EP4309824A1 - Control device for a closing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a control device (1) for a closer (1000) for closing a container (100), comprising a carrier element (2); and a folding curve (4) arranged on the support element (2) with a curved track (3); and a folding device comprising a carrier shaft (7) with a control end and a folding end, the folding device further comprising a control element (6) arranged on the control end and a folding lever (8) arranged on the folding end, a first one on the folding lever (8). Folding roller (81) for a first folding operation (OP1) and a second folding roller (82) for a second folding operation (OP2) are arranged, the control element (6) being movably arranged in the cam track (4) in such a way that the first folding operation ( OP1) and the second folding operation (OP2) can be controlled by the movement of the control element (6) in the cam path (3). The folding curve (4) comprises a first curve segment (41) and a second curve segment (42), the curve path (3) being formed by the first curve segment (41) and the second curve segment (42), and the first curve segment (41) and the second curve segment (42) can be moved independently of one another in such a way that the first folding operation (OP1) and the second folding operation (OP2) can be adjusted independently of one another.

Description

The invention relates to a control device for a seamer and a seamer for closing a container. The invention further relates to a method for closing a container.

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 can bodies 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 can body and held on the can body 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 body 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.

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.

Before the actual folding process, the lid and can are united at a defined point. The can with the lid on is then clamped between a lifting station and the seaming head. The can remains clamped throughout the entire folding process and is only released again after the folding process has been completed in order to reach a can exit. The actual folding process is carried out by the folding rollers, which are located on a folding lever. The folding rollers form the fold, thus creating a tight seal.

Lifting station, folding head, folding lever and folding rollers form a unit (also called “station”). A large number of these stations are arranged in a circle in the can seamer (in a kind of carousel-shaped arrangement). The higher the number of stations, the more cans can be in the folding process at the same time, which can increase performance (in can closures per hour).

The folding process consists of two operations: a pre-fold (operation one, also called "OP1") and a finished fold (operation two, also called "OP2" for short). These operations are carried out by sequentially pressing a first folding roller for OP1 and a second folding roller for OP2 onto the can lid placed in the contact area from can to lid. By pressing the respective folding roller, the material such as the sheet metal of the lid and the can is folded into one another.

In order to control these two folding operations OP1 and OP2, known can seamers have a control device.

For a better understanding of the present invention, a control device known from the prior art is described below using the Fig. 1A-C 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. 1A-C ), while features of devices according to the invention or their components do not have an apostrophe.

Fig. 1A-C show the known control device 1 'for the folding process of the can seamer.

The control device 1' comprises a support element 2' and a folding curve 4' arranged on the support element 2' with a cam track 3' and cam profile 5'.

To control the folding process, a folding device with a control element attached to a support axis is arranged in the cam track 3 'and the control element is moved through the cam track in the operating state.

The folding lever is attached to the other end of the support axis, with the first folding roller for the first folding operation and the second folding roller for the second folding operation being arranged on the folding lever.

The first folding operation and the second folding operation can be controlled by the movement of the control element in the cam path 3 '.

In order to adapt the first folding operation and the second folding operation, the folding curve 4 'is connected to an adjusting mechanism 10', whereby the position of the folding curve 4' can be moved via the adjusting mechanism 4' so that an OP2 area 52' of the folding curve 4' is located such that the folding rollers for the second folding operation are positioned closer or further to the fold depending on the folding curve setting - i.e. can exert a lower or higher pressure on the fold. This means that it is usually no longer necessary to individually adjust the folding rollers at each station to the new requirements for the second folding operation.

However, this change in position of the entire folding curve 4' by the adjustment mechanism 10' not only results in a change in position of the OP2 area 52', but inevitably also a slight change in position of an OP1 area 51', since these areas are arranged on the same folding curve 4' (Die Shifting the folding curve 4' around the pivot point 54' not only results in a change in position of the OP2 area 52', but also a (smaller) change in position/distortion of the OP1 area 51').

The area of the curved track 3' in which the OP1 area 51' is located is slightly distorted for geometric reasons when the position of the OP2 area 52' is changed. This sometimes led to the prefold no longer being manufactured correctly.

The object of the invention is therefore to provide a control device which avoids the disadvantageous effects known from the prior art. In particular, a control device should be provided which is designed to be simple and can be easily and flexibly adapted.

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

According to the invention, a control device for a seamer for closing a container is proposed. The control device comprises a carrier element, a folding curve arranged on the carrier element with a cam track and a folding device.

The folding device includes a carrier shaft with a control end and a folding end. In addition, the folding device comprises a control element arranged at the control end of the carrier shaft and a folding lever arranged at the folding end of the carrier shaft.

Here, the folding device further comprises a first folding roller for a first folding operation and a second folding roller for a second folding operation, which are arranged on the folding lever.

The control element is arranged movably in the cam path of the folding curve in such a way that the first folding operation and the second folding operation can be controlled by the movement of the control element in the cam path.

In addition, the folding curve comprises a first curve segment and a second curve segment, the curve path being formed by the first curve segment and the second curve segment.

The first curve segment and the second curve segment are independently movable (in particular displaceable) in such a way that the first folding operation and the second folding operation (in particular by the movement/displacement of the first curve segment and the second curve segment) can be adjusted independently of one another.

By moving the first curve segment and/or the second curve segment, a shape of the curve path in particular can be changed. By changing the shape of the cam path, the first folding operation and the second folding operation can be adjusted, since the shape of the cam path is responsible for controlling the first and second folding operations.

In particular, a preliminary fold is formed by the first folding operation (hereinafter also referred to as “OP1”) and a finished fold is formed by the second folding operation (hereinafter also referred to as “OP2”). These operations can be carried out by sequentially pressing the first folding roller for the first folding operation and the second folding roller for the second folding operation onto the container with a placed lid in the contact area from container to lid. By pressing the respective folding roller, the material is folded into one another.

In the context of the invention, independently movable means in particular that the first curve segment can be moved without moving the second curve segment and / or that the second curve segment can be moved without moving the first curve segment.

In the context of the invention, independently adjustable means in particular that the first folding operation can be set without changing the second folding operation and / or the second folding operation can be set without changing the first folding operation. This is made possible in particular by the fact that both the first curve segment and the second curve segment can change their position (particularly preferably their position relative to/on the support element) without changing the position of the other curve segment. In particular, this allows the first folding roller and/or the second folding roller to be closer or further to a fold of the container in an operating state, i.e. the delivery of the first and second folding rollers can be adjusted independently of one another. In particular, the folding rollers are positioned further or closer to the fold in order to exert less or greater pressure on the fold.

Preferably, the shape of an area of the cam path responsible for the corresponding folding operation is changed by the change in position of the first or second cam segment.

The carrier element is in particular the device part via which the control device is fastened/arranged in a closer. The carrier element can be stationary, i.e. immovable. The folding curve is in particular the part of the device through which the movement of the folding rollers in the seamer is specified, i.e. controlled. The folding device is in particular the device part with which the container is closed. In principle, the curved path can be formed by any number of curved segments, but is formed at least by the first curved segment and the second curved segment.

Particularly preferably, the first curve segment and the second curve segment can be moved independently of one another in such a way that a curve profile (i.e. the shape) of the curve path can be changed. The curve profile is in particular the profile along which the control element can be moved. In particular, the first folding operation and the second folding operation can be adjusted by changing the curve profile due to the displacement of the first curve segment and the second curve segment.

Since the folding lever and thus the folding rollers are connected to the control element via the carrier shaft, the folding lever and the folding rollers are also moved accordingly when moving along the curve profile.

The control element can in particular comprise a cam roller (or a plurality of cam rollers, particularly preferably a first and second cam roller), which cam roller / cam rollers can be rolled along the cam profile during the movement through the cam track, i.e. can be unrolled.

The cam track can have a first section for controlling the first folding operation and a second section for controlling the second folding operation (i.e. the responsible areas mentioned above).

The cam track is particularly preferably designed as a circular path, a circuit or a revolving cam path, in which the control element can be moved endlessly in one direction (or along which the folding device can be moved endlessly in one direction).

The control device can include a large number of folding devices, which are arranged on a single folding curve, i.e. are guided in a single curved path.

In carrying out the invention, the first curve segment can be movable in such a way that a position of the first section can be changed relative to/on the support element. Consequently, a first delivery of the first folding roller (and thus the first folding operation) to the container can be adjustable by changing the position of the first section.

Additionally or alternatively, the second curve segment can be movable in such a way that a position of the second section can be changed relative to/on the carrier element. Consequently, a second delivery of the second folding roller (and thus the second folding operation) to the container can be adjustable by changing the position of the second section. The first section can therefore be moved independently of the second section and in particular relative to/on the carrier element. In addition, the second section can be moved independently of the first section and in particular relative to/on the carrier element.

In carrying out the invention, the folding device can be movable relative to the carrier element by moving the control element in the cam path.

In practice, the carrier shaft can extend along a carrier axis from the control end to the folding end and, by moving the control element, a torque acting essentially perpendicular to the carrier axis can be exerted on the carrier shaft, so that the folding lever with the carrier shaft can be moved by the control device. Alternatively, the control element can be movable in the cam path by a torque acting on the carrier shaft. For this purpose, either the control element or the carrier shaft can be coupled to a rotor of the closer, so that the movement occurs due to a rotation of the rotor in the operating state.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the first and/or second folding roller is rotatably arranged on the folding lever. For this purpose, the folding rollers can each be arranged/attached to a rotatable folding roller bolt, which is fixed/clamped to the folding lever.

Through the measures set out above, the control device according to the invention not only solves the problem of the distorted OP1 area when the OP2 position is shifted, but also combines other functions that enable more diverse folding settings.

The control device according to the invention offers in particular a complete mechanical separation of movements from the OP1 area (i.e. the first section) to the OP2 area (i.e. the second section). The control device according to the invention is constructed in such a way that the position of the OP2 area can be moved - without influencing the OP1 area.

The solution according to the invention no longer consists of a single curve that undergoes a change in position, but of (at least) two segments - the first and second curve segments - which can be moved completely independently of one another. So in particular the first curve segment for the first folding operation and the second curve segment for the second folding operation. Both are preferably directly connected to a cam carrier - the carrier element - and can each be moved from the carrier element. Particularly preferably, the curve segments can each be moved from the carrier element via servo motors with gears, in particular by means of an eccentric cam arranged on the first and second curve segments.

According to the invention, a sealer for closing the container is further proposed, which includes the control device according to the invention.

The capper preferably comprises a capping station comprising the control device with the lifting station for receiving the container. By clamping the container between the folding head and the lifting station, the container can be rotated and closed using the folding rollers.

The closing station can include the aforementioned rotor.

In addition, the seamer can supply a container for the containers, in particular containers filled with a product, to the seaming station (or for feeding the container to a working space of the seamer) and a feed device for guiding the lids to the container. In addition, the capper according to the invention can include an outlet for closed containers from the capping station.

The closing station of the closer can particularly preferably comprise a lifting station, folding head, folding lever and folding rollers as a unit - the station. A large number of the stations can be arranged in a circle in the closing station of the closer (in a kind of carousel-shaped arrangement/carousel). The higher the number of stations, the more cans can be in the folding process at the same time, which can increase performance (in container closures per hour).

According to the invention, a method for closing the container with the lid is also proposed. The method according to the invention includes providing the closer according to the invention, placing the lid on an opening of the container and closing the container with the lid through/in the closing station.

The container can be clamped between the folding head and the lifting station and the lid can be folded onto the container using the first folding roller, second folding roller and 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 the 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 close and/or shield the work area from the outside, so that an atmosphere in the work area is hygienically separated from the surroundings.

The closer 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 opposite the folding devices.

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.

In addition, the container feed can be designed as an insertion table known in the prior art.

The seamer according to the invention is preferably designed as a can seamer. 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 container can be a can and the lid can be a can lid, which are folded together by the can seamer.

In the operating state, 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, the folding roller is then rotated 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 about a folding axis with a folding shaft. For closing purposes, the can is preferably fixed in the axial and radial directions and is rotated in the circumferential direction.

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 sealer can preferably comprise at least the first folding roller and the second folding roller as two types of folding rollers with different folding profiles, so that cans can be closed according to a double-folding principle, in which the cans are closed in two stages. One type of folding roller is responsible for one level. The first folding roller creates the preliminary fold (first folding operation), while the second type of folding roller completely closes the can/container (second folding operation).

The can bodies are fed through the container feeder. The can bodies go from the container feed to one of the respective lifting stations (which are integrated into the closing station). During one revolution of the closing station, the lifting stations preferably carry out a cam-controlled lifting movement in order to retract the can bodies 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.

The can seamer preferably also includes an ejection element. The ejection element is, for example, attached to an ejection rod which carries out a linear movement along the axial direction within the folding shaft of the folding head. Preferably cam-controlled (via a separate cam of the control device), the can lid is first held in the lid guide during the downward movement. As soon as the can body is inserted into the can lid, the ejection element changes the direction of the stroke and moves upwards evenly with the lifting station. The supporting function of the ejection element ends with the retraction of the can body and can lid into the seaming head. From this moment on, the can is clamped between the lifting station and the seaming head. The actual folding process is then carried out.

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 control device in order to avoid the disadvantages of the prior art.

Fig. 1A

eine erste Ansicht einer Steuervorrichtung des Standes der Technik;

Fig. 1B

eine zweite Ansicht der Steuervorrichtung des Standes der Technik;

Fig. 1C

eine dritte Ansicht der Steuervorrichtung des Standes der Technik;

Fig. 2

eine Draufsicht eines erfindungsgemässen Dosenverschliessers;

Fig. 3

eine Darstellung einer ersten und zweiten Falzoperation;

Fig. 4

eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Zusammenspiels einer erfindungsgemässen Steuervorrichtung mit einer Falzvorrichtung;

Fig. 5A

eine erste Ansicht eines erfindungsgemässen Trägerelementes mit einem ersten Kurvensegment und einem zweiten Kurvensegment;

Fig. 5B

eine zweite Ansicht des erfindungsgemässen Trägerelementes mit einem ersten Kurvensegment;

Fig. 5C

eine dritte Ansicht des erfindungsgemässen Trägerelementes mit einem zweiten Kurvensegment;

Fig. 6A

eine erste Ansicht von unten eines erfindungsgemässen Trägerelementes mit einem ersten Kurvensegment und einem zweiten Kurvensegment;

Fig. 6B

eine zweite Ansicht von unten des erfindungsgemässen Trägerelementes mit dem ersten Kurvensegment und dem zweiten Kurvensegment;

Fig. 7

eine schematische Darstellung einer Verschliessstation.

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

Fig. 1A

a first view of a prior art control device;

Fig. 1B

a second view of the prior art control device;

Fig. 1C

a third view of the prior art control device;

Fig. 2

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

Fig. 3

an illustration of a first and second folding operation;

Fig. 4

a perspective view of the interaction of a control device according to the invention with a folding device;

Fig. 5A

a first view of a support element according to the invention with a first curve segment and a second curve segment;

Fig. 5B

a second view of the support element according to the invention with a first curve segment;

Fig. 5C

a third view of the support element according to the invention with a second curve segment;

Fig. 6A

a first view from below of a support element according to the invention with a first curve segment and a second curve segment;

Fig. 6B

a second view from below of the support element according to the invention with the first curve segment and the second curve segment;

Fig. 7

a schematic representation of a closing station.

Fig. 1A-C have already been described above in the presentation of the prior art.

Fig. 2 shows a top view of a can seamer 1000 according to the invention. In principle, the closing process is analogous to the prior art, but the can seamer 1000 has a control device according to the invention.

The can seamer 1000 according to Fig. 2 comprises a lid providing device 11 for providing a lid 101, a gassing rotor 15 for supplying gas to the can 100 and for guiding and transporting the lid 101 to the can 100. The sealer 1000 also includes a sealing station 14 for closing the can 100 with the lid 101 The closing station 14 is arranged in a working space 19 of the can seamer 1000 which is surrounded by a housing 20.

The lid 101 is introduced into the working space 19 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 15. The lids 101 are transported further by rotating the gassing rotor 15.

The cans 100 are guided from a container dispenser in the direction of arrow A to the work space 19 by drivers of the container feed 12 arranged on a chain. There the containers 100 are introduced into the container receptacles 17 of the gassing rotor 15. There the can 100 is gassed in area D with a gas such as carbon dioxide or nitrogen and combined with the lid 101.

The gassing takes place along the arrow B with the gas supply 16 via the gassing rotor 15. After the gassing, the can 100 with the lid 101 is passed through the container transfer 13 from the gassing rotor 15 to the folding process 14 and closed there. As an alternative to the gassing rotor 15, a lid rotor with rails can also be used to transport the lids, with the gassing being carried out via a linear gassing device which is arranged in a stationary manner.

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

During fumigation, the gas is conveyed to an underside of the lid 101. It can thus be ensured that a remaining volume of the can 100, 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 arranged in the can 100.

Fig. 3 shows a representation of a first folding operation OP1 and a second folding operation OP2.

A folding process according to the invention consists of two operations: a pre-fold (through "OP1") and the final fold (through "OP2"). These operations OP1 and OP2 are carried out by sequentially pressing the first folding roller 81 and the second folding roller 82 onto the can 100 with the lid 101 placed on it in the contact area from the can 100 to the lid 101. By pressing the respective folding roller 81, 82, the sheet metal of the lid 101 and the can 100 folded into each other.

Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of the interaction of a control device 1 according to the invention with a folding device.

The control device 1 comprises a carrier element 2, a folding curve 4 arranged on the carrier element 2 with a cam track 3 and a folding device.

The folding device includes a carrier shaft 7 in the form of a lever shaft mechanism 7 with a control end and a folding end. The folding device also comprises a control element 6 arranged at the control end of the carrier shaft 7 and a folding lever 8 arranged at the folding end of the carrier shaft 7.

The control element 6, which is designed as a cam roller 6, can be moved by rolling in the cam track 3 of the folding curve 4a in such a way that the first folding operation and the second folding operation can be controlled by the movement of the control element 6 in the cam track 3. It can therefore be controlled when which folding roller 81, 82 acts on the can and lid.

The first folding roller 81 and second folding roller 82 are fastened in the folding lever 8. This is cam controlled via the lever shaft mechanism 7 and cam roller 6 via the folding cam 4. The folding curve 4 consequently controls the sequential pressing of the folding rollers 81, 82 to form the fold.

If different can and/or lid materials (type of material, wall thickness) are closed on a seamer, the second folding rollers 82 for the second folding operation (and in rare cases the first folding rollers 81 for the first folding operation) must be used every time the can and/or lid material is changed Closing stations can be adjusted to changed can/lid materials.

Fig. 5A-C show views of the support element 2 according to the invention with a first curve segment 41 and a second curve segment 42.

The curved path 3 is formed by the first curve segment 41 and the second curve segment 42. The first curve segment 41 and the second curve segment 42 can be displaced independently of one another in such a way that the first folding operation and the second folding operation can be adjusted independently of one another by moving the first curve segment 41 and the second curve segment 42, since a curve profile 5 is attached to the curve path 3 can change in different sections.

Here, independently displaceable means in particular that the first curve segment 41 can be moved without a movement of the second curve segment 42 and that the second curve segment 42 can be moved without movement of the first curve segment 41, since the curve segments 41, 42 can be moved independently of one another on the support element 2 are attached.

Thus, in an operating state, the first folding roller or the second folding roller can be closer or further to a fold of the container, i.e. the delivery of the first and second folding rollers can be adjusted independently of one another.

All settings described here can be operated electrically with servo motors via gears. The servo motor 22 can move the second curve segment 42 via the eccentric cam 21.

The solution according to the invention therefore consists of two segments 41, 42, which can be moved completely independently of one another.

Fig. 6A-B show views from below of a support element 2 according to the invention with a first curve segment 41 and a second curve segment 42.

The device according to the invention not only solves the basic problem of the distorted OP1 area, i.e. a first section 51 when the OP2 area position is shifted (i.e. a shift of a second section 52), but also combines further functions which enable more diverse folding settings.

The invention offers a completely mechanical separation of movement from the OP1 area 51 to the OP2 area 52. The system is constructed in such a way that the OP2 area 52 can be moved in position - without influencing the OP1 area 51.

There is also the possibility of moving not only the position of the OP2 area 52 but also the position of the OP1 area 51 - and this completely independently of the displacement of the OP2 area 52.

An OP2 adjustment mechanism (in the form of an eccentric cam 21) not only adjusts an OP2 fold (i.e. finished fold), but also enables a so-called "disengagement function" of the OP2 area 52. This means that the OP2 area 52 is moved so far outwards that the second folding roller can no longer exert any force on the fold.

This disengagement of the OP2 area 52 now enables a pre-fold analysis and pre-fold settings of the first folding rollers, despite the second folding rollers being installed (since these now have no influence on the fold). A prefold (i.e. OP1 fold) can now be examined separately in order to adjust it if necessary.

This combination of these two functions (OP2 setting and disengagement) made possible according to the invention means that costs, number of parts and time required for commissioning can be reduced.

The displacement of the second curve segment 42 about the pivot point 24 via the OP2 eccentric cam 21 results in a change in position of the OP2 area 52 and is used for the global adjustment/setting of the OP2 fold (i.e. for any number of folding devices arranged on the folding curve ), without having to set/adjust the second folding rollers of each station separately with great effort. The cam path 3 of the OP1 area 51 of the first cam segment 41 is not influenced with this setting of the OP2 area 52 due to the mechanical motion separation contained in this invention.

The displacement of the first curve segment 41 around the pivot point 26 via the OP1 eccentric cam 25, driven by a servo motor with gear, results in a change in position of the OP1 area 51 and is used for the global adjustment/setting of the OP1 fold (i.e. for any desired number of folding devices arranged on the folding curve) - without having to set/adjust the first folding rollers of each station separately with great effort. The OP1 fold is controlled via the first curve segment 51. The cam path 3 of the OP2 area 52 of the second cam segment 42 is not influenced with this setting of the OP1 area 51 due to the mechanical motion separation contained in this invention.

Fig. 7 shows a schematic representation of a closing station 1001 with a can 100 to be closed and a can lid 101, in which the control device according to the invention is not shown with the individual components.

The closing station 1001 comprises a can support with a lifting station 23 and a folding head 9 and a folding roller 81 rotatably mounted around a folding shaft with a folding roller profile 111. The can lid 101 is arranged centered above the opening of the can 100. The can 100 has a circumferential can flange in the area of the can opening and the can lid 101 has a circumferential can lid flange.

During the closing process, the folding roller 81 is brought into contact with the can flange and the can lid flange via the folding roller profile 111. Here, the can flange and the can lid flange are pressed together by means of a substantially radially acting force via the folding roller 81. The pressing takes place by continuously rolling the folding roller 81 in the circumferential direction along the circumference of the can opening. By folding the can 100 with the can lid 101, a double fold is preferably created. However, a second folding roller, not shown here, is used for this.

For folding, the can 100 is rotated by a clamping device consisting of a lifting station 23 and a folding head 9 by rotating the folding head 9 with the folding shaft about the folding axis X.

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.

Particularly preferred embodiments of the invention relate to a control device which comprises a plurality of folding devices, which are arranged on a single folding curve, i.e. are guided in a single curved path.

Claims (15)

Control device for a seamer (1000) for seaming a container (100), comprising a support element (2); and a folding curve (4) arranged on the support element (2) with a curved track (3); and a folding device comprising a carrier shaft (7) with a control end and a folding end, the folding device further comprising a control element (6) arranged on the control end and a folding lever (8) arranged on the folding end, a first folding roller on the folding lever (8). (81) for a first folding operation (OP1) and a second folding roller (82) for a second folding operation (OP2) are arranged, the control element (6) being movably arranged in the cam track (4) in such a way that the first folding operation (OP1 ) and the second folding operation (OP2) can be controlled by the movement of the control element (6) in the cam path (3); characterized in that the folding curve (4) comprises a first curve segment (41) and a second curve segment (42), the curve path (3) being formed by the first curve segment (41) and the second curve segment (42), and the first curve segment (41) and the second curve segment (42) can be moved independently of one another in such a way that the first folding operation (OP1) and the second folding operation (OP2) can be adjusted independently of one another. Control device according to claim 1, wherein the first curve segment (41) and the second curve segment (42) can be moved independently of one another in such a way that a curve profile (5) of the curve path (3) can be changed. Control device according to claim 2, wherein the control element (6) comprises a cam roller (6), which cam roller (6) during movement can be rolled along the curve profile (P) by the curved track (3). Control device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cam track (3) has a first section (51) for controlling the first folding operation (OP1) and a second section (52) for controlling the second folding operation (OP2). Control device according to claim 4, wherein the first cam segment (41) is movable such that a position of the first section (51) on the support element (2) can be changed. Control device according to claim 4 or 5, wherein a first delivery of the first folding roller (81) to the container (100) can be adjusted by changing the position of the first section (51). Control device according to one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the second cam segment (42) is movable such that a position of the second section (52) on the support element (2) can be changed. Control device according to one of claims 4 to 7, wherein a second delivery of the second folding roller (82) to the container (100) can be adjusted by changing the position of the second section (52). Control device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the folding device is movable relative to the carrier element (2) by the movement of the control element (6) in the cam track (3). Control device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the carrier shaft (7) extends along a carrier axis from the control end to the folding end and a torque acting essentially perpendicular to the carrier axis can be exerted on the carrier shaft (7) by the movement of the control element (6), so that the Folding lever (8) with the carrier shaft (7) can be moved by the control device (1). Control device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first and/or second folding rollers (81, 82) are rotatably arranged on the folding lever (8). Closer for closing a container (100) comprising a control device (1) according to one of the preceding claims. Closer according to claim 12 further comprising: a closing station (1001) comprising the control device (1) with a lifting station (23) for receiving the container (100); a container feed (12) for containers (100), in particular containers filled with a product, to the closing station (1001); a feed device (15) for feeding the lids (101) to the container (100); and an outlet (13) for closed containers from the closing station (1001). Method for closing a container (100) with a lid (101), comprising: Providing a closer (1000) according to one of claims 12 or 13; and placing the lid (101) on an opening of the container (100); and closing the container (100) with the lid (101). The method of claim 14, wherein closing the container (100) comprises: Positioning the container (100) between a folding head (9) and a lifting station (23); Folding the lid (101) onto the container (100) using the first and second folding rollers (81, 82).

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