EP4309823A1 - Feeding device for a capping machine - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a feed device (1) for gassing a container (100) and a lid (101) in a gassing area (B) when feeding to a sealer (1000), comprising a container feed (12) for feeding the container (100) through the Fumigation area (B) along a first feed route (S1); and a lid feed (10) arranged on the container feed (12) in such a way that a lid (101) can be moved through the fumigation area (B) along a second feed path (S2) to the container (100) and at one end of the fumigation area (B ) can be placed on the container (100); and a fumigation device (5) arranged stationary on the fumigation area (B) for fumigation of the container (100) and the lid (101) in the fumigation area (B). The gassing device (5) extends over the first feed path (S1) and the second feed path (S2) in such a way that the lid (101) and the container (100) are brought together until the lid (101) is brought together with the container (100 ) are fumigable.

Description

Feed device for a seamer

The invention relates to a feed device and a sealer for closing a container. The invention further relates to a method for gassing a container with a feed device according to the invention.

When filling beverage cans or food cans, the cans pass through a can seamer after being filled with the beverage or food, with the filled cans entering via a feed path and can lids entering via another feed path. The can seamer usually has several similar stations arranged in a carousel shape, in each of which a can is closed with a can lid. The can lids are guided onto the cans and held on the can with a folding head. This holding also serves to fix the cans against breaking out of the circular path traversed by the cans in the can seamer due to the centrifugal force. In the can seamer, the can with the can lid is folded at the edge over a folding roller and thus closed. As a rule, the can with the can lid is additionally rotated around its own axis of symmetry using the folding head. For rotation, the folding rollers and folding heads are arranged on a respective folding shaft or folding roller bolt.

A generic can seamer is in the DE 749636 and the DE4234115 A1 described. The can seamer includes a clamping device for holding a can to be closed. In the operating state, the can to be closed is inserted into the clamping device and secured by it in the axial and radial directions. A can lid is also centered over the can opening of the can to be closed. The can has a circumferential can flange in the area of the can opening and the can lid has a circumferential can lid flange. To close the can opening with the For the can lid, the can seamer additionally includes two folding rollers, each mounted rotatably about an axis, which press the can flange and the can lid flange together by means of a substantially radially acting force, the pressing taking place by continuous rolling in the circumferential direction along the circumference of the can opening.

Another can seamer is from the GB 2098899 A known. The can seamer includes a clamping device for holding the can to be closed and a folding roller. In the operating state, the can to be closed is inserted into the clamping device and secured by it in the axial and radial directions. A can lid is also centered over the can opening of the can to be closed. The can has a circumferential can flange in the area of the can opening of the can body and the can lid has a circumferential can lid flange.

In addition, it is known to convey a gas, such as an inert gas, to an underside of the lid at least during a portion of the supply of the lid. The gas is delivered essentially parallel to the underside of the lid. When used as intended, this underside faces the opening of the can. It can thus be ensured that a remaining volume of the can, in which no food is arranged, is essentially filled with the gas before closing, with the air originally present in the remaining volume being displaced as completely as possible by the gas. This makes it possible to achieve a longer shelf life for the food placed in the can.

For a better understanding of the present invention, a can seamer with a feed device known from the prior art is described below using the Fig. 1 and 2 described.

In order to better distinguish the known prior art from the present invention, reference numbers for features of known devices are used in this application with an apostrophe (in Fig. 1 and 2 ), while features of devices according to the invention or their components do not have an apostrophe.

The well-known can seamer 1000' according to Fig. 1 and 2 comprises a lid providing device 11' for providing a lid 101', a gassing rotor 4' for supplying gas to the can 100' and for guiding and transporting the lid 101' to the can 100'. The sealer also includes a folding process/a carousel-shaped arrangement 14' with folding stations for closing the can 100' with the lid 101'. The folding process 14' is arranged in a working space 2' of the can seamer 1000' which is surrounded by a housing 3'.

The lid 101' is introduced into the working space 2' of the can seamer 1000' along the arrow C' by the lid providing device 11'. Here, the lids 101' are placed on the gassing rotor 4'. The lids 101' are transported further by rotating the gassing rotor 4'. Then the cans 100' are introduced in direction A' through the container feed 12' into the container receptacles 17' of the gassing rotor 4'. There the can 100' is gassed in area B' with a gas such as carbon dioxide or nitrogen and combined with the lid 101'.

The gassing takes place along the arrow D' with a gas supply 16' via the gassing rotor 4' by means of nozzles which are provided in each container receptacles 17'. The gas is guided to a gas control ring 25' at the gassing rotor 4'. On the one hand, this serves as a slip ring for a rotary feedthrough on which the gassing rotor 4 'rotates. On the other hand, the gas control ring 25' serves as a valve so that only the nozzles in the gassing area B' are active.

After the gassing, the can 100' with the lid 101' is conveyed through the container transfer 13' from the gassing rotor 4' to the folding process 14'.

The can 100' is clamped with the lid 101' and closed by the folding process 14'. The closed can is conveyed into the can outlet 18' by another rotor.

During gassing through the gassing rotor 4', the gas is conveyed to an underside of the lid 101'. This can ensure that a The remaining volume of the can 100', in which no food is arranged (i.e. a headspace), is essentially filled with the gas before closing, the air originally present in the remaining volume being displaced as completely as possible by the gas. This makes it possible to achieve a longer shelf life for the food arranged in the can 100'.

As mentioned above, the lid 101' is always placed on the gassing rotor 4' and is only supported by a stationary rail 15'. However, the gassing rotor 4' has interference contours which make it difficult to efficiently gasse the can 100' when it is combined with the lid 101'. In addition, the possible variety of can shapes is limited by the shape of the recesses 17 'and the shape of the lid holders with lid drivers 19'.

Therefore, tool changes to adapt to other can formats cannot be avoided. Today's tool change times are very high.

In addition, from the US 4,827,696 a gassing device is known, which is arranged stationary above a conveyor line for filled containers. This gassing device has, on the one hand, a gassing element for breaking the bubbles on the drink and, on the other hand, a gassing rail for gassing the head space. However, such gassing rails do not enable sufficient and efficient gassing to ensure the durability of the filling material.

The object of the invention is therefore to provide a feed device, a sealer and a method for gassing which avoid the disadvantageous effects known from the prior art. In particular, a feed device, a capper and a method are to be provided which are quickly adaptable and enable efficient gassing.

The object is achieved by a feed device according to the invention, a closer according to the invention and by the method according to the invention.

According to the invention, a feed device for feeding a container and a lid to a sealer and for gassing the container and the lid in a gassing area when feeding to the closer is proposed.

The feed device comprises a container feed for feeding the container through the fumigation area along a first feed route and a lid feed arranged on the container feed in such a way that a lid (through the lid feed) is fed through the fumigation area along a second feed route (which is at least partially different from the first). the container is movable and can be placed on the container in the fumigation area (or at one end of the fumigation area).

In addition, the feed device comprises a fumigation device arranged stationary on or in the fumigation area for fumigation of the container and the lid in the fumigation area.

The gassing device extends over the first feed path and the second feed path (or is arranged above it) in such a way that the lid and the container can be gassed (in particular separately) until the lid is brought together with the container. Preferably, the gassing device is arranged (or extends) above the container feed and the lid feed in such a way that the lid and the container can be gassed during feeding. Both lids and containers can therefore be gassed on their feed routes by a (single) gassing device. By gassing both the lid and the container on the feed routes, sufficient gassing is ensured and consequently a longer shelf life of the filling material is possible.

Since the fumigation device is arranged in a stationary manner at the fumigation area, it can in particular be arranged in a stationary manner on or above the container feed and the lid feed.

The stationary arrangement of the gassing device above the feed routes enables more efficient gassing, since the remaining volume of the container can be gassed over a longer distance. In addition, no rotary union is required and this can increase hygiene.

The gassing device is preferably also arranged in an area of the feed device where the container feed and the lid feed converge (i.e. the area in which the lid and container are guided together in the operating state before they are combined and closed in a closing station of the seamer). .

In an operating state, the container and the lid move through the fumigation area past/under the fumigation device, which is stationary, i.e. preferably fixedly mounted, immovable or static, so that the containers and lids move at least partially separately from one another and relative to the fumigation device, but the fumigation device does not move, i.e. does not move with the container or the lid.

Within the scope of the invention, “fed to the capper” or “moved to the capper” can be understood in particular to mean that the container or the lid is fed/moved to a working space of the capper or to a capping station/an arrangement of the capper. The movements of the lid and container and the gassing of the lid and container take place in the operating state of the feed device or the sealer.

The container and the lid are gassed by the gassing device before the lid is placed on the container (in particular on an opening of the container). The gas used can in particular be an inert gas such as nitrogen (N ₂ ), carbon dioxide (CO ₂ ), a noble gas or any combination of these gases. In a particularly important embodiment of the invention, the gas is carbon dioxide and the container is a beverage can or the gas is nitrogen and the container is a canned food.

The invention therefore relates to the gassing of the container and the lid. The aim of fumigation is to ensure that there is no oxygen in the headspace of the container closed with the lid. The residual oxygen in the head space is decisive for the shelf life and change in taste of a filling product (such as of a food/beverage) in an interior of the sealed container. The fumigation according to the invention preferably takes place until the container and lid are brought together. The headspace can be understood as a residual volume of the container in which no filling material is arranged.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the gassing device can have a gassing element or a nozzle which extends from the first feed path to the second feed path. A single gassing element ensures gassing of both the lid and the can on their separate feed routes. Preferably, the gassing device can comprise a plurality of gassing channels which extend from the first feed path to the second feed path, in particular extend over the first feed path and the second feed path. The gassing channels can include a gas inlet through which the gas is provided. The gassing channels can also be separated from each other by webs and opened downwards. The gas can thus be guided through the webs from the gas inlet to the second feed section, with the gas being guided downward through the openings to the first and second feed section. In addition, the gassing channels can be combined in a (single) nozzle which has a common gas inlet.

In an embodiment of the invention, the container feed can comprise a conveyor belt, on which conveyor belt the container can be moved along the first feed route (in particular by a movement device), in particular can be moved to the sealer, in particular along a transport route from a container dispenser such as a filling device to the sealer is movable.

In particularly preferred embodiments, the gassing device can be arranged on, in particular above, the conveyor belt in such a way that the container can be gassed as it moves over the conveyor belt. In addition, it can The conveyor belt can be arranged and designed in such a way that the first feed path runs linearly.

In addition, the gassing device can comprise a headspace gassing element, which is arranged along a section of the conveyor belt (in particular parallel to the section of the conveyor belt with respect to a direction of movement of the container or a length of the conveyor belt) so that the container is separated from the conveyor belt when moving over the conveyor belt Headspace gassing element can be gassed.

The headspace gassing element can be aligned in the direction of the conveyor belt in such a way that a headspace of the container moving past can be gassed.

In addition, the gassing device can comprise a lifting gassing element which is directed away from the conveyor belt, in particular is aligned following a lifting movement of the container, so that an area between the container moving past and a lid that can be guided over the container (and also the head space) can be gassed. The lifting gassing element is preferably to be understood as a static element. The orientation of the lifting gassing element (in particular a nozzle) is in the direction of the upwardly moving container. In particular, the lifting gassing element can be arranged along a lifting path, in particular parallel to the lifting path, so that the area between the lid and the container can be gassed during the lifting movement (i.e. during an upward movement of a lifting station of the closing station). Since the lifting gassing element is directed away from the conveyor belt, it can be directed towards the lid moving past.

The headspace gassing element and the lifting gassing element can be implemented via at least two separate / independent openings / nozzles. In particular, the headspace gassing element and the lifting gassing element can be formed by two independent (i.e. not connected) slot nozzles. Alternatively, the headspace gassing element and the lifting gassing element can be replaced by a single one Slot nozzle can be formed, with a part of the slot nozzle being aligned in the direction of the conveyor belt and/or running parallel to the section of the conveyor belt and another part of the slot nozzle being directed away from the conveyor belt, in particular aligned following the lifting movement of the container, so that the area can be gassed between the container moving past and the lid that can be moved over the container.

The openings/nozzles, which are aligned differently as described above, can therefore be aligned in such a way that a gas stream for gassing is directed in the direction of the conveyor belt or away from the conveyor belt.

In practice, the conveyor belt can be designed as a sliding belt, so that the container can be slidably moved over a sliding surface of the sliding belt. The sliding belt is in particular immovable, i.e. stationary, so that a separate movement device is preferably used, which guides the container over the sliding belt.

The container therefore moves slidingly over a surface of the sliding belt. “Sliding” means in particular that the container preferably slides along the surface of the sliding belt at a constant speed. In this case, contact is made between a surface of the container and the surface of the sliding belt.

Particularly preferably, the movement device comprises a driver for receiving and transporting the container and a pulling element which is connected to the driver in such a way that the driver can be moved along the conveyor belt by a movement of the pulling element.

The container feeding system can also include a drive which is coupled to the pulling element in such a way that the pulling element can be moved by the drive (whereby the drivers are also moved).

The drive can be any drive from the prior art, which is suitable for driving the tension element. The drive can be, for example, a motor, in particular a servo motor. The tension element can in particular be arranged on the drive in such a way that the tension element can be moved by the drive. The movement of the tension element also sets the driver in motion. If the tension element is a rotating tension element, such as a rotating toothed flat belt, the container feeding system preferably comprises the motor and a second motor or a deflection roller. The rotating tension element is then set in motion by the motor and runs over the deflection roller.

However, the movement device particularly preferably comprises a plurality of (in particular finger-shaped) drivers, the drivers being connected to the tension element, in particular being attached directly to the tension element. The tension element can be a chain, a band, a rope or a belt. The drivers can in particular be evenly distributed over the pulling element, so that a large number of containers can be transported effectively. In all embodiments of the invention, a (single) pulling element preferably comprises a plurality of drivers in order to enable simultaneous transport of a plurality of containers.

Furthermore, exemplary embodiments are conceivable in which container guide devices are arranged on the conveyor belt. These can be, for example, simple conveyor belts that are attached parallel to the tension element and at a distance of the width of the conveyor belt and extend along the conveyor belt. These container guide devices prevent containers from deviating from the conveyor belt during operation. This could happen in curves or when the conveyor belt changes direction quickly. However, the drivers according to the invention are particularly preferably shaped in such a way, in particular curved, that the containers are held in position by the driver and consequently no corresponding container guide devices are required.

The lid feeder can comprise a lid moving device which is arranged to be movable in such a way that the lid can be moved by the lid moving device. Furthermore, the lid feed can comprise a lid guide arranged on the lid moving device, through which the lid can be guided to the container when moving through the lid moving device.

Preferably, the gassing device can be arranged on, in particular above, the lid guide (or at least an outer lid guide) so that the lid can be gassed during movement by the lid moving device. Here, the lid guide can be designed such that the second feed path comprises a first section in which the lids can be guided radially (and separately from the container / i.e. not above the container) and a second section in which the lids are linear and in particular can be guided over the (linearly movable) container.

In addition, the gassing device can comprise a lid gassing element, which is arranged along a section of the lid moving device (or in particular the lid guide) in such a way that the lid can be gassed before it is placed on the container.

The lid guide preferably has a first guide surface and a second guide surface, wherein the lid can be arranged between the first guide surface and the second guide surface in such a way that the lid can be guided to the container by a relative movement of the lid movement device to the first guide surface and the second guide surface.

The lid can thus be set in motion by the lid moving device, but the direction of the lid movement is determined by the lid guide, i.e. the first and second guide surfaces. The lid is preferably supported on the lid guide / is carried by the lid guide and is not placed on the lid moving device as in the prior art (i.e. is not carried by the lid moving device). The lid can therefore be supported on the lid guide in such a way that the lid is carried by the lid guide.

The relative movement of the lid movement device to the first guide surface and the second guide surface can be understood in particular to mean that the first guide surface and the second guide surface are stationary (i.e. immovable). are arranged, wherein the lid moving device moves past the first guide surface and the second guide surface and thus moves the lid between the guide surfaces. Preferably, the lid moving device is movable along the first guide surface and the second guide surface, in particular movable between the first guide surface and the second guide surface, so that the lid is movable between the guide surfaces.

To carry/support the lid, the lid guide can comprise a support surface, preferably a first and second support surface, on which/which the lid can be arranged and on/over which the lid can be moved by the lid movement device. The cover would thus be movable along the first and second guide surfaces and on the (first and second) support surfaces. However, inclined guide surfaces (with an angle other than 90° compared to a lid surface) can also function as support surfaces, so that the lid can be arranged on the inclined guide surfaces.

Particularly preferably, the lid is supported exclusively by the support surface/surfaces or the inclined guide surfaces and is not placed on the lid movement device.

A lid feed designed in this way provides, in particular, a simpler and more stable lid guide. In particular, the lid no longer needs to be placed on a gassing rotor, but can rest on the lid guide until it is brought together with the container. Since the lid no longer rests on the gassing rotor, a greater variety of can shapes (particularly in relation to a neck area of the container) can be closed.

In addition, the lid movement device can include a lid driver. Preferably, the lid driver is attached to the lid moving device in such a way that the lid can be picked up by the lid driver and moved in the lid guide by the lid driver. The lid driver is the part of the Lid movement device by which the lid is contacted and moved.

Movable in the lid guide means in particular that the lid driver can move the lid along the guide surfaces and over the guide surfaces or support surfaces. For this purpose, the lid driver can then be arranged movably between the first guide surface and the second guide surface (if necessary also between the first and second support surfaces).

Particularly preferably, the lid guide comprises a first rail and a second rail arranged along the first rail, in particular a second rail running parallel to the first rail. The first rail includes the first guide surface and the second rail includes the second guide surface such that the lid can be guided through (or along) the first and second rails to the container. In addition, the first rail can include the first support surface and the second rail can include the second support surface in such a way that the lid can be guided to the container via the first and second rails. Alternatively, the guide surfaces of the rails can also run obliquely, as mentioned above.

Here, the lid driver is preferably movable in a recess between the first and second rails. A recess can therefore be provided between the first and second rails in such a way that the lid moving device (or lid driver) can be moved through the recess to move the lid.

While the first and second rails are preferably shaped in such a way that the lid is guided radially and thus preferably moves parallel to the lid moving device, the gassing device can be shaped in such a way that the lid moves linearly (and in particular with) in the gassing area of the gassing device (at least in sections). the container). This has the advantage that the gassing values can be improved and the transfer to the container can be optimized.

The gassing of the cover is therefore carried out in sections preferably by the gassing device arranged stationary on the (stationary) rails. The gassing no longer needs to be carried out using a gassing rotor/lid movement device.

In particular, the lid no longer has to be placed on a gassing rotor, but can rest on the lid guide until it is brought together with the container. This has the advantage that the disruptive contours of the gassing rotor are eliminated when the container rises. This allows cost-saving and more hygienic lid moving devices (such as lid rotors) to be constructed.

In particularly preferred embodiments, the gassing device is arranged in a stationary manner by being arranged or attached to the stationary conveyor belt and/or the stationary lid guide (or at least one of the rails).

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the conveyor belt is arranged and designed in such a way that the containers can be fed linearly, i.e. via the first feed path, which is designed in the form of a straight line. Preferably, the lid feed is arranged and designed in such a way that the second feed path runs at least in sections separately from the first feed path. This means, in particular, that the lids are not guided over the container in sections, but rather are guided over the second feed section, which preferably extends radially in the first section, and are separately gassed there by the gassing device before the lids reach the second section of the feed section, in which they are guided linearly and in particular above the container, so that they can be gassed with the container through the gassing device. For this purpose, the lid feed and thus preferably the lid guide can comprise the first section, which is designed such that the lids can be guided radially and include the second section, which is designed such that the lids can be guided linearly, in particular over the container. The linear part of the Lid guide can be formed in particular by the gassing device. The sections can be formed by appropriately shaped rails.

In the embodiment of the invention, the gassing can be carried out linearly at least in sections, i.e. via linearly arranged first and/or second gassing elements (such as a linear slot nozzle/slot-shaped opening or a plurality of linearly arranged nozzles/openings).

With the fumigation according to the invention, the fumigation does not take place via the cover star / fumigation rotor, but rather via the permanently mounted / static fumigation device or the fumigation elements or channels listed above. The fumigation preferably takes place via two separate areas, in particular with the same fumigation element. On the one hand, via the first gassing section, in which the head space is gassed, and on the other hand, the second gassing section, in which a lid space is gassed. The lid space can be understood as the space which is arranged around the lid.

In practice, the lid moving device can comprise a plurality of lid drivers, so that a plurality of lids can be received by the plurality of lid drivers and moved by the lid guide. Preferably, the plurality of lid drivers can be arranged distributed along a circumference of the lid moving device. Here, the plurality of lid drivers can be arranged in a circle along the circumference of the lid moving device. Particularly preferably, the lid moving device is attached to a shaft and is arranged to be rotatable about an axis by this shaft, so that the lid can be moved by rotation of the lid moving device. The lid moving device can therefore be a rotatable lid moving device. For this purpose, the lid moving device is preferably designed in the shape of a disc or annular ring and the shaft is arranged in a center of the lid moving device.

According to the invention, a lid rotor is also proposed as a lid movement device or a lid feed with the corresponding lid rotor. The lid rotor comprises a rotation element that can be rotated about an axis in the circumferential direction (by means of a lid shaft to which the lid rotor is preferably attached). A large number of movement segments are arranged detachably along a circumference of the rotation element. To accommodate and move the lids, the movement segments include the lid drivers. The movement segments can, for example, be screwed onto the rotation element. If the movement segments need to be replaced when changing the format of the lid (to a smaller or larger diameter), these can simply be removed from the rotating element without having to replace the entire lid rotor.

According to the invention, a sealer for closing the containers with the lid is also proposed. The closer according to the invention includes the feed device according to the invention. In addition, the closer according to the invention can comprise a (carousel-shaped) arrangement with a plurality of closing stations arranged in the working space of the closer. To feed the containers with lids to the arrangement, the feed device is arranged on the arrangement. The sealer also includes an outlet for containers from the arrangement that are closed (with the lid).

According to the invention, a method for gassing a container and a lid is also proposed. The method according to the invention includes providing the feed device according to the invention, transporting the container with the container feed, transporting the lid with the lid feed to the container and gassing the container and lid during transport by means of the stationary gassing device. Finally, the lid is placed on an opening in the container.

Gassing the container and/or lid may include gassing the headspace of the container and/or gassing the lid and/or gassing an area between the container and the lid.

The headspace is preferably gassed by using the headspace gassing element, which is aligned in the direction of the conveyor belt for gassing the container moving past. For this purpose, openings or nozzles aligned in the direction of the conveyor belt, i.e. the multitude of openings/nozzles or the slot nozzle, can be used.

The lid is preferably gassed by a lid gassing element, which is arranged stationary along the section of the lid moving device for gassing the lid moving past, so that the lid can be gassed before it is placed on the container.

The area between the container and the lid is preferably gassed by using the lifting movement element, which is directed away from the conveyor belt / aligned following the lifting movement of the container for gassing the container and lid moving past, in particular the container carrying out the lifting movement. For this purpose, openings or nozzles directed away from the conveyor belt, i.e. the multitude of openings/nozzles or the slot nozzle, can be used.

The headspace is preferably first gassed linearly, i.e. the headspace gassing element runs parallel to the (linearly arranged) conveyor belt / is arranged parallel to the conveyor belt.

The lid gassing using the lid essentially takes place simultaneously with the headspace gassing. A section of the lid gassing element can also run linearly in order to simplify the merging of the lid and container.

After the linear area of the gassing, the area between the lid and the container is preferably gassed using the lifting gassing element. The container is lifted off the conveyor belt transferred to the lifting station of the closing station. The container carries out the (preferably cam-controlled) lifting movement along the lifting path through the lifting station in order to retract the container onto the lid from below.

Alternatively or additionally, the gassing of the head space of the container and / or the lid and / or the area between the container and the lid can be carried out by using the plurality of gassing channels, which enable gassing by positioning above the first feed path and the second feed path.

The method according to the invention can also be carried out with the sealer according to the invention and includes that the lids and containers are transported to the arrangement and the container with the lid is closed by one of the sealing stations.

Preferably, the lid feed according to the invention guides the lids from a stack of lids to the transfer to the container. After a stacking process, in which the lids are individually separated from a stack by stacking, the lid lies between the guide surfaces on the lid guide. The lid feed can be arranged in the working space of the closer below the stacking.

Closing the container can include positioning the container on the lifting station, folding the lid onto the container with at least one folding roller and the folding head. Finally, the closed container can be removed from the sealer's work area.

The working space is the space of the sealer in which the container is preferably closed with the lid, in particular the space in which a folding process takes place. The working space is preferably surrounded by a housing and thus delimits the working space of the seamer (and thus enables the formation of a hygiene zone).

In particular, the housing can be viewed as a cladding, casing, formwork or casing which at least partially surrounds the working space. The housing can open the working space to the outside Lock and/or shield so that the atmosphere in the work area is hygienically separated from the surroundings.

The closing station can include a closing head for closing the container with the lid. The closing head can include folding means for folding the lid onto the container. The folding means can be the folding roller and the folding head. The or each closing head can therefore comprise at least one folding roller (particularly preferably two folding rollers) and one folding head. The closing head can include a folding shaft or folding roller bolt that can be rotated about a folding axis, with the folding means being arranged at one end of the respective folding shaft/the respective folding roller bolt (the folding head and folding roller are therefore rotatable in particular via the respective folding shaft/the respective folding roller bolt).

The closer or the arrangement according to the invention can further comprise the lifting station (or a plurality of lifting stations) for lifting the container. The lifting stations can be arranged in the arrangement opposite the closing heads.

In practice, the seamer can include a container removal for removing the containers from the workspace. A partition or panel can be arranged between the container feed and the container discharge, which avoids cross-contamination between incoming and outgoing containers.

The seamer according to the invention is preferably designed as a can seamer. The container can be a can and the lid can be a can lid, which are folded together by the can seamer. The can seamer usually has an arrangement of several similar closing stations (preferably of closing heads and lifting stations) arranged in a carousel shape, in each of which a can is closed with a can lid.

In the operating state of the can seamer, the folding rollers with their respective folding profile are brought into contact with a can lid flange of the can lid and a can flange of the can. By rotating the can it is then the folding roller rotates in the circumferential direction of the can, whereby the can flange is folded with the can lid flange. To rotate the can, the can is preferably clamped between the folding head and the lifting station, with the folding head being rotated with the folding shaft about the folding axis.

In the context of the invention, the can can be understood as a rotationally symmetrical container, which is closed by means of the can seamer and the associated folding roller. A can can preferably comprise a metal, in particular aluminum or steel.

In principle, the seamer can preferably comprise at least two types of seaming rollers with preferably different seaming profiles (with the corresponding seaming head comprising seaming rollers of both types), so that cans can be closed according to a double seaming principle, in which the cans are usually closed in two stages. One type of folding roller is responsible for one level. The first type of folding roller creates a pre-fold, while the second type of folding roller completely closes the can/container.

In the method according to the invention, can lids and can bodies can be brought together at a defined point before the actual folding process. The can lids are fed through the lid feeder according to the invention, on which the can lids rest. The cans are fed through the container feeder according to the invention. The cans go from the container feed to one of the respective lifting stations (which are integrated into the arrangement). During one revolution of the arrangement, the lifting stations carry out the cam-controlled lifting movement in order to insert the cans from below onto the can lids and later the seaming head. After a certain stroke distance, the can body comes into contact with the can lid.

In principle, the seamer according to the invention can be analogous to the can seamers already known from the prior art, but differs in the feed device in order to avoid the disadvantages of the prior art.

Fig. 1

eine Draufsicht eines Dosenverschliessers des Standes der Technik;

Fig. 2

eine Draufsicht eines Ausschnittes eines Dosenverschliessers des Standes der Technik;

Fig. 3

eine Draufsicht eines erfindungsgemässen Dosenverschliessers;

Fig. 4

eine Draufsicht einer erfindungsgemässen Zufuhreinrichtung;

Fig. 5A

eine Draufsicht einer erfindungsgemässen Deckelzuführung;

Fig. 5B

eine Seitenansicht einer erfindungsgemässen Deckelzuführung;

Fig. 6A

eine Seitenansicht einer erfindungsgemässen Begasungsvorrichtung mit einem Kopfraumbegasungselement;

Fig. 6B

eine Seitenansicht einer erfindungsgemässen Begasungsvorrichtung mit einem Hubbegasungselement;

Fig. 6C

eine schematische Ansicht einer Dose mit einem Kopfraum und eines Deckels;

Fig. 7

eine perspektivische Ansicht einer Begasungsvorrichtung mit einem Deckelbegasungselement;

Fig. 8A

eine Draufsicht einer erfindungsgemässen Begasungsvorrichtung mit Begasungskanälen;

Fig. 8B

eine perspektivische Ansicht einer erfindungsgemässen Begasungsvorrichtung mit Begasungskanälen.

The invention and the prior art are explained in more detail below using exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawings.

Fig. 1

a top view of a prior art can seamer;

Fig. 2

a top view of a section of a can seamer of the prior art;

Fig. 3

a top view of a can seamer according to the invention;

Fig. 4

a top view of a feed device according to the invention;

Fig. 5A

a top view of a lid feeder according to the invention;

Fig. 5B

a side view of a lid feeder according to the invention;

Fig. 6A

a side view of a fumigation device according to the invention with a headspace fumigation element;

Fig. 6B

a side view of a gassing device according to the invention with a lifting gassing element;

Fig. 6C

a schematic view of a can with a headspace and a lid;

Fig. 7

a perspective view of a fumigation device with a lid fumigation element;

Fig. 8A

a top view of a fumigation device according to the invention with fumigation channels;

Fig. 8B

a perspective view of a fumigation device according to the invention with fumigation channels.

Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 have already been described above in the presentation of the prior art.

Fig. 3 shows a top view of a can sealer 1000 according to the invention. In principle, the sealing process is analogous to the prior art, i.e. analogous to Fig. 1 and 2 described, but fumigation does not take place more about a fumigation star on which the lids are placed and with which the cans are moved.

The can seamer 1000 according to Fig. 3 comprises two lid provision devices 11 for providing a lid 101 to a lid feeder 10 according to the invention, which transports the lids 101 to the can 100.

The lid feeder 10 includes a lid moving device 4, which is arranged to be movable in such a way that the lid 101 can be moved to the can 100 by the lid moving device 4 along a second feed path S2. For this purpose, the lid moving device 4 is attached to a shaft and is arranged to be rotatable about an axis X by this shaft, so that the lid 101 can be moved by rotation of the lid moving device 4.

In addition, the lid feed 10 comprises a lid guide 15A, 15B arranged on the lid moving device 4 for guiding the lid 101 to the can 100. For this purpose, the lid guide 15A, 15B has a first rail 15A and a second rail 15B running parallel to the first rail 15A, the Lid 101 is arranged between the rails 15A, 15B in such a way that the lid 101 is guided by the movement of the lid driver 19 between the rails 15A, 15B in the direction of point Z, where the lid 101 is guided along a first feed path S1 in the direction A of a container feeder 12 incoming can 100 is combined.

Lid drivers 19 arranged on the lid moving device 4 are distributed and arranged on a surface of the lid moving device 4 in such a way that they can set the lids 101 arranged on the lid guide 15A, 15B in motion.

In addition, the seamer 1000 includes a folding process/arrangement 14 with closing stations in the form of folding stations for closing the can 100 with the lid 101. The folding process 14 is arranged in a working space 2 of the can seamer 1000 surrounded by a housing 3.

The lid 101 is introduced along C through the lid providing device 11 into the working space 2 of the can seamer 1000 and guided to the can 100 by the lid guide 15A, 15B.

Here, the lids 101 are placed on the rails 15A, 15B. By rotating the lid moving device 4, the lids 101 are transported further.

Then the cans 100 with lids 101 are led to the folding process 14. When fed to the folding process 14, the can 100 and the lid 101 are gassed with a gassing device 5 arranged stationary on the lid feed 10 and the container feed 12. The can 100 is then clamped with the lid 101 and closed by the folding process 14. The closed can is conveyed into a can outlet 18 by another rotor.

Fig. 4 shows a top view of a feed device 1 according to the invention. The feed device 1 comprises the container feed 12 for feeding the container to the arrangement 14 with a plurality of closing stations 26.

In addition, the feed device 1 comprises a lid feed 10 arranged on the container feed 12 in such a way that the lid can be moved to the container and can be placed on the container in a gassing area B.

The fumigation takes place in the fumigation area B, with at least the container being gassed in the area B1 and at least the lid in the area B2. For this purpose, the gassing device extends over the first feed path and the second feed path.

In addition, the feed device 1 includes the fumigation device, which is arranged stationary in the fumigation area B for fumigation of the container and the lid. The gassing device is also arranged in an area of the feed device 1, where the container feed 12 and the lid feed 10 converge.

The lid feed 10 includes a lid rotor 4 as a lid moving device 4. The lid rotor 4 includes an axis around an axis in the circumferential direction rotatable rotation element 4B. A plurality of movement segments 4A are detachably arranged along a circumference of the rotation element 4B. To accommodate and move the lids, the movement segments 4A include the lid drivers 19.

Fig. 5A shows a top view of the lid feeder 10 according to the invention and Fig. 5B a side view of the lid feeder 10 according to the invention.

The lid moving device 4 is designed in a star shape, with a lid driver 19 for receiving and moving a lid being attached to each star tip.

The lid guide 15A, 15B comprises the first rail 15A and the second rail 15B, which runs parallel in sections to the first rail 15A. For this purpose, the first rail 15A and the second rail 15B are partially ring-shaped and arranged above the lid moving device 4.

The first rail 15A includes the first guide surface 22A and the second rail 15B includes the second guide surface 22B such that the lid can be guided to the container through the first and second rails 15A, 15B.

In addition, the first rail 15A includes the first support surface 23A and the second rail 15B includes the second support surface 23B such that the lid can be guided to the container via the first and second rails 15A, 15B, i.e. placed on the support surfaces 23A, 23B and above it to the container Container can be moved.

The lid moving device 4 is arranged with the lid drivers 19 directed upwards under the first and second rails 15A, 15b. Here, the cover drivers 19 can be moved in a recess 24 between the first and second rails 15A, 15B.

In addition, the first and second rails 15A, 15B are formed by a plurality of rail elements.

The first and second rails 15A, 15B are designed with the guide and support surfaces 22A, 22B, 23A, 23B so that they are open at the top. With it a cleaning medium can clean the lid support (i.e. the guide and/or support surfaces) without hindrance.

Furthermore, the gassing device 5 is arranged at one end of the lid guide 15A, 15B. The gassing device 5 is arranged on the side of the first (outer) rail 15A facing the arrangement 14.

While the first and second rails 15A, 15B are shaped such that the lid is guided radially and thus preferably moves coradically to the lid moving device 4, the gassing device 5 is shaped such that the lid is guided linearly with the container in the gassing area of the gassing device 5 becomes. This has the advantage that the gassing values can be improved and the transfer to the container can be optimized.

However, before the lids are placed on the lid guide 15A, 15B, a stacking process takes place in which the lids are individually separated from a stack. The lid then rests between the side lid guides, i.e. the rails 15A, 15B, as described above. The lid is then transported by the lid moving device 4, which is shaped as a lid star 4, with the help of the radially attached lid drivers 19 between the side lid guides 15A, 15B to a defined point (point Z). Viewed together, the side lid guides 15A, 15B form the lid raceway.

The lid is guided completely between the rails 15A, 15B from the stacking point up to point Z and is not placed on the lid star 4.

In addition, a hold-down device 40 is arranged above the rails 15A, 15B in such a way that upward mobility of the cover is restricted. This secures the lid against falling out.

The rails 15A, 15B have quick-change bolts 6, 7 for replacement when changing formats.

Fig. 6A shows a side view of a headspace gassing element 51 of the gassing device 5, Fig. 6B a side view of a lifting gassing element 52 of the gassing device 5 and Fig. 6C a schematic view of a can 100 with a headspace 111.

The invention relates to the gassing of the can 100 and the lid 101 with a gas 50. The aim of the gassing is that there is no oxygen in the head space 111 of the closed can. The residual oxygen in the headspace 111 is decisive for the shelf life and change in taste of the drink. The fumigation area extends until the can 100 and lid 101 come together.

In the prior art, the gassing nozzles are located on the gassing rotor below the cover placed on the gassing rotor. As a result, the lid and gassing nozzles have no relative speed to one another. However, the fumigation device 5 is stationary in the fumigation area and thus stationary on the container feed and the lid feed. Consequently, the can 100 is moved past the immovable gassing device 5 with a movement device comprising a driver (not shown here) and has a relative speed to the gassing device 5.

The fumigation device 5 according to Fig. 6A comprises the headspace gassing element 51, along which the container 100 is first guided and which is arranged along a section of the conveyor belt 8 and above the conveyor belt 8 in such a way that the can 100 can be gassed when moving over the conveyor belt 8. In addition, a can guide 21 is arranged along the conveyor belt 8.

The head space gassing element 51 is aligned in the direction of the conveyor belt 8 (or in the direction of the can 100 moving past) in such a way that the head space 111 of the can 100 moving past can be gassed.

The fumigation device 5 according to Fig. 6B comprises a lifting gassing element 52, which runs along a lifting path of the can 100, in particular parallel to the lifting distance of the can 100 is arranged so that an area between the lid 101 and the can 100 can be gassed by the lifting station 9 during a lifting movement or during an (upward) movement.

The lid 101 is placed between the gassing device 5 and the second (inner) rail 15B.

The cans 100 pass from the conveyor belt 8 of the container feed, with which they are fed to the sealer, to one of the respective lifting stations 9, which are part of a respective sealing station of the sealer arrangement. There, can 100 and lid 101 are guided together, but not yet combined.

The cans 100 thus pass from an area of the gassing device 5 in which they are gassed with the headspace gassing element 51 to an area in which they are gassed with the lifting gassing element 52. The headspace gassing element 51 and the lifting gassing element 52 thus gas in the area B1 according to Fig. 4 . However, the head space 111 is to be replaced by the head space gassing element 51, whereas the cover 101 is gassed by the lifting gassing element 52 and the head space 111 is kept constant.

During one revolution of the arrangement, the lifting stations 9 carry out the cam-controlled lifting movement along the lifting path in order to retract the cans 100 onto the lids 101 from below.

The headspace gassing element 51 and the lifting gassing element 52 are two separate/independent slot nozzles 51, 52, which are aligned differently as described above. Alternatively, the head space gassing element 51 and the lifting gassing element 52 can also be designed as a continuous slot nozzle, with the part of the slot nozzle which is used as the lifting gassing element 52 being aligned parallel to the stroke.

The container feed 12 is as in Fig. 3 and 4 shown a linear container feed 12, so that the conveyor belt 8 and thus the movement of the Can 100 run linearly. Consequently, the headspace gassing element 51 also runs linearly and the can 100 is gassed linearly.

With this linear gassing, the gassing does not take place via a movable gassing device, but rather via the permanently mounted, static slot nozzle 51.

The slot nozzle 51 preferably starts approximately 400 mm before the can 100 and lid 101 are brought together. Due to this long gassing path, the gassing can take place at low speed and there is still enough time to replace the head space 111.

Fig. 7 shows a perspective view of the gassing device 5 with a cover gassing element 53.

The lid gassing element 53 is arranged along a section of the lid moving device 4 or along a section of the rail 15B of the lid guide in such a way that the lid can be gassed in area B2 before it is placed on the can.

The lid gassing element 53 is designed as a large number of nozzles arranged next to one another, whereby the lid can be gassed even better.

In all of the gassing elements 51, 52, 53 described above, the mass flow can be defined separately for the head space 111 and for the cover 101 using a valve.

Since, in contrast to the prior art, a rotary feedthrough is not required and a complex gassing rotor is no longer necessary, hygiene is improved and format changes are made easier. In addition, the lid no longer has to be placed on the gassing rotor, which enables improved lid guidance and reduction of disruptive contours when rising with the lifting station 9. The targeted gassing through the various gassing elements and gassing areas enables lower gas consumption and the gassing can be optimized for different products.

Figures 8A and 8B show a preferred embodiment for a gassing device 5 according to Fig. 3 or 5A . The gassing device 5 includes an area for gassing via the headspace gassing element 51 via permanently mounted, static nozzles. However, the main gassing takes place via a large number of gassing channels 54, which extend over the conveyor belt 8 and the outer rail 15A of the lid guide 15A, 15B and are separated from one another by webs 55. In principle, the plurality of gassing channels 54 can be designed as a single nozzle with a common gas inlet. The length of the various gassing channels 54 is adapted to the radial guidance of the lid.

The head space of the can can initially only be gassed indirectly by the flow over the can and reflection over the lid. As the can rises, it moves into the gas stream of the gassing channels 54 and is thus additionally gassed.

The headspace gassing element 51 is optionally and preferably designed as a slot nozzle aligned in the direction of the headspace.

The invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Other variations of the disclosed embodiments may be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing a claimed invention from a study of the drawings, the disclosure and the dependent claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude any other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. The mere fact that certain measures are repeated in different dependent claims does not mean that a combination of these measures cannot be used advantageously. Any reference characters in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope.

Claims (15)

Feed device for gassing a container (100) and a lid (101) in a gassing area (B) when feeding to a sealer (1000). a container feeder (12) for feeding the container (100) through the fumigation area (B) along a first feed path (S1); and a lid feed (10) arranged on the container feed (12) in such a way that a lid (101) can be moved through the fumigation area (B) along a second feed path (S2) to the container (100) and at one end of the fumigation area (B) can be placed on the container (100); and a fumigation device (5) arranged stationary on the fumigation area (B) for fumigation of the container (100) and the lid (101) in the fumigation area (B) characterized in that the gassing device (5) extends over the first feed path (S1) and the second feed path (S2) in such a way that the lid (101) and the container (100) until the lid (101) is brought together with the Container (100) can be gassed. Feed device according to claim 1, wherein the gassing device (5) comprises a plurality of gassing channels (54) which extend from the first feed path (S1) to the second feed path (S2). Feed device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the container feed (12) comprises a conveyor belt (8) on which the container (100) can be moved along the first feed path (S1) to the closer (1000). Feed device according to claim 3, wherein the gassing device (5) is arranged on, in particular above, the conveyor belt (8) in such a way that the container (100) can be gassed when moving over the conveyor belt (8). Feed device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the conveyor belt (8) is arranged and designed such that the first feed path (S1) runs linearly. Feeding device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the lid feeder (10) comprises a lid moving device (4) which is movably arranged such that the lid (101) can be moved by the lid moving device (4), and the lid feeder (10) further comprises a comprises a lid guide (15A, 15B) arranged on the lid moving device (4), through which the lid (101) can be guided to the container (100) during movement through the lid moving device (4). Feed device according to claim 6, wherein the gassing device (5) is arranged on, in particular above, the lid guide (15A, 15B) such that the lid (101) can be gassed during movement by the lid moving device (4). Feed device according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the lid guide (15A, 15B) is designed such that the second feed path (S2) comprises a first section in which the lids (101) can be guided radially and comprises a second section in which the Lid (101) can be guided linearly and in particular over the container (100). Feed device according to one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the lid guide (15A, 15B) comprises a first guide surface (22A) and a second guide surface (22B), the lid (101) being between the first guide surface (22A) and the second guide surface (22B) can be arranged so that the lid (101) is opened by the relative movement of the Lid movement device (4) can be guided to the first guide surface (22A) and the second guide surface (22B) to the container (100). Feed device according to one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the lid moving device (4) comprises a lid driver (19), the lid driver (19) being attached to the lid moving device (4) in such a way that the lid (101) is moved by the lid driver (19). can be picked up and moved by the lid driver (19) in the lid guide (15A, 15B). Feed device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the container feed (12) comprises a movement device (21) for receiving and transporting the container (100) via the conveyor belt (8). Closer comprising a feed device (1) according to one of the preceding claims. Closer according to claim 12, comprising an arrangement (14) arranged in a working space (2) of the closer (1000) with a plurality of closing stations (26), the feed device (1) for feeding the containers (100) with lids (101). the arrangement (14) is arranged; and
an outlet for closed containers from the arrangement (14). Method for gassing a container (100) and a lid (101), comprising: Providing a feed device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 11; and transporting the container (100) with the container feeder (12); transporting the lid (101) with the lid feeder (10) to the container (100); and Gassing the container (100) and/or lid (101) during the Transporting by means of the gassing device (5); and Place the lid (101) on an opening of the container (100). Method according to claim 14, wherein fumigation of the container and/or lid (101) comprises:
Gassing a head space (111) of the container (100) and/or gassing a lid space and/or gassing an area between the container (100) and the lid (101).

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