einer Bezugsebene (X, Y) bewegbar sind, um die Aufnahmebehälter (111) zur Zentriereinheit (18) zu transportieren;
    - der Greifkopf (12) entlang der Bezugsebene (X, Y) bewegbar ist, um das mindestens eine Verschlusselement (107) zur Zentriereinheit (18) zu transportieren,
    - die Zentriereinheit (18) durch einen Aufbau (190) getragen wird, der die Zentriereinheit (18) in eine Arbeitsposition bringt, die fest ist, wenn sie in Bezug auf die Bezugsebene definiert ist,
    wobei die Zentriereinheit einen ersten und einen zweiten Zentrierhohlraum (182, 181) umfasst, die mit Führungsflächen (182A, 181A) versehen sind, die dazu eingerichtet sind, den Aufnahmebehälter (111) bzw. das Verschlusselement (107) in eine vorbestimmte wechselseitige Position zu führen, um das Verschlusselement (107) als eine Wirkung des Einsetzens des Aufnahmebehälters und des Verschlusselements in den ersten bzw. zweiten Hohlraum (182, 181) auf den Aufnahmebehälter (111) aufzubringen;
    wobei der erste und der zweite Hohlraum (182, 181) entlang einer Bezugsachse (R) zueinander ausgerichtet sind und miteinander in Verbindung stehen;
    - mindestens eine Vorrichtung zum Bewegen der Träger (6) und/oder des Greifkopfes (112) und/oder der Zentriereinheit (18) zum Einführen des Aufnahmebehälters (111) und des Verschlusselements (107) in den ersten bzw. zweiten Hohlraum (182, 181) und zum Bringen des Verschlusselements (107) in einen gekoppelten Zustand mit dem Aufnahmebehälter (111) innerhalb der Zentriereinheit.
  2. Vorrichtung gemäß Anspruch 1, wobei der erste und der zweite Hohlraum (182, 181) auf gegenüberliegenden Seiten der Zentriereinheit (18) vorgesehen sind.
  3. Vorrichtung gemäß einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei die Führungsflächen (182A, 181A) eine konische Form aufweisen.
  4. Vorrichtung gemäß einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei die Führungsflächen (182A, 181A) jeweils eine konkave Form, die eine mit der Bezugsachse (R) zusammenfallende Achse definiert, und Querschnitte aufweisen, die entlang der Achse (R) in Richtung auf die andere Fläche abnehmen.
  5. Vorrichtung gemäß einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei die Zentriereinheit (18) eine Basisstruktur (183) und mindestens eine auf der Basisstruktur (183) angebrachte Formation von Blöcken umfasst, die mindestens einen ersten Block und einen zweiten Block (184) umfasst, wobei der erste und der zweite Block auf der Basisstruktur gemäß einer relativ gegenüberliegenden Anordnung positioniert sind und zusammen den ersten und den zweiten Hohlraum (182, 181) definieren;
    wobei die Position des ersten und des zweiten Blocks (184) in Bezug auf die Basisstruktur (183) einstellbar sind.
  6. Vorrichtung gemäß Anspruch 5, wobei der erste Block (184) einen ersten Abschnitt des ersten und zweiten Hohlraums (182, 181) begrenzt und entsprechende Abschnitte der Führungsflächen (182A, 181A) definiert, und wobei der zweite Block (184) einen zweiten Abschnitt des ersten und zweiten Hohlraums begrenzt und entsprechende Abschnitte der Führungsflächen (182A, 181A) definiert.
  7. Vorrichtung gemäß einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei die mindestens eine Bewegungsvorrichtung eine Bewegungsantriebsvorrichtung (14) enthält, die den Greifkopf (12) trägt und dazu eingerichtet ist, den Kopf innerhalb eines dreidimensionalen Raums (X, Y, Z) zu bewegen.
  8. Vorrichtung gemäß einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, umfassend einen Stützaufbau (190), der die Zentriereinheit (18) trägt und dazu eingerichtet ist, die Einheit entlang einer gegebenen Richtung (Z) zu bewegen, um den Aufnahmebehälter (111) in den ersten Hohlraum (182) einzuführen und aus diesem herauszuziehen.
  9. Vorrichtung gemäß einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei der Greifkopf (12) dazu eingerichtet ist, das Verschlusselement (107) durch eine Vakuum gegen eine vordefinierte Kante des Kopfes zu halten.
  10. Vorrichtung gemäß einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei
    - der Greifkopf (12) eine Vielzahl von Aufnahmeeinheiten (16) zum Aufnehmen einer Vielzahl der Verschlusselemente (107) umfasst,
    - die Zentriereinheit (18) in einer Verschließstation der Vorrichtung positioniert ist und die Förderlinie (2) dazu eingerichtet ist, eine Vielzahl von Aufnahmebehältern (111) gleichzeitig in der Verschließstation zu platzieren,
    - die Zentriereinheit (18) eine Vielzahl von Zentrierelementen umfasst, die jeweils den ersten und den zweiten Hohlraum (182, 181) umfassen, um gleichzeitig auf die Vielzahl von Aufnahmebehältern (111) und Verschlusselementen (107) zu wirken.
  11. Verfahren zum Anbringen eines Verschlusselements (107) an einem Aufnahmebehälter (111) einer Kartusche, insbesondere einer Kartusche für elektronische Zigaretten, umfassend die folgenden Schritte:
    - Vorschieben einer Vielzahl von Aufnahmebehältern (111) entlang einer Förderlinie (2), wobei die Behälter (11) durch Träger (6) transportiert werden, die entlang der Linie bewegbar sind;
    - Zuführen einer Vielzahl von Verschlusselementen (107) zum Verschließen der Aufnahmebehälter (111) entlang einer Zuführlinie (42);
    - Aufnehmen mindestens eines Verschlusselements (107) aus der Zuführlinie mittels eines Greifkopfes (12);
    - Bereitstellen einer Zentriereinheit (18) in einer Verschließstation,
    - Platzieren mindestens eines Aufnahmebehälters (111) in der Verschließstation durch Transportieren des mindestens einen Aufnahmebehälters (111) zur Zentriervorrichtung (18) durch mindestens einen Träger (6), der sich entlang der Förderlinie (2) und entlang einer Bezugsebene (X, Y) bewegt;
    - Transportieren des mindestens einen Verschlusselements (107) zur Zentriervorrichtung (18) durch den Greifkopf, der sich entlang der Bezugsebene (X; Y) bewegt,
    wobei sich die Zentriereinheit (18) in einer Arbeitsposition befindet, die feststehend ist, wenn sie in Bezug auf die Bezugsebene (X; Y) definiert ist, die durch einen Aufbau (190) getragen wird,
    wobei die Zentriereinheit mindestens einen ersten und mindestens einen zweiten Zentrierhohlraum (182, 181) umfasst, die mit Führungsflächen (182A, 181A) versehen sind, die dazu eingerichtet sind, den Aufnahmebehälter (111) und das Verschlusselement (107) in eine vorbestimmte wechselseitige Position zu führen, um das Verschlusselement (107) als Folge des Einführens des Aufnahmebehälters (111) und des Verschlusselements (107) in den ersten bzw. zweiten Hohlraum (182, 181) auf den Aufnahmebehälter (111) aufzubringen, wobei der erste und der zweite Hohlraum entlang einer Bezugsachse (R) aufeinander ausgerichtet sind und miteinander in Verbindung stehen;
    wobei das Verfahren beinhaltet:
    - Einsetzen des Verschlusselements (107) in den zweiten Zentrierhohlraum (181) und Führen des Verschlusselements mittels der entsprechenden Führungsflächen in die vorbestimmte wechselseitige Position in Bezug auf den Aufnahmebehälter;
    - Einsetzen des Aufnahmebehälters (111) in den ersten Zentrierhohlraum (182) und Führen des Aufnahmebehälters mittels der entsprechenden Führungsflächen in die vorbestimmte wechselseitige Position in Bezug auf das Verschlusselement;
    - Koppeln des Verschlusselements (107) mit dem Aufnahmebehälter (111) innerhalb der Zentriereinheit (18) .
  12. Verfahren gemäß Anspruch 11, wobei der Schritt des Einsetzens des Verschlusselements (107) in den zweiten Zentrierhohlraum (181) das Bewegen des Greifkopfes (12) entlang einer Richtung (Z), die parallel zur Bezugsachse (R) verläuft oder mit dieser zusammenfällt, in Richtung der Zentriereinheit (18) beinhaltet.
  13. Verfahren gemäß Anspruch 11 oder 12, wobei der Schritt des Einsetzens des Aufnahmebehälters (111) in den ersten Zentrierhohlraum (182) das Bewegen der Zentriereinheit (18) entlang einer Richtung (Z), die parallel zur Bezugsachse (R) verläuft oder mit dieser zusammenfällt, in Richtung des bewegbaren Trägers (6), der den Aufnahmebehälter (111) trägt, beinhaltet.
  14. Verfahren gemäß einem der Ansprüche 11 bis 13, wobei der Schritt des Koppelns des Verschlusselements (107) mit dem Aufnahmebehälter (111) das Bewegen des Greifkopfes (12) entlang einer Richtung (Z), die parallel zur Bezugsachse (R) verläuft oder mit dieser zusammenfällt, in Richtung des bewegbaren Trägers (6), der den Aufnahmebehälter (111) trägt, beinhaltet.
  15. Verfahren gemäß einem der Ansprüche 11 bis 14, das die Verwendung eines einzelnen Greifkopfes (12) enthält und wobei die Schritte des Aufnehmens, Platzierens, Einsetzens und Koppelns gleichzeitig eine Vielzahl von Aufnahmebehältern (111) und eine Vielzahl von Verschlusselementen (107) einbeziehen.
  16. Verfahren gemäß einem der Ansprüche 11 bis 15, wobei der erste und der zweite Hohlraum (182, 181) an gegenüberliegenden Seiten der Zentriereinheit (18) vorgesehen sind und wobei die Schritte des Einsetzens des Verschlusselements (107) und des Einsetzens der Aufnahmebehälter (111) jeweils von gegenüberliegenden Seiten der Zentriereinheit (18) aus durchgeführt werden.
EP19202259.8A 2018-10-15 2019-10-09 Vorrichtung und verfahren zum anbringen eines verschlusselements an einen aufnahmebehälter einer kartusche, insbesondere einer kartusche für elektronische zigaretten Active EP3640149B1 (de)

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US4286389A (en) * 1980-03-03 1981-09-01 Ims Limited Apparatus and method for lyophilizing aseptic substances
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DE10318731A1 (de) * 2003-04-25 2004-11-11 Robert Bosch Gmbh Fördervorrichtung für Spritzen
DE102008001287A1 (de) * 2008-04-21 2009-10-22 Robert Bosch Gmbh Füll- und Verschließmaschine für Behälter
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