EP3981734A2 - Device for closing a container with a screw type closure - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device (1) for closing a container (9) with a roll-on closure (8), preferably for closing a beverage container (9) with a roll-on closure (8) in a beverage bottling plant, comprising a plunger (2) for applying a Head pressure on a roll-on closure (8) to be rolled on, a carrier (3) rotatable relative to the ram (20) about its longitudinal axis (20), a forming arm (4) pivotably arranged on the carrier (3), and a forming arm (4) rotatable relative to the forming arm forming roller (5) mounted on the forming arm (4) for forming a side surface (81) of the roll-on closure (8), the forming roller (5) being mounted on the forming arm (4) via a roller bearing, preferably a needle bearing (6). is.

Description

technical field

The present invention relates to a device for closing a container with a roll-on closure, for example for closing a beverage container with a roll-on closure in a beverage bottling plant, and a closure device for closing a container with a roll-on closure in a beverage bottling plant.

State of the art

It is known to close beverage bottles with a roll-on closure. In this case, a closure preform, usually made of aluminum and in the form of a hollow cylinder closed on one side, is placed on a container mouth provided with an external thread. The hollow-cylindrical side surface of the closure only gets its final shape with thread and beaded safety ring during the closure process, after the preform has been placed on the container mouth.

For this purpose, a device, also known as the capping head, is lowered onto the bottle with the cap in place under cam control, with the device applying a specified head pressure to the front side of the cap, which corresponds to its top side, via a ram in order to ensure that a gap exists between the container mouth and the cap After closing, the seal inserted in the closure is held tightly by the closure on the container mouth.

In order to introduce the thread and the beading of the safety ring or tamper-proof strip into the side surface of the closure, the device has a plurality of forming arms which are arranged pivotably on a carrier which can be rotated about its longitudinal axis relative to the ram and which each have a forming roller for introducing a forming into the side surface of the roll-on closure exhibit. Here, at least one forming roller as a thread roller for introducing the thread into the side surface and at least one forming roller as a flanging roller for introducing the flanging into the side surface of the Roll-on closure formed. To introduce the aforementioned deformations, the shaping rollers are pivoted in the direction of the side surfaces of the closure by lowering an actuator interacting with the shaping arms, so that they shape the side surface of the closure in each case with a predetermined force. By rotating the carrier, the forming rollers roll in the circumferential direction over the side surface, so that the thread is stamped by a spiral movement of the thread rollers and the retaining ring or the guarantee strip is stamped by a circular movement of the flanging rollers.

In the usual design, the forming roller is mounted on the forming arm with a sliding guide. Bronze alloys or plastic bearings are often used. Pairs of hardened stainless steels are also known. The most common design are bearing bushes made of bronze. However, these are media-resistant only to a limited extent, so that the material can be attacked by cleaning media, in particular foam cleaning agents. In addition, the bronzes must be lubricated again after each cleaning/disinfection. In some cases, plastic bushings were also used, but in this application they do not run reliably without lubrication.

Especially when processing sugary beverages, sticking can occur, which intensifies the braking of the forming rollers or even causes the forming rollers to stick to the bushing and/or the bushing on the forming arm. Flushing is hardly possible due to the narrow gaps in the bearing bush. Sticking or braking of the roller due to a lack of lubrication or sticking due to product residues leads to faulty closures, so that whole batches of improperly closed beverage bottles can result.

Presentation of the invention

Proceeding from the known prior art, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved device for closing a container with a roll-on closure, preferably for closing a beverage container with a roll-on closure in a beverage bottling plant.

The object is achieved by a device for closing a container with a roll-on closure, preferably for closing a beverage container with a roll-on closure in a beverage bottling plant, with the features of claim 1. Advantageous developments result from the dependent claims, the description and the figures. Accordingly, a device for closing a container with a roll-on closure, preferably for closing a beverage container with a roll-on closure in a beverage bottling plant, is proposed, comprising a plunger for applying head pressure to a roll-on closure to be rolled on, a carrier that can be rotated relative to the plunger about its longitudinal axis, a pivotable forming arm arranged on the carrier, and a forming roller rotatably mounted on the forming arm relative to the forming arm for introducing a forming into a side face of the roll-on closure. The device is characterized in that the forming roller is mounted on the forming arm via a roller bearing, preferably a needle bearing.

Because the forming roller is mounted on the forming arm via a roller bearing, less maintenance and lower operating costs can be achieved compared to conventional devices, in particular since the bearing of the forming roller on the forming arm does not have to be relubricated.

In addition, the risk of braking or sticking caused by product residues in the area of the bearing of the forming roller on the forming arm is reduced or even completely eliminated.

By providing the roller bearing, preferably the needle bearing, improved hygiene can also be achieved, in particular since a roller bearing and in particular a needle bearing is easier to flush than conventional bush bearings, in which very small gaps between the forming roller and the bush and the bush and the forming arm.

In addition to the mentioned and particularly preferred needle bearing, a ball bearing or a roller bearing with roller bodies of a different geometric shape can also be provided here as the roller bearing.

The device is preferably designed as a capping head for roll-on caps, which is intended to be attached to a capping device, for example a rotary capping device in a beverage bottling plant.

According to a preferred embodiment, an outer bearing ring of the roller bearing, preferably of the needle bearing, is formed by the forming arm, preferably by a housing bushing arranged on the forming arm. In other words, the roller bearing, preferably the needle bearing, is preferably designed as a roller bearing without an outer ring. As a result, the radial installation space required in relation to the axis of rotation of the forming roller can be kept small.

According to a further preferred embodiment, a bearing inner ring of the roller bearing and in particular of the needle bearing is formed by the forming roller, preferably by a shaft section of the forming roller. In other words, the roller bearing is preferably designed as a roller bearing without an inner ring. As a result, the radial installation space required in relation to the axis of rotation of the forming roller can be kept small.

Preferably, both the bearing inner ring of the roller bearing and in particular the needle bearing are formed by the forming roller, preferably by a shaft section of the forming roller, and the bearing outer ring is formed by the forming arm, preferably a housing bushing arranged on the forming arm. In other words, the needle bearing is preferably provided by a needle roller and cage assembly, which is arranged directly between the forming arm and the forming roller. The needle rollers of the needle roller rim are therefore in direct contact with the forming arms, preferably with the housing bushing of the forming arm, and in direct contact with the forming roller, preferably with the shaft section of the forming roller. As a result, a particularly small amount of radial space can be achieved in relation to the axis of rotation of the forming roller.

It has proven to be advantageous to design the roller bearing and in particular the needle bearing as a hybrid bearing, with the bearing outer ring and the bearing inner ring of the roller bearing preferably having a first material, preferably a metal or a metal alloy, particularly preferably a steel alloy, or a polymer material, and with the Rolling bodies, and therefore the needle rollers, of the needle bearing have a second material that is different from the first material, preferably a ceramic material, particularly preferably silicon ceramic, very particularly preferably silicon nitride. Alternatively, the material of the rolling elements and in particular of the needle rollers can also include a polymer material or a metal alloy, preferably a steel alloy. It was possible to determine through tests that the following material combinations are particularly advantageous: the first material comprises a polymer material and the second material comprises a steel alloy. The first material includes a polymeric material and the second material includes a ceramic material. The first material includes a steel alloy and the second material includes a polymer alloy. The first material includes a steel alloy and the second material includes a ceramic material. The first material comprises a first polymer alloy and the second material comprises a second polymer alloy different from the first polymer alloy. The material of the bearing outer ring and the bearing inner ring can be the same or can differ from one another within the material type of the first material. For example, the first material comprise a steel alloy, then the bearing outer ring may comprise a first steel alloy and the bearing inner ring comprise a second steel alloy.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the roller bearing, preferably the needle bearing, is designed to be lubrication-free.

In order to further improve cleaning of the area of the roller bearing and in particular of the needle bearing, at least one component of the needle bearing can have a cleaning channel for introducing a cleaning medium, with preferably a cage of the needle bearing and/or the bearing outer ring and/or the bearing inner ring and/or an axial Cover of the needle bearing has a cleaning channel.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the needle bearing is designed in one row, with the bearing point of the forming roller on the forming arm preferably extending over essentially the entire length of the shaft section of the forming roller, by means of which it is mounted relative to the forming arm. The term "essentially the entire length of the shaft section" means that the ratio between the length of the needle rollers of the needle bearing and the length of the shaft section, by means of which the forming roller is supported in relation to the forming arm, is at least 0.8, preferably 0 .85, more preferably 0.9 and most preferably 0.95 or greater.

Alternatively, the roller bearing, preferably the needle bearing, can also be designed in multiple rows, preferably in two rows. In this case, a first ring of rolling elements, preferably needle rollers, and a second ring of rolling elements, preferably needle rollers, are preferably arranged at a predetermined distance from one another. It has proven to be advantageous if the rolling elements, preferably the needle rollers, are designed in such a way that the location of the forming roller on the forming arm also extends over essentially the entire length of the shaft section. The bearing point is added up in the longitudinal direction of the shaft section by the rows of bearing rings, with the individual bearing rings preferably being arranged directly next to one another.

Alternatively, the first ring of rolling elements, preferably needle rollers, and the second ring of rolling elements, preferably needle rollers, can be arranged at a distance from one another such that they are arranged on opposite sides of the shaft segment in relation to a shaft segment of the forming roller.

According to a preferred embodiment, the forming roller is designed as a thread roller for introducing a thread into the side surface of the roll-on closure. Alternatively, the shaping roller can also be designed as a flanging roller for introducing a flanging into the side surface of the roll-on closure.

The device preferably has a plurality of forming rollers, with at least one forming roller preferably being designed as a thread roller and preferably at least one forming roller being designed as a flanging roller. It has proven to be advantageous here if the device has exactly two thread rollers and exactly two flanging rollers.

The object set above is also achieved by a closure device for closing a container with a roll-on closure, preferably for closing a beverage bottle with a roll-on closure in a beverage bottling plant, with the features of claim 9. Advantageous developments result from the present description and the figures.

Accordingly, a closure device for closing a container with a roll-on closure, preferably for closing a beverage bottle with a roll-on closure in a beverage bottling plant, is proposed, comprising a container receptacle for receiving a container to be closed and a device assigned to the container receptacle for closing a container with a roll-on closure according to one of the above embodiments.

Because the closer includes a device according to one of the above embodiments, the advantages and effects described with regard to the device can also be achieved in an analogous manner by the closer.

Brief description of the figures

Figur 1

schematisch eine perspektivische Seitenansicht einer Vorrichtung zum Verschließen eines Behälters mit einem Anrollverschluss;

Figur 2

schematisch eine perspektivische Seitenansicht eines Umformarmes der Vorrichtung aus Figur 1;

Figur 3

schematisch eine Schnittansicht durch die Vorrichtung aus Figur 1;

Figur 4

schematisch eine weitere Schnittansicht durch die Vorrichtung aus Figur 1;

Figur 5

schematisch eine Schnittansicht durch den Umformarm aus Figur 2; und

Figur 6

schematisch eine Seitenansicht eines Verschließers zum Verschließen eines Behälters mit einem Anrollverschluss.

Preferred further embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail by the following description of the figures. show:

figure 1

schematically shows a perspective side view of a device for closing a container with a roll-on closure;

figure 2

schematically shows a perspective side view of a forming arm of the device figure 1 ;

figure 3

schematically shows a sectional view through the device figure 1 ;

figure 4

schematically shows another sectional view through the device figure 1 ;

figure 5

schematically shows a sectional view through the forming arm figure 2 ; and

figure 6

schematically shows a side view of a closure device for closing a container with a roll-on closure.

Detailed description of preferred exemplary embodiments

Preferred exemplary embodiments are described below with reference to the figures. Elements that are the same, similar or have the same effect are provided with identical reference symbols in the different figures, and a repeated description of these elements is sometimes dispensed with in order to avoid redundancies.

In figure 1 a perspective side view of a device 1 for closing a container with a roll-on closure is shown schematically in the form of a closure head, which can be used in a closure device for closing containers with a roll-on closure in a beverage bottling plant.

The device 1 comprises a plunger 2 for applying a head pressure to a top or front side of a roll-on closure, not shown here, when this is placed on a container mouth of a container to be closed. The device 1 further comprises a carrier 3 which can be rotated relative to the ram 2 about the longitudinal axis 20 of the ram 2 and has a plurality of forming arms 4 mounted pivotably on the carrier 3 via a pivot axis 40, the device 1 according to this preferred embodiment comprising four forming arms 4 . On each of the forming arms 4 , a forming roller 5 that is rotatable relative to the forming arm 4 is mounted on its underside so as to be rotatable relative to the forming arm 4 for introducing a forming into a side surface of the roll-on closure. At the bottom, the device 1 also has a centering plate 30 connected to the carrier 3 .

The forming arms 4 each have a pressure lever 41 whose position relative to the rest of the forming arm 4 can be adjusted via an adjusting element 42, so that a radial distance between the forming roller 5 and the longitudinal axis 20, which represents a central central axis of the device 1, can be adjusted.

The position of the forming arms 4 can be changed in a manner known per se via an actuator 21 by interaction with an interaction element 44 of the forming arm 4 .

In the present preferred embodiment, two opposite forming rollers 5 with respect to the longitudinal axis 20 are designed as thread rollers 5 ′ for introducing a thread into the side surfaces of the roll-on closure, and two further forming rollers 5 located opposite one another with respect to the longitudinal axis 20 are designed as flanging rollers 5" for introducing a flange into the side surface of the roll-on closure in order to form a safety ring or a tamper-proof band on the roll-on closure.

figure 2 shows schematically a perspective side view of a forming arm 4 of the device 1 figure 1 .besides the already in view of figure 1 mentioned components, the forming arm 4 also includes a biasing arrangement 7, which biases the forming roller 5 in relation to its axis of rotation 50 predetermined axial position, as with regard to FIG figure 5 explained in more detail.

figure 3 FIG. 12 schematically shows a sectional view through the device 1. FIG figure 1 , in which there is a clear view of the ram 2. In the present case, the device 1 is arranged at a distance in the direction of the longitudinal axis 20 from a container 9, on the container mouth of which a preform of a roll-on closure 8 is placed. The side surface 81 of the roll-on closure 8 does not yet include any deformations in the sense of a thread or a flange. The side surface 81 of the roll-on closure 8 is pushed over an external thread of the container mouth covered by the roll-on closure 8 . The inside of the end face 80 of the roll-on closure 8 is in contact with the end face of the container mouth.

The plunger 2 includes a feeler pin 22, through which it can be seen whether there is a roll-on closure 8 on the container mouth of the container 9. The feeler pin 22 is connected to a locking ring 23 which, when the feeler pin 22 is in the extended position, is at the level of a shoulder 45 extending radially inwards on the forming arms 4, so that the forming arms 4 can pivot about their respective pivot axis 40 in such a way that a reduced radial distance between the forming rollers 5 and the longitudinal axis 20 is blocked.

figure 4 shows the sectional view schematically figure 3 , wherein the device 1 was lowered in the direction of the longitudinal axis 20, so that the lower end face of the ram 2 is in contact with the end face 80 of the roll-on closure 8 and the predetermined head pressure can be applied to the end face 80 by the ram 2. In this position, the stylus 22 is in the direction of Longitudinal axis 20 upwards, consequently pushed into the plunger 2. The locking ring 23 is also pushed up accordingly, so that it is at a different height position than the shoulders 45 of the forming arms 4. This enables the forming rollers 5 to pivot inwards towards the roll-on closure 8, so that the forming rollers 5 contact the side surface 81 come into contact and transform them.

figure 5 shows schematically a sectional view through a portion of a forming arm 4 of the device 1 according to FIG Figures 1 to 4 . In this view it can be seen that the forming roller 5 is mounted on the forming arm 4 via a roller bearing in the form of a needle bearing 6 .

According to this preferred embodiment, the forming roller 5 has for this purpose a shaft section 51 which extends along its axis of rotation 50 and which at the same time functions as an inner ring for the needle bearing 6 . According to this preferred embodiment, the needle bearing 6 is designed in two rows. In other words, the needle bearing 6 comprises two needle roller rings 60 spaced apart from one another in the direction of the axis of rotation 50, which are each formed in a manner known per se by a plurality of needle rollers 61 arranged regularly in the circumferential direction with respect to the axis of rotation 50.

Instead of a separate bearing outer ring, the bearing outer ring of the needle bearing 6 is formed by the forming arm 4 itself, in the present case by a housing bushing 43 fastened to the forming arm 4 .

The location 64 of the needle bearing 6 is defined here as the area between the end faces of the needle rollers 61 of the two needle roller and cage assemblies that point away from one another. In other words, bearing point 64 essentially extends over the entire length of shaft section 51.

The first rim 60 of needle rollers 61 and the second rim 60 of needle rollers 61 are here arranged on opposite sides of the shaft segment 51 in relation to the shaft segment 51 .

Alternatively, the needle bearing rings 60 can also be arranged directly next to one another, so that the area of the shaft segment 51 supported by the needle rollers 61 essentially corresponds to the length of the shaft segment 51 .

The needle rollers 61 are each held in position by a cage 62 with respect to the circumferential direction. The axial position of the needle rollers 61 in relation to the axis of rotation 50 is fixed by corresponding shoulders and retaining rings on the housing bushing 43.

Correspondingly, the forming roller 5 is held in the housing bushing 43 via the needle roller rings 61 so that it can be displaced axially along its axis of rotation 50 . As stated with regard to figure 2 mentioned, the pretensioning arrangement 7 tensions the forming roller 5 in the in figure 5 shown position. For this purpose, the pretensioning arrangement 7 has a spring 70 which extends between a head disk 71 supported on a head section 52 of the forming roller 5 and a base disk 72 supported on a front side of the housing bushing 43, with the spring 70 preferably already having a predetermined pretension in this position includes.

In an alternative embodiment, an axial bearing (not shown here) can be provided between the base plate 72 and the end face of the housing bushing 43 , which ensures that the base plate 72 can rotate relative to the housing bushing 43 .

It is also possible for the foot disk 72 to comprise a material with high lubricity, for example PTFE or POM, at least on the side that is in contact with the housing bushing 43 . A sliding disk can also be provided between the aforementioned components.

The foot disk 72 represents an axial cover 63 of the needle bearing 6.

The needle bearing 6 is preferably lubrication-free and designed as a hybrid bearing. For this purpose, the housing bushing 43 and the shaft section 51 preferably comprise a first material, for example a steel alloy in each case. Furthermore, the needle rollers 60 have a second material that is different from the first material, for example a ceramic material or a polymer material.

So that sufficient cleaning fluid can get into the area of the needle roller and cage assemblies 60 when the device 1 is cleaned, an optional cleaning channel 65 is provided, through which cleaning medium can be guided or reach the needle roller and cage assemblies 60 from the outside.

In figure 6 a schematic side view of a closure device 100 for closing containers 9 with a roll-on closure 8 for use in a beverage bottling plant is shown. In the present case, the capper 100 is optionally designed as a rotary design. It comprises a carousel 101 which can be rotated about an axis of rotation 102 and on the lower side of which a plurality of

Container receptacles 103 are arranged for receiving a container to be closed 9, and also in the upper region of the carousel 101 a plurality of devices 1 according to Figures 1 to 5 are arranged, one device 1 being assigned to a container receptacle 103 in each case.

Containers 9 to be closed are fed to the carousel 101 via a container infeed 104, with the containers 9 already being provided with a preform or blank of the roll-on closure 8 as they pass through the container infeed 104, which has not yet had any deformations in its side surface, as with regard to figure 6 shown on the right.

To introduce the deformations into the side surface 81 of the roll-on closure 8 placed on the container 9, the device 1 is removed from its in figure 6 lowered to the position shown at right until they reach the in figure 6 occupies the position shown on the left, in which the intended deformations are introduced into the side surface 81 of the roll-on closure 8 by the deformation rollers 5 of the device 1 .

As far as applicable, all individual features that are presented in the exemplary embodiments can be combined with one another and/or exchanged without departing from the scope of the invention.

Reference character list

1

contraption

2

pestle

20

longitudinal axis

21

actuator

22

stylus

23

locking ring

3

carrier

30

centering plate

4

forming arm

40

pivot axis

41

pressure lever

42

adjustment element

43

housing socket

44

interaction element

45

Unit volume

5

forming roll

5'

thread roll

5"

flanging roller

50

axis of rotation

51

wave section

52

head section

6

needle bearing

60

needle roller and cage assembly

61

needle roller

62

Cage

63

Axial cover

64

storage place

65

cleaning channel

7

biasing arrangement

70

Feather

71

head washer

72

foot washer

8th

roll-on closure

80

face

81

side faces

9

container

100

capper

101

carousel

102

axis of rotation

103

container pickup

104

container feeder

Claims (9)

Device (1) for closing a container (9) with a roll-on closure (8), preferably for closing a beverage container (9) with a roll-on closure (8) in a beverage bottling plant, comprising a plunger (2) for applying head pressure to a roll-on closure to be rolled on (8), a carrier (3) rotatable relative to the ram (20) about its longitudinal axis (20), a forming arm (4) pivotably arranged on the carrier (3), and a forming arm (4) rotatable relative to the forming arm (4) on the forming arm (4) bearing-mounted forming roller (5) for introducing a forming into a side surface (81) of the roll-on closure (8), characterized in that the forming roller (5) is mounted on the forming arm (4) via a roller bearing, preferably a needle bearing (6). Device (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that an outer bearing ring of the roller bearing, preferably the needle bearing (6), is formed by the forming arm (4), preferably by a housing bushing (43) arranged on the forming arm (4). Device (1) according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a bearing inner ring of the roller bearing, preferably the needle bearing (6), is formed by the forming roller (5), preferably by a shaft section (51) of the forming roller (5). Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the roller bearing, preferably the needle bearing (6), is designed as a hybrid bearing, with the bearing outer ring and the bearing inner ring of the roller bearing, preferably the needle bearing (6), preferably having a first material , and wherein the rolling elements, preferably the needle rollers (61), of the roller bearing, preferably of the needle bearing (6), have a second material that is different from the first material. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the roller bearing, preferably the needle bearing (6), is designed to be lubrication-free. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one component of the roller bearing, preferably the needle bearing (6), has a cleaning channel (65) for introducing a cleaning medium, with preferably a cage (62) of the roller bearing, preferably of the needle bearing (6), and/or the bearing outer ring and/or the bearing inner ring and/or an axial cover (63) of the roller bearing, preferably of the needle bearing (6), has a cleaning channel (65). Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the roller bearing, preferably the needle bearing (6), is designed in a single row, or that the roller bearing, preferably the needle bearing (6) is designed in multiple rows, preferably two rows, with preferably a first ring (60) of rolling elements, preferably needle rollers (61), and a second ring (60) of rolling elements, preferably needle rollers (61), are arranged at a predetermined distance from one another and/or in relation to a shaft segment (51) of the forming roller (5) are arranged on opposite sides of the shaft segment (51). Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the forming roller (5) as a thread roller (5 ') for introducing a thread in the side surface (81) of the roll-on closure (8) or as a flanging roller (5 ") for introducing a Flanging is formed in the side surface (81) of the roll-on closure (8). Closing device (100) for closing a container (9) with a roll-on closure (8), preferably for closing a beverage bottle (9) with a roll-on closure (8) in a beverage bottling plant, comprising a container receptacle (103) for receiving a container (9 ), marked by a device (1) associated with the container receptacle (103) for closing a container (9) with a roll-on closure (8) according to one of the preceding claims.

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