EP4011819B1 - Device and method for closing a container with a container closure - Google Patents

Description

Technical area

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

State of the art

It is known to close beverage containers, such as bottles, with container closures. In this regard, among other things, it is known to close bottles with plastic screw caps by screwing the respective screw cap onto a container mouth or bottle mouth provided with an external thread using a capper.

Furthermore, it is known for bottles to close them with a press-on closure, which is pressed onto the container mouth by applying head pressure. Such closures are, for example, crown caps. In addition, certain plastic fasteners are also pressed on.

In both variants, in order to apply a closure to a container opening, a closure unit is lowered in the direction of a container held in a container receptacle until a closure held by the closure unit comes into contact with the container opening. The position of the closing unit is predetermined by a guide curve that engages with the closing unit.

In order to use a capper in a filling plant both for applying screw caps and for applying press-on caps, it was previously necessary to replace the respective capping elements as well as to change the guide curves, by means of which the capping elements were forced to lower and raise along the capping curve becomes. Press-on caps generally require very quick application with a steep guide curve and high head pressure, whereas screw caps require a comparatively long process low head pressure and slow application and therefore a flat guide curve are required.

Accordingly, different head pressures are required for the application of screw caps and the application of press-on caps. To convert from processing one closure type to the other closure type, either the head pressure on the closure unit must be readjusted, which involves a lot of effort. Alternatively, it is known to replace the entire closing unit on the closer when converting. This is also complex; twice the number of closing units must be produced and the closing units that are not required must be stored.

Sealers are also known which have two different, parallel guide curves that are installed one above the other in the sealer. Depending on which type of closure is to be processed, the roller of the closure unit is hooked into either one or the other guide curve. Since seamers usually include a large number of seaming units, such a conversion is particularly time-consuming.

document US 2,359,932 A describes a device according to the preamble of claim 1.

Presentation of the invention

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

The object is achieved by a device for closing a container with a container closure, preferably for closing a beverage container with a container closure in a beverage filling system, with the features of claim 1. Advantageous further developments result from the subclaims, the description and the figures.

Accordingly, a device for closing a container with a container closure, preferably for closing a beverage container with a container closure in a beverage filling system, is proposed, comprising a transport unit movable in a transport direction with a transverse to the transport unit Transport direction movable closure unit for selectably applying a first closure type to a container opening of a first container type and a second closure type to a container opening of a second container type, wherein a guide curve for specifying a position of the closure unit is engaged with the closure unit transversely to the transport direction. The device is characterized in that the guide curve comprises a first guide section for guiding the closure unit for applying the first type of closure and a second guide section downstream of the first guide section in the transport direction for guiding the closure unit for applying the second type of closure.

In other words, the first guide section and the second guide section are sections of the same guide curve. Therefore, only one continuous guide curve is provided, which includes both guide sections. The closing unit is consequently guided along the guide curve along both the first and second guide sections during each closing process or each transport in the transport direction. In other words, the first guide section and the second guide section are always traveled one after the other.

Because the guide curve comprises a first guide section for guiding the closure unit for applying the first type of closure and a second guide section downstream of the first guide section in the transport direction for guiding the closure unit for applying the second type of closure, it is not necessary when changing the processing Closure type to the other closure types to carry out a manual conversion of the closing unit or the guide curve or the coupling between the closing unit and the guide curve. In particular, it is not necessary to “reposition” the roller of the closing units from one guide curve to another guide curve.

The guide curve is preferably designed as a self-contained guide curve.

Alternatively, the guide cam can be designed as an open guide cam, comprising a beginning and an end, in or from which an optional guide element of the closing device, such as a roller, a carriage or a pin, which interacts with the guide cam, is brought into engagement or disengagement can be.

An intermediate section can preferably be arranged between the first guide section and the second guide section, which is preferably provided for providing a predetermined, constant head pressure on a container closure of the first closure type which is applied to a container of the first container type when passing through the first guide section. During transport along the intermediate section, the closure unit preferably has a substantially constant distance relative to the container accommodated in the device and closed via the closure unit with a container closure. Furthermore, it has proven to be advantageous if a holding section for providing a predetermined, constant head pressure is arranged downstream of the second guide section, viewed in the transport direction.

The device is preferably designed in a rotary design. The transport unit then corresponds to a carousel, which can be rotated about an axis of rotation in the transport direction relative to a base frame.

It has proven to be advantageous if the transport direction is oriented essentially perpendicular to the acceleration due to gravity and/or the closure unit is displaceable on the transport unit in the height direction, i.e. essentially parallel to the acceleration due to gravity.

The closing unit preferably comprises a guide element which engages with the guide curve, preferably a guide roller, a guide pin or a guide carriage, which is guided through or in the guide curve.

Furthermore, the closure unit preferably comprises a closure receiving part which can be displaced transversely to the transport direction relative to the guide element for receiving a closure. Preferably, the closure receiving part can also be designed to be able to accommodate both types of closure with one closure receptacle.

Alternatively, the closure unit can have a first closure receptacle, which is designed to receive a container closure of the first closure type, and a second closure receptacle, which is designed to receive a container closure of the second closure type. Preferably, the first and second closure receptacles can be changed or exchanged between a working position and a storage position. If container closures of the first closure type are to be processed, the first closure receptacle is in the working position and the second closure receptacle is in the storage position and vice versa.

Preferably, the positions of the shutter receptacles can be changed automatically, without the need for manual conversion.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the transport unit comprises a container receptacle arranged below the closing unit and assigned to the closing unit for receiving a container to be closed by the closing unit, preferably a container receptacle for receiving the container at its neck area. In other words, the container receptacle can be designed as a neck handling container receptacle. Alternatively, the container holder can be designed to hold the container at its bottom. In other words, the container receptacle can be designed as a neck handling container receptacle. Particularly in the latter embodiment, it can be advantageous to guide the container in its neck area. For this purpose, the container holder can have a guide. Alternatively, a separate container guide can be provided. Preferably, a distance transverse to the transport direction between the guide curve and the container holder can be changed.

The container holder and/or the closing unit can be designed to be height-adjustable in order to enable the device to process different containers or container types.

The term “below” is to be understood here in relation to the acceleration due to gravity. An object arranged below the closure unit is therefore at least partially closer to the center of the earth or at least partially has a lower height than the closure unit.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the container receptacle and the guide curve can be displaced relative to one another transversely to the transport direction between a first position with a first distance relative to one another and a second position with a second distance relative to one another.

The device preferably has a locking arrangement by which the first position and the second position can be locked. In this way, an adjustment of the distance between the guide curve and the container holder can be provided in a simple manner with two locking points, with the aforementioned parts preferably being moved relative to one another via a drive, preferably a servo motor.

In the first position, the container receptacle and the guide curve are preferably arranged relative to one another in such a way that a container of the first container type held in the container receptacle is positioned for application of a closure of the first closure type as it passes through the first guide section. In the second position, the container receptacle and the guide curve are preferably arranged correspondingly to one another in such a way that a container of the second container type held in the container receptacle is positioned for application of a closure of the second closure type when passing through the second guide section.

It has proven to be advantageous if the second distance is greater than the first distance by at least a first stroke of the closing unit, which it experiences in the first guide section transversely to the transport direction. The second distance preferably corresponds to the sum of the first stroke of the closing unit, which it experiences in the first guide section transversely to the transport direction, and the first distance.

In other words, the distance between the guide curve and the container holder can be changed by a predetermined amount of length, this amount of length corresponding to at least the amount of the stroke that the closing unit experiences, predetermined by the guide curve in the first guide section, transversely to the transport direction. The second distance is therefore greater than the first distance at least by the stroke of the closing unit, which is provided by the first guide section.

According to a further preferred embodiment, at least one spring element for applying a head pressure required for applying a closure is arranged between the guide element and the closure receptacle, wherein the at least one spring element is arranged to be supported on one side on the guide element and on the other side on the Support the shutter mount. The head pressure necessary for the application of the respective container closure can be provided by the at least one spring element.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the closure unit comprises a first spring element and a second spring element, wherein preferably the first spring element is designed to apply a head pressure required for applying the first type of closure, and / or the second spring element is designed to apply a pressure required for applying the second type of closure required head pressure is formed.

It has proven to be advantageous if the first and second spring elements are arranged in such a way that when the closing device is lowered onto a container to be closed, the second spring element first experiences a deflection, and from a predetermined first deflection travel of the second spring element the first spring element also experiences a deflection undergoes deflection.

Alternatively or additionally, the first spring element can be designed to be shorter than the second spring element.

Preferably, the first spring element has a greater spring stiffness than the second spring element.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the first spring element and the second spring element are formed integrally with one another. In other words, the first spring element and the second spring element can be formed by a spring element, which generates a different spring force from a predetermined compression than at the beginning of the compression.

According to a further preferred embodiment, at least one locking unit is provided in order to prestress one or more of the spring elements and thereby to provide a higher force at least in the first guide section or in the second guide section.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the first guide section provides a first stroke of the closing unit in the direction of the container receptacle, and / or the second guide section provides a second stroke of the closure unit in the direction of the container receptacle, the first stroke preferably being greater than that second stroke, wherein preferably the first stroke is larger than the predetermined first deflection travel, wherein preferably the first stroke is equal to or greater than a sum of the predetermined first deflection travel and a predetermined further deflection travel of the first and second spring elements, and / or preferably the second stroke is equal to or smaller than the specified first deflection travel.

Correspondingly, in the first position of the guide curve and the container holder, the second spring element initially deflects relative to one another, which preferably has a lower spring stiffness than the first spring element. However, the deflection point of the first spring element is also reached and exceeded, so that the container closure of the first closure type, which is preferably a press-on closure, can be applied to the container opening with the comparatively high head pressure required for this.

In the second position of the guide roller and container holder relative to one another, i.e. with an increased distance, the spring elements in the first guide section do not experience any deflection. In addition, the second stroke provided in the second guide section, which essentially corresponds to the current deflection travel of the second spring element, is no longer sufficient to also cause the first spring element to deflect. The screw cap is therefore only pressed onto the container mouth with the spring force of the weaker second spring element.

Preferably, the first guide section is designed such that in the first position at the starting point of the first guide section, the second spring element has no deflection and the deflection of the second spring element begins, and / or the second guide section is designed such that in the second position at the starting point of the second guide section, the second spring element has no deflection and the deflection of the second spring element begins.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the transport unit and the guide curve are designed to be height-adjustable by a predetermined amount relative to a base frame transversely to the transport direction. Alternatively, the guide curve is designed to be height-adjustable relative to the transport unit transversely to the transport direction by a predetermined amount. In both cases, the specified amount preferably corresponds to the amount of the difference between the first distance and the second distance.

The sealer preferably comprises an upper part which is arranged to be movable, preferably rotatable, around a base frame. The upper part preferably has the guide curve and the transport unit including the container holder.

According to a preferred embodiment, the guide curve can be arranged on the upper part so as to be displaceable transversely to the transport direction. Alternatively, the container receptacle can be arranged on the upper part so as to be displaceable transversely to the transport direction, in which case the upper part is then preferably arranged so as to be displaceable transversely to the transport direction relative to the base frame, so that a height offset resulting from the displacement of the container receptacle transversely to the transport direction occurs with respect to a height level of a sealer seen in the transport direction upstream container feed or a container takeover downstream of the seamer can be compensated for by moving the upper part accordingly.

Preferably, viewed in the transport direction, a receiving point at which a container to be closed is received by the container holder is located in front of the first guide section. Furthermore, a delivery point at which the closed container is removed from the container receptacle is downstream of the second guide section.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the first closure type is a press-on closure and/or the second closure type is a screw-on closure. Accordingly, the closure unit is then designed for the selectable application of a press-on closure to a container opening of a first container type and a screw-on closure onto a container opening of a second container type, the first guide section for guiding the closure unit for applying the press-on closure and the second guide section downstream of the first guide section in the transport direction is designed to guide the closure unit for applying the screw-on closure.

The transport direction is preferably arranged essentially orthogonally to the acceleration due to gravity. In other words, the transport direction extends essentially horizontally. Accordingly, the direction transverse to the transport direction is essentially oriented in the direction of gravitational acceleration or extends essentially vertically.

The above object is further achieved by a method for closing a container with a container closure, preferably for closing a beverage container with a container closure in a beverage filling system with the features of claim 12. Advantageous further developments result from the subclaims, the description and the figures.

Accordingly, a method for closing a container with a container closure, preferably for closing a beverage container with a container closure in a beverage bottling plant, is proposed, comprising the steps of transporting a container to be closed along a transport direction in a transport unit, and optionally applying a first type of closure a container opening of a first container type and a second closure type onto a container opening of a second container type by means of a closure unit movable transversely to the transport direction, the position of the closure unit transverse to the transport direction being predetermined by a guide curve which engages with the closure unit. The method is characterized in that the guide curve comprises a first guide section in which the closing unit for the Application of the first closure type is guided, and comprises a second guide section downstream of the first guide section in the transport direction, in which the closure unit is guided for the application of the second closure type.

The method can be used to achieve the advantages and effects described with regard to the device in an analogous manner.

According to a further embodiment, the transport unit comprises a container receptacle arranged below the closing unit for receiving a container to be closed by the closing unit, preferably a container receptacle for receiving the container at its neck area and/or at its container bottom, with preferably a distance transverse to the transport direction between the guide curve and the container holder is adjusted depending on the type of closure to be applied.

According to a further embodiment, in order to adjust the distance, the container holder and the guide curve are displaced relative to one another transversely to the transport direction between a first position with a first distance relative to one another and a second position with a second distance relative to one another.

According to a further embodiment, in the first position, the container receptacle and the guide curve are arranged relative to one another in such a way that a container of the first container type held in the container receptacle is positioned for an application of a closure of the first closure type as it passes through the first guide section, wherein in the second position the Container receptacle and the guide curve are arranged relative to one another in such a way that a container of the second container type held in the container receptacle is positioned for application of a closure of the second closure type when passing through the second guide section.

According to a further embodiment, the second distance is greater than the first distance by at least a first stroke of the closing unit, which it experiences in the first guide section transversely to the transport direction.

According to a further embodiment, the closure unit comprises a first spring element and a second spring element, wherein preferably a head pressure required for applying the first closure type is applied via the first spring element, and / or a for Applying the second closure type required head pressure is applied by the second spring element.

According to a further embodiment, when the closing device is lowered onto a container to be closed, the second spring element first experiences a deflection, and from a predetermined first deflection travel of the second spring element, the first spring element also experiences a deflection, and / or the first spring element is designed to be shorter than that second spring element and/or the first spring element has a greater spring stiffness than the second spring element.

According to a further embodiment, the closure unit in the first guide section experiences a first stroke in the direction of the container receptacle, and / or the closure unit in the second guide section experiences a second stroke in the direction of the container receptacle, wherein preferably the first stroke is greater than the second stroke, wherein preferably the first stroke is larger than the predetermined first deflection travel, wherein preferably the first stroke is equal to or greater than a sum of the predetermined first deflection travel and a predetermined further deflection travel of the first spring element and the second spring element, and / or is preferably the second stroke equal or smaller than the specified first deflection travel.

According to a further embodiment, the transport unit and the guide curve are jointly adjusted in height relative to a base frame transversely to the transport direction by a predetermined amount and/or the guide curve is adjusted in height relative to the transport unit transversely to the transport direction by a predetermined amount, the predetermined amount preferably being the amount of the difference corresponds to the first distance and the second distance.

According to a further embodiment, the first closure type is a press-on closure and/or the second closure type is a screw-on closure.

Short description of the characters

Figur 1

schematisch eine Seitenansicht einer ersten Ausführungsform einer Vorrichtung zum Verschließen eines Behälters mit einem Behälterverschluss;

Figur 2

schematisch eine Seitenansicht einer Vorrichtung zum Verschließen eines Behälters mit einem Behälterverschluss gemäß einer weiteren Ausführungsform;

Figur 3

schematisch eine Seitenansicht einer Verschließeinheit der Vorrichtung aus Figur 1 in drei unterschiedlichen Positionen;

Figur 4

schematisch eine Seitenansicht der Verschließeinheit der Vorrichtung gemäß Figur 1 in zwei unterschiedlichen Positionen;

Figur 5

schematisch eine Seitenansicht der Verschließeinheit einer Vorrichtung zum Verschließen eines Behälters mit einem Behälterverschluss gemäß einer weiteren Ausführungsform in zwei unterschiedlichen Positionen;

Figur 6

schematisch eine Seitenansicht der Verschließeinheit der Vorrichtung gemäß Figur 1 in zwei unterschiedlichen Positionen;

Figur 7

schematisch eine Seitenansicht der Verschließeinheit einer Vorrichtung zum Verschließen eines Behälters mit einem Behälterverschluss gemäß einer weiteren Ausführungsform in zwei unterschiedlichen Positionen;

Figur 8

schematisch eine Draufsicht einer Vorrichtung zum Verschließen eines Behälters mit einem Behälterverschluss gemäß einer weiteren Ausführungsform;

Figur 9

schematisch eine Seitenansicht einer Verschließeinheit gemäß einer weiteren Ausführungsform;

Figur 10

schematisch eine Seitenansicht einer Verschließeinheit gemäß einer weiteren Ausführungsform;

Figur 11

schematisch eine Seitenansicht einer Verschließeinheit gemäß einer weiteren Ausführungsform; und

Figur 12

schematisch eine Seitenansicht einer Verschließeinheit gemäß einer weiteren Ausführungsform.

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

Figure 1

schematically a side view of a first embodiment of a device for closing a container with a container closure;

Figure 2

schematically a side view of a device for closing a container with a container closure according to a further embodiment;

Figure 3

schematically a side view of a closing unit of the device Figure 1 in three different positions;

Figure 4

schematically a side view of the closure unit of the device according to Figure 1 in two different positions;

Figure 5

schematically a side view of the closing unit of a device for closing a container with a container closure according to a further embodiment in two different positions;

Figure 6

schematically a side view of the closure unit of the device according to Figure 1 in two different positions;

Figure 7

schematically a side view of the closing unit of a device for closing a container with a container closure according to a further embodiment in two different positions;

Figure 8

schematically a top view of a device for closing a container with a container closure according to a further embodiment;

Figure 9

schematically a side view of a closure unit according to a further embodiment;

Figure 10

schematically a side view of a closure unit according to a further embodiment;

Figure 11

schematically a side view of a closure unit according to a further embodiment; and

Figure 12

schematically a side view of a closure unit according to a further embodiment.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments

Preferred exemplary embodiments are described below with reference to the figures. The same, similar or identical elements in the different figures are given identical reference numbers, and a repeated description of these elements is partly omitted in order to avoid redundancies.

In Figure 1 a side view of a first embodiment of a device 1 for closing a container with a container closure is shown schematically, which in the present case is designed for closing beverage containers with a container closure in a beverage bottling plant.

The device 1 comprises a transport unit 2 movable in a transport direction T, with a plurality of closing units 3 which can be displaced on the transport unit 2 in a direction R transverse to the transport direction T and which are designed for the selectable application of a first closure type 8 to a container opening of a first container type 9 and a second closure type 8' on a container opening of a second container type 9' (the latter not shown in this view). In Figure 1 only one of the closing units 3 is shown schematically as an example.

The transport unit 2 further comprises a plurality of container receptacles 20 for receiving a container 9 to be closed by the closing unit 3, with one container receptacle 20 being assigned to a closing unit 3 and being arranged accordingly below it. In Figure 1 only one of the container receptacles 20 is shown schematically as an example.

The closing unit 3 comprises a guide element 30, which is guided in a guide curve 4 for specifying a position of the closing unit 3 transversely to the transport direction T. According to the shape of the guide curve 4, the guide element 30 is guided along the guide curve 4 when a closing unit 3 is transported in the transport direction T. The closing unit 3 thus experiences a displacement in the direction R transverse to the transport direction T.

The transport unit 2 and the guide curve 4 are arranged on a common upper part 10 of the device 1, the upper part 10 being height-adjustable relative to a base frame 11 transversely to the transport direction T, and therefore in the direction R transversely to the transport direction T is trained. The known height adjustment 14 or height adjustment device provided for this purpose is in Figure 1 only indicated schematically.

The transport unit 2 includes a height adjustment 21, through which a distance from the container holder 20 relative to the guide curve 4 can be changed. By moving the transport unit 2 or the container receptacle 20, the container receptacle 20 and the guide curve 4 can be moved transversely to the transport direction T relative to one another between a first position, as in Figure 1 shown, can be moved relative to one another at a first distance A1 and to a second position relative to one another at a second distance A2. The first position and the second position represent locking points in which the container holder 20 can be locked. The difference D between the first distance A1 and the second distance A2 corresponds to a predetermined amount.

By lowering the container holders 20 into the second position with the distance A2, as in Figure 1 indicated at the bottom right, the container receptacles 20 experience an offset with respect to their height position or with respect to their height level H with regard to the acceleration due to gravity G. However, since the height level H must be kept constant so that a container feed upstream of the device 1 is used to feed containers 9 and 9 to be closed a container transfer downstream of the device 1 for taking over closed containers 9 (both not shown) does not also have to be adjusted in its height position H, the height offset of the amount of the difference D resulting from the lowering of the container holder 20 is due to a lifting of the upper part 10 compared to that Base frame 11, also to compensate for the difference D, as in Figure 1 indicated in the middle at the top.

The guide curve 4 comprises a first guide section 41 for guiding the closure unit 3 for the application of the first closure type 8 and a second guide section 42 downstream of the first guide section 41 in the transport direction T for guiding the closure unit 3 for the application of the second closure type 8 '.

In the first position, the container receptacle 20 and the guide curve 4 are arranged relative to one another in such a way that a container 9 of the first container type held in the container receptacle 20 is positioned for an application of a closure 8 of the first closure type as it passes through the first guide section 41. In the second position, the container receptacle 20 and the guide curve 4 are arranged relative to one another in such a way that a container of the second container type 9' held in the container receptacle 20 is positioned for an application of a closure 8' of the second closure type as it passes through the second guide section 42.

In the present case, the first closure type 8 is a press-on closure and the second closure type 8' is a screw-on closure.

The closure unit 3 comprises a closure receiving part 33, which in the present case is designed to be able to accommodate both a closure of the first closure type 8 and a closure of the second closure type. Alternatively, the closure receiving part 33 can also include two closure receptacles, which can be changed either into a working position or a storage position. Alternatively, the closure receiving part 33 can also be changed. A change is preferably carried out by handing over at a predetermined position.

Figure 2 shows schematically a further embodiment of a device 1 for closing a container 9 with a container closure 8. The device 1 essentially corresponds to that from Figure 1 , wherein the transport unit 2 and the container holder 20 have a constant height level H. In other words, the transport unit 2 has no height adjustment 21 as in Figure 1 shown on.

In the embodiment according to Figure 2 the guide curve 4 is designed to be displaceable on the base frame 11 in the direction R transversely to the transport direction T via a height adjustment indicated by reference number 43 relative to the transport unit 2. In Figure 2 the guide curve 4 and the transport unit 2 or the container holder 20 are arranged relative to one another in the first position in which they have the first distance A1 from one another. By lifting the guide curve 4 into the position indicated by the reference number 4 ', the container holder 20 and the guide curve 4 can be moved into the second position relative to one another with the second distance A2 from one another, accordingly Figure 1 by the amount or the difference D.

The closure unit 3 comprises a first spring element 31 and a second spring element 32, wherein the first spring element 31 is designed to apply a head pressure required for applying the first closure type 8, and the second spring element 32 is designed to apply a head pressure required for applying the second closure type 8 ` required head pressure is designed, as with regard to the Figures 3 to 7 explained in detail.

Figure 3 shows schematically a side view of the closing unit 3 of the device 1 Figure 1 in three different positions (AC). The spring elements 31, 32 are between the

Guide element 30 or a guide element-side support 34 connected to the guide element 30 is arranged on one side and the closure receiving part 33. The second spring element 32 is designed to be longer than the first spring element 31. Correspondingly, the second spring element 32 has a spring length in the unloaded state 320, which is longer than the spring length in the unloaded state 310 of the first spring element 31. Furthermore, the spring stiffness of the first spring element 31 (hereinafter: “first spring stiffness c1”) greater than the spring stiffness of the second spring element 32 (hereinafter: “second spring stiffness c2”).

In the in Figure 3 In the position (A) shown on the left, the first spring element 31 and the second spring element 32 are in an unloaded state, the distance between the guide element-side support 34 and the closure receiving part 33 corresponding to the spring length 320 of the second spring element 32.

The closure receiving part 33 has a closure 8 received therein, which is in contact with a container opening of a container 9.

When the guide element 30 is lowered in the direction of the container 9, initially only the second spring element 32 experiences deflection or compression. At a predetermined first deflection travel E1 of the second spring element 32, as in Figure 3 Represented in the middle by position (B), the first spring element 31 comes into contact with the closure receiving part 33 with its lower, free end. From this point onwards, the first spring element 31 also experiences deflection, as in Figure 3 shown on the right by position (C). The entire spring travel E3 of the second spring element 32, as shown in position (C), is composed of the first spring travel E1 and a further spring travel E2. The deflection travel of the first spring element 31 in position (C) only corresponds to the further deflection travel E2.

The closure unit 3 thus exerts essentially no force on the closure 8 in position (A). Between positions (A) and (B), only the second spring element 32 exerts a spring force on the closure 8, corresponding to the product of the second spring stiffness c2 and the current deflection travel (E) of the second spring element 32: $$F=\mathrm{<figure-callout\; id="2"\; label="c"\; filenames="imgf0001.png,imgf0002.png"\; state="\{\{state\}\}">c</figure-callout>}2\ast E$$

In position (B), the spring force F of the second spring element 32 is corresponding to: $$F=\mathrm{<figure-callout\; id="2"\; label="c"\; filenames="imgf0001.png,imgf0002.png"\; state="\{\{state\}\}">c</figure-callout>}2\ast \mathrm{<figure-callout\; id="1"\; label="E"\; filenames="imgf0001.png,imgf0002.png"\; state="\{\{state\}\}">E</figure-callout>}1$$

Furthermore, in position (B), the first spring element 31 provides essentially no force since it is essentially unloaded.

In position (C) according to Figure 3 The resulting spring force F is composed of the forces exerted by the first spring element 31 and the second spring element 32: $$F=\left(\mathrm{<figure-callout\; id="2"\; label="c"\; filenames="imgf0001.png,imgf0002.png"\; state="\{\{state\}\}">c</figure-callout>}2\ast \mathrm{<figure-callout\; id="1"\; label="E"\; filenames="imgf0001.png,imgf0002.png"\; state="\{\{state\}\}">E</figure-callout>}1+\mathrm{<figure-callout\; id="2"\; label="E"\; filenames="imgf0001.png,imgf0002.png"\; state="\{\{state\}\}">E</figure-callout>}2\right)+\left(\mathrm{<figure-callout\; id="1"\; label="c"\; filenames="imgf0001.png,imgf0002.png"\; state="\{\{state\}\}">c</figure-callout>}1\ast \mathrm{<figure-callout\; id="2"\; label="E"\; filenames="imgf0001.png,imgf0002.png"\; state="\{\{state\}\}">E</figure-callout>}2\right)$$

Figure 4 shows schematically the closing unit 3 of the device 1 according to Figure 1 at the beginning of the first guide section 41 (position (A)) and at the end of the first guide section 41 (position (B)) when the guide curve 4 and the container holder 20 are in the first position relative to each other.

At the beginning of the guide section 41, the closing units 3 are located according to the figure in Figure 3 (A) described arrangement. The container closure 8 accommodated in the closure receiving part 33 is therefore in contact with the container opening of the associated container 9 without any head pressure being applied to the container closure 8 by the second spring element 32.

When passing through the first guide section 41, the closing units 3 experience a first stroke H1, which is greater than the first deflection travel E1 as with regard to Figure 3 described. In the present case, the first stroke H1 corresponds to the sum of the first deflection travel E1 and further deflection travel E2, and therefore the total deflection travel E3 as with regard to Figure 3 described. Accordingly, the first spring element 31 is compressed by the further deflection travel E2, so that a head pressure is applied to the container closure 8 in particular via the first spring element 31. The second spring element 33 also provides a spring force and therefore a component of the head pressure on the container closure 8, which, however, is comparatively small compared to the first spring stiffness c1 due to the lower second spring stiffness c2. The two spring elements 31, 32 both point in the in Figure 4 Position (B) shown on the right shows the current remaining spring length 35.

In the present case, the container closure 8 is designed as a press-on closure. Accordingly, the head pressure provided by the closure units 3 at the end of the first guide section 41 is designed for applying press-on closures.

When the second guide section 42 is subsequently passed through, the closing unit 3 experiences a further lowering and thus the spring elements 31, 32 experience a further lowering compression. However, this compression and the associated increase in the head pressure on the container closure 8 is not a problem since the container closure 8 has already been correctly applied to the container 9 after the first guide section 41.

Figure 5 shows schematically the closing unit 3 of the device 1 according to a further embodiment at the beginning of the first guide section 41 (position (A)) and at the end of the first guide section 41 (position (B)) when the guide curve 4 and the container receptacle 20 are in relation to each other first position, the arrangement of the closing units 3 and the guide curve 4 being essentially the same as in view Figure 4 corresponds to described. As opposed to Figure 4 However, the closing unit 3 is not in contact with the container 9 at the beginning of the first guide section 41. Rather, the container closure 8 held by the closure receiving part 33 is still spaced from the container 9 by an additional distance 37. Accordingly, the stroke H1 'has to additionally encompass this additional distance 37. It is therefore composed of the first spring travel E1, the further spring travel E2 and the additional distance 37.

Figure 6 shows schematically the closing unit 3 of the device 1 according to Figure 1 at the beginning of the second guide section 42 (position (A)) and at the end of the second guide section 42 (position (B)), when the guide curve 4 and the container holder 20 are in the second position relative to each other, in which the device 1 for applying Container closures 8 'of the second closure type is set up. Due to the second distance A2 increased by the difference D, the container closure 8 'held by the closing units 3 does not come into contact with the container opening of the container 9' of the second container type while passing through the first guide section 41, but only comes into contact at the beginning of the second guide section 42 onto the container 9', as in Figure 6 shown on the left by position (A). When passing through the second guide section 42, the closing unit 3 experiences a second stroke H2, which is smaller than the first deflection travel E1, in the present case by a predetermined amount, which is the in Figure 6 Gap 36 shown on the right by position (B) between the free end of the first spring element 31 and the closure receiving part 33 corresponds.

Accordingly, only the second spring element 32 exerts a spring force on the container closure 8 'depending on the second stroke H2, according to: $$F=\mathrm{<figure-callout\; id="2"\; label="c"\; filenames="imgf0001.png,imgf0002.png"\; state="\{\{state\}\}">c</figure-callout>}2\ast \mathrm{<figure-callout\; id="2"\; label="H"\; filenames="imgf0001.png,imgf0002.png"\; state="\{\{state\}\}">H</figure-callout>}2$$

As a result, the closing unit 3 exerts a head pressure on the container closure 8', as is required for applying a screw-on closure 8'.

Figure 7 shows schematically the closing unit 3 of the device 1 according to a further embodiment at the beginning of the second guide section 42 (position (A)) and at the end of the second guide section 42 (position (B)) when the guide curve 4 and the container receptacle 20 are in relation to each other second position, the arrangement of the closing units 3 and the guide curve 4 essentially being the same as in view Figure 6 corresponds to described. As opposed to Figure 4 the closing unit 3 is not in contact with the container 9 'at the beginning of the second guide section 42. Rather, the container closure 8 'held by the closure receiving part 33 is spaced from the container 9' by the additional distance 37. Accordingly, the hub H2 'has to include this additional distance 37. It is therefore made up of the required deflection travel of the second spring element 32 and the additional distance 37. In other words, the height of the stroke H2' corresponds to the sum of the stroke H2 Figure 4 and the additional distance 37.

In order to ensure that the closing unit 3 as per Figures 4 and 6 described when passing through the guide sections 41, 42, the second distance A2 around the first stroke H1 of the closing unit 3, which it experiences in the first guide section 41 transversely to the transport direction T, is greater than the first distance A1. The difference D therefore essentially corresponds to the first stroke H1.

Figure 8 shows schematically a top view of a device 1 for closing a container with a container closure according to a further embodiment. In contrast to the devices 1 from the Figures 1 and 2 is the device 1 in Figure 8 executed in rotary design. The guide curve 4 is analogous to the Figures 1 and 2 closed, it extends analogously to the Figures 1 and 2 , but with respect to a central axis of rotation 15 of the transport unit 2 in the circumferential direction. The guide curve 4 has, analogously to what was described above, the first guide section 41 and then the second guide section 42.

Seen in the transport direction T, the second guide section 42 is followed by a return area 45, in which the closing unit 3 is returned to an initial position. Arranged in the return area 45 are a pickup point 12, at which a container to be closed is picked up by the transport unit 2, and a delivery point 13, at which a container closed by the device 1 with a container closure is delivered to a downstream device (not shown). . The first one A closure receiving area 44 extends upstream of the guide area 41, in which the closure unit 3 receives a container closure to be applied from a closure feed device (not shown).

Also the devices 1 of Figures 1 and 2 In the present case have the optional closure receiving area 44 and the optional return area 45.

The Figures 9 to 12 show side views of further preferred embodiments of the closing unit 3.

In the Figure 9 The closing unit 3 shown essentially corresponds to the closing unit 3 Figure 4 , whereby here the guide element-side support 34 comprises a recess 340 into which the upper part of the second guide element 32 extends. Accordingly, the upper end of the second guide element 32 and the upper end of the first guide element 31 are not arranged at the same height.

In the Figure 10 The closing unit 3 shown essentially corresponds to the closing unit 3 Figure 9 , whereby here the first spring element 31 and the second spring element 32 have the same spring length in the unloaded state and also have the same spring stiffness. Due to a recess 340 in the support 34 on the guide element side, when the closing units 3 are lowered, analogous to the previously described embodiments, the first spring element 31 only begins to deflect at a later point in time, which corresponds to the depth of the recess 340.

In the Figure 11 Closing unit 3 shown essentially corresponds to the closing unit Figure 4 , whereby here the first spring element 31 is arranged on the side of the closure receiving part 33.

In the Figure 12 Closing unit 3 shown essentially corresponds to that in Figure 10 shown, whereby here a plurality of first spring elements 31 are arranged regularly around the centrally arranged second spring element 32 in relation to a central longitudinal axis 38 of the closure unit 3 in the circumferential direction.

To the extent applicable, all individual features shown in the exemplary embodiments can be combined and/or exchanged with one another without departing from the scope of the invention.

Reference symbol list

1

contraption

10

Top

11

Base frame

12

Recording point

13

Drop off point

14

Height adjustment

15

Axis of rotation

2

Transport unit

20

Container holder

21

Height adjustment

3

Closing unit

30

Leadership element

31

First spring element

310

Spring length in unloaded state

32

Second spring element

320

Spring length in unloaded state

33

Closure receiving part

34

Support on the guide element side

340

recess

35

Spring length

36

gap

37

Additional distance

38

Longitudinal axis

4, 4`

Guide curve

41

First tour section

42

Second tour section

43

Height adjustment

44

Shutter receiving area

45

return area

A1

First distance

A2

Second distance

D

difference

H1

First stroke

H2

Second stroke

E1

First suspension travel

E2

More spring travel

E3

Total suspension travel

8th

First type of closure

8th'

Second type of closure

9

First container type

9'

Second type of container

T

Transport direction

R

Direction

G

acceleration due to gravity

H

Altitude level

Claims (15)

1. Device (1) for closing a container (9, 9') with a container cap (8, 8'), preferably for closing a beverage container (9, 9') with a container cap (8, 8') in a beverage filling system, comprising a transport unit (2), which can be moved in a transport direction (T), with a capping unit (3), which can be moved on the transport unit (2) transversely to the transport direction (T), for selectively applying a first type of cap (8) to a container opening of a first type of container (9) and a second type of cap (8') to a container opening of a second type of container (9'), wherein a guide curve (4) for determining a position of the capping unit (3) transversely to the transport direction (T) is engaged with the capping unit (3),
   characterised in that
   the guide curve (4) comprises a first guide section (41) for guiding the capping unit (3) for applying the first type of cap (8) and a second guide section (42) located downstream of the first guide section (41) in the transport direction (T) for guiding the capping unit (3) for applying the second type of cap (8').
2. Device (1) according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the transport unit (2) comprises a container gripper (20) arranged below the capping unit (3) for gripping a container (9, 9') to be closed by the capping unit (3), preferably a container gripper (20) for gripping the container (9, 9') by its neck region and/or by its container base, wherein a distance (A) between the guide curve (4) and the container gripper (20) can preferably be adjusted transversely to the transport direction (T).
3. Device (1) according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the container gripper (20) and the guide curve (4) can be moved relative to one another transversely to the transport direction (T) between a first position with a first distance (A1) relative to one another and a second position with a second distance (A2) relative to one another.
4. Device (1) according to the preceding claim, characterised in that, in the first position, the container gripper (20) and the guide curve (4) are arranged relative to one another such that a container (9) of the first container type held in the container gripper (20) is positioned when passing through the first guide section (41) for an application of a cap (8) of the first cap type, wherein, in the second position, the container gripper (20) and the guide curve (4) are arranged relative to one another such that a container (9') of the second container type held in the container gripper (20) is positioned when passing through the second guide section (42) for an application of a cap (8') of the second cap type.
5. Device (1) according to claim 3 or 4, characterised in that the second distance (A2) is greater than the first distance (A1) by at least a first stroke (H1) of the capping unit (3), which it experiences in the first guide section (41) transversely to the transport direction (T).
6. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the capping unit (3) comprises a first spring element (31) and a second spring element (32), wherein the first spring element (31) is preferably designed to apply a head pressure necessary for applying the first type of cap (8), and/or the second spring element (32) is designed to apply a head pressure necessary for applying the second type of cap (8').
7. Device (1) according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the first spring element (31) and the second spring element (32) are arranged such that when the capping device (3) is lowered onto a container (9, 9') to be capped, the second spring element (32) first experiences a compression (E), and from a predetermined first spring compression (E1) of the second spring element (32) the first spring element (31) also experiences a compression (E), and/or in that the first spring element (31) is shorter than the second spring element (32) and/or in that the first spring element (31) has a greater spring stiffness than the second spring element (32).
8. Device (1) according to any of claims 2 to 7, characterised in that the first guide section (31) deploys a first stroke (H1) of the capping unit (3) in the direction of the container gripper (20), and/or the second guide section (32) deploys a second stroke (H2) of the capping unit (3) in the direction of the container gripper (20), wherein the first stroke (H1) is preferably greater than the second stroke (H2), wherein the first stroke (H1) is preferably greater than the predetermined first spring compression (E1), wherein the first stroke (H1) is preferably equal to or greater than a sum of the predetermined first spring compression (E1) and a predetermined further spring compression (E2) of the first spring element (31) and the second spring element (32), and/or the second stroke (H2) is preferably equal to or smaller than the predetermined first spring compression (E1).
9. Device (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 8, characterised in that the transport unit (2) and the guide curve (4) are designed to be height adjustable together relative to a base frame (11) transversely to the transport direction (T) by a predetermined extent and/or the guide curve (4) is designed to be height adjustable relative to the transport unit (2) transversely to the transport direction (T) by a predetermined extent, wherein the predetermined extent preferably corresponds to the extent of the difference (D) between the first distance (A1) and the second distance (A2).
10. Device (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 9, characterised in that, when viewed in the transport direction (T), a pick-up point (12), at which a container (9, 9') to be closed is gripped by the container gripper (20), is located upstream of the first guide section (41), and a drop-off point (13), at which a closed container (9, 9') is released from the container gripper (20), is located downstream of the second guide section (42).
11. Device (1) according to any one the preceding claims, characterised in that the first type of cap (8) is a press-on cap and/or the second type of cap (8') is a screw-on cap.
12. Method for closing a container (9, 9') with a container cap (8, 8'), preferably for closing a beverage container (9, 9') with a container cap (8, 8') in a beverage filling system, comprising the steps of transporting a container (9, 9') to be closed along a transport direction (T) in a transport unit (2), and selectively applying a first type of cap (8) to a container opening of a first type of container (9) and a second type of cap (8') to a container opening of a second type of container (9') by means of a capping unit (3), which can be moved transversely to the transport direction (T), wherein the position of the capping unit (3) transversely to the transport direction (T) is determined by a guide curve (4) engaged with the capping unit (3),
    characterised in that
    the guide curve (4) comprises a first guide section (41), in which the capping unit (3) for applying the first type of cap (8) is guided, and a second guide section (42) located downstream of the first guide section (41) in the transport direction (T), in which the capping unit (3) for applying the second type of cap (8') is guided.
13. Method according to claim 12, characterised in that the transport unit (2) comprises a container gripper (20) arranged below the capping unit (3) for gripping a container (9, 9') to be closed by the capping unit (3), preferably a container gripper (20) for gripping the container (9, 9') by its neck region and/or by its container base, wherein a distance (A) between the guide curve (4) and the container gripper (20) can preferably be adjusted transversely to the transport direction (T) depending on the type of cap (8, 8') to be applied, wherein, to adjust the distance (A), the container gripper (20) and the guide curve (4) are moved transversely to the transport direction (T) preferably relative to one another between a first position with a first distance (A1) relative to one another and a second position with a second distance (A2) relative to one another.
14. Method according to claim 12 or 13, characterised in that the capping unit (3) comprises a first spring element (31) and a second spring element (32), wherein a head pressure necessary for applying the first type of cap (8) is preferably applied by the first spring element (31), and/or a head pressure necessary for applying the second type of cap (8') is applied by the second spring element (32).
15. Method according to claim 14, characterised in that, when the capping device (3) is lowered onto a container (9, 9') to be capped, the second spring element (32) first experiences a compression (E), and from a predetermined first spring compression (E1) of the second spring element (32), the first spring element (31) also experiences a compression (E), and/or in that the first spring element (31) is shorter than the second spring element (32) and/or in that the first spring element (31) has a greater spring stiffness than the second spring element (32).

Images